Kent, Sukup and Iowa Corn give $14 million for new ISU feed, grain complex

Two Iowa-based companies and the state’s corn promotion board plan to give Iowa State University $14 million to kick off construction of a $21 million feed mill and grain science complex, the groups said Friday.

Muscatine-based Kent Corp. said it will give $8 million; the Iowa Corn Promotion Board, $4 million; and Sheffield-based Sukup Manufacturing Co., $2 million.

Project supporters envision building a feed mill tower and feed milling and mixing structures; grain storage bins and a one-story classroom and laboratory building.

The groups said it would “provide hands-on student learning, meaningful faculty research, and extension and outreach to industry workforce.”

Iowa leads the nation in corn production, and ranks second for soybeans.

More on Iowa agriculture: Some Iowa farmers struggle with drought

“Iowa’s economy is heavily dependent upon grain and livestock production,” said Duane Aistrope, the Iowa Corn Promotion Board’s president.

Much of the nation’s corn and corn products — particularly for pork, beef, dairy and poultry feeds — are processed at feed mills throughout Iowa and the Midwest, the groups said.

Over the past decade, commercial feed consumption in Iowa has doubled to 15 million tons. At about 5 million tons, corn byproducts from ethanol plants represent the largest ingredient source in animal feeds.

Deere buys California company that uses artificial intelligence to kill weeds, fertilize plants

Deere will spend $305 million to buy a California tech company that uses “deep-learning algorithms” – similar to facial recognition programs – to better identify weeds that should be sprayed with herbicides and plants that need fertilizer.

The Moline, Ill.-manufacturer of tractors, combines and sprayers said Wednesday it entered into an agreement to buy Sunnyvale-based Blue River Technology.

Deere said the company's 60 employees will remain in California. The sale is expected to close in September.

Blue River Technology says on its Web site it uses cameras, computers and artificial intelligence, along with deep-learning algorithms that are similar to facial recognition programs, “to see every plant in the field.”

The companies said the technology will help growers save chemical costs by spraying individual plants instead of whole fields.

“Blue River is advancing precision agriculture by moving farm management decisions from the field level to the plant level,” said Jorge Heraud, CEO of Blue River Technology, in a statement.

U.S. farm income expected to climb 3.1 percent, after three years of decline

After three years of decline, U.S. farm income is expected to climb to $63.4 billion this year, a 3.1 percent hike over 2016, a U.S. Department of Agriculture report last month shows.

The increase is thanks in part to improved prices for pigs, cattle and poultry, USDA said.

"Corn receipts are expected to decline for the fifth consecutive year," USDA said. "Expected weakening of calendar-year corn prices more than offsets an expected increase in quantity sold, leading 2017 corn cash receipts to fall."

"Higher soybean receipts ... reflect higher soybean prices and an increase in quantities sold," the report said.

Iowa farm income tumbled nearly 50 percent to $2.6 billion last year from 2015, USDA said.

It's a 73 percent decline from 2011, when farm income in Iowa hit a high of $9.6 billion, following widespread drought.

University of Iowa insurance program earns national honor

The University of Iowa's Vaughan Institute of Risk Management is among 20 programs being honored nationally for offering an outstanding insurance education.

The university was the only Iowa school honored by the International Insurance Society, an organization that advocates for the insurance and risk management industry around the world.

In a news release, Thomas Berry-Stoelzle, associate professor of finance in the university's Tippie College of Business and faculty director of the institute, said the designation is particularly important in Iowa, where risk management and insurance is the second-largest segment of the state’s economy.

The designation recognized the Vaughan Institute’s "rigorous and comprehensive risk management and insurance curriculum to prepare students for careers in the profession," according to the news release.

The Vaughan Institute program is available to any student of any major at the University of Iowa and helps those students by arranging internships, professional mentors and experiential consulting projects as part of the coursework. Students who successfully complete the program are awarded a risk management and insurance certificate.

Farmers, environmentalists to has over how best to clean Iowa water

Discussions about how best to improve Iowa's water quality continues next week in Des Moines with two events:

► The Environmental Defense Fund joins the Iowa Corn Growers and Iowa Soybean associations from 1-3 p.m. Monday at the Greater Des Moines Botanical Center.

Bill Northey, Iowa's agriculture secretary, will help kick off the event looking at "collaborative conservation" and agriculture’s role in land and water stewardship.

