Acreage Living Newsletter

Tall fescue is slowly becoming a more popular choice in Iowa. It turns green in the mid-spring and maintains color into late fall. Tall fescue has the highest heat, traffic and drought tolerance of the cool-season grasses. It is well adapted to wet soils, partially shaded sites and is often used where low-maintenance lawn is desired. Tall fescue will form a deep root system that is tolerant of clay and alkaline soils. Tall fescue also has a moderate tolerance of cold temperatures, but is suitable for a majority of Iowa winters below U.S. Hwy. 20.

More than 6 million young people across the country will celebrate National 4-H Week during the first full week of October. Are you or your children interested in 4-H?

Fall is the time of year when unwelcome pests look for shelter for the winter. It is a good time to check your home and outbuildings on your acreage to discourage pests from taking up residence.

For small farms that grow a diversity of fruit and vegetables, pollinators can be essential for crop production. Even though much of Iowa is committed to producing corn and soybeans, a remarkably diverse community of bees persists in the landscape. We describe several approaches to conserving bees so that small farms can get the most out of the service they provide.

Preserve the Taste of Summer is a food preservation program that includes both online lessons and hands-on workshops providing the most current USDA-approved food preservation recommendations. It is a great opportunity for anyone age 18 years or older interested in learning safe food preservation techniques.

Acreages in Iowa often include outbuildings where owners have no immediate plans for traditional agricultural use. Is there an opportunity to capture some revenue from renting those buildings to others? If so, what can be charged?

Winter brings food scarcity, which makes the home landscape a target for rabbits. Rabbits can severely damage trees and shrubs unless homeowners are proactive, which makes protecting them before winter arrives a major priority.

Winter is a great time for spring planning of pastures - both those that are new and those planned for production. This article summarizes a bulletin from ISU Extension and Outreach on the various costs of pasture improvements and pasture/forage management.

The idea of creating a landscape plan can often seem overwhelming, especially for larger properties.  The placement of trees, planting beds and lawns can feel like an unachievable puzzle. To begin it’s important to define spatial design vs. planting design.

The warm, early spring weather has prompted the growth of vegetation across Iowa’s nutrient rich soils – and soon it will encourage growth in the nutrient-rich waters of Iowa ponds. During this time of year, known as the spring turnover, oxygen and nutrients get distributed throughout pond water, the sun gets stronger and the first algae begin to grow.

MidWest Plan Service is a university-based cooperative designed to publish research-based publications immediately applicable to rural life in the Midwest.

If you are interested in some interesting ways to make your acreage pay a few bills and perhaps have a little fun along the way, the free publication, Profitable Farms and Woodlands: A Practical Guide in Agroforestry for Landowners, Farmers and Ranchers is available as a download.

Many acreage owners may have a small chicken flock, a few goats or maybe even a few beef or swine.  One of the challenges to this practice is what to do with the accumulated manure produced by the animals. Manure accumulated in coops or pens needs to be removed and appropriately handled at some point in time.

A very small, metallic green beetle is moving/being moved across Iowa and is destroying ash trees in its wake. More than twenty counties are now considered infested by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and this count is expected to increase in the coming year. This article helps acreage owners identify ash trees and signs to look for in an infestation.

By definition, a riparian buffer is a vegetated “buffer-strip” near a stream, which helps to shade and partially protect the stream from the impact of adjacent urban, industrial or agricultural land use. Learn how they can be used effectively on an acreage or small farm.

Conditions have been especially favorable this year for wild parsnip (Pastinaca sativa), a common roadside weed in Iowa. Wild parsnip plant parts contain a substance called psoralen, which can cause a condition known as “phytophotodermatitis”. This reaction occurs when plant juice gets on the skin and then the skin is exposed to sunlight. Learn how to identify and control this weed.

This is the time of year when our yards and gardens require maintenance work that generates a lot of residue in the way of dead plants, leaves, branches and twigs. There are a couple of options to getting rid of this waste – burn it or compost it.

Nearly 1,000 hops plants now grow at the Iowa State University Horticulture Research Station, located north of Ames. The project is evaluating hop cultivars under Iowa growing conditions, determining fertility programs for hops and irrigation systems.

This article is part of a series in perennial crops for an acreage and is reprinted with permission from Trees Forever. The entire guide features landowners interviewed to solicit feedback on their management practices, producution data, pricing information, critical issues to success and some tips for others that might be interested in getting started with a perennial crop.

