Agriculture

A multidisciplinary team of scientists led by Antonio Mallarino, professor of agronomy at Iowa State University, has completed two years of a long-term field study to better understand the impacts of cover crops on nutrient loss with surface runoff.

Cover crops are a recognized nutrient management practice outlined in the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy. They have proven their effectiveness in reducing the amount of nitrogen lost to subsurface drainage, and soil loss from erosion. However, the impact of cover crops in reducing phosphorus loss has not been sufficiently studied.

Iowa Women in Agriculture invite you to join us for the 11th annual Conference at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny August 1.

The 2017 Conference will deliver a full menu of decision-making ingredients for success in today’s difficult economic climate: the latest outlook for ag trade, marketing strategies for low commodity prices, financial risk management tactics, transition and estate-planning tips, and ideas for generating new income and adding value. Our keynote speakers will highlight the unique challenges of women’s roles, offer opportunities to laugh and learn, and to celebrate agriculture.

Due to low commodity prices, farmers are seeking alternative crops that are cheaper to grow. Small grains crops like barley, oats, rye, triticale and wheat are very low-input crops that can fit this need in farmers’ operations – but many farmers need help getting started.

Practical Farmers of Iowa is answering the call for more resources and education on small grains production with a conference and five field days devoted to the topic in 2017. Attendees at these events will learn about a range of issues related to growing small grains, and will also benefit from meeting other farmers who are curious about or experimenting with these crops.

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

Upcoming Deadlines and Important Dates
• May 15 – August 1: Primary Nesting Season
• July 15 – 2017 Crop Reports (FSA 578)   
• July 1 – Sept. 30: Sign up for the 2018 MPP Dairy Program
• August 1: ARC/PLC Sign-up

Crop Reporting
The Allamakee County FSA office welcomes all county farmers to come in and report their 2017 crops.  Certifying your crops is a requirement for many FSA programs. This includes all spring planted crops and land uses. Forages and pastures were to be reported last fall, and if you missed that deadline, we will be asking for that report now and collecting a late fee. 100% of the farm must be reported to be eligible for programs. Please report what is planted on your farm by the deadline of July 15.

Fayette County 4-H’ers at the Growing Greener 4-H Greenhouse and the Steinlage family at Flolo Farms will host soil health expert and conservation agronomist Ray Archuleta for two field days- one focused on youth activities and another geared toward professional farmers.

Ray Archuleta is known around the world for his analysis of soils under different tillage systems and his promotion of healthy soils and conservation tillage systems, and is known affectionately by farmers around the world as “Ray the Soils Guy.” He has 25 years of experience with the USDA’s National Resources Conservation Service across the United States, and has lectured internationally.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey encourages Iowa hay and straw producers to register or update their listing on the Iowa Hay and Straw Directory.  The directory lists Iowa producers with hay and straw for sale, as well as organizations and businesses associated with promoting and marketing quality hay and straw.

“The directory has been a great tool for both buyers and sellers and we hope farmers will take the time to review and update their information so that it remains a valuable resource,” Northey said.  “This directory can serve as a critical link for those producing hay and those looking to buy, so we encourage Iowans to take advantage of this free directory.”

The listing is available to interested buyers throughout the nation, however only sellers from within Iowa can be included on the list.

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

Upcoming Deadlines and Important Dates
• May 15 – August 1: Primary Nesting Season
• July 15 – 2017 Crop Reports (FSA 578)   
• July 1 – Sept. 30: Sign up for the 2018 MPP Dairy Program
• August 1 - ARC/PLC Sign-up

Submitted by Sara Berges, Allamakee Soil and Water Conservation District

Submitted by Sara Berges, Allamakee SWCD

In order to have a successful prairie planting, it is important to manage the weeds so that they don’t outcompete the prairie seedlings. You will need to scout your CRP fields often during the establishment years to keep ahead of weeds. One of the best ways to manage weeds in a new CRP planting with native species (CP2, CP25, CP33, CP42) is through mowing. New plantings should be mowed several times during the first, and possibly the second year, to ensure establishment of adequate cover. You don’t need to get permission from FSA to mow during the first two years of a new planting. The best results are usually obtained by mowing three to five times during the first year and often one to two times during the second year. 

Iowa State University Extension will host a series of field days in June designed to help farmers understand how nitrogen research is conducted with goals to improve both farm profitability and water quality. The field days are part of ISU Extension’s “Nitrogen and Water Week”, which runs from June 27-29. June 28 is the date for the Northeast Research and Demonstration Farm at Nashua.

Five field days will be held throughout the state at Iowa State University Research and Demonstration Farms to view university research facilities and field trials that evaluate nitrogen management. Participants will tour research trials for crop rotations, N application timing and rate, cover crops, manure use, nitrification inhibitors, bioreactor and more. Topics for indoor discussion will include how the research data being collected is used to calculate N fertilizer recommendations, and help define best management practices to improve water quality.