Agriculture

Average land values in Iowa rose 3.7% nominally, 0.5% after adjusting for inflation

Iowa’s farmland values rose again, albeit at a slower pace than the last two years. The annual Iowa State University Land Value Survey found that farmland values increased 3.7% or $424, to $11,835 per acre. The modest increase this year follows a 17% increase in 2022 and a near-record 29% increase in 2021. The nominal value of an acre of farmland is again higher this year than at any point since Iowa State began surveying values in 1941. When adjusting for inflation, the 2023 average value surpasses 2022’s inflation-adjusted values by 0.5%.

Rabail Chandio, an assistant professor and extension economist at Iowa State, said many of the factors behind the large surge in values last year supported the increase this year as well.

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
January 15: Closed for observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day
January 30: Deadline to submit a 2023 Livestock Forage Program (LFP) application
January 31: Final date to request LDP for wool that was shorn in 2023 and for unshorn lambs slaughtered in 2023.
February 19: Office closed for observance of President’s Day
March 15: Deadline to sign up for the ARC PLC program

Allamakee COC Election Results
This year’s COC election was for LAA-2 which covers the following townships: Ludlow, Jefferson, Post, Franklin, Linton, and Fairview.

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
January 15: Closed for observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day
January 30: Deadline to submit a 2023 Livestock Forage Program (LFP) application
March 15: Deadline to sign up for ARC PLC program

Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage Programs Receive 2018 Farm Bill One Year Extension, Farmers Can Now Enroll for the 2024 Crop Year
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced that agricultural producers can now enroll in the Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC), or ARC-Individual (ARC-IC) programs for the 2024 crop year. Producers can enroll and make election changes for the 2024 crop year starting Dec. 18, 2023. The deadline to complete enrollment and any election change is March 15, 2024.

by Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig

2023 marked 100 years since the Iowa Legislature created the position of Iowa Secretary of Agriculture. In that time, fifteen different Iowans have had the opportunity to lead the talented team at the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. Though much has changed since 1923, one thing has remained consistent: a commitment to serving Iowans and promoting our state’s thriving agriculture.

Our work matters and it impacts the lives of consumers every day. We are honored to play a role in supporting the industry that is at the heart of Iowa and drives our economy. Here are a few highlights from the year:

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
January 31: Livestock Forage Program (LFP)

Taking 2nd Round applications
Although NRCS takes program applications on a continual basis, we have just announced our 2nd round cutoff for program applications and a new way of processing applications more efficiently through ACT NOW.
Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP)

Cattle in the Green is a  five-part series on farm business management designed to assist cattle producers with a new way of looking at management and economic decisions. Instead of the traditional focus on working harder, this series focuses on effective strategies to work smarter and more profitable.

“In this series, you’ll learn how to financially analyze your livestock/farm operation in a different way,” Denise Schwab, ISU Extension beef specialist said. “This will help you find more profit, eliminate money pits and lower your stress level.”

The five sessions are set for January 17, 24 and 31 and February 7 and 21. All will be held from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, 116 E. Military Rd, Postville.  Because of the evening time, a light meal will be served sponsored by the Allamakee County Extension, Clayton and Fayette County Cattlemen, Nicholas Wilz Financial Advisor and the Allamakee, Clayton, Fayette and Winneshiek County Extension staff.

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
December 25: Closed for Christmas Holiday
January 31: Livestock Forage Program (LFP)

Tax Resources for USDA Program Participants
Navigating filing taxes can be challenging, especially if you are new to running a farm business, participating in disaster programs for first time, or trying to forecast the farm’s tax bill. Receiving funds from USDA through activities such as a conservation program payment or a disaster program is considered farm income that includes a tax liability for farm businesses. USDA technical assistance is free and creates no tax implications.

Timely updates on current cow-calf and stocker topics

The Three-State Beef Conference will be held January 17 in Iowa and is designed to provide beef cattle producers and others in the industry a regular update on current cow-calf and stocker topics.

The Iowa event is organized by Erika Lundy-Woolfolk and Chris Clark, beef specialists with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. The content is based on prior attendee feedback and current industry economic conditions.

“The committee pursued topics that we feel will help cattlemen get more bang for their buck,” Lundy-Woolfolk said. “This is reflected in this year’s theme, ‘Reevaluating Today’s Management Practices for Future Success.’”

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will host Boots in the Barn, a program for women dairy and beef producers, in February and March in Edgewood and Decorah. Boots in the Barn is a four-part series for women involved in the dairy and beef industry.

The course will be held February 13, 20, 27, and March 12 in Edgewood and February 15, 22, 29, and March 14 in Decorah. At each location, the dairy session will run from 1-3 p.m. and the beef session will run from 6:30-8:30 p.m.

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
December 15: Crop Reporting for Fall-Seeded Small Grains
January 31: Livestock Forage Program (LFP)

Before You Break Out New Ground, Ensure Your Farm Meets Conservation Compliance
The term “sodbusting” is used to identify the conversion of land from native vegetation to commodity crop production after December 23, 1985.  As part of the conservation provisions of the Food Security Act of 1985, if you’re proposing to produce agricultural commodities (crops that require annual tillage including one pass planting operations and sugar cane) on land that has been determined highly erodible and that has no crop history prior to December 23, 1985, that land must be farmed in accordance with a conservation plan or system that ensures no substantial increase in soil erosion.