Monday August 20 Ag News

Husker Harvest Days Site Improvements Nearly Ready

Husker Harvest Days will celebrate its 41st annual event with $7.5 million of upgrades that are nearly completed for the 2018 show that will be held Sept. 11-13 on its permanent site near Grand Island, Neb.

“All the major construction is complete, and we are now working on the last details and fine points,” said Matt Jungmann, Farm Progress shows director.
 
What’s new
Visitors will notice the concrete paved roads, new and upgraded restrooms and entrance gate structures. What visitors can’t see, the infrastructure that includes drainage and sewer system to handle significant rainfall, will give visitors a better show experience – even if it rains.

"It’s been an aggressive renovation year for the site,” said Jungmann. “Many people have worked together to make the upgrade happen, from the local Chamber of Commerce, show staff, the general contractor, Paulsen Inc., and so many more helped accomplish this large-scale upgrade project.”

“The HHD site is a first rate, world class facility,” said Don Tourte, SVP sales and events. “One of our goals with the renovation project —and with all our shows — is to make sure each event keeps its traditional rural-gathering character and we will always work hard to make our shows the nation's leading farm events."

Here’s a list of the Husker Harvest Days facility upgrades:
• Concrete roads seven inches deep that cover 5.5 miles
• Paving extends from visitor parking to the main gate along Chief Flag Road
• Concrete floors in all the Diversified Industries Buildings and the Livestock Industries Building
• Storm sewer system and retention pond
• New bleachers for the livestock demonstration audience seating.
• Security fence
• Five 90’ Musco light towers
• New internet distribution
• New PA system
• Electrical system – all now underground
• New restroom located on the southeast quarter of the grounds
• Renovated and expanded the restroom located near the North DI Building
• New fueling station for field demonstration and vendor equipment
• Traffic entry structures
• Two new entrances from Husker Highway
• One-way traffic flow into show office lot
• New entrance into northeast exhibitor/volunteer parking lot
• Streets re-numbered, exhibitors remain in the same locations with a new “addresses”
• The show also has a new logo
 
Site rededication
A ceremony to celebrate the teamwork that made the improvements possible and re-dedicate the event to always present the latest ag technology, services and learning opportunities for western Corn Belt farmers and ranchers, will be held at 7:50 a.m., Sept. 11, location at the west end of Chief Flag Row (Gate 1). Community leaders and Chief Industries staff will join Husker Harvest Days officials to launch the newly renovated site.
 
General show info
The show site is located west of Grand Island, 1-1/2 miles north and 2 miles west of Alda in central Nebraska on Husker Highway. Admission is $12 for adults, $6 for ages 13-17, and ages 12 and under are free. Parking is free. The public is welcome. For additional information, visit www.HuskerHarvestDays.com.
 
GENERAL HUSKER HARVEST DAYS INFORMATION - 41st Annual Event
Farm Progress' Husker Harvest Days, www.HuskerHarvestDays.com, the nation's largest, totally irrigated working farm show, annually hosts more than 600 exhibitors displaying new farm equipment, tractors, combines, farm implements, seed and crop protection products; and may additional farm supplies and services. The TSNN Top 250 Trade Show list ranked HHD and the Farm Progress Show #1. The 41st annual HHD will be held at its permanent site located near Grand Island, Neb., Sept. 11 -13, 2018.



Accounting for Agriculture: Federal Withholding after New Tax Bill 
Amy Timmerman – Extension Educator

The new US tax bill is in full effect. While we wait for the IRS to provide a full interpretation, we do have more information on some sections. One in particular that has some tax preparers nervous for their clients is federal withholding. With the higher standard deduction and changes in child credits, taxpayers may need to reconsider how much to withhold for federal taxes in each pay period.

One issue is doubling up on dependents on the W-4 you file with your employer. For example, let’s say you are married and filing jointly with two kids. On your W-4 you file as married with two kids. Your spouse’s W-4 also files as married with two kids. By both filing the W-4 as married with two kids you will see more in your monthly paycheck, but may end up with a large federal tax bill come next spring. The problem is due to the fact that the full child credit is considered on your W-4 as well as your spouse’s W-4. When you file your return though, you only receive the full credit once. Now is a perfect time to double check and ensure you won’t have a surprise next spring when you see your tax bill.

