Naig and Jones Clash Over Beef, Ethanol, and Water Quality

The Iowa secretary of agriculture candidates, Republican Mike Naig and Democrat Chris Jones, recently debated issues related to beef, ethanol, and water quality on 'Iowa Press'.

Both candidates agreed that expanding grass-fed cattle in the state could be beneficial. The national cattle herd has fallen seven consecutive years and reached a 75-year low in January due to widespread drought in the American West.

Naig called President Donald Trump's plan to increase beef imports below market price a 'bad idea', while Jones said it's one of the stupidest ideas he's ever heard. Both candidates support increasing grazing in Iowa and creating more pasture.

The candidates also disagreed on ethanol, with Naig describing it as value-added agriculture that contributes thousands of jobs and $5 billion to the state's economy. Jones called corn-based fuel an environmental and economic dead end.