Trade, Farm Bill and More: Soybean Farmers Welcome Collaboration with Trump Administration

January 23, 2025 | Brock Johnston

Ankeny, Iowa – Brent Swart, president of the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) and soybean farmer from Spencer, issued the following statement amid the first week of the new Trump administration:

“The Trump administration took the reins of federal farm and food policy this week. There is considerable work to do, from advancing renewable fuels production domestically to strengthening trade relations with our customers abroad. Iowa’s soybean farmers look forward to implementing a pro-agriculture agenda that increases demand for protein and properly positions us to participate in the growing renewable fuels sector. We will continue to work diligently to ensure farmers and other stakeholders – those most impacted – are directly involved in policy and rule-making decisions.

“Farmers have faced a tremendous amount of uncertainty in recent years, making collaboration with the new administration and Congress an even greater priority. While we had hoped for a new five-year farm bill this year, we are thankful for a one-year extension and look forward to completing an updated and comprehensive farm bill in 2025 that addresses the needs of soybean farmers. We remain optimistic about further guidance on biofuel tax credits and the potential for market access growth around the world – both of which help us meet the growing demand for soy and provide new profit opportunities for farmers.

“We look forward to working with the new administration, lawmakers and agencies to better position soybean farmers for success. We also extend thanks to ISA Advocate Members for their continued support and engagement with their legislators on these issues.”

Farmer-delegates from each of Iowa’s nine crop districts meet annually to change or approve ISA’s policy resolutions. The document serves as an advocacy roadmap for soybean farmers and staff. Guiding principles are affirmed pertaining to conservation, trade, biofuels, biotechnology and other soy-centric issues.

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Not funded by the soybean checkoff

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The Iowa Soybean Association (www.iasoybeans.com) is “Driven To Deliver” increased soybean demand through market development and new uses, farmer-focused research and results, timely information and know-how and policy initiatives enabling farmers and the industry to flourish. Founded in 1964 by farmers to serve farmers, ISA is governed by a board of 22 farmers to advocate on behalf of the state’s 37,000 soybean producers, including more than 15,000 ISA farmer members and industry stakeholders.

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