A panel discussion will include northwest Iowa farmer Dean Meyer, who is a Corn Growers board member, and Dave Coppess, executive vice president of sales at Heartland Co-op. It will be moderated by Josette Lewis, an Environmental Defense Fund vice president.

The event is free, but RSVPs are required.

► The Greater Des Moines Partnership will host a public policy forum discussion looking at water quality issues from 8-9:30 a.m. Thursday at the economic development group's office at 700 Locust St., Suite 100.

Dustin Miller, an attorney at Nyemaster Goode law firm, will moderate a panel featuring Roger Wolf, environmental programs director at the Iowa Soybean Association, Mike Naig, Iowa's Deputy Agriculture Secretary, and Jan Glendening, state director of The Nature Conservancy in Iowa.

Go here to register for the free event.

State Bank to acquire Peoples Trust & Savings Bank

New Hampton-based State Bank has announced an agreement to acquire Clive-based Peoples Trust & Savings Bank and its parent company, Green Circle Investments Inc.

The purchase price has not been released.

Peoples Trust & Savings Bank has nine locations in central and western Iowa, including Adel, Clive, Grand Junction, Guthrie Center, Jefferson, Ogden, Rippey, Scranton and Waukee.

State Bank President and CEO John Rigler said there were no immediate changes to rebranding planned at the Peoples Trust locations.

"This acquisition will give the organization locations in two of the most desirable parts of Iowa," a State Bank news release reads.

Rigler Investment Co., the parent company of State Bank, will acquire Green Circle's $325 million in assets. Once the acquisition is complete, the company will have more than $700 million in assets, making it one of the 25 largest community banking companies in Iowa, according to the news release.

State Bank has eight locations in northeast Iowa, including Calmar, Charles City, Dike, Janesville, New Hampton, Ossian and two locations in Waverly.

“Peoples Bank is very similar to State Bank in terms of shared customer values, size, focus on agricultural and commercial finance,” State Bank President and CEO John Rigler said in the news release.

The all-cash acquisition is subject to regulatory approval which is expected to happen in fall 2017.

Much-needed rain may be 'too little and too late' for some Iowa farmers

Iowa crops received much-needed rain last week, but "unfortunately, it may be too little and too late for parts of south central and southeast Iowa," said Bill Northey, Iowa's secretary of agriculture.

Northey said southern Iowa had already "seen significant crop damage due to drought."

Topsoil moisture levels in south central and southeast Iowa remained over 90 percent short to very short, according to a report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture Monday that looked at crop conditions through Sunday.

"Hopefully, the rains and cool weather are helping boost corn and bean yields in other parts of the state,” Northey said.

Farmers face drought conditions in parts of Iowa See how Colin Johnson of Agency, Iowa, is dealing with the drought that is affecting about half of farms across the state.

Statewide, topsoil moisture levels improved to 50 percent short or very short, The remainder of the state had either adequate or surplus moisture.

Sixty-one percent of Iowa's corn crop was rated in good to excellent condition; soybean conditions improved slightly to 58 percent good to excellent.

Livestock conditions have been ideal with the cooler temperatures. However, available water supplies in ponds and creeks remains an issue for some producers and supplemental feeding has been required, the report said.

Iowa's unemployment taxes will go down in 2018

Unemployment insurance taxes for Iowa employers will decrease an average of 25 percent on 2018 wages, Iowa Workforce Development announced Friday.

In a news release, the agency credited the strength of Iowa's unemployment insurance trust fund, unemployment contributory wages and target levels of the unemployment insurance contributory wages for bringing taxes down. Annual rates paid by employers are determined by a formula.

“This shift is a clear signal that the integrity of our unemployment insurance trust fund is solvent and strong,” IWD Director Beth Townsend said in the news release. “A decrease in taxes to employers is a positive factor that can contribute to economic growth in the state.”

In 2018, IWD says Iowa employers will fall in the second-most favorable tax table of eight possible options.

Delta Dental grants support Iowa oral health projects

The Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation awarded $112,800 to four groups that work to improve the oral health of Iowans.

The recipients included:

Iowa Dental Foundation in Johnston received $25,000 to support the Iowa Mission of Mercy, a two-day free dental clinic for people who face challenges receiving dental care. The 2017 Iowa Mission of Mercy will be held Sept. 29-30 in Cedar Rapids.

Iowa Primary Care Association in Des Moines received $30,000 to support educational opportunities for a dentist and the group's director.

