Agriculture

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey reminds eligible farm owners that the deadline to apply for the 2015 Century and Heritage Farm Program is June 1. The program recognizes families that have owned their farm for 100 years in the case of Century Farms and 150 years for Heritage Farms.
 “The deadline for families with a Century or Heritage applications is quickly approaching and I hope those with an eligible farm will take the time to apply,” Northey said. “This program is a great way to highlight the deep history and strong heritage of agriculture in our state.”
Farm families with a century or heritage farm must submit an application to the Department no later than June 1 to qualify for recognition this year.
Applications are available on the Department’s website at www.IowaAgriculture.gov by clicking on the Century Farm or Heritage Farm link under “Hot Topics.”

by Joyce Davidshofer, Allamakee County Executive Director

Reminders
• May 14 - August 2 – Nesting season. Food plots or mid contract management actives are not allowed during this time.
• May 25 – Memorial Day.  Office Closed.
• May 31 – Last day to receive a corn and/or soybean loan for 2014 crop.
• July 4 – Office closed.
• July 15 – Deadline to certify all crops and CRP acres.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey recently announced the State Soil Conservation Committee Research and Demonstration Fund has assistance available to support research or education/demonstration projects that explore sustainable agriculture and projects focused on reducing nonpoint pollution. Funds are available to collaborative teams of scientists, farmers, institutions, soil and water conservation districts and educators.
Applications must be submitted to the State Soil Conservation Committee by May 22, 2015. A July 1 start date for selected projects is anticipated. Proposals must address issues of nonpoint pollution control. Successful projects should be focused on sustaining and improving environmental quality or the natural resource base on which agriculture depends. Applications should also explain how the projects would enhance the quality of life for farmers, rural communities, and society as a whole.

by Joyce Davidshofer, Allamakee County Executive Director

Reminders
May 14 – August 2: Nesting season – No food plots or mid-contract management actives are not allowed during this time.
May 25: Memorial Day, office closed.
May 31: Last day to receive a corn and/or soybean loan for 2014 crop.
July 4: Office closed.
July 15: Deadline to certify all crops and CRP acres.

The Allamakee SWCD has revised its state cost share policy. Applications can be accepted at any time. Land owners interested in installing a conservation practice may contact the SWCD office to set up a time to meet with staff and look at the site. The district has currently obligated all of its funds for fiscal year 2015. A new allocation of funds should be received in July and fund obligation will start in August. More detailed guidelines are available at the SWCD office.

by Joyce Davidshofer, Allamakee County Executive Director

Reminders
• May 14 - August 2: Nesting season – No food plots or mid-contract management actives are allowed during this time.
• May 25: Memorial Day – Office Closed.
• May 31: Last day to receive a corn and/or soybean loan for 2014 crop.
• July 4: Office Closed
• July 15: Deadline to certify all crops and CRP acres.

Margin Protection Program for Dairy Producers
The January and February 2015 payment trigger was recently announced. The national average margin between the price of milk and cost of feed was $7.99554/cwt., resulting in a MPP payment rate of $0.004456/cwt. for dairy operations who selected an $8.00 margin trigger coverage level for 2015. Payments were processed April 13, 2015. For the 2015 calendar year the 7.3% sequestration will be taken from the gross amount.

Farmers in Iowa continue to expand usage of no-till or strip-till to limit runoff, 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.
“No-till and strip-till are great ways to preserve our valuable soil resources and help protect water quality, but managing that residue during spring planting can create challenges.” Northey said. “Fortunately there’s a wealth of resources available from equipment manufacturers, university research and extension, and other farmers that are committed to advancing conservation farming that improves water quality while maintaining crop production.”
Many of the resources below are beneficial regardless of tillage system, but can be even more critical in high residue operations.

by Joyce Davidshofer, Allamakee County Executive Director

Reminders
May 14, 2015 – Deadline to mid-contract management (MCM) practice or a wildlife foodlot to be completed.
May 14, 2015 - August 2, 2015 – Nesting season for CRP acres. No mowing or spraying during this time. Contact the FSA office if there is a noxious weed issue during this time frame.
July 15, 2015 - Deadline for certifying crops planted. After this date there will be a late file fee.

Update Records
The Allamakee County FSA office would like to remind sellers and buyers of land to contact the office when the recorded deed has been filed. NOTE: If all or part of the land has a CRP contact active there will need to be a succession to the CRP contract. If the buyer does not want to succeed to the CRP contract, the seller will need to refund all payments received, plus interest. Inquire at the FSA office on the policies of buying/selling CRP land.

April is the time in Iowa for farmers to start planting and gardeners to prepare their beds for a bounty of fresh produce. It’s also a good time for growers to think about how they can do their part to combat hunger in Iowa. An underutilized state tax incentive helps growers maximize their contributions to participating food banks and pantries, giving the gift of fresh and healthy food to Iowans who need it most.
The Farm to Food Tax Donation Credit allows taxpayers to receive a 15% tax credit, up to $5,000, in return for fresh produce, meat and other wholesome food items donated during the tax year. Adopted by the Iowa legislature in 2013, the credit was underutilized in its first year, with only a small fraction of farmers and food organizations participating in tax year 2014. Iowa’s charities hope that broader awareness of the incentive will increase needy Iowans’ access to healthy food.

by Joyce Davidshofer, Allamakee County Executive Director