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By William Edwards, Department of Economics
The Food, Conservation and Energy Act of 2008 contains a wide variety of legislation affecting everything from school lunches to milk checks. Some of the most immediate provisions that farmers must address are:
• New limitations on commodity payments,
• Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE),
• Supplemental Revenue Assistance (SURE) program.
By William Edwards, Departments of Economics
Charles R. Hurburgh, Jr., Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering
Last fall there were several Integrated Crop Management articles about the quality and handling of the 2008 corn crop. This type of corn has roughly half the storage life of normal corn under the same moisture and temperature conditions.
By Jim Fawcett, ISU Extension field agronomist
All commercial pesticide applicators must take exams in order to become initially certified, and some choose to become recertified by exam rather than by attending continuing instructional courses. With the increased interest in fungicide applications on corn and soybeans, many applicators are considering adding category 1C (Ag Diseases) to their certification so they can apply fungicides.
Thunderstorms and hail are a normal occurrence across the Midwest U.S. during the growing season. Hail and wind damage to alfalfa fields leads to questions regarding harvest management of the forage crops, especially related to the stage of growth when damaged and the time proximity to the next planned harvest. Hail damaged fields vary in degree of severity, ranging from some terminal bud and leaf damage to completely defoliated plants. Stands may also be lodged by accompanying wind and rain.
By Mike Duffy, Department of Economics
The average value of an acre of farmland in Iowa reached $4,468 in 2008, continuing to increase for the ninth year in a row, according to an annual survey conducted by Iowa State University Extension. Mike Duffy, ISU Extension farm economist who conducts the survey, said the indicators toward the end of the year imply the upward trend may be slowing as the national economy battles recessionary pressures.
By Greg Tylka, Department of Plant Pathology
The soybean cyst nematode has been known to exist in Iowa since 1978. The first Iowa finding was in Winnebago County. In the 1980s and 1990s, SCN was found for the first time in many different Iowa counties. By 2000, SCN had not yet been found in only nine Iowa counties. By the end of 2007, it had not yet been found or officially confirmed in only three Iowa counties – Allamakee, Ida, and Lyon County. Earlier in 2008, SCN was confirmed to be present in Lyon County.
By Roger Elmore and Lori Abendroth, Department of Agronomy
(This article is a summary of the complete report and all figures, which is available from this link Iowa Corn - 2008 full report.)
Shakespeare penned “All’s well that ends well” over 400 years ago. Scholars say the play itself cannot easily be classified either as a tragedy or a comedy. Can the same be said of the 2008 growing season?
By Greg Tylka and Chris Marett, Department of Plant Pathology
By Paul Brown, Assistant Director Agriculture and Natural Resources
With crop out of the fields and snow in the air, farmers and Iowa State University Extension are turning their focus to winter trainings. ISU Extension provides the educational component required to become state certified manure and pesticide applicators.
