Agriculture

Wed
04
Aug

Carbon Market Webinar will discuss resurgence of interest

Learn about opportunities and challenges of carbon credit markets

Renewed interest in carbon markets and carbon credit trading is quickly finding its way to the farm. In an effort to provide updates and answer questions, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will hold a public webinar August 11 from 1-3 p.m.

A group of specialists will discuss the basics of what a carbon market is, how people can participate, the benefits and consequences of participating and the things landowners and tenants should consider.

“Some farmers are already being asked to join marketing agreements,” said Chad Hart, professor in economics and extension grain markets specialist at Iowa State University. “Over the last six to eight months in particular, we have seen a lot of private companies starting to set up their carbon trading mechanisms and some are reaching out to landowners.”

Wed
21
Jul

What's Up at the USDA Office?

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
May 15 – August 1: Primary Nesting Season
June 15: COC Election Ballots Mailed to Producers in LAA 3
July 23: CRP General Signup
August 6: CRP Continuous Signup

Wed
21
Jul

Farmland leasing meetings to answer questions for Iowa landowners and tenants

Meetings will focus on the issues impacting all parties involved in leasing arrangements

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is hosting multiple farmland leasing meetings during July and August at various times and locations throughout the state, beginning July 26. The annual meeting is offered to address questions that land owners, tenants or other interested individuals have about leasing farmland.

Core components of this year’s program will be land values and cash rent trends, cost of production, methods for determining a fair rental rate, the latest legal updates that impact farm leases and land ownership (such as carbon credit contracts), and communication between tenants or landowners.

Wed
21
Jul

Farmland drainage systems are focus of Iowa Drainage School scheduled for August 24-26

Three-day program offers resources to understand and design subsurface drainage

Agricultural drainage is an important management tool for crop production in many areas of Iowa. The design, installation and maintenance of drainage systems is the focus of the Iowa Drainage School to be held Aug. 24-26 at the Borlaug Learning Center on Iowa State University’s Northeast Research and Demonstration Farm, near Nashua.

“Iowa Drainage School provides educational opportunities for all interested in drainage, whether they are contractors, farmers, consulting engineers, county officials or others,” said Matt Helmers, professor and agricultural engineering specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. “The school focuses on the fundamentals of drainage design, including getting an accurate survey, drainage pipe size and spacing, controlled drainage and water table management, legal considerations and different installation techniques and equipment.”

Wed
14
Jul

What's Up at the USDA Office?

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
May 15-August 1: Primary Nesting Season
June 15: COC Election Ballots Mailed to Producers in LAA 3
July 15: Crop Certification
July 23: CRP General Signup
August 6: CRP Continuous Signup

Wed
14
Jul

Structural barriers make extended crop rotations difficult to adopt

The practice of adding small grains or forage crops to corn and soybean rotations has great potential to balance production and environmental goals, but adoption of these practices in Iowa and across the Midwest is low. A recent research article published in the “Journal of Agricultural and Environmental Letters” by members of Iowa State University’s departments of sociology and agronomy examined farmer perspectives on the potential benefits and barriers related to extended rotations.

Wed
14
Jul

Crop Management Clinic to offer new technologies

The 2021 Crop Management Clinic from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will provide training on multiple crop production and protection topics. New university research will be shared during this one-day event for agribusiness professionals, to be held July 22 from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Each year, specialists with ISU Extension and Outreach present at the Crop Management Clinic on crop and pest management, soil fertility and nutrient management. The purpose is to educate agronomists, crop advisors and growers about current issues and recent research using demonstration plots. Crop managers desiring more hands-on and in-depth working knowledge of the latest agricultural practices will receive useful reminders and updates during attendance.

Wed
07
Jul

What's Up at the USDA Office?

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
May 15-August 1: Primary Nesting Season
June 15: COC Election Ballots Mailed to Producers in LAA 3
July 15: Crop Certification
July 23: CRP General Signup
August 6: CRP Continuous Signup

Wed
07
Jul

Local farmer continues learning through implementation of cover crop sequence


Cover crop usage on Deering farm ... Photos of triticale/hairy vetch mix taken June 16, 2021 after cutting and baling. Aarik Deering incorporated that cover crop mix on his rural Postville farm late last summer and has since grazed it twice with 80 head of cattle. Submitted photos.

submitted by Eric Novey, Project Coordinator
Allamakee County Soil and Water Conservation District

A local farmer is breaking up his rotation, reducing erosion and providing additional forage benefits for his cow-calf operation by planting cover crops. Aarik Deering, who farms near Postville with his wife, Haley, tried a unique sequence of cover crops on an 11-acre field near his home. Deering is no stranger to no-till and cover crops.  He credits his start in no-till to his father, Dave, who has been no-tilling for the last 25-30 years. The younger Deering has been using cover crops for seven years now, and it has been a learning experience. The first year Deering planted cover crops he was not impressed.

Wed
07
Jul

Two NE Iowa farms to be featured during July 27 Dairy Technology Field Day

The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Dairy Team is hosting a field day focused on dairy technology on the farm July 27. The day will feature two farm visits where attendees can see automated milking system technology in action and learn about cow monitoring systems and other technologies that are becoming more commonly used on dairy farms.

The first farm visit will be from 10:30 a.m. to 12 noon at Rolinda Acres Dairy, 1428 Knudtson Road, Waterville. This dairy recently constructed a new automated milking facility with eight DeLaval V300 milking units and an OptiDuo automated feed pusher. Owner Pat Reisinger will answer questions about the new facilities and equipment.

Pages

Subscribe to RSS - Agriculture