Farm income is forecasted to have decreased in 2024 by 4% from 2023, largely because of a decrease in cash receipts, or the gross income, from the sale of commodity crops, according to the December update of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s farm income forecast.  The Iowa Capital Dispatch reports Carrie Litkowski, the farm income team leader with USDA Economic Research Service, presented the latest update in a webinar Tuesday, and said the forecast was very similar to its previous September iteration.

“But somehow it feels a little more important, as we near the end of the year, to evaluate the current state of the farm economy as a starting point for considering what challenges and opportunities may lie ahead for U.S. agriculture,” Litkowski said.

Net cash farm income for 2024 is projected to be $158.8 billion, which in inflation-adjusted figures is 3.5% lower than net cash farm income in 2023. The forecast shows the 2024 figure, however, is 9.8% above the 20-year average for net cash farm income, and represents a less gradual decline than that of 2022 to 2023.  Net cash farm income is the income minus expenses of the farm, including government payments, but excluding things like changes in inventories or economic depreciations, which are reflected in the “net farm income” figures.

The sale of agricultural commodities is projected to decrease by less than 1 percent overall as an over 8% increase in animal and animal product receipts nearly offsets the over 9% decrease in forecasted crop receipts.  Because of this, net cash income for all farm businesses specializing in crops is forecasted to be lower this year than last, but all farm businesses specializing in animal or animal products are expect to have higher net cash farm income than they did in 2023.

This could mean lower net cash income for the farming sector in Iowa for 2024, as the majority of cash receipts on Iowa farms in 2023 were for corn and soybeans, which are projected to decrease, nationally, by 23% and 14% respectively in 2024.

The data used in the USDA ERS forecasts represents the entire farming sector of nearly 2 million farms and ranches. Litkowski said the reports are used to inform policy makers and lenders, and in determining the ag sector’s contributions to the U.S. economy. It’s forecasted that farmers in 2024 will have a decreased need of supplemental and disaster assistance, as well as lower dairy margin payments. That will result in a forecasted $1.7 billion decrease from 2023 in direct government payments to farmers.

Litkowski said natural disasters like hurricanes Helene and Milton have not yet shown up in the data, because much of the harvesting in the affected regions had already been completed at the time of the hurricanes, and payments have not yet been issued. USDA also forecasts overall lower input costs, primarily in feed fertilizers and pesticides for farmers in 2024. Other inputs, however, like labor, interest rates and livestock and poultry purchases are forecasted to have increased.

Median farm income for 2024 is expected to increase to $100,634, which is almost 3% higher, without adjusting for inflation, from 2023. Off-farm income, which represents the biggest share of income for most on-farm families, is projected to increase in 2024, after decreasing slightly over the past three years. Litkowski clarified that “half of all farms are residential farms” where the owner’s primary occupation is not farming, which typically leads the median on farm income to appear as a negative amount.

The forecast will be updated again Feb. 6 when the department will release its first projections for 2025.

DES MOINES, Iowa [KCCI] — A semi-truck driver from New Jersey was in a Des Moines hospital Tuesday, with charges pending against him, after he led authorities on a 75-mile chase from western to central Iowa on Interstate 80.

Iowa State Patrol troopers began looking for the vehicle shortly after 6:30 a.m. Tuesday after 911 dispatch centers received multiple reports of a semi-truck dragging a chain, creating sparks on Interstate 80 near Underwood. The Iowa State Patrol says the vehicle was located around Avoca, but the driver, who has not been publicly identified, did not respond to commands to pull over.

Various law enforcement agencies deployed stop sticks as the vehicle approached the Des Moines metro in the eastbound lanes of I-80, successfully deflating multiple tires, the Iowa State Patrol says. The vehicle continued driving on its rims until about 8:10 a.m., when pursuing officers forced him to pull off at the weigh station between the exits for Van Meter and Waukee.

