Iowa Congressman Randy Feenstra says it's time for a federal law that ensures any product labeled as "milk" came from dairy cows or other livestock, not from plants. "I think we have to have labeling. Milk is milk," Feenstra says. "Everything else is something different, right? You have to call … [Read more...]
Governor says JBS plant in Ottumwa close to full production after cyber attack
All regular shifts are on Thursday at the JBS meatpacking plant in Marshalltown that had some production disrupted this week after a company-wide cyber attack. However, the slaughtering operation at the JBS plant in Ottumwa will start two hours late Thursday and some meat cutting operations are … [Read more...]
Cyber threat disrupts JBS meatpacking plants in Marshalltown and Ottumwa
Some shifts were canceled at JBS meatpacking plants in Marshalltown and Ottumwa yesterday after a cyberattack on the company. An updated post on the Facebook page for the JBS plant in Ottumwa said the company is "continuing to work through our IT issues" and no pigs will be slaughtered today in … [Read more...]
ISU study shows meat processing slowdown will cost producers millions
An Iowa State University study finds a recent federal court decision forcing the line speeds at meat processing plants to slow down could result in a two-and-a-half percent loss in pork packing capacity nationwide. ISU economist Dermot Hayes says without any changes, the ruling will lead to a cut … [Read more...]
Iowa cattlemen send message on federal relief limits
Some livestock producers in Iowa saw little or no financial aid during the latest round of federal COVID-19 relief payments. The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association is sending a letter to U.S. Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack regarding payment limitations. Cora Fox, the association's director of government … [Read more...]
Grassley says bill on cattle market pricing has good shot at passing
Republican Senator Chuck Grassley has introduced a bill with a bipartisan group of senators that would force meatpackers to buy at least half of their weekly beef supply on the open market. The vast majority of cattle sales today are private sales. Grassley met with independent farmers this week … [Read more...]
Biden’s EPA administrator says RFS levels coming ASAP
The administrator of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency spent much of Tuesday in Iowa. It's the first solo trip Administrator Michael Regan has taken since he was sworn into office. Regan toured an ethanol plant in Nevada and he told reporters the EPA's announcement on biofuels production … [Read more...]
Pork producers make donation to Siouxland
Iowa Pork Producers held several events in Sioux City and the surrounding area Wednesday. Aaron Juergens of Sunburst Family Farms near Carroll is the southwest director of the Iowa Pork Producers Association and says the past 12 months have reminded them of the importance of community, and he … [Read more...]
DNR investigating two liquid manure spills, milky water in Mason City
The Department of Natural Resources is investigating two manure spills in northern Iowa that have killed fish and the spill of a food product that's described as a pollutant once it reaches a stream. DNR staff estimate several hundred thousand gallons of liquid manure from the Rock Bottom Dairy … [Read more...]
House makes bid to boost access to locally-sourced meat
A plan emerging from the Iowa House would provide $750,000 in grants to help small meat lockers with fewer than 50 employees expand. In addition to the money, a bill that's passed the House would set up a task force to study creation of an artisanal butchery program at a community college or Iowa … [Read more...]