A federal court has ruled Iowa's so-called "ag gag" law is unconstitutional. The law set up a penalty for people who get a job on a farm or in a livestock confinement in order to go undercover to release details of the operation or free the animals. Rita Bettis Austen of the American Civil … [Read more...]
Ernst optimistic Farm Bill reaches president in December
Senator Joni Ernst says there appears to be a breakthrough in negotiations on the Farm Bill. "I am hopeful that the deal gets done by the end of the year," Ernst told Radio Iowa. "I think we have reached an agreement in the conference committee, so that is really good news for our farmers and … [Read more...]
Key Farm Bill negotiators hint a deal may be near
The four top negotiators working on the next Farm Bill have announced a tentative agreement "in principle" -- but the deal is not yet done. The Farm Bill expired October 1. A conference committee of House and Senate members have struggled to settle on a new version. Committee leaders say they're … [Read more...]
Ag Secretary seeks more money to prep for foreign animal disease outbreak
The state ag secretary is asking lawmakers for a quarter of a million dollar budget increase, to boost the "Animal Agriculture Industries Bureau" in the Iowa Department of Agriculture. "To prepare, present, detect and, if needed, to respond in the case of a foreign animal disease," Ag Secretary … [Read more...]
Iowa pork producers meet with retailers in Korea
A delegation of Iowa pork producers and industry officials is now in Korea after spending several days in Japan on what's being called a "meat mission." Pat McGonegle, CEO of the Iowa Pork Producers Association, spoke with Iowa reporters from Seoul and says they've kept a tight schedule of … [Read more...]
Campaign Countdown: state ag secretary race
An incumbent who's been in the post for seven months faces two challengers in the race to be Iowa's Secretary of Agriculture for the next four years. Iowa's long-time State Ag Secretary Bill Northey resigned in March to take a job in the USDA. Governor Reynolds appointed Mike Naig to the post. … [Read more...]
Wet weather and late harvest cause issues for manure spreading
The wet weather and delayed has created problems for livestock producers who want to apply manure to fields this fall. The DNR's Ken Hessenius says the rainfall has also helped fill up manure storage areas and finding a way to draw them down hasn't been easy. "We've been getting a few phone calls … [Read more...]
Ames, Council Bluffs, Quad Cities compete for U.S.D.A. facilities
Two cities in Iowa have submitted proposals to the U.S.D.A. as the agency considers new locations for the headquarters of the Economic Research Service and the National Institute of Food and Agriculture. According to Debi Durham, director of the Iowa Economic Development Authority, the proposals … [Read more...]
Leader of Iowa pork producers sees optimism as numbers hit a record
This time of year is when Iowa pork producers see a large inventory of hogs, as consumers cut back on backyard barbecues. The latest reports show a record number of hogs. Gregg Hora of Fort Dodge, president of the Iowa Pork Producers Association, says despite recent trade tariffs that hurt … [Read more...]
Senator Ernst says new Farm Bill may emerge in lame duck session
Republican Senator Joni Ernst says she's still hopeful a group of negotiators can agree on a new Farm Bill, but she says that may not happen until after next month's election. Ernst is the only Iowan on the congressional committee trying to come up with a compromise. The 2014 Farm Bill expired … [Read more...]