Policies

A Message From the Board President

Lee Maassen

Dairy farming in Iowa is a significant part of agriculture in our state. With nearly 800 dairy herds and more than 220,000 dairy cows, our dairy farm families bring value to all of Iowa. Making sure these families survive and thrive is important not only to the dairy industry, but to many other organizations and communities who greatly benefit from dairy’s positive impact throughout the state.

The views of Iowa’s dairy farmers on many issues affecting them at a statewide level are covered in this policy booklet. This grassroots organization of dairy farmers has prepared this policy booklet as a resource for you. We encourage you to read through our policies and refer back to this booklet when making decisions regarding dairy farming.

Iowa’s dairy farm families are vital to our state. Our social and economic benefits are keys to Iowa’s agricultural success. A recent study of the economic impact of Iowa’s dairy industry reports a per-cow per-year impact of $25,495. That means that Iowa’s dairy industry has an economic impact of over $5 billion dollars per year. We are around 800 dairies strong, and we want to ensure that dairy farming will be around for future generations of Iowans.

Lee Maassen
Board President
Iowa State Dairy Association

Vision

A prosperous Iowa dairy industry that attracts a new generation of farmers and has a positive impact on local communities.

Mission

Iowa State Dairy Association is the unified voice and advocate for increased economic vitality of the dairy industry on behalf of Iowa dairy farmers.

Goals

Membership

The Membership of ISDA will continue to grow by increasing the number of Dairy Farmers to join ISDA and the retention of current Dairy Farmer members by showing the value of belonging and keeping them informed.

Partnerships

The development of intentional partnerships will be enhanced through efforts of showing Return on Investment by member engagement, policy development and cooperative efforts to move the Dairy Industry forward.

Legislative Action

The issues of the Dairy Farmer will be understood and supported by the legislature though the development of a legislative agenda that supports the economic growth and development of the state. Frequent, timely and concise communication on the Dairy Industry will be distributed to all Stakeholders.

2023 Iowa State Dairy Association Policies

Policy Feedback

Please review the ISDA Policy Book available below. If you have suggestions regarding current or future policy focus, please Contact Us.

2023 ISDA Policy Book

The Table of Contents for policies covered in the 2023 Iowa State Dairy Association Policy Book is shown below. The full policy book can be downloaded for review.

Table of Contents

Glossary of Abbreviations and Terms

Iowa Dairy Policy

Animal Health and Well-Being

  • Importing Livestock
  • Slaughter Law
  • Forage Quality
  • ISU Extension & Outreach
  • Iowa Livestock Health Advisory Council (ILHAC)
  • ILHAC Appropriations
  • ISU Animal Health Research
  • Foreign Animal Disease
  • Johne’s Disease
  • Stray Voltage
  • Electric Transmission Lines, Solar Energy, & Windmills
  • Antibiotics and Treatment of Livestock
  • Embryo Transfer and Ultrasound Pregnancy Testing
  • Ag Research Funding
  • Nonambulatory Dairy Cattle Slaughter
  • Animal Health & Well-Being
  • Veterinary Diagnostics

Education

  • Public Education
  • Producer Education
  • June Dairy Month
  • Iowa Dairy Story
  • Post-Secondary Dairy Education
  • Animal Well-Being

Environmental

  • Environmental Issues
  • Manure Application
  • Iowa Environmental Protection Commission

Food Safety and Nutrition

  • Milk Vending
  • School Milk and Dairy Programs
  • Nutrition Education
  • Pathogens
  • Imported Product Safety Standard
  • Biosecurity
  • Dairy Inspection
  • Unpasteurized (Raw) Milk Marketing
  • Genetically Modified Foods
  • Food Banks and Pantries

Market Development and Stabilization

  • Beef Check-Off Program
  • Dairy Check-Off Program
  • New Market Development
  • 9-H Law
  • Farm Programs
  • Dairy Growth and Relocation
  • Renewable Energy
  • Supply Management Program
  • Risk Management
  • Producer Modernization Incentives
  • Beginning Farmer Programs

Milk Pricing

  • Vertical Integration
  • Foreign Competition
  • Federal Orders

Miscellaneous

  • Agriculture Technology
  • Rural Iowa Initiative

Product Standards

  • Somatic Cell Count
  • Minimum Standards
  • Dairy Products Identity
  • Dairy Product Standards
  • Meat Product Identity
  • Truth in Advertising
  • Labeling

Regulation

  • Eminent Domain Exemption
  • Labor Reform
  • Uniform Regulations
  • Separation Distances
  • Right to Work
  • Youth in Agriculture
  • Iowa Fencing Laws
  • Agricultural Structure Inspections
  • Infrastructure of Roads & Bridges
  • Waters of the United States
  • Property Boundaries

Taxes

  • Taxation
  • Property Taxes
  • Trade
  • Stepped-Up Basis
  • Inheritance

Statement on Labor & Immigration