US-Mexico-Canada Agreement
USMCA preserves the duty-free trade producers have benefited from in the beef industry, and supports other agricultural commodities, as well. If the agreement is not approved, United States farmers risk losing $9.4 billion in total agricultural exports annually. Of that total, $1.8 billion comes from the cattle industry and $3.2 billion is from corn and corn co-products.
Learn More
Green and Gold Tag Preconditioned Programs
The Preconditioning Program is designed to promote good health and ensure a premium for preconditioned cattle. The unique serial numbers on the green and gold tags allow producers to verify through the IVMA that the required procedures were performed on the calves. The IVMA office keeps track of reported incidents of concern and holds veterinarians accountable for the certification protocol and process.
Learn More
Iowa's Fence Law
Issues often arise between land owners regarding partition fence and the responsibilities to erect, maintain and repair fence. This fact sheet helps understand your responsibilities.
Learn More
Policy Priorities
Fake Meat
November 2018
The Iowa Cattlemen's Association has been working diligently to ensure that lab-grown "fake meat" is on a level playing field with traditionally raised beef. Recently, USDA and FDA reached an agreement regarding going regulation of such products. While the agreement is a step in the right direction, ICA will continue to engage on this issue.
Electronic Logging Devices for Livestock Haulers
March 2018
Livestock haulers are exempt from the ELD mandate through September 2018.
Iowa's Master Matrix
October 2017
The Master Matrix, adopted in 2002, is a scoring system used by counties and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to evaluate construction permit applications for confinement feeding operations of more than 1,000 animal units (1,000 cattle). Recently, there has been a movement to modify the master matrix.
Foreign Animal Disease
November 2015
Foreign animal diseases such as Foot and Mouth Disease have the potential to wreak havoc on Iowa's cattle producers. This fact sheet gives you practical guidelines to prepare for such an emergency on your farm.
Environmental Regulations
Preparing for an EPA Inspection
March 2022
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) inspect and investigate complaints about livestock farms and respond to emergency spill situations. Because these situations usually occur with little or no notice to the farmer, it is important to be prepared for inspection at any time.
Iowa's Master Matrix
October 2017
The Master Matrix, adopted in 2002, is a scoring system used by counties and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to evaluate construction permit applications for confinement feeding operations of more than 1,000 animal units (1,000 cattle). Recently, there has been a movement to modify the master matrix.
Wet Weather Discharges
June 2018
Knowing how to properly handle a manure discharge, or the potential for a discharge, from a cattle open feedlot with an NPDES (National Pollution Discharge Elimination System) permit due to a large rainfall (25 year/24 hour storm) or prolonged wet period (chronic precipitation event) can keep your operation in compliance with the IDNR and protect environmental quality.
DNR Animal Feeding Operations Rule
December 2016
This lengthy and detailed rule change implements legislative changes made in 2012, 2013, and 2015, makes technical changes to update the rules, as well as clarifying some areas of the rules where there have been interpretation questions. (The rule also includes changes to DNR Chapter 200A. See the ICA Chapter 200A Fact Sheet for details.)
Dry Bulk Manure Sales (Chapter 200A)
December 2016
Created by Iowa code, Chapter 200A is one of three methods of selling manure that will qualify as a producer’s manure management plan (MMP) for confinement operations. After the adoption of a new DNR rule in December of 2016, Chapter 200A can qualify as a producer’s nutrient management plan (NMP) for open feedlot solid manure.
Reporting a Manure Discharge
June 2013
Manure spills are often costly for livestock producers and can be detrimental to the environment. According to Iowa law, any manure release should be reported to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (IDNR).
Transportation
Electronic Logging Devices for Livestock Haulers
March 2018
Livestock haulers are exempt from the ELD mandate through September 2018. House and Senate bills have both been introduced to make this exemption permanent.
Parameters for Implements of Animal Husbandry
April 2013
There are some basic rules about defining and using farm equipment. This fact sheet lays out some of the basics.
