by O. Kay Henderson | May 11, 2023 | News
The U.S. Supreme Court has rejected two major farm groups’ challenge of a California law requiring breeding pigs have more space in livestock confinements. The American Farm Bureau and the Iowa-based National Pork Producers Council argued it will cost the swine...
by O. Kay Henderson | May 3, 2023 | News, Politics & Government
The legislature has voted to create a state fund to provide $750,000 in grants or loans for upgrades at Iowa dairy farms. The Iowa Department of Agriculture will manage the new Dairy Innovation Fund. “It will provide funds for development, expansion and...
by O. Kay Henderson | May 1, 2023 | News
The Iowa legislature is planning to spend an extra $750,000 to prepare for a possible outbreak of African Swine Fever. The virus, which causes severe bleeding and death, has killed pigs in the Caribbean Islands. “It would be devastating for Iowa agriculture and...
by O. Kay Henderson | Apr 26, 2023 | News, Politics & Government
Republicans in the Iowa Senate have approved a budget plan for the Departments of Natural Resources and Agriculture that includes more money to prepare for a potential outbreak of a foreign animal disease, like African Swine Fever. Senator Eric Giddens, a Democrat...
by O. Kay Henderson | Apr 17, 2023 | News, Politics & Government
One hundred members of the Iowa legislature have voted to let Iowa dairy farms sell raw milk. If the governor signs the bill into law, it would still be illegal to sell unpasteurized milk at farmers markets or in restaurants, but raw milk and products like cheese or...