Marion County Public Health Department in Knoxville received $5,000 to support oral health outreach and education in 10 counties in southern Iowa.

The University of Iowa College of Dentistry and Dental Clinics in Iowa City received $52,800 to support oral health research projects for children and aging Iowans and the development of partnerships and education opportunities.

The Delta Dental of Iowa Foundation awards grants twice a year to support oral health projects, such as workshops or conferences, surveys, data collection or research studies. The next round of applications are due Oct. 1.

For more information, visit deltadentalia.com and select Giving Back.

Nationwide pays $321,000 to Iowa in data breach settlement

Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company will pay $321,837 to the state of Iowa after being accused of exposing confidential consumer data, Iowa Attorney General Tom Miller announced this week.

Nationwide and its subsidiary, Allied Property & Casualty Insurance Company, will pay a total of $5.5 million in the settlement with 32 states and the District of Columbia.

The October 2012 breach exposed personal information from 1.27 million consumers, including 91,620 Iowans, Miller said.

The settlement agreement requires the insurer to update its security practices, update security software and apply security patches, Miller said. The company must also hire a technology officer to monitor and manage software and application security updates.

“Companies that collect or store personal data must understand that they need to protect it,” the attorney general said in a news release. “Data breaches like this expose consumers to identity theft, financial harm, a loss of privacy, and added stress.”

Google resources to aid small businesses at the Iowa State Fair

Google and the Iowa Small Business Development Centers will offer free assistance to small businesses looking to grow their online presence throughout the duration of the Iowa State Fair.

Business owners can visit Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate's booth inside the Varied Industries Building. There, SBDC staff will help verify business information and create a website in less than 10 minutes, Pates said in a news release.

The secretary of state's office, which processes all new business filings, is an official partner of Google’s “Get Your Business Online” program that helps new and existing businesses increase their digital footprint.

“Small businesses using advanced digital tools are nearly three times as likely to reach more customers, reach new markets, and create jobs,” Whitney Cox, manager with Small Business Outreach at Google, said in the news release. “Yet, less than one in five small businesses in Iowa have a listing on a search engine. Our goal is to help Iowa businesses tap into this growth."

Des Moines crop insurance startup snags $8 million investment

Crop Pro Insurance, a Des Moines insurance and technology firm, snagged $8 million in financing from Finistere Ventures, Seed 2 Growth Ventures and GuideOne Insurance, a West Des Moines insurer.

Crop Pro says it will use the investment to expand its team and speed product and service development that bridges "the gap between agricultural and financial technologies."

Crop Pro says it's the first "ag venture-funded insurance provider" the U.S. Department of Agriculture has given a green-light to provide crop insurance products to farmers.

Crop Pro Chairman Billy Rose co-founded the company with President Joe Young.

The team has extensive experience in both the agriculture industry as a whole and the Federal Crop Insurance Program specifically, with experience in insurance operations at The Climate Corp., Crop 1 Insurance and John Deere Insurance Co.

Finistere Ventures is a California-based agricultural technology and life sciences venture capital investor. Chicago-based Seed 2 Growth Ventures is a multi-stage venture fund investing in U.S. food and agriculture.

DuPont-Dow plan to close $150 billion merger Aug. 31

DuPont and Dow Chemical, saying they've cleared all the necessary regulatory hurdles, plan to close their merger after markets close Aug. 31.

DuPont is the parent of Pioneer, the Johnston-based seed company.

Dow and DuPont shares will cease trading Aug. 31, the companies said Friday. Shares of DowDuPont, under the stock ticker symbol "DWDP," will begin trading on the New York Stock Exchange Sept. 1.

The companies plan to spinoff three companies ― focused on agriculture, material science and specialty products ― within 18 months of closing.

Four activist investors are threatening to join forces to thwart the spinoff plans.

If successful, the activist investors — including longtime DuPont foe Nelson Peltz — could force the united DowDuPont to split into as many as six separate businesses.

The coalition is pushing for DowDuPont to create more spinoffs that will be leaner and more focused.

Alliant Energy's doubles down on wind, pushing investment to $1.8 billion

Alliant Energy said its Iowa company wants to invest $890 million to add 500 megawatts of wind energy, generating enough juice to power 215,000 homes.

The company received approval last year to build 500 megawatts in Iowa. Combined, the two projects would total $1.8 billion, said Interstate Power & Light, Alliant's Iowa company.

