Latest news with #JaredStrong
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Planting persists despite rainy conditions in Iowa
A farmer in Carroll County preps his field for planting. (Photo by Jared Strong/Iowa Capital Dispatch) Iowa farmers had just over two days suitable for field work last week due to rainy conditions, but the percentages of corn and soybean acres planted remain ahead of average rates, according to the state's crop progress and condition report. State Climatologist Justin Glisan said Iowa had 'an unseasonably wet reporting period' with the average precipitation for the week above 2 inches and more than 5 inches in some areas of the state. The precipitation raised soil moisture conditions, making topsoil conditions 86% adequate or wetter. Subsoil conditions rated 67% adequate moisture. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Thirty-four percent of Iowa's corn acres and 25% of soybean acres are in the ground, which is up from 18% and 11% respectively from last week. Northwest Iowa has the highest percentages of crops in the group. Temperatures for the reporting period of April 21 through April 27 averaged in the mid 50s, which is 2.2 degrees Fahrenheit higher than normal. Iowa oat farmers are almost finished seeding as more than 80% of oat acres have been planted, though only 41% of anticipated oat acres have emerged, which is three days behind the year prior. Pastures in Iowa rated 91% fair or better and according to the report, some cow calf pairs across the state were put on pasture. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said the upcoming warm temperatures and potential break in rain events should 'give farmers a window to get in the field.' The secretary also noted the Monday night forecast, which shows a potential for severe weather in the state. 'This is a good reminder to Iowans to be vigilant, have safety plans in place and be ready to take shelter if needed,' Naig said in a statement. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
St. Louis-based Iowa grain dealer files for bankruptcy, farmers to seek state payments
Trucks deliver harvested grain in western Iowa. (Photo by Jared Strong/Iowa Capital Dispatch) A St. Louis-based company with an Iowa grain dealer license has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Iowa farmers with unpaid grain sold to Benson Hill Holdings, Inc. prior to March 20, can file a claim for indemnity, according to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. Don McDowell, communications director for IDALS, said the department is not 'immediately aware' of any affected farmers. The grain indemnity fund will pay farmers 90% of their loss, up to $300,000, though claims related to Benson Hill must be mailed or personally delivered to IDALS's Grain Warehouse Bureau by July 18. The fund was established by the Iowa Legislature in 1986 and accrues via a per-bushel fee on purchased grain and fees on licensed warehouses and grain dealers. According to minutes from the Iowa Grain Indemnity Fund Board, the balance of the fund as of Feb. 19 was $8.4 million. Benson Hill filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy March 20 and has up to $11 million in debtor-in-possession financing to continue its day-to-day operations. Christi Dixon, a spokesperson for the seed innovation company, said it is 'restructuring' its finances. 'We will continue to meet our contractual commitments and support key farmers without interruption,' Dixon said in an email. Dixon said the company maintains a seed processing facility in Bondurant and employs seven people in Iowa. Benson Hill previously owned a soy processing facility in Creston, but sold the facility in February 2024 to White River Nutrition. McDowell said the grain license for Benson Hill included locations in Cherokee and Galva. In 2023, the grain indemnity fund fell below its minimum threshold, which triggered the farmer-paid fees to support the fund, after nearly 30 years without needing to fill the fund. It also triggered legislative efforts to reform the grain indemnity fund to reflect modern farming practices and pricing. The efforts have stalled out in the past due to disagreements on including credit-sale contracts, which are currently excluded from the fund. House legislation introduced this year, would increase the fund's minimum from from $3 million to $8 million, and its maximum from $8 million to $16 million. It would also extend protections to farmers with credit-sale contracts, but would only reimburse these contracts at 70%. The bill is not yet eligible for floor debate in the House and could be killed by the upcoming April 4 'funnel' deadline if it does not advance to the Senate and through committee. The Senate version of the bill would increase the minimum and maximum to $5 million and $12 million, respectively, and would include credit-sale contracts as transactions covered by the fund. The Senate bill is eligible for floor debate. This article was originally published by Iowa Capital Dispatch, a States Newsroom affiliate. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
27-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Iowa grain dealer files for bankruptcy; farmers can file for indemnity for 120 days
