Iowa has landed three young ag entrepreneurs on this year's Forbes' 30 Under 30 list. Delaware County farmer Brad McDonald's online platform for group ag purchases has landed its developer on the magazine's Retail and Commerce list, reports KCRG-TV9. Mr. McDonald's Chicago-based company, Agroy, "an Amazon for farmers" has ambitions far beyond the Midwest. "Instead of just having farmers negotiate with other farmers in their area, now we're trying to broaden that out to negotiate on behalf of all farmers in the state and across the U.S.," he said.

University of Iowa and Iowa Startup Accelerator graduates Matthew Rooda and Abraham Espinoza, the co-founders of SwineTech, also made the list, the Gazette reports. The startup is working to create technologies that will help save piglets from being crushed by their mothers; it already expects sales of about $1.3 million in 2018. "It's not just about making it on the (Forbes) list, it's where we continue to grow from there," Mr. Rooda told the paper.

System glitch leaves 15K holiday flights pilotless

 

A system scheduling error has left thousands of American Airlines holiday season flights without pilots, Reuters reports. The Allied Pilots Association estimated that more than 15,000 flights from Dec. 17-31 were affected by a glitch in the system pilots use to bid for time off based on seniority. It went "from responsibly scheduling everybody to becoming Santa Claus to everyone," APA spokesman Dennis Tajer told CNBC. American told USA Today the problem has been fixed. Reserve pilots will help cover flights in late December and pilots who step in will earn 150 percent of the regular hourly rate on some trips. "We will work with the APA to take care of our pilots and ensure we get our customers to where they need to go over the holidays," said Mr. Tajer. 

 

It may take a bit more green to put a real Christmas tree in your house this year - especially if the tree comes from outside the state, reports Radio Iowa. Rod Heintz, who manages Strautman Tree Farm near Cambridge, said his prices are the same as last year, but many retailers have bumped prices $3-5 per tree. Mr. Heintz blames wildfires and droughts for a shortage that has pushed up prices, but the Great Recession also played a role, reports People. 

 

If you're grinchy enough not to string lights for a couple of weeks, here's a Scrooge-worthy tip from National Christmas Tree Association spokesman Doug Hundley: Wait to buy your tree until after mid-December. That's when growers will cut prices to clear their lots. 

 

 

Most Influential survey now open

 

Before we close this morning's edition, consider this your invitation to participate in the CBJ's annual Most Influential poll. Take the survey here, and read about last year's winner here. Polls close Dec. 1 at 5 p.m., so don't delay.