Japanese beetles populations are settling in across the Midwest. Tune in to learn more about insect control!
https://www.facebook.com/LathamSeeds/videos/10156551348677138/
Japanese beetles populations are settling in across the Midwest. Tune in to learn more about insect control!
https://www.facebook.com/LathamSeeds/videos/10156551348677138/
‘Twas two weeks before fair, and around the farm;
Every 4-H and FFA member was working so hard sweat dripped down their arms.
Baking experiments on the counter, painting projects on the table;
Goats in the pasture, horses in the stable.
Will it all come together? Will everything get done?
Sometimes all one can do is pray, but that beats twiddling your thumbs!
The great Franklin County Fair will be July 18-22, 2018, in Hampton, Iowa. There will be a Barnes PRCA Rodeo on Wednesday. Country Music Hall of Famer Chris Janson will take the stage on Thursday, July 19. Then on Friday, July 20, the “Roots & Boots” tour including Aaron Tippin, Collin Raye and Sammy Kershaw draw people from miles around. What a lineup!
But as good as the entertainment is, the main event for me is watching my daughter show. I admire my her hard work and determination, but what I enjoy most about Ellie’s 4-H Meat Goat and Horse Projects is that it allows us to spend quality time together. We work toward a common goal to find a feeding program to get our goats ready for market and preparing them for the fair. We spend lots of hours together throughout the year in the horse stables while she rides and practices for show. We log lots of windshield time traveling to shows. We’ve also made a lot of good friends along the way.
Any former 4-H or FFA member, and any parent of a 4-H and FFA member, knows the amount of stress that comes as as show day gets one day closer. There’s only so much that’s within the control of the person who’s showing livestock. You and your animal must work well together. You’re also at the mercy of the judge, whether you’re showing livestock or exhibiting a Home Improvement project.
So why do it… Why be a 4-H or FFA member who exhibits projects at the fair? These youth organizations teach so many valuable life sills from settings goals and working to achieve them to money management. Friends that I made as a 9-year-old 4-H member are still some of my best friends today. In addition to life-long friendships, we’re making life-long memories.
One of my best fair memories is food on a stick like corn dogs and hot beef sundaes at the Franklin County 4-H Food Stand. Thanks to the Iowa Food & Family Project’s Fair Fare cookbook, we can enjoy some of Iowa State Fairgoers’ favorite foods like Peppermint Ice Cream Bars. (Click here to download the Fair Fare cookbook.)
Today the Iowa Food & Family Project is sharing with us a recipe that allows us to savor one of the best summer flavors, and that’s homegrown sweet corn. I noticed sweet corn stands popping up for the first time this week across North Iowa, and I’m looking forward to trying some soon. July is National Grilling Month, and Grilled Sweet Corn Salsa sounds perfect for backyard barbecues and family gatherings.
INGREDIENTS
DIRECTIONS
Preheat a grill to medium-high (350°F). Arrange the ears of corn on the grill and cook until lightly charred, turning occasionally, about 20 minutes. Remove the corn from the grill and let cool slightly. Slice the kernels from the cobs and measure 3 cups into a large bowl. Reserve any excess corn for another use.
Place the jalapeños (remove seeds if you don’t want the salsa to be as spicy), onion, red pepper and cilantro in a food processor and pulse to chop. Add the tomatoes and pulse to create a chunky texture. Do not overprocess. Transfer the vegetables to the bowl with the corn and add the beans, garlic salt, oregano, lime juice and pepper. Toss gently to coat. Chill the salsa for at least 1 hour to allow flavors to develop.
Today’s live discussion features green snap and the implications on your corn crop!
FB Live Link: https://www.facebook.com/LathamSeeds/videos/10156533940542138/
It’s hard to believe something so amazing can originate from something so small! A tiny alfalfa seed holds unmatched genetic potential. It also harnesses so much potential for a return on your investment.
To help you see how this investment in seed more that pays, HarvXtra® has created a value calculator. See where the value lies: https://www.foragegenetics.com/harvxtra-Calculator.
