Agriculture

Wed
06
Nov

What's Up at the USDA Office?

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
November 4: COC ballots mailed to LAA 3 Producers
November 11: Office closed in observance of Veterans Day
November 28: Office closed in observance of Thanksgiving
November 29: Deadline to apply for the Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program (ODMAP)
December 2: Deadline to return COC ballots to FSA Office
December 15: Deadline to certify fall-seeded crops - Note: Although cover crops can be reported at any time, we encourage you to do it this fall (2024)

Wed
06
Nov

Carbon Intensity Calculator can help farmers determine their Carbon Intensity Score

Study the factors that make up your score now, before new policy becomes effective
 
Farmers who want to gain a better understanding of their Carbon Intensity Score can take advantage of a simple calculator developed by an economist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

The calculator relies on just five input numbers, according to Alejandro Plastina - corn acres, nitrogen use and corn yield with current farming practices, change in nitrogen use and change in yields under new farming practices.

The score is a calculation of how much carbon is used per bushel of crop production and is an important measurement used for selling grain to certain ethanol plants that plan to participate in the federally incentivized Carbon Intensity Score program.

Wed
30
Oct

What's Up at the USDA Office?

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
October 31: Deadline to apply for Organic Certified Cost Share Program (OCCSP)
November 4: COC ballots mailed to LAA 3 Producers
November 11: Office closed in observance of Veterans Day
November 28: Office closed in observance of Thanksgiving
November 29: Deadline to apply for the Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program (ODMAP)
December 2: Deadline to return COC ballots to FSA Office
December 15: Deadline to certify fall-seeded crops - Note: Although cover crops can be reported at any time, we encourage you to do it this fall (2024)

Iowa NRCS Sets Nov. 22 Cutoff for Conservation Program Applications
The first application cutoff for Iowa farmers and other private landowners to apply for conservation practices in Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 through USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) programs is Nov. 22..

Wed
30
Oct

Small Farm and Beginning Farmer Webinars offer guidance and insight to entrepreneurs

Learn about small-farm topics related to crops, livestock and business management

Are you ready to cultivate your dreams and turn that small plot of land into a thriving and sustainable farm?

Join Iowa State University Extension and Outreach for the Small Farm & Beginning Farmer series, designed exclusively for beginning farmers and small acreage owners.

Hosted by ISU Extension and Outreach in Muscatine County, this series is a combination of informative webinars and hands-on, in-person events. It is tailored to provide essential insight and practical advice for those venturing into farming or seeking to enhance their small-scale agricultural operations. Each session, led by industry experts and seasoned professionals, covers critical topics relevant to the challenges and opportunities of small-scale farming.

Wed
23
Oct

What's Up at the USDA Office?

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
October 31: Deadline to apply for Organic Certified Cost Share Program (OCCSP)
November 4: COC ballots mailed to LAA 3 Producers
November 11: Office closed in observance of Veterans Day
November 28: Office closed in observance of Thanksgiving
November 29: Deadline to apply for the Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program (ODMAP)
December 2: Deadline to return COC ballots to FSA Office
December 15: Deadline to certify fall-seeded crops - Note: Although cover crops can be reported at any time, we encourage you to do it this fall (2024)

Wed
23
Oct

Iowa DNR offers fire safety suggestions during this year’s dry harvest season

As fall harvest starts across Iowa, the risk of wildfires in crop fields increases.  Iowa is seeing dry conditions for this fall with relative humidity dropping down to dangerous levels for wildfires and ignition sources in the fields. Higher afternoon temperatures are also expected with the National Weather Service issuing both Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches across Iowa.

Wed
16
Oct

What's Up at the USDA Office?

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
October 31: Deadline to apply for Organic Certified Cost Share Program (OCCSP)
November 29: Deadline to apply for the Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program (ODMAP)
December 2: Deadline to return COC ballots to FSA Office
December 15: Deadline to report fall seeded grains with the intended use of Grain or Seed. *Note: Although cover crops can be reported at any time, we encourage you to do it this fall (2024)

Offseason Management of CRP

by Jacob Hawes, NRCS

Wed
16
Oct

Stay safe this harvest season

As fall harvest starts across Iowa, the risk of wildfires in crop fields increases.  Iowa is seeing dry conditions for this fall with relative humidity dropping down to dangerous levels for wildfires and ignition sources in the fields. Higher afternoon temperatures are also expected with the National Weather Service issuing both Red Flag Warnings and Fire Weather Watches across Iowa.

Wed
09
Oct

What's Up at the USDA Office?

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
October 9: CRP payments begin being issued (3-5 business days until it hits direct deposit accounts, and 7-10 day for physical checks after processed)
October 31: Deadline to apply for Organic Certified Cost Share Program (OCCSP)
November 29: Deadline to apply for the Organic Dairy Marketing Assistance Program (ODMAP)
December 2: Deadline to return COC ballots to FSA Office
December 15: Deadline to report fall seeded grains with the intended use of Grain or Seed. *Note: Although cover crops can be reported at any time, we encourage you to do it this fall (2024)

Wed
09
Oct

Safety first: Considerations for early fall manure removal

As fall approaches, many farmers are evaluating the timing of their manure application. Ideally, ammonium-rich manures are applied when temperatures are cooler (50 degrees Fahrenheit and cooling) to increase the probability that applied nitrogen will still be in the upper soil profile next year when crops are growing.

However, sometimes that’s not possible, and applications earlier in the fall may be necessary, according to Daniel Andersen, professor and extension agricultural engineering specialist at Iowa State University.

“Whether you’re dealing with foam in your manure pits or facing storage capacity concerns after a wet year, applying manure earlier than desired can be justified - especially from a safety standpoint,” he said. “Always keep safety as your top priority when dealing with early applications.

Pages

Subscribe to RSS - Agriculture