Farming

Iowa’s House and Senate leaders said Thursday they need more time to review an executive order signed by President Donald Trump that aims to increase the supply of glyphosate-based weedkillers in the U.S. It comes as the state Legislature decides whether to shield pesticide companies from certain lawsuits.

A report published this week by Investigate Midwest dives into the connection between pesticide use and rising cases of cancer for those in farming communities nationwide. Editor in Chief Ben Felder details the findings, and we hear from two Iowans that recently fought cancer who are featured in the article. Later in the episode, Luther College junior Mansur Kasali led a student initiative focused on making the federal budget and national debt a matter of shared civic responsibility, rather than abstract politics.

The U.S. House voted to repeal President Trump’s tariffs on Canada without support from Iowa's four Republican representatives. Canada is one of the largest agricultural trade partners with the U.S. and is a top export market for tractors and farm equipment made in Iowa.

Biofuel leaders say the shipping industry could be a golden goose for ethanol and soy-based biodiesel. One of the big barriers is the Trump administration, which torpedoed a global agreement to reduce pollution.

In 2014, the U.S. Department of Agriculture created a network of “climate hubs” to understand how climate change affects agriculture and forestry and help farmers adapt to more extreme and unpredictable weather. Now, the future of these hubs is uncertain.

On this Newsbuzz edition, 'Des Moines Register' Statehouse reporter Stephen Gruber Miller discusses the latest developments at the Capitol. IPR’s James Kelley reports on the growing mental health crisis among Iowa farmers — from financial stress to barriers in accessing care — and what resources may offer support during an especially vulnerable time for rural communities. Investigative reporter Tyler Jett of the 'Des Moines Register' explains new data showing a sharp drop in immigration to Iowa and what it means for the state’s population growth and workforce. Rep. Ruth Ann Gaines, D-Des Moines, discusses the history, purpose and recent expansion of the Iowa Black and Brown Caucus, and how lawmakers are working to advance equity-focused policy.

With data centers on the rise and an increased need for irrigation for farming, Iowa is seeing a bigger need for ground water, with not enough known about our supply.State Geologist Keith Schilling shares how the state's current groundwater monitoring paces far behind neighboring states, and what we should be doing now to reverse the trend. Linn County Sustainability Director Cara Matteson also joins to talk about how the county is prioritizing groundwater mapping and other water studies. Then, we look back at Christopher Merrill's 25 years as director of the International Writing Program at the University of Iowa.

Farmers face a number of challenges these days, from higher input costs to fewer available resources. The stress of it all can take a toll, not only on their livelihood, but on their mental well-being.

In a visit to Iowa, President Trump rallied Republican support ahead of the midterms and tried to appeal to voters with provisions from the One Big Beautiful Bill and by asserting his support for ethanol industry priorities.

A new study predicts a growing gap between the supply of corn and market demand over the next decade, which could continue to drag down corn prices. Industry leaders are pushing for year-round E15 fuel sales and policies that support emerging low-carbon fuel markets for shipping and aviation.