At this stage of winter, trees on Iowa’s landscape are still months from blooming and providing shade, which makes this the prime time of the year to give trees a tune-up with pruning. Using proper pruning techniques avoids harming trees. Here are some tips from horticulturists with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach on the proper way to prune trees in winter.

Whether you are a new acreage owner or have enjoyed a lifetime in the country, chances are you are one of the many acreage landowners who have never heard of the Natural Resources Conservation Service. While we help farmers with larger scale conservation issues and livestock management concerns, many of the same principles can be applied at the acreage level.

Today you can choose from a new generation of wood- and pellet-burning appliances that are cleaner burning, more efficient, and powerful enough to heat many average-sized, modern homes.

Iowa 4-H focuses on four domains: science, technology, engineering and math - referred to as STEM - citizenship and leadership; communications and the arts; and healthy living. Youth are encouraged to get involved in all of these domains to access a variety of areas to increase curiosity and gain valuable experiences.

Today farmers can easily invest over $200,000 in a single tractor or combine. Are there any alternatives? Although most farmers own their own machinery, options such as custom hiring, renting and leasing are also popular.

All of us note the seasonal events that to some extent chronicle each passing year.  It can actually be a fun family and personally fulfilling exercise to chronicle our passage by composing a formal naturalist’s journal and outdoor calendar.  You may even want to scrapbook it with photos, notes and collected items.

Even the smallest timber stands or neglected pasture on an acreage can include unwanted brush. Management of the brush can be time-consuming, expensive and include chemicals which include restrictions, environmental concerns, etc. Some rural residents are utilizing a biological control method for brush – goats!

One question all homeowners wrestle with is whether to grow vegetable in soil or in raised beds. It is an important question that has direct implications on how well your plants will grow. Below we discuss situations where raised-beds significantly enhance plant growth and yield, simple ways to construct them, and growing medium in raised beds.

A comprehensive testing of soils for soil fertility and nutrient management planning for your crop, garden, or turf area is desirable to use as a basis for adjusting fertilizer, manure and limestone applications. Over or under application may reduce profits.

If you live on acreage, there is a pretty good chance that you also love to feed birds and other wildlife.  Most bird enthusiasts feed suet in the fall, but having it out all year will attract woodpeckers, nuthatches and the occasional brown creeper at your feeder. Making your own suet cakes for birds is easy, affordable and customizable.

Spring is officially here which means everyone is out and about enjoying the warmer weather. While we all love being outdoors more, we need to keep in mind some general safety guidelines when working around the farm.

Spring is here and the grass looks as good as it is going to look all summer.  Since you want to keep it that way you have probably been considering treating for white grubs.

Basil (Ocimum basilicum) has long been considered the “King of the Herbs” – not only because of its popularity, but also because the name “basileus” literally means “king” in Greek.  Basil has a long history of cultivation around the world and has been used as a culinary herb, aromatic herb, and ornamental herb for centuries.

Home and business owners have way to cut their cooling costs in the summer.

In Iowa we have several resident and migrant species of wrens that include house, Carolina, winter, sedge, marsh, and the occasional rare sighting of Beewick’s, rock, cactus or canyon wren.

Nearly half of Iowa farmers say in a recent Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll that they are willing to plant monarch breeding habitat but are unsure how much land or money they would invest in the effort.

Fall is a great time to improve your yard and get a head start on having a great yard in 2017. Now is the time to apply fall fertilization and broadleaf herbicide applications.

Seed saving is a fun family activity and the seeds of many garden plants are easy to collect and save. There are a few things to keep in mind when collecting and saving seeds to assure that they are viable the following year.

Accidental invaders are insects that inadvertently enter homes and buildings from the surrounding landscape. Many species are troublesome during late summer and fall as they move to protected locations to spend the winter.

While it may seem a little odd to be dreaming of fresh strawberries on a cloudy, cool November day in Iowa, those delicious thoughts are an excellent incentive. To insure a bountiful crop next year, home gardeners need to mulch their strawberry plantings in the fall.

Our tree leaves are coming down, but don’t throw them away - put them to work for you.  We’ve talked about creating a traditional compost pile in the past, but if you only have a small amount of yard waste consider bag composting.

