(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.

(Ankeny, Iowa) – An Atlantic woman received a prestigious award Thursday afternoon, during 19th statewide Iowa Women in Agriculture conference. The 2025 “Winds of Change Up and Comer” award was presented to Ciara Hoegh. Ciara was nominated by LaVon Eblen and Catherine Booth. The award was presented at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny, where the theme of the conference was “Sowing Our Stories . . . Beyond the Farm Gate.”

The Iowa Women in Agriculture organization is comprised of women farmers, landowners, and agribusiness professionals who focus on expanding the knowledge and economic potential of women and their capacity to network with one another.

Pictured left to right: IWIA past president Deb Schuler, Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Bailey Smith, Allison Berryhill, award recipient Ciara Hoegh and Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce Program Director Kelsey Beschorner. (Photo courtesy Deb Schuler)

The conference explored the challenges of agriculture’s evolving financial and trade climate, including:

Commodity market scenarios and advice
Soil and water quality initiatives
Lender’s outlook for 2025-26
Prospects for a new farm bill, tariffs, and taxes
Latest on land values and transition planning
Ag community building/storytelling
Role of women in a dynamic ag industry.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Organizers with Nishnabotna Water Defenders – a non-profit environmental conservation organization – Thursday evening, issued a statement with regard to a settlement announced Wednesday, between the Iowa Attorney General’s Office and the NEW Coop in Red Oak. The statement said members of the organization “…Are disappointed that the settlement issued by Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird with no public input represents a slap on the wrist to NEW Coop. This settlement does not require the coop to implement any new measures that will prevent future contamination.”

In March 2024 265,000 gallons of liquid nitrogen spewed into the East Nishnabotna River from a non-monitored tank at the NEW Coop in Red Oak, Iowa. The historic spill traveled 50 miles down the river and killed approximately 750,000 fish. The cost of only the fish kill was estimated to be $225,000.00. This dollar amount does not include other wildlife that suffered the consequences of this catastrophe.

NWD logo

New Coop controls 82 operating locations in Iowa and Missouri and is said to be the eleventh largest ag retailer in the United States. The settlement comes without any input from the public and comes 16 months after the tragic spill occurred. Terry Langan, Co-Chair of the Nishnabotna Water Defenders, said in a press release, “The settlement signifies the lack of respect that our Attorney General has for Iowa’s people, the land and the wildlife. To put a price of $100,000 on a loss that will be felt for decades, is a total disregard for the importance of Iowa’s waterways.”

The statement said also, the fine does not even recoup the cost of the investigation following the liquid nitrogen incident. “The lack of significant repercussions to this travesty and the significance of Iowa’s water pollution,” the group says, “has led the Nishnabotna Water Defenders to organize training and educational opportunities for citizens to monitor local rivers and streams for nitrates. NWD believes that water is sacred and must be treated with respect.”

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa’s attorney general has reached a settlement with a southwest Iowa business for a fertilizer spill that killed hundreds of thousands of fish. The spill originated at NEW Cooperative in Red Oak when a valve on a fertilizer tank was left open during a weekend in early March of last year.

Over 250-thousand gallons of liquid nitrogen wound up in the East Nishnabotna River. Iowa officials estimate more than 750-thousand fish were killed downstream.

New Cooperative spill

The Nishnabotna River drains into the Missouri River and the Missouri Department of Conservation reported a near total fish kill in the roughly 10-mile stretch in northwest Missouri.

The coop has agreed to pay a 50-thousand dollar penalty and pay 50-thousand dollars to the Montgomery County Conservation Board for an environmental project.

(Atlantic, Iowa) –  The Cass County Conservation Department reports Nishna Valley Trails is holding a Kids Bike Ride August 9^th, 2025, at the Schildberg Rec. Area West Parking lot.  The event begins at 10:30-a.m. Check-in and start of the ride is at the West Parking lot of the Schildberg Rec. Area.

There are three age groups, with the corresponding ride length designated according to age. There is NO CHARGE to participate, and all ages are welcome.