Trucks deliver harvested grain in western Iowa. (Photo by Jared Strong/Iowa Capital Dispatch) A St. Louis-based company with an Iowa grain dealer license has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Iowa farmers with unpaid grain sold to Benson Hill Holdings, Inc. prior to March 20, can file a claim for indemnity, according to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. Don McDowell, communications director for IDALS, said the department is not 'immediately aware' of any affected farmers. The grain indemnity fund will pay farmers 90% of their loss, up to $300,000, though claims related to Benson Hill must be mailed or personally delivered to IDALS's Grain Warehouse Bureau by July 18. The fund was established by the Iowa Legislature in 1986 and accrues via a per-bushel fee on purchased grain and fees on licensed warehouses and grain dealers. According to minutes from the Iowa Grain Indemnity Fund Board, the balance of the fund as of Feb. 19 was $8.4 million. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Benson Hill filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy March 20 and has up to $11 million in debtor-in-possession financing to continue its day-to-day operations. Christi Dixon, a spokesperson for the seed innovation company, said it is 'restructuring' its finances. 'We will continue to meet our contractual commitments and support key farmers without interruption,' Dixon said in an email. Dixon said the company maintains a seed processing facility in Bondurant and employs seven people in Iowa. Benson Hill previously owned a soy processing facility in Creston, but sold the facility in February 2024 to White River Nutrition. McDowell said the grain license for Benson Hill included locations in Cherokee and Galva. In 2023, the grain indemnity fund fell below its minimum threshold, which triggered the farmer-paid fees to support the fund, after nearly 30 years without needing to fill the fund. It also triggered legislative efforts to reform the grain indemnity fund to reflect modern farming practices and pricing. The efforts have stalled out in the past due to disagreements on including credit-sale contracts, which are currently excluded from the fund. House File 508, introduced this year, would increase the fund's minimum from from $3 million to $8 million, and its maximum from $8 million to $16 million. It would also extend protections to farmers with credit-sale contracts, but would only reimburse these contracts at 70%. The bill is not yet eligible for floor debate in the House and could be killed by the upcoming April 4 'funnel' deadline if it does not advance to the Senate and through committee. The Senate version, Senate File 608, would increase the minimum and maximum to $5 million and $12 million, respectively, and would include credit-sale contracts as transactions covered by the fund. SF 608 is eligible for floor debate. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Bird flu detected in Dallas County backyard flock
A backyard chicken raised to lay eggs. (Photo by Jared Strong/Iowa Capital Dispatch) A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza was detected in a mixed species backyard flock in Dallas County, according to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. H5N1 strain of the bird flu has impacted more than 166 million birds in backyard and commercial poultry operations since 2022, and Iowa flocks have been hit harder than any other state, in terms of birds affected. The latest detection in Dallas County is the fifth detection of the bird flu in Iowa this year. The previous three detections have been in commercial turkey and egg laying facilities. In late February, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins announced a plan to spend $1 billion in Commodity Credit Corporation funds to combat the ongoing crisis. The funding would go to biosecurity upgrades on farms, the repopulation of birds at affected farms and vaccine research. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control continues to rate the public health risk of the bird flu as low, and IDALS said egg and poultry products are still safe to consume. Commercial and backyard poultry producers are encouraged to practice heightened biosecurity measures and to contact their veterinarians if they suspect an outbreak of the virus in their flocks. Symptoms include lethargy, coughing or wheezing, thin-shelled eggs, swollen heads or decreased egg production. HPAI is also present in wild and migratory birds. The Iowa Department of Natural Resources warned Iowans to avoid, and to keep their pets away from, dead or dying birds. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
20-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Iowa lawmakers propose restricting political party changes before caucuses, primaries