The Cedar Rapids utility seeks approval for the project from the Iowa Utilities Board.

“Iowa is a renewable energy powerhouse because of companies like Alliant Energy plugging into our state," said Gov. Kim Reynolds in a statement.

Alliant said the "fuel cost-savings and tax credits more than offset the cost of project, resulting in net benefits to our Iowa customers."

The utility said it expects to get more than one-third of its Iowa energy mix from wind by 2020.

Iowa received 36.6 percent of its total energy generation power from wind last year, more than any other state in the nation, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

“Iowa has seen tremendous benefits from the expansion of the wind energy industry in our state," said Bill Northey, Iowa's agriculture secretary.

Alliant said the two wind projects will create hundreds of jobs and generate "tens of millions of dollars in additional property taxes and payments to landowners."

Iowa business filings set new record

New business filings in Iowa reached record levels during the most recent fiscal year, Iowa Secretary of State Paul Pate reported in a news release Thursday.

Pate's office received filings for 21,240 new businesses between July 1, 2016, and June 30, 2017.

The state's previous record, set during the prior fiscal year, was 20,155 filings. Twenty years ago during his prior term as secretary of state, Pate said the state handled about 9,000 new business filings annually.

“This shows the entrepreneurial spirit of Iowans continues to thrive, and that is good news for the state,” Pate said in the news release. “Small business is the backbone of our economy. This data shows more entrepreneurs are taking chances with their capital and investing in startups across the state.”

Reynolds argues for stronger federal support for advanced biofuels

Gov. Kim Reynolds and other renewable fuels advocates said the federal mandate requiring ethanol and biodiesel to be blended into the nation's fuel supply has helped farmers at a time when they're struggling to post profits.

"As the current ag economy experiences a downturn, sustainable and predictable renewable fuels markets are incredibly impactful to the bottom line of farmers and rural Iowa," said Reynolds, among several state and national leaders testifying in Washington, D.C., Tuesday, on the Renewable Fuel Standard.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency held the hearing on its proposed renewable fuel levels for 2018.

Several leaders, holding a news conference Tuesday, said the proposed levels for cellulosic ethanol, considered the next generation of renewable fuel, are too low and could curtail future investment.

Iowa is home to two large plants — in Emmetsburg and Nevada — that use corn husks, stalks and other residue to make advanced ethanol.

And a western Iowa plant makes cellulosic ethanol using corn kernel fiber.

"It creates opportunity in the Heartland for farmers, but also for researchers, investors and for creation of new jobs in production facilities," said Jan Koninckx, global business director of advanced biofuels at DuPont, which owns the Nevada cellulosic plant.

The proposed standard drops cellulosic ethanol levels 73 million gallons to 238 million gallons in 2018.

Leaders also criticized the proposed biomass-based diesel requirements that left the 2019 mandate at the 2018 level of 2.1 billion gallons.

"In 2016, the U.S. diesel market consumed 2.8 billion gallons of biomass-based diesel," Reynolds said. "I therefore question the proposed 2.1 billion gallon level."

"There is simply no question that there are ample American feedstocks and U.S. capacity to justify a much larger biodiesel number under the law," she said.

Reynolds said 3.5 percent — or $4.6 billion — of Iowa’s economy was tied to the renewable fuels industry in 2015.

Dry conditions deepen in Iowa, with half of state in need of rain

Dry conditions continued in Iowa last week, with half the topsoil moisture in the state short or very short, a report Monday shows.

The state received only scattered reports of rainfall last week, the U.S. Department of Agriculture said. The report looks at crop conditions through Sunday.

Parts of south central Iowa were considered under severe drought conditions, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, released last week.

Ninety-eight percent of topsoil moisture in south central Iowa was short to very short; 89 percent in the southeast; and 83 percent in the northwest.

“Much of the state remains very dry with farmers looking for a good soaking rain, especially as we enter August, a critically important time for soybeans,” said Bill Northey, Iowa's secretary of agriculture.

Soybean conditions decreased slightly with 12 percent poor to very poor; 28 percent fair; 51 percent good and 9 percent excellent.

Corn conditions also declined to 10 percent poor to very poor; 25 percent fair; 52 percent good and 13 percent excellent.

Financial stress, isolation contribute to high U.S. farmer suicide rate

U.S. farmers and farm workers are more likely to commit suicide than workers in other industries, with financial stress, isolation and poor access to health-care contributing to the problem, a new University of Iowa study shows.

