(Ames) — Iowa land values have once again risen over last year and according to Mike Duffy, Agricultural Economist with Iowa State University, in many cases, new records were established. Duffy noted northwest Iowa saw the largest increase in land values.
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Duffy says there are a number of factors that are helping drive the land values higher including good investment opportunities, the need for additional land for manure application for livestock and poultry producers, but he says the most mentioned driving factor are higher commodity prices.
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There are some people, including Iowa Senator Tom Harkin, who believe farmers are entering an era much like the 70’s when grain and land prices were high, only to see the bubble burst, causing a recession era which occurred in the 1980’s. Duffy says although there are some farmers that may be over-extended with their financing, he doesn’t see it being a wide spread problem, at least not just yet.
Iowa Soybean Association Applauds Governor’s Action On Reducing Nutrient Runoff
Ankeny, Iowa (AP) – Environmentalists say it doesn’t go far enough, but the Iowa Soybean Association is praising Gov. Terry Branstad’s strategy to keep harmful nutrients from reaching Iowa
waterways and the Gulf of Mexico.
Association leaders who met in Ankeny this week reaffirmed their support for the plan, which was released last month. ISA President Mark Jackson says the plan is based on science, recognizes the
diversity of the state’s landscape and is “much more effective than a costly, one-size-fits-all effort to improve water quality.”
The plan calls on wastewater treatment plants to make upgrades to reduce their discharges into waterways. But it asks farmers to take voluntary steps to reduce the runoff caused by fertilizers and
manure on farm fields.
Critics say they doubt a voluntary approach will have much impact.
Iowa Pork Congress Scheduled
(Clive, Iowa) — The Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) will hold the 2013 Iowa Pork Congress January 23 and 24 at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines.
The nation’s largest winter swine tradeshow and conference will be held in Hy-Vee Hall at the Iowa Events Center. Pork Congress hours will be 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. January 23 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on January 24. The Iowa Pork Foundation’s annual Kickoff Reception and Auction will be held at Hy-Vee Hall on January 22 and the IPPA Youth Swine Judging Contest will be held in the Pioneer Livestock Pavilion at the Iowa State Fairgrounds on January 24.
“Pork Congress encompasses every aspect of the pork industry and I encourage anyone involved in pork production to make plans to attend,” said IPPA President Bill Tentinger of Le Mars, Iowa. “The tradeshow, seminars, social functions, youth activities and networking opportunities always attract thousands of people from around the Midwest and we’re hoping for another great turnout this year.”
Nearly 300 companies will exhibit in spacious Hy-Vee Hall and several will be introducing new products. IPPA will welcome attendees to the Pork Information Plaza where guests can visit with producer leaders and representatives from the National Pork Board, National Pork Producers Council and other affiliated organizations.
A wide range of seminars will be held at no additional charge. Topics include animal health, sow housing, pit foaming and swine reproduction. Attendees can get updates on regulations and nuisance cases, public policy and an industry economic outlook. Dr. David Kohl from Virginia Tech University will address transition management in the keynote presentation. Producers can obtain or renew their PQA Plus and TQA certifications, and a certification session for confinement site manure applicators is being offered.
