What's Up at the USDA Office?
Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
November 28: Office closed in observance of Thanksgiving
November 29: Deadline to apply for the Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program (ODMAP)
December 2: Deadline to return COC ballots to FSA Office
December 15: Deadline to certify fall-seeded crops - Note: Although cover crops can be reported at any time, we encourage you to do it this fall (2024)
Cover Crop Extension and Available Funding Opportunities
Recently, we announced an extension for the cover crop deadline for individuals with cover crop applications and contracts. Although the published seeding dates provide the best guidance for establishing cover crops, a late seeding variance for winter cereal rye, winter triticale, and camelina allows these species to be seeded prior to December 21. The late seeding date requires additional management considerations to realize the benefits of seeding a cover crop. Drilling or incorporating the seed in the late fall will improve establishment, allowing the cover crop to grow longer in the spring prior to termination will allow more biomass and root growth. Strategies can be incorporated into the overall cropping system to increase the probability of benefits from the cover crop. Consider planting earlier maturing crops for more timely fall seeding, overseeding the cover crop as the primary crop senesces, timely harvest of fields being seeded to cover crops, etc.
The first application cutoff for Iowa farmers and other private landowners to apply for conservation practices was November 22, 2024. Although this date has past, we still accept and process applications for future funding rounds.
NRCS Farm Bill programs:
• Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)
• Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP)
Last year, NRCS obligated a record $103 million to Iowans through CSP, EQIP and RCPP. Iowa NRCS State Conservationist Jon Hubbert believes FY25 will be another record year. “The demand for conservation funding in Iowa has never been greater,” said Hubbert. “From soil health to water quality to wildlife habitat, our staff are available to help with your resource conservation needs.”
A major reason for the increase in conservation funding is the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). Signed into law in August 2022, the IRA is delivering unprecedented conservation funding to Iowa farmers. About 36 percent of Iowa NRCS conservation funding last year was through the IRA.
In addition to traditional program funding, the IRA adds targeted funding for climate-smart agricultural practices that benefit soil health, water quality, wildlife habitat, and treat other resource concerns. Examples include no-till farming, cover crops, conservation cover, crop rotations, nutrient management, prescribed grazing, tree-shrub establishment, and windbreak-shelterbelt establishment/renovation.
