Producers Advocate Grassroots Policy Needs

REDFIELD, Iowa (DTN) -- Ensuring Iowa legislators are aware of the key concerns of the state's cattle producers is the focus of the Iowa Cattlemen's Association (ICA) Cattlemen at the Capitol event, which was held Feb. 26 in Des Moines, Iowa.

"We always want to stay connected to our legislators and elected officials. That's the big benefit of being an Iowa Cattlemen's member," said Craig Moss, president-elect of ICA and producer from Hull, Iowa. "Our lobbyist is a great asset to our organization and has great rapport in this building and keeps us abreast of what is going on."

Key concerns for ICA members in 2025 include keeping good herd health through foreign animal disease preparedness, overall proper health and animal disease traceability. They are also focused on opposition to detrimental tax policy proposals that limit the ability of Iowa cattlemen to stay in business and pass on the operation to the next generation. Additionally, protecting property rights and opposing of the use of eminent domain by government and private companies.

CATTLEMEN DISCUSS NATIONAL POLICY

While they want to keep the state grassroots policy priorities top of mind, many are thinking about the national policy stage too. Moss said a major concern amongst farmers is unnecessary regulations affecting their operations. The U.S. cowherd is the smallest it has been since the 1950s, and adding additional regulations could jeopardize cattle operations, especially the smaller ones. Moss's family operation started in 1907, and he thinks about how to best leave it for his two boys who are the sixth generation to raise cattle there. "We would love to have our boys continue raising cattle, but that will take competitive markets, and we can't have burdensome regulations," he added.

Dave Petty is from Eldora, Iowa, and runs a diversified crop and livestock operation. He emphasized environmental sustainability and the importance of economic, social and environmental balance for long-term profitability and for the legacy of his farm.

"We have a lot of water access where we live on the border of the Iowa River. We have waterways that lead into creeks, tiles and terraces, so we have the opportunity to do the right thing for the environment," he said. "In agriculture, in general we don't like regulation. With environmental and climate regulations we have had a long battle. It seems with every new administration they wanted to back up and start over and redo everything."

Petty said when there is a workable solution to issues like waters of the U.S., it doesn't need changed every time a new set of leaders come into office. When a solution is found that producers can live with, change in regulations can be burdensome. "If we do the right thing environmentally, it pays off. By being sustainable, we have to have economic opportunity. It has to be favorable for the environment, and it also has to be favorable for your neighborhood, your community and your workers," Petty said. "If we can do all of that, it will be best for the long term of our farms."

For Northeast Iowa cattleman Scott McGregor, he appreciates when the government streamlines issues and knocks out waste in the government. "If there is waste in some of these regulations, maybe we can get them clarified and make them more workable for producers because we don't need burdensome regulations," he said.

McGregor also works alongside his brothers, son and nephew to ensure the farm is running efficiently and environmentally friendly. Having proper access to water and caring for the land by using practices like cover crops has helped their operation stay in business.

SHORT-TERM PAIN LEADS TO LONG-TERM GAIN

McGregor said while tariffs are looming, there is also constant concern for access to the needed trade markets for beef in Canada, Mexico and China.

Petty expects some good to come out of the tariffs. "There will be some short-term pain for some long-term gain. It brings us up to even with where it's been for the other countries in the past. It's not like we're going way up and above and over their heads," he said. "The days of other countries taking advantage of the U.S. are probably past."

He said at the recent National Cattlemen's Beef Association convention in San Antonio, Texas, representatives from the U.S., Canada and Mexico were all in the same room discussing trade. "It looked like there wasn't much progress, but in less than a half hour after that meeting was over, the 30-day extension on tariffs took place. I do think it will all get worked out. It was more about border control. Once they agreed to border control, the extension was made."

He realizes it is a big issue but thinks the tariffs will strengthen the U.S. position with trade.

Strong cattle markets continue to keep cattlemen positive into the future, despite the small numbers. "The industry is in a good spot right now. We have to make sure we still keep our foot on the gas and don't let things slip by because everyone is in a good mood," Moss said. "It's been a long time coming for these profits, but we have to be sure we are aware of what is happening with legislation and regulation to keep our operations in business."

Jennifer Carrico can be reached at jennifer.carrico@dtn.com

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