Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

Iowa State University is looking for farmers and certified crop advisors to participate in the 2025 nitrogen trials.

You can help improve Iowa's nitrogen fertilizer recommendations and benefit the productivity, profitability and environmental performance of Iowa agriculture.

For more information and to sign up, visit bit.ly/INITrialForm or contact Melissa Miller, Iowa Nitrogen Initiative at [email protected]

Iowa State University Department of Agronomy Iowa Nutrient Research & Education Council

https://www.agron.iastate.edu/portfolio/iowa-nitrogen-initiative/

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Secretary Mike Naig concluded a full day in Northwest Iowa by visiting the O‘Brien County Fair in Primghar. They are celebrating 100 years. Secretary Naig enjoyed touring the grounds and chatting with fairgoers.

The latest Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report, which is released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, is out. See details at https://iowaagriculture.gov/news/crop-progress-report-July-22-2024

Interested in edge-of-field conservation practices like bioreactors? This will be an excellent, quick-hitting field day demonstrating how to install this effective practice and discussing its water quality benefits. It will be worth the trip to Hancock County tomorrow!

Late last week, Secretary Mike Naig made another visit to Dickinson, Clay, and Buena Vista Counties to meet with farmers affected by the flood damage as well as those who are helping lead efforts to respond. The water may have receded, but we know the impacts will be felt for awhile. Recovery will take some time and resources.

Farmers and certified crop advisors, sign up now to participate in the Iowa Nitrogen Initiative’s 2025 nitrogen trials.

Participating growers will need: a field planted to corn for the 2025 growing season; a combine with a well calibrated yield monitor; and the ability to apply a variable rate nitrogen prescription.

For more information and to sign up, visit bit.ly/INITrialForm or contact Melissa Miller, Iowa Nitrogen Initiative at [email protected]

Iowa State University Department of Agronomy Iowa Nutrient Research & Education Council

https://www.agron.iastate.edu/portfolio/iowa-nitrogen-initiative/

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Deputy Secretary Grant Menke today met with a delegation with the International Visitor Leadership Program U.S. Agricultural Trade and Food Safety Project. It is an initiative with the State Department. Each delegate is from a different country and it was a wide ranging conversation about Iowa agriculture. From livestock and crop production to trade, workforce and conservation, these individuals had many good questions. Thank you to Brad Frisvold from Iowa Economic Development Authority for joining as well.

We’re just under a week away from this great event in Hancock County! If you are interested in installing edge-of-field conservation practices like bioreactors on your land or are a contractor interested in this type of work, get this on your calendar! It will be an excellent field day packed with great information, resources and demonstration!

Iowa’s community banks are essential to the ongoing growth of Iowa’s economy. At Community Bankers of Iowa annual conference in Okoboji, Secretary Mike Naig participated in a panel discussing current issues in agriculture. From inflation and interest rates to the Farm Bill and market development, it was a good conversation.

Now is a great time to sign up for cover crops cost share, as payments are up $5/acre from previous years!

New farmers may now receive up to $30/acre in cost share assistance and returning farmers may receive up to $20/acre.

Iowa has nearly 4 million acres of cover crops and we need your help to keep the momentum going!

For more information and to sign up, stop by your local Soil and Water Conservation District office and USDA Service Center!

Cost Share for Conservation Practices — Clean Water Iowa The 2024 sign-up period is open for statewide cost share funds to help farmers install nutrient reduction practices. Practices eligible for this funding are cover crops, no-till or strip till, or using a nitrification inhibitor when applying fertilizer.

Thanks to Hagie Manufacturing Company in Clarion for hosting Secretary Mike Naig this afternoon. He enjoyed a tour of the plant and discussion about current industry issues and workforce challenges. Iowa has many great ag manufacturers like Hagie and we must continue to find solutions to our workforce challenges.

Choose Iowa is both a grant program to help build the availability of Iowa products and a brand that helps farmers and consumers identify Iowa products. Purple Ribbon Beef near Britt in Hancock County received a grant to build an on-farm store. They are also a Choose Iowa member. Secretary Mike Naig enjoyed visiting this great Iowa farm family today and hearing about their growing direct-to-consumer beef business.

A beautiful afternoon in Winnebago County! Secretary Mike Naig enjoyed a visit to The Ardent Apiary near Lake Mills. They have a nice farm focused on honey and lavender production and are interested in the Choose Iowa program. Secretary Naig even donned the beekeeping suit. Thanks to Adam Stene and family for hosting.

Iowa has nearly 4 million acres of cover crops and you can help keep the momentum going! Join the effort to improve soil health and water quality and sign up for cover crop cost share assistance!

New farmers may receive up to $30/acre in cost share assistance and returning farmers may receive up to $20/acre.

For more information and to sign up, stop by your local Soil and Water Conservation District office and USDA Service Center!

