Agriculture

Wed
14
Jul

Crop Management Clinic to offer new technologies

The 2021 Crop Management Clinic from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will provide training on multiple crop production and protection topics. New university research will be shared during this one-day event for agribusiness professionals, to be held July 22 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Each year, specialists with ISU Extension and Outreach present at the Crop Management Clinic on crop and pest management, soil fertility and nutrient management. The purpose is to educate agronomists, crop advisors and growers about current issues and recent research using demonstration plots. Crop managers desiring more hands-on and in-depth working knowledge of the latest agricultural practices will receive useful reminders and updates during attendance.

Wed
07
Jul

What's Up at the USDA Office?

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
May 15-August 1: Primary Nesting Season
June 15: COC Election Ballots Mailed to Producers in LAA 3
July 15: Crop Certification
July 23: CRP General Signup
August 6: CRP Continuous Signup

Wed
07
Jul

Local farmer continues learning through implementation of cover crop sequence


Cover crop usage on Deering farm ... Photos of triticale/hairy vetch mix taken June 16, 2021 after cutting and baling. Aarik Deering incorporated that cover crop mix on his rural Postville farm late last summer and has since grazed it twice with 80 head of cattle. Submitted photos.

submitted by Eric Novey, Project Coordinator
Allamakee County Soil and Water Conservation District

A local farmer is breaking up his rotation, reducing erosion and providing additional forage benefits for his cow-calf operation by planting cover crops. Aarik Deering, who farms near Postville with his wife, Haley, tried a unique sequence of cover crops on an 11-acre field near his home. Deering is no stranger to no-till and cover crops.  He credits his start in no-till to his father, Dave, who has been no-tilling for the last 25-30 years. The younger Deering has been using cover crops for seven years now, and it has been a learning experience. The first year Deering planted cover crops he was not impressed.

Wed
07
Jul

Two NE Iowa farms to be featured during July 27 Dairy Technology Field Day

The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Dairy Team is hosting a field day focused on dairy technology on the farm July 27. The day will feature two farm visits where attendees can see automated milking system technology in action and learn about cow monitoring systems and other technologies that are becoming more commonly used on dairy farms.

The first farm visit will be from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon at Rolinda Acres Dairy, 1428 Knudtson Road, Waterville. This dairy recently constructed a new automated milking facility with eight DeLaval V300 milking units and an OptiDuo automated feed pusher. Owner Pat Reisinger will answer questions about the new facilities and equipment.

Wed
30
Jun

What's Up at the USDA Office?

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
May 15-August 1: Primary Nesting Season
July 15: Crop Certification
July 23: CRP General Signup
August 6: CRP Continuous Signup

Wed
30
Jun

ISU Farm Management Specialist reminds Iowa farm employers to focus on employee well-being

Early heatwave is a reminder to think about employee needs

The late-spring heatwave that blanketed Iowa and much of the Midwest is a reminder for farm employers and employees to focus on human resources.

Melissa O’ Rourke, Farm Management Specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, said people are the most valuable asset in a farm or rural business.

“In any business, including farming, the most important resource is the people,” O’Rourke said. “We need to do whatever we can to preserve and protect what I think of as a priceless resource - our people.”

In the June edition of Ag Decision Maker, O’Rourke outlines some basic ways that farm employers can protect workers from heat stress and illness. She also provides an updated checklist that covers all the major aspects of farm worker hiring and employment.

Wed
23
Jun

What's Up at the USDA Office?

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
May 15-August 1: Primary Nesting Season
June 15: COC Election Ballots Mailed to Producers in LAA 3
July 15: Crop Certification
July 23: CRP General Signup
August 6: CRP Continuous Signup

Wed
23
Jun

Virtual Roundtable: “Carbon Credit Markets: What Farmers Need to Know” set for July 14

The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) has opened online registration at https://www.iowafarmbureau.com/News/Carbon-Credit-Markets-What-Farmers-N... for its upcoming virtual roundtable diving into key considerations for farmers seeking to adopt climate-friendly carbon sequestration and other practices with the hope of increasing their on-farm income.

IFBF’s “Carbon Credit Markets: What Farmers Need to Know” virtual roundtable will help answer questions and provide valuable insight as farmers seek to reduce their carbon footprint and navigate the ever-changing agriculture environment as private-sector companies present new opportunities and federal programs are developed.

Wed
23
Jun

Northeast Research Farm Field Day; Dry weather and corn rootworm to be topics

Get a 2021 crop progress update at annual field day

The Annual Spring Field Day at Iowa State University’s Northeast Research and Demonstration Farm will run from 1-4:30 p.m. on Thursday, June 24.

“As we continue to experience warm and dry weather conditions, part of our program will focus on implications and expectations of the 2021 crop, to help producers in future planning,” said Terry Basol, field agronomist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

Elwynn Taylor, Iowa State University climatologist emeritus, will start the program by providing his insights on crop weather for the 2021 growing season.

Erin Hodgson, professor and extension specialist in entomology at Iowa State, will share the latest research on corn rootworm management.

Wed
16
Jun

What's Up at the USDA Office?

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
May 15-August 1: Primary Nesting Season
June 15: COC Election Ballots Mailed to Producers in LAA 3
July 15: Crop Certification
July 23: CRP General Signup
August 6: CRP Continuous Signup

Canada Thistle Control
by LuAnn Rolling, District Conservationist, NRCS

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