By now, Iowans have likely seen a completely false and disingenuous attack ad funded by a liberal, dark-money group against U.S. Rep. Ashley Hinson, U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst, and U.S. Sen. Chuck Grassley for none other than … their strong support of Iowa farmers.
And I use the word “likely” because this radical organization is already up on the airwaves and intends to spend at least $30 million, according to DTN, lying to Iowans ahead of this November’s election. The ad accuses the members of Congress of boosting foreign companies, but that’s completely backward. It’s as ridiculous and infuriating as it sounds, and I’ll tell you why.
I’ve run my family’s farm for decades in Emmet County. It’s our livelihood, and in rural Iowa, it’s the way of life we’ve known forever and cherish. We take pride in the excellent care we provide the animals and the nutritious pork that we sell across the country and around the world. Farming is tough and it’s not for the faint of heart, but I do it because I love it, despite the many challenges.
OPPOSING VIEW: Farm bill draft rightly respects California’s choices
Fluctuating commodity prices and volatile market conditions are very frustrating, but what really frustrates me is when people who have never set foot on a farm lie about Iowa agriculture. These are the lies that Iowans are fed up with and what so many people hate about politics. Of course, what these liberal activists conveniently leave out of their story are the facts.
With input from Iowa pig farmers and agricultural communities across the state, Hinson introduced legislation — included in the House-passed farm bill — to overturn California’s egregious Proposition 12, the crux of this enormous ad attack. What the ad doesn’t tell you is that Proposition 12 allows the state of California to effectively ban the sale of Iowa-raised pork unless unscientific and extremely expensive standards pushed by activists are met. That’s what liberals on the coasts think of Iowa farmers, and they have no problem threatening to shut down our family farms and harming our rural communities so long as their anti-agriculture agenda is enacted.
Some estimates even suggest that this unfair mandate could cost pig farmers up to $4,500 per sow. Already operating under tight margins, my farm, and farms across our state, simply cannot shoulder those costs. And it’s not just farmers who pay the price. When Proposition 12 took effect in California, the cost of pork at the grocery store skyrocketed by 20%. It’s simple math. Consumers in all 50 states will pay higher prices for bacon, pork chops, and ham due to Proposition 12.
Ultimately, this is an issue about freedom. Iowa farmers should not be controlled by laws influenced and pushed by activists in California who have never stepped foot on a pig farm and would prefer to see meat consumption eliminated entirely, and consumers should have the option to buy nutritious, affordable pork from the producers who do it best — Iowa pig farmers. As a farmer, it’s unconscionable to me that Democratic U.S. Senate candidate Josh Turek, someone who wants to represent our state, supports a policy that would put many Iowa producers out of business. Farmers will not forget the politicians and organizations who elevate and push these lies, and we won’t forget the champions of agriculture who have our backs and defend our livelihoods from out-of-state overreach.
I’m proud to support Ashley Hinson for U.S. Senate because she won’t apologize for supporting Iowa farmers and she won’t bend to activists who don’t know the first thing about caring for livestock. I’m confident that those who peddle lies about her work for Iowa agriculture will pay an electoral price.
Jim Boyer is an Emmet County farmer.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Ignore the lies; Ashley Hinson bill backs farmers, consumers | Opinion
Reporting by Jim Boyer, Guest columnist / Des Moines Register
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
By Jim Boyer, Guest columnist | USA TODAY Network
