Agriculture

June is dairy month and the dairy industry has a big economic impact in Iowa and, more specifically, Allamakee County. According to the 2012 Iowa State University Economic Review, Iowa’s dairy industry is the fifth largest sector of Iowa agriculture.  While herd size and location within the state have shifted substantially over time, the positive economic impact of this industry has remained valuable.

by Joyce Davidshofer, Allmamakee County Executive Director

by Peter Graham, Columnist

Iowa State University Extension Specialists emphasize crop production issues in a late start to the season during the Annual Spring Field Day, scheduled to be held Tuesday, June 24 at the ISU Northeast Research and Demonstration Farm near Nashua.
The program runs from 1 to 4:30 p.m. and will feature five speakers. Ken Pecinovsky, ISU Research Farm Superintendent, will briefly review 2014 seasonal weather and research on the farm. Mike Owen, Weed Management Specialist, will comment on herbicide research at the farm and product choices for corn and soybeans. Mark Hanna, Ag Engineer, will explain recent research conducted at ISU to save energy costs with proper farm equipment adjustments. Mark Licht, Cropping Systems Agronomist, will discuss current corn and soybean production issues in 2014. Erin Hodgson, Entomologist, will cover timely insect pest management tactics for the remainder of this season.

by Peter Graham, Columnist

by Joyce Davidshofer, Allamakee County FSA Executive Director

Farmers still have a fighting chance to stop Palmer Amaranth, a tough yield-robbing weed, from spreading in Iowa.
The Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach are working together to provide information to keep the weed at bay. Native to the southwestern United States, Palmer was first officially identified in Iowa last September. There are now documented cases in Harrison, Page, Muscatine, Fremont and Davis counties. Herbicide resistance, primarily to glyphosate, is an issue.
“We’re at a point that we can really restrict how quickly it spreads,” said Mike Owen, ISU weed specialist. “If we ignore it, in the next 10 years it could be infesting half the (row crop) acres in Iowa.”
That will decimate yields and the bottom line.

by Peter Graham, Columnist

by Joyce Davidshofer, Allamakee County Executive Director

Reminders
April 15, 2014 – January 30, 2015 sign-up for the LIP/LFP/ELAP/TAP programs.
July 15, 2014 – Crop certification deadline
New: Allamakee County Executive Director Joyce Davidshofer, starting June 4, will be on KNEI Radio at 9 a.m. every Wednesday to update producers on programs and deadlines.