Agriculture

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
May 15 - August 1: CRP Primary Nesting Season
May 31: Deadline to apply for a Marketing Assistance Loan (MAL) for 2023 crops
June 19: Office Closed – Juneteenth
July 4: Office Closed – Independence Day
July 15: Acreage Reporting Deadline for FY24

Farm families will be honored August 15 at the Iowa State Fair

The June 1 deadline for eligible Iowa farm owners to apply for Century or Heritage Farm recognition is quickly approaching, and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is encouraging farm families to apply today.

The program, which was created in partnership by the Department and the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, honors families who have owned their farms for 100 years and 150 years, respectively. This is the 48th year of the Century Farm Program, which started in 1976 as part of the Nation’s Bicentennial Celebration. To date, more than 21,000 farms from across the state have received this distinction. This is the 18th year of the Heritage Farm Program and more than 1,800 farms have been recognized since this program began in 2006.

Jewell Enterprises has developed a managed grazing system including over 10,000 feet of buried water lines with quick couple attachments, water tanks on skids, subdivision fences with high tensile wire, and some silvopastures. Robert Jewell has moved cows on about a daily basis for over three years now. Jewell and his dad farm together and have also seeded some cover crops on grain fields for additional fall or early spring grazing.

Jewell will share his experiences at a pasture walk on Tuesday, June 25, at 6:00 pm. In addition, Jacob Hawes, NE Area Grassland Specialist, will speak on cost share opportunities to improve pastures and soil health, and Denise Schwab, ISUEO beef specialist, will discuss grazing efficiency.  Some of the grazing practices to be highlighted include buried water lines to each paddock, pasture subdivision layout, division fencing, and the equipment he uses to make moved cows easier.

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
May 14: Deadline to complete CRP Management Activities
May 15 - August 1: CRP Primary Nesting Season
May 31: Deadline to apply for a Marketing Assistance Loan (MAL) for 2023 crops
July 15: Deadline to report 2024 crops

Crop Reporting Reminders
Maps are now available at the Allamakee County FSA Office for acreage reporting purposes. These certification maps were mailed to all Allamakee County producers the week of April 29, 2024.

Please see the following acreage reporting deadlines for Allamakee County:
• December 15th Fall Seeded Grains
• July 15th Spring Seeded Crops, annual forages, CRP

What if Iowa farmers could collect field drainage and rainfall to supply the right amount of water at the right time for crop production – and improve water quality in the process? That dream is coming closer to reality, thanks to the emerging technology of drainage water recycling (DWR) already in practice on several Iowa farms.

Precipitation in Iowa is generally adequate to produce good crops. However, yields are often limited when the timing and volume of rainfall doesn’t coincide with crop water needs. By storing drainage water in the spring to reuse in the summer as supplemental irrigation during dry periods, DWR can increase crop yields and make cropping systems more predictable and resilient to weather extremes.

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
May 14: Deadline to complete CRP Management Activities
May 15 - August 1: CRP Primary Nesting Season
May 31: Deadline to apply for a Marketing Assistance Loan (MAL) for 2023 crops

As temperatures rise, rural roadways will soon see an increase in farm equipment

Planting season has begun with vigor, and it is crucial for motorists to be aware of safety precautions while sharing the roadways with farm machinery. Steven Freeman, a professor in agricultural and biosystems engineering at Iowa State University, shares his top advice for motorists, along with farm equipment operators, as this spring’s planting season gets underway.

“We all rely on farmers who are in the fields planting and doing their job. It is important for them to get to those fields safely to do what they need to do,” said Steven Freeman. “Both farmers and motorists need to be reminded that they need to share the roads.”

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
April 29: Deadline to sign up for Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC)
May 14: Deadline to complete CRP Management Activities
May 15 - August 1: CRP Primary Nesting Season
May 31: Deadline to apply for a Marketing Assistance Loan (MAL) for 2023 crops

Meet Our New Hires!
Hello, my name is Becky Winkie and I just transferred to the Allamakee County FSA in February 2024 from the Houston County, MN FSA Office. I have been working for the Farm Service Agency since February 2016. I grew up on a small beef and grain farm in north central Iowa near Sheffield (Franklin County).

Winner Receives New John Deere 5M Utility Tractor for One Year
 
Nominations are now open for the 2024 Iowa Conservation Farmer of the Year.  Now in its 73rd year, this prestigious honor has been awarded to celebrate conservation progress among select Iowa farmers who are committed to exceptional environmental stewardship and conservation efforts.

The statewide and regional awards, co-sponsored by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) and the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF), honor Iowa farmers who have distinguished track records of commitment to soil conservation and water quality improvement efforts.

The grand prize winner will receive the use of a new John Deere 5M utility tractor for one year courtesy of longtime award supporters, Van Wall Equipment of Perry and John Deere.  

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
April 29: Deadline to sign up for Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC)
May 14: Deadline to complete CRP Management Activities
May 15 - August 1: CRP Primary Nesting Season
May 31: Deadline to apply for a Marketing Assistance Loan (MAL) for 2023 crops

Prescribed Burning
Spring is here and we are seeing several people out and about conducting burns across the county in their road ditches, hay fields, CRP, and timber. Burns can be very beneficial if completed timely and conducted routinely every 3-5 years. One exception is woody vegetation. It may be necessary to burn two or more consecutive years to control undesirable sprouting of woody vegetation. Having a purpose or a goal in mind before you burn can dictate when your best burn window can be.