(KIWA Staff Photo)Iowa (RI) — The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association plans to ask lawmakers in the 2026 Iowa legislature to cap and limit interest rates in Iowa’s Beginning Farmer Program.
CEO Bryan Whaley says eligibility rules should be expanded to help young farmers acquire land and equipment.
The group also proposes eliminating the Forest or Fruit Tree Reservation Property Tax Exemption to open up more pastureland for cattle.
The group unveiled its “Building Iowa’s Cattle Future” plan during a news conference at a beef operation in Mitchellville. The plan includes a call for lawmakers to support more regional beef processing, noting recent plant closures in Nebraska and Illinois.
Craig Moss of Hull, president of the association’s executive committee, says rebuilding a processing capacity and cattle numbers takes time.
The group also favors banning the use of eminent domain to seize land for private development.
