Agriculture

The Agriculture Innovation Agenda is a Solution for Farmers, Consumers, and the Environment

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today announced the Agriculture Innovation Agenda, a department-wide initiative to align resources, programs, and research to position American agriculture to better meet future global demands. Specifically, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will stimulate innovation so that American agriculture can achieve the goal of increasing production by 40 percent while cutting the environmental footprint of U.S. agriculture in half by 2050.

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
February 28: CRP General Signup
March 15: 2019 ARCPLC Election
June 30: 2020 ARCPLC Election
September 30: PLC Yield Update

Stop in Soon to Sign Up for the 2019 and 2020 ARCPLC Program
Producers now can enroll in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for the 2019 and 2020 crop year. ARC provides income support payments on historical base acres when actual crop revenue declines below a specified guaranteed level. PLC provides income support payments on historical base acres when the effective price for a covered commodity falls below its reference price. The 2018 Farm Bill reauthorized and updated both programs.

What do producers do when livestock are not able to walk, due to illness or injury? This problem has not had an easy solution, though that may change soon, thanks to researchers at Iowa State University.

National standards for humane management of swine require sick or injured non-ambulatory pigs to be moved with a drag mat in most situations. This reduces risk and stress to pigs and is also meant to make moving an animal safer and less stressful for swine producers. 

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is partnering to offer a free webinar called “Dealing with the Changing Climate in Agriculture: Issues in 2020 and Beyond.” The session will air Feb. 20 from noon to 1 p.m.

The webinar will discuss issues leading into the 2020 growing season and put that information into a larger context of what is happening with Midwest weather and climate long-term.

“Those who participate in the webinar will have an understanding of the current climate and weather issues and discover where to find resources to help with decision-making,” said Fred Hall, dairy specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach. “We are excited to have Dennis Todey, director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Midwest Climate Hub, leading the discussion.”

by Jeremy Leitz, Allamakee County Executive Director (563) 568-2148

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
February 17: Office closed in observance of Washington’s Birthday
February 28: CRP General Signup
March 15: 2019 ARCPLC Election
June 30: 2020 ARCPLC Election
September 30: PLC Yield Update

USDA Issues Third Tranche of 2019 MFP Payments
USDA issued the third and final tranche of 2019 Market Facilitation Program (MFP) payments aimed at assisting farmers suffering from damage due to trade retaliation by foreign nations. The payments will begin to show up in farmers’ bank accounts by the end of this week.

Iowa farmers can review the 2020 numbers and their profit potential for the year

Managing the cost of crop production will continue to be critical for farmer profitability this year, and farmers have some recent data to consider, found in Iowa State University Extension and Outreach’s “Estimated Costs of Crop Production in Iowa” report.

Included in the January edition of the Ag Decision Maker, the report “provides average cost estimates for Iowa farms in 2020, and provides guidelines to help farmers calculate their own costs of production,” according to Alejandro Plastina, report author and assistant professor and extension economist at Iowa State University.

The report includes crop production prices for corn, corn silage, soybean, alfalfa and pasture maintenance, with data compiled from multiple state surveys.

In January, 89 of Iowa’s 99 counties notified DNR that they plan to evaluate construction permit applications and proposed animal confinement locations by using the master matrix. With few exceptions, most counties will use the matrix during the next year. The following counties will not use the matrix in 2020: Davis, Des Moines, Keokuk, Lee, Mahaska, Osceola, Plymouth, Wapello, Warren, Washington.

Animal confinement producers who need a construction permit before building in counties which use the matrix must meet additional requirements. Producers qualify by choosing a site and using practices that reduce impacts on air, water and the community.

by Jeremy Leitz, Allamakee County Executive Director (563) 568-2148

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
February 17: Office closed in observance of Washington’s Birthday
February 28: CRP General Signup
March 15: 2019 ARCPLC Election
June 30: 2020 ARCPLC Election
September 30: PLC Yield Update

Stop in soon to sign up for the 2019 and 2020 ARCPLC Program
Producers now can enroll in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for the 2019 and 2020 crop year. ARC provides income support payments on historical base acres when actual crop revenue declines below a specified guaranteed level. PLC provides income support payments on historical base acres when the effective price for a covered commodity falls below its reference price. The 2018 Farm Bill reauthorized and updated both programs.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue issued the following statement after President Donald J. Trump signed the U.S. - Mexico - Canada Agreement (USMCA).
 
“Today is a good day for American agriculture. Throughout this process, there were many detractors who said it couldn’t be done. But this is further proof that President Trump’s trade negotiation strategy is working. This agreement shows the rest of the world the United States is open for business. USMCA is critical for America’s farmers and ranchers, who will now have even more market access to our neighbors to the north and the south. I am excited to see the economic benefits of this agreement increase the prosperity of all Americans, especially those living in rural America,” said Secretary Perdue.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig encouraged eligible farm owners to apply for the 2020 Century and Heritage Farm Program. The program was created by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation to recognize families that have owned their farm for 100 years and 150 years, respectively.

“I look forward to the Century and Heritage Farm day at the Iowa State Fair each year. Recognizing and hearing the stories of each of these farm families is a great way to celebrate the history and impact that agriculture has on the state,” said Secretary Naig.

To apply, download the application on the Department’s website at https://iowaagriculture.gov/century-and-heritage-farm-program.