This year’s conference, “Financing Your Livestock Farm,” features a dynamic line-up of speakers to help livestock farmers better understand the opportunities available to them in livestock production, provide strategies on ways to manage risk, provide insight on the financing and leasing programs available and how the lending process works. There will also be an expert panel to discuss farm succession planning and to answer your questions about how to devise a strategy to turn your farm over to the next generation.

“The Coalition received a number of inquiries from livestock farmers over the past year – many from young people wanting to get into farming but weren’t sure where to start or how to secure financing to make their dream of farming a reality,” said Brian Waddingham, executive director of CSIF. “We also heard from many well-established livestock farmers looking for assistance to diversify their farms due to low commodity prices and relatively high land costs. This year’s Farming for the Future Conference will provide insight to help all of Iowa’s livestock farmers better understand cost-share and low-interest loan programs available and ways to help them succeed in the long-run.”

Christopher Pudenz, PhD, an economist with the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, will kick off the event by providing an Iowa agriculture economic outlook and what that could potentially mean for Iowa’s livestock farmers in the coming year, especially given that net farm income is down 23% since 2022.

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As the seasons change and harvest comes into full swing, I’ve found myself reflecting on a summer filled with growth, new experiences, and an expanded network of support. My internship with the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers has brought many positive changes into my life. From becoming a better driver during rush-hour commutes to gaining newfound confidence in my abilities and voice, this summer has been a time of significant personal development.

At the start of the summer, I had a basic understanding of graphic design, social media management, writing, and video editing. However, I was consistently pushed outside my comfort zone with various challenging projects. One notable project was assisting in the creation of the Iowa Ag Intel Data (which I highly encourage you to check out!). The best way to describe this project was that it was a beast! I input nearly 20 stats for each of Iowa’s 99 counties, formatted them into graphics, and went through three rounds of revisions. Then, I uploaded everything to the website and sent it out across the state via social media and newsletters. This project took nearly three weeks to complete, and at times, I felt like I was working in circles. However, reflecting on it, this was where I learned the most. I realized how even small details, like typing in numbers, can make a significant impact on a project. Projects like this are truly a team effort—not only did I rely on my own abilities to get it done, but I also learned to trust others to play their part.

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Dairy Sweet Becomes Iowa’s Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin Contest Winner

Dairy Sweet, located in Dunlap, Iowa and owned by Lori and Greg Thomsen, claimed the title of Iowa’s Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin in 2024. This marks a triumphant return to a legacy that began in 2005 when the restaurant first won under the ownership of Lori’s parents. Lori and Greg purchased Dairy Sweet from her parents in 2013 and made a strategic move to Main Street, allowing her to not only enhance the restaurant’s visibility but also its reputation for serving some of the finest pork tenderloins in the state.

The Iowa Pork Producers Association conducts the Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin Contest each year. This spring, the IPPA garnered nearly 6,000 nominations from 532 restaurants across the state. Members and industry affiliates anonymously visited the top 40 locations this summer, scoring each on pork flavor, quality, presentation, and overall dining experience. The Restaurant & Foodservice Committee utilized these evaluations to narrow the field to five worthy contenders. A team of judges then visited each establishment to determine the top two winners. Dairy Sweet is the first restaurant to win the title more than once in the entire 22-year history of the contest.

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Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship Provides Update on the Circumstances Involving Pure Prairie Poultry, Inc.

On September 30, Pure Prairie Poultry, Inc. notified the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship that, due to their financial position, they were unable to purchase feed for approximately 1.3 million broiler chickens located at 13 Iowa farms.

Upon notification, the Department coordinated with state and federal agencies, as well as industry partners, to seek a possible solution. With no immediately available solution and citing significant potential animal welfare concerns, the Department, under its authority in Iowa Code Chapter 717, sought an emergency court order to take over the care, custody and control of the birds located within Iowa.

On October 2, the Department’s emergency petition was granted, which authorized the Department to immediately provide for the feed and care of the birds. Pursuant to Iowa Code, a hearing was then scheduled for October 8 in order for the Court to approve a plan for the final disposition of the birds.

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