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Practical Farmers of Iowa winter newsletter
THE PRACTICAL FARMER
QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER OF PRACTICAL FARMERS OF IOWA
VOL 11, #4, WINTER 1996/1997
I N T H I S I S S U E
1^ Can You Afford a Crop Rotation?
-- Richard and Sharon Thompson
5^ PFI Annual Meeting Report
5^Laura Freeman on Family Farming
-- Todd Kimm
6^Achievement Award to Keeney
7^Workshop Videos Order Form
8^ Winter Workshops
17^ Limited-Membership Co-op Issues
-- Rick Exner
18^ Shared Visions Year-End Update
Networking Meeting Report
19^ Rollin' the Cob Calving Time
21^ Sustainable Agriculture Internships
-- Rick Exner
21^ Seeking Work on Diversified Farm
22^ Notes and Notices
-- N.C. District Mtg. March 15
-- Agroforestry Broadcast
-- SARE Producer Grants
-- Sinsinawa Organic Meeting
-- International OCIA Meeting
-- Women in Ag. Meeting
-- What Is In a Name?
-- Compost Workshop
-- Two New Resources from MN
25^ Midwest Grazing Mtgs. Reports
25^ New Pasture Poultry Organization
26^ Identity-Preserved is Growing
-- Rick Exner
24^ On-Farm Research Opportunities
-- Mo Ghaffarzadeh
28^ PFI Profile: Paul and Karen Mugge
-- Jenny Kendall
31^ 1996 On-Farm Trials, Part I
-- Rootworms in Strip Intercropping
Michael Ellsbury
-- Wasps for Corn Borer Control
Joe Fitzgerald
-- Improving IPM
Mark & Julie Roose
-- Experience with IPM
Jeff Klinge & Deb Tidwell
-- Beauveria Corn Borer Control
Les Lewis
-- Three Perspectives on Beauveria
Brunk, Alert/Smith, McLaughlin
38^ Footprints of a Grass Farmer
-- Tom Frantzen
39^ From the Kitchen
-- Marj Stonecypher
40^ PFI Board Members and Addresses
41^ PFI Membership Application Form
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1^ CAN YOU AFFORD A CROP ROTATION?
Richard and Sharon Thompson, Boone
Can a farm be sustainable and profitable at the same time?
We try to be both, and we have kept records over the years
to tell how different cropping systems are performing on our
300-acre farm. We try to make these results simple to apply
by using standard custom farming costs for the field
operations performed in each system and ISU figures for
year-end commodity prices. This is a teaching model that
can be used to compare systems while giving the farmer some
privacy. If you worked up a similar analysis for your own
farm, you would use your particular equipment and land
costs.
We will focus here on a five-year and a six-year crop
rotation. We also use custom charges and Boone County yield
averages to construct a two-year, corn-soybean rotation for
comparison. This rotational system is constructed using
practices typical for our neighborhood, including use of the
disk, chisel plow, and field cultivator. All systems use
annual Boone County average land prices, and labor is
charged at $7 per hour. A detailed version of this
discussion appears in the Thompson Farm annual on-farm
research report.
Our long-standing five-year rotation is corn-soybeans-corn-
oats/legume-hay. It was used by Dick's father in the 1930s
and '40s, and we re-adopted/adapted it ten years after we
took over the farm. We have used ridge tillage in the row
crop years, which has made the system much more profitable.
Hay has been the leading money maker in this rotation. The
return to labor and management (profit after inputs and
land) has averaged $134.11 per acre, while corn following
hay averages $115.57 (Table 1, the graphics file table1.wmf,
available for downloading). The corn following soybeans has
produced $129.43 per acre, the soybeans average $127.65, and
the oats come in last at $74.14.
The six-year rotation has consisted of corn-soybeans-
oats/legume-meadow-meadow-meadow. Four fields near the house
have been used for this rotation, allowing us to graze two
of these fields each year. In 1991, for example, 60 beef
cows and their calves were pastured on 37 acres divided into
6 paddocks for a total of 222 cow-calf-unit-days. Corn
stalks and oat stubble are grazed in this system, which
increases the return for the rotation. We estimate grazing
returns by taking the percentage of the year spent grazing
times overall cattle net profits minus pasture establishment
expenses and land rent. In 1995, the soybeans were dropped
from this rotation so we would have three pastures each year
out of the four fields. The rotation is now
corn-oats/legume and five years of pasture, for a seven-year
cycle.
Table 1 and Fig. 1 (the graphics files table1.wmf and
Figure1.bmp, available for downloading) summarize income and
costs for each crop in the three rotations. The five-year and
six-year rotations are based on the actual yields from the farm,
while the corn-soybean rotation uses county averages. The
cropping systems on our farm utilize ridge tillage in row crop
years and no herbicides. The corn-soybean rotation, representing
practices typical of Boone County, uses mulch tillage, broadcast
herbicide and P and K fertilizer, and sidedressed N. We have not
included government price supports in these systems.
The five- and six-year rotations have higher gross income
than the two-year rotation because of higher corn and
soybean yields and baling crop residue for the livestock
operations. Our systems use more labor to haul manure and
make hay, but at least wages paid stay on the farm. Because
the longer rotations use more labor and less capital,
interest/opportunity cost charges are lower. Ridge tillage
and the oats/hay seeding without cultivation reduce weed
management and tillage costs (for example, by $44 in 1996)
compared to the two-year rotation. We figure in 1996 we
saved $26 per acre by spreading manure rather than
purchasing fertilizers. One of the biggest cost differences
is in corn harvesting and storage. In 1996, ear harvest,
handling, storage, and crib drying of corn saved $31.76 per
acre over combine harvest/handling/elevator drying, and in
1992 it saved much more (see side-bar). All the extra
charges (little foxes) end up to be a large cost (big fox in
the hen house).
This accounting isn't perfect, but it does make it clear
that profitability doesn't have to go out the car window on
the road to sustainability. In fact, we find that a lot of
low-cost options are also sustainable options in terms of
their effect on the land.
