Agriculture

Iowa State University is one of 13 prominent research institutions in the United States that recently joined the SoAR Foundation in calling for a surge in federal support of food and agricultural science. “Retaking the Field,” the report released by this coalition, highlights recent scientific innovations and illustrates how U.S. agricultural production is losing ground to China and other global competitors.

“We need to think differently about how we call for a common message in support of making food, agricultural and natural resources research a higher national priority,” said Wendy Wintersteen, Endowed Dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Iowa State University. “The Retaking the Field report illustrates the kind of innovative research ongoing at our universities and the benefits possible for the public good if the nation invests more in this critical area of research.”

submitted by Sara Berges, Project Coordinator,
Allamakee County Soil and Water Conservation District

Cereal rye is a cover crop workhorse. Most producers who have tried cover crops started with cereal rye or a mix containing cereal rye.  Some producers are hesitant to try rye cover crops due to a fear of reduced yield in a following corn crop.

The Iowa Learning Farms and Practical Farmers of Iowa have conducted a study for the past seven years to evaluate the effect of cereal rye cover crop on cash crop yield. Their results showed that corn and soybean yields were generally equivalent between strips with cover crops and strips without cover crops. The few sites that had reduced yield were thought to be due to insufficient cover crop termination or improper planter settings.  They suggest terminating the cover crop seven to 10 days before planting to minimize negative impacts on yield.

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

REMINDERS:
July 1 – Sept 30: Sign-up for the 2017 MPP-Dairy program.
July 4: Office closed for Independence Day Holiday
July 5: County Committee meeting at 9:00 am at Waukon USDA Service Center
July 15: Deadline to certify a 2016 crop report (FSA-578)
Aug 1: Deadline to sign-up for the 2016 ARC-Co Program (sign a CCC-861)
Aug 1: Last day to request a farm or tract reconstitution for 2016 crop year
Sept 1: Premiums are due for 2016 MPP buy-up coverage

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

REMINDERS:

July 1 – Sept. 30:   Sign-up for the 2017 MPP-Dairy program
July 4: Office closed for Independence Day Holiday
July 5:County Committee meeting at 9:00 am at Waukon USDA Service Center
July 15: Deadline to certify a 2016 crop report (FSA-578)
Aug 1: Deadline to sign-up for the 2016 ARC-Co Program (sign a CCC-861)
Aug 1: Last day to request a farm or tract reconstitution for 2016 crop year
Sept 1: Premiums are due for 2016 MPP buy-up coverage

“Sharing Solutions” is the theme of the 10th annual Iowa Women in Agriculture Conference at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny on July 26. The Conference will offer opportunities for valuable take-aways on an array of current farm challenges: marketing strategies for low commodity prices, financial risk management, transition hurdles, high cash rental rates, and bootstraps for beginning farmers.

The one-day Conference runs from 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Karey Claghorn, CEO of the Iowa Soybean Association, and former Iowa Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, will kick it off with “Navigating the New Normal: the 2017 Ag Outlook”.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey is reminding farmers the 2016 sign-up period is open for cost share funds for nutrient reduction practices.  This program has been popular with farmers interested in adding additional practices to their operation.  Practices eligible for this funding are cover crops, no-till or strip till, or using a nitrification inhibitor when applying fertilizer.

“With planting completed in much of the state, now is a great time for farmers to visit their local Soil and Water Conservation District office to sign-up for cost share and learn about other conservation programs available as well,” Northey said.  “We continue to see cover crop acreage expand, but we still have more work to do.  This program is a great way for farmers to try a practice and see how it fits on their farm.”

Collecting, analyzing and interpreting increasingly complex and large amounts of data has become an everyday occurrence in today’s world. The massive datasets being generated are commonly called Big Data.

To manage big data, build partnerships among private and public institutions and use data to improve the quality of life the National Science Foundation (NSF) announced a coordinated initiative last November. The initiative set up four regional hubs throughout the United States. Iowa State University is a co-leader of the Midwest Big Data Hub grant, which includes 11 states and five universities.

Joe Colletti, senior associate dean in the Iowa State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, said the focus of the NSF initiative is to build a community of sharing.

AMES, Iowa — A new initiative at the Iowa State University Research Park will identify and fund innovative agricultural startups.

The accelerator program, called the Ag Startup Engine, is part of a broader Iowa State initiative that is working to foster business startup, innovation and technology transfer.

“Ag Startup Engine will deliver funding, mentorship and support to agricultural entrepreneurs with promising business concepts,” said Kevin Kimle, director of the Agricultural Entrepreneurship Initiative in Iowa State’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

“Because of our rich network of entrepreneurs and agribusiness leaders, the launch of this business startup program is a very natural and significant progression of our support of agricultural entrepreneurs,” Kimle said.

Hello!  I am currently the Acting County Executive Director (CED) for the Allamakee Co FSA office.  I live in Elkader and am also serving Clayton County farmers as their FSA CED since 2001.  I started working for ASCS back in 1985 in the Delaware County office and have kept moving north ever since.  I firmly believe that “service” is the mission of FSA, in fact it is our middle name.  I plan on being in the Waukon office two days each week, so please stop in and introduce yourself the next time you visit FSA. 

REMINDERS:
July 4 - Office closed for Independence Day Holiday
July 5 - County Committee meeting at 9:00 am at Waukon USDA Service Center
July 15 - Deadline to certify a 2016 crop report (FSA-578)
Aug 1 - Deadline to sign-up for the 2016 ARC-Co Program (sign a CCC-861)

The Northeast Iowa Dairy Foundation and Iowa’s Dairy Center will host a new traveling, interactive exhibit from June 1-25 that is free, open to the public and celebrates the contributions of Iowa farmers during National June Dairy Month.