The winding path of Ag Gag legislation in Iowa has become significantly straighter in 2024. First, in January, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit reversed lower court rulings that blocked Iowa state laws seeking to prohibit the use of deceptive practices to gain entry to livestock facilities. The lower court rulings were premised on the notion that the laws violated free speech, a position the appeals court found unwarranted.

In February, livestock producers tallied another important victory when a committee of the Iowa Senate approved legislation (House File 572; Senate File 520) previously passed by the Iowa House that would prohibit flying surveillance drones within 400 feet of open feedlots and animal confinements. Passed in an 87-to-10 House vote, the bill failed to reach the full Iowa Senate during the last legislative session but is now eligible to do so. Its provisions would create a new crime to fly drones, or other surveillance equipment, for an extended period of time, near farmsteads and livestock facilities.

Husch Blackwell’s Animal Health & Production team maintains a guide on the status of Ag Gag laws across the U.S. Livestock producers should consult the guide periodically for updates.