Agriculture

Wed
31
May

What's Up at the USDA Office?

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
May 15 - August 1: Primary Nesting Season
June 2: ERP Phase 2
June 2: PARP
July 15: Spring Crop Reporting

Conservation Update
submitted by Ben Cottrell, District Conservationist, Waukon
Across Iowa we are seeking applications as we recently released funding for Organic Transition Initiative (OTI) through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) as well as another round of funding for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). NRCS accepts conservation program applications on a continuous basis but sets application cutoff dates as funding allows. The next application cutoff for OTI and CSP applications is June 15.

Wed
24
May

Allamakee County 4-H senior member Sarah Stock awarded during 2023 State 4-H Recognition Day

Sarah Stock ...
Sarah Stock ...

Iowa 4-H youth showcased their leadership, communications, and college and career readiness skills in the annual State 4-H Recognition Day interviews in late March. Interviews were held in person at Iowa State University in Ames, as well as virtually. This statewide event, held each spring, culminates the year’s recognition process.

Senior 4-H members in grades 9-12 apply to be selected to pursue state and national leadership opportunities, trips and awards. Iowa 4-H members selected to be State 4-H Council members, National 4-H Conference delegates, National 4-H Congress delegates, Safety and Education in Shooting Sports Ambassadors, Iowa 4-H Reporters, Iowa 4-H Healthy Living Ambassadors, and project area award recipients are selected and honored.

Wed
24
May

What's Up at the USDA Office?

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
May 15 - August 1: Primary Nesting Season
June 2: ERP Phase 2
June 2: PARP
July 15: Spring Crop Reporting

CRP Reminders
The primary nesting season runs from May 15 – August 1. Be sure to contact the FSA office if you need to perform spot maintenance activities on your CRP acres during this time. Cosmetic mowing of your CRP acres is always prohibited, but you can spot treat areas that are threatened by undesirable vegetation throughout the year. A written request must be made before the County Committee grants approval to conduct maintenance during the nesting season. As a reminder, volunteer trees and woody vegetation must be controlled and removed from CRP acres. Failure to control undesirable vegetation on CRP can result in financial penalties.

Wed
24
May

Secretary Naig encourages applications for the 2023 Century and Heritage Farm Program

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig encourages eligible Iowa farm owners to apply for the 2023 Century and Heritage Farm Program now through June 1.

The program was created by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation to recognize families who have owned their farms for 100 years - for the Century Farm designation - and for 150 years - for the Heritage Farm designation, respectively.

“Iowa’s multi-generational farm families are the backbone of our state and the Century and Heritage Farm Program recognizes their hard work, strength, resilience and perseverance,” said Secretary Naig. “Each year I look forward to recognizing these families, hearing their stories, and celebrating their legacies at the Iowa State Fair.”

Wed
17
May

What's Up at the USDA Office?

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
May 15 - August 1: Primary Nesting Season
June 2: ERP Phase 2
June 2: PARP
July 15: Spring Crop Reporting

Wed
17
May

Stateline Dairy and Ag Outlook Seminar scheduled for June 14

A Dairy and Ag Outlook Seminar: Understanding a Changing Industry, will be held Wednesday, June 14 at Ridgeway Community Center, 690 County St., Ridgeway, from 9:30 a.m.-3:15 p.m. This seminar is sponsored by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, University of Minnesota Extension, and University of Wisconsin Extension. The seminar is targeted toward assisting ag lenders and farm financial advisers in helping farmers manage risk and understand market outlooks.

“Price risk management continues to be a major variable for profitability in many commodity enterprises while land has seen record inflation,” said Jennifer Bentley, dairy specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. “Understanding the ag markets is a necessary part of lender portfolio management.”

Wed
17
May

Relay Intercropping Field Day to be held at Russell Farm

Iowa Learning Farms will host a relay intercropping field day on Thursday, June 1 from 10:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at Jason Russell’s farm near Monticello. The free event is open to farmers and landowners and includes a complimentary meal.

The field day aims to equip attendees with best management practices for establishing and managing a relay intercropping system designed to improve soil health and reduce nutrient losses while increasing productivity and profitability. The relay intercropping system begins following corn with the seeding of winter wheat or rye. The soybean crop is planted into the winter wheat/rye the next spring and the winter wheat/rye is harvested for grain in June. Following soybean, oats are planted as a cover crop ahead of corn.

Wed
10
May

What's Up at the USDA Office?

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
May 14: CRP Mid-Contract Management
May 15 - August 1: Primary Nesting Season
June 2: ERP Phase 2
June 2: PARP
July 15: Spring Crop Reporting

May 2023 CCC and FSFL Interest Rates
New rates were issued for the month of May and are as follows:
• MALs: 5.625%
• 3.750% for 3 years
• 3.500% for 5 years
• 3.500% for 7 years
• 3.500% for 10 years
• 3.500% for 12 years

Wed
10
May

Apply by June 1 for Century and Heritage Farm Program

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig encourages eligible Iowa farm owners to apply for the 2023 Century and Heritage Farm Program now through June 1. The program was created by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation to recognize families who have owned their farms for 100 years and 150 years, respectively.

To apply, download the application on the Department’s website at iowaagriculture.gov/century-and-heritage-farm-program. Please complete the application and return it to:

Century and Heritage Farm Program
Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship
Wallace State Office
Building
502 E. Ninth St.
Des Moines, IA 50319

Wed
03
May

What's Up at the USDA Office?

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
May 14: CRP Mid-Contract Management
May 15 - August 1: Primary Nesting Season
June 2: ERP Phase 2
June 2: PARP
July 15: Spring Crop Reporting

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