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A multi-state focus on specialty crops
Applications are now being accepted for grants from USDA's Specialty Crop Multi-State Program, which is designed to address various concerns and efforts within the specialty crop industry. USDA Agricultural Marketing Service Deputy Administrator Tricia Kovacs provides more details about the program. Kovacs explains the concerns in the industry that will be focused on, from plant pest and disease research to marketing and promotion. Kovacs expands on the scope of the program. That was USDA...
Western drought intensifies despite Midwest rainfall
Recent rainfall across Iowa and much of the eastern Midwest has helped improve soil moisture conditions heading into the growing season, but USDA Chief Meteorologist Brad Rippey says many areas farther west continue battling intensifying drought conditions. Speaking...
TQA certification promotes efficient and safe animal handling
Transport Quality Assurance®, or TQA, focuses on practical, real-world skills that help handlers and drivers move pigs humanely and efficiently. Stephanie Wetter with the National Pork Board says the program is updated every three years to ensure continuous...
Grassley sows doubt on farm bill’s Senate prospects
The U.S. House of Representatives passed its version of the farm bill on April 30th by a 224–200 vote. With passage through the House, this is the furthest a farm bill has advanced since 2018. However, despite passage in the House, the farm bill still has a long way...
U.S. red meat exports were strong in March
March exports of U.S. pork were among the largest on record, concluding a very strong first quarter, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). USMEF President and CEO Dan Halstrom said increased year-over-year to...
Secretary Naig announces first round of 2026 urban water quality projects
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today announced the first-round of 2026 urban water quality projects, marking the start of a multi-phase investment that will bring new conservation practices to communities of all sizes across the state. These locally led...
E15 heads to House vote under cloud of distrust
A standalone bill allowing nationwide year-round sales of E15 is still expected to receive a vote in the U.S. House this week, but the path to that vote has created growing frustration among many agriculture state lawmakers. The tension began when Speaker Mike Johnson...
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Significant cuts to the U.S. wheat crop defined May’s WASDE report
With how dry it has been in the wheat growing regions of the U.S., many analysts were expecting to see a cut to the new crop wheat production numbers in the May World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report. This month’s report did show exactly that,...
National Farmers Union endorses “Fertilizer Transparency Act”
American farmers are feeling the pressure of high fertilizer costs, and the National Farmers Union is bringing that message to Capitol Hill. Layla Soberanis, NFU senior government relations representative, said the organization has endorsed a newly introduced bill...
Grassley discusses E15 vote in the House
The United States House of Representatives will vote on year-round E15 legislation this week. United States Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) was asked about the legislation’s chances of passing in the House. Grassley also discusses what the next step for that legislation...
DOJ continuing investigation into alleged meatpacking antitrust violations
The U.S. Department of Justice is intensifying its investigation into possible antitrust violations in the beef packing industry, prompting renewed calls from ranching groups for greater competition and market transparency. Federal officials said investigators are...
Western drought intensifies despite Midwest rainfall
Recent rainfall across Iowa and much of the eastern Midwest has helped improve soil moisture conditions heading into the growing season, but USDA Chief Meteorologist Brad Rippey says many areas farther west continue battling intensifying drought conditions. Speaking...
