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Critics of the commercial meatpacking industry said conditions are inhumane for the animals and dangerous for the people who work in processing plants. (Adobe Stock)

Rights group calls for review of meatpacking plants

A U.S. Department of Labor investigation this spring found the number of minors employed in livestock slaughterhouses nearly quadrupled between 2015 …

There is a 50% chance a chick hatchling will be male but the males hatching in egg-laying operations are often destroyed because they are not profitable to be raised for meat. (Adobe Stock)

Animal advocates call for chicken egg gender testing

By Seth Millstein for Sentient.Broadcast version by Mark Moran for Iowa News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaboration Eve…

Iowa is among 11 states to outlaw or restrict restaurants' use of meat products from producers using gestation crates to raise their livestock for the food chain. (Adobe Stock)

Animal welfare report calls for livestock gestation crate bans

A prominent animal safety group is calling on restaurants to do more to ban the use of animal gestation crates where livestock and poultry are grown f…

The Wildlife Disease Surveillance for Pandemic Prevention Act seeks to create a Wildlife Disease Surveillance Program though the Wildlife Health Office at the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. (Adobe Stock)

Wildlife disease measure could benefit IA ag industry

Wildlife advocates are asking Congress to pass bill that would help states track diseases killing wildlife across the country. In Iowa, the measure …

Farmers typically feed their cattle ground-up corn plants, including the stalks, leaves and ears in a mixture called silage. Drought has prompted livestock experts to warn of potentially lethal levels of nitrate in the silage this year and recommend getting it tested before feeding in to their cattle. (Adobe Stock)

Experts warn of dangerous high-nitrate cattle feed

Livestock experts are warning farmers about high nitrate content in their cattle feed this fall because of Iowa's prolonged drought. Farmers …

The global commercial drone market size was estimated at almost $30 billion in 2022. It is anticipated to increase 38% over the next seven years, according to Grand View Research. (Adobe Stock)

Iowa Bill Would Prohibit Drone Use Near Livestock Operations

The Iowa House has voted to ground drones over livestock containment and feedlots. Critics of the measure say drones are used to document unhealthy …

An analysis of data from the 2017 USDA Census of Agriculture estimates that 99% of U.S. farm animals are located on factory farms. (Adobe Stock)

Groups Call on Consumers to Boycott Large-Scale Meat Producers

DES MOINES, Iowa -- The corporate meat industry is the target of a new campaign that asks consumers to boycott products from large operations…

A bill to hold less-than-reputable dog breeders accountable in Iowa did not survive the 2016 legislative session. (Free-Photos/Pixaby)

Is That Puppy You're Buying Healthy?

DES MOINES, Iowa – In recent months, two Iowa communities have been asked to consider ordinances that would ban the purchase of commercially-…

It's estimated that 200 Iowa communities struggle to treat for factory-farm pollutants caused by runoff from the state's large number of hog confinements. (MabelAmber/Pixabay)

Opponents of Factory Farms to Rally at Iowa Capitol

DES MOINES, Iowa – Iowans who want to see a moratorium on factory farms in the state rally at the State Capitol tomorrow, even though they …

Iowa's 'Ag-Gag' Law Ruled Unconstitutional

DES MOINES, Iowa – Iowa's so-called ag-gag law that criminalized efforts to expose violations related to animal cruelty and food safety has …

A law passed by Californians earlier this month will dictate how egg producers in other states raise their chickens if they want to sell their eggs in the Golden State. (scpr.org)

Will Iowa Follow California's Lead on Cage-free Eggs?

DES MOINES, Iowa – Some 1,800 miles separate Iowa from California, but a law passed by voters there could affect how many Iowa eggs are sold in …

A dozen eggs from cage-free chickens typically cost at least a dollar more than conventional eggs. (mercyforanimals.org)

Iowa Legislation Raises Egg-spectations for Conventional Growers

DES MOINES, Iowa — The Center for Food Safety and Mercy for Animals are calling on Iowa's governor to veto a controversial bill passed by the …

Journalistic expos�s of cruelty or unsafe practices in Iowa's animal agriculture industry were stymied by passage of the state's

Courts to Decide Iowa's "Ag-Gag" Law in 2019

DES MOINES, Iowa - Opponents of Iowa's "ag-gag" law are awaiting a court date for a trial they hope will provide a similar result to what has …

Animal-rights advocates say Americans seem more open than ever to a

Animal Rights Group Says Meat Tax is Overdue

DES MOINES, Iowa — Animal rights advocates say the time is right for Americans who choose a meat-based diet to pay taxes on both the production …

Iowa is one of six states that have made a commitment to provide habitats for monarch butterflies and other pollinators along Interstate 35. (StarbuckATC/Pixabay)

Monarch Highway Aims to Bring Monarchs Back from Brink

DES MOINES, Iowa – If you've ever watched the process of a caterpillar becoming a vividly colorful monarch butterfly, you probably have an …

Animal rescue organizations say rabbits should not be impulse purchases. (Hans Splinter/Flickr)

