Agriculture

Meeting
The next Allamakee County Committee meeting will be February 11, 2016 at 9 a.m. at the Allamakee County Farm Service Agency (FSA) Office conference room located in Waukon.

New General CRP Signup
December 1, 2015, through February 26, 2016 is the new general CRP signup. Land that is not currently enrolled in CRP may be offered for enrollment during CRP signup 49. In addition, CRP participants with contracts expiring on September 30, 2016, may submit offers at this time. Accepted contracts for CRP signup 49 will become effective on October 1, 2016.
Do not wait until February 26, 2016 deadline, due to determining eligibility per crop history and other steps in the CRP signup process.

During the recent Swiss Valley Farms annual district meetings, Swiss Valley Farms Dairy Cooperative celebrated its Blue Ribbon Milk Quality Awards program by presenting awards to co-op members. The program began in 1973 to honor co-op members who produce quality milk and meet strict quality standards every day, all year long. At the District 8 meeting in Postville, Brent Garbes and Jerry Gibson & Sons of Waukon were recognized with 23-Year Milk Quality Awards. Pictured here, left to right, are Brent and Maggie Garbes, and Jerry Gibson. Submitted photo.

Dairy goat producers have the opportunity to learn herd health practices at two Goat Health Workshops hosted by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach specialists. The workshops are scheduled for January 26 and 27 at two locations within northeast Iowa.
“Basic health information for dairy goat herds is imperative for productive operations and successful kidding seasons,” said Jennifer Bentley, ISU Extension and Outreach dairy specialist. “These workshops will help producers maintain healthy animals and improve herd management.”

Meeting
The next Allamakee County Committee meeting will be February 11 at 9 a.m. at the Allamakee County FSA Office conference room.

Reminders
December 1 through February 26: New CRP Signup

Milk Handlers Premium Payment option under the Margin Protection Program for Dairy Producers (MPP-DAIRY)
Dairy producers may remit premium payments for 2016 coverage no later than September 1, 2016. This premium payment deadline was modified to allow dairy operations with premium buy-up coverage with the option to have their milk handlers do the following:
• Deduct the operation’s MPP-Dairy Premium payment from the producer’s milk check
• Remit the premium payment to FSA on behalf of the dairy operation.

Education is a gift that beef producers can put to use every day. The Driftless Region Beef Conference February 4-5 is an educational event offering benefits to beef producers in four states.
The conference will be held at the Grand River Conference Center in Dubuque, a central location for driftless region producers and sponsors - Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, University of Illinois Extension, University of Minnesota Extension, and University of Wisconsin Extension.
Efficient and economic beef and forage production in Iowa, Illinois, Minnesota and Wisconsin is the conference focus. It kicks off with the topic of animal health and handling at 1 p.m. Thursday afternoon. The evening discussion will explore innovative practices being used by beef producers.

“Many farmers saw the best ever yields in 2015 as it was a year of record production for both corn and soybeans in Iowa. Unfortunately there were several challenges as well. Iowa was at the center of the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza outbreak this spring. Also, a significant drop in crop and livestock prices have created real challenges economically for farmers,” said Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey. “However, farmers are optimistic and are looking forward to 2016 and new opportunities.”

Meeting
The next Allamakee County Committee meeting will be January 14, 2016 at 9 a.m. at the Allamakee County FSA Office conference room.

Reminders
December 1 through February 26, 2016: New CRP Signup
January 18, 2016: Closed, Martin Luther King Day.

New General CRP Signup
December 1, 2015, through February 26, 2016 is the new general CRP signup. Land that is not currently enrolled in CRP may be offered for enrollment during CRP signup 49. In addition, CRP participants with contracts expiring on September 30, 2016, may submit offers at this time. Accepted contracts for CRP signup 49 will become effective on October 1, 2016.

CRP Meetings being held in January
This meeting will provide information on the new CRP Signup 49 and Continuous CRP program.

Meeting
The next Allamakee County Committee meeting will be January 14, 2016 at 9 a.m. at the Allamakee County FSA Office conference room.

Reminders
December 1 through February 26, 2016: New CRP Signup
January 18, 2016: Closed, Martin Luther King Day.

New General CRP Signup
December 1, 2015, through February 26, 2016 is the new general CRP signup. Land that is not currently enrolled in CRP may be offered for enrollment during CRP signup 49. In addition, CRP participants with contracts expiring on September 30, 2016, may submit offers at this time. Accepted contracts for CRP signup 49 will become effective on October 1, 2016. For more details contact the Allamakee County FSA Office at (563)568-2148.
In January, 2016 a public meeting will be held for producers who are interested in the CRP programs. The date, time and place will be announced at a later date.

Meeting
The next Allamakee County Committee meeting will be January 15, 2016 at 9 a.m. at the Allamakee County FSA Office conference room.

Reminders
December 1 through February 26, 2016: New CRP Signup
January 1, 2016: Closed, New Years Day.

County Committee Election Results
The LLA #3, which consist of Iowa, Lansing, Center, LaFayette, Paint Creek, and Taylor townships, are Cindy Gibbs was elected and Chris Wonderlich is First Alternate on the Allamakee County Committee. Congratulations to Cindy Gibbs and Chris Wonderlich.

Meeting
The next Allamakee County Committee meeting will be January 15, 2016 at 9 a.m. at the Allamakee County FSA Office conference room.

Reminders
December 1 through February 26, 2016: New CRP Signup
December 25: Closed, Christmas Day.
January 1, 2016: Closed, New Years Day.

New General CRP Signup
December 1, 2015, through February 26, 2016 is the new general CRP signup. Land that is not currently enrolled in CRP may be offered for enrollment during CRP signup 49. In addition, CRP participants with contracts expiring on September 30, 2016, may submit offers at this time. Accepted contracts for CRP signup 49 will become effective on October 1, 2016. For more details contact the Allamakee County FSA Office at (563)568-2148.