Highway 5-U.S. 65 Study Efforts Begin

Last year, the legislature passed funding for a study bill to explore use of and options for ag traffic on state Highway 5 / U.S. Highway 65, the four-lane highway along the south side of Des Moines. That study is now underway.

Stakeholders for the project, which include the Agribusiness Association of Iowa and other agribusiness members, have met to discuss the survey and data collection needed. The study is specifically targeted to agricultural traffic - tractors, sprayers, harvesters, and other implements of husbandry.

A survey will collect information on what agricultural equipment crosses the bridge across the Des Moines River and how often those trips are made. The bridge is currently the only path across the river without travelling dozens of miles either north or south of Des Moines. Shareholders advising the study have provided feedback on the area the bridge serves, and the range of agricultural businesses and farmers who rely on it, to help the survey reach those who need to participate.

After the data collection takes place this summer, it is expected a report of results, along with other analysis, will be created by the end of the year. Staff from AAI will continue to engage and take part in this highway study project.

Showcase Committee Begins Work For 2027

Showcase Committee members met this week to review the survey results and data analysis from the 2026 Agribusiness Showcase & Conference and begin making plans for next February.

The 2026 Showcase trade show was sold out for the second year in a row. The Showcase also saw attendance continue to grow with the highest attendee totals of the past three years. And attendees gave the event higher year over year ratings for all questions asked.

The committee turned their attention to 2027 and began exploring topics and speakers for next February. The committee also discussed options to implement feedback from survey comments to continue to provide a high quality event for exhibitors, sponsors, and attendees.

The 2027 Agribusiness Showcase & Conference will be held Feb. 9-10, 2027 at the Meadows Conference & Event Center in Altoona, Iowa.

Get Involved

AAI members can help shape the policies, programs, and events that matter most to them by participating in an AAI committee. AAI member company employees can serve on a committee by emailing aai@agribiz.org, calling the AAI office, or filling out a form online.

Stand Up 4 Grain Safety Week Resources

Monday kicked off Stand Up 4 Grain Safety week. The initiative is dedicated to an industry-wide focus on safety and the hazards employees, contractors, and customers face every day.

Free virtual events are made available each day and can be used as part of Stand Up events at your facilities or for safety events at other times during the year. Find access to all of this week's recordings and resources at StandUp4GrainSafety.org.

ISU Animal Feed PCQI Training In June

Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) perspective involves ensuring food/feed safety through various means. This training will cover product descriptions, hazard analysis risk assessment, preventive controls, monitoring, verification, recordkeeping, and training and communication. This training meets the FDA requirements to become a qualified individual for animal food processing.

PCQI Animal Feed Training Part 2 (Part 1 completed online prior to training)

June 3, 2026

Kirkwood Linn County Regional Center

Hiawatha, Iowa

Full details available on the registration page.

Contact Ben Drescher at bdresche@iastate.edu with any questions.