Agriculture

Urban farmers have many competing needs, often working full-time, off-farm jobs in addition to farming in or near a city. That’s why Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is working with farmers in four major metropolitan areas.

Growing Urban Ag in Iowa is a pilot project that addresses issues relevant to urban farming, including alleviating hunger and increasing sustainability. The project also focuses on job skills training, food safety, community building and youth involvement.

Urban Ag Field Days, part of the pilot project, feature on-farm demonstrations and encourage conversations between extension specialists, urban farmers and curious community members.

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
June 19: Office closed in observance of Juneteenth 
July 15: Deadline for Acreage Reporting
August 15: Deadline to enroll in Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP)

Pasture Management in Allamakee County: June Priorities
June in Allamakee County marks a pivotal period for pasture management. With optimal growing conditions, it’s essential for producers to implement strategic practices to ensure pasture health and productivity throughout the grazing season.

1. Implement Rotational Grazing
Rotational grazing is crucial in June to prevent overgrazing and promote uniform forage utilization. In Allamakee County’s hilly terrain, this practice helps maintain soil integrity and pasture vitality. Moving livestock when forage height reaches about 4 inches and allowing regrowth to 8-10 inches ensures sustainable pasture use.

I-29 Moo University and the Northern Plains Forage Association’s Forage Webinar Series continues June 18 from 7 to 8:30 p.m. This month’s webinar will feature a variety of forage topics, including a spring forage outlook, a forage market outlook and a discussion on safety when using round bales.

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
June 6: Deadline to submit a CRP offer
June 19: Office closed in observance of Juneteenth
July 15: Deadline for Acreage Reporting
August 15: Deadline to enroll in Emergency Commodity Assistance Program (ECAP)

2025 Crop Reporting
2025 Spring Acreage Crop Reporting is underway in our office.  Filing an accurate acreage report (FSA-578) for all crops and land uses, including failed acreage and prevented planting acreage, is a requirement of participation in Farm Service Agency Programs.  Once you are finished planting, please contact or stop in our office to complete your FSA-578 Report of Commodities. The deadline to file is July 15, 2025.

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach’s annual Stateline Dairy and Ag Outlook Seminar will be held Tuesday, June 17, from 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at Empty Nest Winery, 1352 Apple Road in rural Waukon. The seminar aims to assist agricultural lenders and farm financial advisers in helping farmers manage risk and understand market outlooks.

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
May 31: Deadline to request a Marketing Assistance Loan (MALs) for 2024 farm stored or warehouse stored grain
June 6: Deadline to submit a CRP offer
June 19: Office closed in observance of Juneteenth
July 15: Deadline for Acreage Reporting

Conservation Reserve Program Nesting Season
Primary nesting season has begun across the country, but what exactly does that mean for you?

The annual Spring Field Day at the Iowa State University Northeast Research and Demonstration Farm will run from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Wednesday, June 18.

Mike Naig, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, will kick off the program with a presentation focusing on accelerating conservation through partnerships and cost-share. Richard Roth, extension nitrogen science specialist at Iowa State, will provide insights on nitrogen management for the 2025 growing season. Wes Everman, extension weed management specialist at Iowa State, will discuss weed management and considerations for optimal weed control in 2025.  A complimentary meal will be served at noon, sponsored by Innovative Ag Services.

The field day is available at no cost and is open to the public, starting at the Borlaug Learning Center Headquarters on the ISU Northeast Research and Demonstration Farm.

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
May 26: Office Closed for Memorial Day
May 31: Deadline to request a Marketing Assistance Loan (MALs) for 2024 farm stored or warehouse stored grain
June 6: Deadline to submit a CRP offer
June 19: Office closed in observance of Juneteenth
July 15: Deadline for Acreage Reporting

FSA is accepting offers for both the General and Continuous Conservation Reserve Program for 2025
USDA announced several Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) enrollment opportunities for agricultural producers and landowners. USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is accepting offers for both the General and Continuous CRP today through June 6, 2025.

The 2025 survey of cash rental rates for Iowa farmland shows that rates decreased, on average, by 2.9% in 2025 to $271 per acre. This is the first decline in cash rents since 2019, after a peak of $279 per acre the previous two years of the survey. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach conducts the annual Cash Rental Rates for Iowa Survey.

Crop reporting districts experienced differing results in cash rents: from a decrease of 6.9% in Crop Reporting District 8 (South Central) to an increase of 2.8% in Crop Reporting District 9 (Southeast). Every Crop Reporting District showed a decline, with the exception of the Southeast Crop Reporting District, which reported an average cropland cash rent 0.8% ($2) higher than its previous peak of $252 in the 2023 survey.

Upcoming Deadlines/Dates
May 15-August 1: Primary Nesting Season (PNS)
May 26: Office Closed for Memorial Day
May 31: Deadline to request a Marketing Assistance Loan (MALs) for 2024 farm stored or warehouse stored grain
June 19: Office closed in observance of Juneteenth