County News

Jefferson, Iowa― Recent survey results released by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach found that 55% of Iowa’s farmland is rented, mostly by cash rent arrangement. The average 2018 cash rental rates have stabilized at $222 per tillable acre after a decline of nearly 19% from the 2013 peak.  However, determining a fair cash rental rate for 2019 could prove challenging as tenant operators face uncertainty of farm profitability, crop price outlook as well as potential farm bill provisions for next year’s crops.

Greg Brenneman – ISU Ag Engineering Specialist

It is important to keep stored grain as cool as we go into the spring and summer months.  Some warming of stored grain may have already occurred during warmer weather and with the sun shining on the south side of grain bins.

With the weather forecast for Friday through next Tuesday to have highs in the 30s and low 40s with lows in the 20s, this may be the last good time to completely aerate your stored grain before warmer spring weather arrives.

Registration is now open for ISU Seed Science Center Seed Conditioning Workshops.  Register Today! 

Join us Friday, March 23^rd for “Securing Your Farm Property: Reducing Your Risk of Theft & Vandalism” from 9:30-11 am at the Extension Office in Jefferson.

collection of educational resources to help people on farms, orchards, forests, and other agricultural establishments comply with EPA’s revised Worker Protection Standard (WPS) regulation is now available online at http://pesticideresources.org/wps. 

On Friday, February 16 from 9:30-11:00 am, ISU Extension & Outreach Field Agronomist Mark Johnson will lead the discussion on Dicamba Issues, with the most up-to-date information on labels, pros and cons of using these new formulations, and address possible future challenges. To learn more, click on the headline.

Low and moderate income families are eligible for free tax preparation services in February, thanks to a volunteer service coordinated by Greene County Extension.  The Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) Program will be available select days in February & March at the Greene County Extension Office. For more information click on the headline.

Commercial manure applicators should plan to attend the Commercial Manure Applicator training program scheduled for Thursday, January 4, 2018, from 9 a.m. to noon. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in cooperation with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources will conduct the required three-hour training workshop at that time. There is no fee to attend the workshop, but commercial applicators must register by contacting the ISU Extension and Outreach Greene County office at (515) 386-2138.

The ISU Insect Zoo is coming to Greene County! This fun, FREE activity for Kindergarten through 4th graders will be Wednesday, December 6 from 2:30-3:30 pm at the Extension office in Jefferson. Class size is limited to 30 and registration is required by December 1st. Click the headline to learn more.