The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association plans to ask the 2026 Iowa legislature to cap and limit interest rates in Iowa’s Beginning Farmer Program. Bryan Whaley, the association’s CEO, says eligibility rules should be expanded, too, to help young farmers acquire land and equipment.
The group proposes eliminating the state’s Forest or Fruit Tree Reservation Property Tax Exemption as a way to open up more pastureland for cattle.
The group held a news conference at a beef operation in Mitchellville to unveil its “Building Iowa’s Cattle Future” plan. It includes a call for lawmakers to support more regional beef processing to help the industry which saw plants in Nebraska and Illinois close recently. Craig Moss of Hull President of association’s executive committee.
The group also favors a ban the use of eminent domain to seize land for private development.