The study examined suicides and homicides among farmers and agricultural workers across the country from 1992 to 2010 and found 230 farmers committed suicide during that time, an annual suicide rate that ranged from 0.36 per 100,000 farmers to 0.95 per 100,000.

The rate was well above that of workers in all other occupations, which never exceeded 0.19 per 100,000 during the same time period, said study co-author Corinne Peek-Asa, professor of occupational and environmental health in the UI College of Public Health.

Still, the number of suicides remain lower than the 1980s farm crisis, when more than 1,000 farmers took their own lives because they were losing their farms to foreclosure.

The survey found farmers in the West were more likely to commit suicide, at 43 percent of total farmer suicides, followed by the Midwest, 37 percent; South, 13 percent; and Northeast, 6 percent.

Peek-Asa says farmers are different from workers in most other fields in that their work is a significant part of their identity, not just a job.

When the farm faces difficulties, many see it as a sign of personal failure.

“They struggle with their ability to carve out the role they see for themselves as farmers. They can’t take care of their family; they feel like they have fewer and fewer options and can’t dig themselves out,” Peek-Asa says. “Eventually, suicide becomes an option.”

In addition to financial issues, especially during economic crises or periods of extreme weather, farmers face an array of other stresses that put them at high risk for suicide: physical isolation from a social network, leading to loneliness; physical pain from the arduous work of farming; and lack of available health care resources in rural areas, especially mental health care.

Peek-Asa said other research also suggests that exposure to chemical insecticides causes depression in some people.

Iowa awards $2.6 million to Hy-Vee's Ankeny project

The Iowa Economic Development Authority board on Friday awarded more than $2.6 million in tax credits and refunds to Hy-Vee Inc. and its subsidiary, Perishable Distributors of Iowa.

The money, paired with about $3.6 million in expected support from Ankeny, will help fund an $86 million expansion of Hy-Vee's behind-the-scenes operation near the intersection of SE Oralabor Road and SE Delaware Avenue.

That includes a new $64 million facility that will house the grocer's central bakery and produce prepared foods and meal kits and a $21.6 million expansion of PDI's existing warehouse space at the site.

Hy-Vee's new facility is expected to create 209 new jobs. But only nine positions qualified for state incentives, meaning they must pay at least $27.92 per hour. PDI's expansion is expected to create one new job.

All told, the Hy-Vee companies will receive about $6.3 million taxpayer funds from state and local sources. The Ankeny City Council will consider its portion of the incentives at a special hearing at 5:30 p.m. July 31.

Trump nominates Clovis to lead USDA research agency

Sam Clovis, a conservative activist in Iowa, has been nominated as under secretary for research, education and economics at the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Clovis has worked in USDA on President Trump's transition team and served as chief policy adviser to the Trump campaign.

The college economics professor was a 2014 candidate for state treasurer and was a one-time radio talk-show host.

Clovis' nomination has generated debate, given his skepticism over climate change.

He told Iowa Public Radio in 2014 that "I've looked at the science and I have enough of a science background to know when I’m being 'boofed.'

"I think a lot of what we see is ‘junk science’, so I’m a skeptic,” he said.

U.S. Ag Secretary Sonny Perdue said Clovis was "one of the first people through the door at USDA" in January and has become a "trusted adviser and steady hand."

"He looks at every problem with a critical eye, relying on sound science and data, and will be the facilitator and integrator we need," Perdue said in a statement.

Trump also nominated Ted McKinney, director of the Indiana State Department of Agriculture, as under secretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs, a newly created position.

Drought fears mount for Iowa farmers with little rain

Farmers need rain, given mounting concerns about drought, especially in southeast Iowa, says Ag Secretary Bill Northey.

Over half of southeast Iowa’s topsoil — and a third of its subsoil — rated very short of moisture, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture report that looked at growing conditions through Sunday.

Parts of south-central, southeast and northwest Iowa are considered in a moderate drought, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, released Thursday.

About half the state is considered abnormally dry, it shows.

“We have seen continued dry weather throughout much of the state and many producers" need moisture, Northey said Monday.

Statewide, about 40 percent of Iowa's topsoil moisture levels rated short to very short; 58 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus. Twenty-nine percent of subsoil moisture levels rated short to very short, 69 percent adequate and 2 percent surplus.

