GOVERNMENT AND POLICY

The Iowa Cattlemen's Association's mission is to grow Iowa's beef business through advocacy, leadership and education. Influencing legislative and regulatory topics affecting cattle producers is a top priority. Read on for more information about ICA's policies and priorities, and contact the association any time you have a policy question or concern.

Governor Kim Reynolds and Iowa Cattlemen's Association

Policy Priorities

ICA's policy priorities are determined by our members and vary depending on current and proposed legislation.

Scroll down to see the current policy priorities.

Policy Development

ICA's policies are created by members, for members through a series of meetings and surveys annually.
Click here for the policy development process.

Policy Handbook

ICA policies provide the framework for ICA leaders and staff to enforce, improve or change legislation and programming to support Iowa's cattle producers.

Click here to download the policy handbook.

ICA Fact Sheets

Fact sheets are brief, easy-to-read documents focusing on specific topics such as Iowa's Fence Law, Green/Gold Tag Preconditioning Programs, and Environmental Regulations.
Click here for a full list of ICA Fact Sheets.

ICA Political Action Committee

ICA's PAC supports candidates who value beef cattle production in Iowa and support our issues.

Click here to learn about our PAC fundraisers.

Policy Staff

Cora Fox is ICA's Director of Government Relations. She works closely with members to surface policy issues and gather input. She also works with ICA's contract lobbyist and attorney to influence policy topics on behalf of our members.

Click here to contact Cora.

Legislative priorities

The Iowa Cattlemen's Association priorities are set by members and leaders at the annual Leadership Summit. Priorities are based on current and pending legislation and regulatory concerns.

A full listing of ICA policies can be found in the ICA Policy Book.

2023 Policy Priorities

The issues outlined below represent the top policy priorities for the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association in 2023.

2023 Farm Bill

We will continue to represent the interests of our members throughout the development of the 2023 farm bill. Our efforts will focus on:

  • Protecting animal health through programs that guard against the spread of foreign
  • Improving voluntary conservation programs to meet the needs of cattle producers;
  • Supporting funding for disaster assistance programs;
  • Strengthening price risk management tools; and
  • Protecting animal health through programs that guard against the spread of foreign

Cattle Marketing

We’re committed to improving price discovery and increasing market transparency for all producers across the beef belt. To advance these priorities, we will continue to:

  • Lead minimum cash trade legislative efforts at the federal level;
  • Encourage more timely reports of average carcass weights;
  • Evaluate the newly-created Cattle Contracts Library Pilot Program; and
  • Support opportunities to grow negotiated trade in all major cattle feeding regions.

Climate & Sustainability

As the original stewards of the land, cattle producers have proven their dedication to protecting and preserving our natural resources. We affirm this longstanding commitment, and will continue to:

  • Encourage use of voluntary, evidence-based conservation practices to enhance soil health, reduce nutrient escape, and improve water quality; and
  • Promote the value of incorporating managed livestock grazing on more acres throughout the state.

Tax & Finance

We will counter detrimental tax policy proposals that limit the ability of Iowa cattlemen to stay in business or pass on their legacies to the next generation.

Regulatory Action

We will continue to combat burdensome overreach at the local, state, and federal levels with regard to regulating livestock barns, changes to the Master Matrix, and county-specific ordinances.

Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS)

We will continue to fight against overreaching federal jurisdiction under the Clean Water Act by providing comment and testimony to the EPA and Army Corps. We believe any definition of WOTUS should:

  • Ensure the regulatory definition of WOTUS aligns with the Clean Water Act and Supreme Court precedent;
  • Limit federal jurisdiction to traditionally navigable waters; and
  • Maintain agricultural exemptions for stock ponds, agricultural ditches, and prior converted cropland.

Animal Disease Traceability

We support the development of a traceability system that works for producers, mitigates risk for farm businesses, and safeguards the beef supply chain during a disease outbreak.

Other Priorities:

  • Advocating for increased competition and processing capacity in the beef meatpacking sector, particularly in Iowa;
  • Promoting fair and accurate labeling, which includes eliminating the use of the Product of the USA label on imported beef products;
  • Discouraging the purchase or acquisition of agricultural land by the government;
  • Prioritizing the preservation of agricultural land for grazing and livestock production over recreational and/or urban uses;
  • Fully funding Phase II of the Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory at Iowa State University; and
  • Upholding Iowa’s fence law.