Tom Block

Des Moines

News Services Manager at Iowa Farm Bureau Spokesman

Everything I ever needed to know, I learned from a farmer.

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Articles

Legislature wraps up with key wins for ag

2 weeks ago | iowafarmbureau.com | Tom Block

Grain Indemnity Fund gets long-awaited update. Livestock disease preparedness, ISU vet funding expanded. A bill modernizing Iowa’s Grain Indemnity Fund was among legislation approved last week in the waning hours of the 2025 Iowa legislative session. The Legislature adjourned shortly after 6 a.m. on May 15 after working through the previous day and night to pass several policy bills and all 11 appropriations bills that make up the state budget.
U.S., China agree to 90-day tariff pause

2 weeks ago | iowafarmbureau.com | Tom Block

The United States and China have agreed to scale back import tariffs for 90 days after a meeting of top trade officials from the two countries in Switzerland. The countries agreed to reduce reciprocal tariffs imposed after April 2 by 115% during the 90-day pause, according to U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, who negotiated terms along with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer. As a result, the 145% U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods ...
U.S.-UK trade agreement a boost for ethanol, beef

3 weeks ago | iowafarmbureau.com | Tom Block

Deal includes $700 million potential in ethanol exports and removes barriers for U.S. ag products. A new trade deal with the United Kingdom (UK) will open opportunities for $5 billion in new exports for the United States, with ethanol and beef among the primary beneficiaries in agriculture, President Donald Trump said last week.
High costs challenge young farmers

3 weeks ago | iowafarmbureau.com | Tom Block

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Emergency waiver keeps E15 at the pump

1 month ago | iowafarmbureau.com | Tom Block

Author Tom Block Published 5/5/2025 An emergency fuel waiver issued last week by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will keep E15 available at gas pumps nationwide again this summer. Iowa Farm Bureau thanked the Trump administration for maintaining nationwide access to E15 and urged lawmakers to pass legislation that would eliminate ongoing uncertainty regarding seasonal availability of the fuel blend.
Fighting food waste takes many forms

1 month ago | iowafarmbureau.com | Tom Block

“Clean your plate.”That was a phrase many of us heard plenty of times growing up. In grade school, we had a teacher that took this mission personally, standing by the garbage can to make sure we at least tasted everything on our plate before throwing any leftover food away. Today, the challenge of reducing food waste takes on a whole new perspective now that I’m the one paying the grocery bills.
Tariffs, tight margins, market volatility cloud farm outlook

1 month ago | iowafarmbureau.com | Tom Block

Farmers are staring down another season of uncertainty as trade tensions, volatile markets and rising production costs continue to pressure the agricultural economy, says ag economist John Newton of Terrain. At the center of concern are tariffs — particularly those placed on China — that Newton says have shaken confidence across the farm sector.
Italian firm putting down roots in Iowa

1 month ago | iowafarmbureau.com | Tom Block

Amid all the negative economic news surrounding agriculture over the past 24 months, there was a dose of much-needed good news last week with reports that an Italian ag equipment manufacturer plans to open its new U.S. headquarters in central Iowa. The Iowa Economic Development Authority approved a $500,000 forgivable loan and $300,000 in tax refunds to help ADR Axles build a 54,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Perry, a $14.6 billion investment.
USDA reprioritizes climate funding to farmers

1 month ago | iowafarmbureau.com | Tom Block

Author Tom Block Published 4/21/2025 U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins. PHOTO CONTRIBUTED U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins last week said the department is overhauling the Biden-era Partnerships for Climate Smart Commodities program to ensure a majority of the funding from the $3.1 billion program ends up in the hands of farmers.
Taste breeds consumer loyalty

1 month ago | iowafarmbureau.com | Tom Block

I was talking with a coworker a couple of weeks ago about where to find the best steaks in Iowa. Not surprisingly, there was a lot of crossover in our lists and locally-owned restaurants that source their beef from Iowa farmers dominated national chains. Much like Iowa farms, these restaurants have often been owned by the same family for several generations and take great pride in serving a high-quality product cooked to perfection.