A 2021 law change that allows Iowa to fine farmers when weedkiller — particularly dicamba — drifts to neighbors’ fields is on hold, at least until later this year, as the state develops new rules for private and commercial applicators.
Bird flu has now been confirmed in 12 of Iowa’s 99 counties.
This marks the 15th case confirmed this year in Iowa, all of them striking after March 1.
The Iowa Food Hub will use a new $18,000 grant from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship toward a larger refrigerated truck so they can transport more food farther, General Manager Peter Kraus said.
Two more cases of the bird flu were confirmed Sunday in commercial flocks in Western Iowa, bringing to 14 the number of outbreaks so far this year in Iowa.
This year’s first case was announced March 2, while in 2015 it did not appear in Iowa until April 20. With the disease being spread by wild birds, it could continue throughout the migratory season.
The latest case makes 10 outbreaks recorded this year — and all this month — to strike in Iowa.
The outbreaks in Hamilton and Guthrie Counties impact over 1.5 million birds, bringing the total birds killed in Iowa to 8 million from nine total outbreaks.
Another case of the bird flu -- the third to strike Buena Vista County and the sixth to hit Iowa this year -- has been confirmed in a commercial turkey flock, officials announced Thursday.
Nearly 7 million chickens and turkeys in 13 states have been killed this year due to bird flu.
The fiscal 2023 budget proposed by House Republicans represents a less than a 1 percent increase from the current $8.1 billion budget. Gov. Kim Reynolds and Senate Republicans have proposed spending just more than $8.2 billion, a 3.5 percent increase.
The city of Cedar Rapids, along with soil and water districts, is partnering with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship to launch water quality practices projects.
Federal inspectors who visited Daniel Gingerich’s dog-breeding operations last September reported damaged flooring that was littered with feces and noted a strong odor of animal waste.
Iowa specialty crops, including hazelnuts, melons and cold-hardy red wine, got a boost this week with $300K in federal money awarded by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.
Farmers have harvested 91 percent of corn for grain, which is four days ahead of the five-year average, and 97 percent of the soybean crop, according to the USDA.
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