There are many benefits to planting HarvXtra. The ability to increase yield capacity while taking one less cutting per season saves you time and labor. Making fewer passes across the field leads to less compaction and helps increase winter hardiness. Even better, HarvXtra produces outstanding forage quality. These dividends can get completely eclipsed by the initial investment.
As a grower, you can unleash that potential by seeding the alfalfa into fertile soil. Use the best seeding methods available. Manage weed pressure using the advantage of the Roundup Ready gene, and let the genetics work for you!
Whether you’re packing a deli picnic to enjoy at the lake or grabbing a Subway® sandwich on the way to a ball game, chances are you’re enjoying Iowa-raised turkey.
“The rising popularity of sandwich chains means more Americans than ever are enjoying turkey that was produced by West Liberty Foods in West Liberty, Iowa,” explains Jared Achen of Achen Farms, a third generation Iowa turkey farmer who is a member-owner of the West Liberty Foods cooperative.
Today 75 percent of turkey is eaten year-round, which is a significantly different trend than when Jared’s father started raising turkeys. In 1970, 50 percent of the turkey eaten in the U.S. was enjoyed during the holidays.
“It’s gratifying to see that Americans are enjoying turkey in a variety of ways throughout the year,” says Jared, who also has a vested interest in Agri-Way Partners, a feed mill for turkey growers in Southeast Iowa. He says being involved with West Liberty Foods and Agri-Way Partners allows him to build strong relationships with other producers and others in the turkey industry. “This support is like a big family in a small industry. Producers are more than willing to share information aimed at keeping the industry strong.”
Iowa turkey producers have learned to consistently produce turkey year-round to keep up with the rising demand. That’s good news for rural communities and the farm families who wish to keep farming the land that’s been in their family for generations. The Achen’s turkey operation plus their corn and soybean enterprises support five families.
“We have an amazing team that helps us grow and maintain our operation. It truly takes a village to run a farm and raise a family. We’re blessed with great full-time and part-time help,” says Jared.
After earning a bachelor’s degree in Ag Business from Iowa State University in 2011, Jared returned home to Henry County. He married his high school sweetheart, and they became independent turkey farmers. Jared and Tawnya feel blessed to be growing their farming operation and raising their two children, three-year-old Brecken and 1-year-old Tenley, in the beautiful rolling hills of Southeast Iowa.
Jared and Tawnya built their first turkey farm with two barns in 2011. Then they expanded in 2015 by building one new barn. In 2017, they purchased another farm that added three barns.
“Someday I hope to pass this operation on to the fourth generation of turkey growers, and this legacy is what keeps me motivated,” says Jared. “We enjoy farming together as a family and watching our children experience life on a family farm. It’s fun to experience farming through the eyes of my children. They really enjoy it when we get day-old poults on our farm.”
Caring for turkeys and watching them grow is a rewarding endeavor for the Achens. Turkeys arrive when they are 1 day old and grow quickly for 19 weeks until they are finished at about 44 pounds. Like other livestock enterprises, good management is key for turkey production. A consistent daily routine of feeding, evaluating the turkeys, checking ventilation, and applying new bedding is vital to producing top quality birds.
Although the turkey and row crop operations keep the Achen family busy seven days a week, they still find time to be involved with their community. Jared and Tawnya hold positions within their church and volunteer at school events. Jared also is a member of the Wayland Economic Development Committee and serves on the Henry County Farm Bureau board.
“We strive to assist our community as much as possible as it is important to us to have our small town thriving,” says Jared. “We also give farm tours. We often have community members ask to tour. Sometimes those who have moved away like to come ‘home’ and show their kids our turkeys. Bio-Security is important, but we do our best to protect our turkeys while teaching the public about turkeys.”
The Achen family also shares their farm life by posting frequently on the Achen Farms Facebook page. Another way they connect with consumers is through the Midwest Old Threshers, which draws people to the area each Labor Day weekend. The Achens set up an turkey booth within their church tent where they serve turkey drumsticks and turkey tenderloins.
Today the Achens are sharing with us one of their family’s favorite recipes for turkey enchiladas. Download this recipe and celebrate June Turkey Month with your family!
