Agriculture

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

Corn and soybean farmers can learn from fellow farmers how to improve cover crop seeding success, as well as seeding cover crops before planting corn the following spring at an education event on Monday, July 24, near Arlington.

The event is sponsored by the Fayette County Corn Growers, Iowa Corn, Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship, Iowa Seed Association and Oregon Ryegrass Growers Commission.

WHEN: Monday, July 24 at 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

10 a.m. Arlington corn and seed corn grower Tim Recker and Iowa Seed Corn Cover Crops Initiative coordinator Shannon Moeller will talk about cost share for seed corn ground.

11 a.m. Waverly corn and soybean grower Mark Mueller, a Bremer County Corn Growers and Iowa Corn Growers Association board member, will discuss his experience with cover crops and the Soil Health Partnership.

More than half of Iowa farmland is rented. In some Iowa locations, as much as 70 percent of the land is farmed by farmers who don’t own the land.

In Northeast Iowa, the result is many conversations and negotiations between farmland owners and producer-tenants to determine what makes sense for farmland leases and cash rental rates - both fixed rent and flexible arrangements. Strong landlord/tenant relationships are important for the long-term viability of Iowa’s farming communities.

These are just a few reasons why Iowa State University Extension and Outreach offers workshops designed to answer questions that land owners and tenants have about farmland leasing and land values.

These workshops will be held across northeast Iowa counties starting August 7 through August 17.

Melissa O’Rourke, ISU Extension Farm & Agribusiness Management Specialist will present a wide range of topics related to farmland values and leasing.

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
• July 15: 2017 Crop Reports   
• 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

Crop Reporting by July 15
The Allamakee County FSA office reminds all county farmers to come in and report their 2017 crops.  Certifying your crops is a requirement for many FSA programs.  This includes all spring planted crops and land uses.  100% of the farm must be reported to be eligible for programs. Please report what is planted on your farm by the deadline of July 15.