Iowa farmers made headway planting corn, soybeans and oats early last week, but were slowed by storms that caused destruction in southwest Iowa, according to the Iowa crop progress and condition report. more

A free, online tool that helps farmers evaluate cover crop species based on things like county, production goals and drainage situation has been updated to reflect new research in the field. more

Iowa State University has been awarded more than $2 million from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to carry out six research projects that will help prevent and combat animal disease outbreaks. more

The Scott County Soil and Water Conservation District’s (SWCD) spring Soil Health and Cover Crop meeting was held on Wednesday, Feb. 26. Scott SWCD Commissioners and staff welcomed more than 40 attendees to the event at the newly opened Regional Innovation Center in Eldridge. more

The 4H and FFA rabbit and cavy workshop about raising rabbits and cavies, or pure-bred guinea pigs, will be held 12:30-4 p.m., Saturday, April 5 at the Muscatine Agriculture Center in Muscatine. more

The joy with raising chickens can span generations. Angie Flenker of Half Mile Down farm in Princeton was inspired by her grandmother, who raised chickens for over 60 years as a local egg dealer. more

The U.S. Department of Agriculture will fund research projects that explore the highly pathogenic avian influenza in poultry, as well as novel vaccines and therapeutics to treat the bird flu, according to a Thursday announcement. more

USDA’s Farm Service Agency is issuing up to $10 billion in direct payments to eligible agricultural producers of eligible commodities for the 2024 crop year through the Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP). These one-time economic assistance payments will help commodity producers mitigate the impacts of increased input costs and falling commodity prices. more

Josiah and Grace Taylor launched Juniper Grove Farms in Muscatine County one year ago to provide high-quality holistically raised goats, chickens and pigs. During the bird flu crisis, Juniper Grove Farms has been consistently selling out of farm fresh eggs. more

Gov. Kim Reynolds has proclaimed March 24-31 as Iowa Agriculture Week, and Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig is inviting every Iowan to participate in the statewide celebration. The weeklong celebration highlights agriculture’s many significant contributions to our state’s economy and way of life. In addition, Iowans are encouraged to identify volunteer and service opportunities to further underscore agriculture’s positive impact in our communities. more

Ownership and operation of a farm by members of the same family for 100, and 150 years or more is a significant accomplishment. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship in conjunction with the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation established the Century Farm Program for farm families that have owned at least 40 acres for 100 years, and Heritage Farm Program for those owning it 150 years or more. more

Iowa senators advanced a bill Monday to provide farms 40 acres or larger with state protection against surveillance by drones. more

John and Joan Maxwell of Donahue have been named Iowa Master Farmers by Wallaces Farmer Magazine. more

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza was detected in a commercial pullet flock in Buena Vista County Friday, according to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. more

Iowa farmers and institutions lost an estimated $11.3 million in federal funding to support the purchase of locally raised foods, following the recent termination of two U.S. Department of Agriculture programs. more

The Iowa Pork Producers Association recently donated $1,000 worth of pork products to food pantries in our area.  more

Drought conditions have slightly expanded in central Iowa and a small area in eastern Iowa due to below-normal precipitation in February, according to the latest Iowa Department of Natural Resources water summary update. more

Farmland prices topped $17,000 acre for 200 acres purchased this year by Grandview Land LLC, a company based at Tom and Joni Dittmer’s Grandview Farms, 12090 240th St., in Scott County.  more

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship launched a $70,000 pilot program Monday to help schools purchase local meat, poultry, produce, dairy, eggs or honey through the Choose Iowa program. more

Iowa lawmakers advanced a bill from a House subcommittee last week to expand and update the Iowa fund that covers farmers’ losses when a buyer goes bankrupt. more