Agriculture Government Affairs in Iowa

Agriculture is the foundation of Iowa’s economy, and the policy decisions made in Des Moines shape how farmers, livestock producers, agribusinesses and agricultural innovators operate. High Yield Strategies is an Iowa government affairs firm with deep roots in agriculture. We help agricultural associations, companies and organizations navigate the Iowa Legislature, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and other state agencies.

Agriculture Is in Our Blood

HYS founder Jake Swanson is a seventh-generation Iowa farmer who continues to be involved in his family’s cow/calf and row crop operation. Before founding HYS, he served as policy adviser and legislative liaison to Iowa Secretaries of Agriculture Bill Northey and Mike Naig, and then as lead agriculture and energy policy adviser to Governor Kim Reynolds. He is a graduate of Iowa State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

Iowa Cattleman introduced Jake to its members as “Our Voice Inside the Iowa Capitol,” noting that members would appreciate his background in state government and his personal connection to agriculture and the beef business.

Agricultural Policy Issues We Help Clients Navigate

• Livestock policy for cattle, swine, dairy and poultry producers

• Agricultural taxation, including livestock capital gains

• Crop agriculture and farm policy

• Animal health, veterinary biologics and disease preparedness

• Agricultural biotechnology and AgTech

• Renewable fuels, including ethanol and biodiesel

• Conservation, water quality and natural resources

• Food labeling and consumer protection

• Rural economic development

• Coordination between state agencies and federal partners such as USDA

Results for Iowa Agriculture

During the 2024 Iowa legislative session, HYS lobbied to save Iowa cattle producers $18 million in taxes—and won. House File 2649 reinstated Iowa’s livestock capital gains deduction for the sale of breeding livestock by Iowans who earn at least half of their income from farming. When the bill was signed, Governor Kim Reynolds said farm families would save nearly $18 million by 2030.

HYS has also spoken on behalf of the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association in support of clear labeling for lab-grown and plant-based protein products. In 2024, Iowa enacted Senate File 2391, which requires plant-based, lab-grown and insect-based protein products sold in Iowa to be clearly labeled.

How HYS Helps Agricultural Organizations

• Legislative strategy and Iowa lobbying for agricultural associations and companies

• Monitoring bills and rules that affect producers and agribusiness

• Engagement with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and other agencies

• Grassroots advocacy that puts producers’ voices in front of lawmakers

• Testimony, message development and strategic communications

• Guidance for agricultural and AgTech companies entering or expanding in Iowa

Experience & Featured Clients

Our experience and featured clients include the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, the Georgia Department of Agriculture, Genvax Technologies, Mazen Animal Health and ReproLogix. HYS also works on energy and biofuels policy, which is closely tied to Iowa agriculture.

Looking for an agriculture lobbyist in Iowa? Email info@hystrategies.com, call 641-799-5094 or use the form below.