A five-minute summary of AAI, regulation, and industry activities for members of the largest state agribusiness association in the nation. | | Feed Industry Leaders Encouraged to Join June 5 FAD Preparedness Discussion at World Pork Expo | |
The Agribusiness Association of Iowa (AAI) is partnering with the Iowa Pork Producers Association and the National Pork Producers Council to host an Animal Industry Committee meeting during the upcoming World Pork Expo. This session will focus on foreign animal disease (FAD) preparedness and response efforts -specifically, how these efforts relate to Iowa’s feed industry.
Date: Thursday, June 5
Time: 9-11 a.m.
Location: World Pork Expo – Elwell Family Food Center at the Iowa State Fairgrounds
RSVP by: May 28 at Sally Thompson (sally@agribiz.org)
As global threats like African Swine Fever and Foot and Mouth Disease continue to loom, this is an important opportunity to hear from experts about what to expect in the critical first 72 hours of a disease outbreak - and how it could impact feed manufacturing, delivery, and supply chains.
Participants also will gain actionable insights into how their business can prepare now, and hear about the latest research on FAD risks and feed mill biosecurity.
Featured speakers include:
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Mike Naig, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture
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Dr. Jeff Kaisand, State Veterinarian, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship
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Dr. Anna Forseth, Director of Animal Health, National Pork Producers Council
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Dr. Jordan Gebhardt, Associate Professor, Swine Production, Kansas State University
This is an important session for anyone involved in the feed industry who wants to stay ahead of potential animal health threats. We hope you’ll join us in strengthening Iowa’s feed sector readiness.
| | EPA Releases Final ESA Insecticide Strategy | |
On Tuesday, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released its final Insecticide Strategy that identifies protections for federally endangered and threatened species from the use of insecticides. The Strategy identifies mitigations aimed at protecting more than 900 species listed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) that EPA considers when it registers a new insecticide or reevaluates an existing one.
The Agribusiness Association of Iowa (AAI) is working with national partner organizations to identify additional details about changes made to the ESA strategy since the public input period last year. AAI submitted comments during the 2024 comment period encouraging the EPA to base strategies on sounds science. As new labels are released under the strategy, it will become clearer whether commercial applicators and farmers are afforded the necessary flexibility to utilize these products without facing undue regulatory burdens or additional operating costs.
A press release about the final release of the strategy is available on the EPA website, as well as the full Insecticide Strategy.
Opportunity For Additional Information
CropLife America will host a one hour webinar on Wed., May 21, at 11 a.m. CDT on the final Insecticide Strategy. Register online.
The webinar will focus on:
- An overview of the EPA’s final strategy
- Insight into how the strategy may affect the pesticide regulatory landscape
- CLA’s actions to address feedback
- Live Q&A with CLA’s science and legal experts
| | Encouragement For Sound Science In Decision Making Continues As MAHA Report Draws Nearer | |
As the Make America Healthy Again Commission (MAHA) approaches its May 24 report release deadline, the importance of sound science in its evaluations, particularly concerning agricultural inputs, has been emphasized by several key stakeholders.
The Agribusiness Association of Iowa joined a coalition of organizations in sending a letter to the Commission in March, urging them to prioritize sound science. The letter highlighted the critical role of modern agricultural tools like pesticides and biotechnology in maintaining a healthy food system. It cautioned against policy changes based on misleading studies, advocating for conclusions drawn from robust scientific data.
Separately, all members of the Iowa congressional delegation added their voice to the discussion, signing onto a letter with colleagues to support the Commission's work while stressing the need for sound science and risk-based analyses in policy decisions. This letter expressed concern about activist groups potentially influencing the Commission with misguided policies that could harm U.S. agriculture and food security.
CropLife America also has launched a grassroots letter campaign for farmers and others involved in agriculture to directly contact President Trump, other relevant Cabinet officials, and their members of Congress using this link.
The Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) plans to launch a similar letter campaign for ag retailers soon.
| | INREC Releases Videos For Soil & Water Conservation Week | |
During Iowa Soil and Water Conservation Week, the Iowa Nutrient Research & Education Council (INREC) is launching a new five-part video series that explores the origins, progress, and future of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy (NRS).
