Cattle and Conservation Working Lands Program

Aug 17, 2026

Keep Working Lands Working

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) is expanding its popular Cattle and Conservation Working Lands program to support more farmers and landowners. The program began as a pilot project in Taylor County in 2016, and is now serving cattle producers in 28 Iowa counties, including the Greater Des Moines watershed. In addition to increasing the program area, IDALS is adding two more project coordinators to be stationed in Calhoun and Greene Counties to lead outreach and engagement with local cattle producers.

The program provides cost-share to help farmers and landowners convert underperforming or highly erodible acres of row crops into pasture or hay ground. This strengthens managed grazing systems and provides forage to support the growth of the U.S. beef herd while reducing soil erosion and improving water quality.

To date, IDALS has six project coordinators who have helped enroll more than 1,100 producers in the program. More than 16,000 acres of less-productive agricultural land has been converted from row crops to pasture and hay. Participating producers have also established more than 195,000 acres of cover crops, which help hold soil in place, filter nitrates and provide forage for livestock.

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Video: Inside the National Swine Health Strategy - Dr. Dustin Oedekoven

In this episode of The Swine it Podcast Show, Dr. Dustin Oedekoven, Chief Veterinarian at the National Pork Board, explains the producer-led National Swine Health Strategy and why it is essential for improving U.S. swine health. He discussed industry collaboration, the strategy's initial priorities, why PEDV is the first focus for elimination, research initiatives, and the long-term vision for healthier herds. Listen now on all major platforms.

"The National Swine Health Strategy creates a coordinated approach that moves the entire industry toward common health goals."

Meet the guest: Dr. Dustin Oedekoven / dusty-oedekoven-bb0bb7110 is Chief Veterinarian at the National Pork Board, where he leads initiatives to strengthen U.S. swine health through disease prevention, producer collaboration, and the National Swine Health Strategy. With more than 20 years of experience in veterinary public health and regulatory animal health, his work focuses on protecting the U.S. herd from endemic and foreign animal diseases. Listen to Dr. Dustin Oedekoven on The Swine it Podcast Show, available on all major platforms.