Modernizing Iowa’s Grain Indemnity Fund to reflect present-day grain prices and crop production by increasing the fund’s size and producers’ claim coverage gathered strong support from voting delegates at the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation’s (IFBF) 2023 Summer Policy Conference in West Des Moines last week.

Delegates likewise affirmed their support that grain sold under a credit sale contract should be covered by the Grain Indemnity Fund.

County Farm Bureau voting delegates also approved policy allowing emergency haying and grazing of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) ground without penalty when in severe (D2) drought status or worse. 

In addition, delegates adopted policy in support of holding farmers and landowners harmless for damages or claims if “forever chemicals,” also known as PFAS or perfluoroalkyl or polyfluoroalkyl substances, are found on their land or in their farm products.

Iowa Farm Bureau President Brent Johnson, a Calhoun County farmer, commended the work of Farm Bureau members and delegates on forming policy that will guide the organization’s policy efforts.

“Our unique grassroots policy development process has been in place for over a century and includes input from all 100 county Farm Bureaus who surface and prioritize issues throughout the year,” said Johnson.  

“Members should be proud of their year-long effort to research, discuss and enact meaningful policy to move Iowa agriculture forward.”


Grain indemnity fund

Farm Bureau’s policy on the Iowa Grain Indemnity Fund garnered much discussion at the conference. The fund was established in 1986 to offer financial protection...