Agriculture

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.

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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
March 15: Deadline to sign up for ARC PLC program

Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage Programs Receive 2018 Farm Bill One Year Extension, Farmers Can Now Enroll for the 2024 Crop Year
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that agricultural producers can now enroll in the Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC), or ARC-Individual (ARC-IC) programs for the 2024 crop year. Producers can enroll and make election changes for the 2024 crop year starting Dec. 18, 2023. The deadline to complete enrollment and any election change is March 15, 2024.

by Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig

2023 marked 100 years since the Iowa Legislature created the position of Iowa Secretary of Agriculture. In that time, fifteen different Iowans have had the opportunity to lead the talented team at the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. Though much has changed since 1923, one thing has remained consistent: a commitment to serving Iowans and promoting our state’s thriving agriculture.

Our work matters and it impacts the lives of consumers every day. We are honored to play a role in supporting the industry that is at the heart of Iowa and drives our economy. Here are a few highlights from the year:

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
January 31: Livestock Forage Program (LFP)

Taking 2nd Round applications
Although NRCS takes program applications on a continual basis, we have just announced our 2nd round cutoff for program applications and a new way of processing applications more efficiently through ACT NOW.
Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)

Cattle in the Green is a  five-part series on farm business management designed to assist cattle producers with a new way of looking at management and economic decisions. Instead of the traditional focus on working harder, this series focuses on effective strategies to work smarter and more profitable.

“In this series, you’ll learn how to financially analyze your livestock/farm operation in a different way,” Denise Schwab, ISU Extension beef specialist said. “This will help you find more profit, eliminate money pits and lower your stress level.”

The five sessions are set for January 17, 24 and 31 and February 7 and 21. All will be held from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 116 E. Military Rd, Postville.  Because of the evening time, a light meal will be served sponsored by the Allamakee County Extension, Clayton and Fayette County Cattlemen, Nicholas Wilz Financial Advisor and the Allamakee, Clayton, Fayette and Winneshiek County Extension staff.

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
December 25: Closed for Christmas Holiday
January 31: Livestock Forage Program (LFP)

Tax Resources for USDA Program Participants
Navigating filing taxes can be challenging, especially if you are new to running a farm business, participating in disaster programs for first time, or trying to forecast the farm’s tax bill. Receiving funds from USDA through activities such as a conservation program payment or a disaster program is considered farm income that includes a tax liability for farm businesses. USDA technical assistance is free and creates no tax implications.