Senator Ernst visits Waukon Feed Ranch during trip to NE Iowa ...

Thursday morning, August 10, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst made Waukon Feed Ranch one of her stops during a day that also included additional visits to Butler and Winnebago Counties. Ernst began her day in Allamakee County with a tour at Waukon Feed Ranch. She is pictured above during her discussion with representatives of the Waukon Feed Ranch ownership and management network.

Among the variety of topics discussed with Senator Ernst was the Farm Bill, which she expects to be completed in early 2024, noting there are budgeting constraints and discussions on how to allocate the money. Senator Ernst said the Farm Bill is expected to be around $1.5 trillion, with 14% of that funding being allocated to farm programs and 86% designated for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and other food assistance programs, with details being worked on as to who should be receiving SNAP benefits.

The shortage of drivers with a Commercial Drivers License (CDL) was also a topic of discussion, an issue impacting the state of Iowa and the nation as a whole. Concerns with CDL requirements that drivers need to be 21 years of age to cross state lines were expressed, suggesting that it limits the applicant pool as those coming out of high school are more likely to find careers in other fields rather than pursuit of a CDL. Ernst suggested dropping the age to 18 for drivers to cross state lines, with tight screening to ensure mature drivers are on the road.

Among the most impactive topics discussed was Proposition 12, legislation passed in the state of California that mandates how certain food production animals can be raised and would have a significant impact on the pork industry in the state of Iowa, ultimately raising food prices for consumers.

Senator Ernst noted that she is part of a collection of U.S. legislators who introduced the Ending Agricultural Trade Suppression (EATS) Act that would be part of the Farm Bill and would help to preserve the right of states and local units of government to regulate agriculture within their own jurisdiction, free from interference from other jurisdictions, including California’s Proposition 12. That discussion also touched on how food security can impact national security.

The group talked about the need for visa programs for workers to help fill employment vacancies in the state of Iowa amidst a population that is not keeping pace with jobs needing to be filled. The consensus is that opposition between the nation’s two political parties on immigration is strong and little progress has been made. General discussion also took place in regard to everyone doing their part to create strong communities, raising quality young people with strong work ethic and values, and how that would make a considerable impact in the future on many of the issues that seem to be the most challenging in today’s society.

Following her visit to Waukon Feed Ranch, Ernst visited Shell Rock Soy Processing, a new soy crushing facility in Butler County. Ernst’s final stop of the day was in Winnebago County to tour NextEra’s Crystal Lake Wind Farms in Britt. Submitted information and photo courtesy of Waukon Feed Ranch.