Agriculture

by Jeremy Leitz, Allamakee County Executive Director (563) 568-2148

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
February 17: Office closed in observance of Washington’s Birthday
February 28: CRP General Signup
March 15: 2019 ARCPLC Election
June 30: 2020 ARCPLC Election
September 30: PLC Yield Update

USDA Issues Third Tranche of 2019 MFP Payments
USDA issued the third and final tranche of 2019 Market Facilitation Program (MFP) payments aimed at assisting farmers suffering from damage due to trade retaliation by foreign nations. The payments will begin to show up in farmers’ bank accounts by the end of this week.

Iowa farmers can review the 2020 numbers and their profit potential for the year

Managing the cost of crop production will continue to be critical for farmer profitability this year, and farmers have some recent data to consider, found in Iowa State University Extension and Outreach’s “Estimated Costs of Crop Production in Iowa” report.

Included in the January edition of the Ag Decision Maker, the report “provides average cost estimates for Iowa farms in 2020, and provides guidelines to help farmers calculate their own costs of production,” according to Alejandro Plastina, report author and assistant professor and extension economist at Iowa State University.

The report includes crop production prices for corn, corn silage, soybean, alfalfa and pasture maintenance, with data compiled from multiple state surveys.

In January, 89 of Iowa’s 99 counties notified DNR that they plan to evaluate construction permit applications and proposed animal confinement locations by using the master matrix. With few exceptions, most counties will use the matrix during the next year. The following counties will not use the matrix in 2020: Davis, Des Moines, Keokuk, Lee, Mahaska, Osceola, Plymouth, Wapello, Warren, Washington.

Animal confinement producers who need a construction permit before building in counties which use the matrix must meet additional requirements. Producers qualify by choosing a site and using practices that reduce impacts on air, water and the community.

by Jeremy Leitz, Allamakee County Executive Director (563) 568-2148

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
February 17: Office closed in observance of Washington’s Birthday
February 28: CRP General Signup
March 15: 2019 ARCPLC Election
June 30: 2020 ARCPLC Election
September 30: PLC Yield Update

Stop in soon to sign up for the 2019 and 2020 ARCPLC Program
Producers now can enroll in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for the 2019 and 2020 crop year. ARC provides income support payments on historical base acres when actual crop revenue declines below a specified guaranteed level. PLC provides income support payments on historical base acres when the effective price for a covered commodity falls below its reference price. The 2018 Farm Bill reauthorized and updated both programs.

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue issued the following statement after President Donald J. Trump signed the U.S. - Mexico - Canada Agreement (USMCA).
 
“Today is a good day for American agriculture. Throughout this process, there were many detractors who said it couldn’t be done. But this is further proof that President Trump’s trade negotiation strategy is working. This agreement shows the rest of the world the United States is open for business. USMCA is critical for America’s farmers and ranchers, who will now have even more market access to our neighbors to the north and the south. I am excited to see the economic benefits of this agreement increase the prosperity of all Americans, especially those living in rural America,” said Secretary Perdue.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig encouraged eligible farm owners to apply for the 2020 Century and Heritage Farm Program. The program was created by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation to recognize families that have owned their farm for 100 years and 150 years, respectively.

“I look forward to the Century and Heritage Farm day at the Iowa State Fair each year. Recognizing and hearing the stories of each of these farm families is a great way to celebrate the history and impact that agriculture has on the state,” said Secretary Naig.

To apply, download the application on the Department’s website at https://iowaagriculture.gov/century-and-heritage-farm-program.

by Jeremy Leitz, Allamakee County Executive Director (563) 568-2148

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
February 17: Office Closed in Observance of Washington’s Birthday
February 28: CRP General Signup
March 15: 2019 ARCPLC Election
June 30: 2020 ARCPLC Election
September 30: PLC Yield Update

USDA Fruit, Vegetable and Wild Rice Planting Rules Unchanged from Previous Farm Bill
Farm Service Agency (FSA) has announced fruit, vegetable and wild rice provisions that affect producers who intend to participate in certain programs authorized by the Agricultural Act of 2014 as amended by the Agricultural Improvement Act of 2018.

Learn what a ‘movement standstill’ is, and how one could impact farms, if issued

Dairy producers and the industry should prepare in advance for the possibility of a contagious disease outbreak, such as foot-and-mouth disease.

February 11, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, along with Iowa State University, will host a one-day workshops for dairy producers, processors, veterinarians, extension employees, emergency responders and others.

The free workshop will focus on how to prepare for a foot-and-mouth disease outbreak and steps that can be taken to protect dairies from foreign animal diseases and diseases already found in the United States.

Danelle Bickett-Weddle, associate director of the Center for Food Security and Public Health at Iowa State University, said the goal is to educate people about prevention, and what they need to know if one of these highly contagious diseases is found.

Women landowners, farmers and ag retailers will have the opportunity to meet again throughout this winter to learn more about agronomy and related agricultural topics through distance-learning sessions of Agronomy in the Field. Agronomy in the Field distance-learning sessions will continue monthly through April. Sessions will start at 6 p.m. and typically last until 7:30 p.m. These sessions will be provided through a web-conferencing program, so women can join online from the comfort of their own home, or participate in a watch party offered at several local county extension offices across the state. Contact agronomyinthefield@iastate.edu to find out which county offices are hosting these sessions.

Remaining dates and topics include:

by Jeremy Leitz, Allamakee County Executive Director (563) 568-2148

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
February 17: Office Closed in Observance of Washington’s Birthday
February 28: CRP General Signup
March 15: 2019 ARCPLC Election
June 30: 2020 ARCPLC Election
September 30: PLC Yield Update

USDA Safety Net Program Enrollment Opens for 2019 and 2020
Producers now can enroll in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs – two U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) safety net programs – for the 2019 and 2020 crop year.

ARC provides income support payments on historical base acres when actual crop revenue declines below a specified guaranteed level. PLC provides income support payments on historical base acres when the effective price for a covered commodity falls below its reference price. The 2018 Farm Bill reauthorized and updated both programs.