With 2022 behind us and 2023 barreling full steam ahead, readers may wonder what other producers and ag industry leaders would like to see happen in the New Year.

Whether it’s personal or about their business or organization, Farm News checked in with several people about their resolutions and wish lists. Below we share with you what they’d like to see unfold.

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“This year we must focus on people in every way. We have a notable workforce challenge in agriculture and it’s in every phase of what we’re doing. We need to focus on attracting people, training people and ensuring they’re successful. 2023 has to have a focus on people.”

— Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig

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“My New Year’s resolution for our farming operation is more than just one thing. I farm with my parents, so it’s just dad and I doing everything aside from part-time harvest help. We do all of our own planting, spraying, harvesting, trucking and anhydrous application.

“One of my resolutions for our operation is for dad and I to be more cross-trained. I need to train dad on the sprayer just in case. I’ve done all the spraying for the last six years or so and that includes getting a different sprayer since he last sprayed. I know how to plant corn but haven’t done much the last few years as I’m spraying or planting beans. That was a goal for both of us last year to cross-train but it didn’t really happen until harvest. (Dad usually does almost all of the harvesting as I’m keeping the grain carts and trucks moving.)

“The other big thing I’d like to focus on for the next year is more in-depth data analysis to help better implement seed prescriptions throughout our corn and soybean operation in Audubon and Guthrie counties. We collect a lot of data but have definitely not utilized it to its full potential.”

— Adam Hansen, producer

from Audubon and Guthrie counties

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“There are so many things that I know we will continue to push for in 2023, but E15 nationwide is at the top of my list.”

— Denny Friest, Iowa Corn Growers Association president and farmer from Radcliffe

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“I would love to see us continue to push the next generation in adopting sustainable practices like cover crops.”

— Joe Roberts, ICPB District 2 director

and farmer from Belmond

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“I’m going to try to hold my temper when my husband pulls a random, blank check out of the center of the farm checkbook, uses it to pay for something, for what, he can ‘t remember, and for an amount he can’t recall!”

— Suzanne Shirbroun, Farmersburg

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“My perennial on farm resolution is ‘to fix all the hydraulic oil leaks on my equipment.’ I’ve been farming 38 years and it hasn’t happened yet!”

— April Hemmes, producer from

Hampton and District 2 Director

for the Iowa Soybean Association

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“Help farmers navigate the volatility and uncertainty in the supply chain and in global markets.”

— Kirk Leeds, CEO, Iowa Soybean Association

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“To continue to educate soybean growers on the value of high oleic oil soybeans to the industry and the benefits of cover crops to the Soil Smart production of soybeans.”

— Chuck White, Spencer

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“As the newest member of the Iowa Soybean Association board, my resolution for 2023 is to further educate myself as to the workings of the association and to convey that to members in District 5. I also want to learn the needs of farmers in my district and find ways to address them at the state and national level.” – Dave Struthers, Collins

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“Continue to advocate for Iowa’s and America’s farmers because profitability and the sustainability of our natural resources is getting more difficult with higher input costs and supply chain issues. Agricultural advocacy will be more important than ever in 2023 with a new farm bill on the horizon and a large percentage of the new Congress have never worked on one. Educating our legislators about what is

happening on our farm and our neighbors will be a top priority.”

— Pat Swanson, District 9 Director for the Iowa Soybean Association and farmer from Ottumwa

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“I hope the new year includes the U.S. Department of Agriculture implementing a standard for carbon credit and farm bill discussions would include raising the reference price for soybeans. I’m also hopeful for sub-$2.50 diesel and $15 soybeans.”

— Morey Hill, Iowa Soybean Association District 5 Director and farmer from Madrid

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“Read more, nurture new relationships, enhance advocacy for agriculture and the importance of the soybean industry, and build enduring relationships with those who need Iowa and U.S.-grown soy.”

— Aaron Putze, senior director of education and information for the Iowa Soybean Association

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“In 2023, I’m going to be more deliberate in telling my non-farm friends about the heart and soul of Iowa’s pork industry, and that’s Iowa’s pig farmers. I often assume Iowans know that livestock farmers provide a safe and nutritious food for our plates but sometimes I have assumed too much. In 2023, I’m going to try one new pork recipe every month. It’s easy to do tried and true, but our social media staff does a great job of finding fun recipes and posting them on the Iowa Pork Facebook and Instagram pages. Instead of just watching the videos, I’m going to grab one to try. In 2023, I’m going to put some volunteer hours in one of our local food banks. I’ve been inspired by Iowa pork producers who do so much to support Iowa’s local food banks. It’s the year to put in the time helping out in that effort.”

— Dal Grooms, communications director at the Iowa Pork Producers Association

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“In 2023, we strive to be proactive within the poultry and egg community as we listen, respond and innovate based on the needs of our members across Iowa and Minnesota. We will provide continued advocacy, education and support. The resiliency of the poultry industry was shown more than ever in 2022. We will continue to navigate difficult situations, all while providing our producers the resources to produce an accessible, sustainable and nutritious product.”

— North Central Poultry Association

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“Our resolution is to bring more nutritious, fun and innovative recipes to our consumers. Our staff has been working on videos, social media and revamping our website and we’re excited to share those throughout the year.”

— Iowa Egg Council Executive Director Kevin Stiles

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“Farmers need to know their cost of production. If you know your cost of production, then you know when the markets are good, are favorable, and you know your profit margin and can take advantage of it. If it’s not there, take advantage of that, too. That’s a big one to me. A lot of folks say ‘I kind of know,’ and I’m like, ‘No, you need to know.’ When the markets are coming down, they have to come down low

enough that you’re worried about profitability. A lot of farmers are thinking they are and are probably still fine, but it would be good to know that. Spend a bit more time to know your cost structure — that’s my New Year’s resolution for farmers in 2023.” — Chad Hart, Iowa State University Extension ag economist

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“I just want Chad Hart to give us a forecast of lower feed costs, higher cattle prices, cheaper interest rates and for it all to come true.”

— Dan Loy, Iowa Beef Center director

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“I want Dicamba that does not volatize, that tar spot of corn disappears and that the people in central and western Iowa keep all of the soybean gall midges so they do not spread to eastern Iowa.”

— Virgil Schmitt, Iowa State University Extension field agronomist

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“My husband and I are corn and soybean farmers from Clear Lake, We view each new year as an opportunity to better the practices that we have done previously. I once heard it said that you have 40 years, or 40 chances, to grow the best crop that you can. Coming into 2023, we have a variety of different on farm research plots planned that gives us an opportunity to evaluate our practices and where we can improve. This is from different genetics to seed treatments to micronutrients to biologicals. We are always looking for ways to pour into what we have and better steward the land and resources.”

— Kilah Watson, farmer from Clear Lake