The event, hosted at Maxwell Custom Beef, also highlighted the announcement of nine Choose Iowa Butchery Innovation Grants totaling $355,000, aimed at enhancing small-scale meat processing infrastructure across the state. But Naig's larger message was clear: U.S. agriculture must pivot strategically amid volatile global trade dynamics.

"With soybean prices under pressure and input costs-like land, seed, fuel, and equipment-continuing to climb, farmers are feeling the pinch," said Naig. "We have to look at both sides of the equation: reducing costs and unleashing new market demand."

His comments follow a recent trade mission to India, where Naig joined Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds and business leaders in an eight-day effort to cultivate export opportunities. India, he emphasized, could be a significant growth market for soybean meal, one of Iowa's top agricultural exports.

"This is a global marketplace," Naig noted. "If China is shifting to South American suppliers, that opens doors elsewhere. It won't be a one-to-one replacement, but multiple smaller markets could help fill the gap."

Since the escalation of tariffs under President Donald Trump's administration, U.S.-China agricultural trade has deteriorated. China's retaliatory measures have included a near-total halt on soybean imports from the U.S., traditionally its top supplier. Instead, Chinese buyers have shifted overwhelmingly to Brazilian soybeans, securing the bulk of their October 2025 needs from South America.

While this shift presents serious risks to American soybean producers-who typically export over 50% of their crop to China-Naig remains cautiously optimistic about a potential resolution. "China can't entirely rely on South America forever," he said. "There's still a reality check to come, and I do believe we'll see movement toward renewed negotiations."

The Iowa delegation's ongoing engagement with the U.S. Soybean Export Council and U.S. Grains Council in India highlights the state's broader export strategy: identify regions with emerging demand and position Iowa's ag sector to meet it. According to Naig, India represents one such opportunity where U.S. producers could carve out a valuable niche-particularly in the soybean meal market.

The message to U.S. farmers was forward-looking but grounded in current challenges. Naig acknowledged farmers' concerns over both the input side-where inflation and interest rates have sharply increased the cost of doing business-and the market side, where traditional buyers are no longer guaranteed.

"It takes real effort and aggressive trade diplomacy to build new markets," Naig said. "But that's what's required right now-not just for Iowa but for American agriculture as a whole."

As the fall harvest approaches, many Midwest producers are evaluating storage options and bracing for a potentially difficult pricing environment. With China absent and South America dominating, success for U.S. producers may depend on how fast-and how far-they can diversify their customer base.

Naig's remarks serve as a clear call to action: adapt, innovate, and explore. In a shifting global trade landscape, the stability of U.S. agriculture may rest on its ability to evolve beyond traditional partnerships and tap into new, strategically aligned markets.