Agriculture

by Cindy Mensen, Acting Allamakee County Executive Director (563) 568-2148

ATTENTION FARMERS - REMINDER:
2016 Crop/land use reporting date is November 15, 2016 for fall seeded small grains and all hay types, including pasture for the 2017 crop year.
In order to comply with FSA program eligibility requirements and avoid being assessed a late filing fee, you are encouraged to visit the FSA County office to file an accurate crop certification by the applicable deadline. The Allamakee County Farm Service Agency is located at 635 Ninth Street NW in Waukon, or call 563-568-2148.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey is encouraging Iowans interested in protecting our state’s soil and water resources to consider running to serve as a Soil and Water Conservation District Commissioner.  Anyone interested in becoming a commissioner should contact their local Soil and Water Conservation District.  Nomination papers must be filed by August 31, 2016.

“Each of Iowa’s 100 Soil and Water Conservation Districts are managed by five volunteer commissioners who help their community meet their conservation priorities,” Northey said.  “Commissioners help oversee the distribution of federal, state and local conservation aid in their community.”

by Anthony Anastasi
NRCS Summer Intern

When crop rotations allow for it, late summer seeding is a viable alternative for the establishment of forage crops. According to Stephen K. Barnhart, Professor of Agronomy at Iowa State University and Extension Forage Agronomist, soil temperatures are higher in late summer than in early spring, so plants will germinate and grow faster and will be less susceptible to disease. Barnhart states that as long as proper late summer seeding practices are followed this practice can result in highly productive stands and can also be used to patch up spring established stands that have thin or bare spots.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey recently 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 August 1 will be the first applications funded.  First-time users that apply after August 1 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 Cindy Mensen, Acting Allamakee County Executive Director (563) 568-2148

REMINDERS:

July 31: FSA Photo Contest deadline
Aug 1 : Final date to submit a nomination form for the FSA Committee election
Aug 1 : Deadline to sign-up for the 2016 ARC-Co Program (sign a CCC-861)
Aug 1 : Last day to request a farm or tract reconstitution for 2016 crop year
Sept 1: Premiums are due for 2016 MPP buy-up coverage

Country Heritage Community (CHC) will once again be offering the Maize Maze in Elgin, beginning July 30. This year the theme will be “The Amazing Iowa Barns," and CHC is seeking the assistance of area residents in sharing their own barn stories or photos.

Many who have had the opportunity to grow up on a farm will remember the role that the barn played in the structure of daily life. From milking, to stacking hay, to jumping from the beams into a haystack - all have their own story.

Area residents are invited to share their story and have it on display at the 2016 Maize Maze. All stories will have a chance to win the honor of "Best Iowa Barn Story." Stories are to be no longer than two pages (if typed, size 12 font). There will be two divisions of competition, one for ages 17 and under and another for ages 18 and over.

“Sharing Solutions” is the theme of the 10th annual Iowa Women in Agriculture Conference at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny on July 26. The Conference will offer opportunities for valuable take-aways on an array of current farm challenges: marketing strategies for low commodity prices, financial risk management, transition hurdles, high cash rental rates, and bootstraps for beginning farmers.

The one-day Conference runs from 8:15 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Karey Claghorn, CEO of the Iowa Soybean Association, and former Iowa Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, will kick it off with “Navigating the New Normal: the 2017 Ag Outlook”.

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is hosting multiple farmland leasing meetings during July and August at various times and locations throughout northeast Iowa. The annual meeting is offered to address questions that land owners, tenants or other interested individuals have about leasing farmland.

Topics will include land values and cash rent trends, cost of production, methods for determining a rental rate, legislative updates regarding leases, and communicating with tenants or landlords.

“More than half of Iowa’s farmland is rented, and strong landlord/tenant relationships are important for the long-term viability of Iowa’s valuable farmland,” said Melissa O’Rourke, ISU Extension Farm & Agribusiness Management Specialist. O’Rourke is a licensed attorney with extensive experience in working with farm, ranch and agribusiness interests.

by Cindy Mensen, Acting Allamakee County Executive Director (563) 568-2148

Dates to Remember:

July 15: Deadline to certify a 2016 crop report (FSA-578)
Aug 1: Deadline to sign-up for the 2016 ARC-Co Program (sign a CCC-861)
Aug 1: Last day to request a farm or tract reconstitution for 2016 crop year
Sept 1: Premiums are due for 2016 MPP buy-up coverage

Crop Reporting and ARC-CO sign-up for 2016
We are down to the last couple of days before the certification deadline (July 15th)– and only two more weeks to accomplish the annual sign-up for ARC-CO program (August 1st).  Don’t delay – get it done today.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey encourages Iowa hay and straw producers to register or update their listing on the Iowa Hay and Straw Directory. The directory lists Iowa producers with hay and straw for sale, as well as organizations and businesses associated with promoting and marketing quality hay and straw.

“The directory has been a great tool for both buyers and sellers and we hope farmers will take the time to review and update their information so that it remains a valuable resource,” Northey said.  “This directory can serve as a critical link for those producing hay and those looking to buy, so we encourage Iowans to take advantage of this free directory.”

The listing is available to interested buyers throughout the nation, however only sellers from within Iowa can be included on the list.