Nuts produced by trees and shrubs in short supply after killing frost last May. Birds including bluejays, ducks and wild turkeys, white-tailed deer, fox squirrels and many other creatures rely on hard mast from trees and shrubs to build up energy reserves for long winter days or fuel their migration to warmer climates.

One of the challenges of surviving an Iowa winter is keeping the water you use from freezing. Let's look at some advice regarding winter protection for water pipes, tanks, and dishes.

Horse health and care is a year-round process. Good nutrition, vaccination schedules, parasite control and other care should be continued throughout the winter.

With spring coming in a few months, it is refreshing to plan to create or improve water resources for wildlife.  A clean water source is a key element in creating a wildlife-friendly acreage. A bird bath or pond, also creates and aesthetically pleasing element that is a great place to sit back and enjoy life.

The term “soil health” has been generating a lot of buzz as we explore options to develop sustainable vegetable production systems. From the standpoint of soil, there are three main categories of soil health indicators: chemical, physical and biological. All three indicators are critical for optimum soil health and influence various functions.

Students from Iowa State University's CyBIZ Lab, an experiential student program which allows cross functional student teams to consult on client based projects, are currently researching the market's perception of a specific soil amendment and would appreciate your participation in the brief survey below.

The survey is anonymous and voluntary. 

As Iowa's agricultural economy becomes increasingly focused on local products, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach's Local Foods team has resources for both producers and consumers who are looking to get involved in local markets.

Pruning trees and shrubs is important for safety and overall appearance and health. Late winter is the optimal time to prune trees and shrubs since the plant is dormant and there is less chance for disease and pest damage. Late winter is December-mid March; it is not quite too late as long as pruning is completed as soon as possible.

Beef cattle production can be a viable option for small farms.  Livestock enterprises, such as beef cattle production, can diversify farming operations and complement many other farm enterprises.

If your home garden ends up larger than planned or more tomatoes, potatoes, and zucchini are planted than are actually needed, donating to your local food pantry is a great option. Donations from home gardeners and commercial fruit and vegetable growers are important to food pantries.

Iowa soils are very diverse and so are the chemical characteristics that make up these soils.  Soil pH is one property that can vary widely across the state both naturally and due to crop production inputs.  It is also one of the most cost effective and easy to manage soil properties that can be modified to improve plant health and crop production. 

Looking to boost pasture production this summer? When considering how to carry cows on fewer acres, pasture fertilization may be one of the easiest and most economical solutions.

What does the Veterinary Feed Directive mean for small-scale livestock producers?  First, it is important to note that the new FDA rules apply to all livestock producers, practicing veterinarians, and distributors of medicated feeds regardless of the operation size.  What does that mean for you?

Prior to European settlement wetlands made up about 11 percent (or 4 million acres) of the Iowa landscape. Wetlands were not only prevalent in the Prairie Pothole region of north central Iowa, they were part of every watershed in the state. Today, however, 95 percent of Iowa wetlands have been drained.

High tunnels bring many benefits to specialty crops including season extension and increased quality.  However, warm summer temperatures inside high tunnels create their own problems to manage. What management strategies are available?

Summer is a great time to consider habitat upgrades and the many small outdoor projects that can be fun and easy to accomplish in a few hours. In particular, let’s consider shelters and nest boxes for birds, bats, insects and amphibians. 

Securing a rural acreage remains a primary concern and challenge.  The main risks include vandalism, trespass, theft and drug activity. 

The State Revolving Loan Fund is a new source of low-cost financing available to landowners. This opportunity is available specifically to assist and encourage landowners to address non-point source pollution of Iowa streams and lakes. Do you have a project in mind in your area?

The varroa mite (Varroa destructor) is the most serious pest of honey bee colonies worldwide. Virtually all feral (or “wild”) honey bee colonies have all but been wiped out by these mites, and beekeepers continue to struggle with varroa infestations in their hives. It is vital to understand the varroa mite and the options available for its control.

Let there be no mistaking it, bats are important. And, in light of a long history of changes to forest habitats, new emerging pressures associated with energy development and an exotic disease-causing fungus that’s been wreaking unprecedented havoc on eastern populations in the last decade, many of Iowa’s bats are in trouble.

The right supplies can make all the difference between a successful year and a mediocre year but finding the right supplies to grow fruit and vegetables in the state can be challenging.  Unless you are in-the-know, how do you know?  There are in fact many companies that are stationed in Iowa, have field representatives for Iowa, or service Iowa from a distance.

