Iowa holds a nationally recognized position as an agricultural powerhouse, transforming its vast, fertile plains into a massive source of food, feed, and fuel. The state’s landscape is dominated by row crops, primarily two foundational commodities, but farm production also includes specialty and rotational crops. This agricultural output forms the foundation of the state’s economy.
Iowa’s Dominant Field Crops
The state’s agricultural identity is defined by its two primary crops: corn and soybeans. Iowa leads the nation in corn production, consistently yielding a massive volume that regularly exceeds 2.5 billion bushels annually. Approximately 99% of this output is field corn, specifically a variety called dent corn. This starchy grain is used for industrial and animal feed purposes, not the sweet variety consumed directly by people.
Iowa is also a powerhouse in soybean cultivation, typically ranking second in the United States for total production. Soybeans and corn are often grown in rotation, a practice that helps manage pests, weeds, and soil nutrients. This rotation is beneficial because the nitrogen-fixing properties of the soybean plant benefit the subsequent corn crop. Millions of acres are dedicated to this dual-crop system.
Secondary and Specialty Crops
Iowa’s agricultural landscape is diversified by crops that support the livestock industry and fulfill niche market demands. Hay is a significant secondary crop, with the state producing millions of tons of both alfalfa and other types of hay annually. This forage is an integral part of the feed supply for the state’s massive cattle and dairy sectors.
Oats are another traditional grain grown in Iowa, though on a much smaller acreage than in past decades, primarily used as a rotation crop to improve soil health. The state is also a major center for popcorn production, contributing over 25% of the national supply. Popcorn is a distinct type of corn.
A smaller but growing sector is commercial horticulture, which focuses on edible specialty crops. These high-value crops are typically grown on small farms, often for direct sale to consumers through farmers’ markets or local stores. This specialty crop industry contributes millions of dollars to the state economy.
Commercial Horticulture Crops
- Tomatoes
- Apples
- Pumpkins
- Peppers
The Economic Utilization of Iowa’s Harvest
The corn and soybeans harvested in Iowa drive several large-scale industries. The largest single consumer of the state’s field corn is the livestock sector, which uses the grain as feed for the millions of hogs, poultry, and cattle raised in Iowa. This link between crop and animal production is a characteristic of Iowa’s agricultural economy.
Another enormous market for Iowa’s corn is the biofuel industry, where the state is the national leader in ethanol production. The state’s 42 ethanol refineries have the capacity to produce billions of gallons of fuel annually. In recent years, over half of the state’s corn crop has been directed toward ethanol production. This process not only creates fuel but also valuable co-products like distillers grains, which are then cycled back into the livestock feed supply.
Soybeans are primarily crushed to produce soybean oil and soybean meal. The oil is used in cooking, industrial applications, and increasingly in the production of biodiesel, another renewable fuel in which Iowa is the top national producer. The remaining high-protein meal is a valuable component of animal feed for poultry and swine operations across the country.
Why Iowa’s Land is Ideal for Agriculture
Iowa’s position as a top agricultural producer is largely a result of its unique soil and favorable climatic conditions. The state is covered in fertile soil, primarily deep, dark Mollisols. These soils were formed under native prairie grasses, which created a thick, organic-rich surface layer.
The parent material of this soil is composed mainly of glacial till and loess, a fine, wind-blown silt. This composition results in a topsoil with an excellent silt loam texture, which allows for good drainage while maintaining a high capacity to hold water and nutrients. The state also benefits from a climate characterized by a long, warm growing season and well-timed rainfall, which supports the intensive cultivation of both corn and soybeans.