Ag News

Seven Groups Sue USDA Over Pork Processing Revisions

(IARN) — Seven organizations last week jointly filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Agriculture over its decision to reduce oversight at pig slaughterhouses and eliminate limits on slaughter speeds. The groups claim the changes “expose pigs to greater suffering,” and defy federal slaughter, meat inspection, and environmental protection laws. Read more

RCIS Has The Tools To Coordinate Your Data To Benefit Your Operation

(IARN) — Precision Ag data is nothing new. We have had it around for many years. What you may not realize is the rate of growth in this technology. Just over this past year, we have seen a growth rate of 400% in the use of precision ag tools. The tools are as varied as the companies out there. Everybody seems to have their own system. So, with data coming in from so many different sources, how do the people who need it, make sense of it all. Rural Community Insurance Services (RCIS) has made upgrades to their data platforms to make proper use of all the information that is sent to them for their crop reporting maps. Read more

Ernst Will Call For Wheeler Resignation If RFS Misses 15 Billion Gallons

(IARN) — Republican Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa says she will call for Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler’s resignation, if the Renewable Fuel Standard doesn’t meet the statute requirement of 15 billion gallons. Her comments follow Wheeler’s final supplement rule released by his agency last week. Read more

Pork Producers Urge Prep For Potential ASF Outbreak

Statewide Iowa — Iowa Pork Producers are urging lawmakers to continue taxpayer support of facilities and programs designed to respond to an outbreak of African swine fever here. The association’s Drew Mogler testified at a public hearing in the governor’s office this week. Read more