IARN — The GROWMARK System is once again offering a program that helps 4-H and other Ag clubs do their part to help sustain and increase honey bee populations. Read more
Ernst tours Quality Food Processors in Denison
IARN — Iowa Senator Joni Ernst took a facility tour of Quality Food Processors in Denison Thursday afternoon as part of her 99 County Tour for 2021. Read more
Bipartisan RFS Integrity Act Introduced in the House
IARN — Democrat Angie Craig of Minnesota and Republican Dusty Johnson of South Dakota introduced the Renewable Fuel Standard Integrity Act into the House of Representatives last week. The goal of the legislation is to reduce the secrecy currently surrounding the small refinery exemption process and bring more certainty into the renewable fuel marketplace. Read more
Fewer Farms In Iowa Last Year Than Previous Year
Statewide Iowa — The total number of farms in Iowa in 2020 was 85,000, down 300 farms from 2019, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Farms and Land in Farms 2020 Summary report. Read more
Changes To PPP Could Help Farmers, Other Ag Industry Workers
Statewide Iowa — Changes members of Congress made to the Paycheck Protection Program could mean bigger payments to Iowa farmers who’ve seen their operations hurt by the pandemic. Read more
Iowa Fuel Choice Coalition opposes Gov Reynolds ethanol mandate
IARN — Last month, Governor Kim Reynolds expressed her desire to mandate all fuels in Iowa contain at least 10% ethanol or 11% biodiesel. There would still be non-biofuels options available, but that gas stations would be limited to only having one pump available for those non-blended fuels. While the biofuels industry hails this as a step towards increasing the demand for the biofuels that drive a large portion of Iowa’s economy, not everybody is on board with the initiative.
There are Study bills in both chambers of the Iowa Legislature. House Study Bill 185 and Senate Study Bill 1179. According to the Fuel Choice Coalition, a group made up of many fuel retailers in the state., the legislation would severely limit choice at the pump, raise fuel prices, and be a burden to many rural businesses which sell fuel around the state.
More information, along with the associated interview audio, can be found by visiting the Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network.