Local, State & Ag News
Weathering the storm of a challenging ag economy
Ohio farmer Eric Tipton says farmers are facing one of the toughest economic years in recent history. “It’s not sustainable,” he says. “Something needs to get fixed.” Michigan Senator, Elissa
Iowans are needed to net and count bumble bees
Volunteers are needed across Iowa to help the state DNR survey the health of our bumble bee populations. Stephanie Shepherd, a wildlife biologist with the agency, says Iowa’s taking part
Mixed precipitation and rising temps shape late-April forecast for farmers
Warmer weather and mixed precipitation are forecast over most major U.S. growing regions the last half of April. Vaisala Xweather senior ag forecaster Donald Keeney says temperature swings should give
Illinois soybean farmers celebrate state’s move to B20
The government relations committee chair with the Illinois Soybean Association says more soybeans will be crushed now that the state has entered the final step in its implementation of B20.
Midwest farmers offered financial safety net for cutting nitrogen
Farmers in several Midwestern states could be eligible for the Practical Farmers of Iowa N Rate Risk Protection Program. PFI senior field crops viability coordinator Chelsea Ferrie says corn growers
Feenstra Raises Possibility of Requiring Private Schools to Accept All Students
Republican Congressman Randy Feenstra says if he’s elected governor, he would “consider” changes to state law tied to taxpayer funding for private school expenses. Speaking with reporters yesterday, Feenstra said
Slower slaughter rates pull USDA beef, pork estimates lower
The USDA has trimmed its 2026 red meat production numbers, while increasing the outlook for poultry. Beef is now projected at 25.79 billion pounds, down 20 million from March mostly
Minnesota dairy assistance bill clears Senate, awaits House action
A bill to provide financial assistance to Minnesota dairy farmers passed unanimously in the Senate. Ag Committee Chair Aric Putnam says the measure helps cover insurance in case milk prices
Nonfat dry milk stays above $2 in mixed cash dairy market
Cash dairy prices were mixed again on Thursday at the Chicago Mercantile Exchange, as nonfat dry milk remains above two dollars and butter makes a small price recovery. Dry whey was unchanged at $0.70. No sales were recorded. Forty-pound cheese blocks were
Outlaw: lost export markets and Brazil competition add pressure
An ag economist with Texas A&M University says the challenges facing U.S. agriculture go beyond low prices and high input costs. Joe Outlaw says getting lost export markets back won’t
