Agriculture

Wed
21
Feb

What's Up at the USDA Office?

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
March 15: Deadline to sign up for the ARC PLC program

Taking Second Round Applications
Although NRCS takes program applications on a continual basis, we have just announced our second round cutoff for program applications and a new way of processing applications more efficiently through ACT NOW.

Wed
14
Feb

What's Up at the USDA Office?

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
February 19: Office closed for observance of President’s Day
March 15: Deadline to sign up for the ARC PLC program

Interest Rates Move Lower - Farm Storage Facility Loans
The Farm Storage Facility Loan Program (FSFL) allows producers of eligible commodities to obtain low-interest financing to build or upgrade (new or used) farm storage and handling facilities.

These loans include but are not limited to: storage bins, wet holding bins, new concrete foundations, permanently affixed grain handling and drying equipment, equipment to improve, maintain, or monitor the quality of stored grain, silage bunkers, grain carts, grain trailers, hay storage structures, and bulk tanks for dairy operations.  

Wed
14
Feb

Secretary Naig encourages applications for Century and Heritage Farm recognition

Applications for 2024 recognition will be accepted through June 1

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig encourages eligible Iowa farm owners to apply for Century or Heritage Farm recognition as part of the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s Century and Heritage Farm Program. The program was created by the Department and the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation to honor families who have owned their farms for 100 years and 150 years, respectively.

To be included for recognition in 2024, completed applications must be postmarked or received by the Department by June 1, 2024. The ceremonies honoring the 2024 Century and Heritage Farm families will be held on August 15, 2024, in the historic Livestock Pavilion at the Iowa State Fair.

Wed
07
Feb

Beef specialist to discuss how cover crops can work on livestock farms

Soil health event in Tama County will feature Denise Schwab February 13

A beef specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will discuss the ways that cattle and cover crops can coincide during a February 13 event in Tama County.

Denise Schwab will speak during the Tama Soil and Water Conservation District meeting called “Above, Below and Cattle: the ABCs of Soil Health and Profitability.” The event will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Reinig Toledo Civic Center, 1007 S. Prospect Drive, Toledo.

“By incorporating annual forages along with traditional perennial forages, cattlemen can stretch grazing days while providing rest to perennial pastures and improving cow condition,” said Schwab. “Annual forages also provide important crop rotations to corn-soybean rotations.

Wed
07
Feb

Focus on the Future continues for spring 2024 Iowa Nutrient Research Center seminar series

A new Iowa Nutrient Research Center seminar series for spring 2024 continues its Focus on the Future with current and recent graduate students discussing studies they are involved in and some of their experiences as early career researchers.

Each session will present two speakers and topics. The monthly hybrid presentations will take place Wednesdays, February 14, March 6, April 10 and May 8, from 3:10-4 p.m. The hybrid seminar series will be presented online and in-person at 1306 Elings Hall, 605 Bissell Road, on the Iowa State University campus.

Wed
31
Jan

What's Up at the USDA Office?

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
January 31: Final date to request LDP for wool that was shorn in 2023 and for unshorn lambs slaughtered in 2023.
February 19: Office closed for observance of President’s Day
March 15: Deadline to sign up for the ARC PLC program

ARC/PLC (Farm Program) Sign Up Now!
The election and enrollment for Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) sign up for program year 2024 is open now through March 15, 2024. ARC and PLC are two safety net programs that USDA initiated in the previous Farm Bill and were reauthorized for years 2019 through 2024. Producers need to ELECT (choose) one of these programs for each base on every farm and ENROLL into the program by signing a contract.

Wed
31
Jan

Planter University February workshops

Specialists with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach are once again teaming up with Iowa State ag and biosystems engineering specialists to bring planter equipment expertise to farms across the state Feb. 5-9.

The workshops are an opportunity for farmers, agricultural service providers, equipment and precision ag dealers, and others to gain insight into how planters function, optimize settings for individual seed, field and equipment needs, and improve understanding of planter wear and calibration.

“Planter University goes far beyond a typical planter clinic and provides attendees direct access to specialists with expertise in planter technology and settings,” said Meaghan Anderson, field agronomist with ISU Extension and Outreach. “We are excited to host this workshop across the state again this February.”

Wed
24
Jan

What's Up at the USDA Office?

Soil Health Workshop: Soil Health for Your Farm’s Wealth
If you’re interested in learning more about improving your farm’s bottom line, attend a soil health workshop Wednesday, February 21 at Northeast Iowa Community College (NICC). The all-day workshop (8:30 a.m.-3 p.m.) highlights include:
• How to keep rainwater from leaving your farm.
• The importance of soil biology and beneficial insects.
• How to profit from soil health data.

Wed
24
Jan

Iowa farmland values rose higher in 2023, but at a slower pace

Average land values in Iowa rose 3.7% nominally, 0.5% after adjusting for inflation

Iowa’s farmland values rose again, albeit at a slower pace than the last two years. The annual Iowa State University Land Value Survey found that farmland values increased 3.7% or $424, to $11,835 per acre. The modest increase this year follows a 17% increase in 2022 and a near-record 29% increase in 2021. The nominal value of an acre of farmland is again higher this year than at any point since Iowa State began surveying values in 1941. When adjusting for inflation, the 2023 average value surpasses 2022’s inflation-adjusted values by 0.5%.

Rabail Chandio, an assistant professor and extension economist at Iowa State, said many of the factors behind the large surge in values last year supported the increase this year as well.

Wed
17
Jan

What's Up at the USDA Office?

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
January 15: Closed for observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day
January 30: Deadline to submit a 2023 Livestock Forage Program (LFP) application
January 31: Final date to request LDP for wool that was shorn in 2023 and for unshorn lambs slaughtered in 2023.
February 19: Office closed for observance of President’s Day
March 15: Deadline to sign up for the ARC PLC program

Allamakee COC Election Results
This year’s COC election was for LAA-2 which covers the following townships: Ludlow, Jefferson, Post, Franklin, Linton, and Fairview.

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