Courtesy of the campaigns
Iowa’s water quality has been a major focus in the run-up to electing the state’s next secretary of agriculture. The two candidates believe in different approaches — with Democrat Chris Jones proposing more regulations and incumbent Republican Mike Naig strongly opposed, saying it would hurt small- and medium-sized farmers.
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In late April, the USDA confirmed five boars shipped from Texas to a farm in central Iowa had pseudorabies, which is highly contagious and often fatal for pigs. It marked the first case of the virus in commercial swine in the U.S. since 2004. -
Iowa farmers and pork producers are urging the U.S., Mexico and Canada to renew a massive trade agreement in the coming weeks. Around 40% of Iowa’s goods are exported to the two countries, with corn, soybeans, ethanol and tractors at the top of the list. -
Gov. Kim Reynolds signed the state’s first so-called Iowa Farm Act, along with the appropriations bill for agriculture and natural resources. The legislation provides more funding for local food and water treatment plants.
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Each year, Choose Iowa awards grants to local farmers and agriculture-related businesses. The state initiative also helps promote products made and grown in Iowa — and it’s continuing to grow. One western Iowa farm is thriving with support from the program. -
A discussion on the contested primary race for Iowa agriculture secretary and more on this Politics Day episode with political scientists Megan Goldberg and Jim McCormick. -
Wade Dooley, a farmer and owner of a custom seeding operation near Marshalltown, announced Tuesday his Democratic campaign for Iowa Secretary of Agriculture.
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Former University of Iowa professor and Democrat Chris Jones announced he's running for Iowa secretary of agriculture. He will face a June primary against Marshalltown-area farmer, Wade Dooley. -
While U.S. corn production and exports are on track to break records, sales for soybeans are down and prices for both commodities sit below production costs. -
Industry experts say demand for locally raised meat is high, but processing is often a bottleneck. State grants from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship aim to widen the middle of the supply chain.
