Immigrants are a major component of Iowa’s agriculture labor force. But the state’s new immigration law allows law enforcement to arrest and charge noncitizens with a crime if they are found in the state after previously being deported or blocked from entering the U.S.
Hive Mentality: Drone Swarms Are on the Horizon
The FAA recently approved the use of multiple unmanned aircraft on a single farm, promising to make it easier to manage large fields. But regulators say the technology is weighed down by a lot of unknowns.
The FAA recently approved the use of multiple unmanned aircraft on a single farm, promising to make it easier to manage large fields. But regulators say the technology is weighed down by a lot of unknowns.
‘None of Us Saw This Coming’: Michigan Confronts Bird Flu in Cows
Michigan has reported the most cases of the bird flu in dairy herds in the country, but officials said that’s likely because of widespread testing in the state.
Michigan has reported the most cases of the bird flu in dairy herds in the country, but officials said that’s likely because of widespread testing in the state.
An Iowa Farm County Seeks Answers to Cancer Rate 50% Higher Than National Average
‘We need to find out what’s going on’: Palo Alto County has the second highest cancer incidence among all US counties.
‘We need to find out what’s going on’: Palo Alto County has the second highest cancer incidence among all US counties.
Early Morning Calls. Barren Chicken Barns. Millions in Debt.
Tyson Foods says recent plant closures ‘drove out waste from the business.’ Contract chicken farmers are now stuck with uncertainty and massive loans.
Tyson Foods says recent plant closures ‘drove out waste from the business.’ Contract chicken farmers are now stuck with uncertainty and massive loans.
Graphic: USDA Has Received Almost 1,000 Complaints About Operations Selling ‘Organic’ Products Without Certification in Recent Years
More than half of the investigations resulted in compliance or a civil penalty, according to newly released data.
More than half of the investigations resulted in compliance or a civil penalty, according to newly released data.
Cancer in Iowa: What Role Does Agriculture Play in Iowa’s High Cancer Rates?
In a state where college sports arenas blaze with fertilizer logos, the phrase “corn grows Iowa” is common on TV and radio and nearly 15% of lawmakers are farmers, there’s reluctance to pinpoint agriculture as a possible reason for Iowa’s rising cancer rate without conclusive evidence.
In a state where college sports arenas blaze with fertilizer logos, the phrase “corn grows Iowa” is common on TV and radio and nearly 15% of lawmakers are farmers, there’s reluctance to pinpoint agriculture as a possible reason for Iowa’s rising cancer rate without conclusive evidence.
New Report Sparks Questions and Controversy Over Possible Causes for Iowa ‘Cancer Crisis’
Binge drinking not seen as cause of Iowa’s rising cancer rates, researchers say.
Binge drinking not seen as cause of Iowa’s rising cancer rates, researchers say.
Droughts, Complicated by Climate Change, Result in US Beef Herd Hitting Historic Low
In major cattle states, ranchers have been coping with intense precipitation events, followed by long stretches with no rain.
In major cattle states, ranchers have been coping with intense precipitation events, followed by long stretches with no rain.
The Essential Workers Missing from the Farm Bill
The legislation has long supported farm owners—but not the people fueling their operations.
The legislation has long supported farm owners—but not the people fueling their operations.
Cancer-Related Diseases and Deaths Spur Actions to Fight Farm Chemical Contamination in Corn Belt
As nitrate contamination in the region’s waters increases, so do some states’ rates of cancer.
As nitrate contamination in the region’s waters increases, so do some states’ rates of cancer.
Graphic: A Third of U.S. Corn Is Used to Produce Ethanol
The nation’s corn is used in animal feed, alcohol and artificial sweeteners, but a major portion is used for biofuels.
The nation’s corn is used in animal feed, alcohol and artificial sweeteners, but a major portion is used for biofuels.
Can $3 Billion Persuade Black Farmers to Trust the USDA?
The agency’s climate-smart initiative promises to make amends for its long history of discrimination. Early results suggest it won’t be easy.
The agency’s climate-smart initiative promises to make amends for its long history of discrimination. Early results suggest it won’t be easy.
How Clean Is the Upper Mississippi River? New Report Finds Signs of Improvement, Emerging Threats
A new report from the Upper Mississippi River Basin Association found that although water quality has generally improved in the upper river in past decades, new threats, such as road salt and lead, are emerging.
A new report from the Upper Mississippi River Basin Association found that although water quality has generally improved in the upper river in past decades, new threats, such as road salt and lead, are emerging.
‘We Can’t Sit Back’: Amid Polluted Water and Climbing Cancer Rates, Iowa Eyes Farm Chemicals
Health authorities react to rampant fertilizer and pesticide contamination in water.
Health authorities react to rampant fertilizer and pesticide contamination in water.
Nonstop Dredging Kept the Mississippi River Open This Year, but Moving Mountains of Sand Creates Its Own Problems
Alternating extremes of heavy rainfall and drought are making it harder for the Army Corps of Engineers — which must by law maintain the Mississippi River for commerce, including the transportation of grain — to predict and plan a multi-million-dollar practice of constant dredging. In the upper reaches of the navigable part of the river, a narrow landscape makes it difficult to find a place for dredged sand. Now, the continuous flow of sediment is straining old storage agreements.
Alternating extremes of heavy rainfall and drought are making it harder for the Army Corps of Engineers — which must by law maintain the Mississippi River for commerce, including the transportation of grain — to predict and plan a multi-million-dollar practice of constant dredging. In the upper reaches of the navigable part of the river, a narrow landscape makes it difficult to find a place for dredged sand. Now, the continuous flow of sediment is straining old storage agreements.