Tag: USDA

Agriculture, Environment, JusticeLeave a comment

Iowa environmental groups seek to intervene in ‘swampbuster’ lawsuit

Gary Dickson

An Iowa company is challenging federal law that prevents farming on designated wetlands, claiming it imposes unconstitutional conditions for accessing USDA benefits without compensation. Sustainable agriculture groups intervene, arguing losing the law would threaten environmental preservation and exacerbate flooding and erosion issues. The case highlights critical discussions on land use and conservation. Continue reading Iowa environmental groups seek to intervene in ‘swampbuster’ lawsuit

Agriculture, Iowa, SiouxlandLeave a comment

Two cases of bird flu found In Woodbury County

Gary Dickson

A news release from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship Wednesday said that the agency and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have confirmed two positive cases of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in Woodbury County, Iowa.  

The affected sites are both backyard mixed-species flocks.  Continue reading Two cases of bird flu found In Woodbury County

Agriculture, Government, South DakotaLeave a comment

$8.3B in crop insurance payouts to South Dakota farmers: A cost of climate change

Gary Dickson

South Dakota farmers have received nearly $10 billion in payouts from the Federal Crop Insurance Corp. over roughly the past two decades, with payments specifically due to weather disasters rising significantly during that time.

Between 2001 and 2022, South Dakota was among the top states in the nation for receiving insurance payouts for crop losses due to weather disasters, a trend environmentalists have said reveals a hidden but rapidly rising cost of climate change that is increasing the frequency and severity of storms that damage crops.

American taxpayers have funded a large portion of the payouts, as nearly 65% of the premiums for the crop insurance program run by the U.S. Department of Agriculture are subsidized with federal funding. Continue reading $8.3B in crop insurance payouts to South Dakota farmers: A cost of climate change

Agriculture, Iowa, Rural Life, Siouxland, South DakotaLeave a comment

Looks like harvest is going well

Gary Dickson

If you’ve been driving outside of town anywhere in Siouxland the last week or so, you’ve likely noticed combines out in the fields. And if you’ve been on the secondary roads in South Dakota, Iowa or Nebraska you’ve probably encountered farm machinery or trucks going between fields or transporting corn or soybeans to the nearest elevator. Yup, it’s that time of year in Siouxland. I’m not a farmer, but I’m always curious as to how harvest is going for those that are. Especially when our local TV meteorologists are forecasting heavy rain for later in the week. And I’ll bet … Continue reading Looks like harvest is going well