Agriculture

Wed
21
Jun

What's Up at the USDA Office?

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
May 15 - August 1: Primary Nesting Season
July 15: Spring Crop Reporting
July 14: ERP Phase 2
July 14: PARP

CRP Reminders
The primary nesting season runs from May 15-August 1. Please contact the FSA office if you need to perform spot maintenance activities on your CRP acres during this time.  Cosmetic mowing of your CRP acres is always prohibited, but you can spot treat areas that are threatened by undesirable vegetation throughout the year. A written request must be made before the County Committee grants approval to conduct maintenance during the nesting season. As a reminder, volunteer trees and woody vegetation must be controlled and removed from CRP acres. Failure to control undesirable vegetation on CRP can result in financial penalties.

Wed
14
Jun

What's Up at the USDA Office?

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
May 15 - August 1: Primary Nesting Season
July 15: Spring Crop Reporting
July 14: ERP Phase 2
July 14: PARP

Managing your pasture to reduce soil erosion
submitted by Ben Cottrell, District Conservationist
ICM News Archive - When it comes to soil erosion and surface runoff from agriculture land, tillage and row-crop management attract a lot of attention. However, most Iowa land currently in pasture is unsuitable for crop production because of steep slopes. These slopes make pasture even more vulnerable to water erosion. Mismanaged pasture can contribute substantially to water quality degradation due to soil erosion and sediment transport to nearby water bodies.

Wed
14
Jun

June 21 Field Day to highlight ag markets, management strategies for weeds, pollinator habitat and crop disease updates

The Annual Spring Field Day at the ISU Northeast Research and Demonstration Farm will run from 1-4:30 p.m. Wednesday, June 21. Chad Hart, Iowa State University Extension Economist, will kick-off the program, by providing his insights on current and future agricultural markets. Bob Hartzler, Iowa State University professor (emeritus) and extension weed specialist, will discuss weed management strategies in regard to waterhemp.

Randall Cass, extension entomologist, will provide updates on pollinator habitat establishment and management. Ed Zaworski, extension plant pathologist, will review crop diseases for the 2023 growing season in Northeast Iowa, and give an update on the Iowa State University Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic.

The field day is free and open to the public.  It starts at the Borlaug Learning Center Headquarters on the ISU Northeast Research Farm and Demonstration Farm.

Wed
07
Jun

What's Up at the USDA Office?

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
May 15 - August 1: Primary Nesting Season
July 15: Spring Crop Reporting
July 14: ERP Phase 2
July 14: PARP

CRP Reminders
The primary nesting season runs from May 15 – August 1. Please contact the FSA office if you need to perform spot maintenance activities on your CRP acres during this time. Cosmetic mowing of your CRP acres is always prohibited, but you can spot treat areas that are threatened by undesirable vegetation throughout the year. A written request must be made before the County Committee grants approval to conduct maintenance during the nesting season. As a reminder, volunteer trees and woody vegetation must be controlled and removed from CRP acres. Failure to control undesirable vegetation on CRP can result in financial penalties.

Wed
07
Jun

Celebrate Dairy Month at open house events in June

Iowans of all ages will have the chance to experience modern dairy farming this June, as the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach dairy team celebrates dairy month across the state.

June 14, the Western Iowa Dairy Alliance and Hickory Hill Farms will welcome visitors to an on-farm dinner and tour of the Meissner family’s farm, located at 4045 400th St., near Hospers. Participants will learn about the history and growth of this family farm, including the milking parlor and cow barns, from 4-8 p.m.

June 24, the public can enjoy Breakfast on the Farm, held from 8:30 a.m. until noon at Iowa’s Dairy Center in northeast Iowa, located at 1527 Highway 150 S., south of Calmar.Breakfast on the Farm will be held rain or shine. Donations are accepted the day of the event and parking is available on-site.

Wed
07
Jun

Cash rents reach new high in Iowa, survey shows average increase of 9%

Average cash rents in Iowa are the highest on record, according to the Cash Rental Rates for Iowa 2023 Survey conducted by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

The survey shows an increase of 9% in 2023, for a state average of $279 per acre. The new record is 3.3% higher than the previous record set in 2013, when rent was $270 per acre. The increase in rent since 2013 compares to a 2.8% increase in the non-inflation adjusted price of corn, and a 4.4% decrease in the price of soybeans.

Results of the survey are summarized in the May edition of Ag Decision Maker, in an article written by Alejandro Plastina, associate professor in economics and extension economist with ISU Extension and Outreach.

Wed
31
May

What's Up at the USDA Office?

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
May 15 - August 1: Primary Nesting Season
June 2: ERP Phase 2
June 2: PARP
July 15: Spring Crop Reporting

Conservation Update
submitted by Ben Cottrell, District Conservationist, Waukon
Across Iowa we are seeking applications as we recently released funding for Organic Transition Initiative (OTI) through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) as well as another round of funding for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). NRCS accepts conservation program applications on a continuous basis but sets application cutoff dates as funding allows. The next application cutoff for OTI and CSP applications is June 15.

Wed
24
May

Allamakee County 4-H senior member Sarah Stock awarded during 2023 State 4-H Recognition Day

Sarah Stock ...
Sarah Stock ...

Iowa 4-H youth showcased their leadership, communications, and college and career readiness skills in the annual State 4-H Recognition Day interviews in late March. Interviews were held in person at Iowa State University in Ames, as well as virtually. This statewide event, held each spring, culminates the year’s recognition process.

Senior 4-H members in grades 9-12 apply to be selected to pursue state and national leadership opportunities, trips and awards. Iowa 4-H members selected to be State 4-H Council members, National 4-H Conference delegates, National 4-H Congress delegates, Safety and Education in Shooting Sports Ambassadors, Iowa 4-H Reporters, Iowa 4-H Healthy Living Ambassadors, and project area award recipients are selected and honored.

Wed
24
May

What's Up at the USDA Office?

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
May 15 - August 1: Primary Nesting Season
June 2: ERP Phase 2
June 2: PARP
July 15: Spring Crop Reporting

CRP Reminders
The primary nesting season runs from May 15 – August 1. Be sure to contact the FSA office if you need to perform spot maintenance activities on your CRP acres during this time. Cosmetic mowing of your CRP acres is always prohibited, but you can spot treat areas that are threatened by undesirable vegetation throughout the year. A written request must be made before the County Committee grants approval to conduct maintenance during the nesting season. As a reminder, volunteer trees and woody vegetation must be controlled and removed from CRP acres. Failure to control undesirable vegetation on CRP can result in financial penalties.

Wed
24
May

Secretary Naig encourages applications for the 2023 Century and Heritage Farm Program

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig encourages eligible Iowa farm owners to apply for the 2023 Century and Heritage Farm Program now through June 1.

The program was created by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation to recognize families who have owned their farms for 100 years - for the Century Farm designation - and for 150 years - for the Heritage Farm designation, respectively.

“Iowa’s multi-generational farm families are the backbone of our state and the Century and Heritage Farm Program recognizes their hard work, strength, resilience and perseverance,” said Secretary Naig. “Each year I look forward to recognizing these families, hearing their stories, and celebrating their legacies at the Iowa State Fair.”

Pages

Subscribe to RSS - Agriculture