Farm News

AMES, Iowa (AP) — The Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University is shutting down this summer as the organization’s future is uncertain following the Legislature’s decision to cut the center’s state funding.

LaPORTE CITY, Iowa — Joe Thoma was not absolutely positive he wanted a career in pork production when he was growing up on the family farm.

Large numbers of pigs are expected to fill the nation’s packing plants this fall, but added capacity and strong demand could help ease market price concerns.

Eastern Iowa farmer Dave Guthrie is prepared for the possibility of a delayed harvest this fall and stays flexible to manage drying costs while keeping harvest loss low.

Below average temperatures were experienced statewide the past week, according to the Aug. 14 USDA Crop Progress report.

Dry, cool weather prevailed across most of the state last week, according to the Aug. 14 USDA Crop Progress report.

Near-trend U.S. corn yields and above-trend U.S. soybean yields defied expectations for the USDA’s World Agricultural Supply and Demand report issued Aug. 10.

Sharp declines in live cattle futures last week took feeder cattle prices along with it, but there could be some market upside on the horizon.

DAVENPORT, Iowa — Call it mighty or muddy, the Mississippi River looms large for many Iowa, Illinois and Missouri residents.

The Purdue/CME Group Ag Economy Barometer turned higher in July, following several months of stagnation.

Editor’s note: The EPA conducted a public hearing Aug. 1 as part of its process of gathering comments on its Renewable Fuel Standard proposal. These are excerpts from hearing statements, with links to more information. Comments filed in the rulemaking…

Regarding news reports about a judge striking down a Utah law banning farm filming:

AMES, Iowa — When it comes to agriculture, trade is a big deal, and the speakers at a recent economic summit held by the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation emphasized that.

AMES, Iowa — Farmers, agronomists, crop consultants and specialists now have a place to collectively document and track corn and soybean diseases this growing season.

I’m sure you’ve heard the term: I - o - T.

A state budget problem almost always leads to money problems for programs that serve those at the bottom of the economic ladder. And that means 2017 could be a tougher year for those in poverty.

The number of people living in poverty rose higher, on average, in rural areas of the United States than urban areas in the past decade of economic instability.

It’s not anything like the 1980s, but managers of the state’s crisis hotline and mediation services are experiencing an uptick in usage as farm prices remain low in 2017.

Bad times often bring out the good in people.

In the face of a seemingly unsolvable problem like poverty, it’s easy to forget there are people working every day to make life just a little better for those on the edge of disaster.