The Iowa Supreme Court says two people who filed, then dropped lawsuits against the owners of animal confinement operations have to pay the company's legal costs. Michael Merrill of Batavia and Karen Jo Frescoln of Libertyville, were part of a group of 70 people who filed nuisance lawsuits … [Read more...]
Iowa Cattlemen face deep price drop, seek federal assistance
The Iowa Cattlemen's Association is asking Iowa's congressional delegation and the US agriculture secretary to provide immediate federal assistance to cattle producers. Matt Deppe, the association's CEO, says the dramatic drop in the cattle futures market in the past week alone has put cattle … [Read more...]
Iowa’s governor, farmers urge Trump to let pro-ethanol court ruling stand
Governor Kim Reynolds is again lobbying President Trump and his Administration on ethanol policy. The EPA has signaled it will appeal a court ruling that sided with the ethanol industry and against some of the EPA's waivers that let small oil refineries skip blending ethanol into gasoline. "We … [Read more...]
Pork Congress to get underway in Des Moines
Thousands of pork producers, students and industry officials, as well as hundreds of vendors, will gather for the annual Iowa Pork Congress this week. Dal Grooms, spokeswoman for the Iowa Pork Producers Association, says the event is North America’s largest winter swine trade show and conference. … [Read more...]
Iowa’s governor to DC to attend signing of China trade deal
Governor Kim Reynolds is headed to Washington, D.C. to attend the signing of "phase one" of a trade deal with China. "It's a really good first step for Iowa and for Iowa farmers," Reynolds told Radio Iowa late Tuesday afternoon. Reynolds said she was invited by the Trump Administration to send … [Read more...]
On National Bacon Day, reflecting on Iowa’s role in bacon production
This is National Bacon Day and Iowa plays a key role in providing the 1.1 billion servings of bacon consumed in the U.S. this year. Iowa is the number one pork-producing state. Nearly one-third of the nation's hogs are raised here. According to the Iowa Pork Producers, there are about 22 million … [Read more...]
Pork Producers focus on prep for potential ASF outbreak
Iowa Pork Producers are urging lawmakers to continue taxpayer support of facilities and programs designed to respond to an outbreak of African swine fever here. The association's Drew Mogler testified at a public hearing in the governor's office last week. "Iowa Pork is very appreciative of the … [Read more...]
Iowans see positive development on USMCA ratification
Iowa politicians, commodity groups and Iowa's business community are celebrating news of a deal that will lead to U.S. House ratification of a new trade agreement to replace NAFTA. Passage of the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement will close out 2019 with a win for farmers who've had a difficult year, … [Read more...]
Preliminary report classifies 622 Iowa waterways as impaired in 2018
State officials have drafted a preliminary list classifying 622 Iowa waterways as "impaired" during 2018. That's a two percent increase from the previous year's list. Roger Bruner supervises the water monitoring staff in the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and he spoke with reporters this … [Read more...]
State officials optimistic Iowa meat sales to Japan will jump
Iowa's governor and the state's agriculture secretary are in Japan, meeting with government officials and grocers to tout Iowa beef and pork. Ag Secretary Mike Naig said Iowa meat has been sold in Japan "for decades." "It's about relationships and meeting with customers to hear their concerns, … [Read more...]