Because nearly half of Iowa’s crop ground is farmed pursuant to a cash rent or crop share lease, it is crucial that both tenants and landlords understand the implications of Iowa law on their farm leases as they move into 2018. This article addresses several frequent questions that arise regarding Iowa farm leases and the law. 

Snow removal on an acreage lane can be challenging, particularly during and after a big winter storm. Choosing equipment that’s most effective for snow removal often depends on the size and type of tractor, or other unit powering the equipment.

Record low temperatures have created a deep frost line that is likely to get deeper as temperatures stay cold throughout January. What does that mean for water lines, livestock and the Midwest?

Soil fertility and nutrient management is one of the important factors that have a direct impact on crop yield and quality. Do you know how you can monitor your soil's fertility? 

Tomatoes are found in nearly every high tunnel and for good reason.  The demand for fresh market tomatoes is incredibly high nearly all year, creating high prices during off-season production for locally grown fruit. 

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act preserved like-kind exchange treatment for real property, but eliminated it for personal property. Today, we take an initial look at what that means for farmers or other taxpayers looking to trade equipment or livestock in 2018.

Acreage Living has featured articles on compost in prior issues. Still looking for help in establishing a compost pile for your small farm or acreage? The National Center for Appropriate Technology (NCAT) has a new publication that can help!

Did you know that Iowa’s smallest mammal weighs less than a tablespoon of butter? Or that 9 species of bats call Iowa’s forest home during the summer? Or that river otters have been documented in every county in Iowa? These facts, and many more, are the subject of a new, freely available book from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach titled, “Mammals of Iowa.”

On April 2, 2018, Governor Reynolds signed SF 2349, into law. The new law is designed to address the mounting difficulties faced by many Iowans seeking to purchase health insurance on the individual market. Specifically, the law will provide two new healthcare benefit options for small employers and sole proprietors, the groups most impacted by Iowa’s healthcare crisis.

This presentation offers a few simple strategies that you can consider using on your sheep operation to limit infections from parasites, such as the Barber Pole Worm.

The Worker Protection Standard (WPS) is a federal regulation issued by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and enforced, in Iowa, by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS).

The local foods industry in Iowa is maturing and as expected, farmers have many new marketing opportunities.  There are now many options in addition to farmers markets for selling produce. 

One major investment for a horse farm are installation and upkeep of fences. The fence should be safe and keep horses on the property. Fencing decisions should be based on the age of the animal, breed and temperament of the animal, production system, and situation.

What is the Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation? IALF serves as a central resource for educators and volunteers who want to teach Iowa’s students about agriculture. The mission is to educate Iowans, with a focus on youth, regarding the breadth and global significance of agriculture.

Treasury and the IRS released IRC § 199A proposed regulations, REG-107892-18, on August 8, 2018. These are proposed regulations, but taxpayers can rely on them until final rules are adopted.

After a relatively warm and dry mid-summer, rainfall returned to the state during the last weeks of August into early September. Warmer than normal conditions are expected to continue across the state during September.

For many of us, conservation is our way of life. Finding ways to connect with and improve the land, the soil, the water, and wildlife consumes our thoughts and free time. If you have someone in your life that shares that same passion, here’s a few ideas for brightening their holiday season.

Interpreting a soil report can seem like a daunting task to do yourself but it does not have to be. 

The 2018 season has ended and I wanted to share a few frequently asked questions, problems, concerns, and trends that I am seeing.  Rather than waiting until next year to address these issues, it seems easier to do so while the year is still fresh in our minds.

Minimizing the potential for barn fires is good risk management for small farms and acreages with livestock, hay, straw, etc., stored in a barn.

Are you interested in taking a beekeeping class this winter? The Iowa Honey Producers Association offers classes throughout the state.

There seem to be no limits to the creative capacity of nature lovers, so one can find design specifications for structures for anything from a turtle to an osprey. Many different shapes, sizes, and designs are available for ‘bird houses’. Boxes for secondary cavity nesters also come in all shapes and sizes to target dozens of species in Iowa.

The Small Farms program at Iowa State University Extension and Outreach offers a monthly podcast to those interested in all things small farm. Listen in!

