Latest news with #Naig
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
Iowa had ‘wettest' week of the season last week
Corn silk emerges in a corn field. (Photo by Preston Keres/USDA) State Climatologist Justin Glisan said the June 23 through June 29 reporting period was the 'wettest' of the season, with precipitation totals 2-4 inches above normal in some areas. While the rain hindered some field work, it was overall beneficial for Iowa crops which continue to rate highly according to the crop progress and condition report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig said corn tassels are beginning to show, 'signaling crop development remains on track.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX According to the report, around 3% of Iowa corn was beginning to silk and the crop rated 85% good or excellent. Soybeans were also a couple of days ahead of average, with 22% of the crop blooming across the state. Soybeans rated 77% good to excellent. 'Last week brought multiple rounds of rain to much of the state, marking the wettest seven days of the growing season thus far,' Naig said. 'In addition to benefitting the corn and soybeans, the moisture helps to replenish our streams, pastures and hay fields.' As a whole, the state averaged 2.81 inches for the reporting period, which was more than an inch and a half above normal. Precipitation maps show central and western parts of the state received the most rainfall during the period. The rain pushed some areas, most severely north central and central Iowa, to hold excess soil moisture. Around 40% of topsoil moisture rated surplus in these regions and in north central Iowa, nearly 50% of subsoil had surplus moisture. The state average topsoil moisture condition rated 65% adequate and 21% surplus. Subsoil conditions on average were 70% adequate and 27% short. The first cutting of alfalfa hay all but wrapped up during the reporting period, with 97% completed across the state and 30% of the second cutting of hay complete. Oats also progressed, with 90% headed and 39% coloring. Iowa's oat crop rated 83% good or excellent. In addition to heavy rainfall, it was also a hot week across the state. The statewide average high temperature for the week, at 92 degrees Fahrenheit, was 10 degrees above the normal. Forecasts for the coming week show Iowans can expect an inch or two of rain and slightly above average temperatures, which Naig said will be 'pleasant conditions for a festive and fun Independence Day weekend filled with fireworks, cookouts and outdoor celebrations.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
‘Important work ahead': IA Ag. Secretary Naig announces reelection plans
DES MOINES, Iowa (KCAU) — On Tuesday, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig has announced he is seeking reelection. Secretary Naig is looking to keep his position and is seeking reelection for the 2026 election, making the decision to steer away from the Gubernatorial race. 'I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve the people of Iowa as we work to advance an Iowa First agenda that puts farmers, families, and freedom at the center of our future,' said Naig. 'We have made tremendous progress over the past few years, but there remains important work ahead, and we're not done yet—building markets for Iowa products, defending our livestock industry, accelerating soil and water conservation efforts, and making sure rural Iowa thrives for future generations. I look forward to continuing to grow our state, fight for the hard-working men and women who feed and fuel the world, and keep Iowa as the greatest agricultural state in the country.' Story continues below Top Story: 35th Saturday in the Park Main Stage, Abe Stage headliners announced Lights & Sirens: Family suing Sioux City over death of son Sports: Sydney Affolter rejoins Hawkeyes as Graduate Assistant Weather: Get the latest weather forecast here Naig was elected to his position in 2018, and voters kept him in office again in 2022. He will launching a campaign in the near future. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig rules out gubernatorial bid, seeks reelection in 2026
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig talked about the ag industry in Iowa and his potential bid for governor, April 25, 2025. (Image from Iowa PBS video) Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced Tuesday he will not pursue a gubernatorial election and will instead seek another term as agriculture secretary. Naig was one of the many Republicans considered a potential candidate in the race to succeed Gov. Kim Reynolds after she announced she would not seek reelection in 2026. Naig had said in April he and his family were 'thoughtfully discussing that possibility.' But on Tuesday he said he had decided not to run, adding that there was 'still work to be done growing our state and economy as secretary of agriculture.' Naig has held his current position since being appointed in March 2018 after serving as deputy agriculture secretary under Bill Northey, who was appointed undersecretary for farm production and conservation in the U.S. Department of Agriculture during President Donald Trump's first term in office. Naig won reelection in the 2018 and again in 2022 against Democratic challenger John Norwood. He said he plans to officially launch his 2026 campaign for agriculture secretary at a later date. 'I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve the people of Iowa as we work to advance an Iowa First agenda that puts farmers, families, and freedom at the center of our future,' Naig said in a statement. 'We have made tremendous progress over the past few years, but there remains important work ahead and we're not done yet — building markets for Iowa products, defending our livestock industry, accelerating soil and water conservation efforts, and making sure rural Iowa thrives for future generations.' Naig said he will continue to 'fight for the hard-working men and women who feed and fuel the world and keep Iowa as the greatest agricultural state in the country.'