Rescue Groups: Avoid Impulse Pet Purchases; Stick to Chocolate Bunnies

DES MOINES, Iowa - A real, live bunny may seem like a cute, cuddly Easter gift for child, but animal-welfare groups are cautioning Iowans to stick to …

Ospreys are being reintroduced in Iowa, thanks to joint efforts with naturalists in Minnesota. (IowaDNR.org)

Increasing Osprey Population Inspiring Iowans to Work for Clean Water

BOONE, Iowa – The osprey, a fish-eating bird of prey, was once common in Iowa, but populations dwindled with the arrival of European settlers…

Robotic milking systems are leading to happier, healthier cows. (DeLaval.com)

Happy, Healthy Cows Thanks to High-Tech Milkers at Small Dairy Farms

WILTON, Iowa - When cows can milk when they want to instead of when farmers get around to it, they're happier and healthier. Voluntary robotic …

If it feels too hot for a human, it's even worse for pets and could be fatal with heat indexes heading upward. (Animal Rescue League of Iowa)

Hot Weather Especially Hazardous to Pets, Experts Warn

DES MOINES, Iowa -- While the dangers of heat stroke and other hazards are high for humans in hot weather, it can be even worse for our pets…

Farmers will gather in six meetings around the state this month to help share solutions to common problems and develop long-term policy. (Center for Rural Affairs)

Roundtable Discussions to Help Farmers Shape Policy

DES MOINES, Iowa - In order to build strong rural communities and farm families, Iowa farmers need to work together to solve common issues of …

The boom in beekeeping prompted one Iowa bee enthusiast to create a new website to keep track of local laws on the topic. (Iowa Agriculture and Land Stewardship Office)

Iowa's Beekeeping Boom Prompts New Website of Local Laws

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa - When Julia McGuire of West Des Moines started keeping bees five years ago, she began connecting with others on the Internet …

The rusty patched bumble bee used to be common in parts of the state, but has seen its population plummet in recent years. Credit: Sarina Jepsen/The Xerces Society

Endangered Species Act Could Include First Bee

DES MOINES, Iowa - Protections could be on the way for a bumble bee that used to be commonly found in parts of Iowa and across the Upper Midwest but …

Another outbreak of avian influenza could hit this fall, after nearly 50 million birds were lost with the spring eruption of the disease. Credit: dra_schwartz.

Another Round of Bird Flu Possible This Fall

DES MOINES, Iowa – As the poultry industry in Iowa and across the Midwest works to rebound from the spring outbreak of avian influenza…

An expert on avian influenza says it was just a matter of time that the disease would spread. Credit: U.S. Department of Agriculture/Flickr.

Production Model Changes Could Prevent Bird Flu Outbreaks

DES MOINES, Iowa – The outbreak of avian influenza that has decimated hundreds of turkey and chicken operations in Iowa and more than a dozen …

PHOTO: With a deadly fungal disease called white-nose syndrome decimating its numbers, the northern long-eared bat today officially becomes listed as a threatened species in Iowa and across the country. Photo credit: University of Illinois/Steve Taylor/Flickr.

Iowa's Northern Long-Eared Bats Now on Threatened List

DES MOINES, Iowa – New protections now are in place for the northern long-earned bat, which officially becomes listed as a threatened species …

PHOTO: Reports of a highly contagious flu sickening hundreds of dogs throughout the Midwest have many Iowa dog owners on alert, but experts say while the situation is cause for concern, there's no need to panic. Photo credit: Bruce Drummond/Flickr.

Midwest Canine Flu Outbreak Closes in on Iowa

DES MOINES, Iowa - Fears of the flu for Fido are running high for some Iowa dog owners, thanks to a rare strain of canine influenza that's spreading …

PHOTO: The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is being taken to court over its approval of an herbicide for use on genetically-engineered soybean and corn crops in Iowa and 14 other states. The plaintiffs allege the Dow AgroSciences product, Enlist Duo, poses a threat to human health and to endangered animal species. Photo credit: Jo Naylor/Flickr.

Another Challenge to New Herbicide for Use in Iowa

DES MOINES, Iowa - A legal battle is being mounted against the Environmental Protection Agency over its expanded approval of a new herbicide for use …

PHOTO: The number of farms in Iowa continues its downward trend; the USDA reports another 500 were lost from 2013 to 2014, but the state has an enthusiastic crop of beginning farmers. Photo courtesy of Lucky George Farm.

More Beginning Farmers, Despite Iowa Farm Declines

DERBY, Iowa - The latest figures show the number of farms in Iowa continues to fall, but that isn't slowing down a new crop of beginning farmers …

PHOTO: A handful of organizations are taking the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to court, demanding action on pollution from the country's 20,000 livestock operations. Photo credit: Green Fire Productions/Flickr.