Saving on Corn Drying
Corn drying is another area farmers need to save some money.
In 1992, our narrow crib safely stored 29% moisture ear
corn. Figuring the yield of both systems as the Boone
County average of 164 bu/acre, we calculated the savings in
drying cost at $59.04 per acre. The additional pencil shrink
would have exceeded true moisture shrink by $10.43 per acre.
The elevator's priced-later option cost $8.20 per acre.
These savings total $77.67 per acre (see below). Drying
cost alone does not include harvest, handling, delivery or
storage expenses. Taking these into account, on-farm ear
drying and storage saved us $77.36 per acre in 1992.
Elevator vs. Ear Drying Costs
Elevator drying charge = $0.024/point
29% - 14% = 15% x $0.024 = $0.36/bu
164 bu/acre x $0.36/bu = $59.04/acre
Elevator "pencil shrink" = 1.4%/point
Actual moisture shrink = 1.18%/point
Extra shrink charge = 0.22%/point
15 points x 0.22%/point = 3.35% loss
164 bu/acre x 3.35% = 5.49 bu/acre
5.49 bu/acre x $1.90/bu = $10.43/acre
Price-later = $0.05/bu x 164/bu/acre = $8.20/acre
Total elevator drying = $77.67/acre
Combine harvest= $22.70/acre
Grain delivery= $10.82/acre
Storage = $16.40/acre
Total combine harvest, delivery, elevator drying and
storage cost in 1992 = $127.59/acre
Total crib drying = $0.00/acre
Ear harvest = $17.10/acre
Grain delivery = $18.04/acre
Storage = $15.09/acre
Total on-farm ear harvest, delivery, and crib storage cost
in 1992 = $50.23/acre
5^ PFI ANNUAL MEETING REPORT
Sustainable Family Farming
keynote presenter: Laura Freeman
recorder: Todd Kimm
Laura Freeman, founder and president of Laura's Lean Beef,
gave the PFI Winter Workshops keynote, entitled Sustainable
Family Farming. Freeman shared her experience of launching
this Kentucky business that today boasts $30 million in
annual sales and works with a network of more than 100 farms
in the Midwest and Southeast. Her line of products has gone
from being offered at a small number of stores in central
Kentucky to being available now in 15 states and over 1,800
stores.
Freeman advised PFI members to do as she did: "learn how to
market to a niche;" her niche being the demand for
"all-natural" lean beef. She defined "all-natural" as beef
raised without antibiotics, growth hormones, fillers and
additives.
Freeman returned to the family farm in 1982, after
graduating from Yale and working as a journalist. The
cattle operation, in the Freeman family for six generations,
was a "mini-factory farm" that was losing $100,000 a year.
Freeman combined her concerns about diet and the environment
to come up with her niche idea, but like a lot of
"sustainable types," she didn't know the first thing about
accounting, capital, budgeting or cost control.
Freeman did, however, possess the understanding that she
would have to "take control of the product." This led to
direct delivery and intensive marketing.
Soon Freeman was meeting with non-agriculture entrepreneurs.
"I tried to pattern the growth of the company on non-farming
businesses," she said. Going outside the ag world for
guidance is a type of "cross breeding" that overcomes tunnel
vision and "really works," she added. Approach people who
"have done what you're doing and have gone a little bit
further." In 1991, Freeman went into partnership with John
Tobe, former CEO with the company whose restaurants include
Long John Silver's Seafood Shoppes. Tobe's marketing savvy
helped Laura's Beef grow twenty-fold.
Other advice Freeman offered included:
Pick your niche carefully. Once you pick a niche you
should stay focused on it and not stray from it very far.
Personalize your product. Freeman's face appears on her
product's label. "Somehow I didn't want my head on a piece
of meat," she joked; but the idea turned out to be a good
one. Another idea is to use the farm where the product is
produced as a way to personalize the product.
The development of good sales representatives is
important. These reps need to be well-trained and
well-paid. Freeman's reps are responsible for educating
store meat department personnel about her product.
You don't need to be fancy when you start out, but you do
need a message. You have to tell your story somehow. Once
this message has been developed it can be spread through
advertising, special promotions, etc.
Use discounting and sampling to introduce customers to
your product.
Provide a link to your customers. Examples included an
800 number, a newsletter and farm field days.
Team up with other organizations for events. Freeman
gave as an example her company's participation in an
American Heart Association heart walk.
6^ Keeney Receives Sustainable Agriculture Achievement Award
Dennis R. Keeney, director of the Leopold Center for
Sustainable Agriculture at Iowa State University since the
Center's inception in 1988, received the 1997 Sustainable
Agriculture Achievement Award from the Practical Farmers of
Iowa at their annual meeting in Ames on January 3. The
award is presented each year to an individual who has
advanced the cause of profitable, environmentally sound
agriculture in Iowa.
Keeney is a professor of Agronomy and Agricultural and
Biosystems Engineering at Iowa State University and also
directs the Iowa State Water Resources Institute. He holds
B.S. and Ph.D. degrees from ISU and a M.S. degree from the
University of Wisconsin. His research specialties include
the chemistry of soils, the cycling and efficient use of
nitrogen, land application of wastes, and soil as a source
of nitrous oxide.
7^ Workshop Video Order Form
PFI Winter Workshops Video Tape
o Tape 1 ($8.00 purchase) _$_________
Eight-hour tape contains keynote by Laura Freeman plus these
workshops: Marketing and Your Quality of Life (Bill
Burrows); Kansas grass-finished beef co-op; Alternative hog
production systems; Monitoring Sustainable Ag with
Conventional Financial Data (Dick Levins); Monitoring
sustainable ag with conventional financial data (Dick
Levins); Monitoring sustainable ag with conventional
financial data (Dick Levins); 'Fools Rush In' - value-added
farm-based business; and New Co-ops, New Possibilities
(Larry Kallem).
o Tape 2 ($8.00 purchase) _$_________
Eight-hour tape contains keynote by Laura Freeman plus these
workshops: 'Fools Rush In' - value-added farm-based
business; Marketing and Your Quality of Life (Bill Burrows);
CSAs and Direct Marketing; Monitoring Sustainable Ag with
Conventional Financial Data (Dick Levins); Systems Research
- What and How?; and What's Ahead for PFI?
