Northey Talks Water Quality At Eggs & Issues

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey addresses Eggs & Issues on February 25, 2017.

Oskaloosa, Iowa – ‘Eggs & Issues’ is a Mahaska County staple during the winter. It serves as a chance for citizens to ask question to those in power, and to receive commentary in return.

This Saturday was no different than those in the past, but instead of the normal bank of legislators, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey was in the spotlight talking about a wide range of topics.

In an interview with Oskaloosa News after the forum, Northey commented that there were lots of great questions that ran the gamut from bees to crops and water quality. “A really thoughtful group of folks asking lots of questions.”

“It is a time when there is some uncertainty, not only on the federal level and agricultural issues, but also state issues. You can just feel that,” said Northey.

Northey explained that his department has approximately 330 people, with approximately half being in soil conservation and water quality.

Cover crops is one of those methods that the Iowa Department of Agriculture is encouraging. Northey said that the department has cost-share programs to encourage the use of cover crops.

Cover crops are planted in the fall after the corn or soybean crop is harvested. Cover crops sprout both in the fall and in the spring and help to hold the soil in place. They also take up extra nutrients such as nitrogen and phosphorus in the soil, while building organic matter.

Northey said that the effort by his office and the Department of Natural Resources has been going on for over 4 years now, and working to engage farmers on how to keep the nutrients in the farmground versus entering the water system.

Northey said that 9.6 million dollars for the cost share program is now available. Cover crops can be rye or some other grass which develop root systems that help to hold soil in place.

Nutrient reduction wetlands can help achieve up to a 50% reduction in nitrates entering rivers and streams.

Iowa farmers have been anxious, as well, while the Trump administration plans its road forward with foreign countries. One of those that has Iowa farmers concerned is the relationship between the United States and Mexico.

Mexico is a large importer of Iowa grains, and a sour relationship between the two countries may drive Mexico to shop elsewhere.

Northey said that Iowa is trying to weigh into that conversation, but the federal agriculture department currently lacks the Agricultural Secretary, and awaits the potential appointment of former Georgia governor ‘Sonny’ Perdue to that cabinet position.

The commerce department at the federal level is just now starting to weigh in around the NAFTA [North American Free Trade Agreement], and Northey said that ag in general is weighing in by asking what is being done to increase trade. “We’re concerned about what changes may happen with Mexico and Canada. These are big markets for us,” explained Northey.

Approximately 20 percent of the corn produced is exported to Mexico, who is one of the largest consumers of pork as well. “These are important markets to us,” said Northey.

You can watch the entire Eggs & Issues from February 25, 2017 below.