579A.1 Definitions.

As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:

1. "Cattle" means an animal classified as bovine, regardless of the age or sex of the animal.

2. "Custom cattle feedlot" means a feedlot where cattle owned by a person are provided feed and care by another person.

3. "Custom cattle feedlot operator" means the owner of a custom cattle feedlot or the owner's personal representative.

4. "Feedlot" means a lot, yard, corral, building, or other area in which cattle are confined and fed and maintained for forty-five days or more in any twelve-month period.

5. "Personal representative" means a person who is authorized by the owner of a custom cattle feedlot to act on behalf of the owner, including by executing an agreement, managing a custom cattle feedlot, or filing and enforcing liens under this chapter.

6. "Processor" means the same as defined in section 9H.1.

579A.2 Establishment of lien--priority.

1. A custom cattle feedlot operator shall have a lien upon the cattle and the identifiable cash proceeds from the sale of the cattle for the amount of the contract price for the feed and care of the cattle at the custom cattle feedlot pursuant to a written or oral agreement by the custom cattle feedlot operator and the person who owns the cattle, which may be enforced as provided in section 579A.3.

2. The lien is created at the time the cattle arrive at the custom cattle feedlot and continues for one year after the cattle have left the custom cattle feedlot. In order to preserve the lien, the custom cattle feedlot operator must, within twenty days after the cattle arrive at the custom cattle feedlot, file in the office of the secretary of state, a lien statement on a form prescribed by the secretary of state. The secretary of state shall charge a fee of not more than ten dollars for filing the statement. The secretary of state may adopt rules pursuant to chapter 17A for the electronic filing of the statements. The statement must include all of the following:

a. An estimate of the amount of feed and care provided to the cattle pursuant to the contract.

b. The estimated duration of the period when the cattle are subject to feed and care at the custom cattle feedlot.

c. The name of the party to the contract whose cattle are subject to feed and care at the custom cattle feedlot.

d. The description of the location of the custom cattle feedlot, by county and township.

e. The printed name and signature of the person filing the form.

3. Except as provided in chapter 581, a lien created under this section until preserved and a lien preserved under this section is superior to and shall have priority over a conflicting lien or security interest in the cattle, including a lien or security interest that was perfected prior to the creation of the lien provided under this section.

579A.3 Enforcement.

While the cattle are located at the custom cattle feedlot, the custom cattle feedlot operator may foreclose a lien created in section 579A.2 in the manner provided for the foreclosure of secured transactions as provided in sections 554.9504, 554.9506, and 554.9507. After the cattle have left the custom cattle feedlot, the custom cattle feedlot operator may enforce the lien by commencing an action at law for the amount of the lien against either of the following:

1. The holder of the identifiable cash proceeds from the sale of the cattle.

2. The processor who has purchased the cattle within three days after the cattle have left the custom cattle feedlot.

579A.4 Waivers unenforceable.

A waiver of a right created by this chapter, including but not limited to, a waiver of the right to file a lien pursuant to this chapter is void and unenforceable. This section does not affect other provisions of a contract, including a production contract or a related document, policy, or agreement which can be given effect without the voided provision.