IOWA CAPITAL DISPATCH
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A legislative proposal would mandate that most fuel sales at Iowa pumps contain ethanol and biodiesel.
What Gov. Kim Reynolds saw as a chance to expand Iowa’s nation-leading biofuels industry has turned into a high-octane political fight among some of the most powerful interest groups in the state.
Reynolds is proposing to require ethanol and biodiesel at all convenience stores and other retailer fuel outlets. Her plan would allow just one pump per site for no-biofuel gas. And it would revamp tax credits to favor higher blends of ethanol, made of corn, and biodiesel, made of soybeans.
Des Moines Register
Citing what it says is mounting public support, a group of environmental, legislative and farm leaders called Tuesday for a moratorium on new confined animal feeding operations, saying the large-scale livestock-raising facilities pollute Iowa s water and air and harm rural communities.
Rep. Art Staed of Cedar Rapids and Sen. Pam Jochum of Dubuque, both Democrats, introduced complementary bills that call for Iowa to halt construction of new CAFOs. It s the fourth year groups have proposed a moratorium.
So far, efforts have been unsuccessful, given opposition from Republicans who control the Iowa House, Senate and governor s office, the groups said.
Press release content from Business Wire. The AP news staff was not involved in its creation.
FBL Financial Group Reports Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2020 Results
February 4, 2021 GMT
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa (BUSINESS WIRE) Feb 4, 2021
FBL Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE: FFG) today reported net income attributable to FBL Financial Group for the fourth quarter of 2020 of $27.8 million, or $1.14 per diluted common share, compared to net income of $34.7 million, or $1.40 per diluted common share, for the fourth quarter of 2019. Adjusted operating income
(1) totaled $27.3 million, or $1.11 per common share, for the fourth quarter of 2020, compared to $34.8 million, or $1.41 per common share, for the fourth quarter of 2019. Fourth quarter 2020 earnings reflect:
Thirteen area educators are among 142 across Iowa receiving grants in support of the integration of agriculture into classroom instruction or after school programs. With an academic focus, the Agriculture in the Classroom Teacher Supplement Grants are designed to help initiate new projects or expand on existing ones to promote agriculture literacy in students. The money awarded can be used to fund innovative lessons, activities, classroom resources, guest speakers, outreach programs, field trips and more. The grants are distributed by the Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation (IALF) and made possible through the support of the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation and the Iowa Egg Council. Recipients from the Kuemper Catholic School System include Elizabeth Hagen at Kuemper High School and Kathy Stipe at Kuemper Junior High. Amy Madsen at the Carroll Middle School and Peggy Hamilton at Fairview Elementary will receive grants. IKM-Manning Community School District has a total of five educators r
Secretary Naig Invites Iowa Families to Apply Now for the 2021 Century and Heritage Farm Program
Iowa Department of Agriculture
Applications will be accepted until June 1, 2021
DES MOINES, Iowa (Jan. 25, 2021) – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig encourages eligible farm owners to apply for the 2021 Century and Heritage Farm Program now. The program was created by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation to recognize families who have owned their farms for 100 years and 150 years, respectively.
“The Century and Heritage Farm program is a great way to recognize the strength and resiliency of Iowa’s multi-generation farm families, especially after an exceptionally challenging year,” said Secretary Naig. “I always look forward to celebrating along with the families and hearing stories about their incredible farming legacies. I am very grateful for the investments they make to protect our rich farmland and their contin