In Gov. Kim Reynolds’ May 26, 2020, proclamation on the State Public Health Emergency Declaration, she directed the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) to provide financial assistance to livestock producers. This assistance is for disposal costs of animals who were euthanized because of the market disruption caused by COVID-19.

Read the IDALS news release and review the Iowa Disposal Assistance Program overview.

Below is a statement from Mike Paustian, the Walcott pig farmer who is president of the Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA), about the governor’s leadership on this matter.

“Sadly, many Iowa pig farmers have been pushed into the difficult decision of euthanizing pigs because of the food chain disruption caused by COVID-19. We want to thank Governor Reynolds and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship for providing both a process and financial support to help Iowa farmers recover some of their costs as they properly dispose of pigs that have been euthanized.

“For nearly two months, Iowa pig farmers have used innovative solutions to keep pigs in the food chain, while keeping animal care and welfare top-of-mind. The Governor and Iowa Ag Secretary Naig were in constant contact with us to see what types of resources they could provide. They actively supported the Pass the Pork program that paired farmers and small meat processors with Iowa food banks. They also partnered with IPPA in developing the Iowa Resource Coordination Center to provide reliable information resources to livestock producers dealing with bottleneck issues. Now, with the Iowa Disposal Assistance Program, their leadership is providing much needed state support in this dire situation that many pig farmers are facing.”