Local, State & Ag News
Gas tax debate inside Iowa lawmakers’ property tax discussion
The ongoing debate at the statehouse over how to cut property taxes includes a discussion of the gas tax. A Senate-passed property tax bill includes a mechanism to automatically trigger
Advisor says understanding money can help farmers operate more without the bank
Most farmers are familiar with banks, credit unions, and the farm credit system, but financial advisor and author Mary Jo Irman says a different tool can help farmers do more
Egg market reversal: from historic highs to deep lows
The layer industry is concerned about low egg prices. Steve Taylor with Indiana-based MPS Egg Farms says the market has softened significantly since peaking in early 2025. “We’ve just come
U.S. Senator Grassley has had gallbladder surgery
Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley says he’s recovering from surgery to remove a gallstone. Grassley, who is 92, announced on social media that he’d undergone surgery this past weekend and is
Governor declares five Iowa counties state disaster areas for severe weather
Governor Kim Reynolds issued a disaster proclamation Monday for Carroll, Crawford, Grundy, Harrison, and Washington Counties for the severe weather that happened on April 13th. The proclamation allows state resources
Sand unveils his plan to legalize marijuana in Iowa
Today, 4/20, has become an unofficial holiday for marijuana enthusiasts. Rob Sand, the only Democrat running for governor, has chosen this day to release more information about how he’d propose
Missouri farmers push soybean planting as corn, rice progress advances
The USDA says soybean planting progress has nearly doubled in the last week across Missouri, now at 14 percent complete. Andre Reis with University of Missouri Extension tells Brownfield each
Fast rice planting in Arkansas comes with heavy drought challenges
An agronomist says rice planting is moving at a record pace in Arkansas, but drought conditions are starting to create challenges. The USDA reports 61 percent of the state’s rice
Former Iowa Senate Leader Whitver honored as he retires
Members of the Iowa Senate spent two hours this afternoon honoring Jack Whitver, the Senate’s former GOP leader who’s being treated for a brain tumor and is not seeking reelection.
Minnesota crop progress edges ahead of average despite rain delays
Spring fieldwork is just beginning for southeast Minnesota farmer Ryan Buck. “We’re just kind of getting rolling here, we’ve done a little bit of light tillage on some sod that