TOOLS FROM THE IRS
If you are a do-it-yourself tax preparer, or want to get an idea of how withholding changes may affect you, take a look at the handy IRS Federal Withholding calculator (https://apps.irs.gov/app/withholdingcalculator/).

The calculator will ask questions such as your filing status, number of dependents, child/dependent care credit, earned income credit, and estimated income for the year. (Having out your last pay stub and last year’s tax return will make the process go faster.) Once you have completed the questions, it will respond with your anticipated income tax and whether your current withholding will lead to an overpayment or underpayment and how much it would be. If you find yourself in a situation where your withholdings are uncomfortably off from the estimate, there is a link to a Form W-4 so you can make adjustments. Making changes now gives you five to six months to spread out the adjustment.

Again, every situation will be different. You may be spot on with your current withholding amount. Others may need to claim zero plus take additional voluntary withholdings to get back on track. This calculator works for most taxpayers. The IRS recommends referring to Publication 505 (https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-pdf/p505.pdf) for more complex tax situations.

TALK WITH YOUR TAX PREPARER
This is just one of many changes in the tax code that needs to be looked at this tax year. Setting up a meeting with your tax preparer in the next few months could provide some beneficial advice as to how your operation should move forward. Waiting until late November or December to meet could lead to some costly errors and missed opportunity for this 2018 tax year. For those of you who prepare your own tax return it might be beneficial to talk with a tax preparer for this year to grasp what changes you need to be aware of. Another option would be to attend one of the university’s Tax Institute seminars that will be held around Nebraska this fall.



EXTRA RAIN BRINGS ON EXTRA PASTURE WEEDS
Bruce Anderson, NE Extension Forage Specialist

               Extra rain this summer has made many pastures greener than in a long time.  But some of that green might be weeds.  Stick around to deal with this problem.

               Weeds like ragweed, ironweed, broom snakeweed, and horseweed are plentiful in many pastures that received extra rain this summer.  They are especially a problem in areas in pastures that have relatively thin grass stands.

               Spraying weeds now does little good.  Many weeds are too large to kill so herbicides might only reduce some seed production and may make pastures a bit more attractive.  Shredding might actually work better to reduce weed seeds if it’s not already too late.

               Two other approaches are better for long-term weed control.  First, rotationally graze with much higher stock density.  With many animals on a smaller area to graze, animals will graze some of the weeds they normally might avoid.  Other weeds they might trample.  If you also leave quite a bit of residue behind when you move animals to the next small area it will improve the health, vigor, and density of your grass.  Healthy, competitive grass stands are essential to reduce weed populations economically over the long term.

               Second, target herbicide applications for when they will do the most good.  October and early to mid-June usually are the two most effective times to control most perennial weeds and many annuals, especially with herbicides like Grazon, Forefront, Curtail, Milestone, 2,4-D, and Banvel.  Good grazing, along with weed control, will thicken your grass stands so herbicides won’t be needed as often in the future.

               Don’t let weeds take over your pasture, but don’t spend money controlling them needlessly.  A good plan will work best.

DON’T WAIT TOO LONG TO CUT CANE HAY
               Cane hay and other summer annual grasses have grown rapidly this summer in many areas.  Now – make sure you get it cut in time.

               I often encourage you to cut cane hay or hay from other summer annual grasses when they get about waist high.  Reasons for this relatively early cut include better protein and energy content, faster drying, and better palatability.

               This last week I have seen quite a few fields and heard about many more that were way beyond that point.  Some were even headed out and maturing rapidly.  If this describes any of your fields, get them harvested as soon as possible.

               What’s the rush, you ask.  Of course, part of my concern is the lower forage quality and greater difficulty with getting the hay dry enough to bale that occurs when these plants get large and mature.  But, another concern with these fields is all the seed they can produce.  If you allow that seed to mature before cutting, it can pose problems for years to come.

               For starters, you won’t get much of that seed to remain in your hay when you cut it.  Most of that seed will shatter from the heads and fall to the ground either before you cut or when you strike the plants at harvest.

               Then the potential problems begin.  Over the next few years, that seed will germinate and cause potential weed problems for future crops.  Because cane and many other summer annual grasses are members of the sorghum family, cross-pollination could result in some of the seeds producing shattercane plants.  And we all know how much more difficult shattercane can be to control than many other weeds.

               So use timely harvest.  You will get better hay and fewer weeds.



