It is no exaggeration to say that much has changed since the first metal plow sliced into the thick, fertile Iowa soil. The annual cycle of planting and harvesting continues, but just about everything else about farming has changed. And it is technology that has caused much of that ...
Corn growers and ethanol producers finally got a bit of good news from the Environmental Protection Agency. The EPA has reversed its position on a policy issue in a move that, in the long run, will grow the market for ethanol. Refineries are required by federal law to blend billions of ...
As another growing season approaches, Tuesday, March 23 has been set as National Ag Day by the Agriculture Council of America. The council desig- nates the week within which it falls as National Ag Week, March 21-27. One goal of Ag Day is to recognize the contribution agriculture makes in the ...
As the holiday season draws to a close each year, the writing staff at Farm News embarks on a challenging adventure — producing a comprehensive look at how a wide array of developments in our region are shaping the agricultural tomorrow. While every issue of this newspaper is filled with ...
Here in the Midwest, we are well aware of the environmental benefits of clean burning ethanol and biodiesel. But not everyone realizes just how good those fuels are for the air we breathe. Unfortunately, some of the people who are not up-to-date on the benefits are at the U.S. Environmental ...
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 ...