Agriculture

A three-year on-farm research project by Practical Farmers of Iowa is putting a price tag on the forage produced by cover crops. Two years of data from an on-going study show that the practice of grazing cover crops, combined with cost-share funding, provides positive returns within the same year cover crops are planted.

This finding is significant because some of the benefits of cover crops may take a few years to manifest – and the costs can be hard for farmers to justify in the short-term, when profit margins are shrinking.

The PFI data, however, shows that with proper management, grazing cover crops is a prime means by which farmers can realize sizeable profits within the first year.

Despite farmers’ positive perceptions about cover crops and the availability of cost-share programs to incentivize their use, an Iowa State University study shows the return on investment may be the biggest hurdle to overcome for widespread adoption of the practice.

In 2017, Iowa fields planted to cover crops grew to 760,000 acres, with less than half receiving federal or state cost share. But with millions of acres of crops, Iowa - and other Midwestern states - has yet to see widespread adoption of cover crops to reduce nitrates in water from crop fields and to conserve and build healthy soils.

The Iowa State Fair, along with DuPont Pioneer with media sponsors Iowa Farmer Today, WHO Radio and The BIG SHOW are seeking nominations for 2018 Way We Live Awards. The Way We Live Award, celebrating 10 years, will recognize 10 outstanding Iowa families who exemplify hard working farm values and a love for the occupation of farming. Over the past 9 years, Way We Live Awards have been given to 53 well-deserving Iowa families.

To enter or nominate someone you know, submit an entry form along with a 500-1500 word essay describing how living on a farm and choosing the occupation of farming has shaped the family’s life. All entries must include a family picture that illustrates the family’s commitment to their farming operation. Entry forms can be downloaded from the Iowa State Fair website: http://www.iowastatefair.org/participate/way-we-live-award/. All entries must be postmarked or emailed by May 15.

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

Submit Loan Requests for Financing Early
The Farm Loan team in Allamakee and Winneshiek Counties are already working on operating loans for spring 2018 so it is important that potential borrowers submit their requests early so they can be timely processed. The farm loan team can help determine which loan programs are best for applicants. 

FSA offers a wide range of low-interest loans that can meet the financial needs of any farm operation for just about any purpose.  The traditional farm operating and farm ownership loans can help large and small farm operations take advantage of early purchasing discounts for spring inputs as well expenses throughout the year. 

The Iowa Pork Industry Center with Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA) and Iowa State University (ISUEO) Extension and Outreach are offering ventilation workshops designed to help teach producers about the proper use of swine building ventilation equipment to improve pig well-being and minimize operating costs.

The workshop will be held March 20 at the Postville Veterinary Clinic, 110 Hyman Dr., Postville and offered March 21 at the Featherlite Center, 220 7th Street West, Cresco.

Jay Harmon, Iowa State University agricultural and biosystems engineering professor, said The workshop ‘Managing Your Unseen Employee: The Ventilation System’ provides a two-pronged approach to understanding issues and consequences of decisions by combining classroom instruction with hands-on trials and application of knowledge gained in a real-world setting”.

For the second year, Practical Farmers of Iowa has planned a series of spring field days focused on cover crop issues in grazing and row crop systems. Farmers and community members are invited to see cover crops in action on working farms around Iowa, and learn about cover crop basics as well as practices used to maximize the financial return from cover crops.

All field days in the series run from noon to 3 p.m., and are free and open to everyone. Each field day starts with a complimentary lunch. RSVPs are requested for the meal to Debra Boekholder at (515) 232-5661 or debra@practicalfarmers.org.

Many events include stops at multiple farms and locations. Specific details about each field day will be announced closer to the date. Host details and locations – along with a map of events – are also available at practicalfarmers.org. Events in the series include:

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

Upcoming Changes to the Margin Protection Program
A few weeks back a spending bill to further fund the government was signed by the President. Part of that bill contained changes to the Margin Protection Program, a USDA program for dairy producers. While at this time we do not know specific changes, we do know the following:

• There will be a new sign-up for the 2018 calendar year in the very near future, but we don’t know when yet
• Payment periods will be calculated 12 times a year instead of 6
• First tier production level has increased from 4 million to 5 million pounds
• Premium fees for the first tier have been substantially reduced.
• The $100 administrative fee has been waived for the socially disadvantaged, beginning, veteran, and limited resource producers.

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

Submit Loan Requests for Financing Early
The Farm Loan team in Allamakee and Winneshiek Counties are already working on operating loans for spring 2018 so it is important that potential borrowers submit their requests early so they can be timely processed. The farm loan team can help determine which loan programs are best for applicants. 

FSA offers a wide range of low-interest loans that can meet the financial needs of any farm operation for just about any purpose. The traditional farm operating and farm ownership loans can help large and small farm operations take advantage of early purchasing discounts for spring inputs as well expenses throughout the year. 

A study conducted by the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development at Iowa State University explores the potential economic benefits to drinking water, recreation and health through meeting the targets of Iowa’s statewide strategy for reducing nutrients.

The study highlights that reducing nitrates and improving water quality in rivers and lakes would increase recreation benefits, and may reduce adverse health outcomes for people exposed to high nitrates in drinking water.

The study was led by Chuan Tang, a postdoctoral researcher, and Gabriel Lade, Assistant Professor of Economics, along with: David Keiser, Assistant Professor of Economics; Catherine Kling, Director of the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development and a Charles F. Curtiss Distinguished Professor of Agriculture and Life Sciences in the Department of Economics; Yongjie Ji, an Assistant Scientist; and Yau-Huo Shr, a Postdoctoral Researcher.

Some 7,000 poultry and livestock producers who must file a manure management plan can now file their MMP electronically three years out of four.

Producers can learn how to “Save Money and Time - File your MMP Online,” at a 1 p.m., February 28 webinar.  Pre-register now on the DNR’s eMMP webpage.

DNR staff will discuss the benefits of online filing (including filing and paying fees from home, office or smart phone), creating a login ID, submitting the plan, paying fees and assigning rights to their consultants. Farmers and their consultants can file and pay fees for multiple plans at one time.

“One of the big benefits is eliminating the drive to county offices to get a signature in each county where manure will be applied,” said Ted Petersen, DNR supervisor. “If everyone uses the eMMP, DNR estimates the online solution will save driving at least 178,000 miles per year.”