WASHINGTON, Sept. 19, 2017 – The United States Department of Agriculture, Rural Development is providing tools and resources to help rural communities recover from the devastation brought by hurricanes Harvey and Irma, Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue highlighted today.

JOHNSTON, Iowa – September 18, 2017 – To help haul in this year’s harvest, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed into effect today a proclamation granting a temporary 60-day weight limit exemption for trucks on Iowa roads. The 2017 Harvest Weight Proclamation specifically increases the weight allowable for shipment of corn, soybeans, hay, straw and stover, by 12.5 percent per axle (up to a maximum of 90,000 pounds) without the need for an oversize/overweight permit.

The Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS) National Organic Program (NOP) has posted meeting materials and an updated agenda for the National Organic Standards Board (NOSB) Fall meeting, to be held in Jacksonville, FL, October 31-November 2, 2017.

Iowa Biodiesel Board releases research results at Annual Regional Meeting

(DES MOINES, Iowa) – About 72 percent of Iowa voters have a positive opinion on biodiesel, according to new public opinion research released by the Iowa Biodiesel Board. Enjoying similar levels of support is the federal Renewable Fuel Standard, which requires oil companies to blend modest amounts of biofuels (71 percent supporting), and pro-biodiesel state policies (72 percent supporting).