Local, State & Ag News
Illinois Farm Bureau maintaining pursuit of estate tax reform
The president of the Illinois Farm Bureau says the organization remains committed to pursuing estate tax relief for the state’s farmers. Phillip Nelson, who farms in LaSalle County, says efforts
R-CALF CEO says supply imbalance is slowing cattle herd expansion efforts
The head of R-CALF USA says the supply and demand imbalance is impacting expansion in the cattle herd. CEO Bill Bullard says the current environment in the cattle sector is making any significant growth difficult. “Right now, we
Indiana FFA expanding leadership structure as membership grows to more than 14,000 students
Indiana FFA has expanded its district and section leadership model to keep pace with student membership growth. Lisa Chaudion, executive director of the Indiana FFA Foundation, says the updates were
USDA details FAS, Rural Development relocations as reorganization moves forward
The USDA has announced more details on the reorganization of two mission areas. The Foreign Agricultural Service will establish an operational support hub in Kansas City, Missouri. The agency will
Missouri dairy sector expanding with two new operations planned
Two new dairy operations are coming online in Missouri by late 2027, and the state’s ag director says the growth is positive. Chris Chinn with the Missouri Department of Agriculture
Ethanol stocks up, exports decline
U.S. ethanol production dipped slightly last week. The U.S. Energy Information Administration says production fell half a percentage point to 1.1 million barrels per day. The four-week average ethanol production
Iowa soccer lovers need to look before leaping into buying World Cup tix
With World Cup soccer underway in Kansas City, Iowans who hope to head south and see a game are being warned about multiple scams. Khesha Duncan, with the Better Business
Ag groups take wait-and-see stance on Missouri income tax elimination plan
Missouri voters will decide in August whether to phase out and eventually eliminate the state’s income tax, and several state ag groups tell Brownfield they are neutral or don’t have

Meet the Independent Candidate for Iowa House District 4
Garth Van Donselaar has launched his campaign as an independent candidate for Iowa House District 4 for the upcoming November election. Garth Van Donselaar grew up in Sioux Center and
Quarantines lifted as Iowa declared free of pseudorabies
Iowa’s top ag official says the state has successfully eradicated pseudorabies. Secretary Mike Naig with the Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship tells Brownfield there was a strong, coordinated response
