Through the Gate // December 2023

12-21-2023 in Through The Gate

A Look Back at 2023

Despite the ongoing challenges with markets and the weather, the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF) was busy helping livestock farmers grow successfully and responsibly in 2023. CSIF staff continued to see steady interest from farmers wanting to add livestock to help diversify their operations as well as increased interest in planting windbreaks on their farms through the Green Farmstead Partner Program.

The CSIF team responded to nearly 700 calls and made 86 free and confidential farm visits during the year to assist Iowa’s farm families. The calls came from a variety of sources, from new and beginning farmers to existing and well-established farmers, all interested in adding livestock to the farm. Since 2004, we have helped more than 5,230 livestock and poultry farm families successfully and responsibly grow their farms.

We saw continued, but cautious, growth on livestock and poultry farms throughout the year as farmers looked for new opportunities to grow or maintain their family farm or to bring family members into the business. Many farmers also wanted CSIF staff to visit their farm and confirm they were incompliance with local, state and federal rules and regulations.

Our mission of helping Iowa’s farm families grow successfully and responsibly is still as important to the state today as it was nineteen years ago. Our pre-emptive approach of helping farmers start raising livestock or grow their existing farms has proven to be successful – and in many cases – essential to reaching the farm family’s goals.

If you have questions about starting or growing your livestock farm, give the Coalition a call anytime.

–Brian Waddingham, Executive Director

Rules, Regulations, and the Future of Your Farm

As we heard during our Farming for the Future Conference, there are amendments to some rules and regulations that have the potential to go into effect as early as the spring of 2024. These rule changes pertain to karst and alluvial soils. While these changes won’t affect every livestock producer looking to build new or expand, they will affect some areas of the state more than others.

With the northeast portion of Iowa having a heavy presence of karst soil, the amended rule could make it tougher for farmers to build or expand new livestock facilities. When we look at the amendment to the mapping of the flood plain on the sitting atlas, things begin to get less confusing. This helps ease the decision-making process, but with that, farmers will no longer be able to petition the map to get approval to build in an area that is marked as a floodplain.

Both changes are in the process of being approved, so keep your eye out for that. As always, if you or someone you know is looking to expand or add new livestock feeding operation and has question on rules and regulations, give CSIF a call. We are your one-stop shop for all livestock related questions.

–Kody Havens, Field Specialist

The Fenceline Podcast

Farming for the Future with Iowa Corn Welcome to the Farming for the Future Series! This episode takes us to Marion County, where we hear from Iowa farmers about the important relationship between corn & livestock and take a look at the future of the corn industry in Iowa. Listen on your favorite podcast app.

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Industry News & Updates

In the Cattle Markets Cattle markets have continued their retreat to lower prices.  Current futures prices are similar to those observed in March or April of this year – if the contract was traded.  But, on the positive side, the decline has slowed and is showing modest signs of the down-move weakening. Continue Reading

Iowa Cattlemen’s Association Names New CEO Iowa Cattlemen’s Association (ICA), the leading grassroots organization supporting Iowa’s beef cattle industry, is pleased to announce Bryan Whaley as their new Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective December 4, 2023. Whaley brings many years of experience leading successful teams, serving customers, and a deep-rooted passion for the cattle industry that will be invaluable to the future of the association. Continue Reading

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