Global Issues

Logistics Of Food: 1 Year Later In Post-COVID World

Apr 2, 2021

7 min

There is still economic optimism among those managing the manufacturing sector in the nine-states that are used to calculate Creighton University’s MidAmerica Index. Despite a slight dip, the index maintained a 10-month streak above growth-neutral. According to those responding, the biggest problem in the foreseeable future will be delays in the supply chain. Bottlenecks that slow the delivery of...

President Biden Unveils $2.3 Trillion Infrastructure Plan

Apr 2, 2021

3 min

One of the many rites of spring across the country is road construction. As far back as the Roosevelt administration, presidents have tried to make infrastructure a tool for improving the nation by proposing big projects and hyping the large number of jobs that would be needed to make those projects a reality. This week, the new Biden administration offered up their version as part of the Build...

USDA Appears Before House Ag Committee Hearing on Discrimination

Mar 26, 2021

3 min

The issue of race discrimination in agriculture has been debated for decades and continued, again, as the Secretary of Agriculture was called into the House Agriculture Committee to discuss the topic. John Torpy has more. Secretary Tom Vilsack, United States Department of Agriculture: “Let me be clear. There is no place for discrimination at the USDA. None, nor for that matter anywhere. This...

Rail Merger Will Serve Three Countries

Mar 26, 2021

1 min

The signing of USMCA was touted as lifting all North American boats for those who both buy and sell goods. This week, a proposed merger could connect the three trading partners in a major way. Peter Tubbs reports. This week, the Canadian Pacific railroad proposed a $25 billion merger with the Kansas City Southern railroad, which would complete a system of routes that would service all three...

Group Encourages Voluntary Electronic Tag Program

Mar 26, 2021

7 min

At one time, a trained eye was able to identify individual animals in the field. Ear tags have made a big difference in day-to-day management. But the increased demand for specific genetics and disease tracking has some farmers investing in an upgrade. Colleen Bradford Krantz looks at improvement to identification in the feedlot in our Cover Story. This newborn bull calf has been given his...

Snow socks the Front Range

Mar 19, 2021

1 min

The final full week of winter was full of tornadoes in the south while snow filled up the Rockies. Peter Tubbs reports. A record breaking blizzard socked the Front Range of Colorado and Wyoming with up to three feet of snow this week. Large portions of Interstate 70 were closed in eastern Colorado by the heavy snow. Residents spent the week digging out from under drifts that buried cars. Schools...

Economic Development that focuses on both work and life skills

Mar 19, 2021

5 min

Teaching carpenters sound Two new carpenters learn mortise and tenon techniques in the wood shop at Coalfield Development in Huntington, West Virginia. They have recently joined a three year program with Coalfield that will teach them more than practical carpentry skills. Originally a general contractor, Coalfield found that employees had needs beyond a paycheck. Brandon Dennison, CEO, Coalfield...

Former Ambassador To China Reflects On Historic Time

Feb 19, 2021

6 min

Terry Branstad is the longest serving governor of any state. During his time in Iowa, Branstad saw the rise of renewable fuels as a source of energy and the use of Hawkeye State farm products destined for foreign ports. He also had an early interaction with an international delegation that included Xi Jing Ping -- who eventually became the President of China. Following the election of Donald...

Polar Vortex Causes Power Problems for the Lone Star State

Feb 19, 2021

2 min

North Dakota is one of the states surveyed by Creighton University and the town of Grand Forks was like many in the region that spent eleven days without breaking zero. The arctic blast of air was not exclusive as a winter storm hammered the state of Texas with a one two punch that’s going to leave the state staggering for days and months to come. John Torpy reports. A polar vortex blanketed the...

Farmers block trains in northern India to protest new laws

Feb 19, 2021

NEW DELHI (AP) — Thousands of protesting farmers blocked trains on Thursday by sitting on railroad tracks in parts of northern India to press their demand for the repeal of new agricultural reform laws that have triggered months of massive protests. Samyukta Kisan Morcha, or Joint Farmers' Front, organized four-hour blockades of trains at two dozen locations. Television showed protesters sitting...