.
Name: _______________________________________________________
Address: ____________________________________________________
State, Zip: _________________________________________________
Make checks payable to:
Practical Farmers of Iowa
2035 190th St.
Boone, IA 50036-9632
8^ WINTER WORKSHOPS
If you were not one of the 240 people at the PFI annual
meeting Jan. 3-4, you missed quite a bit: producer posters;
Iowa-grown foods; Laura Freeman's keynote; and workshops
featuring Iowa's best as well as out-of-staters who are
breaking new ground in marketing and on-farm research. See
the form on page 15 if you are interested in videotapes of
the workshops. Notes from our recorders follow:
Monitoring Sustainable Agriculture with Conventional Data
Participants: Dick Levins and Mike Rupprecht of the
Monitoring Team, (Doug Alert and Dave Lubben moderating)
Recorders: Don Davidson, Rick Exner
Mike Rupprecht is one of the farmers participating in the
Biological, Social and Financial Monitoring team, a
farmer-initiated research collaboration centered in
southeast Minnesota. As Mike explained it, "We wanted to
know what happens when you go to a grass-based system."
That question has led to a wide range of monitoring
inquiries, including, worm counts, fertilizer comparisons,
bird counts, and tracking changes in the species mix of
pastures.
Dick Levins described his background in economics and farm
management as fairly conventional. His world began to open
up when he saw a video of a farmer who was changing farming
practices for "family reasons." Levins realized that this
kind of reasoning just didn't add up from a strict economics
point of view. "Being profitable," to many economists,
consists of simply "making as much money as you possibly
can." But this is not the focus of many sustainable
farmers. Through the Monitoring Project, Levins learned
farmers wanted tools to help them monitor what they wanted
to do, not what someone else wanted them to do.
Levins came up with four general indicators that a producer
can use - in addition to profit - to track progress toward
sustainability. These are described, along with some
examples, in Monitoring Sustainable Agriculture with
Conventional Data, a $7 booklet available from the Land
Stewardship Project, 2200 Fourth St., White Bear Lake, MN
55110 (612-653-0618). Briefly, the four indicators are:
1) What percent of your gross income is coming from the
government? This may not be a "sustainable" source of
revenue, given changes in the political environment.
Further, a high degree of dependence may mean you are
"farming the program" instead of basing production on your
farm's resources.
2) What percent of your gross income are your energy and
machinery costs? These are the categories with the
potential to cause "environmental mischief," said Levins.
These expenditures also tend to leave the community
directly, without passing from hand to hand the way that,
say, money spent on skilled services would.
3) What percent of your gross income goes to support local
families, including but not limited to your own? Levins
commented that, in reaching the point where modern
agriculture could "feed everyone but employ no one," rural
communities were sacrificed. For there to be a sustainable
agriculture, the fabric of rural life must also be sustained
through jobs.
4) Balance of feed production and use. There needs to be a
balance between feed production and feed use, said Levins.
An imbalance toward feed production leads to dependence on
distant markets and distant production inputs. Feed
consumption without production leads to its own
dependencies, and manure becomes a problem rather than a
resource.
These four indicators are merely guides, not hard and fast
rules. Used over time they can show trends and stimulate
your thinking, he said.
In discussion the question was raised, "What if you put
values on the 'hidden costs' of agriculture? Will the
marketplace then cause people to farm more sustainably?"
Levins acknowledged that this is one approach economists
take in an attempt to make sustainable agriculture
"rational." However, he said, it does not adequately
explain the motivations of the farmers he has worked with in
the Monitoring Project. Their judgements involve a
"balancing act" of many considerations; this is so much more
complicated than a single-goal system that it defies
quantification by traditional economic methods, said Levins.
CSAs and Direct Marketing
Participants: Virginia Moser, Benton County Farm Fresh CSA;
Angela Tedesco, Des Moines; Shelly Gradwell, who is
responsible for ISU Extension displays and publications
concerning CSAs; Jeff Hall, who is responsible for a grant
enabling statewide support for a network of CSAs to be
called The Iowa Network for Community Agriculture.
Recorder: Jill Hoben
CSAs are much more than members providing weekly fresh
vegetables to shareholders. CSAs involve building a sense
of community, connecting people to land and to each other.
CSAs in Iowa have grown from 2 in 1994, to 11 in 1996, to
probably more than 20 in 1997!
Tips and topics covered in the discussion: research and
planning ahead; staggered plantings and compatible plantings
to extend the season; Extension publications and networking
with other CSAs. Also: listen to the consumer/customer -
what and how much they want. Definitely include a
newsletter with deliveries of produce. Include recipes and
what's going on at the farm. Economic opportunities are out
there for both small and large CSAs.