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig rules out run for governor, will run to keep seat
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced he will seek reelection in 2026, officially forgoing a campaign for governor. Naig, a Republican, had been among those considering a run to replace outgoing Gov. Kim Reynolds after she made a surprise announcement in April that she would not run for another term. According to a release, Naig "decided there's still work to be done growing our state and economy as Secretary of Agriculture." 'I'm incredibly grateful for the opportunity to serve the people of Iowa as we work to advance an Iowa First agenda that puts farmers, families, and freedom at the center of our future,' Naig said in a statement. 'We have made tremendous progress over the past few years, but there remains important work ahead and we're not done yet —building markets for Iowa products, defending our livestock industry, accelerating soil and water conservation efforts, and making sure rural Iowa thrives for future generations." According to the release, a formal campaign launch will occur at a later date. Naig was first elected to his position in 2018 and reelected in 2022. Before running for his current role, he was deputy agriculture secretary in 2013 and an agriculture industry lobbyist. He said in an April 16 statement that people had encouraged him to consider a gubernatorial bid, and he said that he and his family were "thoughtfully discussing that possibility and keeping all options on the table.' Brianne Pfannenstiel is the chief politics reporter for the Des Moines Register. Reach her at bpfann@ or 515-284-8244. Follow her on X at @brianneDMR. This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa Republican Mike Naig rules out run for governor in 2026
Yahoo
28-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
EPA to allow summer sale of E15 nationwide
EPA issued a waiver for the sale of E15 through the summer months. (Photo by Cami Koons/Iowa Capital Dispatch ) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency granted an emergency waiver permitting the nationwide sale of a fuel blend with higher amounts of ethanol through the summer months, which Iowa fuel and farm leaders say will help farmers, fuel producers and Iowans at the pumps. Midwestern states, including Iowa, already had waivers in place to allow for summer sales of fuel blended with 15% ethanol, also known as E15. EPA's decision Monday waives the agency's summer restrictions on the fuel for the rest of the country and follows guidance from the president's executive order from January, declaring a national energy emergency. The press release from EPA said the move will 'provide families with relief' by providing more options at the pump with lower prices per gallon. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig applauded the decision and said Iowa drivers saved more than $38 million by choosing E15 over E10, a lower blend of ethanol fuel, in 2024. 'Today's E15 announcement by the Trump Administration is a win for consumers across the U.S. and farmers here in Iowa,' Naig said in a statement. 'This decision is a big step toward making our country more energy dominant, independent, and secure.' Iowa Sens. Joni Ernst and Chuck Grassley both applauded the measure, noting it was an example of 'promises made, promises kept' by the president and would be a 'big' boost for corn farmers. 'It's clear (President Trump) is making our farmers, producers, and all of rural America a priority, and I look forward to working alongside him to secure permanent, nationwide access to this cleaner, cheaper choice at the pump,' Ernst said in a statement. According to National Corn Growers Association, year-round E15 sales throughout the country would lead to an increased demand of more than 2 billion bushels of corn annually, which is why the group has pushed for increased ethanol demand. Brent Johnson, president of Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, applauded the EPA decision, but noted EPA has consistently issued similar waivers, and urged for a permanent change to the rule. 'Clearly, there is strong consumer demand for a lower-cost fuel option at the pump, and Iowa farmers stand by readily able to meet the growing demand for biofuels,' Johnson said in a statement. Naig similarly noted the need for a permanent regulation allowing the sale of the fuel. He, along with Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird and industry groups have all sent letters to congressional leaders urging the passage of such a law. 'We are tired of waiting,' Monte Shaw, executive director of Iowa Renewable Fuels Association said in a statement. 'Consumers and retailers are tired of waiting. E15 could provide a market for 5 to 7 billion gallons of additional ethanol demand at a time when American farmers and rural communities are hurting.' The EPA waiver is in place from May 1 through May 20, as the Clean Air Act only allows a 20-day waiver, but considering trends from the past several summers, industry leaders expect the waiver will be extended through the other summer months. SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
