How the pandemic impacted Eastern Iowa farmers

Staff report

Q: Has it been indicated that the pandemic had an impact on crop production in Iowa? (Whether preventing farming operations from working or financially.)

A: The pandemic had an effect on our farm, which was mostly financial. Farmers in general tend to work in a fairly isolated way and that helped lessen the impact from a health standpoint. The exception to that would be livestock producers. Those livestock producers often rely on employees, and those employees were sometimes not able to work whether it be because of a quarantine after exposure or from actual sickness from COVID-19.

     One thing that was consistent through the first two-thirds or so of 2020 was the economic downturn that the pandemic caused for the entire production agriculture sector. The financial hit that we all faced has been softened through a combination of market recovery, and assistance programs both at the state and federal levels.

     In the end, farmers do what we do best and we raised a crop and livestock just as we would during any other year.

Q: Were farmers in Eastern Iowa able to benefit from federal assistance due to the pandemic? What were some of the main issues farmers faced in needing to apply for that federal stimulus money?

A: Farms with employees, mainly in the livestock sector, were able to benefit from federal assistance just like other employers. Most of our support came via several assistance programs aimed at lessening the impact due to support chain disruptions.

     Meat processors closing down because of workforce issues, grain supply chain issues with employees had an impact on farm businesses as well.

     The farmers of Eastern Iowa were able to participate and benefit from those assistance programs, as were farmers across the U.S.

Q: Do you think the agriculture industry came out better from the pandemic compared to other sectors such as small businesses, retail, restaurants/bars, etc.?

A: The ag industry had its challenges just like any other business in Iowa. As a whole, I believe we weathered the pandemic about as well as can be expected. The supply chain disruptions in the early part of the pandemic are still having a lasting effect on the livestock sector. Like others, we had to work around issues with suppliers and social distancing, sometimes having only phone contact, and our parts or supplies were placed outside for pick up. Some of those issues are still lingering around, but mostly gone now.

Q: How does the soybean industry look going into a new year, new harvest season compared to 2020?

A: The soybean industry is certainly in a better position this January than we were last year. China is purchasing record amounts of soybeans (more than 2 million metric tons in the first week of January alone) as their swineherd rebounds after the deadly African swine fever. Soybean prices have also rebounded to a profitable rate for the first time in several years. We are also in a better position due to the renewable fuel sector. A year ago, we battled attacks on this industry from unjustified EPA waivers granting oil companies a pass from blending with soy-based biodiesel or corn ethanol.

     The Iowa Soybean Association and the Iowa Biodiesel Board have worked tirelessly to combat these waivers and I’m proud to be a voice on both boards.

Q: Gov. Reynolds highlighted some areas in her State of the State address that rural Iowa would certainly benefit from, specifically rural broadband. Why is this something the Soybean Association has gotten behind to support?

A: The Iowa Soybean Association supports the increased access to broadband in rural areas because low-speed and even non-existent broadband doesn’t let Iowa farmers keep pace with our peers in other soy-producing countries. Poor connectivity across large areas of our state is certainly a competitive disadvantage for farmers and entire rural communities. This lack of access has been especially highlighted during the pandemic and we continue to hear from farmers with school-age children that slow internet speeds in rural areas is a huge concern for those children trying to keep up with lessons via online video services.

Q: Are there other areas the Soybean Association would like the state legislature to focus on in the immediate future?

A: Yes, the Iowa Soybean Association continues to champion sustainable, long-term funding for water quality and conservation initiatives. Those areas continue to be top-line issues with our members and is certainly one that we encourage the state legislature to keep working to find equitable solutions. I urge farmers to get in contact with ISA to learn more about the work being done with and without checkoff dollars.

     Dave Walton is the District 6 Iowa Soybean Association representative, which includes Jones County. He also serves as treasurer of the ISA board of directors. A grows soybeans, corn, commercial hay, and manages beef cattle in Wilton, Iowa.