Connected devices are becoming the norm in households including everything from outlets and switches to light bulbs and sensors for water leaks. The horticulture industry has not been left out of the connected devices revolution. New irrigation and climate controllers offer remote management from your phone or tablet giving you the ability to irrigate a field or close up a high tunnel from anywhere with internet or cellular connection.

The 2018 farmland value survey results are in! The survey is intended to provide information on general land value trends, geographical land price relationships, and factors influencing the Iowa land market. The survey is conducted by the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development in the Department of Economics at Iowa State University and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

Flood waters are receding, but the challenges in recovery for farmers and livestock producers are just beginning. Beth Doran, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach beef specialist, recommends producers get out in their fields as soon as possible. "Beef producers should assess the damage to pastures and hay ground, then check out possible disaster assistance," she said. Doran advised cattlemen to look for three things in their assessment - debris, silt on the forage, and thinned or dead forage plants.

Farm Financial Planning is Iowa State University Extension and Outreach's farm financial analysis program. The program helps you evaluate your farm business and determine whether or not a change is desirable. It provides an in-depth plan for the farm business so operators and lenders can make decisions for the future.

The striped cucumber beetle is a common pest of cucurbit crops in the Midwest. The spotted cucumber beetle, also known as the southern corn rootworm, is also a pest of cucurbit crops, but the striped cucumber beetle has more economic impact due to its ability to transmit bacterial wilt.

Many rural residents in Iowa rely on private wells as their source of water for drinking, cooking, washing clothes, and watering livestock.  Even if your well and the area around it have remained unchanged, it is important to test water annually for indicators of contamination, including nitrate and bacteria, to ensure the water is safe to drink.  

The USDA announced on May 23, 2019, that there will be a second Market Facilitation Program in 2019. This comes on the heels of the $12 billion MFP program implemented in 2018. The USDA announcement states that the administration is allocating up to $16 billion for the 2019 program, with up to $14.5 billion of that money used for direct payments to producers.

Fall brings with it pleasant temperatures, beautiful leaves and harvest season. It also brings with it the realization that the next season to arrive is winter. Completing fall chores around the acreage will help transition your small farm or acreage into winter.

Winter is right around the corner and planning ahead can benefit your horse and prevent difficult repairs when the snow and cold winds are blowing.

Rainwater as an irrigation source is continuing to grow in popularity across Iowa. Since Shawn Shouse and Linda Naeve of Iowa State University designed their first high tunnel catchment system in 2010, the system designs and intricacies have expanded to ever-larger volumes of water collected, collection from other buildings, and diverter systems for cleaning physical debris prior to water storage. 

Farmers and landowners who want to increase pollinator habitat while also improving water quality should consider the benefits of saturated riparian buffers enhanced with native wildflowers. Establishing pollinator habitat within riparian zones, where the agricultural value is lower and where the conservation and wildlife benefits are likely to be high can be a win-win.

This course offers women an opportunity to learn more about Iowa’s equine industry from a business and production perspective. Sessions cover financial documentation and breakeven analysis, equine insurance, annual horse health care plans, evaluation of feed rations, marketing your equine business, environmental management, and land use decisions.

Chinese chestnut (Castanea mollissima) is a deciduous tree that produces edible nuts in September and October.  This is a different species from the American chestnut that was decimated last century by a fungal canker blight that essentially eliminated it from the eastern U.S. forests.  In Iowa Chinese chestnuts are grown more frequently in the southern half of the state.

Landscape trees need proper care and management throughout their lives, and one of the most important tree management practices is pruning. When done properly, pruning can improve the health and structure of trees, and provide a safer environment for people, pets, and property. Pruning is more than just indiscriminately removing branches. Proper pruning includes knowing which branches to remove, when to do it, and how to minimize damage to the tree.

Produce growers may not grow the same quantity of product as row crop producers, but tracking the numbers is just as important, if not more so. This Ag Decision Maker article and its corresponding publication outline the importance of good record keeping and offer links to budget worksheets and decision tools.

Three new video resources were added to the Pork Information Gateway (PIG) to aid producers who focus on raising pigs using alternative methods of production. Two videos focus on biosecurity and one on sourcing feed.

The U.S. is confronting an outbreak of a novel coronavirus that causes serious respiratory disease and may be deadly for older people and those with weakened immune systems. The World Health Organization is now calling the outbreak a global pandemic because it is affecting countries all over the world. People and organizations can still fight coronavirus by taking steps to prevent transmission of the disease, the whole point of widespread cancellation of events is to create “social distancing” to lower the infection rate and prevent health care systems from being overwhelmed.

