CLICK HERE for the latest market quotes from the Iowa Agribusiness Network!
CLICK HERE for the latest market quotes from the Brownfield Ag News Network!
CLICK HERE for the latest market quotes from the Iowa Agribusiness Network!
CLICK HERE for the latest market quotes from the Brownfield Ag News Network!
MOUNT VERNON, Iowa (AP) — An eastern Iowa man has been arrested and charged with livestock neglect resulting in death after authorities found dead cattle on his property. The Iowa City Press-Citizen reports that 43-year-old Brian Greazel, of Mount Vernon, was arrested Wednesday. Linn County Sheriff Brian Gardner says deputies called to a rural property near Libson for a complaint about neglected cattle discovered numerous head of cattle dead.
Authorities say a veterinarian determined the cattle died for lack of food, water and shelter. The sheriff’s office did not say how many animals were found dead, but said 18 head were rescued from the property.
Anna Hastert, Director of Communications for the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association (ICA), says the ICA extends its thanks to Iowa’s congressional delegation for its swift action in supporting custom cattle feeders. We greatly appreciate the delegation for working in a bipartisan fashion to advance the priorities of Iowa’s beef business. Earlier this year, the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association emphasized the need for additional coronavirus assistance after speaking with producer members and state Farm Service Agency officials. Hastert says “While we recognize the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s commitment to the cattle industry, more help is needed.”
As a direct result of the coronavirus pandemic, Iowa custom cattle feeders suffered economic hardships. Their experiences over the past year are similar to challenges faced by swine and poultry contract growers, who are eligible to receive assistance through existing programming.
Senators Grassley and Ernst, Representatives Axne, Feenstra, Hinson, and Miller-Meeks on Wednesday sent a joint letter to Secretary of Agriculture Vilsack. The letter requests that USDA include custom cattle feeders in existing or forthcoming aid programs. Iowa Cattlemen’s Association CEO Matt Deppe says, “One of our top priorities over the past year has been working to ensure cattle producers receive adequate assistance to recover from COVID-19 losses. The united show of support from Iowa’s congressional delegation on this important issue is exactly what our producer members need.”
(Radio Iowa) – The leader of one of Iowa’s largest commodity groups is reacting favorably to former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack headed for another term as U-S Secretary of Agriculture. The U-S Senate voted to confirm Vilsack on Tuesday to a post he held during all eight years of the Obama administration. Iowa Soybean Association President Jeff Jorgenson says they can now move forward with an experienced leader at the U-S-D-A. “It was just a matter of time before it got stamped and approved and handled,” Jorgenson says. “He obviously went through the confirmation hearing with not many issues by any sort. It’s good for agriculture. It’s a friendly face.”
Jorgenson says he’s hoping Vilsack can focus on working with other countries to promote Iowa’s and America’s commodities. “We really need to work on our trade,” Jorgenson says. “If there’s barriers, working on those barriers and making sure the world knows that we are ready for business and we’ve got ag goods that we need to move.” Iowa is the nation’s number-one producer of corn-based ethanol and soybean-based biodiesel and Jorgenson says Vilsack understands the value of biofuels. “He’s going to play a big role in it,” Jorgenson says. “Honestly, the thing we see and that we’ve seen in the past as soybean producers, he was a voice in the room that calmed the situation and we’d actually made some good progress. That’s where we’re headed, that’s what we need.”
Jorgenson says it’s also important to have Vilsack heading the U-S-D-A as the writing of the new Farm Bill appears on the horizon.
Washington (AP) — The U.S. Senate voted 92-7 Tuesday to confirm Tom Vilsack as Agriculture secretary. The former Iowa governor spent eight years leading the same department for former President Barack Obama. In his testimony, Vilsack, 70, heavily endorsed boosting climate-friendly agricultural industries such as the creation of biofuels, saying “Agriculture is one of our first and best ways to get some wins in this climate area.” He faced minimal opposition throughout the confirmation process.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Agricultural groups and anti-hunger organizations are pushing the Biden administration to continue a program launched by President Donald Trump that spent $6 billion to prevent farmers from plowing under food and instead provide it to millions of Americans left reeling by the coronavirus pandemic. The U.S. Department of Agriculture began the Farmers to Families Food Box program in April 2020 after many people were shocked to see farmers destroy crops even as food banks were being overwhelmed by demand from people suddenly out of work.
A USDA Farmers to Families Food Box is seen at a Des Moines Area Religious Council mobile food pantry stop at the downtown bus station, Thursday, Feb. 18, 2021, in Des Moines, Iowa. Agricultural groups and anti-hunger organizations are pushing the Biden administration to continue the Farmers to Families Food Box program launched by President Donald Trump that spent $6 billion to prevent farmers from plowing under food and instead provide it to millions of Americans left reeling by the coronavirus pandemic. (AP Photo/Charlie Neibergall)
If the USDA extends the program, it will be a rare example of the new administration retaining rather than dismantling a Trump initiative.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A group of 24 scientists, economists, researchers and other past winners of the World Food Prize sent a letter to President Joe Biden asking him to focus on alleviating global hunger, poverty and malnutrition. The World Food Prize Foundation released the letter Tuesday that asks the president to take immediate action to directly address global hunger and food insecurity by playing a leadership role in the upcoming UN Food Systems Summit and expanding the USAID Feed the Future initiatives.
The letter says: “American leadership on getting food systems right will inspire and embolden others to join forces to end hunger, counter climate change, generate jobs, and promote responsible stewardship of the environment.”
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The federal government announced Monday that it will support the ethanol industry in a lawsuit over biofuel waivers granted to oil refineries under President Donald Trump’s administration. The Environmental Protection Agency said it is reversing course and will support a January 2020 decision by the Denver-based 10th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in a lawsuit filed by the Renewable Fuels Association and farm groups.
The lawsuit is headed to arguments before the U.S. Supreme Court this spring. The move by the EPA comes roughly a month after President Joe Biden took office.
Ethanol tanks
Cass County Wellness Coordinator Brigham Hoegh reports, this Saturday, February 27th, Anita Town and Country will be hosting a USDA “Farmers to Families” Food Box distribution at the Anita Community Center, from 12:00 – 1:00 PM, or while supplies last. Anyone is welcome to visit the drive-through food box pick-up, and no documentation or proof of need is required. Boxes will be given away at no cost. People from surrounding towns and communities are welcome.
The USDA Farmers to Families Food Boxes are likely to contain fresh fruits and vegetables, dairy products, and meat.
Anita Town and Country Farmers to Families Food Box Giveaway, Details:
What: Drive-through food distribution.
Where: Anita Community Center (805 Main St, Anita, IA 50020)
When: Saturday, Feb. 27 12:00-1:00 PM (or as supplies last).
Who: Anyone is welcome! No documentation required. People from surrounding towns and
communities are welcome.
Cost: No cost!
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