Seven percent of Iowa’s corn crop has reached the silking stage, six days behind the five-year average. Seventy-seven percent of the corn crop was rated good to excellent condition.

One-third of the soybean crop was blooming, with 5 percent of soybeans setting pods, three days ahead of average. Soybean condition rated 67 percent good to excellent.

Rain fell late Sunday into Monday morning from about Mason City to Burlington, providing 1 to 2 inches of precipitation, said Iowa Climatologist Harry Hillaker.

The rain, however, came too late to be included in Monday's USDA report.

Ames biotech symposium looks at preventing animal disease

A symposium will be held in Ames July 19 looking at the role of biotechnology in preventing animal diseases such as bird flu.

The "Animal Health In the Heartland: Ensuring A Safe Food Supply" symposium will explore issues ranging from wildlife threats to livestock herds to the effectiveness of vaccines.

The Iowa Biotechnology Association and Bio Nebraska are sponsoring the event, which will be held at the Scheman Building at Iowa State University.

Activities begin July 18 with a tour of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Centers for Animal Health in Ames. For more information, go to iowabio.org.

REG's CEO resigns; board member named interim chief

Daniel Oh resigned as president and CEO of Renewable Energy Group, effective Monday, the Ames company said this week.

The REG board appointed longtime director Randy Howard as interim president and CEO.

Oh has been REG's CEO since September 2011.

“The board appreciates Dan’s work in guiding REG to its position as the industry leader with sales of over $2 billion in 2016, as well as his willingness to assist on transitional matters over the next several months," said Jeff Stroburg, chairman of the REG board in a statement.

“I am extremely proud of the REG team and the success we achieved over the past 10 years," Oh said in a statement.

Howard has served as a REG’s board director since February 2007, serving on the company’s audit committee and nominating and governance committee, and as chairman of the board’s risk management committee, REG said.

Howard was senior executive with Unocal Corp. for 33 years, including time as president of its large North Asian Energy business.

“We expect a seamless transition and firmly believe Randy Howard is an ideal choice to begin taking REG to the next level,” Stroburg said. “Randy is well known to our management team and has been deeply involved in setting our existing strategy, to which we remain firmly committed."

Renewable Energy Group, which is publicly traded, makes biomass-based diesel and develops renewable chemicals.

Sweetcorn hitting stands in Des Moines metro Wednesday

Grimes Sweetcorn says online it will have sweet corn at its Des Moines metro stands Wednesday, and will supply stands in area towns "as soon as we possibly can."

"Please be patient with us and allow for some flexibility in the opening times of our locations," wrote owners Ray and Michelle Christensen on their website.

"Things such as seasonal changes, varying field conditions and weather can all affect how soon we get the corn picked each day," they said.

The couple said their stands typically open at 10 a.m.

Some other area growers, such as Deardorf Sweet Corn and Penick's Sweet Corn, had Iowa sweet corn at stands, beginning Monday.

Iowa soybean acres grow to 10 million

Iowa farmers planted an estimated 13.1 million corn acres this spring, down 400,000 acres from last year, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture report Friday.

Iowa acres planted to soybeans grew to 10 million, 500,000 more than 2016, the report said.

With oats, hay and other crops, growers planted 24.75 million acres this year, 295,000 more acres than 2016.

Nationally, corn acres planted for grain fell to 83.5 million acres, down 4 percent from last year. Soybean acres are estimated to hit a record 89.5 million acres, up 7 percent from last year.

In Iowa, biotech corn varieties were used on 93 percent of the corn acres; 94 percent of soybean acres were planted with herbicide resistant seed varieties.

Iowa Premium can export beef to China

Iowa Premium said Thursday it's received approval to export beef to China, making it the first Iowa-based company to get market access.

Iowa Premium's export approval comes just weeks after China officially opened its market to American beef following a 13 year ban.

“We are excited to supply Chinese consumers with consistent, high-quality, family farm-raised, Black Angus beef products,” said Jeffrey Johnson, CEO of Iowa Premium.

“Our beef is in demand, and we have had an extraordinary amount of inquiries from interested Chinese import companies,” Johnson said in a statement.

Iowa Premium says it maintains strict cattle procurement guidelines: Cattle are sourced only from family farmer-feeders in Iowa and neighboring Midwest states. And all cattle are under 30 months of age and have been born, raised and finished in the United States — key requirements for export to China.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue is in China this week to mark the official return of U.S. beef to the Chinese market.