Regardless of the history, the recent closure of a number of large-scale meat processing facilities and the subsequent backlog of market-ready livestock caused virtually an immediate spike in the demand for locally processed beef.

We've rounded up some COVID-19 related resources of note.

As COVID-19 changes so many things about our society, many produce farmers are currently seeing a surge in demand for their produce from local customers. Direct marketing techniques are rapidly shifting to low- and no-contact methods. It is critical that farmers markets institute immediate changes to prevent the spread of COVID-19 among their staff, sellers and buyers.

Row crop farmers in Iowa’s Prairie Pothole Region in northern Iowa have an opportunity through the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to receive payments on cropped wetlands by protecting flood-prone areas. The NRCS is managing the new Prairie Pothole Water Quality and Wildlife Program.

Looking to understand agroforestry topics you may have heard about? A Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education (SARE) grant helped develop these fact sheets.

Recent hot temperatures brings the reminder to prepare for some heat stress events in cattle this summer.

The Council for Agricultural Science and Technology and the Agricultural and Applied Economics Association have partnered on a new paper, Economic Impacts of COVID-19 on Food and Agricultural Markets. The publication contains insights from 29 experts, including Lee Schulz, economics, and is now available for download.

In the summer, the high temperatures can result in management issues for pond owners with excessive aquatic vegetation being the most problematic.  It is important to remember that some aquatic vegetation is important to a pond fishery.

Iowans can expect next year to be bright and colorful – at least according to the images found within the 2021 Garden Calendar produced by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

Many commercial growers and home gardeners often confront the issue of Blossom End Rot (BER) in their tomato, pepper, and eggplant. The BER is a physiological disorder caused by a localized calcium deficiency in the blossom-end of the fruit. It is a physiological disorder and is not caused by fungi, bacteria, or any other living disease microorganisms. Also, BER could also be seen on non-solanaceous crops such as pumpkins, squash, and watermelons.

A recurring challenge every winter in Iowa is keeping the water you use from freezing. Keeping water thawed requires adequate heat to keep the temperature of the water above freezing. The three most common approaches are adding heat with a heating device, insulating to conserve heat, and adding heat by bringing in warmer water.

Caring for cow herds during the winter can be challenging when it becomes bitterly cold. In general cows are cold tolerant and are comfortable down to 20°F. What are management strategies when temperatures dip below that?

This article highlights key provisions from several important Acts within the 5,593 pages of the Consolidated Appropriations Act: the COVID-related Tax Relief Act of 2020, the Economic Aid to the Hard-Hit Small Businesses, Nonprofit, and Venues Act, and the Taxpayer Certainty and Disaster Tax Relief Act of 2020.  

The pandemic of 2020 provided opportunity for specialty producers in Iowa to expand production and sales. But managing risk for specialty production is critical to capitalizing on new market opportunities.

Significant presence of mud can increase energy requirements by as much as 30%. Wading through mud burns more calories, resulting in reduced gain for developing breeding stock and fed cattle as well as reduced milk production for cows. Confounding things further, cattle to tend eat less by simply avoiding putting in effort to get to feed.

In few weeks growers will be planting sweet corn in Iowa. Sweet corn is an important commercial crop in Iowa. Based on the 2017 Agriculture Census, sweet corn is planted across 329 farms in Iowa with a collective acreage of  2,739 acres. Of the total acres, 1,743 is harvested for fresh market and the remaining for processing. For the fresh markets, growers practice succession planting of sweet corn to have a continuous supply for their customers during the growing season.

Explore Iowa's natural world through a series of new publications by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach offers online training in food safety, food preparation and Iowa regulations designed specifically for cottage food producers – people who prepare foods to be sold out of their home or at a farmers market.

The growth and development of alfalfa is affected by many factors, including temperature, soil moisture, stand age and even cultivar. Alfalfa growth has been slower than normal due to cool conditions in April. This is a good reminder that using a calendar date to determine when to harvest the first crop of alfalfa may not the best method. In order to accurately predict the optimal time for the first cutting, the University of Wisconsin developed the Predictive Equations for Alfalfa Quality (PEAQ) method.

