Agriculture

Wed
04
Jan

Iowa State University’s Farm Transition Conference scheduled for February 9-10

Transitioning a farm to the next generation is one of the biggest challenges that farm owners and beginning farmers will face. The decisions made can affect families, finances and rural communities for decades into the future.

That’s why Iowa State University’s Farm Transitions Conference, slated for Feb. 9-10 in Ames, will bring together experts and experienced landowners from a wide range of backgrounds with the goal of improving the farm transition process.

Bankers, attorneys, tax professionals, mediators and family farmers will all be part of this year’s event, to be held at the Gateway Hotel. Attendees will hear from professionals who deal with all parts of farm transitions – those looking to exit farming, those looking to enter or expand, and those who simply want to review their existing succession plans to ensure they are current.

Wed
28
Dec

What's Up at the USDA Office?

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
January 2: Office Closed in Observance of New Year’s Day

Local Economies Need to be the First Consideration
by LuAnn Rolling, District Conservationist

Wed
28
Dec

Registration open for Iowa Farm Bureau’s Young Farmer Conference

Farmers and agribusiness professionals, ages 18-35, are invited to attend Iowa Farm Bureau Federation’s Young Farmer Conference January 27-28, 2023, at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines. “This year’s conference theme is ‘Our Roots Run Deep,’” said Megan Hansen, Young Farmer Advisory Committee chair and Pottawattamie County farmer. “As young farmers, we’re grateful for those who have paved the way before us - planting that seed. As the next generation, we are intent on solidifying those roots by learning from experts and each other at this popular event that typically attracts between 500 to 600 young farmers.”

Wed
28
Dec

Iowa farmland values hit all-time high despite concerns about higher inflation, interest rates

One year after skyrocketing 29%, the average value of an acre of Iowa farmland jumped another 17%, or $1,660, to $11,411 per acre. The nominal value of an acre of farmland is again higher this year than at any point since Iowa State University began surveying values in 1941. When adjusting for inflation, the 2022 average value surpasses the previous inflation-adjusted record value set in 2013 for the first time.

Farmland values in Iowa have increased more than 15% in a year a handful of times since 1941, most notably in 2011, when values rose 32.5%, and last year, when values rose 29%.

While inflation was a major factor that drove the increase last year, Wendong Zhang, an associate professor of economics and faculty affiliate of Center for Agricultural and Rural Development at Iowa State University, said that it did not play as much of a factor as commodity prices, limited land supply, and low interest rates through summer 2022 did this year.

Wed
21
Dec

What's Up at the USDA Office?

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
December 26: Office Closed in Observance of Christmas
January 2: Office Closed in Observance of New Year’s Day

Farm Loan Presence in Allamakee County
The USDA/FSA Farm Loan team will have a Loan Officer in our office every Tuesday during normal business hours (8-4:30).  If you would like to visit with the loan officer, please call or stop in.

Progression Lending from FSA
Farm Service Agency (FSA) farm loans are considered progression lending. Unlike loans from a commercial lender, FSA loans are intended to be temporary in nature. Our goal is to help you graduate to commercial credit, and our farm loan staff is available to help borrowers through training and credit counseling.

Wed
21
Dec

Secretary Naig encourages 2022 Ag Census participation

USDA’s national survey is conducted every five years

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today encouraged Iowa farmers and producers to participate in the 2022 Census of Agriculture, which is underway across the nation through February 6, 2023.

The Census of Agriculture, which is conducted every five years by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS), is the nation’s most comprehensive count of America’s farms and ranches, the people who operate them, and the crops and livestock they raise.

Wed
21
Dec

Agronomy in the Field Program series to be offered this winter

Women landowners can learn more about agronomy via zoom meetings

Women landowners, farmers and ag retailers will have the opportunity to meet again this winter to learn more about agronomy and related agricultural topics through distance-learning sessions of Agronomy in the Field. The goals of Agronomy in the Field are to strengthen agronomic skills for women that allow for better decision-making, provide a better understanding of inputs for crop production, see and understand different conservation practices and increase confidence in communication with a spouse, farming partner, ag retailer or tenant.

These programs are hosted by extension field agronomists Angie Rieck-Hinz, Meaghan Anderson, Rebecca Vittetoe, Leah Ten Napel and Clarabell Probasco.

Wed
14
Dec

What's Up at the USDA Office?

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
December 15: Crop Reporting for Fall-Seeded Small Grains

Landlords Must Take an Active Role in Management of Their Farm
by LuAnn Rolling, District Conservationist
Landowners leasing land to farmers need to view their properties as an asset much like a retirement account and heed investment advice that says: “If you’re spending down your principal, you’re likely to run out of money.”

Wed
14
Dec

Farm couple getaways return to Iowa in February and March

To help farm families build relationships and set family goals, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is offering two “Farm Couple Getaways.” Both events are aimed at farmers wanting to take advantage of activities to improve farm family communication, work on farm or family goal setting, farm transitions or looking for a weekend away to discuss farm and family issues.

The first getaway will be held Friday, February 10 through Saturday, February 11 at the Best Western Plus Hotel in Dubuque. The second getaway will be held Friday, March 3 through Saturday, March 4 at the Cobblestone Inn & Suites in Holstein.

The getaways run from 12:30 p.m. on the first day to 3:15 p.m. on the second day. There is no cost to attend the program as food, lodging and other expenses are covered by sponsorships. However, there is a $50 per couple deposit to hold each reservation, refundable on the second day of the event.

Wed
14
Dec

2023 Dairy Margin Coverage deadline extended

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has extended the deadline for producers to enroll in Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) and Supplemental Dairy Margin Coverage (SDMC) for program year 2023 to Jan. 31, 2023. DMC is a voluntary risk management program that offers protection to dairy producers when the difference between the all-milk price and the average feed price (the margin) falls below a certain dollar amount selected by the producer. “We recognize this is a busy time of year with many competing priorities, so we’ve extended the DMC enrollment deadline to ensure every producer who wants coverage for 2023 has the opportunity to enroll in the program,” said Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Zach Ducheneaux. “Early projections indicate DMC payments are likely to trigger for the first eight months in 2023. We all know that markets fluctuate, sometimes at a moment’s notice and sometimes with no warning at all, so now’s the time to ensure your operation is covered.

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