Agriculture

by Sara Berges,
Allamakee SWCD

With fungicide application to any crop, it is important to select opportunities where the probability of economic return is greatest. Iowa State University has conducted six years (2012-2017) of research looking at the economic and yield impact of fungicide application to alfalfa. Harvest schedules followed a four-cut system.  On average, first crop provided a higher percent yield response to a foliar fungicide application than for later crops.   This is because spring usually favors alfalfa diseases due to higher rainfall and there is higher yield potential for first crop than for later crops. In dry years, disease incidence was low and application of fungicide provided little yield response and often resulted in an economic loss. 

Agricultural lenders and suppliers, producers and policymakers grow nervous when commodity prices, input costs, farmland values and lease rates become volatile says Melissa O’Rourke, Farm and Agribusiness Management Specialist for Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach. “Add in weather variables and there is plenty of excitement to manage for the 2018 farming year.”

That’s why O’Rourke recommends that all producers and ag professionals in the region attend a Pro-Ag Outlook Forum December 8 in Decorah.

“Iowa State University agricultural economists cautioned farmers to be prepared for a downturn in commodity values and land,” notes O’Rourke. “Especially in light of these continuing conditions, we’re offering opportunities for producers and ag business professionals to get updated information to help make decisions that need to be made during the post-harvest period,” says O’Rourke.

by Jeremy Leitz, Allamakee County Executive Director  (563) 568-2148

Upcoming Deadlines and Important Dates
• November 23: Office closed in observance of Thanksgiving
• December 15: Report acreages intended to be used for forage and pasture in 2018
• December 15: Sign up for, or opt out of, the 2018 Margin Protection Program

by Joe Moses

Syndicated radio host Trent Loos, a sixth generation farmer from central Nebraska, visited Waukon High School November 10 to speak with FFA students regarding a variety of agriculture related topics.

Loos, famous for his nationally syndicated radio show “Rural Route” and his podcast “Loos Tales,” discussed misconceptions related to farming and agriculture. Loos questioned the FFA students about how they would define agriculture and received a range of answers dealing with the production of crops and livestock and in general terms, the use of nature for the continuation of mankind.

Loos expanded upon the general definition by commenting that agriculture is involved with or benefits most aspects of our lives. Loos discussed that beyond the food that we eat, agriculture is involved in most of the products that we use on a daily basis with components of many things coming from animals and agriculture.

Practical Farmers of Iowa is organizing its 10th annual overnight retreat for beginning farmers, taking place this year December 1-2 at the Wesley Woods Retreat Center in Indianola (10896 Nixon St., about 8.5 miles south of town). The event starts at 1 p.m. Friday, December 1 and runs through 2 p.m. Saturday, December 2. The annual event welcomes individuals who aspire to farm as well as beginning farmers from all farm enterprises.

Registration fees include all materials and workshop costs, breakfast and lunch Saturday, snacks throughout and bunk-style lodging on-site. Attendees are encouraged to bring a dish to share for the Friday night potluck; Practical Farmers will provide the main dish.

Registration is required by Monday, November 27. Register at practicalfarmers.org or by calling Practical Farmers of Iowa at (515) 232-5661. Attendance is limited, so sign-up soon.

New IDALS-Funded Program Aims to Incentivize Expanded Use of Cover Crops to Improve Water Quality
 
Iowa Deputy Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig has announced a new program aimed at increasing acres of cover crops in the state. Iowa farmers who plant cover crops this fall (2017) may be eligible for a $5 per acre premium reduction on their crop insurance in 2018. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) worked with the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA), who oversees the federal crop insurance program, to establish a 3 year demonstration project aimed at expanding the usage of cover crops in Iowa.

Beginning today, IDALS will open the online sign-up and application process for farmers and landowners to certify eligible land for the program at the following link: www.cleanwateriowa.org/covercropdemo.

by Jeremy Leitz, Executive Director Allamakee County (563) 568-2148

Upcoming Deadlines and Important Dates
• December 15: Report acreages intended to be used for forage and pasture in 2018
• December 15: Sign up for, or opt out of, the 2018 Margin Protection Program

County Committee Election
Producers in Ludlow, Jefferson, Post, Franklin, Linton, and Fairview Townships should have received their county committee voting ballots last week. The last day to return completed ballots to the FSA office is December 4. If you’re an eligible producer in one of these townships, please be on the lookout for your ballot. Committee members are a critical component of FSA operations.

Allamakee County 4-H’ers traveled to Iowa State University in Ames November 6 for the Grow by FarmHer conference. Grow is a series of events that inspire and empower young women in agriculture to take an active role in the agriculture industry. A total of 370 young women ages 16-22 with an interest in agriculture had the opportunity to participate in inspirational and informational experiences as a group as well as meaningful one-on-one connections with women ag leaders. At Grow by FarmHer, young women were offered a real-life look at what they need to do to be successful ag leaders, while gaining the encouragement and making the connections that are pivotal to helping them GROW in agriculture. Pictured above at the Grow by FarmHer event are, left to right, Allamakee County 4-H alumna Erika Johnson, who is currently a student at Iowa State University; and Allamakee County 4-H'ers Diana Davison, Madelyn Moser, Soraya Reyes, Shara Cota and Faith Palmer.

by Sara Berges,
Allamakee SWCD
 
We have heard producers say that you’ll have a huge yield drag if you plant corn following a rye cover crop.  Five years ago, this was commonly presented as a potential issue with cereal rye.  However, years of research has shown how to minimize this risk. Most producers (and researchers) have found in recent years that there is little to no yield drag with proper management.

 Practical Farmers of Iowa takes their farmer-to-farmer education format online with their farminar series each Tuesday night through the end of the year. The popular webinar series offers practical knowledge for row crop, livestock and fruit and vegetable farmers and is free for anyone with an internet connection to participate.