Whether you’re packing a deli picnic to enjoy at the lake or grabbing a Subway® sandwich on the way to a ball game, chances are you’re enjoying Iowa-raised turkey.
“The rising popularity of sandwich chains means more Americans than ever are enjoying turkey that was produced by West Liberty Foods in West Liberty, Iowa,” explains Jared Achen of Achen Farms, a third generation Iowa turkey farmer who is a member-owner of the West Liberty Foods cooperative.
Today 75 percent of turkey is eaten year-round, which is a significantly different trend than when Jared’s father started raising turkeys. In 1970, 50 percent of the turkey eaten in the U.S. was enjoyed during the holidays.
“It’s gratifying to see that Americans are enjoying turkey in a variety of ways throughout the year,” says Jared, who also has a vested interest in Agri-Way Partners, a feed mill for turkey growers in Southeast Iowa. He says being involved with West Liberty Foods and Agri-Way Partners allows him to build strong relationships with other producers and others in the turkey industry. “This support is like a big family in a small industry. Producers are more than willing to share information aimed at keeping the industry strong.”
Iowa turkey producers have learned to consistently produce turkey year-round to keep up with the rising demand. That’s good news for rural communities and the farm families who wish to keep farming the land that’s been in their family for generations. The Achen’s turkey operation plus their corn and soybean enterprises support five families.
“We have an amazing team that helps us grow and maintain our operation. It truly takes a village to run a farm and raise a family. We’re blessed with great full-time and part-time help,” says Jared.
After earning a bachelor’s degree in Ag Business from Iowa State University in 2011, Jared returned home to Henry County. He married his high school sweetheart, and they became independent turkey farmers. Jared and Tawnya feel blessed to be growing their farming operation and raising their two children, three-year-old Brecken and 1-year-old Tenley, in the beautiful rolling hills of Southeast Iowa.
Jared and Tawnya built their first turkey farm with two barns in 2011. Then they expanded in 2015 by building one new barn. In 2017, they purchased another farm that added three barns.
“Someday I hope to pass this operation on to the fourth generation of turkey growers, and this legacy is what keeps me motivated,” says Jared. “We enjoy farming together as a family and watching our children experience life on a family farm. It’s fun to experience farming through the eyes of my children. They really enjoy it when we get day-old poults on our farm.”
Caring for turkeys and watching them grow is a rewarding endeavor for the Achens. Turkeys arrive when they are 1 day old and grow quickly for 19 weeks until they are finished at about 44 pounds. Like other livestock enterprises, good management is key for turkey production. A consistent daily routine of feeding, evaluating the turkeys, checking ventilation, and applying new bedding is vital to producing top quality birds.
Although the turkey and row crop operations keep the Achen family busy seven days a week, they still find time to be involved with their community. Jared and Tawnya hold positions within their church and volunteer at school events. Jared also is a member of the Wayland Economic Development Committee and serves on the Henry County Farm Bureau board.
“We strive to assist our community as much as possible as it is important to us to have our small town thriving,” says Jared. “We also give farm tours. We often have community members ask to tour. Sometimes those who have moved away like to come ‘home’ and show their kids our turkeys. Bio-Security is important, but we do our best to protect our turkeys while teaching the public about turkeys.”
The Achen family also shares their farm life by posting frequently on the Achen Farms Facebook page. Another way they connect with consumers is through the Midwest Old Threshers, which draws people to the area each Labor Day weekend. The Achens set up an turkey booth within their church tent where they serve turkey drumsticks and turkey tenderloins.
Today the Achens are sharing with us one of their family’s favorite recipes for turkey enchiladas. Download this recipe and celebrate June Turkey Month with your family!
Nitrogen is mobile in air, water or soil. Because nitrogen moves, it’s a challenge for farmers to keep everything in balance while maintaining profitability. That’s probably why we hear so much about “precise nitrogen management.”
