Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig made several stops across Northwest Iowa, connecting with students at Dordt University and meeting with community members and livestock producers in Hull.
Naig’s visit to Dordt University allowed him to speak directly with agriculture students about industry opportunities and state agricultural policy. Following his campus stop, Naig traveled to Hull to host roundtables with area farmers to discuss key economic priorities and challenges facing local operations.
Naig emphasized the challenge of low national livestock numbers. He cited historical low points in domestic cattle production, emphasizing that the country is experiencing the “smallest beef herd in the United States since the nineteen fifties and a real need and desire to grow that beef herd”.
“The smallest beef herd in the United States since the 1950’s and a real need and desire to grow that beef herd. And we think Iowa should play a role in that and can play a role in that. And so we’re looking at a lot of different programs to help with that.”
Naig also highlighted the expansion of the Choose Iowa Local Food for Schools program, giving grants to six Siouxland districts.
