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Animal ag important to Iowa’s economy, food supply

Iowa’s livestock sector continues to help support the state’s economy by adding 20,500 jobs within the past decade, according to the recent United Soybean Board-funded Animal Agriculture Economic Analysis.

A successful animal ag industry also benefits the soybean farmers who depend on animal ag as the biggest market for soybean meal.

The report also outlines the economic benefits the poultry and livestock sectors provide at the state and national levels. In 2012, animal ag provided the following benefits to Iowa’s economy:

  • Support for 96,700 jobs
  • $22.6 billion in total economic output
  • A $3.7 billion impact on household incomes
  • More than $1.4 billion in income and property taxes paid

Nationally, the livestock industry supported 1.8 million jobs and provided $346 billion in total economic output, according to the study. The sector also added $60 billion to American household incomes and paid $21 billion in income and property taxes.

The partnership between soybean farmers and the animal ag sector helps sustain local farms and produces safe and reliable food for the rest of the world.

According to the study, hogs are the biggest soybean meal eaters in Iowa, consuming 81 percent, followed by egg-laying hens at 8 percent.

Poultry, swine and other livestock consume about 97 percent of the supply of U.S. soybean meal every year in their feed. Last year in Iowa, animal ag used an estimated 3.9 million tons of soybean meal, or the meal from nearly 162 million bushels of soybeans. Overall, U.S. poultry, livestock and fish farmers used more than 30 million tons (the meal from 1.26 billion bushels) in the 2011/12 marketing year, which is an increase of 1 million tons (meal from 42 million bushels) from the previous year.

Source:  Iowa Pork Producers Association


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Drone Flight & Baling Success at Last!

Video: Drone Flight & Baling Success at Last!

Drone Flight & Baling Success at Last!

After weeks of rain delays and frustration, we finally have a reason to smile — it’s hay time again at Ewetopia Farms! In today’s episode, we head out to the fields where Arnie is baling hay, and I attempt my second drone flight to capture it all from the air. The drone still had some hiccups, but I managed to get some aerial footage of the baling process.

Back at the farm, the work doesn’t stop. Arnie brings the bales home, and the next critical step begins — wrapping and stacking the bales to make haylage. This process is essential for preserving feed for our sheep and ensures they have nutritious forage in the months ahead.

It’s a good day on the farm — the sun is out, the drone is flying (sort of!), and we’re making progress. Join us for a satisfying and productive day that brings a long-awaited sigh of relief to this year’s challenging hay season.

?? Let us know in the comments: Have you had to deal with weather delays this season?

?? Thanks for watching and supporting Ewetopia Farms — where every day is an adventure in sheep farming. Please like, comment, and subscribe to follow our daily journey with the flock!