IARN — Iowa Farm Bureau President Brent Johnson met with President Joe Biden on Monday to discuss the administration’s pursuit of a competitive and transparent livestock marketing system.
Johnson tells IARN that President Biden unveiled a plan to increase competitiveness in the meat industry.
“They were talking about strengthening the Packers and Stockyards Act,” said Johnson. “That’s an act that has been in place since the 20s. We’re looking forward to some enforcement there, and they are increasing transparency in livestock marketing. When it comes down to how the packing industry affects Iowa farmers, it means clearly that we need a healthy industry there.”
Johnson was one of five panelists included in a meat industry roundtable with the president. Johnson says he shared a personal story.
“When I took over my family farm operation from a great uncle when he retired, a cattle buyer at that time told me he’s not coming back to buy our cattle because we didn’t have enough numbers to warrant his visit,” said Johnson. “We’ve had cattle on our farm for over 100 years. And so, I was able to deal with the livestock auction facility pathway of doing business for another 10 years or so before it became really difficult.”
Johnson also spoke with USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack and Attorney General Merrick Garland. Overall, he says the event was encouraging.
“We had a wide variety of people who were on that group,” said Johnson. “There was five of us from across the nation. It was maybe some unlikely alliances if you look at it on paper, but on this issue, we were really on the same side of the conversation.”
Johnson noted he also encouraged President Biden to work with Senator Grassley and Representatives Feenstra and Axne to help pass a bipartisan proposal to make cattle markets more competitive and transparent.
Story courtesy of the Iowa Agribusiness Radio Network.
Pictured: Iowa Farm Bureau President Brent Johnson (Photo by Iowa Farm Bureau)
