Ag News

Kent Excited For New ISU Extension Role

IARN — Since June 1st, five new regional directors have been working for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

Among the new directors is Julie Hering Kent, who serves as director for ISU Extension Region 22 covering Mills, Montgomery, Fremont, and Page counties. Kent says she was previously the executive director of the Cherokee Chamber of Commerce since 2008. Prior, she served as Cass County Extension’s youth program coordinator and interim county extension education director. Read more

Major Slowdown At Chinese Ports Could Impact Global Trade

IARN — Chinese testing of meat, seafood, and other products for the coronavirus has tripled customs clearance times at some major Chinese ports. The intensive testing is raising some major concerns that the delays could eventually tangle up global trade flows. It normally takes about three days to clear produce through customs, but an official with a supply chain company says it’s now taking up to 10 days. Read more

Extension Staff Monitoring Tar Spot Progression

IARN — A foliar disease has started to progress across Midwestern states.

“Tar spot is being reported in Iowa, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Michigan,” according to Alison Robertson, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach plant pathologist. Extension staff are encouraging producers to scout for symptoms. Read more

President Trump: China Phase Two Agreement Unlikely

IARN — President Donald Trump recently told reporters a Phase Two agreement with China is not likely. The President said aboard Air Force One last week, “I don’t think about that,” adding, “The relationship with China has been severely damaged.” Read more

U.S. Beef Exports To Sub-Saharan Africa Surging In 2020

IARN — U.S. beef variety meat exports to Sub-Saharan Africa have surged in 2020.

Matt Copeland serves as the U.S. Meat Export Federation’s (USMEF) first-ever Africa-based representative. He says shipments through May more than doubled year-over-year in both volume (12,783 metric tons, up 123%) and value ($9.6 million, up 115%). Read more