Each video highlights a key part of the strategy—from how it started, to the practices being used, to how progress is measured and shared. You'll hear from Iowa farmers, advisors, conservation leaders, and researchers who are helping drive this important work forward.
This series is a useful tool for anyone who wants to better understand Iowa’s leadership in nutrient reduction—and how voluntary, science-based efforts are being tracked and improved across the state.
The Agribusiness Association of Iowa is a member organization of INREC. The INREC Executive Director Ben Gleason is a member of the AAI staff.
Watch the series of videos online.
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AAI Grain Grading Workshops
May 6-7, 2025
Location:
Ziegler CAT
1500 Ziegler Drive NW
Altoona, Iowa 50009
Member Registration - $130
Non-Member Registration - $155
Grain Grading Workshop sessions begin at 8:30 a.m. and end at 3:30 p.m. Lunch is provided.
May 6 - 4 Seats Remaining | May 7 - 15 Seats Remaining
No walk-in students will be accepted.
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Member and Industry Visits
- Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
Visit by: Julie Kenney, AAI CEO; Ben Gleason, AAI Environmental Director
- Archer Coop Grain Company
- Hull Coop
- Nicholson & Edwards Grain
- Tyson Foods
Visit by: Heath DeYoung, AAI Membership Director
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May 6
AAI Spring Grain Grading Workshop
8:30 a.m. - Zeigler CAT, Altoona, Iowa
4 SEATS REMAINING
May 7
AAI Spring Grain Grading Workshop
8:30 a.m. - Zeigler CAT, Altoona, Iowa
15 SEATS REMAINING
June 5
AAI Animal Industry Committee Meeting
9:00 a.m. - World Pork Expo, Iowa State Fairgrounds
June 9
AAI Showcase Committee Meeting
1:00 p.m. - AAI Main Office Board Room
June 11
AAI Legislative Committee Meeting
1:00 p.m. - AAI Main Office Board Room
July 10
AAI Golf Outing
11:00 a.m. Lunch | Noon Shotgun Start
Emerald Hills Golf Club - Okoboji
August 5
AAI Golf Outing
10:00 a.m. Shotgun Start
Beaver Creek Golf Club - Grimes
September 10
AAI Golf Outing
9:00 a.m. Shotgun Start
Amana Colonies Golf Club - Amana
| | May 15 Deadline Approaching - No Cost Certification Training For Feed Production Staff | |
AAI members have an opportunity to increase the number of PCQI certified fee production staff at no cost to their business. The association has access grant money that will allow full reimbursement for the cost of Preventive Controls Qualified Individual (PCQI) training for your staff.
The funds for reimbursement will only be available for those who complete the May 22 session of the PCQI training. This grant ends after this session and will not be available for future training sessions.
Dates And Items to Note
There are two portions to the class:
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Part 1 of the class is online and must be completed by May 15. Participants must provide a Part 1 completion certificate by the May 16 registration deadline.
- Part 2 of the class is May 22, 2025 from 8 AM to 5 PM in Ames, Iowa at the Iowa State University Kent Feed Mill and Grain Science Complex
- Participants fee for online portion is $200. Participant fee for in person portion is $400 per participant. Breaks and lunch are on site and included in the fee. The full $600 (both fees) will be reimbursed for AAI member companies after completion of the class.
Additional Details
Reimbursement is limited to 33 participants. AAI members can click below and enter code "AAI25" when completing the registration:
ISU Animal Food PCQI Training Registration
Reimbursement is available only to member companies which have renewed dues for the 2025 membership year. Iowa State University will provide AAI with a list of qualifying participants once the course is complete.
Contact Ben Drescher at 515.509.0940 or bdresche@iastate.edu for class information and details. Contact Heath DeYoung, AAI Membership Director, for questions about reimbursement at 515.868.0311 or hdeyoung@agribiz.org.
| | Drone Workshop Offers Education on Safety, Resources and Test Preparation |
June 4-5, 2025
ISU - Alliant Energy Ag Innovation Lab
Ames, Iowa
Registration $325
The use of drones in agriculture continues to be a popular conversation among farmers across the Midwest, and for good reason. Drone usage can help with capturing arial imagery during planting season, weed and crop scouting, spraying crops, locating cattle, documenting storm damage and much more, making them a reliable tool for identifying problems quickly and efficiently.
