Agriculture

Stay safe with these helpful tips and suggestions

Farmers and those employed in the agricultural industry should be mindful of the risks involved with internet security and what they can do to keep themselves and their companies safe.

With so much activity being done online, farmers share the same risks as those employed in other industries – sometimes even more so.

According to Doug Jacobson and Ally Frickel, electrical and computer engineering specialists at Iowa State University, the farming sector is sometimes targeted by cybercriminals because of farming’s critical function – supplying the food and fiber that humans and animals depend upon.

Farmers and the food industry cannot afford to be without their computer system for long, a fact some cybercriminals have used to their advantage.

Educational event for Iowa’s dairy producers

Iowa dairy producers will have the opportunity to hear Iowa State University Extension and Outreach specialists share information on emerging dairy industry issues at the 2022 Dairy Days, scheduled at four eastern Iowa locations and one northwest Iowa location.

At this year’s program, producers will learn about methods of euthanasia, composting mortalities, farm personalities, transition cow nutrition, milk marketing, industry updates and more.

“The Iowa State Extension Dairy Team is excited to bring back our annual Dairy Days program in person this year,” said Jenn Bentley, dairy specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach. “This program gives producers a chance to learn about a variety of topics and be able to network with other producers and industry representatives.”

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
Dec. 15: Fall Seeded Crop Certification Deadline
Jan. 7: Organic and Transition Education Certification Program (FY20, FY21)
March 15: ARCPLC Program Deadline

Reversing Alarming Trends with Soil Health
by LuAnn Rolling, NRCS District Conservationist
In the book Nature’s History Matters by Allen Williams, Ph. D., he says it helps to understand what a land once was to know its current potential. With the significant weather challenges we are experiencing, we need to know what can be possible if we alter our landscape management.

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
Dec. 15: Fall Seeded Crop Certification Deadline
Jan. 7: Organic and Transition Education Certification Program (FY20, FY21)
March 15: ARCPLC Program Deadline

Organic and Transitional Education and Certification Program
Are you a producer or handler of agricultural commodities that are certified organic? Or, are you transitioning your operation to certified organic? You may be eligible for financial assistance to cover expenses paid during the 2020, 2021, and 2022 fiscal years through USDA’s Organic and Transitional Education and Certification Program (OTECP). This new program is part of USDA’s Pandemic Assistance for Producers initiative.

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
Dec. 6: Deadline to Return COC Ballots
Dec. 15: Fall Seeded Crop Certification Deadline
March 15: ARCPLC Program Deadline

Growing Cover Crops After Small Grains
by LuAnn Rolling, NRCS District Conservationist
As we look at the coming crop year and the increased cost of inputs, it is a perfect time to consider adding a small grain to your rotation and following it with a summer cover crop.  The small grain is a relatively inexpensive crop and the cover crops enhance soil health properties and can provide supplemental forages, especially fall grazing.  In addition, due to diverse growing habits between the major crop and selected cover crop species, it helps to break disease and weed pressure in the field.

Podcast ranked No. 1 among top 20 sustainable ag podcasts

A podcast designed and produced by the Farm, Food and Enterprise Development program with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach has been recognized for its outreach.

The Small Farm Sustainability Podcast, which airs each week, was ranked No. 1 in a listing of the “Best 20 Sustainable Agriculture Podcasts” by Feedspot Blog, an online content creator and social media curator.

Produced by Christa Hartsook and Olivia Hanlon, small farms program coordinators with FFED, the podcast features a wide range of topics that address the opportunities and challenges associated with rural life. Recent topics have included biosecurity publications, Iowa organics, hunting perspectives, fall produce storage and the fall armyworm outbreak.

Manure applicators can attend educational workshops

Confinement site manure applicators and anyone interested in learning about manure issues should plan to attend a two-hour workshop offered by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in January or February 2022. These workshops are offered in cooperation with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Registration is required. No walk-ins allowed. There is no fee to attend the workshops, but applicators will need to pay certification fees and send the forms in to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources to complete certification requirements.

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
November 25: Office closed in observance of Thanksgiving
December 6: Deadline to Return COC Ballots
December 15: Fall Seeded Crop Certification Deadline
March 15: ARCPLC Program Deadline

Programs to be held in 14 locations across Iowa

The 2022 Crop Advantage meetings will give producers a solid foundation of current research-based crop production information to help make smart, informed decisions for their farming operation. The meetings are an opportunity for farmers and crop advisers to hear current research and crop production information from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Specialists will travel to 14 locations around Iowa from Jan. 4-27, providing updated management options and recommendations on crop production issues facing Iowa growers.

Meetings include continuing education credits for Certified Crop Advisers and pesticide applicator recertification. All sites offer private pesticide applicator continuing instruction, which is included in the registration fee. The Chariton location also offers commercial ag pesticide applicator continuing instruction for an additional cost.

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
November 25: Office closed in observance of Thanksgiving
December 6: Deadline to Return COC Ballots
December 15: Fall Seeded Crop Certification Deadline
March 15: ARCPLC Program Deadline

Taking N Credits for Legumes, Manure and Cover Crops
by LuAnn Rolling, NRCS District Conservationist