About 170 people attended the Republican caucus in Glidden, a typical amount in a presidential election year. (Photo by Jared Strong/Iowa Capital Dispatch) A House proposal would require Iowa voters to be registered with a political party one month in advance of that party's caucuses or primary elections in order to participate. House File 353 would require voters who want to participate in a party caucus or primary to be a registered member of the party at least 30 days before participating in the party's nomination process. The measure would also prohibit a person from filing nominating papers to become a partisan candidate if the individual has not been a member of that party for at least a year. These requirements would not apply to first-time voters if they have not registered as a member of a political party. Rep. Derek Wulf, R-Hudson, said he proposed the bill after discussions with constituents who expressed worries during the 2024 Republican caucuses about non-Republicans participating in the nomination process. 'There was a lot of concerns that came up of, you know, Democrats who were switching parties, and as they came into the caucus process,' Wulf said. 'There was a lot of discussion around, 'Was there going to be some sabotage efforts?' I don't know if we saw that widespread, but I know that concern came up.' He said these provisions would help Iowa 'maintain that integrity around the process of the caucus' and help keep the Iowa GOP caucuses first in the nation — an issue of consideration as the Democratic National Committee stripped Iowa of its first-in-the-nation spot leading into the 2024 presidential election cycle. However, some speakers said the measure would hurt voters who choose to not affiliate with a political party or who vote based on specific issues. Amy Campbell with the League of Women Voters of Iowa said candidates should be evaluated on 'qualifications, ideas and the support of voters, not arbitrary requirements like party registration.' She said the bill discriminates against nonpartisan voters or candidates who choose not to affiliate with a political party based on personal beliefs or dissatisfaction with the current political system. Campbell said this bill also comes as more voters are shifting in allegiances based on specific candidates or based on disapproval of a political party's decisions. 'I think we can all agree that (political) parties are in a state of transition right now,' Campbell said. 'There is a lot of changing at the party level, where I know personally — my personal family, who are all registered Republicans … have changed parties back and forth depending on who the candidate is. And we really feel that it restricts political freedom and participation.' Rosie Thierer, a poll worker in Mitchellville, said the bill could also expose those staffing Iowa elections to potential violence and harassment from voters who would be denied the ability to participate in some elections because of the 30-day party registration requirement. 'If you think about the place where you vote, you face a lot of workers like me, gray-haired, wrinkled old women,' Thierer said. 'So think about exposing those individuals to the harassment that they will take. It will be verbal, it could be physical, and I ask you to think about the real enforcement of this — it will be those election workers.' The measure moved forward for consideration by the full House State Government Committee, with Democrat Rep. Adam Zabner not signing off on the bill. Rep. Austin Harris, R-Moulton, said though he signed off on the measure, he shared concerns brought up by Campbell about the measure restricting voters' ability to participate in elections. In its current form, Harris said he would have a difficult time supporting the bill after the committee process. 'I actually agree with you, I think our political parties are changing,' Harris said. 'I think we're starting to bring more and more people into the fold. I think — whether it happens with the Republican Party and building a blue collar coalition, a lot of folks who are former Democrats coming in, I want them to be able to participate in a party and be a part of our party, as long as we continue to push the principles that we do.' But Dennis Tibben with the Foundation for Government Accountability, a conservative public policy think tank, said he sees the measure as leading to a more informed electorate participating in primary elections and caucuses. 'We think that, through the additional information that the voters will be able to gain as a result of this legislation, ultimately we'll see an increase in the number of individuals who are participating in the electoral process on the local level,' Tibben said. Wulf said there could be changes to the time frames specified in the bill, but that he believes the measure will be a part of ongoing discussions on election integrity, especially as it relates to the Iowa caucuses. 'We want to make sure that we keep the … first-in-the-nation status on that for the Republican Party,' Wulf said. 'For sure, disappointed that the Democrats no longer have that. But if we could get that back for them, I'd love that as well. So there's a lot of discussion happening in general around elections, but specifically around the caucus process.' Iowa Capital Dispatch and the Nebraska Examiner are part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Iowa Capital Dispatch maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Kathie Obradovich for questions: info@ SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
