In Tractorcade visit, Naig talks federal politics

WASHINGTON — In his stop at the Washington County Fairgrounds June 9 for the 26th Annual Antique Tractorcade, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig discussed farm profitability with local reporters, saying it was on the front burner for his office.

“On-farm income is definitely top of mind,” he said. “One is on the price side, declining prices for commodities, corn and soybeans in particular. But also, we’ve got these persistently high input prices; costs of capital, cost of insurance, cost of equipment. We’ve got to get back to thinking about profitability.”

Asked about how that could be achieved, Naig cited largely federal policies, saying a new five-year Farm Bill would give certainty to producers, while year-round access to E15 fuel could “send a signal” of demand to drive stronger returns. The secretary also said a lasting resolution on international trade agreements would be helpful.

While he holds a state-level office, Naig said his job focused largely on lobbying for those issues at higher levels of government.

“We’ll keep promoting and fighting for those federal policies, really,” he said. “Trade missions, hosting trade missions promoting biofuels, using more biofuels. We’ll work on every market that we can.”

Comments: Kalen.McCain@southeastiowaunion.com