Agriculture

Wed
07
Feb

Producers reminded to consider the consequences of crop residue removal

by LuAnn Rolling,
District Conservationist

Removal of crop residue should be weighed against the potential impact on soil productivity. Crop residue removal affects soil nutrient availability, soil organic matter, erosion potential, soil water availability, yield and economics. While crop residue removal by grazing usually results in little nutrient or organic material removal, mechanical harvest removes nutrients and organic material critical to maintaining soil productivity.

How much corn residue can be safely removed from a field? This is not an easy question to answer. Sustainable crop residue removal rates depend on several factors such as soil erodibility, surface slope, cultural practices and climate conditions. Tillage, crop rotation and yield level are also important factors dictating how much crop residue can be harvested and still ensure sustainability of the system.

Wed
07
Feb

Iowa State University researchers feature latest science on damaging nematodes

A tiny worm that causes billions of dollars in damage to crops like soybeans will be in the scientific spotlight this month thanks to an article written by two Iowa State University plant pathologists.

The latest knowledge on how cyst nematodes attack plants was the lead article in PLOS Pathogens Pearls, a journal of the nonprofit open access science, technology and medicine publisher.

Wed
31
Jan

What's up at the FSA Office?

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

Upcoming Deadlines and Important Dates
• February 19: Office closed in observance in George Washington’s Birthday

Highly Erodible Land (HEL) and Wetland Conservation Compliance
Landowners and operators are reminded that in order to receive payments from USDA, compliance with Highly Erodible Land (HEL) and Wetland Conservation (WC) provisions are required. Farmers with HEL determined soils are reminded of tillage, crop residue, and rotation requirements as specified per their conservation plan. Producers are to notify the USDA Farm Service Agency prior to conducting land clearing or drainage projects to insure compliance. Failure to obtain advance approval for any of these situations can result in the loss of eligibility and all Federal payments.

Wed
31
Jan

Practical Farmers of Iowa 2018 winter farminar series continues

Topics include pollinator habitat, planter technology and niche pork, among others

Practical Farmers of Iowa will offer nine new topics as part of its long-running Tuesday night webinar series, known as farminars, thus continuing its farmer-to-farmer education through the winter. Farminars offer practical knowledge for beginning and experienced farmers raising row crops, livestock, fruits and vegetables, and are free for anyone with an internet connection to participate.

Farminars are held every Tuesday at 7 p.m., and each focuses on a unique production or business management topic. All presentations are led by a farmer or subject-matter expert, and attendees are able to ask questions in real-time using a chatbox while they listen and watch a slideshow.

Wed
24
Jan

What's up at the FSA Office?

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

Upcoming Deadlines and Important Dates
• February 19: Office closed in observance ofGeorge Washington’s Birthday

USDA Looking to Lease Office Space
The U.S. Department of Agriculture, Farm Service Agency in Waukon, Iowa, is interested in leasing approximately 5315 rentable square feet of office and related space together with approximately 40 onsite, paved parking spaces.  The rentable space shall yield a minimum of 4621 to a maximum of 4855 contiguous ANSI/BOMA office area square feet of first class, high quality office space.  The space must be ready for occupancy within nine months after the lease award.

Wed
24
Jan

Five year, multi-university Sustainable Corn Project data now available online


Collecting research data ... David Mitchell, an Iowa State graduate research assistant in 2011, collects data from soil moisture sensors in addition to greenhouse gas data. The data is used to understand the interactions between soil moisture, temperature and emissions from corn-soybean systems. Submitted photo.

Researchers who participated in the Sustainable Corn Coordinated Agricultural Project (CAP), which was led by Iowa State University, are providing access to five years of data from the multi-university, corn-based cropping systems study at https://datateam.agron.iastate.edu/cscap/.

The research was funded from 2011-17 with a $20 million USDA-National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) grant. The research included nine states, 11 institutions and a 140-member team, which was led by Lois Wright Morton, project director and Iowa State University professor of sociology emeritus, and Lori Abendroth, project manager.

Wed
24
Jan

Iowa Coalition, State Legislators call for CAFO moratorium; Strengthened regulations

Iowa Alliance for Responsible Agriculture (IARA), a coalition of 27 state, community, and national organizations, called on Iowa state legislators to support 15 bills introduced by Senator David Johnson (I-Ocheyeden) that would strengthen how animal feeding operations are regulated in Iowa at a January 16, 2018 press conference held at the Iowa State Capitol.

The bills include a moratorium on new or expanding concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) until there are fewer than 100 water impairments in Iowa and the Master Matrix is addressed.

There are 750 water impairments in the state with over 1000 impairments, and over 20 counties have called for changes to the Master Matrix this past year.

Senator Johnson was one of 12 legislators and stakeholders that developed the Master Matrix in 2002. Over the last two years he logged thousands of miles traveling throughout the state listening to citizens share stories of how CAFOs impacted their lives.

Wed
17
Jan

What's up at the FSA Office?

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

Upcoming Deadlines and Important Dates
• February 19: Office closed in observance of George Washington’s Birthday

USDA and SCORE Launch Innovative Mentorship Effort to Support New Farmers and Ranchers
USDA is collaborating with SCORE – www.score.org - the nation’s largest network of volunteer, expert business mentors in an effort to provide free business mentoring to farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural and rural business owners.

Wed
10
Jan

What's up at the FSA Office?

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

Upcoming Deadlines and Important Dates
• January 15: Office closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day

January Facility Loan Interest Rates
The interest rates for January are as follows:
• 1.875% for 3 years
• 2.125% for 5 years
• 2.250% for 7 years
• 2.375% for 10 years
• 2.500% for 15 years

Wed
03
Jan

What's up at the FSA Office?

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

Upcoming Deadlines and Important Dates
• January 15: Office closed for Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Marketing Assistance Loans
The FSA office would like to remind producers that marketing assistance loans are available through our office. The 2017 loan rates are $1.87 for corn, and $4.99 for beans. If you do take out a marketing assistance loan with us, we will need a copy of your driver’s license, as well as your spouse’s. 

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