Pursued semi approaches “Stop-sticks” set across EB I-80 Tuesday morning (12/3/24)

Photo shows the semi w/deflated tires crossing the stop sticks

Adair County Sheriff Jeff Vandewater posted on the Adair County Sheriff’s Office Facebook page (Adaircountyso), a brief video taken from his body camera, of the semi passing by his position along I-80, just before he and an Iowa State Patrol Trooper deployed stop-sticks. Vandewater said in one of the still frame photos, you can see the semi was “already driving on its rim at this point.” (Images shown below)

Authorities used tear gas to force the semi’s driver out of the cab, and he was taken to a Des Moines hospital for evaluation.

Sgt. Alex Dinkla, spokesperson for the Iowa State Patrol, said it’s unclear why the driver didn’t pull over for authorities, but it didn’t seem like he intended anyone harm, because he was taking other drivers’ safety into consideration – he just didn’t want to stop for law enforcement.

(Radio Iowa) – Republican lawmakers are promising to produce a plan that reduces property taxes. House Republican Leader Matt Windschitl of Missouri Valley says legislators heard complaints about property taxes repeatedly during the 2024 campaign. “People want to make sure that their homes are affordable,” Windschitl says, “and if they made the investment into their homes, that they’re not getting taxed out of them.” Windschitl says a previously-passed cap on property tax growth will be part of the equation.

“There are a lot of different players that are going to need to be around the table to figure out how we do this,” Windschitl says, “and how we do it appropriately.” Senator Mike Bousselot, a Republican from Ankeny, says Iowans are seeing big increases in property taxes collected by cities and counties.  “An average of a more than 7% increase for counties and 6% for cities? That’s money out of property tax payers’ pockets. It’s money out of Iowans’ pockets and it’s making it more expensive to live in Iowa,” Bousselot says. “We have to address that this session. We will address that this session.”

House Democratic Leader Jennifer Konfrst says if the property tax cuts are too deep, it may leave cities high and dry when the time comes to pay for the roads. “We’re listening to local community leaders because they know their cities best,” Konfrst says, “and they’re a little tired of getting big policies handed down from Des Moines that hurt their local community.” Senate Democratic Leader-elect Janice Weiner says she believes in local control — giving officials at the city and county level authority to do their jobs.

“We heard from local communities during the last round of property tax reform,” Weiner says. “They came in from the very beginning to express their concern that there were local priorities that needed to be funded.” Weiner served on the city council in Iowa City before winning a seat in the Iowa Senate in 2022.

(Marshalltown, Iowa) – The body of an elderly female was found in a home that caught fire Monday afternoon, in Marshalltown. According to Marshalltown Police, firefighters were dispatched at around 1-p.m. to a residence in the 1400 block of S. Center Street in Marshalltown, where they found a single-family, split-level home with a fire in the living room.

The woman’s body was discovered after the flames were extinguished. Marshalltown Police Detectives and Special Agents with the Iowa Arson and Explosives Bureau were called-in to handle the incident.

The cause of the fire was undetermined as of the latest information, and remained under investigation. The name of the victim was not released.

(Rockwell City, Iowa) – The Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office says a central Iowa man was sentenced Monday (Dec. 2, 2024), to 10-years in prison, following his conviction in Iowa District Court for Calhoun County, of sexually abusing a 14-year-old child. His actions took place in Lohrville (IA) in May, 2023.

Chief District Judge Adria Kester sentenced 20-year-old Matthew Edward Wilson, of Des Moines, to the maximum term in prison, and ordered him to be placed on the State’s Sex Offender Registry for life.

The case was investigated by the Calhoun County Sheriff’s Office and prosecuted by the Calhoun County Attorney’s Office.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Chapter of the American Cancer Society is gearing up for Festival of Trees this week in Downtown Atlantic. As part of the fundraising for the event the committee has put together a raffle for a Gift Card Tree full of gift certificates to local business and AtlantiCash. Tickets for the raffle are $10 each and can be purchased at Brown’s Shoe Fit up until Thursday when Festival of Trees starts and then will be sold at the event.