It seems like everyday we hear about a different way to best manage nitrogen. Universities have moved from the long accustomed Yield Goal approach to Maximum Return to Nitrogen (MRTN), which links corn and nitrogen prices to calculate the best nitrogen rate based on years of data. The objective is to provide a yield increase that will pay for the cost of the nitrogen. Another nitrogen management method involves applying some nitrogen before planting to get the corn started. Then soil or plant tissue samples are taken to determine plant nitrogen levels and to estimate how much nitrogen will be available in the soil for the remainder of the season.
Yet another nitrogen management tool is sensor technology, which uses artificial light to capture on-the-go leaf reflectance and translates that into values to calculate a product rate for on the-go nitrogen side-dress applications. The Nitrogen Advisor tool available through the Climate FieldView™ (CFV) platform combines extensive weather data with rainfall and temperature information to understand leaching, volatilization or other ways nitrogen may be lost based on timing of application, product being applied, and rates being applied. This sounds very familiar to the 4 R’s of nutrient management: Right Rate, Right Source, Right Placement, and Right Timing.
The CFV Nitrogen Advisor is based on a model that has been extensively researched throughout the Midwest. Last winter the Iowa Soybean Association released its research, which included replicated trials using the CFV Nitrogen Advisor. Cooperating farmers across Iowa ran the CFV Nitrogen Advisor and used their own personal nitrogen rates as the check. They compared their rates with both adding and decreasing rates of 40 lbs/acre of nitrogen. Nitrogen Advisor topped 7 of the 10 trials, and in some of these trials, it led to $20/acre profit! Where Nitrogen Advisor wasn’t on top, it was within $10/acre in terms of profit of the top performer.
When profit margins are tight, we’re all extremely interested in getting the best return on our investment. Nitrogen is where we spend most of our fertility budget; we’re experimenting on the Latham Research Farm with the Climate Nitrogen Advisor this season. I invite you to attend our fall field day in Alexander where you will be able to walk through the plot. We’ll also be sharing research results at our post-harvest meetings this fall.
Nitrogen is mobile in air, water or soil. Because nitrogen moves, it’s a challenge for farmers to keep everything in balance while maintaining profitability. That’s probably why we hear so much about “precise nitrogen management.”
It seems like everyday we hear about a different way to best manage nitrogen. Universities have moved from the long accustomed Yield Goal approach to Maximum Return to Nitrogen (MRTN), which links corn and nitrogen prices to calculate the best nitrogen rate based on years of data. The objective is to provide a yield increase that will pay for the cost of the nitrogen. Another nitrogen management method involves applying some nitrogen before planting to get the corn started. Then soil or plant tissue samples are taken to determine plant nitrogen levels and to estimate how much nitrogen will be available in the soil for the remainder of the season.
Yet another nitrogen management tool is sensor technology, which uses artificial light to capture on-the-go leaf reflectance and translates that into values to calculate a product rate for on the-go nitrogen side-dress applications. The Nitrogen Advisor tool available through the Climate FieldView™ (CFV) platform combines extensive weather data with rainfall and temperature information to understand leaching, volatilization or other ways nitrogen may be lost based on timing of application, product being applied, and rates being applied. This sounds very familiar to the 4 R’s of nutrient management: Right Rate, Right Source, Right Placement, and Right Timing.
The CFV Nitrogen Advisor is based on a model that has been extensively researched throughout the Midwest. Last winter the Iowa Soybean Association released its research, which included replicated trials using the CFV Nitrogen Advisor. Cooperating farmers across Iowa ran the CFV Nitrogen Advisor and used their own personal nitrogen rates as the check. They compared their rates with both adding and decreasing rates of 40 lbs/acre of nitrogen. Nitrogen Advisor topped 7 of the 10 trials, and in some of these trials, it led to $20/acre profit! Where Nitrogen Advisor wasn’t on top, it was within $10/acre in terms of profit of the top performer.
When profit margins are tight, we’re all extremely interested in getting the best return on our investment. Nitrogen is where we spend most of our fertility budget; we’re experimenting on the Latham Research Farm with the Climate Nitrogen Advisor this season. I invite you to attend our fall field day in Alexander where you will be able to walk through the plot. We’ll also be sharing research results at our post-harvest meetings this fall.