USDA NASS TO COLLECT 2018 SMALL GRAIN PRODUCTION AND STOCKS DATA

During the first two weeks of September, growers of small grains around the country will be contacted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). The agency is taking a comprehensive look into the 2018 production and supply of small grains, which include wheat, oats, barley, and rye.

“The small grains industry is important to Nebraska agriculture and it is crucial for everyone to have accurate data about this key sector of the economy,” said director of the NASS Northern Plains Regional Field Office Dean Groskurth. “We will contact more than 2,400 producers in Nebraska to accurately measure 2018 acreage, yield, and production for small grains and the quantities of grains and oilseeds stored on farm.”

“Responses to the survey will also be used in calculating county yields,” explained Groskurth. “USDA uses county yield information from the survey to evaluate and administer vital farm disaster mitigation and insurance programs such as the Agricultural Risk Coverage (ARC). Farmers who receive this survey should use this opportunity to assure their county is accurately represented in the calculation of Nebraska county yields.”

NASS safeguards the privacy of all respondents and publishes only aggregate data, ensuring that no individual operation or producer can be identified.

Survey results will be published in several reports, including the annual Small Grains Summary and the quarterly Grain Stocks report, both to be released on September 28. These and all NASS reports are available online at www.nass.usda.gov. For more information call the NASS Nebraska Field Office at 800-582-6443.



VIEW LATEST CROP AND PEST RESEARCH AT SOUTH CENTRAL AG LAB AUG. 29

Participants will be able to tour multiple field research trials in six key areas Aug. 29 at the South Central Agricultural Laboratory field day. The event will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at 842 Road 313, Clay Center.

Each year more than 100 applied field research trials are conducted at SCAL by University of Nebraska–Lincoln faculty and USDA Agricultural Research Service scientists. Trials are focused on irrigation and water management, soil fertility, entomology, weed science, cropping systems and disease management.

The day will begin with registration at 8:30 a.m., followed by tours of research sites through 4 p.m. Keynote speaker for the lunch is Mike Boehm, University of Nebraska-Lincoln Harlan Vice Chancellor for the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources and University of Nebraska Vice President for Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Participants will be able to choose from four of six tours during the day. View program brochure for schedule.

Continuing Education Units have been applied for and are pending.

To register, visit https://go.unl.edu/2018scalfieldday. Please register by Aug. 26 for lunch planning purposes.

The South Central Agricultural Laboratory research farm is located at 851 Hwy 6 near Harvard.
Directions: 13 miles east of Hastings on Hwy 6 or 4.5 miles west of the intersection of Hwy 14 and Hwy 6. north of Clay Center.



Ricketts Announces Appointments to Boards and Commissions

Today, Governor Pete Ricketts announced recent appointments he has made to fill Nebraska’s boards and commissions.  The following appointees are unpaid and are not subject to Legislative confirmation.  They include:

Nebraska Corn Development, Utilization and Marketing Board
David Merrell, St. Edward
Ted Schrock, Elm Creek


Nebraska Grain Sorghum Development, Utilization Marketing Board
Michael T. Baker, Trenton

Rural Broadband Task Force
Andrew Buker, Omaha
Ron Cone, Kearney
Isiah Graham, St. Paul
Zachary Hunnicut, Giltner
Timothy Lindahl, Sidney
Tom Shoemaker, Cambridge
Daniel Spray, Norfolk
Anna Turman, Hay Springs

The following appointees are unpaid and are subject to Legislative confirmation:

Climate Assessment Response Committee
Bryan Tuma, Lincoln

Nebraska Ethanol Board
Bradley B. Bird, Blair

Nebraska Natural Resources Commission
John Heaston, Lincoln

Thank you to the many Nebraskans that give generously of their time and talent to make a difference in our state.  These appointments will provide crucial insight and expertise to their respective boards, committees, and commissions.  To learn about openings and apply to serve on a board or commission, go to https://governor.nebraska.gov/board-comm-req.



‘Undeniably Dairy’ Celebration at the 2018 Nebraska State Fair To Feature Conversations with Farmers, Recipe Demonstrations

Nearly 400,000 fairgoers will be able to celebrate “Undeniably Dairy” at the Nebraska State Fair, August 24 through September 3, as Nebraska dairy farmers work to bring dairy to life and share their dairy farm stories, as has been tradition for decades.