Alternative Hog Production Systems
Participants: Colin Wilson, Homer Showman, Jay Harmon (ISU),
Vic Madsen and Jeff Olson moderators
Recorder: Mark Roose
Colin Wilson: Swedish system and pasture system
construction details: 100 ft x 48 ft, 12 ft ceiling, with
four rooms, 4-in concrete walls
11 sows per 24 x 48 ft room, in "boxes" or pens
fronts are removed when pigs venture out for the first
time
sides are removed when all the fronts are gone
pigs weaned at 5 weeks
pigs stay in the building from birth to 9 weeks
water on south side, feed on north side
natural ventilation in summer, power ventilation in cold
weather
fans on the end of the building are attached to ducts in
the attic, so no noise to pigs
Homer Showman: six 30 x 70 ft hoop structures
4-in walls, posts on 6-ft centers
double curtain structure: slightly better feed
consumption in cold weather
hoop structure: fewer deaths, rate of gain better
75 6x5-ft round cornstalk bales per year per shed
100 bales this winter due to wet stalks and high humidity
Jay Harmon (ISU Ag & Biosystems Engineering)
shared data regarding environment in the hoop structure
at the Rhodes Research Facility
Systems Research
Participants: Allen Williams and Michelle Wander (IL), Mike
Rupprecht, Jay Dorsey (MN)
Recorder: Jenny Aquino Kendall
Two examples of applying a systems research model to farming
enterprises were discussed. The focus of systems research
is to bring together the land manager and the public concept
with the scientific concept, so that the information
generated at the university level goes through a
practicality test. Says Michelle Wander, "If I never
deliver the information to the farmer, it can't be used, and
so the research fails." Michelle, a soil scientist at the
University of Illinois, has been working with Allen Williams
on developing soil health indicators. Allen says "I started
doing one-at-a-time testing on my farm, but once I began
working with Michelle, I started focusing on the overall
soil health. My benchmark is the natural state of soils,
and comparing how well my soils stack up."
Michelle wants to help Allen through developing soil health
measurements that will enable Allen's and other farmers'
decision making. This collaboration takes the agricultural
research several steps further than the typical research.
Rather than focusing on some soil average, the intent is to
find measurements that will indicate what direction and what
steps the farmer can take to increase overall soil health.
Another thing that distinguishes this 'systems approach'
from the typical approach was the participation of Illinois
farmers before the beginning of the project. A process was
established that enables Michelle and other scientists to
maintain continuing communication between farmers and
university researchers.
This up-front calling together to a common meeting ground is
again a distinguishing aspect of the systems research
approach discussed by Mike Rupprecht, a Minnesota farmer,
and Jay Dorsey, a graduate student in soil science at the
University of Minnesota. Mike is implementing a 'whole
systems' approach to stewarding his farm. Says Jay, "Before
beginning, we ask ourselves, 'Are we asking the right
questions?' and we keep asking ourselves this question....
good research always generates more questions." Part of
this systems approach involves the Monitoring Project, which
is farmer-motivated. For example, the Minnesota farmers
began to ask "Why are there so many toads with 6 legs?" The
Monitoring project seeks to increase awareness and improve
people's observational skills, both for the university
researcher and the land steward.
One surprising and welcome outcome of the systems approach
for Mike has been the coming of Bluebirds to the Rupprecht
farm. Bluebirds had never been seen before. Mike noticed
that Bobolinks nested in his extended rest MIG pasture.
Through observation, he has seen how the presence of animals
helps to establish grass and seedlings.
What's Ahead for PFI?
Participants: Richard Thompson, Gary Huber
Recorder: Jenny Aquino Kendall
Dick Thompson began the session on the direction of PFI by
showing the numbers of the past and present - the amounts of
grants and monies received and disbursed since the inception
of PFI. He noted how PFI is now at a critical juncture as
far as determining how PFI will function in the future and
pay for its functions as well. "The lesson here is
diversify, diversify, diversify. Our future will include
more partners (than we have had in the past), and if we are
successful, there will be more players."
Gary Huber then unveiled the new PFI logo with its sound
bite of "Farmers helping farmers make decisions." One
comment on the logo was made, that ..."maybe it should say
'good' or 'better' decisions - since not all decisions are
good decisions!" Gary then discussed the key points of the
strategic plan that PFI has been working on with consultant
Duane Sand. In general, PFI needs to take the lead and be
proactive in determining the direction of PFI in order to
make the most of strategic opportunities that arise. For
the strategic plan and hence the structure of PFI to
continue to work, it's going to continue to need good
leadership and management.
One idea that PFI is close to being able to put together is
cooperative alternative marketing for farm products. PFI is
also beginning to explore the partnerships that can help to
make things happen.
Some concern was expressed on the part of the attendees as
to the nature of the proposed partnerships. "Let's be
careful who we partner with," and "we don't want the tail
wagging the dog" were some of the sentiments expressed by
PFI members in attendance. Also raised was "How are these
partnerships going to aid the person in high school who says
'I want to farm'?". Another member mentioned that "...it
has always been PFI intention to open the door rather than
close the door to other organizations." And members also
"...hope that we maintain the uniqueness of the PFI
organization, especially the research and education."
Duane Sand mentioned there is incredible pent-up consumer
demand for the activities of PFI, especially as our society
moves toward a market, rather than government driven way of
doing business. "... seven years down the road, all of Iowa
is going to need what PFI already understands."
Marketing and Your Quality of Life Goals
Recorder: Jenny Aquino Kendall
Participants: Bill Burrows, (Dennis Abbas and Tom Frantzen
moderating)
Bill Burrows is an energetic cattleman, teacher, and
'agri-preneur' from California who shared his life values
and marketing successes with a slide show and good
discussions. Bill practices Holistic Resource Management
and credits this systems approach with saving the ranch. He
talks enthusiastically about converting sunlight energy
through his cattle, which in turn are his grass managers.
Bill gave several examples of observing and thinking about
how his cattle could do work that normally is handled
through large machinery, such as using cattle to save 'head
cuts' (erosion gullies) in his pastures.
The focus of the talk, however, was on marketing what you
have, and marketing in accordance with your own values,
whatever they are. He cautioned people not to take his
ideas and directly apply them - they wouldn't work, unless
they were completely in line with your values. He began his
marketing strategy by throwing a huge barbecue for his
neighbors, friends, and anyone who would come, and they had
a brainstorm session about what sorts of activities/products
people would pay for. Bill continues to brainstorm with his
clients, and views his clients as his partners.
The Burrows ranch makes the bulk of its income from
conducting supervised 'outdoor experiences.' Bill is
careful to distinguish these outdoor experiences from
hunting expeditions, and in fact will not allow trophy
hunters on his place - "Trophy hunters don't fit in with my
value system, and I only want clients who do fit in with my
value system." So Bill first figures out his values, then
seeks clients with those same values.
