Agriculture

Wed
18
Oct

Farm Financial Planning Program helps producers analyze their numbers

As farmers begin to make financial projections for the new year, there are resources available from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach that can help.

A popular choice is the Farm Financial Planning Program, which includes access to seven different farm financial associates, in addition to software and helpful publications and guides.

Nancy Brannaman, a financial associate from east central Iowa, said the program allows producers and the associate to take a broad look at what’s going on within an operation, where the operator would like to be in the future and what must be done for success.

Wed
11
Oct

What's Up at the USDA Office?

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
November 1: Organic Certification Cost-Share and Transition/Education Certification Program
December 4: Last Day to Return COC Ballots
December 15: Crop Reporting for Fall-Seeded Small Grains
January 31: Livestock Forage Program (LFP)

October 2023 CCC and FSFL Interest Rates
New rates were issued for the month of October and are as follows:
• 4.625% for 3 years
• 4.375% for 5 years
• 4.375% for 7 years
• 4.125% for 10 years
• 4.125% for 12 years
• MAL’s: 6.375%

Livestock Inventory Records
Producers are reminded to keep updated livestock inventory records. These records are necessary in the event of a natural disaster.

Wed
11
Oct

Grain handling equipment safety

Safety tips for grain handling equipment from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach

Harvest season can be hectic, but it is well worth taking the time to consider safety when operating grain handling equipment. Hazards abound when handling grain, such as equipment entanglement, grain entrapment and engulfment and dust explosions, among others.

Agricultural confined-space related cases of injuries and fatalities saw a dramatic rise in 2022, including grain entrapment cases that rose nearly 45%, based on Purdue University’s annual report. Iowa had more cases of grain entrapment than any other state at nine total in 2022.

Nearly all of these cases involved grain flow issues due to grain spoilage, which means that improved grain management could prevent cases in the future. This series aims to provide useful information to help farmers keep their grain in good condition and keep them and their families safe around grain.

Wed
04
Oct

Iowa DNR offers tips to avoid field fires and stay safe this harvest season

As fall harvest starts across Iowa, the risk of wildfires in crop fields increases.  Recent rains across Iowa provided some relief from the ongoing drought, but crop fields are still dry, cured and could spark wildfires. This has been an extended drought year, particularly in northeast and southeast Iowa.

Wed
04
Oct

Exploring new sorghum cultivars’ potential as a forage crop for the Upper Midwest

Sorghum is a productive and versatile annual crop used worldwide for livestock feed. Until now, the plant, which originated in the tropics, has done best in warmer regions with longer growing seasons than the Upper Midwest.

A new USDA-supported project will test and release several new sorghum cultivars that promise high-yielding, nutritious forage for beef and dairy cattle operations in the north-central states.  The project will be led by Maria Salas-Fernandez, associate professor of agronomy at Iowa State University, who directs the northernmost public sorghum breeding program in the United States.

Wed
27
Sep

Four Allamakee County farms recognized as Heritage Farms at Iowa State Fair


Beneke farm recognized as Heritage Farm ... Members of the Keith and Faye Beneke family were present at the Iowa State Fair August 17 to receive recognition for the family’s farm being honored as a Heritage Farm. The farm is located in rural New Albin. Submitted photo.

Bresnahan farm recognized as Heritage Farm ... Members of the Don Bresnahan family were present at the Iowa State Fair August 17 to receive recognition for the family’s farm being honored as a Heritage Farm. The Bresnahan farm is located in rural Dorchester. Submitted photo.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation President Brent Johnson and Iowa Farm Bureau Federation Vice President Brian Feldpausch honored 398 Iowa farm families with Century or Heritage Farm designations at the 2023 Iowa State Fair in Des Moines Thursday, August 17. The program celebrates farms that have been owned by the same families for 100 and 150 years, respectively.

This year, 242 Century Farms and 156 Heritage Farms were recognized. To date, more than 21,000 Century Farms and 1,800 Heritage Farms have been recognized across the state of Iowa. The Century Farm program began in 1976 as part of the Nation’s Bicentennial Celebration. The Heritage Farm program began in 2006.

Wed
27
Sep

What's Up at the USDA Office?

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
November 1: Organic Certification Cost-Share and Transition/Education Certification Program
January 31: Livestock Forage Program (LFP)

County Committee (COC) Election
It’s that time of year when FSA begins the process of the county committee election.  This year the election will be for LAA-2, which includes Ludlow, Jefferson, Post, Franklin, Linton, and Fairview townships.  Essentially the southern portion of the county. The nomination period began in June and runs through August 1.  You can nominate yourself or someone else by completing the appropriate form at our office or download it online. Once nominations are finalized, producers who reside in LAA-2 will cast ballots which will be mailed to you in November. These ballots are due back to the FSA office by early December.  The elected member will take office January 1 of next year.

Wed
27
Sep

Prepare grain bins responsibly using these important safety tips

As harvest season quickly approaches, Iowans are reminded to practice safety around grain bins and grain handling equipment.

There were nine reported grain entrapments in Iowa in 2022, more than any other state, according to an annual report by Purdue University.

Agricultural confined-space related cases of injuries and fatalities saw a dramatic rise in 2022, including grain entrapment cases, which rose nearly 45%.

Nearly all of these cases involved grain flow issues due to grain spoilage, which means that improved grain management could help prevent cases in the future, according to Kristina TeBockhorst, an agricultural engineer with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

In order to get Iowans information to help keep them, their employees and their families safe around grain, TeBockhorst is publishing a series of short articles that highlight important considerations for grain safety, including storing grain without spoilage.

Wed
20
Sep

What's Up at the USDA Office?

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
November 1: Organic Certification Cost-Share and Transition/Education Certification Program
January 31: Livestock Forage Program (LFP)

2024 Program Dates
submitted by Ben Cottrell, District Conservationist
The end of September brings the end of the Fiscal Year 2023 for us and all the Farm Bill Programs. With that, we are transitioning to a new set of funding for Fiscal Year 2024. It was recently announced that an established application date for the first round of funding considerations on all programs will be November 3, 2023. Applications will still be accepted on a continual basis after the date and considered for future funding rounds. Two of the bigger programs we assist producers within the county are the Conservation Stewardship Program and the Environmental Quality Incentives Program.

Wed
20
Sep

Governor Kim Reynolds signs Harvest Proclamation

Monday, September 11, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed a proclamation relating to the weight limits and transportation of grain, fertilizer and manure in the state of Iowa.

The proclamation is effective immediately and continues through October 11, 2023. The proclamation allows vehicles transporting corn, soybeans, hay, straw, silage, stover, fertilizer (dry, liquid and gas), and manure (dry and liquid) to be overweight (not exceeding 90,000 pounds gross weight) without a permit for the duration of this proclamation.

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