Agriculture

As the number of Iowa farmers using cover crops continues to grow, it’s important to help make sure these farmers have a successful experience. Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today shared a number of spring management tips for farmers new to growing cover crops.

Northey also encouraged farmers that are using cover crops to share photos on social media.  The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship will be sharing photos on Facebook and Twitter using the hashtag #FarmersCoverIowa.

Pastures represent an important land resource, but many pastures are overgrazed resulting in uneven forage stands, low yields, higher weed pressure, and erosion issues due to bare ground. Continuous grazing doesn’t allow forage time to rest and recover and high-quality species die out from selective overgrazing.  Rotational grazing occurs when a pasture is divided up into segments and only a portion of the pasture is grazed at one time.  Cattle are rotated between the paddocks giving forage time to regrow and build deeper root systems.

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

Upcoming Deadlines and Important Dates
• May 15 - August 1: Primary Nesting Season - No Mid-Contract Management Activities on CRP acres   
• May 31 - Marketing Assistance Loans for Prior Year Harvested Corn and Soybeans
• August 1 - ARC/PLC Sign-up

Census of Agriculture Countdown Begins for Farmers and Ranchers
America’s farmers and ranchers will soon have the opportunity to strongly represent agriculture in their communities and industry by taking part in the 2017 Census of Agriculture. Conducted every five years by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), the census, to be mailed at the end of this year, is a complete count of all U.S. farms, ranches, and those who operate them.

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

Upcoming Deadlines and Important Dates
• May 15 - August 1: Primary Nesting Season - No Mid-Contract Management Activities on CRP acres   
• May 31 - Marketing Assistance Loans for Prior Year Harvested Corn and soybeans
• August 1 - ARC/PLC Sign-up

Breaking New Ground
Agricultural producers are reminded to consult with FSA and NRCS before breaking out new ground for production purposes. Doing so without prior authorization may put a producer’s federal farm program benefits in jeopardy. This is especially true for land that is determined to be highly erodible (HEL) or is considered wetlands and are subject to the HELC or Wetland Conservation provisions.

Producers with HEL determined soils are required to apply tillage, crop residue and rotational requirements as specified in their conservation plan.

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

Upcoming Deadlines and Important Dates
• August 1 - ARC/PLC Sign-up
• May 31 - Marketing Assistance Loans for Prior Year Harvested Corn and soybeans:
• May 15 - August 2: Primary Nesting Season.  No Mid-Contract Management Activities on CRP acres   

CRP Mid-Contract Management
We would like to remind CRP producers who have Mid-Contract Management (MCM) scheduled for 2017 that the activity must be completed by May 14, 2017. Upon completion of the MCM activities, you will need to notify the FSA office that MCM has been completed by signing the FSA-848B form and providing acceptable evidence of the practice completion to determine proper cost share payment. Cost share for MCM is 50% Not to Exceed the per acre rate established for each MCM activity.

Farm owners can apply for the 2017 Century and Heritage Farm Program. Applications are available at www.IowaAgriculture.gov by clicking on the Century Farm or Heritage Farm link under “Hot Topics.” Applications may also be requested from Coordinator Becky Lorenz via phone at 515-281-3645, email at Becky.Lorenz@IowaAgriculture.gov no later than June 1, 2017.
 

The Allamakee SWCD will be hosting a Cover Crop and Manure Field Day on Thursday, April 6 from 1:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.  We will meet at the Scott Ness Farm, 1509 Family Lane, Waterville, IA and then drive to at least 2 additional sites in the county.  We will show cover crops that were established by broadcasting or drilling in the fall.  Manure was injected or broadcast before or after cover crop planting, depending on the site.  You’ll be able to see that cover crops and manure can work well together and learn from the local NRCS agronomist, SWCD project coordinator, and other producers.  No RSVP is required.  In the event of inclement weather, an announcement will be made on KNEI as well as the Allamakee SWCD website at allamakeeswcd.org.  If you have questions, please email Sara Berges at sara.berges@ia.nacdnet.net or call 563-568-2246 ext. 3. 
 

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

Upcoming Deadlines and Important Dates
• ARC/PLC Sign-up: August 1
• Marketing Assistance Loans for Prior Year Harvested: Wheat, barley, honey, oats - March 31; Corn, soybeans - May 31   

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

Payment Limitations by Program
The 2014 Farm Bill established a maximum dollar amount for each program that can be received annually, directly or indirectly, by each person or legal entity. Payment limitations vary by program for 2014 through 2018.

Below is an overview of payment limitations by program.

Commodity and Price Support Programs
The annual limitation for the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs, Loan Deficiency Payments (LDPs) and Market Loan Gains is $125,000 each.

Conservation Programs
The Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) annual rental payment and incentive payment is limited to $50,000. CRP contracts approved before Oct. 1, 2008, may exceed the limitation, subject to payment limitation rules in effect on the date of contract approval.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today announced the State Soil Conservation Committee Research and Demonstration Fund has assistance available for research, education or demonstration projects focused on reducing nonpoint pollution. Funds are available to collaborative teams of scientists, farmers, institutions, soil and water conservation districts and educators.

Applications must be submitted to the State Soil Conservation Committee by May 19, 2017. A July 1 start date for selected projects is anticipated.

“Projects should be focused on sustaining and improving the environmental quality of our soil and water. We all recognize that we still have a lot to learn about protecting and improving our soils and water, and these funds are targeted towards projects that will improve their sustainability,” Northey said.