Agriculture

Wed
01
Mar

Don't forget to visit the NRCS office when transferring land or changing ownership

When working with the local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office to transfer land ownership, change operators or a corporation, LLC or partnership, landowners are reminded to stop by the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office, or contract payments may be in jeopardy.

“Any time there is a change in the control of the land under contract, the contract holder must complete paperwork at the NRCS office to transfer control to the new owner or operator,” said Jon Hubbert, assistant state conservationist for programs.

Landowners must complete Form NRCS-CPA-152 Conservation Program Contract Transfer Agreement within 60 days of the ownership change or land transfer. If not, NRCS will not be able to make contract payments and the contract holder may be liable for financial damages and improper payments, he said.

“Most land transfers are completed by March 1, so this paperwork needs to be completed at the NRCS office by May 1 or earlier,” Hubbert said.

Wed
01
Mar

Herbicide influence on cover crop establishment

by Sara Berges, Allamakee SWCD Project Coordinator

Cover crops have received increased interest in the last few years due to their many soil health benefits. There has also been increased utilization of herbicides with residual activity to allow them to have long-lasting impact on weed management. However, this may also interfere with the establishment and growth of cover crops. When planning cover crops for the fall, it is important to consider the weed management program that will be used.

The first question to consider is whether or not you plan to graze the cover crop or harvest it for feed. If you answer “yes” to this question, then you, by law, must follow the rotational restrictions listed on the chemical label.  However, many cover crops are not listed in the rotational restriction information. If that is the case, the rotational restriction for “other crops” must be followed.

Wed
22
Feb

Iowa Pest Resistance Management Plan unveiled; First round of projects to be selected in April

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey, Iowa State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Associate Dean Dr. John Lawrence and Iowa farmer Larry Buss of Logan have announced the release of the Iowa Pest Resistance Management Plan.  The full plan and additional information about pest resistance management efforts can be found at www.ProtectIowaCrops.org.

Wed
22
Feb

2017 crop market outlook and aquaculture highlighted at Research Farm Annual Meetings

Steve Johnson, Farm Management Specialist and D. Allen Pattillo, Aquaculture Specialist will speak at the annual meeting of the Northeast Iowa Agricultural Experimental Association (NEIAEA) at the ISU Northeast Research Farm near Nashua.

The program starts at 9:30 am Wednesday, March 8 with the Association’s board meeting.  From 10 a.m. to Noon will be key presentations from Steve Johnson and D. Allen Pattillo. Johnson will address “Crop Market Outlook: Strategies & Tools” for Iowa’s producers. Pattillo will discuss “Aquaculture Opportunities in Iowa”. After lunch, Ken Pecinovsky, Research Farm Superintendent, will review 2016 trial results conducted at the ISU Northeast Research Farm.

Provided free at the meeting is the 2016 Research Farm Report. CCA credits (2 CM) will also be offered complimentary. Lunch will be served by the Riverton Lucky Clovers 4-H Club. Following lunch and Pecinovsky’s presentation, the NEIAEA board of directors will meet.

Wed
08
Feb

Quality Awards distributed at Calhoun Coop Creamery Annual Meeting

The 121st annual meeting of Calhoun Coop Creamery, Lansing was held at the Vet's Club in Waukon Tuesday, January 31. A noon meal was served to all by BE Catered of Waukon.

President Dave Bahr called the meeting to order at 12:45 p.m. At the conclusion of the business meeting quality awards were handed out to the following producers:

First-place low bacteria award went to Jerry Egan of Harpers Ferry. There was a tie for second place between Nancy, Mike, Mark and Brenda Hartley of New Albin and Greg and Jenny Conway of Lansing. There were 43 other producers receiving outstanding quality awards.

First-place low somatic cell award also went to Jerry Egan of Harpers Ferry. There were 23 other producers receiving outstanding somatic cell awards with averages under 175,000 for the year.

Tue
31
Jan

Seed Treatment Course scheduled for Feb. 22

Allamakee County will host a Seed Treatment Continuing Instruction Course (CIC) for commercial pesticide applicators, Wednesday, February 22. The program will be shown at locations across Iowa through the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP).

The local attendance site is Allamakee County Extension, 218 7th Ave SE, Suite #102. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., and the course runs from 9 to 11 a.m. To register or to obtain additional information about the CIC, contact the ISU Extension and Outreach office in Allamakee County by phoning 563-568-6345.

The course will provide continuing instruction credit for commercial pesticide applicators certified in categories 4 and 10. Topics to be covered include safe handling and storage of seed treatment products and treated seed; laws and regulations; personal protective equipment; and pests, pest management, and pesticides.

Tue
31
Jan

Beginning Farmer Workshop to be held February 14 in Calmar

The Iowa Agricultural Development Division will be hosting a free Beginning Farmer Workshop Tuesday, February 14 at Northeast Iowa Community College in Calmar. The workshop is open to anyone interested in learning about beginning farmer programs in Iowa.

The agenda includes an overview of USDA-Farm Service Agency and Iowa Finance Authority Beginning Farmer Programs as well as an Ag lender panel discussion which will cover how to enhance relationships with Ag lenders, tips for preparing financial statements, cash flows and loan applications as well as how to improve a credit score.

The Beginning Farmer Workshop will be held Tuesday, February 14 from 8:30-11 a.m. at the Northeast Iowa Community College Dairy Center, Room 115. The event is free, but registration is required at IowaFinanceAuthority.gov/IADD.
 

Tue
31
Jan

PQA Plus® and TQA® Training Session scheduled for Clayton County

The Iowa Pork Industry Center and Iowa State University (ISUEO) Extension and Outreach are teaming up to provide training for pork producers and others who need certification in Pork Quality Assurance Plus® (PQA Plus®) and Transporter Quality Insurance® (TQA®). Programs have been scheduled for Wednesday, February 15 in Elkader, according to ISUEO swine specialist Mark Storlie.

“The programs will be held at the Freedom Bank’s Community Room, 210 South Main Street, in Elkader.  TQA® session will begin at 12:30 pm and the PQA Plus® session will start at 3 pm” Storlie said “Attend one program or both, but pre-registration is required.”

To preregister, contact the Clayton County Extension office at 563-245-1451.  Questions may be directed to Mark Storlie by phone at 563-425-3331 or mstorlie@iastate.edu.

Wed
18
Jan

What's up at the FSA Office?

by Cindy Mensen, Acting Allamakee County Executive Director (563) 568-2148

ATTENTION FARMERS - REMINDER:
February 20: Office Closed for President’s Day.

Reconstitutions
A friendly reminder to all producers who experience ownership or operating changes, purchasing or acquiring new land,  or establishing a trust or legal entity are asked to notify the FSA office as soon as possible after the change has occurred. The sooner this information is shared with the FSA office, the sooner the office can process and update the changes and prevent issues that may arise later in the year.

Wed
18
Jan

Northey: Grants available to help promote specialty crops

Groups promoting fruits and vegetables, nuts and flowers encouraged to comment on program priorities, consider applying for funds

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey recently announced that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is accepting applications for grant funding through the Specialty Crop Block Grant program.  The grants are available to support projects that enhance the competitiveness of specialty crops grown in Iowa.

The final funding level for the 2017 Iowa Specialty Crop Block Grant Program is yet to be announced by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Service that administer the Specialty Crop Block Grant Program, but is expected to be similar to last years $244,352.23 funding.

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