Agriculture

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
May 15 – August 1: Primary Nesting Season
July 15: Spring Crop Reporting

Beaver Dam Research Shows Many Impacts
by LuAnn Rolling, District Conservationist
An Iowa Nutrient Research Center-funded study being conducted at Iowa State University seeks to quantify beaver dam impacts on water quality, hydrology, and stream morphology (how dams shape the stream itself). Here are the researcher’s top three observations after one year of study.

A Grand Prize Winner Will Receive $7,500

Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) is seeking applications for the next “Grow Your Future” Award winner. This competition, reserved for IFBF members ages 18-35, is for entrepreneurs with a farming-related niche or specialty business.

First, second and third place finalists will receive $7,500, $5000 and $2,500, respectively, to expand their businesses. To apply, submit an application and short video to www.iowafarmbureau.com/growyourfuture.

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
May 15 – August 1: Primary Nesting Season
July 15: Spring Crop Reporting

A recent report from the Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll at Iowa State University indicates that a major nutrient management effort called the 4R Plus initiative is having a positive impact.

4R Plus, a science-based framework designed to guide improved nutrient management among farmers, is promoted by a coalition of more than 50 public and private agricultural stakeholders and non-governmental conservation organizations.

A soil health workshop will be held August 4 at Iowa State University’s Field Extension Education Laboratory southwest of Ames. Participants will learn how to evaluate soil health and communicate about soil health related topics more effectively. They will also have the opportunity to network and learn from both new and seasoned soil health professionals from across the state and become more knowledgeable and confident in discussing soil health information.

Topics will include how current fertility tests relate to soil health, the science of using cover crops for weed control, and evaluating soil health with a microscope.

“This workshop is a great opportunity to learn about management practices that affect soil health,” said Brian Dougherty, field agricultural engineer with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. “People will be able to see how what is happening in the hidden world beneath our feet affects productivity and profit.”

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
May 15 – August 1: Primary Nesting Season
July 15: Spring Crop Reporting

Greenhouse Gas Emissions Rise as Tillage Increases
by LuAnn Rolling, District Conservationist

Research has proven that an in increase in tillage increases greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions according to research published in the journal Nature Food in April 2022. Scientists Chaoqun Lu, Iowa State University, Zhen Yu, Nanjing University in China, David A. Hennessy and Hongli Feng, Iowa State University, Hangin Tian, Auburn University and Dafeng Hui, Tennessee State University examined two fluctuations in the recent past of U.S. tillage, a decrease in tillage from the years 1998 to 2008, and a subsequent increase in tillage between 2008 and 2016. The decreases were observed in both carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrous oxide (N2O). Researchers focused exclusively on tillage practices in corn-soybean rotations.

Nearly 360 women landowners in Iowa shared their experiences on owning and operating farmland in a recent survey conducted by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

A study in 2017 showed that women own nearly half of the farmland in Iowa, and specialists with ISU Extension and Outreach wanted to improve their understanding of this important segment of the state’s agriculture.

The current survey asked women landowners a variety of questions related to farmland leasing, conservation practices, and farmland transition plans. According to the results, a majority of women are interested in information about landowner responsibilities, the economics of farmland ownership, crop production costs, and determining the right rental rates.

The survey also shows how women prefer to receive farmland management information, with the majority preferring newsletters, followed by webinars, fact sheets and infographics, and half-day educational meetings.

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
May 15 – August 1: Primary Nesting Season
July 15: Spring Crop Reporting

Join the Northeast Iowa Dairy Foundation in celebrating National Dairy Month with Breakfast on the Farm Saturday, June 25, from 8:30 a.m. – Noon at Iowa’s Dairy Center located just south of Calmar at 1527 Highway 150 South.

Enjoy a wholesome, dairy-rich breakfast of Dad’s Belgian Waffles served with real butter and whipped cream, sausage, cheese, yogurt, milk and, of course, ice cream. In addition to breakfast, visitors will enjoy activities including guided tram tours of Iowa’s Dairy Center, hand-milking a cow, petting zoo, inflatables, corn pools, Story Time with the Dairy Princess and more.  

Breakfast on the Farm will be held rain or shine. Parking is available on-site and donations are appreciated. This event is made possible by generous support from community sponsors.  

Hands-on field days will explore soil health in grazing systems

Farmers, landowners and ag support providers are invited to learn more about soil health in grazing systems July 6, 7 and 8. The classes, offered by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and Iowa Learning Farms, are free to attend and include complementary lunch; however, reservations are required. Lunch will be served at 12:30 p.m., and the program will be 1-3 p.m. each day.