Agriculture

Farmers in Iowa continue to expand usage of no-till or strip-till to limit run-off, improve water quality and reduce production costs. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey recently shared a list of recommendations and resources that are valuable for experienced no-/strip-tillers and those new to the practice.

“We are in the midst of spring planting and continue to see significant growth in no-till and strip-till adoption across the state. New technologies and tools continue to provide additional options for farmers using or considering reduced or no tillage systems. There are a wide variety of resources available to help farmers successfully transition their tillage system to help protect water quality and maintain crop production,” Northey said.

by Joyce Davidshofer, Allamakee County Executive Director

(563) 568-2148

The next Allamakee County Committee meeting will be announced at a later date.

REMINDERS
May 15-August 2, 2016: Nesting season on CRP ground. Please contact the county office before you do anything in regards to noxious weeds etc.
CRP producers who will need to conduct Mid Contract Management activity, the deadline is May 14, 2016. If there is a situation this cannot be completed by this date, please call the county office as soon as possible. Example: Seed is not available.
May 30, 2016 - Closed Memorial Day
May 31, 2016 - Last day to obtain a commodity nine-month loan for 2015 for Corn, Dry Peas, Grain Sorghum, Lentils, Mustard Seed, Rice, Safflower Seed, Chickpeas, Soybeans, Sunflower Seed.
If you have any questions on these reminders, please contact the Allamakee County FSA Office.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey has highlighted Soil and Water Conservation Week, which runs from April 24 to May 1.  The week is an opportunity to recognize the important conservation practices placed on Iowa’s landscape and bring attention to the ongoing work by farmers, landowners and urban residents to protect the state’s soil and water resources.

“Iowans in our towns and on our farms continue to engage in water quality and soil conservation efforts. This week is an opportunity to celebrate all the work that has been done and highlight the efforts currently underway to prevent erosion and improve water quality,” Northey said.  “It is vital that we preserve the soil and water resources that help make Iowa agriculture so productive and such a key driver of our state’s economy.”

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey recently highlighted the preparations that have taken place by Iowa poultry farmers and by the state and federal governments to better prepare for another potential outbreak of avian influenza.

by Joyce Davidshofer,

Allamakee County Executive Director

(563) 568-2148

The next Allamakee County Committee meeting will be announced at a later date.

REMINDERS
May 15-August 2, 2016: Nesting season on CRP ground. Please contact the county office before you do anything in regards to noxious weeds etc.
May 30, 2016 - Closed Memorial Day.
May 31, 2016 - Last day to obtain a commodity, nine month loan for 2015 for corn, soybeans etc.

After a fantastic fall for cover crop growth, cereal rye is up and growing around the state. Over the next month, it will be time to turn that green carpet brown and plant the cash crops. But when is the optimal termination date? Currently, many farmers play it safe by terminating two to three weeks before planting time, hoping to limit the chance that a cover crop might decrease the yield of their subsequent cash crop.

Some farmers, however, are finding they can let their cereal rye cover crop continue to grow right up to - and even after - soybean planting time. These farmers have been conducting on-farm research with Practical Farmers of Iowa to determine the best time to terminate cover crops ahead of soybeans.

The next Allamakee County Committee meeting will be announced at a later date.

REMINDERS
May 15-August 2, 2016 – Nesting season on CRP ground. Please contact the county office before you do anything in regards to noxious weeds etc.
May 30, 2016 – Closed Memorial Day
May 31, 2016 – Last day to obtain a commodity, nine month loan for 2015 for corn, soybeans etc.

Funds have been depleted from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s Buffer Initiative program for this fiscal year.  The program pays $300/acre for the installation of contour buffer strips.
A majority of the funds from this state-wide pot of money have been allocated for use in Allamakee County.  More funds will hopefully be available at the beginning of the State Fiscal Year, July 2016.
Anyone who may be interested in installing buffer strips next year is asked to contact the Allamakee Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) office at 563-568-2246, ext. 3 to sign up.  The funds are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.  Staff members are still available to lay out buffer strips even if the producers are not signed up to receive cost-share.

submitted by Sara Berges, Allamakee SWCD

By Joyce Davidshofer, Allamakee County Executive Director

The next Allamakee County Committee meeting will be Thursday, April 7 at 9 a.m. in the Allamakee County Conference Room.

Reminders
May 15 - August 2, 2016 – Nesting season on CRP ground. Please contact the county office before you do anything in regards to noxious weeds etc.
May 31, 2016 – Last day to receive a commodity loan for corn, soybeans etc.