Agriculture

The Allamakee County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) will be hosting a small grain workshop Wednesday, August 10 at the Farmers and Merchants Savings Bank Community Room in Waukon. Registration for the event will start at 9:30 a.m. with the program starting at 10 a.m. Those attending can learn more about growing food grade small grains or small grains for cover crop seed.

Speakers will include a representative from Grain Millers in St. Ansgar, Stefan Gailans from Practical Farmers of Iowa, and Northeast Iowa Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D). Information will cover variety selection, planting timing and populations, fertilizer recommendations, weed/disease management, harvest, storage and infrastructure hurdles and opportunities. The event will provide an opportunity for producers to learn more about adding small grains to their rotation.

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

Dates to Remember:

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
July 1 – Sept 30: Sign-up for the 2017 MPP-Dairy program
Sept 1: Premiums are due for 2016 MPP buy-up coverage

by Jason Johnson
Public Affairs Specialist, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Des Moines

Before Allamakee County livestock producer Ryan Collins purchased his own farm in 2011, he knew USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) could help him plan a rotational grazing system through previous experiences with the agency on land his family rented.

So, one of his first calls was to the NRCS office in Waukon when he decided to implement a similar grazing system for his herd of cow/calf pairs on his newly-acquired 170-acre farm near Harpers Ferry.

A rotational grazing system - also referred to as prescribed grazing - means dividing pastures into four or more small paddocks with fencing. The animals move from paddock to paddock on a prearranged schedule based on forage availability and livestock nutrition needs.

In order to have a successful prairie planting, it is important to manage the weeds so that they don’t outcompete the prairie seedlings. One of the best ways to manage weeds in a new CRP planting with native species (CP2, CP25, CP33, CP42) is through mowing.

New plantings should be mowed several times during the first, and possibly the second year, to ensure establishment of adequate cover. Producers don’t need to get permission from the Farm Service Agency (FSA) to mow during the first two years of a new planting. The best results are usually obtained by mowing three to five times during the first year and often one to two times during the second year.

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

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

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”.