(Radio Iowa) – As the U-S Department of Agriculture consolidates operations away from Washington D-C and into five new “hubs” across the country, Iowa was named among the early favorites for one of those locations — but it’s not going to happen. Kansas City is the final choice for the region, according to a memo from U-S Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins to her staff. Missouri Agriculture Director Chris Chinn says relocating U-S-D-A offices can benefit the people the agency serves. “We think it will be a great opportunity for the state of Missouri,” says Chinn. The process is to take place over the next few years. Along with Kansas City, the hubs are to be located in: Indianapolis, Indiana; Salt Lake City, Utah; Fort Collins, Colorado; and Raleigh, North Carolina.

The agency moved two research agencies to Kansas City in 2019: the Economic Research Service and the National Institute of Food and Ag. Chinn says having U-S-D-A personnel close to land-grant institutions and ag research has been positive. “They have the opportunity to travel out to those schools if they want to, to observe that research, to have those meeting opportunities,” says Chinn, “but more importantly, they know what agriculture needs because Kansas City, while it is an urban area, you don’t have to drive very far and you’re out in the country where you can see tractors, combines, hogs, cattle, the list goes on and on.” Iowa State University is a land-grant university.

The Rollins memo noted how Kansas City has a lower cost of living compared to Washington D.C., and she noted the U-S-D-A will continue to maintain critical agency service centers in locations like St. Louis. Robert Bonnie, a former U-S-D-A Under Secretary of Farm Production and Conservation, says strong relationships between the agency and land-grant universities are important, but he’s not sold on the hub plan. “I don’t think you get USDA closer to its constituents and stakeholders by dividing it up,” Bonnie says. “I actually think it’s served exactly the opposite purpose.” Bonnie says relocating the agency makes it more difficult for farmers and others to get information from the agency.

The number of jobs that will come with the Kansas City move is unknown.

AMES, Iowa – The Iowa State Fair is quickly approaching and the anticipation of the annual Governor’s Charity Steer Show is building. The Iowa beef cattle industry is again partnering with the governor in this fundraising event to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa. Hundreds of fairgoers will attend the August 9 event, featuring youth, industry supporters, local celebrities, and of course, steers. Each steer is exhibited by a local youth representative and a guest celebrity selected by the sponsor of the steer. Twenty-five steers will be shown this year. Along with Gov. Kim Reynolds, there are other notable celebrities showing this year, ranging from industry favorites to college athletes. (See the complete list below).

Among the celebrities participating in the event, is Iowa Lt. Governor Chris Gearthart-Cournoyer). She will be showing the steer “Mickey,” exhibited by Kennedy Eischeid, of Manning. “Mickey” is sponsored by the Crawford County Cattlemen and Nor-AM Cold Storage.   The Governor’s Charity Steer Show is sponsored by the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association (ICA) and the Iowa Beef Industry Council (IBIC).

The Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer Show has been held since 1983 and has raised nearly $6 million for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa since the show’s inception. Last year, the show raised more than $568,000, the fourth year in a row that the fundraising record has been broken. Funds are raised through online donations, sponsorships, and an auction of steers following the show. All money raised benefits the three independent Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa, located in Des Moines, Iowa City, and Sioux City. These three houses have served over 55,000 families from all 50 states and 62 foreign countries. Families from all 99 counties in Iowa have benefited from the Ronald McDonald Houses of Iowa, too.

If you are interested in supporting the Governor’s Charity Steer Show, consider donating online or attending the show/auction to contribute. The Governor’s Charity Steer Show is being held in Pioneer Pavilion at the Iowa State Fair on Saturday, August 9, at 4:30 p.m. Then follow us to the Penningroth Center for the live auction, where additional funds are raised and records are broken. For additional information about the Governor’s Charity Steer Show or to donate, visit www.iowagovernorscharitysteershow.com.

