Iowa Ag Secretary Breaks Down the Week

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig spoke exclusively to Successful Farming about three top of mind topics, following a farm visit and award presentation outside Mediapolis, Iowa. Here are his thoughts on the latest trade and tariff news, the beginning of planting season, and the most recent case of high pathogen avian influenza.

Trade and Tariffs

“This week there was lots of conversation around tariffs and trade and markets. That’s very much on people’s minds,” Naig acknowledged. “That’s all in the backdrop of some challenging economic times for farmers. Margins are tight and we don’t have a lot of cushion or room for error. There are people rightly concerned.”

However, the secretary said he’s ending the week feeling encouraged. “So many countries have stepped up to negotiate, which is what we want,” Naig said. “I think we really can get to a better place in terms of fairer trade and more market access. But, let’s be clear, Iowa farmers need those markets.”

If tariffs continue for a long time, Naig explained farmers could get “crunched on both ends.” Inputs such as potash are subject to tariffs and likely to increase in price for farmers. At the same time, if growers are getting paid less for their crops because there are fewer markets, farm finances will be challenged, he said.

As he traveled throughout the state, constituents were vocal about their perspective on the issue, Naig said. “It’s hard to argue that we have a fair relationship with China, and yet, they are a significant buyer of pork and soybeans,” he said. “There’s an impact there.” The secretary believes Iowa farmers are “concerned, but recognize that there’s a need for things to change, and for us to get a fair deal in so many countries around the world.”

Planting Season

On Monday, April 7, USDA published the first Crop Progress report of the 2025 growing season. Following the report, Naig issued a statement, “Each spring brings a renewed sense of optimism for the growing season ahead.” He added, “Thankfully, the drought situation across Iowa is improved compared to last year because of the more active weather pattern we experienced throughout March.”

Over a 48-hour period, Naig traveled from northwest Iowa to southeast, observing “a lot of activity” toward the end of the week. Anhydrous and other fertilizer applications are happening across the region, he noted.

“Soil temperatures have been cool enough that I think people have been a little reserved about going out and getting after it with the planter,” he explained. However, with a favorable extended forecast, Naig expects to see planting activity pick up in the state.

He added cover crops are greening up in area fields.

High Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI)

On Thursday, April 10, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship announced a case of HPAI had been detected in a mixed species backyard flock in Hardin County. This is the seventh case within the state’s domestic bird population in 2025. Naig offered more details Friday afternoon, “It’s not a commercial site. It’s been several weeks since we’ve had a commercial site affected.”

The latest case confirms the virus is still in the area, said the secretary. “What is yet to be determined is what kind of impact we might have this spring.”

Naig explained every spring and every fall since 2022, Iowa has experienced an outbreak coinciding with the migratory patterns of wild birds. “We’re certainly watching, especially to our south, if we start to get an indication as those wild birds are moving,” he said.

The migratory season is highly weather dependent. Naig explained, “If you look at last fall, we had a spike in high path [HPAI], but it came later in the year than we’d normally seen. We believe that was in large part, due to the very mild fall we had. It delayed the migration of birds.”

In years past, the department has noted a spike in the disease in March. “It’s good news that we’re through March without significant impact, but we’re watching it very closely,” he said.

In the meantime, farmers are enhancing their biosecurity. “We are prepared to respond if we need to,” Naig said.