Integrated Farm/Livestock Management Demonstration Program, 2001

Farm/Livestock Management Demonstration Program produced by Iowa Departmment of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

Integrated Farm/Livestock Management Demonstration Program, 2003

Farm/Livestock Management Demonstration Program produced by Iowa Departmment of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

Concepts and Rationale for Regional Nitrogen Rate Guidelines for Corn, April 2006

Nitrogen (N) is typically one of the largest corn fertilization expenses. Nitrogen application is critical because it signifi cantly improves corn yield in many crop rotations. When choosing N rates, producers need to carefully consider both achieving most profi table economic return and advancing environmental stewardship. In 2004, university agronomists from the Corn Belt states began discussions regarding N rate use for corn production. The reasons for the discussions centered on apparent differences in methods for determining N rates across states, misperceptions regarding N rate guidelines, and concerns about application rates as corn yields have climbed to historic levels. An outcome of those discussions was an effort with the objectives to: ▪ develop N rate guidelines that could be applicable on a regional basis and ▪ identify the most profi table fertilizer N rates for corn production across the Corn Belt. This publication provides an overview of corn N fertilization in regard to rate of application, investigates concepts for determining economic application rates, and describes a suggested regional approach for developing corn N rate guidelines directly from recent research data.

Get a GRIP: Should Area Revenue Coverage Be Offered through the Farm Bill or as a Crop Insurance Program? 2007

The successful expansion of the U.S. crop insurance program has not eliminated ad hoc disaster assistance. An alternative currently being explored by members of Congress and others in preparation of the 2007 farm bill is to simply remove the “ad hoc” part of disaster assistance programs by creating a standing program that would automatically funnel aid to hard-hit regions and crops. One form such a program could take can be found in the area yield and area revenue insurance programs currently offered by the U.S. crop insurance program. The Group Risk Plan (GRP) and Group Risk Income Protection (GRIP) programs automatically trigger payments when county yields or revenues, respectively, fall below a producer-elected coverage level. The per-acre taxpayer costs of offering GRIP in Indiana, Illinois, and Iowa for corn and soybeans through the crop insurance program are estimated. These results are used to determine the amount of area revenue coverage that could be offered to farmers as part of a standing farm bill disaster program. Approximately 55% of taxpayer support for GRIP flows to the crop insurance industry. A significant portion of this support comes in the form of net underwriting gains. The expected rate of return on money put at risk by private crop insurance companies under the current Standard Reinsurance Agreement is approximately 100%. Taking this industry support and adding in the taxpayer support for GRIP that flows to producers would fund a county target revenue program at the 93% coverage level.

Intellectual Property Rights and Crop-Improving R&D under Adaptive Destruction, June 2007

This paper studies how the strength of intellectual property rights (IPRs) affects investments in biological innovations when the value of an innovation is stochastically reduced to zero because of the evolution of pest resistance. We frame the problem as a research and development (R&D) investment game in a duopoly model of sequential innovation. We characterize the incentives to invest in R&D under two competing IPR regimes, which differ in their treatment of the follow-on innovations that become necessary because of pest adaptation. Depending on the magnitude of the R&D cost, ex ante firms might prefer an intellectual property regime with or without a “research exemption” provision. The study of the welfare function that also accounts for benefit spillovers to consumers—which is possible analytically under some parametric conditions, and numerically otherwise—shows that the ranking of the two IPR regimes depends critically on the extent of the R&D cost.

Organic Newsletter, January 2, 2008

A newsletter produced by Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship about the changes of organic farming and raising livestock in Iowa.

Organic Newsletter, April 1, 2008

A newsletter produced by Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship about the changes of organic farming and raising livestock in Iowa.

Organic Newsletter, November 13, 2007

A newsletter produced by Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, this information is all about Iowa growers, what is new, what is going on around Iowa for growing.

Strawberry News, June 2007

A newsletter produced by Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, About strawberries, best time to plant, when to pick, etc.

Fresh News, Spring 2007

A newsletter produced by Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, all about the Farmers Markets in Iowa.

Soil and Water Conservation Quality Review, 2007

A newsletter produced by Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. The DSC is responsible for state leadership in the protection and management of soil, water and mineral resources, assisting soil and water conservation districts and private landowners to meet their agricultural and environmental protection needs.

Iowa CREP News, February 1, 2007, Issue 1

A newsletter produced by Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. The Conservation Reserve Enhancement Program for the state of Iowa.

An Apple Approach, 2009

Apples are the most popular and flavorful fruit in the world. But do you know where they come from? This brochure is produced by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.

Here’s The Skinny on Asparagus..., 2009

Three seasons pass before asparagus can be harvested. In its first season of growth a crown forms with six inches of root. In the second season the crown grows a fern. Asparagus can be harvested in its third year, and reaches its prime after 6-8 years. This brochure produced by The Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.

ORANGE You Interested In Pumpkins...., 2009

The most popular use of pumpkins may be for jack-o-lanterns and fall decorations but they have many more uses. When selecting a pumpkin for cooking, the best selection is a “pie pumpkin” or “sweet pumpkin.” These are smaller than the large jack-o-lantern pumpkins and the flesh is sweeter and less watery. You can substitute the jack-o-lantern variety with fairly good results. Pumpkin seeds can be used in tossed salads, casseroles, soups, and other baked goods, either ground or whole. Although roasted pumpkin seeds tend to be better-tasting, you'll receive higher nutritional value from the raw seeds. So decorate your place with a pumpkin and make something. This brochure produced by The Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.