Agriculture

DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey  announced the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has filed an emergency rule change that includes cover crops as an eligible practice under the Iowa Financial Incentives Program (IFIP), which is commonly called cost share.  Cost sharing assistance is limited to $25 per acre for the establishment of the cover crop.

AMES — Choosing the right grass species is the first step in establishing or reestablishing a lawn. Horticulturalists with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach answer questions about establishing turfgrass. To have additional plant and garden questions answered, contact the ISU Hortline at 515-294-3108 or hortline@iastate.edu.

When is the best time to sow grass seed in Iowa?

ARMSTRONG — Although the current concern for area cattle producers is the drought, the new Iowa State University Extension and Outreach beef program specialist in southwest Iowa said his background and experience will help him build a program that’s beneficial to all facets of the industry.

DES MOINES — Iowa State Executive Director for USDA Farm Service Agency, John R Whitaker, announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture has designated 62 Iowa counties as part of a Secretarial Natural Disaster Designation.  

Farm operators who have suffered major production and/or physical losses caused by drought beginning July 24 and continuing may be eligible for low-interest emergency loans.  

A Secretarial Natural Disaster Designation has been issued for 42 Iowa counties as the primary disaster area.