Cost Share for Conservation Practices — Clean Water Iowa The 2024 sign-up period is open for statewide cost share funds to help farmers install nutrient reduction practices. Practices eligible for this funding are cover crops, no-till or strip till, or using a nitrification inhibitor when applying fertilizer.

Congratulations to Five Star Cooperative on the grand opening of their facility in Burchinal. This facility represents their largest agronomy investment in their 135 year history. It will serve their North Iowa members well. Secretary Mike Naig enjoyed speaking at the celebration event this morning.

What seasonal Iowa produce are you enjoying lately? Need help finding your favorites? Choose Iowa can help!

July is full of delightful seasonal produce! You might spy tomatoes, sweet corn, beets, blackberries, cucumbers, kale and so much more at your local farm stand or farmers market right now!

Need help finding some local options? Check out our What's in Season page to get started: https://www.chooseiowa.com/whats-in-season

Congratulations to Coalition to Support Iowa's Farmers on its 20-year anniversary! The Coalition is doing excellent work helping keep Iowa farmers and Iowa agriculture strong. We are happy to partner with them on many initiatives, including honoring deserving farmers and producers through the Wergin Good Farm Neighbor Award!

Join The Coalition to Support Iowa's Farmers in celebrating 20 years of service to Iowa's farmers. Bob Quinn sits down with current and past field directors, CSIF Board members, and the Coalition's Executive Director Brian Waddingham on the latest episode of the Fenceline podcast. Take a listen here: https://bit.ly/Saluteto20Years

Applications are now being accepted for a new housing program for farm families. For more information on this program, and other resources and programs available through the State of Iowa, visit https://www.iowa.gov/state-iowa-assistance-0.

We are thankful Iowa is working to support Iowans, including farm families, impacted by the recent flooding and tornadoes.

To read the latest Crop Progress Report distributed by USDA - National Agricultural Statistics Service, visit Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship's website at https://iowaagriculture.gov/news/crop-progress-report-July-15

Secretary Mike Naig is the guest on this week’s Iowa PBS Iowa Press. Tune in Friday night, Sunday afternoon, or catch it online. A full 30 minute discussion on current ag topics. . https://www.iowapbs.org/shows/iowapress/iowa-press/episode/11297/iowa-secretary-agriculture-mike-naig

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig announced today that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship anticipates a record calendar year for progress toward the construction of Department-sponsored water quality wetlands within Iowa.

Read more at:
https://iowaagriculture.gov/news/secretary-naig-progress-water-quality-wetlands

Carroll County Fair Association in C**n Rapids was busy today. Secretary Mike Naig enjoyed meeting Iowa 4-Hers and Iowa FFA Association members and hearing about their projects. 4-H numbers are up in Carroll County, which is good news. Of course, it’s also always good to hear what’s on the minds of fairgoers. Be sure to check out your area fairs this summer and support our youth!

Cogdill Farm Supply in Dow City is celebrating 45 years of serving their customers in western Iowa. Secretary Mike Naig stopped by this family-owned Crawford County business today to talk about ag issues and learn about the company. It was also good to chat with area farmers.

What a great view of Storm Lake and Buena Vista County from the top of the Tyson Foods feed mill. Secretary Mike Naig toured the mill with company leaders and employees and enjoyed a good discussion about turkey production in Iowa. Secretary Naig also learned about their innovative partnership with Buena Vista University. Thanks to Iowa Turkey Federation and Iowa Economic Development Authority for joining as well.

There’s something special about a county fair! This morning Secretary Mike Naig was joined by State Representative Mike Sexton in Rockwell City for a visit to the Calhoun County Expo. It was a nice opportunity to engage with fairgoers and interact with Iowa 4-H and Iowa FFA Association students. They also met 2024 Fair Queen Katie Vogel.

Congratulations to Iowa Learning Farms on their 20 year anniversary. Secretary Mike Naig thanked them for their constant efforts to educate Iowans and accelerate the pace of conservation adoption within Iowa. They are indispensable partners.

CommonGround Iowa helped to host the National CommonGround convention here in Iowa. CommonGround is a network of farmers and agriculture volunteers who work to create connections between consumers and those who grow their food. Secretary Mike Naig provided a welcome to the crowd, who is here from many different states.

A great afternoon in Hardin County. Secretary Mike Naig joined the celebration near Alden for ILC (Iowa Limestone Company) Resources. They are celebrating 100 years in business as a trusted partner for those involved in production agriculture and other industries. A great Iowa company and we wish them well on their next 100 years.

Secretary Mike Naig announced today that the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship will utilize the successful “batch and build” model with partners in Sac County to install bioreactors and saturated buffers.

https://iowaagriculture.gov/news/sac-county-batch-and-build

Secretary Mike Naig is encouraging Iowans to take advantage of Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship's free, searchable online directory for hay and straw. This resource aims to facilitate connections between Iowa farmers looking to sell hay or straw and potential buyers interested in purchasing these products.

https://iowaagriculture.gov/news/free-hay-and-straw-directory