By Robin Opsahl Gov. Kim Reynolds has returned to India with a delegation from Iowa this week, following up from trade discussions that began during her first visit in 2024. Reynolds had first visited India with Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig, Iowa Economic Development Authority and Iowa Finance Authority Director…

The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is reconsidering a rule extending endangered species protections to threatened species. FWS has drafted a proposal to rescind the 4(d) blanket rule, which automatically extends to threatened species a prohibition on the “take” of endangered ones, according to a court affidavit submitted by Elizabeth Maclin, the…

The Trump administration is making another run at reforming the way H-2A minimum wage rates for farmworkers are set in a manner that could provide some relief to farmers during a time of continued uncertainty about workers who are in the country illegally. A big question is whether the administration…

Key Takeaways Corn is behind the 5-year average progress: 94% in dough stage (vs 96%), 61% dent (vs 70%), and 14% mature (vs 18%). Most small grains are nearly done: Spring wheat and barley at 97% harvested, oats at 98%.  Crop conditions are generally good: Minnesota’s corn and soybeans are rated…

Key Takeaways Across the top 18 corn states, only 4% of corn was harvested as of Sept. 7, with most progress in southern states.Disease and dry conditions, among other things, are expected to impact yield.Some states are ahead on maturity — Iowa at 26%, Illinois 27%, Wisconsin 10% — but…

Almost a year after Hurricane Helene devastated North Carolina, Tar Heel State farmers have some more financial help coming their way.  Late last week, Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Stephen Vaden announced $221.2 million in USDA funding to provide recovery assistance to eligible North Carolina farmers. “Today’s announcement is about delivering…