Agriculture

Producers who were prevented from planting conventional crops this past spring may have a head start on going organic

The historically wet spring of 2019 prevented many conventional and organic farmers in Iowa and across the Midwest from planting corn and soybeans.

However, those who ended up planting a cover crop on their prevented planting acres may have an advantage if they want to transition to organic.

“The cover crop year will provide a good opportunity as your first year in the three years of organic transition (T-1; organic certification in 2021),” said Kathleen Delate, professor and extension organic specialist in horticulture and agronomy with Iowa State University.

The extension Farm Financial Planning Program has resources that can help farmers with their numbers

Knowing your numbers is key to the profitability of any farm operation, and whether you’re struggling to make ends meet, or simply looking to improve or do something differently, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach has an experienced group of associates and specialists who can help.

The Farm Financial Planning Program with ISU Extension and Outreach offers producers one-on-one financial counseling, a computerized analysis of the farm business, and referrals to other extension programs and outside services that may be useful.

Mark Olsen, one of six trained associates who help administer the program across the state, said more than half of the referrals he gets are from farmers who are struggling financially, especially in this time of tight profit margins.

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

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
May 15 - August 1: Primary Nesting Season. No MCM activities on CRP acres.
June 3 - August 23: CRP Continuous Signup 52 
June 14: COC Nominations Begin
June 17 - September 20: Dairy Margin Coverage Program Sign-Up
August 1: Last day to file a COC nomination form

County Committee (COC) Election
FSA is now accepting nominations for county committee members.  Agricultural producers who participate or cooperate in an FSA program may be nominated for candidacy for the county committee. Individuals may nominate themselves or others as a candidate. The last day to file a nomination is August 1. Forms can be obtained online or at our office.

Robotic milking, ventilation and manure management all on the agenda

One of the most critical aspects of a productive dairy farm is the design and setup of the buildings. A good design saves energy, increases cow productivity, and provides comfort and ease of access for the farmer and the herd.

To help dairy farmers evaluate their design, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is offering two Dairy Design Workshops in August, with a focus on robotic milking setups, ventilation and manure handling facilities.

Both workshops are the same, but are held at different farms in northeast Iowa. The first will be held August 27, at Iowa’s Dairy Center, Room 115, located at 1527 State Highway 150, Calmar. The second will be held August 28, at Pattison Dairy, located at 22127 Highway 52, Garnavillo.

Both workshops are from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Participants will get an up-close look at pasture renovation, brush control and the overall economics of dairy grazing.

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and the Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship program will co-host a pasture walk August 21 near Garnavillo, from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at the Andy Schaefer dairy farm.

Andy has been grazing and dairying for 31 years, and today he has 118 cross-bred cows on 160 acres.

ISU Extension and Outreach Dairy Field Specialists Dr. Larry Tranel and Jenn Bentley will provide information on economics of grazing and calf management in a pasture-based system.

Following lunch, Andy Schaefers will lead attendees on a walking tour with a focus on pasture renovation, brush control and sidewalk-style cattle lanes, along with ISU Extension Agronomist Brian Lang, who will provide information on soil fertility.

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

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
May 15 - August 1: Primary Nesting Season.  No MCM activities on CRP acres.
June 3 - August 23: CRP Continuous Signup 52 
June 14: COC Nominations Begin
June 17 - September 20: Dairy Margin Coverage Program Sign-Up

By relaxing the prevent plant restricted harvest date, farmers have two more months to harvest forages from cover crops

Grain and livestock farmers can both benefit from the recent rule change by the United States Department of Agriculture, which allows farmers who planted cover crops on prevented plant acres to harvest those fields beginning September 1.

With the change, farmers can hay, graze or chop those fields, and USDA also has determined that silage, haylage and baleage should be treated the same as haying and grazing for this year.

The adjustment allows farmers to harvest cover crops on prevented plant acres two months earlier than most years, which will be beneficial in a year when both grain and forage crops are limited.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig reminds farmers and landowners that they can still sign-up for 2019 cost share funds to help install nutrient reduction practices around the state. The funds can be used to off-set the cost of cover crops, no-till/strip till or a nitrification inhibitor, which help improve soil health, reduce erosion and improve water quality.

Farmers who are planting cover crops for the first time are eligible for $25 per acre through the cost share fund. Farmers who have already experienced the benefits of using cover crops and are continuing the practice again this season can receive $15 per acre. Growers using no-till or strip till for the first time to reduce soil erosion and input costs are eligible for $10 per acre. Using a nitrapyrin nitrification inhibitor to apply fall fertilizer makes farmers eligible for $3 per acre through the cost share fund.

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

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
May 15 - August 1: Primary Nesting Season.  No MCM activities on CRP acres.
June 3 - August 23: CRP Continuous Signup 52 
June 17 - September 20: Dairy Margin Coverage Program Sign-Up
July 15: Last Day to Certify Crop Acres

Crop Reporting
Allamakee county farmers are reminded to report all spring planted crops to the FSA office by July 15 to remain eligible for FSA and other USDA programs.   Please remember to bring planting dates with you.  It is the producer’s responsibility to accurately report acres and producer’s shares in individual crops.  Discrepancies found later may affect eligibility for all FSA-administered programs.  Late-filed crop reports are assessed a $46 (per) farm visit fee.

More than half of Iowa farmland is rented.  In some Iowa locations, as much as 70 percent of the land is farmed by farmers who don’t own the land.

In Northeast Iowa, the result is many conversations and negotiations between farmland owners and producer-tenants to determine what makes sense for farmland leases and cash rental rates – both fixed rent and flexible arrangements. Strong landlord/tenant relationships are important for the long-term viability of Iowa’s farming communities.

These are just a few reasons why Iowa State University Extension and Outreach offers workshops designed to answer questions that land owners and tenants have about farmland leasing and land values.

These workshops will be held across northeast Iowa counties starting July 30 through August 14.

Melissa O’Rourke, ISU Extension Farm & Agribusiness Management Specialist will present a wide range of topics related to farmland values and leasing.