Agriculture

Farm safety celebrated with proclamation signed by Gov. Reynolds

The Iowa Farm Safety and Health Week will be held September 15-21 in conjunction with the National Farm Safety and Health Week. This year’s national theme is “Shift Farm Safety Into High Gear.”

This is the 76th observance of the National Farm Safety and Health Week. This special week of safety and health observance is still relevant today because agriculture ranks as the most dangerous industry in the United States.

Farm safety week is used by farm safety professionals and organizations to remind those working within agriculture to be cautious. The fall harvest time is typically the busiest season of the year and the time when agriculture reports the largest number of injuries.

The National Children’s Center estimates one child dies about every three days in an agriculture-related incident. One common incident where children are harmed is when they are an extra rider on a farm or lawn care tractor.

“Tractor rides have an intrinsic appeal for kids and a willingness for adults to allow them,” said Charles Schwab, professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering with extension and outreach responsibilities at Iowa State University. “The well-intended activity of a child riding on the tractor with a parent or grandparent is an extremely dangerous situation that too often ends in death.”

Around one-fourth of tractor deaths each year are from runovers. These usually happen when an extra rider falls under the back tractor wheel and is mortally crushed. An easy saying to remember is: “One seat, one rider,” and as adults it is our responsibility to keep youth safe by not allowing them to be the extra rider on tractors. Be firm and say no.

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

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
September 20: Dairy Margin Coverage Program Sign-Up
December 6: Market Facilitation Program

Managed Haying Requests
For those who have stopped in to request managed haying on your CRP ground, make sure the bales are off as soon as possible to avoid killing of the seeding underneath, but no later than September 30. Any seeding destroyed due to the bales needs to be reseeded. 

September Facility Loan Interest Rates
The interest rates for September are as follows:
• 1.625% for 3 years
• 1.625% for 5 years
• 1.750% for 7 years
• 1.875% for 10 years
• 1.875% for 12 years
• 2.000% for 15 years

by Dr. Bob Hartzler, Professor of Agronomy - Integrated Crop Management News, and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach
 
Problems caused by unfavorable conditions this season have resulted in greater than normal weed escapes. These weeds may reduce crop yields and definitely will contribute to future weed problems via new seed. While it is too late to protect crop yields, a common question is whether herbicides can be used to reduce the quantity of viable weed seed produced by weeds. While there is no simple answer due to the many different scenarios across the state, in most situations late-season applications are not warranted.

by Andrew Friskop, North Dakota State University; Ethan Stoetzer, Iowa State University; Daren Mueller, Iowa State University; Darcy Telenko, Purdue University; and Keith Johnson, Purdue University 

One plant disease to keep a lookout for when harvesting grains and grasses for animal and human consumption is ergot. The ergot pathogen generates toxic alkaloids that potentially could create problems with livestock feeding, and when trying to market a small grain crop. This article will review some of the commonly asked questions pertaining to ergot.

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

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
September 20: Dairy Margin Coverage Program Sign-Up
December 6: Market Facilitation Program

Managed Haying Requests
For those who have stopped in to request managed haying on your CRP ground, make sure the bales are off as soon as possible to avoid killing of the seeding underneath, but no later than September 30. Any seeding destroyed due to the bales needs to be reseeded. 

Elections for the 2019 County Committee
The election of responsible agricultural producers to FSA county committees is important to ALL farmers and ranchers with large or small operations. It is crucial that every eligible producer take part in this election because county committees are a direct link between the farm community and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

Three certifications were offered to Iowa manure applicators in 2019, in compliance with state law
 
Now in its 21st year, the Iowa manure applicator certification program continues to train and certify the state’s manure applicators on the best ways of handling, hauling and applying livestock manure.

Three programs were offered this year, in partnership with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.

Nearly 1,300 confinement site applicators attended the Confinement Site Manure Applicator Certification trainings, required for producers who have more than 500 animals in confinement. Currently, there are more than 1,960 certified confinement applicators in Iowa.

Some 2,218 commercial applicators attended the Commercial Manure Applicator Certification workshops. There are currently 605 certified commercial manure applicator businesses in Iowa, compared to 562 last year.

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

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
September 2: Office Closed in Observance of Labor Day
September 20: Dairy Margin Coverage Program Sign-Up
December 6: Market Facilitation Program

Unauthorized Disposition of Grain
If loan grain has been disposed of through feeding, selling or any other form of disposal without prior written authorization from the county office staff, it is considered unauthorized disposition. The financial penalties for unauthorized dispositions are severe and a producer’s name will be placed on a loan violation list for a two-year period.  Always call before you haul any grain under loan.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) is expanding its payment options to now accept debit cards and Automated Clearing House (ACH) debit. These paperless payment options enable FSA customers to pay farm loan payments, measurement service fees, farm program debt repayments and administrative service fees, as well as to purchase aerial maps.

“Our customers have spoken, and we’ve listened,” said Bill Northey, USDA’s Under Secretary for Farm Production and Conservation. “Finding ways to improve customer service and efficiency is important for our farmers, ranchers, producers, and forest landowners who work hard for our nation every day.

Now, our customers can make electronic payments instantly by stopping in our offices or calling over the phone.”

Beef producers in and around Winneshiek County are encouraged to become Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Certified. BQA is required for all who sell cattle to Tyson Foods, Cargill and Iowa Premium as well as several other beef processors and some sale barns.

The training will be held Wednesday, September 18, at the Decorah Sales Commission from 8:30-10 a.m. Participants are asked to preregister by September 16 by calling the Benton County Extension office at 319-472-4739 to ensure adequate food and supplies.

ISU Extension and Outreach beef program specialist Denise Schwab said the Beef Quality Assurance Certification meetings will focus on changes in packer requirements and the information that cattle feeders must provide to market cattle. This certification assures consumers that the beef they eat is a safe, high quality product and is produced in a responsible manner considering animal welfare and the environment.