Animal Disease Traceability Ruling for Livestock Moving Interstate
April 2013
Rules that establish official nationwide identification and documentation took effect March 11, 2013. This fact sheet outlines what you must do for interstate shipment of cattle.
MAP21 - Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century
April 2013
Certain commercial motor vehicles operating as "covered farm vehicles" are exempt from certain Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations. This fact sheet explains what the state laws require.
Funding for Iowa's Rural Roads and Bridges
October 2014
There are many misconceptions on the funding of Iowa's infrastructure. This fact sheet was designed to ensure you have the tools and resources to make educated decisions on the future of funding for Iowa's roadway system.
Government Programs
Prevented Planting for Corn Acres
May 2019
Wet fields across the state have led to a historically long delay in planting. When considering unplanted acres, Iowa Cattle producers should be aware of insurance options that allow them to plant a second crop and potentially provide additional forage options.
Livestock Indemnity and Livestock Forage Diseaster Programs
May 2015
With the passage of the 2014 Farm Bill, federal financial support to livestock producers that suffered losses due to adverse weather conditions was restored. This fact sheet details the Livestock Indemnity Program and the Livestock Disaster Programs.
CRP Grasslands
September 2015
The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association is very supportive of the proposed changes to the CRP program, specifically those affiliated with the CRP-Grasslands program. This program in effect, mimics a working lands program that keeps acres in production while generating economic activity in rural Iowa communities.
Cattle Health and Well-Being
Foreign Animal Disease
November 2015
Foreign animal diseases such as Foot and Mouth Disease have the potential to wreak havoc on Iowa's cattle producers. This fact sheet gives you practical guidelines to prepare for such an emergency on your farm.
Trichomoniasis
February 2014
In 2012, the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association conducted a Trichomoniasis survey, and found six bulls that tested positive for Trichomoniasis foetus. This prompted the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association to work with stakeholders to develop testing protocols for the disease.
FDA Antibiotic Guidance
January 2014
The new guidance, applied only to products approved for use in feed and water, provides two recommended principles to limit medically important antimicrobial drug use in animals.
Green and Gold Tag Preconditioned Programs
June 2019
The Preconditioning Program is designed to promote good health and ensure a premium for preconditioned cattle.
Learn More
business issues
Iowa Cattle Feeding: Beyond the Margins
June 2016
The Iowa Cattlemen's Association and Iowa Beef Center worked collaboratively to create this factsheet, which is an excellent resource for lenders to learn more about the cattle industry in Iowa.
Employer Liability
July 2016
Employers face substantial liability when it comes to employees handling toxic substances, operating equipment, or even handling livestock. This liability extends to issues related to worker’s compensation, liability for a safe workplace and a potential for wrongful death suits. The best defense to these actions lies in thoughtful and consistent safety practices in the workplace and a consistent program of education and enforcement of policies.
Feeder Cattle Index
June 2016
The Feeder Cattle Index is used to determine prices for feeder cattle, but relies heavily on prices reported from southern states. This fact sheet explains the feeder cattle index and ways to make it more representative of Iowa cattle prices.
Feeder Cattle Contracts
September 2015
When buying and selling feeder calves producers may unknowingly expose themselves to legal liability or other issues. Negotiated agreements should be in writing to lock in the terms of the transaction and protecting both the buyer and the seller.
Learn More
Property Tax Adjustment
August 2013
In June of 2013 the Administrative Rules committee passed a new ruling that requires county assessors to adjust non-cropland in distributing agricultural productivity valuation to each parcel.
Trespassing
June 2013
Iowa landowners should be aware of the state laws that encompass trespass. As a livestock owner, you should know the legal procedures that should be followed when a valid trespass occurs on your land - whether human, livestock or another animal.
Iowa Fence Law
June 2017
Issues often arise between land owners regarding partition fence and the responsibilities to erect, maintain and repair fence. This fact sheet helps understand your responsibilities.