Local businesses that have contributed gift certificates are Plaza Azteca, The Downtowner Café and Catering, McAtee Tire, Udderly Delicious, Cappel’s Ace Hardware, Walmart, Brown’s Shoe Fit, Olsen’s BP, Fareway, and Hanson’s Fine Jewelry. Over $200 worth of value is on the tree.

Festival of Trees is being held at 325 Chestnut Street in downtown Atlantic (The former Robinson Hardware Building). Festival of Trees is scheduled to be open for public viewing on Thursday, December 5th and Friday, December 6th from 10:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Saturday, December 7th from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and Sunday, December 8th from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

Come join the elves at “Santa’s Workshop” and get in the holiday spirit by viewing all the festive displays from area businesses and organizations at the 2024 Festival of Trees.

(Atlantic, Iowa)  — Cass County Wellness Coordinator Grace McAfee says Healthy Cass County invites all residents and community members to attend the next Healthy Cass County meeting at Noon on Monday, December 9, 2024. This gathering is an opportunity for us to come together, share ideas, and tackle an important issue: food insecurity. Let’s explore fresh and creative solutions to ensure everyone in our community has access to nutritious food.

Here’s a sneak peek at what will be discussed:

• Innovative food access initiatives that can make a real difference in our neighborhoods.
• Ways to boost participation in nutrition programs and make them more accessible.
• Ideas to expand the Farmer’s Market Nutrition Program through policy changes.
• Strategies to increase school-based food pantries, supporting our kids and families.
• How to identify and fill gaps in access to culturally preferred foods, ensuring everyone feels included and cared for.
  

  Healthy Cass County logo

Grace McAfee says “This is more than a meeting—it’s a chance for community members, leaders, and organizations to come together, share ideas, and build a stronger, healthier Cass County. We all have a role to play, and your voice matters!” If you are interested in learning more or signing up for updates, please reach out to Grace McAfee at mcage@casshealth.org or call 712-250-8710.

Follow Healthy Cass County on Facebook @HealthyCassCounty (https://www.facebook.com/HealthyCassCounty/). Reach out to Cass County Wellness Coordinator Grace McAfee at mcage@casshealth.org or call 712-250-8170 for more information.

(Cumberland, Iowa) – An account has been established to assist a Cass County (IA) family whose home was destroyed in a fire the day before Thanksgiving. Cumberland Fire Chief Jason Rouse deemed the residence a total loss. Clint and Dawnelle Humbert escaped their burning home with just the clothes on their backs on November 27th.

Organizer Maggie Morehouse, in Cumberland, set up a GoFundMe page for the couple so the community can help them get back on their feet.

Follow this LINK to the GoFundMe page established for Clint and Dawnelle Humbert if you can help with their recovery process, and would like to donate.

Photo courtesy Cass County EMA Coordinator Mike Kennon

(Des Moines, IA) – Officials with the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services reports, “Through the Safe Haven Law, a baby girl, born November 11 is now in the care and custody of the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and will be placed with a foster family until permanent placement is determined.”

The latest case brings the overall total to 72 infants since the law went into effect more than two decades ago.  The DHS says this is the sixth case so far in 2024. In 2023, ten infants were relinquished to HHS custody under the Safe Haven Act.

Iowa’s Safe Haven Act is an option for parents in crisis who determine they cannot care for an infant up to 90 days old. Designated safe havens are locations like hospitals and police and fire stations. Iowa HHS then works to place infants in an approved foster home while awaiting permanent adoption.

If you are interested in becoming a foster parent or adopting a child, visit https://iowafosterandadoption.org/ to learn more about becoming an approved foster or adoptive family. For more information on Iowa’s Safe Haven, visit https://hhs.iowa.gov/programs/CPS/safe-haven.

CLARINDA, Iowa – The Iowa Department of Corrections reports 38-year-old Patrick James Smith, Jr., was pronounced dead Sunday night, Dec. 1st, 2024 at the Clarinda Regional Hospital.

Smith had been serving a five-year term for crimes from Polk County. His sentence began on Jan. 20, 2023.