Agriculture

Wed
09
Nov

Remember to be firewise on the farm

As Iowa’s annual harvest wraps up across the state, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) encourages farmers to get reacquainted with fire prevention practices to keep the farm ‘firewise.’

This has been an extended drought year, particularly in the western part of the state. The following simple steps for a safer harvest can save time and money.

Properly prepare machinery to reduce the chance of a field fire from an overheated bearing (check the manufacturer’s recommendations). A spark from an improperly lubricated combine can instantaneously ignite dry plants and field debris.

Check that all fire extinguishers carried on the machinery are fully charged with loose powder inside. If the powder is not loose, remove the extinguisher from its bracket then thump the canister with a rubber hammer until the powder moves when shaken.

Wed
02
Nov

What's Up at the USDA Office?

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
December 5: Last day to return COC ballots
December 9: Dairy Margin Coverage Program
December 15: Crop Reporting for Fall-Seeded Small Grains

Next Season starts this Fall
by LuAnn Rolling, District Conservationist
Fall is the time to start implementing practices for next year’s crop.  Just because temperatures are cooler and grain is harvested it is not time to just “let things sit”.  In order to best prepare for the 2023 crop producers should be concerned with keeping the water, nutrient and carbon cycles functioning as long as possible.

Wed
02
Nov

Dairy producers can now enroll for 2023 signup for Dairy Margin Coverage

Dairy producers can now enroll for 2023 coverage through the Dairy Margin Coverage (DMC) Program, an important safety net program from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) that helps producers manage changes in milk and feed prices. Last year, USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) took steps to improve coverage, especially for small- and mid-sized dairies, including offering a new Supplemental DMC program and updating its feed cost formula to better address retroactive, current and future feed costs. These changes continue to support producers through this year’s signup, which ends Dec. 9, 2022.

Wed
02
Nov

Prairie strips continue to provide a practical solution for conservation

With farmland that adjoins one of Iowa’s largest and most popular recreational lakes, Eric Hoien wanted to make sure he was doing his part to keep farm nutrients in his field, while maintaining a pleasant landscape for the public.

The solution that he found, after reading an article in the Des Moines Register, was to plant “Prairie Strips” along the edge of his field and the roadway adjoining Spirit Lake.

Formally known as Prairie STRIPS (Science-based Trials of Rowcrops Inegrated with Prarie Strips,” these narrow bands of 30-120 foot wide prairie are a federally recognized conservation practice that has shown significant benefits for water quality improvement, wildlife conservation, pollinator habitat and aesthetic beauty.

Wed
26
Oct

What's Up at the USDA Office?

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
October 31: Organic Certification Cost-Share and Transition/Education Certification Program
December 5: Last day to return COC ballots
December 9: Dairy Margin Coverage Program
December 15: Crop Reporting for Fall-Seeded Small Grains

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.

Wed
26
Oct

New study led by Iowa State University mines blood cell data to improve swine health

Iowa State University scientists are leading a new study to mine the intricate content of pigs’ blood cells to improve selection for disease resilience.

“We’re looking for new, more effective ways to measure and predict different traits in pigs, especially disease resilience,” said Christopher Tuggle, professor of animal science and the lead investigator on a new grant from the USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).

“Many of the traits pork producers want to improve by genetic selection are difficult to measure and predict,” Tuggle said. “Growth rate is easy to measure, and as a result, we’ve made significant improvements in this area. Disease resilience, on the other hand, is much more challenging and an area where we haven’t made enough progress.”
Blood samples are often used as a practical way to search for markers of disease or immunity.

Wed
26
Oct

Iowans encouraged to apply for Choose Iowa Marketing and Promotion Grants for 2023

Funding is available to help farmers explore new ways to process, market, and sell their products

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced in recent days that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is again offering Choose Iowa Marketing and Promotion grants for 2023. The program matches up to $25,000 per project to help farmers, businesses, and non-profits increase or diversify their agricultural product offerings. The recent announcement was made during a visit to 2022 Choose Iowa grant awardee Skyview Farms of Nora Springs.

Wed
19
Oct

What's Up at the USDA Office?

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
October 31: Organic Certification Cost-Share and Transition/Education Certification Program
December 5: Last day to return COC ballots
December 9: Dairy Margin Coverage Program
December 15: Crop Reporting for Fall-Seeded Small Grains

Consider No P Application Next Year
by LuAnn Rolling, District Conservationist
Now is the time to be considering inputs for your 2023 crop.  According to Dan Kaiser with the University of Minnesota, the application of P fertilizer is common, but it is not always required to achieve maximum yield.  In an article posted in Nutrient Management, Precision Agriculture, Soil Health, he says that while applying crop removal rates is equivalent to hitting the easy button, if P is not required for the crop, the money spent on P fertilizer is likely best spent elsewhere.

Wed
19
Oct

Farm Mental Health and Wellness Program benefits Iowa farmers and rural communities

Partnership with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Brings Additional Resources, Mental Health Support to Rural Communities

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today announced that Iowa farm families and their advocates are benefitting from mental health and stress assistance as well as other wellness support, thanks to the Farm and Ranch Wellness: Meeting Local Needs program.

In August 2021, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship was awarded a $500,000 grant to expand farmer mental health support programs in Iowa. Over the last year, the Department has partnered with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach to help raise awareness about mental health and wellness resources and make them more accessible to farmers and rural communities.

Wed
19
Oct

I-29 Moo University Dairy Webinar to discuss long-term dairy supply and demand trends Thursday, November 10

The I-29 Moo University Dairy Webinar Series continues Thursday, November 10, from noon to 1 p.m. with a focus on long-term dairy supply and demand trends.

The webinar will feature food and agriculture consultant Betty Berning, operator of Betty Berning Consulting, which provides services ranging from supply chain optimization to market intelligence for the food and agricultural sector. Berning will help producers learn about how dairy supply and demand are shifting globally and what that means for U.S. dairy.

“With the world-wide production declining and the current strong demand for dairy products bolstering prices, all eyes are on the future – the value of the dollar, recession and world politics that can change the situation in a heart-beat,” explained Fred Hall, dairy specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. “Berning will share her insights on what’s ahead for the dairy industry.”

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