Agriculture

Wed
02
Mar

Wisconsin Dairy and Beef Well-Being Conference scheduled for March 11

Consumers want to know where and how their food is produced. The University of Wisconsin-Extension will host the annual Dairy and Beef Well-Being Conference March 11 at University of Wisconsin-Platteville and Pioneer Farm in Platteville. Since consumer confidence is a critical piece of food production, this year’s conference will focus on educating consumers and animal care practices. Dairy and beef producers, veterinarians, farm service providers, educators, emergency managers, first responders, and elected officials are encouraged to attend. Youth are also encouraged to attend as this will be the first conference to offer a youth track with hands-on and interactive activities by conference speakers.

Wed
02
Mar

Farmland Drainage Workshop scheduled for March 11 in Osage

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Iowa Farm Bureau of Mitchell County, Iowa Soybean Association, Iowa Soybean Checkoff, various industry partners, and the United States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service are collaborating to offer a day-long Farmland Drainage Workshop Friday, March 11. The workshop will be held at the V.F.W. located at 3693 Hwy. 218 North, Osage, with registration at 8 a.m., and the workshop beginning at 8:15 a.m.
Topics to be covered include sub-surface drainage design concepts, wetland determinations, Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy, long-term benefits of tiling, economics, nutrient cycling in soils, controlled drainage, bioreactors, saturated buffers, legal issues related to tiling and drainage laws.

Wed
24
Feb

What's Up at the FSA Office?

by Joyce Davidshofer, Allamakee County Executive Director

Meeting
The next Allamakee County Committee meeting will be Thursday, March 10 at 9 a.m. in the Allamakee County Conference Room.

Reminder
February 26, 2016 is the deadline for General CRP program.

Wed
24
Feb

Nominations being accepted for Iowa Conservation Farmer of the Year honor through Iowa Farm Bureau, Department of Agriculture

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey encourages Iowans to nominate deserving farmers for the 2016 Iowa Conservation Farmer of the Year Award. The award is given out each year to one statewide winner who is making outstanding contributions towards soil conservation and water quality. The award is sponsored by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF).
“The award recognizes a farmer who has gone above and beyond in their conservation efforts. It is important that we recognize the continuous voluntary improvements made by all Iowa farmers and help raise awareness about the efforts by farmers to conserve our valuable soil and protect water quality,” Northey said.

Wed
24
Feb

Farm Cash Flow Crisis and Water Quality Research Upate to be highlighted at ISU NE Research Farm Annual Meeting

Kelvin Leibold, Farm Management Specialist, and Matt Helmers, Agriculture Engineer, will speak at the annual meeting of the Northeast Iowa Agricultural Experimental Association (NEIAEA) March 9 at the ISU Northeast Research and Demonstration Farm near Nashua. The program starts at 9:30 a.m. with a Call to Order for the annual board meeting.
From 10 a.m. to 12 Noon will be key presentations from Kelvin Leibold and Matt Helmers. Leibold will address “Cash Flow Crisis - causes, cures and opportunities for Iowa’s producers.” Helmers will discuss research and its implications from one of the premiere water quality research facilities in the nation. After lunch, Ken Pecinovsky, Research Farm Superintendent, will review research trial results conducted at the ISU Northeast Research Farm in 2015.

Wed
17
Feb

What's Up at the FSA Office?

by Joyce Davidshofer, Allamakee County Executive Director

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

New General CRP Sign-up
December 1, 2015 through February 26, 2016 is the new general CRP sign-up. Land that is not currently enrolled in CRP may be offered for enrollment during CRP sign-up 49. In addition, CRP participants with contracts expiring September 30, 2016 may submit offers at this time. Accepted contracts for CRP sign-up 49 will become effective October 1, 2016.
NOTE: Please do not wait until the February 26, 2016 deadline due to determining eligibility per crop history and other steps in the CRP sign-up process.

Wed
17
Feb

Allamakee SWCD and NE Iowa RC&D to sponsor Grassfed Field Day February 27

Local livestock producers and statewide and regional organizations are teaming up to host a field day February 27 for those interested in learning more about grazing, marketing and soil health in northeast Iowa. The Allamakee SWCD and Northeast Iowa RC&D are partnering with the Northeast Iowa Grassfed  Livestock Producer Group, the Leopold Center, Iowa NRCS, Practical Farmers of Iowa, The Pasture Project, and the Turkey River Watershed to host the event.  The field day compliments projects at both Northeast Iowa RC&D and the Allamakee SWCD to promote more pasture and hay in the crop rotation.
The day will begin at 9 a.m. at the Marquette Community Center with presentations and lunch. The afternoon will continue at 1:30 pm at Greg Koether’s Ranch for a pasture walk.

Wed
17
Feb

Annie’s Project provides agriculture business education to Iowa farm women

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Allamakee County will offer a networking program that empowers women in agriculture to become better business partners and owners.
Annie’s Project, a six-week course designed especially to help farm women develop their management and decision-making skills, is being offered by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Allamakee County. Online registration is available at www.aep.iastate.edu/womeninag or at the Allamakee County Extension office.
Classes will be held at Farmers & Merchants Savings Bank Community Room Thursdays from 9 a.m.-12 Noon beginning March 17 and continuing each Thursday through April 21. A light lunch will be provided from noon to 12:30 p.m. within the cost of the program.

Wed
10
Feb

What's Up at the FSA Office?

by Joyce Davidshofer, Allamakee County Executive Director

Meeting
The next Allamakee County Committee meeting will be February 11 at 9 a.m. at the Allamakee County FSA Office conference room.

Reminder
February 15, 2016 - Office closed for Presidents Day
February 26, 2016 - Deadline for General CRP program

New General CRP Sign-Up
December 1, 2015 through February 26, 2016 is the new general CRP sign-up. Land that is not currently enrolled in CRP may be offered for enrollment during CRP Sign-Up 49. In addition, CRP participants with contracts expiring September 30, 2016 may submit offers at this time. Accepted contracts for CRP Sign-Up 49 will become effective October 1, 2016.
NOTE: Please do not wait until the February 26, 2016 deadline, due to determining eligibility per crop history and other steps in the CRP sign-up process.

Wed
10
Feb

Northey releases Iowa Water Quality Initiative 2016 Legislative Report

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey recently highlighted the Iowa Water Quality Initiative 2016 Legislative Report during his presentation to the Agriculture and Natural Resources Appropriations Subcommittee.
“We continue to see engagement and investment in water quality efforts and it is exciting to see the progress that is being made. Thanks to the support we have received from the Governor and Legislature the Iowa Water Quality Initiative continues to expand and work with additional farmers. This report provides an update on the initiative to legislators and outlines our request for the next fiscal year,” Northey said.

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