Political Quotes

“On another matter, Madam President, Iowa is home to 86,000 family farms and leads the Nation in the production of commodities, such as corn, where we are No. 1; soybeans, No. 2; pork, and eggs, No. 1. Iowa also ranks in the top 10 in cattle production, as many family farms raise livestock alongside their corn and soybeans. The 2017 USDA Census of Agriculture showed over 23,000 farms in Iowa that raise cattle or calves, with annual sales of $4.7 billion. Caring for livestock takes a spirit of commitment, selflessness, and, of course, hard work. These farmers get up very, very early in the morning, work on their farms all day, and are active members of their communities. These families and their values form the foundation of what makes up our rural communities across Iowa. However, over the years, the consolidation of the beef industry has threatened the very livelihood of these families and rural communities where they reside. From the 2012 USDA Agriculture Census to the 2017 Agriculture Census, Iowa lost nearly 1,500 cattle producers. This is not a new issue to the beef industry. The concern of fair and transparent cattle pricing has seen increased attention due to disruptions in our food supply chain. It has been very obvious during this period of the virus pandemic. For background, the U.S.…”