Iowa Farmer Today

Dry weather cuts into cattle feedlot numbers

Drought in major cattle-producing areas is starting to take a toll on feedlot numbers.

Midwest hay crop catching up after slow spring start

Hot weather in late June and less rain gave producers an opportunity to catch up on putting up hay.

Waste reduction a focus for new USDA program

ELY, Iowa — With inflation and rising input costs for farmers, United States Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack said creativity is the what’s needed in agriculture needs to move forward. One aspect of that creativity might be using waste to create the clothes people wear.

Supportive news continues for U.S. crops

Crop prices have stayed high through the early part of the growing season, as the weather market hasn’t found reason to turn lower yet. However, that doesn’t mean outlooks are bullish, said Karl Setzer of Agrivisor.

‘Hard to put a dollar figure’ on tillage decisions

When it comes to making tillage decisions on the farm, producers have several things to consider. Some of these come down to penciling out input costs, but some impacts are harder to quantify.

CRP usage shifting to permanent alternatives

Since being introduced in 1985, the Conservation Reserve Program has been a mainstay of the farm bill. With a new bill being introduced in 2023, CRP could see some changes moving forward.

Patience, history key for evaluating organic matter

All farmers want to see soil health improve, but soil organic matter can be a tricky topic. Low organic matter often indicates the need for more nutrients, but a longer-term perspective is important.

Retiree awarded for career keeping Iowans safe

If you read this column, you have probably learned a bit about preventing farm-related injuries over the years. What you might not know is that the Iowa Department of Public Health has a designated surveillance program that helps us keep track of the injuries and fatalities that we often rep…

Legislature OKs E15 expansion, tax bills focused on farmers

DES MOINES, Iowa — This was a busy and often controversial year for the Iowa legislature, which stayed in session a month longer than normal as lawmakers argued about a proposal to funnel some taxpayer dollars to private schools.

Higher energy prices continuing to impact economy

Energy prices, up 30 percent in the last year, are having “serious ramifications” on the broader economy, said Dave Ripplinger, NDSU Extension bioenergy/bioproduct economics specialist, speaking from NDSU’s Dickinson Research Extension Center.

U.S. boosts biofuel quotas as gasoline prices surge

The U.S. is ordering refiners to boost the use of biofuels such as corn-based ethanol as the Biden administration tries to strike a balance between competing political and economic pressures while gasoline prices soar.

Feeder fixes can save money on pig rations

When grain prices are high, all hog producers are looking for more bang for their buck. Management could hold the key to keep more dollars in wallets.

Good stockmanship can improve performance

Growing up in West Texas, Ron Gill saw plenty of people who were good at handling livestock. Now a Texas A&M Extension livestock specialist, Gill says he learned not everyone has those skills.

Agriculture pageant queens advocate for industry

CHELSEA, Iowa — In preparation for the summer show season, Hadley Kiebach checked on her family’s livestock.

Young Montana cowboy works to keep art of saddle making alive

Loncey Johnson’s saddle shop sits right next to his horse corral, which is fitting because he can look out his window and watch his string of saddle horses as they lull away the hours.

Spring planting raises roadway safety concerns

AMES, Iowa — Warmer temperatures and drier conditions are in the forecast, and farmers will be in the fields in full force. That means more equipment will be on the roadways in the coming days.

Prepare for disease after wet start

A slow, wet start to planting season in the Midwest could mean a higher rate of disease pressure in fields this season.

Survivor shares vivid memories of ‘92 twister that took her home

Lauralee Kauffman of Iowa City has two keepsakes — a chipped glass angel and a home-taped video newscast from the harrowing night 30 years ago when she, her first husband Leslie Roth and their son Mark survived an F3 tornado near Milford, Nebraska, that destroyed everything they owned.

Following a field — Polk County Iowa

Iowa Farmer Today will follow a field through the 2022 growing season.

Teacher trainer brings ag, coaching experience to career

It makes sense that Jon Davis teaches future agriculture teachers.

Plan ahead for replant in case of possible late freezes

Last year a historically late freeze hit farmers in portions of the Corn Belt.

Biden in Iowa pitches more ethanol access

MENLO, Iowa — Standing inside a distilled grain storage facility at a Central Iowa biofuels processing plant, President Joe Biden repeated a pledge his administration announced earlier Tuesday: They plan to make the higher E15 blend of ethanol available for sale during the upcoming summer months.