2025 Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer Show Participants:

1. Sponsors: Iowa Beef Industry Council and Iowa Cattlemen’s Association

Celebrity: Governor Kim Reynolds

Exhibitor: Addison Brueggeman | Lake Park, IA

Steer: Scottie​

2. Sponsors: Crawford County Cattlemen and Nor-AM Cold Storage

    Celebrity: Lt. Governor Chris Gearhart Cournoyer

    Exhibitor: Kennedy Eischeid | Manning, IA

    Steer: Mickey​​​

3. Sponsor: Davis County Beef Promoters

Celebrity: Jon Nash, Executive Vice President, Cargill Food

Exhibitor: Ty Swaim | Drakesville, IA

Steer: Judge

​​4. Sponsors: Mahaska County Cattlemen & Friends

Celebrity: Buck Wehrbein, President, NCBA

Exhibitor: McLane Warren | New Sharon, IA

Steer: Merlin

​​​​5. Sponsors: Iowa Farm Bureau

Celebrity: Brian Feldpausch, Vice President, Iowa Farm Bureau

Exhibitor: Lucas Sheehan | Remsen, IA

Steer: Rocky

​​​6. Sponsor: Dee Zee, Inc. (The Quality Truck Accessory People)

Celebrity: Curtis D. Claeys, Iowa State Fair Board, President

Exhibitor: Evan Huberty | Mitchellville, IA

Steer: Furgy

​​​7. Sponsor: Iowa Bankers Association

Celebrity: Jeff Angelo, Host of the WHO Radio Morning Show

Exhibitor: Brenna Thie | Mediapolis, IA

Steer: ​Jimmy

​8. Sponsors: Volunteer Boards of Iowa Ronald McDonald House Charities

Celebrity: To be announced

Exhibitor: Chandler Ludwig | Elma, IA

Steer: Snoop Dog

​​9. Sponsors: Eastern Iowa Ronald McDonald House and Quad Cities McDonald’s

Celebrity: Matt Kroul, Former University of Iowa and NY Jets Football Player, Current Farmer and Owner at Kroul Farms

Exhibitor: Tyler Lukavsky | Washington, IA

Steer: Thunder

​​10. Sponsors: Central Iowa Ronald McDonald Houses and Des Moines Area Independent Owner Operators

Celebrity: Jackie Schmillen, Director of Public Affairs of the Iowa National Guard and

overall Hype Person for all great things happening in Central Iowa

Exhibitor: Asher Henson | Martensdale, IA

Steer: Colt

​11. Sponsors: Siouxland Ronald McDonald House and Siouxland Area McDonald’s Operators

Celebrity: Dan Venteicher, Iowa Dairy Farmer

Exhibitor: Merritt Moss | Hull, IA

Steer: Big Red

​​12. Sponsor: Friends of Floyd County

Celebrity: Nick Fox, UNI Wrestler

Exhibitor: Chet Brunner | Rockford, IA

Steer: Clifford

​​13. Sponsor: Monroe County Cattlemen & Supporters

Celebrity: Tork Whistler, BarnTalk Podcast Host

Exhibitor: Ty Haywood | Albia, IA

Steer: This’ll Do

14. Sponsor: Iowa County Beef Supporters

Celebrity: Casey Manser, Iowa SIDS Foundation Executive Director

Exhibitor: Elery Hinrichsen | Williamsburg, IA

Steer: Mack​

​15. Sponsors: Foster and Evelyn Barkema Charitable Trust and Friends of Franklin County Cattlemen

Celebrity: JayJay Goodvin, Chief Explorer of the Iowa Gallivant

Exhibitor: Tate Lundt | Rockwell, IA

Steer: Pablo

​16. Sponsor: Iowa Junior Hereford Association

Celebrity: Brenna Bird, Iowa Attorney General

Exhibitor: Logan Keppler | Indianola, IA

Steer: ​Buddy

​17. Sponsors: Benton County Cattlemen and Local Supporters

Celebrity: Mike Naig, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture

Exhibitor: Jack Wayson | Mount Auburn, IA

Steer: Bond “007”

