Agriculture

Wed
19
Apr

Custom Farm Rate Survey results released for Iowa

Table 1. Average farm custom rates reported for Iowa ...
Table 1. Average farm custom rates reported for Iowa ...

Many Iowa farmers hire some custom machine work in their farm business or perform custom work for others. Others rent machinery or perform other services.

In order to help producers and custom operators examine the market, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach publishes the Iowa Farm Custom Rate Survey.

This year’s survey, published in March, includes 94 responses and 2,621 custom rates for tasks related to tillage, planting and seeding, spraying, harvesting, farm labor and more. Additions to the survey for 2023 include ground (broadcast) spraying with a self-propelled, tall-crop sprayer and liquid fertilizer high clearance application with drop hose and Y spray nozzle.

Wed
12
Apr

What's Up at the USDA Office?

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

April 2023 CCC and FSFL Interest Rates
New rates were issued for the month of April and are as follows:
• MALs: 5.875%
• 4.375% for 3 years
• 4.000% for 5 years
• 4.000% for 7 years
• 3.875% for 10 years
• 3.875% for 12 years

Wed
12
Apr

Organic Ag Podcast features innovative industry topics

Listen to organic farmers share their experiences in new podcast

Organic farmers and those interested in the industry can tune into a new podcast recorded by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

The Innovations in Organic Ag Podcast is available on Iowa State’s Small Farm Sustainability website.

Kathleen Delate, professor and extension organic specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach, interviews four organic farmers and an organic researcher engaged in organic technologies that may offer some value in organic operations. As with all technology, the benefits of technological innovations must be evaluated along with any trade-offs, which are explored in this podcast.

Wed
12
Apr

Integrated Crop Management News offers timely solutions for growers

In-field answers from crop specialists provided throughout the year

Crop producers and the crop industry can get timely updates on growing-season challenges by subscribing to Integrated Crop Management News, a web service offered by the crops team with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

A team of agronomists, plant pathologists, entomologists, weather experts and others collaborate to write timely articles and blogs that are posted to the ICM News website and emailed directly to subscribers.

The information addresses everything from pre-plant to planting concerns, growing season issues, harvest and reflections on the past growing season. Articles are timely and address real-time concerns growers are experiencing.

Wed
05
Apr

What's Up at the USDA Office?

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
June 2: ERP Phase 2
June 2: PARP

submitted by Matthew Welsh, Resource Conservationist, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), USDA

Measuring erosion occurring on the land can be done in a number of different ways. The type of erosion will dictate how that is evaluated. A common type of erosion in our landscape that is often not quantified is ephemeral gully erosion. This type of erosion is characterized as small channels formed by concentrated flow. They are small enough to be leveled back off by tillage and will reform in the same location after rainfall events.

Wed
05
Apr

Improve thin or over-grazed pastures this spring

New resource gives producers insight into the relationship between environment and production practices

The negative impacts of drought, high nitrogen prices and other high prices associated with pasture management have left some pastures in the state in less-than-ideal condition.

As the 2023 growing season approaches, Aaron Saeugling, field agronomist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, discusses important considerations when improving thin or over-grazed pastures. A recent article written by Saeugling for ISU Extension and Outreach’s Acreage Living Newsletter highlights these considerations and provides resources for pasture improvement.

Wed
05
Apr

Resources available through Gundersen Clinic to assist farmers with mental health

Oftentimes in rural communities, when a neighbor is in need, farmers are the first to step up and help. Yet when they’re the ones in need of assistance, they hesitate to ask for that same help they so freely give.

Spring can be a stressful time for some area farmers as they prepare for another growing season, and that stress can have a negative effect on their mental health. That’s why officials at Gundersen Health System say farmers need to focus on themselves and reach out when feeling overwhelmed by the demands of their work – even if that’s something they’re not inclined to do.

“Often there are worries about a stigma associated with mental health, and people are afraid to seek help. They don’t know where to seek help,” said Kimberly Lansing, MD, a physician at Gundersen Health System and director of curriculum for the Wisconsin Academy for Rural Medicine. “For farmers, it’s always been this ‘pull yourself up by the bootstraps.

Wed
29
Mar

What's Up at the USDA Office?

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
June 2: ERP Phase 2
June 2: PARP

Farm Loan Presence in Allamakee County
The USDA/FSA Farm Loan team will have a Loan Officer in our office every Tuesday during normal business hours (8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.). If you would like to visit with the loan officer, feel free to call or stop in.

Wed
22
Mar

What's Up at the USDA Office?

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
June 2: ERP Phase 2
June 2: PARP

submitted by Matthew Welsh, Resource Conservationist, Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), USDA

Farming industry publications such as magazines and online content are full of advertising for seed corn, insurance, chemicals, implements and many other agricultural products. In the February 2023 issue of  Successful Farming a particular ad caught my attention. The add was a foldout page with a picture of tilled cornstalks with the caption “Your Ideal Soil Profile Starts Here”. When opening the fold out, it points to the start of an “ideal soil profile” as a tillage implement, specifically a multi tool vertical tillage implement from a well-known implement line. I think this advertisement begs two questions: What is an ideal soil profile? and what do vertical tillage machines do to the soil?

Wed
22
Mar

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

Applications will be accepted through June 1 of this year

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 of this year.

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 and 150 years, 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.”

To apply, download the application on the Department’s website at iowaagriculture.gov/century-and-heritage-farm-program. Please complete the application and return it to:

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