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Ag secretary Northey has vision for agriculture Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Q: How do we continue to promote renewable energy and also make sure that rural Iowans get to share in this boom?
A: We can get to feeling like we've arrived, but that's wrong. We need to make sure our plants are competitive, and that we have the infrastructure to deliver ethanol to the coasts and other consumers. We need to be sure we're looking to the future to the next products. We need to support universities and bring organizations, companies and legislators together over these issues. We need to look at investment pools or funds that allow folks to be able to invest in plants before they're built.
Q: Who should control the siting and regulation of livestock facilities? Why?
A: We need statewide, uniform science-based regulations. Regulations should be based on science, they should be based on our desire to protect our neighbors, and our desire to protect our water. We should take local concerns into account, but it should be part of statewide regulations.
Q: What can we do to insure that the state's waters are preserved and enhanced?
A: Technology is changing our ability to measure water quality and find out more about our watersheds. We need to identify the highest priorities and figure out if we can do a better job. Folks care deeply about water quality, and we want to make sure we're doing the best we can to get it clean and keep it clean.
Q: What can we do to assist beginning farmers?
A: We need to support the work of the Iowa Agricultural Development Authority, and we need to look at capital gains laws and 1031 exchanges to see what impact they have on preventing young people from entering farming. Some folks are very opposed to livestock production, but there are young people using contract production to get started farming. It's hard to start farming on dad's grain farm by adding 1,000 acres next year so a son can come back. Maybe you could add a hog building and 250 acres, or maybe someone is looking at a winery or another niche market. We need lots of options. We don't want to take livestock off the table as a way for folks to enter farming. The anti-livestock discussion is affecting young people's decisions to farm. We need a vibrant livestock industry.
Q: There are an increasing number of niches that farmers are tapping into to remain profitable. How would you promote this diversity in Iowa agriculture?
A: Ethanol and biodiesel opened up people's minds to doing more things out here. Farmers and local business folks worked together to do more with the corn and soybeans we grow. In Innovative Growers, a group I helped start, we looked at contracting opportunities and specialty markets. There are opportunities with Berkshire hogs, organics and wineries. In Iowa we're good at raising corn, soybeans, hogs, cattle, dairy and chickens, but it doesn't mean we can't have other things, too. We don't want to be discouraging to what could be a very important industry in the future.
Q: What distinguishes you from your challenger?
A: We come from different places in agriculture. I'm a conventional corn and soybean guy, and my farm looks like a lot of other farms across the state. I've been involved in biotech from the early days as well as ethanol work. I have lots of experience working on ag policy, trade policy issues and promoting farm products overseas. We have different visions of what's most important in Iowa. I think we have a great opportunity with ethanol and biodiesel to be able to grow this industry and bring on the next series of products. Livestock production is extremely important. I believe strongly in niches but also believe strongly that corn, soybeans, hogs, cattle, dairy and chickens are very significant.
-- JeanCaspers-Simmet |
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