The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) has expressed its support and appreciation for the Iowa State Legislature's creation of the Dairy Innovation Fund. Governor Kim Reynolds signed the bill into law, and the AEM believes that this fund will provide a significant boost to dairy farmers in Iowa, enabling them to invest in technologies that will keep the state's dairy industry competitive.
The Dairy Innovation Fund, funded through the FY2024 budget, will offer low-interest loans and grants to Iowa's dairy farmers, allowing them to access new technologies and equipment. By utilizing these resources, farmers can improve their costs and efficiency through the implementation of modern dairy technology.
The AEM played an active role in securing the passage of this legislation through an advocacy campaign that involved engaging with lawmakers and conducting an earned media campaign. Chad Huyser, president of Lely North America and a member of AEM's Dairy Leadership Group, contributed an op-ed to the Oskaloosa Herald in support of the bill.
According to Pat Weiler, AEM Government and Public Affairs Committee Chair, the establishment of the Dairy Innovation Fund will help Iowa's dairy farmers maintain their competitiveness and stay at the forefront of dairy equipment and technology. This will benefit the local economy and support the equipment manufacturing industry, which plays a vital role in revolutionizing farming operations through precision agriculture.
The AEM is a trade group representing off-road, heavy equipment manufacturers and suppliers in North America. With over 1,000 member companies and more than 200 product lines in the agriculture and construction-related sectors, the AEM supports 2.3 million jobs in the United States. The equipment manufacturing industry also contributes $316 billion annually to the U.S. economy.
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Categories: Iowa, Business, Equipment & Machinery, Government & Policy