CENTERVILLE —
The USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service is encouraging farmers to visit their local USDA office before implementing any farming operation changes needed to address the drought and excessive heat, said Acting State Conservationist Jon Hubbert, in Des Moines.
“Conditions are creating situations where some producers are now faced with critical changes to their operations,” said Hubbert. “We are here to help with those decisions. We can help minimize the future effects of our current drought and protect farmer’s conservation compliance status.”
One of these decisions is whether to chop corn for silage on highly erodible land or land enrolled in the Conservation Stewardship Program, he said. Some producers may also be considering grazing drought-damaged crops. In either case, producers should seek advice from their local office to ensure they stay in compliance with their conservation plan. In many cases, producers may ask their local office for a variance because of these extreme conditions.
“Our field staff can discuss management options and provide producers alternatives for maintaining the required ground cover after silage is harvested or when the corn yields are excessively low,” said Hubbert.
Good conservation may require cover crops after chopping corn on HEL ground. During these drought conditions, NRCS recommends no-till seeding a winter cereal cover crop no later than Nov. 1, and when weather conditions are most favorable for germination. This will help provide adequate cover during the critical spring erosion period and must be maintained until April 1. However, grazing is allowed during the winter as long as a minimum of height of four inches is maintained.
Weather conditions may also prevent some producers from installing engineered practices such as dams, grassed waterways and sediment control basins. If a producer’s conservation program contract calls for one these practices to be installed this year, they should also consult with the local office before going forward.
“These practices cost a lot of money and we don’t want to see them fail. One of the biggest concerns is a lack of soil moisture that would prohibit proper compaction,” said Hubbert. NRCS can advise landowners and contractors on optimum moisture levels to achieve the best outcome.
Agriculture
Before chopping corn, check with NRCS for conservation alternatives
- Agriculture
-
-
Centerville FFA students attend judging clinic
Veterinary doctor Doug Anderson from Davenport gives a demonstration on horse tooth health and how to properly use a float on a horse.
-
Centerville FFA attends V-Smart camp
Centerville FFA members attended the V-Smart (Veterinary Student Mixed Animal Recruitment) Vet Camp on Saturday, April 6 in Ames at the ISU Vet College.
-
Iowans invited to enter Iowa agriculture art contest
Iowa artists of all ages are invited to participate in the second annual “Celebration of Iowa: Agricultural Art Award.”
-
Farm Bureau members meet officials in Washington
Fifty Iowa Farm Bureau leaders visited Capitol Hill and their elected officials during the annual national policy trip March 18-21 to discuss key farm issues, including continuing work on a long-term Farm Bill with strong crop insurance provisions.
.
-
Indoor farmers market
Indoor farmers market March 23 in Albia at the Methodist Church Family Life Center, 11 Benton Ave. This is a one time event that is free and open to the public from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. This market features 45 different local producers and educational displays.
- Exline Rambler 4-H Club news
-
Centerville students attend District FFA Convention in Earlham
Centerville students attended the District FFA Convention in Earlham on Saturday, March 9.
-
IHCC Ag Club recipient of $5,000
Roger Wells, of Plano, has been selected as a winner in "America's Farmers Grow Communities," sponsored by the Monsanto Fund.
-
MCM workshop
Landowners and operators with CRP land are invited to attend an information/training session on CRP Mid Contract Management on Thursday, March 21 from 9-10:30 a.m.
-
CTI holds Customer Appreciation Day
Centerville Tractor Implement held Customer Appreciation Day Wednesday, Feb. 27 to talk about some of the new technology and systems offered to farmers for 2013.
-
Bull selection clinics will help in decision making process
Cattle producers looking for their new herd bull at upcoming bull sales can use some simple tools to make a good selection.
-
Centerville FFA competes in sub-district at Wayne school
Members from the Centerville FFA chapter competed in the sub-district contests at Wayne Community High School on Tuesday, Feb. 19.
- Appanoose County Farm Bureau celebrates Food Check-Out Week
- Local angus breeders recognized nationally in Pathfinder Report
-
Centerville FFA team competes in Beef Expo
- More Agriculture Headlines
-
