Agriculture

Precision management in calf care is needed as there are many ways to add value to these heifers before they join the milking string. Join these on-farm calf workshops August 31, for a first-hand look at how fellow dairy farmers are housing pre-weaned calves using technology to help manage their calf program. These include automatic calf feeders, pasteurizers, and milk cooling systems. Areas of focus will include basic sanitation for automatic calf feeders, equipment hygiene, and housing and ventilation.

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

Upcoming Deadlines and Important Dates
• September 1 - December 15: 2018 Margin Protection Program Sign-Up

USDA Farm Service Agency Offers Text Alerts to Allamakee County Producers
Allamakee County producers can now receive notifications from their county office through text messages on their cell phone. Whether producers are in the field, on a tractor or even on horseback, this service enables FSA customers and stakeholders to receive notifications while on the go. Producers will receive text messages regarding important program deadlines, reporting requirements, outreach events and updates.

Soil health experts Ray Archuleta and Doug Peterson drew a crowd of 150 to the Steinlage family’s Flolo farms in West Union for a full-day soil health workshop supported by Fayette County Extension, Fayette County NRCS, and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Region 4. Those attending included professional farmers, Natural Resource and Conservation Services agents, community members, and visitors from as far away as Saskatchewan and Arkansas.

Ray Archuleta is known around the world for his analysis of soils under different tillage systems and his promotion of healthy soils and conservation tillage systems. He has 25 years of experience with the USDA’s National Resources Conservation Service across the United States, and has lectured internationally, earning the nickname “Ray the Soils Guy.” Doug Peterson is the Regional Soil Health Specialist with the USDA’s Natural Resources and Conservation Service, who also runs a cow-calf operation in northern Missouri.

Submitted by Sara Berges, Allamakee SWCD

It can be very difficult for landowners to figure a fair rental rate. They need to be able to pay taxes and likely want to make a profit as well. But, landowners also have to consider how the commodity market prices impact the profitability of farming their land. Often, rental rates lag behind crop prices and tend to reflect past years prices more than expected prices for the upcoming year. Cash rental rates have fallen for the fourth consecutive year in Iowa, but have not fallen as dramatically as the commodity prices. However, the rental rates during the peak prices for corn and soybeans of 2012 were also lagging and had not risen at the same rate as the commodity prices.

Greg Tylka, Iowa State University nematologist, has found that soybean cyst nematode (SCN) resistant soybean varieties are becoming less effective.

“This is an alarming trend and sets the stage for even greater yield loss from SCN in the future,” Tylka said.

Resistant varieties have helped farmers manage the nematodes for decades. Almost all SCN-resistant soybean varieties possess the same resistance genes, from a soybean breeding line called PI88788.

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

Upcoming Deadlines and Important Dates
• September 1 - December 15: 2018 Margin Protection Program Sign-Up
• May 15 - August 1: Primary Nesting Season
• August 1: ARC/PLC Sign-up
• August 1: Last day to request a farm/tract reconstitution for 2017 crop year
• August 1: Final date to submit a nomination for the FSA Committee Election

County Office Committee Election in LAA-2 – Deadline for Nominations is August 1!
The COC nomination period started June 15, and producers can nominate themselves or others. If you would like to run, or are nominated and agree to run, you will need to complete form FSA-669A, which you can pick up at our office or online at fsa.usda.gov/elections.  All nominations must be postmarked or received in our office by August 1.

Nearly 750 youth delegates, along with 4-H staff and volunteers, attended the 2017 State 4-H Conference & Animal Science ROUNDUP held on the Iowa State University (ISU) campus in Ames. Delegates participated in educational and fun workshops, were inspired by motivational speakers and enriched others' lives through community service projects before they enjoyed nightly entertainment of dancing, swimming, bowling, awards banquet and more. Youth experienced life in residential halls during their three-day stay. Animal Science delegates participated in specialized workshops with ISU faculty and staff focusing on beef, sheep, swine, poultry and horses, learning about new animal technologies and potential career opportunities. During the conference the 2017-18 Iowa State 4-H Council members were inducted and introduced, including northeast Iowa youth Hanna Schmitt and Hope Dohlman.

Submitted by Sara Berges, Allamakee SWCD

If you rent out farmland, it is important to know how your land is being managed by your tenants. Even if your tenant is a friend or relative, we encourage you to talk to them about their tillage, rotation, and conservation practices so that you are aware of the management.  Often, the only conversations between the landowner and tenant surround the rental rate and acres.  If you are a landowner who doesn’t live near your land or don’t see it often, good communication can be even more important.  Landowners may be more willing to reduce rent or offer longer leases if they feel that their ground is being well-managed through open, honest conversations with their tenant.

Assistance available through Iowa Water Quality Initiative

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today reminded Iowa farmers that funds are available to help install practices focused on protecting water quality.  Practices eligible for this funding are cover crops, no-till or strip till, or using a nitrification inhibitor when applying fertilizer.

The cost share rate for first-time users of cover crops is $25 per acre, no-till or strip till are eligible for $10 per acre and farmers using a nitrapyrin nitrification inhibitor when applying fall fertilizer can receive $3 per acre. Farmers are eligible for cost share on up to 160 acres.

First-time users that apply by July 28 will be the first applications funded.  First-time users that apply after July 28 will still receive priority consideration, but funds will also be made available to farmers that have used cover crops in the past for cost share assistance at $15 per acre.

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

Upcoming Deadlines and Important Dates
• UPDATED: September 1 - December 15: 2018 Margin Protection Program Sign-Up
• May 15 - August 1: Primary Nesting Season
• August 1: ARC/PLC Sign-up
• August 1: Last day to request a farm/tract reconstitution for 2017 crop year
• August 1: Final date to submit a nomination for the FSA Committee Election