Iowan leads Chevron Phillips Chemical

Houston-based petrochemical company Chevron Phillips Chemical has named Iowa native Mark Lashier as president and CEO.

A native of Ida Grove, Lashier earned a bachelor's degree and doctorate in chemical engineering from Iowa State University. He has worked in the chemical industry for 30 years and previously served as an executive vice president at Chevron Phillips Chemical, according to the company.

Chevron Phillips Chemical is jointly owned by oil and gas giants Phillips 66 and Chevron Corp., which formed the company in 2000 by merging their chemical operations.

The company employs about 5,000 worldwide, according to its website.

Lashier will assume the role in August upon current president and CEO Peter Cella's retirement.

U.S. beef back in China, and Ambassador Branstad will welcome it

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue will travel to China this week, joining with U.S. Ambassador to China Terry Branstad, to mark the official return of U.S. beef to the Chinese market after a 13-year ban, according to a federal release.

Perdue will meet with Chinese government officials to celebrate the return of American beef after shipments were halted at the end of 2003 over concerns of mad cow disease. On Friday in Beijing, Perdue and Branstad will ceremonially cut prime rib that originated in Nebraska and was shipped by the Greater Omaha Shipping Co.

“This is tremendous news for the American beef industry, the agriculture community, and the American economy in general," Perdue said in a statement.

The deal brokered to allow the return of U.S. beef to China was announced May 11 as part of the U.S.-China 100-Day Action Plan. The first shipment of U.S. beef arrived in China on June 19, 2017.

To date, producers and processors in Nebraska and Kansas are eligible to ship beef products to China, having followed requirements set forth in the USDA Export Verification Program and according to USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service export requirements, according to the federal release.

Study: Natural gas, flat demand closing some coal, nuclear plants

Market forces, primarily low-cost natural gas and flat demand for electricity, are causing some coal and nuclear power plants to retire, not state and federal policies supporting renewable energy development, according to a new study backed by the clean energy industry.

Analysis Group, a Boston-based economics consultant, also said improved "advanced energy technologies" and state policies supporting them, have helped cut costs that "also contribute to reducing the profitability of less economic assets."

Not everyone loves wind: Is wind power saving rural Iowa or wrecking it?

The retirement of aging and uncompetitive plants is a "natural element of efficient and competitive market forces," the group said, adding that "these market fundamentals are producing savings for consumers."

New natural gas and renewable energy technologies are helping make the U.S. power systems stronger, more diverse, Analysis Group said.

The American Wind Energy Association and Advanced Energy Economy commissioned the report released Tuesday. The groups said they planned to provide the information to the U.S. Energy Department for review.

Energy Secretary Rick Perry is expected to receive a 60-day review this month that looks at the "market-distorting effects of federal subsidies that boost one form of energy at the expense of others."

U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley, an Iowa Republican, has questioned whether Perry's study was devised to "undermine the wind energy industry."

“I’m concerned that a hastily developed study, which appears to predetermine that variable, renewable sources such as wind have undermined grid reliability, will not be viewed as credible, relevant or worthy of valuable taxpayer resources," wrote Grassley, who is considered the father of production tax credits that encourage wind energy adoption.

Perry, Texas' former governor, led the nation's largest wind energy producer; Iowa ranks second nationally.

Iowa AgriTech Accelerator names new director

The Iowa AgriTech Accelerator has announced Megan Vollstedt as its new executive director.

Vollstedt has more than six years of experience in the startup community, most recently serving as senior corporate communications editor for Workiva, according to a news release from AgriTech.

“I look forward to using my experience in the ecosystem to help startups in the program work with mentors, investors and advisers to advance innovations in AgTech,” Vollstedt said in a statement.

Vollstedt replaces Tej Dhawan, who served as interim director until a permanent candidate could be found.

AgriTech also announced the initial selection for this year’s startup class:

WISRAN, Sunnyvale, Calif.

Pyursolutions, Los Angeles

Rabbit Tractors, Ann Arbor, Mich.

Hintech, St. Joseph, Mo.

Phenomics Labs, Burnsville, Minn.

The companies selected will receive mentoring and $40,000 in seed funding, as well as engagement with investor and mentor companies.

The Iowa AgriTech Accelerator, based in Des Moines, a mentor-led accelerator focused on AgTech innovations. Led by innovators and leaders in several areas of agriculture, the accelerator seeks innovative startups.