The Hawkeye State continues to lead nation its production Corn production has been a key factor in the Iowa economy for more than 150 years. The state’s 21st-century economy is character- ized by increasing diversity. Agriculture isn’t as dominant as once was the case. Even so, there ...
The deep divisions between our two major political parties have made it difficult for Congress to function. All too often, needed policy decisions are left unmade because lawmakers find it difficult to work with colleagues with whom they disagree to craft compromise solutions. President-elect ...
In mid-December, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue released a detailed assessment of his department’s accomplishments in 2020. “While this was a tough year with the coronavirus, historic wildfires and weather damage, USDA met these challenges with a multitude of programs and ...
As we bid adieu to 2020, it is a perfect time to reflect on a year that brought challenges to both producers and the agribusiness community. Coronavirus, trade, weather, which included a history making derecho, and a drought, seemed to make headlines again in Farm News. This issue of Farm ...
The number of products that can be made from corn is staggering. It includes food, animal feed, ethanol, other chemicals, yeasts, vitamins, amino acids, enzymes, colors and dyes, and even antibiotics. All of those items come from ears of corn. The corn stalks, stems and leaves — what farmers ...
On the south side of Webster County Road D20 about halfway between Fort Dodge and Duncombe is a sprawling maze of tanks and pipes that is the local Koch Nitrogen plant. Every year this facility churns out hundreds of thousands of tons of nitrogen-rich fertilizer. It is a key element in the ...
State Rep. Mike Sexton, R-Rockwell City, has been chosen by his fellow Republican lawmakers to once again fill a key leadership role in the House of Representatives. They recently re-elected him to be the House majority whip. In that role he will be the right hand man for House Majority ...
Iowa’s rural landscape has changed drastically as farming has become less labor intensive in the last century. There was time when the countryside was filled with the assorted buildings needed in the farm economy. Today’s larger farmers have far fewer structures. If there is one ...
The economic fallout from the COVID-19 pandemic has been reflected in a series of discouraging statistics. But Iowa recently got a bit of good news: The state’s unemployment rate has dropped and is well below the national figure. According to Iowa Workforce Development, the state’s ...
4-H is about helping youths achieve This week is a good time to celebrate a truly superb program National 4-H Week, Oct, 4-10, is a good time to celebrate the enormous contributions 4-H makes to our community and nation. It’s hard to imagine anyone in Iowa who doesn’t know a bit about ...