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
Industry News & Updates
Upcoming Events
Farming for the Future FridayJanuary 5 | The Big Show |
LIVE on The Big Show from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. |
ICA Cattle Producer ForumJanuary 8 | Armstrong, IA |
Free educational event for members; $25 for non-members. Learn More |
All Things Beef: Calving ManagementJanuary 9 | Afton, IA |
Looking for a refresher on calving? The Jan. 9, 2024, session of the All Things Beef workshop series in Afton could be just the ticket. Learn More |
ICA Cattle Producer ForumJanuary 11 | Nevada, IA |
Free educational event for members; $25 for non-members. Learn More |
2024 Cattle Market Update and Outlook WebinarJanuary 11 |
Record cattle prices in 2023 have softened heading into 2024 and recent placements of cattle on feed have been above a year ago, pushing the on-feed inventory up. What does 2024 have in store for cattle feeders and cow-calf producers? Learn More |
Farming for the Future FridayJanuary 12 | The Big Show |
LIVE from Cass County on The Big Show from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. |
Iowa Beef Center Feedlot ForumJanuary 16 | Sioux Center, IA |
Feedlot Forum 2024 is designed to help producers transition through a variety of big changes. Learn More |
Iowa Dairy DaysJanuary 16-30 |
Iowa dairy producers will hear about raising their “dairy best heifers” during the 2024 Dairy Days events hosted by the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Dairy Team. Learn More |
“Take Root” Farm Continuation Workshops- Shelby CountyJanuary 18 + January 25 | Harlan, IA |
Iowa Farm Bureau’s “Take Root” program helps farmers develop a comprehensive, managed approach for their family farm’s continuation and growth from the roots up – helping ensure that what you’re doing today will create an enduring legacy for future generations. Learn More |
Farming for the Future FridayJanuary 19 | The Big Show |
LIVE on The Big Show from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM. |
ICA Cattle Producer ForumJanuary 22 | Underwood, IA |
Free educational event for members; $25 for non-members. Learn More |
Iowa Pork CongressJanuary 24-25 | Des Moines, IA |
For 50 years, the Iowa Pork Producers Association has been putting together the Iowa Pork Congress, an event that combines business, education, achievement recognition, and social get-togethers for those whose daily lives depend on pork production. Learn More |
Driftless Region Beef ConferenceJanuary 25-26 | Dubuque, IA |
This conference brings together beef producers for an educational program that focuses on the needs of this production region. Learn More |
BQA WorkshopJanuary 26 | Dubuque, IA |
Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) works to protect consumer confidence in our beef supply and to return more profits to producers. All individuals who have the opportunity to influence the quality and handling of cattle are encouraged to become certified. Learn More |
Cornbelt Cow-Calf ConferenceJanuary 26-27 | Ottumwa, IA |
This concentrated one-day conference focuses on management and production practices that contribute to making the cow-calf business profitable and competitive on a long-term basis. Learn More |
IFBF Young Farmer ConferenceFebruary 2-3 | Altoona, IA |
Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) invites all young farmer members between 18 and 35 years old to register for the IFBF Young Farmer Conference. Learn More |
ICA Cattle Producer ForumFebruary 5 | Welton, IA |
Free educational event for members; $25 for non-members. Learn More |
Farm Transitions ConferenceFebruary 8-9 | Ames, IA + Online |
Whether you want to begin farming, you are looking to transition your farm to the next generation, or you are a producer somewhere in between, this conference is for you! Learn More |
Recommended News
Through the Gate // October 2024
CSIF Conference to focus on Cost-Share and Loan Programs The Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF) is hosting its nineteenth annual Farming for the Future Conference November 21 from...
Read MoreThrough the Gate // September 2024
State Fair Celebration Honors 20 Years of CSIF In the 20 years since the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF) was formed to help farmers grow responsibly and successfully,...
Read MoreThrough the Gate // August 2024
Twenty Years of Meeting Farmers’ Needs In 2004, the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers was formed to help Iowa’s livestock farmers implement best management practices, properly site locations...
Read More