“Dairy farmers are proud of their Undeniably Dairy traditions at the Nebraska State Fair,” said Rod Johnson, Midwest Dairy’s farmer relations manager. “Celebrating dairy farmers’ devotion to dairy makes it easy to bring new experiences to the fair. This year we’re excited to welcome Chef Nader Farabod to the demonstration kitchen at Raising Nebraska to serve up several exciting recipes as we partner with the Nebraska Pork Producers. Chef Nader will be demonstrating a Bacon Mac and Cheese, topped with pieces of bacon, a Gourmet Grilled Cheese sandwich and other special dairy and pork recipes.

Visitors to the Raising Nebraska Building will be able to view an informational dairy display and visit with Dairy Ambassadors.

As is tradition, Nebraska’s dairy farmers will again sponsor The Milking Parlor, and this year, in partnership with Sam’s Club, will be passing out cheese sticks to kids during milking demonstrations. Visitors to the Avenue of Breeds will also be able to try their hand in milking Annabelle, a milking demonstration cow.

Midwest Dairy will again partner with Hiland Dairy to offer a milk break to the hundreds of students that visit the fair during the State’s Largest Classroom Monday, August 27; Tuesday, August 28 and Thursday, August 30. 

Every year, the Nebraska State Fair celebrates the more than 150 dairy farmers in the state who produce about 163 million gallons of milk each year and contribute to the overall economic impact of Nebraska. To learn more about dairy farming in the Midwest, including Nebraska, visit MidwestDairy.com.



NEBRASKA STATE FAIR TO FEATURE 4-H EXHIBITS, LIFE-SIZE ROBOT, FOOD SAMPLES

University of Nebraska–Lincoln representatives will join fairgoers in celebrating the state’s people, products and talent during the Nebraska State Fair Aug. 24 to Sept. 3 in Grand Island.

“The Nebraska State Fair showcases the pride we have for our state and its people, including youth,” said Kathleen Lodl, associate dean of Nebraska Extension and 4-H program administrator. “One in three youth in the state are active in Nebraska 4-H, and the fair gives them an opportunity to share the innovative activities they’ve been working on throughout the year.”

Nebraska 4-H exhibits at the fair will offer youth a preview of careers in agriculture and other industries in the state.

Youth are encouraged to attend cooking demonstrations at the Raising Nebraska kitchen Sept. 1-2. Kaylee Gill, former Hall County 4-H member and research chef at Campbell Soup Company, will provide demonstrations featuring county fair-inspired items. Gill will share how exploring the science of baking and pastry allowed her to further her career.

The InMoove Humanoid Robot — an open-source, 3D-printed life-size robot — will be on display in the 4-H/FFA building throughout the fair. Nebraska 4-H youth will team up to build the robot, which will be used to test a social learning network.

Nebraska’s Largest Classroom is Aug. 27-28 and 30 inside Raising Nebraska. Students from across the state will participate in Growing Fields, which aims to create awareness of non-producer jobs in agriculture.

Visitors can download the 4-H at Nebraska State Fair app to keep track of events, results and exhibit maps. The app can also be used to play the Seek and Scan game, which allows visitors to scan symbols on signs next to static exhibits to display videos.  

Beyond 4-H activities, fair visitors can sample many Nebraska foods at the university's Food Processing Center display in the 4-H/FFA Building.

Several food companies will offer samples and information. Visitors can try salsa, honey, pickles, soups, hot cocoa, seasoning blends, jellies, barbecue sauces, popcorn, sunflower seeds, marinades and more.

"Fairgoers can sample many Nebraska favorites and also newly introduced products,” said Jill Gifford, manager of the Food Processing Center’s National Food Entrepreneur Program. “This exhibit is a must-stop destination.”

Companies scheduled to participate include: Daniels Produce, Columbus; Hills Sunflower Seeds, Denton; Honey Farms, Prairie River Honey Farm, Grand Island; Kiehl and Stroh, Hastings; Balabans, Henderson; Licorice International, Lincoln; Holen One Farms, Loomis; Mellor Seasoning, Omaha; and Country Rhoads Jelly, Superior.

Fans of the popular lawn-and-garden television series “Backyard Farmer” are invited to attend a live taping Aug. 29 in the Raising Nebraska building. A question-and-answer session with panelists is scheduled from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., followed by the taping at 4 p.m. The episode will air at 7 p.m. Aug. 30 on NET.

