Keokuk

The USDA Farm Service Agency is accepting more than two million acres into the Conservation Reserve Program this year. Under Secretary Richard Fordyce tells Brownfield demand continues to exceed available acres that can be approved. “It’s based on a point system and the biggest benefit to the land, to the [...]

The Iowa Bumble Bee Atlas will host three field day trainings this month for people interested in helping track and conserve native bees, which have experienced steep population declines in recent decades. The Xerces Society and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources coordinate the state-wide community science project, now in [...]

The latest survey of Iowa’s largest employers finds they have a positive outlook about the state of Iowa’s economy. Iowa Business Council President Joe Murphy said that sentiment from the leaders of Iowa’s largest companies is largely based on sales. “Even though our sales expectations declined by about a point-and-a-half [...]

Sterile flies are crucial as the cattle industry fights New World screwworm, and a new technology could be the key to eradicating the pest.   Stephanie Gamez, the research and development lead for Agragene says the company’s precision-guided sterile insect technique is a game changer. “It uses CRISPR gene editing,” she says.  “Pretty much we use this tool to sterilize insect males and also [...]

The director of the Illinois Farm Service Agency says many agricultural producers are utilizing USDA programs to recover from a year full of damaging storms. William Graff says it’s vital that producers alert FSA to any storm damage. “They can take pictures, they can take video, and that kind of [...]

A large group of Iowa’s citizen-soldiers will be deploying this week for duty on the East Coast. About 120 Iowa National Guard members are being sent to the Washington, D.C., area where they’ll help with the ongoing America250 and Freedom 250 events. They’re from the Guard’s 132nd Wing, based in [...]

The Clay County Republican Party will not “actively support” the re-election of a Republican who’s seeking re-election because Barry Anderson, chair of the Clay County Board of Supervisors, has endorsed Democrat Rob Sand’s bid for governor. Anderson supported Republican Congressman Randy Feenstra in the party’s primary for governor. “I thought Randy [...]

Cedar Falls leaders are crafting a plan to revitalize the College Hill area, one of the town’s best-known neighborhoods. The goal is to create a thriving neighborhood with student housing, restaurants, and walkable streets. The area near the University of Northern Iowa campus is historic and densely populated, but it’s [...]

The president of the Illinois Corn Growers Association says the clock is ticking on getting nationwide, year-round E15 across the finish line. Mark Bunselmeyer, who farms in Macon County, tells Brownfield, “We hope to have something decided on that, but I am not very optimistic.”  He says, “We are in [...]

The latest USDA Acreage Report is out, and Ag Economist Megan Roberts explains what it means for farmers. She compares the June report to March planting intentions, discusses market reactions, and shares key takeaways on margin management, input costs, and what to watch as the growing season continues. For more [...]