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Iowa Department of Agriculture asks state for $10 million

Money would be used for water quality initiatives

By Diego Flammini, Farms.com

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey has asked Governor Terry Branstad and Lt. Governor Jim Reynolds to consider supporting the Iowa Water Quality Initiative through a $10 million contribution.

The money would enable the Department of Agriculture to offer cost-sharing to farmers experimenting with new water quality techniques. It would also allow for expanded work in targeted watersheds and the development of new programs.

“We appreciate the strong support we have received from the Governor and Legislature for the Water Quality Initiative and are encouraged by a number of conversations identifying sustainable funding for water quality efforts going forward.  It is important we build on the momentum that has been generated while those conversations continue,” Northey said.

In addition to the water quality investment, Northey also requested $500,000 for use towards preparation and response efforts to a foreign animal disease outbreak including avian flu.

“The USDA has identified the recent avian influenza outbreak as the worst animal health emergency in U.S. history and unfortunately, Iowa was at the center of it.  Animal agriculture adds so much to our state and the requested funds would help our Department continue to prepare for another animal disease situation, whether it is avian influenza or another disease,” Northey said.

Other financial support Northey requested includes $7.5 million for conservation cost share for natural resources and $1.92 million to help close 17 agriculture drainage wells.

Join the discussion and tell us your thoughts about the requests Bill Northey made on behalf of the Iowa Department of Agriculture.


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US “Flash Drought” Worst in 133-160 Years + Disease taking a Bite out of US 2025 Corn/Soybean Crops

Video: US “Flash Drought” Worst in 133-160 Years + Disease taking a Bite out of US 2025 Corn/Soybean Crops


A dry August and a “flash drought” in the ECB (Eastern Corn Belt) the driest top 10 to 15 years in 150 to 160 years (Ohio the driest in 133 years) plus disease is taking a bite out of the 2025 U.S. corn and soybean crops.
It's going to be an early harvest. This could be the start of the 89-year drought cycle that may have been delayed until 2026 as La Nina maybe returning.
The USDA September crop report is all about record corn ears and record soybean counts but the October USDA crop report will be about pod and ear weights.
Stats Canada reported higher forecasts for the 2025 Canadian Prairies all wheat and canola crops vs. last year based on satellite imagery but are they overestimating production?
The 2025 Great ON Yield Tour and Quebec crop tours are projecting corn and soybean crops below the 10-year average.
China's Vice Commerce Ministry Li Chenggang visits Washington this week as we continue to connect the dots is a positive sign towards a China/U.S. trade deal. But will U.S. farmers have a winter without China as they buy more soybeans from Uruguay/Argentina? U.S. Northern Plain soybean farmers are seeing red with flat prices at $8.97/bu!
U.S. corn exports on record pace up 99% vs. last year.
Fund short covering continues in corn futures bottom is in!