Coalition Sues EPA Over Factory Farm Pollution

DES MOINES, Iowa - The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is being taken to court over the pollution from so-called factory farms in a case that …

PHOTO: The U.S. Public Interest Research Group argues McDonald's

"McChanges" Urged on Meat Raised with Antibiotics

DES MOINES, Iowa - A new campaign has been launched urging the largest restaurant chain in the nation to stop purchasing meat that's been raised with …

PHOTO: A legal complaint has been served over the odors emanating from a Minnesota pig farm with Iowa owners, with the plaintiffs claiming the stench is making their lives miserable. Photo credit: Mercy for Animals/Flickr.

Neighbors of Hog Facility File Lawsuit Over "Foul Stench"

DES MOINES, Iowa - Neighbors of a central Minnesota hog facility that has Iowa owners are going to court, claiming the odors from the operation are …

PHOTO: Taking your pet for a ride in the car is one of the joys of summer, but veterinarians caution against leaving a pet unattended in the car, even with the windows cracked. Photo credit: Pippalou / Morguefile.com.

Hot Summer Weather Puts Pets in Peril

DES MOINES, Iowa - Dogs left in cars are an all-too-common summertime sight in parking lots, and animal experts say it is both extremely dangerous …

PHOTO: A new group of Iowans has just been trained as

Catch My Drift: Monitoring for Pesticides in Iowa

DEWITT, Iowa - With the coming start of the growing season in Iowa, a group of volunteer "drift catchers" is preparing to spread out across the state …

PHOTO: A hog operation in southeast Iowa has been fined $10,000 and ordered to make repairs after a November manure spill into a tributary of the Des Moines River. Photo Credit: Carl Wycoff

Hog Farm Fined for Manure Spill in Tributary of Des Moines River

DES MOINES, Iowa – One of the state's largest hog operations is being fined for the spill of manure into a tributary of the Des Moines River…

PHOTO: In the past six years, there have been at least five manure spills from the Van Buren County hog operation of The Maschhoffs, LLC, and the latest is prompting a lawsuit. Photo credit: Green Fire Productions

Coalition to Sue Iowa Hog Operation for Multiple Manure Spills

DES MOINES, Iowa – After another manure spill from one of the state's largest hog operations, a coalition of community, environmental and …

PHOTO: Shareholders of Cracker Barrel have voted in support of a resolution commending the restaurant chain for its plan to eliminate the use of gestation crates in its pork supply chain. Photo credit: Eli Christman

Shareholder Support for Cracker Barrel Eliminating Gestation Crates

DES MOINES, Iowa - The recent decision by Cracker Barrel restaurants to remove gestation crates from its pork supply chain is earning praise from its …

PHOTO: A new National Wildlife Federation report outlines how climate change is affecting big game, making a connection between a bleeding disease and Iowa's white-tailed deer. Photo credit: U.S. Forest Service

Report: Deer Bleeding Disease Connected to Climate Change

DES MOINES, Iowa - White-tailed deer are sometimes so plentiful in Iowa they're considered a nuisance. However, according to a new report from the …

PHOTO: An aerial view of a Texas feedlot. The United Nations' Food and Agriculture Organization says large factory farms are increasing climate-changing pollution. Photo credit: Mishka Henner.

Report: Another Reason to Go Meatless Today

DES MOINES, Iowa - Observing "Meatless Monday" is not only good for your health and for animals, it's also good for the environment. A new report …

PHOTO: If you buy a puppy online, is it from a reputable breeder or a puppy mill? The International Fund for Animal Welfare found 62 percent of the online ads it examined on a single day were

Report: Reasons to Howl about Buying Dogs Online

DES MOINES, Iowa - The holidays often prompt people to add a cuddly new puppy to the family. But if you're shopping online for a dog, there's a good …

Green Pastures Can Be Lifesaver for Farmers & the Environment

DES MOINES, Iowa - The Iowa countryside is dotted with rolling green pastures. Better management of those pastures is said to be key to increasing …

Holidays Can Be Hazardous for Your Pets

DES MOINES, Iowa - Holiday treats are for people, not dogs. That's the message from veterinarians this month, reminding pet owners that holidays can …

How Much is that Doggie on the Internet?

DES MOINES, Iowa - You can buy just about anything online now, but when that purchase is a brand new puppy, how much do you really know about where …

It's Trick Not Treat for Black Cats in October

DES MOINES, Iowa - Animal-rescue organizations don't often turn people away who want to offer a loving home to an animal. This month, however…

Rescued Research Beagles Get New "Leash" on Life

Nine beagles who have spent their lives in cages in a research lab got their first taste of freedom, when they were rescued Wednesday by animal-…

The Easter Bunny is Not a Pet

DES MOINES, Iowa – Iowa parents: Beware of the Easter Bunny. Don't give children pets as Easter presents, says Adam Goldfarb, director of the …

Antibiotic Use in Animals an Issue in Iowa

DES MOINES, Iowa - Debate is swirling over the routine treatment of huge concentrations of cattle, hogs and poultry with antibiotics, to promote …

New Iowa Landowners Want to Make Change

DES MOINES, Iowa - As more and more people inherit Iowa farmland, more and more of these new absentee landowners are uncomfortable with the way it is …

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IA: Animal Welfare