The Ride is co-sponsored by Atlantic Parks and Recreation, Cass County Conservation, Fareway in Atlantic. After the ride, you’re invited to head into downtown Atlantic, for the annual “Atlanticfest” celebration.

Cass County: Corn $3.90 Beans $9.70
Adair County: Corn $3.87Beans $9.73
Adams County: Corn $3.87 Beans $9.69
Audubon County: Corn $3.89 Beans $9.72
East Pottawattamie County: Corn $3.93 Beans $9.70
Guthrie County: Corn $3.92 Beans $9.74
Montgomery County: Corn $3.92 Beans $9.72
Shelby County: Corn $3.93 Beans $9.70

Oats: $2.98 (same in all counties)

(Prices are per bushel; information is from the area Farm Service Agency [FSA] offices)

(A report from the Iowa Capital Dispatch) –  A federal appeals court denied a rehearing petition Monday from Iowa counties involved in a case against Summit Carbon Solutions regarding a county’s ability to enact local pipeline ordinances.  Shelby and Story County supervisors petitioned the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eight Circuit for an en banc rehearing earlier this month following the judge’s ruling in favor of Summit in June.

One judge dissented in the majority opinion that all of the ordinances set by the counties would be preempted by the Pipeline Safety Act. An en banc rehearing, as requested by the counties and supported via amicus briefs from the states of Minnesota, Michigan, Oregon, Vermont and from Pipeline Safety Trust, would require a rehearing of the case with all 11 active judges at the appeals court.

The order denying the petition for rehearing did not include any additional information or opinion from the judge.

KELLOGG – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is investigating a fish kill at Rock Creek Lake in Jasper County.

On July 28, the DNR Field Office in Des Moines was notified of a fish kill at the lake. DNR field staff responded to the incident, and upon arrival observed dead fish sporadically throughout the lake and several miles upstream in the Rock Creek watershed.

Water samples were collected from several locations within the Rock Creek watershed, including the lake. DNR staff tested the water for dissolved oxygen, ammonia nitrogen, and pH, with all parameters falling within acceptable ranges for fish survival. There is no longer an active fish kill in the lake. The investigation is ongoing.

Out of an abundance of caution, a swimming advisory has been posted at the lake through Wednesday, July 30. Swimming is not advised until the advisory is lifted on Thursday.

To report a release after hours, please call the DNR’s emergency spill line at (515) 725-8694. Quick reporting can help DNR staff identify the cause of an incident. The DNR website has more information about spill reporting requirements.

AMES, Iowa — As drone spraying technology rapidly reshapes agriculture across Iowa, producers, ag professionals, and entrepreneurs are seeking the knowledge to keep pace with this innovation. To meet that demand, Iowa State University’s Digital Ag Innovation Lab and Terraplex, Iowa’s premier drone spraying company, are co-hosting a new educational event:

Drone Spraying Essentials: From Basics to Application

Thursday, September 4, 2025
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Digital Ag Innovation Lab | 3800 University Blvd | Ames, IA 50010

Designed for a wide range of attendees, from curious farmers to licensed applicators and agtech startups—this full-day workshop will provide both foundational knowledge and advanced insights into the world of agricultural drone spraying.

ISU extension photo

Attendees will learn:

• How drone spraying is transforming farm practices
• Certification and licensing requirements for drone applicators
• Safe and effective drone operation strategies
• Legal and regulatory considerations
• Expert advice from industry leaders
• Live Q&A sessions with policy and technology experts

Whether you’re just exploring the technology or already working with spray drones, this event will offer valuable tools and connections to take your operation to the next level.

Terraplex, co-hosting the event, is known for its high-precision drone spraying services and commitment to revolutionizing agriculture through technology. Their mission:

“Revolutionize agriculture with cutting-edge drone technology to optimize operations and maximize yields.”

Registration Details

• Cost: $225 (includes lunch, breaks, and handouts)
• Pre-registration required – space is limited to 100 attendees
• Deadline to register: August 15 at 11:59 p.m.
• Register online: https://go.iastate.edu/ATMKGV