For more information on the Nebraska State Fair, including schedules, visit http://4h.unl.edu or http://statefair.org.



RAYBOULD CALLS OUT FISCHER FOR BEING ON THE WRONG SIDE OF HARMFUL TRADE WAR

In a visit to North Platte over the weekend, U.S. Senate candidate Jane Raybould sat down with the North Platte Telegraph where she called out Sen. Deb Fischer for working against Nebraska’s farmers in the ever-escalating Washington-made trade war. Sen. Fischer’s decisions have aided in creating what is now a Washington-made farm crisis that is harming Nebraska ag producers, working families, and manufacturers.

“I think the most important thing we need to know is that Sen. Fischer is not standing up for our Nebraska economy,” Raybould said. “She has been on the wrong side of this issue, and she should be using her authority as a U.S. Senator to stand up and challenge those tariffs.”

Instead of siding with Nebraskans, Fischer sided with her party’s leadership and voted against the Toomey-Corker bill that would have given Congress veto power over tariff decisions made on the basis of national security.

Raybould said Fischer refused to support efforts that would re-assert the authority of the Senate to determine if the tariffs are appropriate. “Especially when it is being used for national defense concerns,” Raybould said.

The article noted that Fischer was on record saying that there was no “compelling case” to support the legislation.

“That’s very disconcerting because the farmers I’ve talked to are using words like, ‘we’re distressed, we’re alarmed, we’re concerned with what’s going on with the tariffs,’ ” Raybould said.

On August 1, a bipartisan group of senators proposed a measure that would change a 1962 trade law to give Congress more oversight over levying tariffs based on national security concerns. Sen. Deb Fischer refuses to be an advocate for Nebraska, sides with her party bosses and currently does not cosponsor the bill.

“On that very same day they were discussing and debating that particular piece of legislation, Sen. Fischer was working very hard to get some legislation on School Bus Safety Month designated,” Raybould said to the North Platte Telegraph this weekend.

Fischer has co-sponsored some 600 bills during her tenure in the Senate, including resolutions to honor the life and legacy of Grace Hopper, designate a national day to honor Ada Lovelace, and a resolution designating September 2018 as School Bus Safety Month -- introduced the very same day as recent legislation aimed at ending the harmful trade war.

Fischer is so entrenched in Washington that she consistently chooses her party over her constituents and prioritizes novelty legislation over Nebraska’s agricultural producers who need someone fighting for them in the Senate.

A U.S. Chamber of Commerce study says the administration's trade war will have a $327 million impact on Nebraska, alone.



Iowa Corn Completes Longstanding Sponsorship of the Iowa Corn 300

Iowa Corn announced today they will not renew their title sponsorship of the Verizon IndyCar Series Iowa Corn 300 race at Iowa Speedway beginning in 2019 to focus on new corn demand opportunities.

“Nationally, we’ve had the 2nd longest run as a sponsor with INDYCAR and it’s been a great way to promote the power and performance of ethanol,” said Iowa Corn Promotion Board President Duane Aistrope, a farmer from Randolph. “Iowa Speedway has been a tremendous partner over the years. The commitment of the staff and management team went above and beyond to provide us a platform to share our story as farmers and showcase ethanol and agriculture. It’s been great to see the race grow in notoriety throughout the years and we thank Iowa Speedway for a great run.”

The partnership between Iowa Corn, INDYCAR and Iowa Speedway began at the first race in 2007 and was the second-longest entitlement sponsorship in INDYCAR racing. The alliance allowed for a wide array of topics to be addressed on a local, national and international stage through INDYCAR racing events at Iowa Speedway.

“Iowa Corn has been a great partner for Iowa Speedway from the beginning.  INDYCAR was the first sanctioning body to use ethanol and to promote a major race at Iowa Speedway in 2007 and Iowa Corn immediately saw the mutual benefits and became a part of our family,” said Iowa Speedway President David Hyatt. “The success of our Verizon IndyCar Series race is a testament to our 12-year relationship with Iowa Corn and our loyal race fans in Iowa.

“Simultaneously, it has been thrilling to watch the Iowa Corn Growers Association and Iowa Corn Promotion Board build the Iowa Corn brand with a creative and effective sponsorship campaign through Iowa Speedway.  Along the way Iowa Corn become a mainstay in INDYCAR racing, holding a significant presence in the sport for 12 years.  We are enormously thankful to them for their support and enthusiasm over the years.”

