Rollins Visits Iowa State Fair

DES MOINES, Iowa (DTN) -- U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins visited the Iowa State Fair on Saturday and became the first cabinet member to exhibit in the Governor's Charity Steer Show.

Prior to the show, Rollins took the chance to announce a $152 million investment in rural development projects across the state of Iowa to help boost Iowa's economy, develop rural infrastructure, and encourage private investment in America's heartland.

"Rural communities across America are the backbone of our nation and President Trump is committed to investing in these communities so they continue to be productive and fulfilling places to live for generations to come," said Rollins. "At USDA, we are proud to fund these historic levels of rural investment and remain committed to working with other federal, state, and local governments as well as the private sector, to advance President Trump's vision for rural America. Rural prosperity is truly a national security issue. If our farmers and ranchers do not have the tools and resources to continue to farm, then we cannot feed ourselves. President Trump understands how important it is to have a safe, secure, and resilient farm economy."

Rollins also introduced Glen R. Smith, of Atlantic, Iowa, as the nominee to be the next Under Secretary for Rural Development at USDA. Smith has been engaged in farming and agri-business most of his life, recently serving on the Board of Directors of the Farm Credit Administration in Washington, D.C.

Rollins said he is a proven leader, and he along with other recent appointments will help fill the USDA team to drive policy to increase rural prosperity.

SHOWING A STEER

In addition to these announcements, Rollins participated in the 43rd annual Governor's Charity Steer Show hosted by Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds. The event helps raise money for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa. During the show, Rollins showed a steer raised by Chandler Ludwig, of Elma, Iowa. Rollins, along with 24 other celebrity showmen, competed for the top prize. Champion steer of the show was shown by Jeff Angelo, host of the WHO Radio Morning Show and was raised by Brenna Thie, of Mediapolis, Iowa. The steers all sold at the conclusion of the show, helping add $569,000 to the already $6 million raised over the 43-year span of the show.

Rollins thanked Reynolds for hosting the event and noted she took pointers from her daughters in Texas just days before the event, who are cattle showmen themselves.

OTHER CATTLE NEWS

Rollins is expected to make a major announcement this Friday about how to keep New World screwworm out of the U.S. following several border openings and closings due to the pest.

"The last case of screwworm was an isolated case, but nevertheless a case, and was found about 370 miles south of the Texas border. That's about 1,000 miles too close. Maybe even 1,500 miles too close. So, we shut all the ports down again. My number one priority is to protect our American ranchers and our cattle herd," Rollins said.

She noted that USDA is working more closely with the Mexican government than has happened in the last few decades. Mexican officials have now allowed the USDA team a definite entrance to get down into Mexico to help verify the data given about NWS cases and how they are trying to control it.

"This coming Friday, I will be back in Texas to make probably the biggest announcement to date on the New World screwworm, which will help to forever push it back and not have to worry about this again," Rollins added.

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

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