​​​18. Sponsor: Iowa Corn Promotion Board

Celebrity: Ralph Lents, Iowa Corn Promotion Board President

Exhibitor: Tucker Freimuth | Lytton, IA

Steer: Burt Reynolds

​19. Sponsor: Johnson County Cattlemen & Reeve Farms

Celebrity: Jess Settles, Iowa Hawkeye Basketball Great, Basketball TV Analyst, Farmer

Exhibitor: Reece Meyer | Solon, IA

Steer: Whiskey​

​20. Sponsors: Jackson County Cattlemen and Friends of Jackson County

Celebrity: Jason Brantley, VP of Production Systems, John Deere

Exhibitor: Anna Cota | Bellevue, IA

Steer: Prince

​​21. Sponsors: Iowa Veterinary Medical Association and ISU College of Veterinary Medicine

Celebrity: Dr. Dan Grooms, Iowa Veterinary Medical Association &

ISU College of Veterinary Medicine

Exhibitor: Matt Elbert | Rock Rapids, IA

Steer: Trice​

​22. Sponsor: District 20 Cattlemen’s Associations

Celebrity: Dr. Gene W. Hoy, Former Head Vet of the Iowa State Fair

Animal Learning Center & area vet

Exhibitor: Hailey Pedrick | Ollie, IA

Steer: All On Red

​23. Sponsor: Iowa Premium, A National Beef Company

Celebrity: To be determined

Exhibitor: Bryce Schwenneker | Adel, IA

Steer: Dale

​​24. Sponsor: ServiTech, Inc.

Celebrity: Ryan Hassebrook, ServiTech President & CEO

Exhibitor: Henry McCollom | Colo, IA

Steer: Joe

25. Sponsor: Iowa Angus Association

Celebrity: Mark McCully, CEO American Angus Association

Exhibitor: Isabella Gotto | Dyersville, IA

Steer: Duke

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Congresswoman Ashley Hinson says she’s confident congress can essentially overrule a U-S Supreme Court opinion that upheld California standards for pork sold in that state. The rules require pork sold in California to come from the offspring of sows that had enough space to move and turn around. Hinson says her “Save Our Bacon Act” will put a stop to that policy.

“California should not be telling Iowa farmers who to raise their hogs,” Hinson says. “Prop 12 set unscientific, arbitrary mandates on producers hundreds, if not thousands of miles away and it’s hurting both farmers and families.” California voters approved Proposition 12 in 2018 by a large margin. In 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled California’s animal welfare law did not violate the Constitution’s commerce clause, but Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote that if pork producers believe it causes a massive disruption in their industry, they can lobby congress to intervene.

“In the Supreme Court’s decision, they noted that congress had the authority to determine how states may regulate and get involved here with interstate commerce,” Hinson says, “and I think that when you look at what we’ve got here, this does exactly that.” Congress typically drafts constitutional amendments to undo U.S. Supreme Court rulings that interpret the constitution. However, Congress has occasionally acted to pass a bill in similar situations and Hinson says this particular legislative fix is necessary.

“According to USDA, the cost for producers to comply with Prop 12 is up to $4500 per sow. That is devastating for small, family-run farms that don’t have that kind of money lying around and it’s not just farmers feeling the pain. Consumers are paying more, too,” Hinson says. “Since Prop 12 went into effect, the price of a pork loin has gone up 41%.” California’s rules require about 24 square feet of space for each sow. Hinson says her bill ensures California activists cannot dictate how pork producers raise pigs in Iowa.

“In California, if they want to decide that they want their sows to live in this much space, then they can do that for their producers,” Hinson says, “but for us it’s telling our Iowa producers they can continue to do things how they have with the farrowing process that is scientifically based.”

Supporters of the California regulations say it’s cruel and inhumane to confine pregnant sows in pens that are so small they cannot turn around. The National Pork Producers Council says gestation stalls allow sows to move side to side and lie down, but NOT to turn around and potentially contaminate her water and food.