Farmers are relieved by Monsanto’s decision to nix its plans to buy Syngenta. The deal would have meant the hybrid seed and herbicide maker would have controlled 45 percent of the global seed market, leaving Johnston-based Pioneer in a distant second place. USDA says farm income will be down for this year. The department estimates…… MORE
Iowa will join a national effort to keep an eye on wild waterfowl for bird flu symptoms. Migrating birds are blamed for the outbreak that wiped out flocks at 70 poultry operations in the state. DNR is asking hunters to report any birds that look sickly or worse, and the areas where they’re found.… MORE
With USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack by her side, Democratic front-runner Hillary Clinton outlined her rural economic development plan at the Des Moines Area Community College-Ankeny campus on Wednesday. Less than 24 hours earlier, Vilsack announced his endorsement of Clinton. “She is loyal,” said Vilsack. “It’s a very personal decision, and it’s one that I didn’t…… MORE
Democratic presidential frontrunner Hillary Clinton will be in Ankeny today, talking about jobs and manufacturing. Clinton will appear at DMACC, close to the Deere and Company campus, as the company heads into contract talks with its union. Deere has seen a decline in farm equipment sales over the past year as crop prices declined. A federal…… MORE
When it comes to what Des Moines workers value most, it all boils down to job stability…that’s the upshot of a poll through an interactive art exhibit at the Iowa State Fair. The exhibit was from Workshift, a national good jobs campaign aimed at setting a new people-driven standard for good jobs.… MORE
Deere and Company has begun contract talks with the UAW on a new six-year labor agreement. The current contract expires at the end of next month. The talks come at a time when the company is seeing declining sales in its farm equipment because of the drop in crop prices.… MORE
GOP front-runner Donald Trump was in Dubuque Tuesday night for a massive “Make America Great Again” rally. Though the city is usually known for its Democratic-leaning views, more than two thousand people showed up to hear the real estate mogul speak. Trump touched on his normal foreign policy ideas, such as militarizing in the Middle…… MORE
To commemorate his 30th Iowa county visited last weekend, the campaign of Democratic presidential candidate Martin O’Malley is organizing 30 house parties across Iowa Wednesday night. Though the former Maryland governor will not be physically in the state, he will call in to the parties and speak with caucus goers and supporters. Campaign volunteers Brendan…… MORE
Pavement created from soybeans? ISU dedicates a new pilot plant facility tomorrow to produce bio-polymers from soybean oil.The facility helps companies that want to eventually replace petroleum-based polymers in their asphalt paving products with bio-renewable polymers. The 5-million dollar facility took 18 months to design and construct. Des Moines will save nearly 4 million dollars…… MORE
The Iowa State Fair hit a record attendance rate this year. The fair this year drew in more than a million-117-thousand people, breaking the 2008 record of a million-80-thousand. Great weather, visiting politicians, high-profile music acts and the change in the school start date are all credited for the increase.… MORE
