Iowa farm leaders and agricultural officials last week cheered an agreement reached on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), which would link the United States to a free trade block with 11 other countries and promises to increase exports of U.S. farm products over time by significantly reducing trade barriers.

The TPP, which must still be approved by Congress, will be especially valuable for Iowa because of the state’s leadership in livestock production, the farm leaders said. That will subsequently help the state’s corn and soybean growers who supply feed to livestock farms, they said.

"This is a comprehensive deal of great magnitude for Iowa farmers," said Craig Hill, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) president. "This will open up incredible markets for us, especially in pork, beef and dairy, and that will help our feed grain growers."

Trade is increasingly important for all Iowa...