One of the outdoor experiences at the ranch is hunting
ground squirrels. Ground squirrels are a huge problem and
damaging pest. People pay to come shoot the ground
squirrels, which Bill then feeds to the wild pigs (also a
huge pest). The pigs, he notes, understand the difference
between rifle types, as well they might, because another
experience he markets is hunting wild pigs. Through these
experiences, Bill is able to provide recreation, steward the
wildlife on his farm, care for his family, and have a great
time doing it.
One of the first questions to arise in the audience was
"This is Iowa, not California, that would never work here,
our customers aren't the same." Bill's response:
"Investigate your own value system first, and market that."
He also noted that he didn't market within a 300 mile radius
of his home - he draws his customers from cities farther
away, and mentioned that Des Moines and Chicago were ready
markets for the kinds of experiences that Iowa farm life has
to offer. Bill also treats his customers as more than
customers - they are his guests. "It all goes back to
defining your value system first and having customers who
can be more than customers, can be guests."
Another audience member commented, "The brainstorming
session seems like a real good idea, especially the bringing
in of people from far away to bring in new ideas." Bill
said it works great, but you do need to exercise judgement
and be selective. "Bring in people compatible with your
own value system." He also says, "It's important to relate
the money and funding sources to the ranch mission and
values in order to know if the money/funding idea is a good
fit." He ended with "You folks have something fundamental
that urban people want...think about what you can market
that matches that need to your values."
Fools Rush In: Managing a Farm-Based
Business
Participants: Laura Krouse, Laura Freeman, Jane Woodhouse,
Susan Zacharakis-Jutz, Mark Tjelmeland (moderator)
Recorder: Connie Tjelmeland
Laura Krouse - Raises Neals Yellow Dent open pollinated corn
since 1988. Sells it for seed. Small but consistent
market. Also sells hay, straw, corn, soybeans from farm.
Began a CSA garden in 1996 - 10 families,
$200/family/season. Limitations - hiring help - don't know
how to do this. For CSA customer - chose people who like to
cook, have big families and people who LIKE her.
Jane Woodhouse - a spinner and weaver, since 1979 has done
production weaving. Also raises dairy goats and wool and
meat-type sheep. Processes wool - cards and dyes - and
sells to hand spinners. Sells spinning wheels and natural
dye extracts. Now contracts out production weaving to other
weavers in Iowa City. Marketing: likes this part very much
- ads, brochures, etc.
Susan Zacharakis-Jutz - Bought an 80-acre farm in 1994 with
a goal to make use of land and buildings and make a living
(a job for herself, husband has full time job with
Extension). Criteria for evaluating ideas:
1. What does our family value doing? What do we love?
Susan grew up on a farm. The children love goats.
2. What are our skills? What are we willing to learn?
3. Consider the characteristics of our land - highly
erodible, rolling.
4. Location - 20 minutes from Iowa City and Cedar Rapids.
5. Financial - Where will get the money to do what we want
to do? Banker encouraging, found an alternative loan
program - Linked Investments for Tomorrow. They have been
raising dairy goats for 8-years. Market the milk through an
Amish cooperative. They finish 800 pigs on contract.
Market organically fed lambs.
Laura Freeman (President of Laura's Lean Beefr): response to
these three entrepreneurs:
Laura Krouse - She has a wonderful instinct for marketing,
has done good consumer research. There is a market for her
seed business. CSA movement is booming. Fairly low risk.
Don't necessarily have to live near rich people.
Jane - Her highly specialized business can be worldwide via
UPS. She can develop niches through the mail. It's good to
be able to contract out production - you can't market and
produce yourself into the ground. Contract out the
simplest, most repetitive jobs first. Hers is a child-
friendly business.
Susan - She is wise to think through her goals carefully and
the budget process at the start. She is doing a good job
matching her production to a niche.
Kansas Ranchers Create Grass-Finished Beef Market
Participants: Earl Wright and Annie Wilson (Tallgrass
Prairie Producers Co-op), Ron Rosmann (moderator)
Recorder: Todd Kimm
Earl Wright, market coordinator for Tallgrass Prairie
Producers Co-op in the Kansas Flint Hills, shared the
challenges and rewards of starting a cooperative that
collectively produces, processes and markets grass fed beef.
The co-op formed in 1995 and today sells up to $1,000 in
beef each week to an area hospital, restaurant and direct to
consumers. Nine family ranches are involved. The idea was
to finish cattle on the bluestem grass that has grown wild
on the Flint Hills for thousands of years. In the 1860s and
'70s Texas ranchers sent their cattle by rail to Kansas for
finishing on this grass. The low fat content of grass-fed
beef fit perfectly with the growing market for lean, tender
beef. Genetics and aging provided the remaining ingredients
to ensure tenderness and consistency.
Wright said he wanted to give listeners a "system you can
use. You don't have to sell beef. You can sell wickets if
need be." Wright said that by marketing their product,
farmers can add as much as 20 percent to the return on their
investments. He summed up the philosophy as "forming a
co-op and taking control of what you get for what you
produce." Saying such a task is "not easy, but doable,"
Wright added that a group can accomplish anything if it can
work together. If the group can't work together, then it
won't accomplish much.
Insights Wright provided on his co-op's success included:
The members of a co-op must be active, attending
meetings, etc. Tallgrass Prairie Co-op members meet once a
month.
Members should have a great passion for the project.
Members without this degree of passion tend to drop out.
Co-op members should have about 20 hours of group
training to define individual skills and develop a method
for decision making.
Two key members are needed to take on the responsibility
for the details of starting the business.
Grant writing support may be needed, especially if a
start-up grant is needed. Tallgrass Co-op got a $35,000
start-up grant.
It is important that an environment is maintained where
the benefit of the co-op is put above the self interest of
its individuals.
