Agriculture

submitted by Sara Berges, Allamakee SWCD

Farm landowners, now is a great time to consider conservation on farmland that you rent out. We encourage all landowners to be aware of what is written in their NRCS conservation plans, what their renters are implementing for crop rotation/tillage/conservation, and what their own goals are for their land.
You have the right to say how you want your land to be managed. For example, if you would like no-till to be implemented on your ground or if you want to ensure that waterways and headlands are seeded down, you can specify that in your farm lease.  You can even revise your NRCS conservation plan to include it in your lease as part of the lease terms. If you do not feel very knowledgeable regarding conservation practices, there are many people who can help you gain a better understanding including the local NRCS office, ISU extension, and local producers.

Small grains planted in Iowa are now a rolling carpet of green that will be ready to harvest in a few short weeks. These crops – barley, cereal rye, oats, triticale and wheat – are increasingly popular with farmers because they are cheap to raise and can be used in a number of different ways. Small grains can be harvested and used as food-grade grain for people, as feed-grade grain for animals, or as seed for planting cover crops or small grains next year. They can also be baled for straw or grazed as livestock feed.

Despite this range of practical uses, marketing small grains crops can be challenging. To help address this issue, Practical Farmers of Iowa created a directory of businesses that buy small grains in Iowa and neighboring counties of other states. The annual directory, first published last year, is updated yearly. The 2017 edition is now available online at practicalfarmers.org/small-grains, under the “PFI Resources” tab.

The Northeast Iowa Food and Farm Network will be holding its July gathering at Kymar Acres between Waukon and Decorah Sunday, July 16, beginning at 4 p.m. The farm is located at 2168 Winnmakee Road, Waukon, and the event will include a farm tour and potluck meal. Attendees are asked to bring a dish to pass and also RSVP in order to help the host facility prepare for visitors. RSVPs can be confirmed by contacting Kayla Koether at 563-382-2949 or at koether@iastate.edu.

Kymar Acres was started by Kyle and Mari Holthaus in 1998, and their children, Teddy and Violet, help on the farm. In 2008, Mari’s sister, Anna, joined the operation. Kymar grows four acres of vegetables and herbs, sold by special order and at four farmers markets.

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

Upcoming Deadlines and Important Dates
• May 15 - August 1: Primary Nesting Season
• July 3 - Dec. 15: Sign up for the 2018 MPP Dairy Program
• July 15: 2017 Crop Reports   
• August 1: ARC/PLC Sign-up
• August 1: Final date to request a farm/tract reconstitution

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

Upcoming Deadlines and Important Dates
• May 15 - August 1: Primary Nesting Season
• July 3 - Dec. 15: Sign up for the 2018 MPP Dairy Program
• July 4: Office closed
• July 15: 2017 Crop Reports   
• August 1: ARC/PLC Sign-up
• August 1: Final date to request a farm/tract reconstitution

Crop Reporting by July 15
The Allamakee County FSA office welcomes 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. Forages and pastures were to be reported last fall, and if you missed that deadline, we will be asking for that report now and collecting a late fee. 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.

A multidisciplinary team of scientists led by Antonio Mallarino, professor of agronomy at Iowa State University, has completed two years of a long-term field study to better understand the impacts of cover crops on nutrient loss with surface runoff.

Cover crops are a recognized nutrient management practice outlined in the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy. They have proven their effectiveness in reducing the amount of nitrogen lost to subsurface drainage, and soil loss from erosion. However, the impact of cover crops in reducing phosphorus loss has not been sufficiently studied.

Iowa Women in Agriculture invite you to join us for the 11th annual Conference at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny August 1.

The 2017 Conference will deliver a full menu of decision-making ingredients for success in today’s difficult economic climate: the latest outlook for ag trade, marketing strategies for low commodity prices, financial risk management tactics, transition and estate-planning tips, and ideas for generating new income and adding value. Our keynote speakers will highlight the unique challenges of women’s roles, offer opportunities to laugh and learn, and to celebrate agriculture.

Due to low commodity prices, farmers are seeking alternative crops that are cheaper to grow. Small grains crops like barley, oats, rye, triticale and wheat are very low-input crops that can fit this need in farmers’ operations – but many farmers need help getting started.

Practical Farmers of Iowa is answering the call for more resources and education on small grains production with a conference and five field days devoted to the topic in 2017. Attendees at these events will learn about a range of issues related to growing small grains, and will also benefit from meeting other farmers who are curious about or experimenting with these crops.

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

Upcoming Deadlines and Important Dates
• May 15 – August 1: Primary Nesting Season
• July 15 – 2017 Crop Reports (FSA 578)   
• July 1 – Sept. 30: Sign up for the 2018 MPP Dairy Program
• August 1: ARC/PLC Sign-up

Crop Reporting
The Allamakee County FSA office welcomes 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. Forages and pastures were to be reported last fall, and if you missed that deadline, we will be asking for that report now and collecting a late fee. 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.

Fayette County 4-H’ers at the Growing Greener 4-H Greenhouse and the Steinlage family at Flolo Farms will host soil health expert and conservation agronomist Ray Archuleta for two field days- one focused on youth activities and another geared toward professional farmers.

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, and is known affectionately by farmers around the world as “Ray the Soils Guy.” He has 25 years of experience with the USDA’s National Resources Conservation Service across the United States, and has lectured internationally.