With summer in full gear it is a good time to evaluate how your fly control program is working. When horn fly numbers are greater than 200 flies per animal we see significant production losses associated with blood loss and decreased feed consumption. Numbers of face flies and stable flies are harder to assess because they only spend a small amount of time feeding on cattle but are still significant pests.

The main focus of our three-state (Iowa, Kentucky, and New York), three-year (2020-2022) project is on finding better ways to manage diseases, insect pests, and weeds in organic systems, and getting that information to growers. Our funding comes from USDA’s Organic Research and Extension Initiative (OREI).

Home-based food operators producing and selling their home-prepared foods are known as the cottage food industry. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach offers online training designed specifically for cottage food producers.

Educational opportunities for forest landowners, industry and enthusiasts abound at fall forestry field days.

Programs to be held in 14 locations across Iowa.

The beef cow clinics will include a hands-on calving issues session featuring a life-size cow model.

Registration is open for educational gardening series.

The conference focus is on efficient and economic forage and beef production.

Educational events planned to help Iowans protect their property from wind.

Native perennials can generate profit as material for livestock feed and bedding.

Good biosecurity practices and producer awareness are top issues.

The Iowa Master Woodland Steward Program launching this spring with a March 30 deadline.

Every five years, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) conducts the Census of Agriculture. The goal is to get a complete count of U.S. farms and ranches and the people who operate them. Information collected includes land use and ownership, operator characteristics, production practices, income, and expenditures.

Alfalfa growth and development is affected by many factors, including temperature, soil moisture, stand age and even cultivar. Alfalfa growth has been slow this spring due to cooler than normal weather. This is a reminder that using the calendar date to determine when to harvest the first crop of alfalfa may not be the best method. In order to accurately predict the optimal time for the first cutting, the University of Wisconsin developed the Predictive Equations for Alfalfa Quality (PEAQ) method.

Pseudomonas Bacterial Spot is a disease that causes spots on leaves and yellowing of leaves that eventually can drop off.  As many other foliar disease, defoliation increase the risk for sun scald of fruit and lessens overall plant productivity

The Department of Horticulture at Iowa State University is hosting the 2022 Fruit and Vegetable Field Day on Monday, August 15, 2022 at the Iowa State University Horticulture Research Station near Ames.

Iowa Learning Farms, along with Science-Based Trials of Rowcrops Integrated with Prairie Strips, Des Moines Water Works, and Landus, will host a prairie strips and cover crops field day on Thursday, Aug., 4 from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Lauridsen Amphitheater at Des Moines Water Works Park in Des Moines. The event is free and includes a complimentary meal.

Two new podcasts are out from the ISU Department of Plant Pathology.

Addressing winter stress and preventing cold damage is essential for strawberry production in the Midwest. This article will briefly cover some key information on how to successfully overwinter strawberries.

Looking to add some trees to your small farm or acreage? The State Forest Nursery is open!

Iowa 4-H is the premiere youth development program of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. For more information about Extension and Outreach visit your county website. 

As harvest season is wrapping up, small food businesses in Iowa are busy baking pumpkin pies and canning fresh blackberry jam. Iowans who produce and sell food goods from their homes are known as home-based kitchen operators. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach offers online training in food safety, food preparation and Iowa rules and regulations designed specifically for Iowa's home-based kitchen operators.

This bootcamp provides training, one-on-one consulting and networking opportunities to build resilient and adaptable specialty crop businesses. Interested? Limited space - reserve your spot now.

White-tailed deer are as synonymous with the ‘acreage living’ experience as fences and ragweed.  And today, new challenges like that posed by Chronic Wasting Disease are elevating those responsibilities and require wide engagement in ensuring deer continue to thrive in Iowa.

Two offerings of MWSP will occur in spring 2023. The first offering will be led by the Cerro Gordo and Mitchell County offices of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach (ISUEO), and the second led by Lee County ISUEO. The programs will run from early-April to mid-May, 2023 (specific dates forthcoming), and will entail seven educational modules spread over a six-week period. You do not need to be a resident of host counties to participate. 

Crop and livestock farmers who are working on preparing their 2022 income tax returns can review two useful documents for end-of-year determinations.

Training will help mushroom handlers distinguish which ones are safe to eat.

Pasture seeding improvements may be necessary this spring after a prolonged dry fall grazing season.

Water quality expert shares common pond concerns that can be addressed this spring.