Co-op chairperson and rancher Annie Wilson next presented a
slide show demonstrating how to tell consumers the "story"
of a business. Messages brought out through the use of
slides depicting Flint Hills flora and fauna included:
The cattle live a "free and open life" and are not as
susceptible to disease as feedlot cattle.
No fossil fuel is used to harvest feed; the animals
harvest their own.
The co-op is committed to conservation of natural
resources. Wilson said the co-op's story is also told at
Tallgrass Beef Days, where consumers can meet the people who
raise their food.
New Co-ops, New Possibilities
presenter: Larry Kallem (Iowa Institute for Cooperatives),
Paul Mugge (moderator)
recorder: Todd Kimm
Larry Kallem, Executive Director of the Iowa Institute for
Cooperatives, explained how farmers can take advantage of
recent legislation allowing them to form or join value-added
co-ops. The law, which went into effect this summer,
provides for co-ops which are designed to process the
commodities farmers produce into forms closer to their final
use by consumers. Other states have allowed such co-ops for
some time. Examples of successful co-ops include American
Crystal Sugar Company in North Dakota and Minnesota Corn
Processors.
Under the law, a certain number of shares are issued, each
with delivery rights for a certain volume of a commodity.
More shares may be offered later if a co-op's facility is
expanded. The shares are transferable. They are marketable
and their value may appreciate or depreciate. Shares can be
sold when the original owner no longer needs the delivery
rights. The shares can also be used as collateral. At
least 60 percent of the equity and voting control of these
co-ops must be held by farmers.
Kallem said a group of beet farmers bought the American
Crystal Sugar Company 20 years ago. "At first they had a
rough go of it," he said, but after three years things
started to look up. Kallem added that co-op members need to
be committed to delivering their commodity of choice year
after year.
Kallem said there will be times when a farmer is selling to
a co-op for less than he could get on the market. This is a
sacrifice the farmer must make for stability. In the end,
that farmer will average a greater profit.
Radical changes in agriculture are posing two questions,
said Kallem: "who will control it and who will build? Many
believe farmers can be the answer to both, if they will."
He called value-added co-ops "the best game in town for Iowa
agriculture."
Kallem next showed a video giving an overview of several
value-added co-ops in Renville, Minnesota Co-ops there deal
in commodities which include pork, poultry and fish.
During the question and answer period, a woman worried that
farmers choosing not to join a co-op or get big won't "have
a chance." Kallem answered "there's no good reason in the
world why they can't compete," but added that these farmers
may need to form joint marketing agreements with other
farmers.
17^ LIMITED MEMBERSHIP CO-OPS: ISSUES RAISED
Rick Exner
One of the workshops at the PFI annual meeting was on
limited-membership cooperatives, a business structure
recently authorized by the Iowa Legislature.
Limited-membership co-ops have been a fixture in North
Dakota and Minnesota for some time. Iowa Institute of
Cooperatives Executive Director Larry Kallem began the
workshop with a short video of such co-ops in the Renville,
Minnesota area. Prior to the session, Larry said he
realized that if PFI members ever used this kind of co-op,
they would probably be on a different scale from the co-ops
in Renville, but the video provides some examples for
discussion.
The workshop was attended by a PFI member from Minnesota who
contacted us afterwards. Becky Ault, Austin, MN, wrote that
some of these co-ops have made themselves just as unpopular
as many of the industrial-style hog production corporations,
and for similar reasons. "They have split communities,
added anger to an already (long) list of farming stresses,
devalued the land surrounding the co-ops, and there are more
waiting behind the curtain to stretch the limits of what the
community can tolerate."
I visited with Mark Schultz, Policy and Organizing Director
for the Minnesota-based Land Stewardship Project (LSP).
Schultz said traditionally cooperatives have been for
service, not for profit. When a co-op becomes a corporation
that is itself involved in production agriculture, it
becomes farmers' competitor, and a formidable one at that,
he said. Size gives such co-ops advantages in access to
credit and prices, and size also leads to environmental
problems such as waste disposal and odor.
Schultz offered as example the Renville co-op ValAdCo (for
"value-added corn"), which was begun by some wealthy corn
and sugar beet farmers. Unlike many local hog production
networks, ValAdCo retains ownership of hogs and contracts
the finishing. They originally produced hogs under a
"breeding stock" exemption to Minnesota corporate farming
laws until it was shown that most hogs were going to market.
Schultz reported the co-op fought regulation to require 75%
of stockholders be livestock producers and 51% of
stockholders be farmers.
While LSP has no fundamental criticism of limited-membership
cooperatives devoted to activities like processing (say, a
pasta plant started by wheat growers), "raising pigs is a
farming activity, not processing," observed Schultz. "These
co-ops may be a Midwestern way to become (like) Murphy
Farms," he said.
19^ ROLLIN' THE COB
Editors' note: Our cob rollers were thinking ahead to
calving season when they got together for this column at the
end of January. Here are some of their tips for getting
through that time successfully. They also had one eye on
the cattle market.
Tom Frantzen
1. I prefer to use a low birthweight angus bull with an
angus-Limousine cross stock cow as a basic ease-of-calving
strategy. I have successfully adopted a calf to a different
cow by tying a large piece of the dead calf's hide on the
foster calf.
2. To estimate the acres needed to support a cow herd, I
multiply the cow numbers by 1.75. This includes winter hay.
We look at the entire farming system when evaluating the
economics of a cow herd. A diverse, long term rotation with
a cow herd and organic grain production looks to be the most
profitable. The only safe time to expand any business is
during depressed circumstances, low prices, excess
production, etc.
Ron Rosmann
Here are some of the strategies and experiences that we have
had dealing with the broad topic of calving management.
Nearly all of these lessons have been based on experiences
in raising cattle over the years. Some of these experiences
have been learned the hard way. That seems to be the teacher
that you remember the most. First a little background
information about our herd. We have 81 cows to calve this
spring. Twenty-four of them are first-calf heifers. The
predominant mother cow is Simmental-Red Angus. Our bulls
are predominantly Red Angus. Our heifers are bred to an
easy-calving purebred Red Angus who still has good growth
potential. We do use pelvic measurements when selecting our
heifers for breeding. I also use ADG's for selecting them.
