A slow start to the planting season was another tough addition to the pressures farmers are facing across the state. Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig says the ongoing war in Ukraine and global inflationary concerns set many operations behind to begin the year, and a late planting season may have added to that stress for many.

“It was a challenging spring although it proved out that once we did get that window to really go, farmers can be incredibly productive and they can move quickly,” Naig says.

Naig says this has come after multiple difficult seasons due to severe weather and drought in the state, but he says the agriculture sector remains resilient and he’s hopeful for better times ahead. Hear more from Naig about the latest in Iowa Agriculture on today’s Let’s Talk Pella.