Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig offers a dual
perspective on agriculture, balancing insights from his family’s century farm with the complex realities of leading the state’s agricultural sector. He faces mounting challenges, including lower commodity prices, high input costs, inflation, and persistent borrowing expenses. Compounding these issues are external forces such as recovery from record flooding in northwest Iowa, ongoing outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) affecting poultry production, and rising egg prices. Additionally, workforce reductions in the agricultural sector reflect the broader softening of the farm economy. Despite brief improvements in pork and beef markets, Naig anticipates a difficult year
ahead, underscoring uncertainties related to tariffs, weather conditions, and broader economic pressures.