We used to calve in February and March until about 10 years
ago. We were pulling too many calves, the calves got
scours, etc. Since learning about rotational grazing, many
other things changed as well. Now our main herd starts to
calve around April 15. The calves are born out in one of
the paddocks if at all possible, depending on the weather.
We have about a 70-day calving period. First-calf heifers
are calved starting around March 15. The bulk of these will
be born in the barn and then moved out as soon as possible.
We feed our cows differently than we used to. First of all,
they stay out in the fields all winter. Supplemental feed
is hauled to them on a field that will be plowed the
following spring and planted to corn. That way the feed is
spread out over the entire field in small piles, and so is
the manure too! The ration consists of one-third corn
stalks, one-third good hay, one-third oats-stubble hay. All
bales are tub-ground and mixed together. I should add that
supplemental feed is used only if necessary.
Here are some specific things that may help during the
actual calving time: First of all be patient, especially
with first calf heifers. Don't think you have to pull just
because you see the front legs sticking out for some time.
If you think there is a problem, put the cow in a stanchion
or a head gate. I quit the rope about 7 years ago. It was
a smart move. We now have a head gate with two swinging
gates so that the cow and calf-puller both have plenty of
room to swing. I should say that with 70 cows calving last
spring, about 4 had to be pulled. Three of these were
first-calf heifers.
If you do have a hard pull, or if the calf is big and has
had a hard delivery, get some colostrum into the calf while
the mother is in the headgate. Big calves may be suffering
from some oxygen deprivation which may contribute to not
learning to suck right away, thus the term "big dummy" seems
especially fitting. I use a stomach tube to get the
colostrum into the calf. I'll worry about the calf learning
to suck the next morning. If you can't get a calf to learn
how to suck no matter what you seem to do, try letting it
get good and hungry. You will probably win in the end as
the calf figures out food isn't such an impossible task
after all. The best place for a calf to learn how to suck
is with its mother out in the corner of the paddock on a
bright spring day. Sometimes, calves have a difficult time
sucking on teets that are too big or on milk-bags that are
too close to the ground. Consider getting rid of that cow!
One of the critical things that we continue to learn is that
the cow is supposed to work for you, not you work for the
cow. Use that as your guiding philosophy.
Sometimes you may have an orphan calf or a twin calf that
you want another cow to adopt. If you have a dead calf to
work with, the best thing to do is to skin the dead calf and
tie the skin on the calf you want the cow to adopt. This
usually works quickly. If we have trouble getting a cow to
accept another calf, she is put in the headgate with one leg
tied back so that you can work with the calf. A "working"
chute with side rails works even better as the leg does not
have to be tied up so she won't kick you. I usually hold
the calf up with my left leg. If this gets too tiring, I
prop the calf up on a bale of straw. Sometimes it may take
4-5 days for a cow to accept another calf, but we've always
won the battle so far.
Remember that calving problems should be the exception, not
the rule. But there will always be a few difficulties and
challenges. That goes with the business. We look forward
to calving each year with anticipation and excitement. It
truly is a joy to discover three or four new calves on a
bright spring morning when you go out to the pasture paddock
to check the cows. Have a great calving season!
Margaret Smith - Calving Management/Calf Care
We will begin calving this year on April 10 and have 14
heifers to calve. After two calving seasons, we know that
our RX3 composites (½ Red Angus, ¼ Hereford, and ¼ Red
Holstein) have a shorter gestation period (278 days) than
average, so we can plan accordingly and not be surprised as
we were two years ago! We are learning to be patient with
heifers. I know that old-timers can sense when delivery of
a calf has gone too slowly and they need to lend a hand, but
I probably get as anxious as any of the young 'girls' if she
seems slow to deliver. I have found 'How to Handle Calving
Difficulties' (GPE-3653 in the Iowa Extension Beef Handbook)
a help in understanding the time frame and stages of a
normal delivery.
Stage I: The cow's contractions are evident every 4 to 5
minutes at the beginning of stage 1 and are about ½ to 3
minutes apart at the end of this stage. Toward the end of
stage I, the water bag begins to protrude through the
cervix, which is about _ dilated. This stage lasts 2 to 3
hours in a cow, but 4 to 5 hours in a heifer.
Stage II: During this period, the cow or heifer becomes less
aware of her surroundings and concentrates on her
contractions. The intervals between contractions still
varies from 1½ to 3½ minutes, but the animal's straining
becomes stronger. Once the water bag appears outside the
vagina (about ½ hour into stage II - longer for a heifer
with a big calf), the feet should not be far behind. This
is the time for caution. There is a temptation, if these
early stages have been slow, to hitch up to that calf and
pull. But when those hooves first appear, the cervix is not
yet fully dilated. Pulling too early can result in tearing
or rupture and a heifer that won't breed back. After the
feet appear, expect 30 or 40 strains (15 seconds to 1½
minutes apart) until the tongue appears. Another 20 strains
and the nose should appear (again, slower, with bigger
calves).
Another 50 strains will usually bring the head to light,
then 6 to 10 strains to full delivery.
Stage III: The final labor stage is passing the afterbirth.
This usually happens within 1 to 2 hours, but occasionally
may be several hours.
What an amazing process! It seems fraught with potential
problems, but usually follows Mother Nature's rules and
happens like clockwork. The calving publication also has
good diagrams of abnormal fetal presentations and
descriptions of how to manipulate the calf into proper
position. Based on the permutations that can occur (though
rare), my directions should probably read: 1-800-Call-Rich
(our veterinarian). The only time we should have acted
faster was with a large calf that was in a posterior
presentation with the back feet first. That situation does
call for a rush job.
For me, calving is the best and happiest time on the farm.
I can't wait for warmer weather and those little critters.
