Agriculture

The Annual Spring Field Day at the ISU Northeast Research and Demonstration Farm will run from 1:00 to 4:15 p.m. Elwynn Taylor, ISU Extension Climatologist, will kick-off the program in the Borlaug Learning Center, by providing his insights on crop weather for the 2017 growing season. Tom Kaspar, USDA-ARS, follows with updates and the latest information on cover crop practices for growers in northeast Iowa. We will then convene outside for the farm wagon tours; John Sawyer, Extension soil fertility specialist, will share his expertise on nitrogen fertilizer management for corn, and Mike Owen, Extension weed management specialist, will provide the latest on weed management including Palmer amaranth.

Submitted by Sara Berges, Allamakee SWCD

Oats have been planted and the focus has shifted to corn and soybeans, but it is important to remember to scout oats for diseases. Oats should be scouted for early season crown rust starting at the 3-4 leaf stage. Crown rust is one of the most common and destructive diseases of oat plants. Buckthorn serves as an alternate host for crown rust and therefore may be especially prevalent around woodlands as buckthorn is quickly becoming a common invasive species. Initially crown rust appears as yellow to dark orange pustules on the leaf surfaces. As the infection spreads, the pustules will begin to turn black. Severe rust will reduce photosynthetic activity and yields. However, before you rush to apply fungicide, check variety trials to see if the variety shows any advantage from fungicide treatments.  Some varieties (such as Shelby 427) have shown little difference in yield between fungicide and no-fungicide trials.

by Jeremy Leitz, Allamakee County Executive Director (563) 568-2148

Upcoming Deadlines and Important Dates
• May 15 - August 1: Primary Nesting Season
• July 15: Report All Spring-Seeded Crops   
• August 1: ARC/PLC Sign-up

Crop Reporting
Certifying your crops is a requirement for many FSA programs. This includes all spring planted crops and land uses. Forages and pastures were to be reported last fall, and if you missed that deadline, we will be asking for that report now and collecting a late fee. 100% of the farm must be reported to be eligible for programs. Please report what is planted on your farm by the deadline of July 15.

The 2017 4-State Dairy Nutrition and Management Conference is fast approaching on June 14-15 at the Grand River Center in Dubuque, Iowa. The conference will present the latest research on nutrition and management.

The program starts on June 14 with the Diamond V pre-conference symposium. Speakers will discuss feeding and managing a herd for 35,000 pounds of milk.

Four State conference speakers include Richard Erdman, University of Maryland, discussing DCAD for lactating cows. Paul Kononoff, University of Nebraska, will talk about the importance of water and Bill Weiss, Ohio State University, will show his latest research on using TMR sampling to trouble shoot herds.

Are you interested in cost-share or rebates for energy efficiency practices such as LED lighting, ventilation, pumps/motors or milk handling? Have you wondered what the return is for the solar PV systems you may have seen your neighbor installing? Where are the contractors for all this energy work?

Find answer to those questions and many more at the Northeast Iowa Farm Energy Fair Tuesday, June 13 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Northeast Iowa Community College in Calmar.

The event will offer workshops about technical and financial assistance available for farm energy projects and a contractor expo. The event is free and includes lunch, but attendees must register at energydistrict.org/farmenergyfair/ by June 7 so NICC can plan the meal.

by Jeremy Leitz, Allamakee County Executive Director (563) 568-2148

Upcoming Deadlines and Important Dates
• May 15 – August 1: Primary Nesting Season
• July 15: Report All Spring-Seeded Crops   
• August 1: ARC/PLC Sign-up

Crop Reporting
Certifying your crops is a requirement for many FSA programs.  This includes all spring planted crops and land uses.  Forages and pastures were to be reported last fall, and if you missed that deadline, we will be asking for that report now and collecting a late fee.  100% of the farm must be reported to be eligible for programs.  Please report what is planted on your farm by the deadline of July 15.

submitted by Sara Berges, Allamakee SWCD

It seems fairly obvious that the earlier a cover crop can be seeded in the fall, the more growth there will be (in both the fall and spring).  Currently, the NRCS seeding deadline for winter-hardy cover crops is October 21 if you are receiving cost-share.  If you plant a rye cover crop after that date, will it grow well enough to provide a benefit?  The answer is likely “it depends”.

submitted by Sara Berges, Allamakee SWCD

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today reminded eligible farm owners that the deadline to apply for the 2017 Century and Heritage Farm Program is June 1, 2017. 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 application deadline for families with a Century or Heritage Farm 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, 2017 to qualify for recognition at the Iowa State Fair 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.”

Farmers in northeast Iowa and the surrounding area are invited to attend the Northeast Iowa Farm Energy Fair Tuesday, June 13 from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Northeast Iowa Community College in Calmar. The event will offer the opportunity to attend workshops about technical and financial assistance available for farm energy projects and time to meet with local contractors.

Workshops at the fair will focus on farm energy efficiency and on-site solar opportunities. Morning programming will dive into information regarding farm energy efficiency including lighting, grain drying, dairy equipment, financial incentives, and technical assistance programs.

Programming in the afternoon will focus on on-site farm solar energy production and the incentives that are available for farmers. Industry professionals, farm equipment specialists, solar contractors, and lighting suppliers will be available throughout the day to explore options for improved energy usage.