ISU Extension
Agronomy- Extension
IA State Univ.
IA Dept. of Ag
IA DNR

Northwest Area Extension

March 2005

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In this issue
Farm Accounting Software (cont)
Sprayer Setup for Soybean Disease Management
EPA Air Emmissions Agreement & Fact Sheet
Environmental Stewardship

Farm Accounting Software (cont)
by Tom Olsen, ISUE Ag. Business Specialist

The next step-up in software would be able to provide you with more features such as payroll, inventory, and more in-depth enterprise analysis.  Some include the option of using double-entry accounting, which gives you a running up to date net worth statement at all times.  You might look to QuickBooks.   www.quickbooks.com

QuickBooks Primer http://zimmer.csufresno.edu/~jamesco/QBooks.htm

Finally the third tier is a comprehensive enterprise analysis with double entry accounting, payroll, and detailed analysis. Tax preparation and Consultation may be included.     Check out several different companies and compare price, features and service!    Often a demo disk is available that gives a tour and allows limited use.

Farmworks                   www.farmworks.com                                        800-225-2848
PCMars                        www.pcmars.com                                             515-233-5802
FMS/Harvest                www.fmsharvest.com                                       800-732-9464
Ultrafarm                      www.farmbiz.com                                             800-438-7371
Easy Farm                    www.easyfarm.com                                          800-396-3279
Ag Check                     www.redwingsoftware.com                               800-732-9464   
TransAction Plus           www.fbssystems.com                                       800-437-7638    
FinPack                        www.cffm.umn.edu/Software/FINPACK/          800 - 234-1111
Ag Count                     Ag Plus Consulting, Ida Grove                             712-364-2885

This is a sample list and does not imply any recommendation.

There is an incredible range in price and features from a glorified check register (Quicken $30) to a full farm management system with colored GPS maps (Farmworks with equipment $5000).

If you are looking for software relating to agriculture go to the largest listing that I am aware of: http://www1.agric.gov.ab.ca/$department/deptdocs.nsf/all/econ4118?opendocument

This is a great site to look for all kinds of agricultural software.  Of course you can always Google.

If you would like an electronic copy of this article (so all the hot links are live), send an email to tolsen@iastate.edu.

Sprayer Setup for Soybean Disease Management
by Todd Vagts, ISUE Crops Field Specialist

If soybean rust does show up in area soybean fields this summer, having the correct sprayer setup will be just as important as early detection and selecting the fungicide to use.  Fungicides, like most other pesticides, will not offer adequate protection without proper application.  To achieve adequate protection, thorough coverage must be attained, which may be difficult with narrow rows and dense canopies.

Here are some specific recommendations to help achieve the best coverage and control when spraying for soybean rust.  This information was written and provided by Erdal Ozkan, Professor and Extension Agricultural Engineer, The Ohio State University.

·         Keep spray volume above 15 gpa for best results.

·         Choose the appropriate size and type of nozzles and operate them at a pressure that will allow them to produce small to medium-size droplets (200-300 microns).

·         Nozzles producing a flat-fan pattern seem to provide better coverage than the nozzles producing cone pattern when spraying for soybean rust when there is full canopy.

·         Choose "low-drift" nozzles, which allow a grower to increase the pressure without increasing the number of small, drift-prone droplets (those at 100 microns or smaller). Operate these nozzles at slightly higher pressures (60-70 psi) than usual. Higher spray pressures usually help the droplets penetrate the canopy better.

·         Use directed spraying, if applicable, to improve coverage.

·         Use twin nozzle/pattern technology. Research has shown that two spray patterns, one angled forward and one angled backward, perform better than single nozzles spraying in one direction.

·         If economically feasible, use air-assisted spraying. Research has shown that air-assisted spraying, which uses air to help droplets (100 microns or smaller) reach inside of the plant canopy and underside of leaves, consistently provides the best coverage and droplet penetration, especially when beans are at or near their full-growth stage. One should match air flow to canopy density when using air-assisted sprayers.

·         Calibrate sprayers frequently to make sure the right amount of chemical recommended on the label is applied.

For research data and more complete information on Dr. Ozkan’s article on this issue, go to this URL: http://www.soybeans.umn.edu/pdfs/2005rust/OhioStatestrategies.pdf

Air Emissions Agreement
by Jerry Weiss, ISUE Swine Field Specialist

Pork, dairy and poultry producers will want to familiarize themselves with the EPA Air Emissions Consent Agreement.  The following information is from the National Pork Producers Council web site: www.nppc.org 

LANDMARK AIR EMISSIONS AGREEMENT COMPLETED

The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), working with representatives of the egg production, dairy, and poultry industries, has finalized a major consent agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).  A key part of this agreement is a two-year benchmark study of the air emissions from livestock and poultry operations across the country. Based on the findings of the study, EPA will set national air policies, identify farm emissions thresholds, and then regulate excessive levels.

Before these policy changes can happen both farmers and regulators need to know how the air laws apply to farms of different size, design and location, says Dave Roper, Chairman of NPPC's Environment Committee.

A second part of this agreement provides legal protections for past emissions if participating pork producers meet all the requirements of the agreement and fully comply with the subsequent regulatory policies for applicable requirements. Only producers who sign the consent agreement with EPA and pay a nominal penalty are released from potential liability for past violations that may have occurred prior to the new air policies. All producers, whether they signed the agreement or not, will be subject to applicable permitting, emissions reporting and other compliance requirements, once the data are analyzed and EPA publishes new national livestock air emissions standards, Roper said.

EPA Air Emissions Consent Agreement Fact Sheet

Fact 1:  The Air Emissions Consent Agreement is a legal contract                      

Fact 2:  The Air Emissions Consent Agreement provides legal protection

Fact 3:  To get the legal protections, pork producers must sign a formal consent agreement

Fact 4:  Sound scientific data was missing to enforce the current air laws

Fact 5:  The pork industry helped design and is paying for the pork portion of the study

Fact 6:  The study is conducted by a third party
Fact 7: The information gathered during the study will set air emissions policies for livestock farms; identify air emissions exceedance thresholds for farms of various sizes, types and locations, manure handling methods, etc and establish compliance requirements for farms with excessive air emissions. Fact 8: This is a landmark agreement

Fact 9: The study is extensive

Who should sign?
        * NPPC suggests pork producers with 2000+ head in deep pit finishing or 1000+ head with a lagoon.
        * Contract growers and pig owners.
        * 90 day period beginning January 31, 2005.

Contact Jerry Weiss, weissj@iastate.edu or 712-335-3103 if you would like more information.
 

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