Agriculture

by Joyce Davidshofer, Allamakee County Executive Director

Quality beef begins with quality care. The Iowa Beef Industry Council wants to recognize beef producers and marketers who diligently care for and properly handle cattle in order to provide consumers with safe and wholesome beef. Applications for Iowa’s 2014 Iowa Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Awards are now being accepted.
BQA is a national program for beef cattle production that assures the highest standards of animal care and treatment. It was developed with guidance from leading animal health and well-being experts and outlines essential elements for cattle care. More than 90 percent of all U.S. beef is raised under the BQA program.

by Joyce Davidshofer, Allamakee County Executive Director

Reminders
April 15, 2014 – January 30, 2015 sign-up for the LIP/LFP/ELAP/TAP programs.
June 9, 2014 – September 30, 2014 – CRP Continuous CRP Sign-up 46.
November 1, 2014 – December 30, 2015 – Forage, pasture, grasses certification due for spring 2015 year. Late file fee will apply - no waivers.

In a unanimous vote, the Environmental Protection Commission adopted rules governing totally roofed confinement feeding operations August 19.
The rules require these facilities to have a federal permit to discharge to waters of the U.S. called a national pollutant discharge elimination system (NPDES) permit. Operations that need the permits must meet federal design, construction and monitoring standards.
However, the NPDES permit allows discharges of effluent to a water of the U.S. under certain conditions, such as heavy rainfall. Depending upon the location, an NPDES-permitted facility in Iowa would be allowed to discharge if more than 5.6 inches of rain fell within 24 hours.

by Joyce Davidshofer, Allamakee County Executive Director

Reminders
April 15, 2014 – January 30, 2015 sign-up for the LIP/LFP/ELAP/TAP programs.
June 9, 2014 – September 30, 2014 – CRP Continuous CRP Sign-up 46.
November 1, 2014 – December 30, 2015 – Forage, pasture, grasses certification due for spring 2015 year. Late file fee will apply - no waivers.

The Allamakee County Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) currently has a project to help landowners include conservation in their farm leases by updating their NRCS conservation plan(s) and plan maps to include them as an addendum to the farm lease. This free service is available to anyone in Allamakee County. Since there is an active watershed project in the Waterloo Creek Watershed, the SWCD would especially like to encourage Waterloo Creek landowners in both the Iowa and Minnesota portions of the watershed to consider participating in this project.  This project helps to facilitate discussion between the landowners and tenants regarding their goals and priorities for the land.  

by Joyce Davidshofer, Allamakee County Executive Director

The Allamakee County Committee meeting will be held Thursday, August 21 at 9 a.m.

Reminders
April 15, 2014 – January 30, 2015 sign-up for the LIP/LFP/ELAP/TAP programs.
June 9, 2014 – September 30, 2014 – CRP Continuous CRP Sign-up 46.
November 1, 2014 – December 30, 2015 – Forage, pasture, grasses certification due for spring 2015 year. Late file fee will apply - no waivers.

Practical Farmers of Iowa is now accepting applications for the 2015-2016 Savings Incentive Program. The two-year program seeks to help beginning and aspiring farmers achieve success with their farm start-ups by pairing participants with experienced mentors; offering business plan support and the chance to save money and receive matching funds; access to learning opportunities; and connection to a network of supportive farmers.

by Joyce Davishofer, Allamakee County Executive Director

The Allamakee County Committee meeting will be held Thursday, August 21 at a.m.

Reminders
April 15, 2014 – January 30, 2015 sign-up for the LIP/LFP/ELAP/TAP programs.
June 9, 2014 – September 30, 2014 – CRP Continuous CRP Sign-up 46.
November 1, 2014 – December 30, 2015 – Forage, pasture, grasses certification due for spring 2015 year. Late file fee will apply, no waivers.
Wednesday mornings of every week, Allamakee County Executive Director Joyce Davidshofer will give an update on new and changed FSA programs at 9 a.m. on KNEI radio.
Anyone who has an email account can receive newsletters/bulletins from the Farm Service Agency. If the county office does not have your email on file, contact the County FSA Office. The current budget does not allow the FSA Office to mail newsletters through the post office.

by Allamakee County Executive Director Joyce Davidshofer

Reminders
April 15, 2014 – January 30, 2015 sign-up for the LIP/LFP/ELAP/TAP programs.
June 9, 2014 – September 30, 2014 – CRP Continuous CRP Sign-up 46.
November 1, 2014 – December 30, 2015 – Forage, pasture, grasses certification due for spring 2015 year. Late file fee will apply no waivers.