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach’s Integrated Crop Management team, in partnership with High Tech Solutions for Agriculture, will host a two-day, intensive training designed to cover the essential components of the Federal Aviation Administration Part 107 Aeronautical Knowledge Test. This test is required to ensure drone operators stay compliant with FAA guidelines and fly legally.
From the training, participants will also learn about:
- Establishing effective Pre-Flight/Post-Flight procedures
- Access to online follow-up testing materials
- Best practices for UAS operations
- Updates on FAA regulations and directives
- Coordination through the Low Altitude Authorization Network
- Proper radio communication techniques
More information and registration:
FAA Part 107 Test Prep
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Source: Progressive Farmer
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The Trump administration granted an emergency fuel waiver to allow E15 sales to continue through the summer months effective on May 1, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced on Monday.
Although the Trump administration announced it would likely grant an E15 summer waiver in an executive order signed months ago, members of Congress and even governors had been pressing the EPA to grant the waiver in the absence of Congress passing legislation to allow permanent E15 sales nationally.
That order signed by President Donald Trump early in his second term, declared a national emergency and directed the EPA to consider an E15 waiver by extending the 1-psi Reid Vapor Pressure waiver for E15.
"President Trump's commitment to farmers and the Renewable Fuels Standard has been a cornerstone to his leadership," EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin said in a news release.
[...] Read Full Story
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The U.S House of Representatives voted Thursday to bar California's landmark plan to end the sale of gasoline-only vehicles by 2035 that has been adopted by 11 other states.
The House backed legislation to repeal a waiver granted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency under former President Joe Biden in December, allowing California to mandate at least 80% electric vehicles by 2035. Major automakers had urged the action, saying the rules are not feasible. California says the rules are essential to cut pollution and contends the vote is illegal.
California Governor Gavin Newsom said the program reduces pollution and is critical to competing with China on EVs. "Big polluters and the right-wing propaganda machine have succeeded in buying off the Republican Party," Newsom said.
[...] Read Full Story
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Alltech, a global leader in animal nutrition and biotechnology, has released its 2025 Agri-Food Outlook, a report that includes the results of the company’s 14th annual global feed production survey.
The publication shows that global feed production rebounded in 2024 after a stagnant 2023, increasing from 1.380 billion metric tons to 1.396 billion mt, up 1.2%. This growth — which was achieved despite challenges such as highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI), climate fluctuations and economic uncertainty — underscores the resilience and adaptability of the international agriculture industry.
By analyzing compound feed production and prices from 142 countries and 28,235 feed mills, the survey provides a comprehensive snapshot of global feed production in 2024. These insights serve as a barometer for the overall livestock industry, highlighting key trends across species, regional challenges and opportunities for growth.
The top 10 feed-producing countries in 2024 were:
[...] Read Full Story
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It’s been the buzz since winter. The lack of snowcover across the northern tier of states sprouted concerns about the likelihood of drought this spring and summer. World Weather’s Drew Lerner says now that spring is here, the moisture pattern is falling more in line with 1968, and that could provide clues about what it means for weather — and drought — this summer.
Let’s start by taking a look at moisture over the past seven days. Rains continue to hound many areas of the U.S., but it’s the bullseye over the central portion of the country that’s worth noting.
Lerner says instead of focusing on the Delta and the lower Ohio River Valley like the pattern did two weeks ago, now the moisture has been shifted into Missouri and parts of Oklahoma.
“Other parts of the Midwest have really benefited greatly by the precipitation that has occurred recently, especially Iowa, Minnesota, parts of the eastern Dakotas and on into the heart of the Midwest. Those areas still were carrying some moisture deficits, and we’ve done a good job in starting to whittle that down a little bit,” Lerner says.
[...] Read Full Story
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