(Sioux County Courthouse — KIWA Staff Photo)
Urbandale, Iowa (Sioux County Radio) — Republican lieutenant-governor candidate Derek Wulf says he has secured refinancing for his Black Hawk County farm after a judgment in a Sioux County civil case involving his livestock operation was paid in full.
Wulf addressed his finances Wednesday during a meeting at the Westside Conservative Club in Urbandale. A woman in the audience asked how he planned to explain his financial situation to voters. Wulf said it was a fair question and noted that many family farms are struggling with high input costs and lower commodity prices as they try to survive.
Earlier this month, during a court hearing in Orange City, Wulf’s attorney wired a payment to settle Wulf’s $186,000 debt for about 2,000 pigs. This spring, an attorney for a bank in Independence warned Wulf that foreclosure proceedings could begin on his farm, but Wulf says he has the refinancing to resolve his debts.
Sioux County Case Paid in Full
Court records show Four County Pig Placement, Inc., a Sioux County feeder-pig brokerage — filed a civil case against Wulf in February. The petition alleged Wulf — doing business as Shallow Creek Land and Livestock — ordered 2,189 feeder pigs in October 2025 and did not pay invoices totaling $182,244.70.
Because no answer or formal appearance was filed on Wulf’s behalf, the court entered a default judgment April 16th for the full amount, plus court costs and interest.
A debtor-examination hearing was held July 13th in Orange City after the judgment remained unpaid. Wulf did not appear. During the hearing, the company’s attorney told the court that Wulf’s attorney had indicated refinancing was underway and a wire payment was pending. A satisfaction and release of judgment was filed the next day, showing the debt had been paid.
In a statement, Four County Pig Placement said the judgement stemmed from two groups of feeder pigs delivered in November that Wulf failed to pay for.
Wulf Says Refinancing is Complete
Reporters say that an Independence bank had warned Wulf this spring that foreclosure proceedings could begin. Wulf told the Urbandale audience that refinancing began in December and in now finished.
Wulf said Iowa has strong agricultural lenders willing to work with producers during difficult economic periods. He also said the challenges facing his operation are part of why he joined the Republican ticket, noting that many family farms are struggling to navigate current economic conditions.
Agricultural Experience Cited in Campaign
Republican gubernatorial candidate Zach Lahn has said he chose Wulf as his running mate partly because of Wulf’s experience as a farmer and rancher and his understanding of the challenges facing agricultural producers. Wulf has served in the Iowa House since January 2023. Lahn has also highlighted Wulf’s support for legislation allowing farmers to repair and modify their own equipment instead of relying solely on dealership technicians.
