agriculture

Recent flooding costs grain trader Archer Daniels Midland millions in losses

Severe weather and flooding that impacted much of the Midwest are expected to cause multinational agribusiness company Archer Daniels Midland to lose millions of dollars.

By Claire Hettinger/ Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting

/ 3 Apr 2019

Last Year It Was Dicamba, This Year It’s 2,4-D

A volatile weed killer linked to cancer and endocrine issues will likely be sprayed on millions more acres of soybeans and cotton across the Midwest and South starting this year.

By Johnathan Hettinger, Investigate Midwest

/ 27 Mar 2019

Last Year It Was Dicamba, This Year It’s 2,4-D

Iowa Ag Secretary Says Pesticide Investigation Staff Levels To Remain The Same Despite Higher Demand

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST Iowa will not add investigators to handle an increased number of pesticide drift complaints, favoring instead more efficient ways to handle complaint inspections, the state’s

By Lyle Muller and Jeff Stein

/ 16 Mar 2019

Iowa Ag Secretary Says Pesticide Investigation Staff Levels To Remain The Same Despite Higher Demand

Most nitrate, coliform in Kewaunee County wells tied to animal waste

The latest findings from a study of drinking water wells and their surroundings finds manure from cows that is stored or spread on farm fields poses the highest risk for certain contaminants.

By Sarah Whites-Koditschek/Wisconsin Public Radio

/ 6 Mar 2019

Most nitrate, coliform in Kewaunee County wells tied to animal waste

Iowa Pesticide Bureau Workloads Grow But Not Inspection Staff Levels

LISTEN TO THE PODCAST Workloads for eight state investigators who determine whether herbicides are applied properly in Iowa have more than doubled the past two years, with no plans in

By Lauren Wade

/ 6 Mar 2019

Iowa Pesticide Bureau Workloads Grow But Not Inspection Staff Levels

Legislative Bill Would Increase Pesticide Application Fees In Iowa, Send Money To Inspections

A bill has been introduced in the Iowa Legislature that would increase the fee for a three-year public or private pesticide application certification from $15 to $30 and designate

By IowaWatch

/ 4 Mar 2019

Legislative Bill Would Increase Pesticide Application Fees In Iowa, Send Money To Inspections

Opinion: Don't expect full resolution of U.S-China trade war in March

When it comes to China rarely are things as they seem, there is no deal till there is a deal, and even after the ink dries China is fully capable of ignoring what they promised if it suits their national interests.

By Dave Dickey, Columnist

/ 23 Jan 2019

Years later, little action on recommendations for Iowa’s pesticide inspections

Problems the Iowa State Auditor’s office identified in a 2012 audit and subsequent reports and recommendations for investigating Iowa’s pesticide use violations still linger years later.

By Lauren Wade/Iowa Watch

/ 23 Jan 2019

Years Later, Little Action On Recommendations For Iowa's Pesticide Inspections

Problems the Iowa State Auditor’s office identified in a 2012 audit and subsequent reports and recommendations for investigating Iowa’s pesticide use violations still linger years later. The Iowa

By Lauren Wade

/ 22 Jan 2019

Podcast: Government Shutdown Starting To Affect Rural United States

The effects of the government shutdown are starting to be felt in rural parts of the country. For example, implementing the new farm bill is on hold, Anna Johnson, Midwest policy manager for the Center for Rural Affairs and based in Iowa, said in a weekend IowaWatch Connection radio report now avail

By Jeff Stein

/ 14 Jan 2019

Podcast: Government Shutdown Starting To Affect Rural United States

Federal judge strikes Iowa 'ag-gag' Law

A federal judge has struck down as unconstitutional a 2012 Iowa law that banned undercover recording at agricultural production facilities in the state, saying the law’s primary aim is curbing speech critical of practices at those facilities.

By Lyle Muller/ Iowa Watch

/ 11 Jan 2019

Photo of dogs “Okie” (left), “Jenny” (middle) and “Foot” (right) at former dog breeding facility owned by Debra Pratt near Ne

Federal Judge Strikes Iowa Ag-Gag Law

A federal judge has struck down as unconstitutional a 2012 Iowa law that banned undercover recording at agricultural production facilities in the state, saying the law’s primary aim is curbing speech critical of practices at those facilities. IowaWatch was part of a friend of the court filing in thi

By Lyle Muller

/ 9 Jan 2019