Today, the Iowa Corn 300 boasts an impressive number of followers with more than 3 million television viewers and over 4 billion digital impressions. The race has generated awareness of ethanol and shared the benefits of supporting corn farmers by fueling up like the pros with homegrown ethanol.

“It was a tough decision made by both the Iowa Corn Promotion Board and the Iowa Corn Growers Association farmer-leaders who felt it was time to explore new avenues to build new demand and uses for our corn crop,” explained Aistrope. He shared that the race has helped Iowa Corn address many key issues over the years including the importance of ethanol as a key product in our nation’s fuel supply, facts of how farmers grow both food and fuel, the value of trade and exports, and to bring consumer awareness to the more than 4,000 products made from corn.



Pipeline Foods Acquires ADM Grain Elevator in Iowa

Pipeline Foods LLC, Minneapolis, Minn., the first U.S.-based supply chain solutions company focused exclusively on organic, non-GMO and regenerative food and feed, has announced the acquisition of a 3.4 million bushel grain elevator in Atlantic, Iowa.

Pipeline Foods has signed a purchase agreement to buy the facility from Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM), Chicago, Ill., and is making capital investments in new equipment and improvements needed to upgrade the elevator to test, clean, grade, dry, store and ship organic grains. ADM will continue its conventional soybean origination at the site through segregated operations.

"This acquisition is a key component in Pipeline Foods' mission to increase organic supply chain efficiency and transparency," said Eric Jackson, chief executive of Pipeline Foods. "In owning and operating another facility dedicated to organic grains and oilseeds, Pipeline Foods will have a direct relationship with farmers in the region, helping to ensure identity preservation of the product and allowing us to take ownership at the farm gate, thereby increasing transparency and traceability for all stakeholders."

This investment is positioned to support the growing demand from protein producers for U.S.-grown organic grains. Atlantic is uniquely located in the heart of the western corn belt, at the nexus of major truck and rail routes. This will allow the Pipeline Foods merchandising team to originate organic grain from Iowa and the surrounding states, and improve logistical efficiencies when serving customers on both coasts via the Iowa Interstate Railroad with connections to all Class I major rail lines.

"We're pleased to be able to partner with Pipeline Foods, and look forward to continuing to work with our local farmer partners to source conventional soybeans in and around the Atlantic area," said Pete Goetzmann, regional vice president, ADM Grain.

The Atlantic elevator will be open for operation in mid-September and will accept its first organic grain deliveries shortly thereafter. With the completion of the acquisition, Pipeline Foods will operate six organic processing facilities in the U.S. and Canada.



July Milk Production in the United States up 0.4 Percent

Milk production in the United States during July totaled 18.4 billion pounds, up 0.4 percent from July 2017.  Production per cow in the United States averaged 1,953 pounds for July, 10 pounds above July 2017.  The number of milk cows on farms in the United States was 9.40 million head, 8,000 head less than July 2017, and 8,000 head less than June 2018.

IOWA: Milk production in Iowa during July 2018 totaled 443 million pounds, up 2 percent from the previous July according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Milk Production report. The average number of milk cows during July, at 220,000 head, was unchanged from last month but 3,000 more than last year. Monthly production per cow averaged 2,015 pounds, up 10 pounds from last July.



Tovar Joins Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation

Kitt Tovar has joined the Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation as a legal consultant. She will focus on areas of agricultural law including lease law, fence and property law, environmental and natural resource law, regulatory law and farm policy.

Prior to joining CALT, Tovar worked as an undergraduate research assistant in the animal production department at the University of Lleida in Catalonia, Spain, and interned with the international trade department for the National Pork Producers Council in Washington, D.C. While in law school, Tovar served as the associate editor for the Drake Journal of Agricultural Law, clerked for Brick Gentry, P.C., and worked at the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation.

Tovar earned her bachelor’s degree in animal science from Iowa State University and her J.D. with honors from Drake University, while completing certificates in food and agricultural law and legislative practice.

Tovar can be reached by email at kwtovar@iastate.edu or by phone at 515-294-5608.

The Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation at Iowa State University was created by the Iowa Board of Regents in 2006. CALT provides timely, objective, unbiased information to producers, professionals and agribusinesses concerning the application of important developments in agricultural law and taxation, and serves as a primary source of professional educational training in agricultural law and taxation.