Agriculture

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship recently announced an order to cancel all live bird exhibitions at county fairs, the Iowa State Fair, and other gatherings of birds due to avian influenza. The Department’s order begins immediately, is effective through the end of 2015, and also prohibits live birds from being sold at livestock auction markets, swap meets and exotic sales.
Iowa has over 25 million birds and more than 60 farms impacted by H5N2 highly-pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI). The purpose of the Department’s directive is to minimize the risk of potential further spread of the virus to other poultry.  The Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Iowa Department of Public Health consider the risk to the public related to HPAI H5 infections to be very low.  No human infections of the virus have ever been detected and there is no food safety risk for consumers.

by Joyce Davidshofer, Allamakee County Executive Director

Reminders
May 14 - August 2: Nesting season. Food plots or mid contract management actives are not allowed during this time.
May 31: Last day to receive a corn and/or soybean loan for 2014 crop.
June 1: Deadline to sign an AD-1026 for Federal Crop Insurance.
July 4: Office closed.
July 15: Deadline to certify all crops and CRP acres.

Farm Loan Programs

Farm Ownership Loans
Eligible applicants may obtain direct loans up to a maximum indebtedness of $300,000. Maximum indebtedness for guaranteed loans is $1,392,000 (amount adjusted annually for inflation). The maximum repayment term is 40 years for both direct and guaranteed farm ownership loans. In general, loan funds may be used to purchase a farm, enlarge an existing farm, construct new farm buildings and/or improve structures, pay closing costs, and promote soil and water conservation and protection.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey announced recently that funds are available to help farmers install nutrient reduction practices.  Practices eligible for this funding are cover crops, no-till or strip till, or using a nitrification inhibitor when applying fertilizer.
The cost share rate for first-time  users of cover crops is $25 per acre, no-till or strip till are eligible for $10 per acre and farmers using a nitrapyrin nitrification inhibitor when applying fall fertilizer can receive $3 per acre. Any farmer not already utilizing these practices will receive priority consideration for this assistance. Farmers that have used cover crops in the past may be eligible for $15 per acre for cover crops
.
“We continue to hear from farmers interested in doing even more to limit nutrient loss and better protect water quality and these funds will help them try new voluntary science-based conservation practices on their farm,” Northey said.

by Joyce Davidshofer, Allamakee County Executive Director

2015 Allamakee County Committee Elections
Producers elect farmers and ranchers to County Committees. The following are some of the requirements for being a candidate to serve on a County Committee:
• Be of legal voting age.
• Live in the LAA holding an election.
• Participate or cooperate in a program administered by FSA.
The LAA #3 is up for elections. The townships are Iowa, Lansing, Center, La Fayette, Paint Creek and Taylor.
The nomination period begins June 15 and ends August 3. Request nomination forms from the Allamakee County FSA office or online at http://www.fsa.usda.gov/elections.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey reminds eligible farm owners that the deadline to apply for the 2015 Century and Heritage Farm Program is June 1. The program recognizes families that have owned their farm for 100 years in the case of Century Farms and 150 years for Heritage Farms.
 “The deadline for families with a Century or Heritage applications is quickly approaching and I hope those with an eligible farm will take the time to apply,” Northey said. “This program is a great way to highlight the deep history and strong heritage of agriculture in our state.”
Farm families with a century or heritage farm must submit an application to the Department no later than June 1 to qualify for recognition this year.
Applications are available on the Department’s website at www.IowaAgriculture.gov by clicking on the Century Farm or Heritage Farm link under “Hot Topics.”

by Joyce Davidshofer, Allamakee County Executive Director

Reminders
• May 14 - August 2 – Nesting season. Food plots or mid contract management actives are not allowed during this time.
• May 25 – Memorial Day.  Office Closed.
• May 31 – Last day to receive a corn and/or soybean loan for 2014 crop.
• July 4 – Office closed.
• July 15 – Deadline to certify all crops and CRP acres.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey recently announced the State Soil Conservation Committee Research and Demonstration Fund has assistance available to support research or education/demonstration projects that explore sustainable agriculture and projects focused on reducing nonpoint pollution. Funds are available to collaborative teams of scientists, farmers, institutions, soil and water conservation districts and educators.
Applications must be submitted to the State Soil Conservation Committee by May 22, 2015. A July 1 start date for selected projects is anticipated. Proposals must address issues of nonpoint pollution control. Successful projects should be focused on sustaining and improving environmental quality or the natural resource base on which agriculture depends. Applications should also explain how the projects would enhance the quality of life for farmers, rural communities, and society as a whole.

by Joyce Davidshofer, Allamakee County Executive Director

Reminders
May 14 – August 2: Nesting season – No food plots or mid-contract management actives are not allowed during this time.
May 25: Memorial Day, office closed.
May 31: Last day to receive a corn and/or soybean loan for 2014 crop.
July 4: Office closed.
July 15: Deadline to certify all crops and CRP acres.

The Allamakee SWCD has revised its state cost share policy. Applications can be accepted at any time. Land owners interested in installing a conservation practice may contact the SWCD office to set up a time to meet with staff and look at the site. The district has currently obligated all of its funds for fiscal year 2015. A new allocation of funds should be received in July and fund obligation will start in August. More detailed guidelines are available at the SWCD office.

by Joyce Davidshofer, Allamakee County Executive Director

Reminders
• May 14 - August 2: Nesting season – No food plots or mid-contract management actives are allowed during this time.
• May 25: Memorial Day – Office Closed.
• May 31: Last day to receive a corn and/or soybean loan for 2014 crop.
• July 4: Office Closed
• July 15: Deadline to certify all crops and CRP acres.

Margin Protection Program for Dairy Producers
The January and February 2015 payment trigger was recently announced. The national average margin between the price of milk and cost of feed was $7.99554/cwt., resulting in a MPP payment rate of $0.004456/cwt. for dairy operations who selected an $8.00 margin trigger coverage level for 2015. Payments were processed April 13, 2015. For the 2015 calendar year the 7.3% sequestration will be taken from the gross amount.