Time to expand the cow herd? All indications of our
position in the cattle price cycle tell me that it's a very
good time to be building our cow herd by retaining heifers.
We have been in that mode since starting with different
genetics in 1994 and would like to continue. We are
constrained, though, by availability of grazing land in our
neighborhood. We have seeded 60 acres for hay and grazing
that will cycle through a 5-year grain and forage rotation,
but need some permanent pasture as well to fill our needs.
Permanent pasture should hold up better under cow hoof
traffic during wet conditions and would allow us to graze
younger stock on the rotational pasture. Until then, we
will concentrate on tightening our breeding season and
improving grazing management for our 30-cow herd.
Roger Schlitter - managing the cycles
These thoughts apply to the cow-calf business in general. I
started out by thinking about managing calving, but I
decided you cannot manage calving without managing the cow
herd. The cow herd must have an adequate feed source that
provides the proper nutrition throughout the year. This
means a program that covers the entire year, because the
entire year is part of the calving process. Getting cows
bred in a timely fashion, having the right amount of
condition on the cows, and providing the right nutrition for
the unborn calf and, ultimately, the newborn calf - this is
a nonstop cycle. Nutrition is what makes all these items
fit together. Take a look at what the pork industry has
done in recent years to improve productivity, and you will
see that a closely managed nutrition program is a big part
of this improvement.
The cow-calf producer must have good quality breeding stock
to get the best results. Start with good seedstock and buy
good quality bulls or use AI to improve the herd. Long term
results will be best when you have a good herd to build on.
Finally, strive in all ways to be a least-cost producer.
This includes types of feed used, methods of harvesting,
storing and using the feed, and management of the pasture
program for optimum results. It also includes expenditures
for facilities and equipment, fencing, and land.
I find that there are always alternative ways of doing
things, and I am amazed at the resourcefulness of individual
producers in finding better ways of running their business.
It is helpful to keep an open mind to what other producers
are doing. But run alternatives through your own thought
process to see if something new or different can help you.
Those are keys to finding the things that will make you a
low-cost producer.
A few thoughts about expanding or rebuilding the cow herd.
A quick look at the past shows us that the cattle business
really does cycle on a regular basis. We have been at lower
price levels in recent years, and it is likely that we will
turn the corner and see better prices in the future. You
will want a young and possibly larger herd when that happens
in order to get maximum benefit from the better market. I
do not see this as a "guess when the business will be good"
management plan, but a steady, managed process of culling,
adding additional breeding stock when prices are lower,
and/or retaining additional heifers to add to the breeding
herd for the up part of the cattle cycle. This means you
just keep your long-term goals in mind at all times. Do not
make long-term decisions based on short-term circumstances.
>From my perspective, the best thing a farmer can do is keep
their business in a financial position that allows them to
make their own management decisions.
21^ Internship in Sustainable Agriculture
Rick Exner
Many Iowa farmers host exchange students and other temporary
guests, but until now there has been no organized program in
Iowa for such people to learn about sustainable agriculture.
That may be about to change, thanks to a University of
Minnesota agronomist named Craig Sheaffer. Craig has
invited PFI to take part in an internship program that has
functioned in Minnesota for several years.
An informational meeting was set for Thursday, February 20,
in Ames. University of Minnesota representative Darrell Cox
was scheduled to describe the program in Minnesota and
discuss ideas to make internships a positive experience for
both hosts and interns.
The Minnesota internship program is reportedly popular.
Here are some example comments from a recent intern: "My
name is Barb Wingen, and I am currently enrolled at the U.
of MN, majoring in Agronomy. When I graduate, I will have a
minor in Sustainable Agriculture, so the opportunity to take
an internship with the Sustainable Farming Association (SFA)
North Central Chapter interested me (especially since I was
raised on a standard corn/soybean farm in Southern
Minnesota). I wanted to learn what made a farm
"sustainable" and how it differs from conventional farming.
In all honesty I didn't know anything about sustainable
agriculture, except that it involved environmentally
conscious decision making. With that, I was off on a
learning adventure that would last five weeks on five
different farms during the summer of '96."
"I had a great time on my internship, and the people
involved were all extremely helpful. I learned a tremendous
amount and gained some invaluable practical experience. I
was able to work with a wide variety of crops and animals
and learned what sustainable agriculture really was. I want
to thank the SFA for this opportunity - especially my hosts.
These people are truly committed to and enthusiastic about
farming in a sustainable way. Their lives are dedicated to
the preservation of a nonrenewable resource we oftentimes
take for granted - our land."
If you are interested to know what happened at the Feb. 20
meeting, please contact Rick Exner, 515-294-5486.
21^ Seeking Work on Diversified Farm
Bruce Trca-Black, who will be graduating from Iowa State
University in May, is looking for year-round work on a
diversified farm (or farms). Along with a degree in
Agricultural Studies, Bruce's background includes growing up
on a central Iowa farm. He has had experience with corn,
soybeans, hay and some sheep & poultry. He would like to
gain experience with livestock (preferably cattle) and all
aspects of diversified farm management and operation. Bruce
and his wife Sandy (also a May graduate of the College of
Agriculture), are both willing to learn, enthusiastic, and
motivated about sustainable agriculture. Bruce would be
very willing to work out an arrangement with more than one
farmer in an area.
Bruce Trca-Black
26156 530th Ave., Ames, IA 50010
phone: (515) 296-1790
email: bblack@iastate.edu
22^ NOTES AND NOTICES
North-Central Meeting March 15
Holistic Management practitioner Dan French will speak at
the morning meeting in Iowa Falls. Call 515-456-4328 for
information.
Agroforestry Satellite Broadcast March 20
Farmers, other land owners, and agency personnel are invited
to hook up to a national satellite broadcast on agroforestry
Thursday, March 20. Hosted by the National Agroforestry
Center, in Lincoln, NE, the three-hour session will provide
information on different kinds of practices that combine
woody crops and agriculture and how to incorporate these
techniques into conservation systems for farms, ranches,
tree farms, and communities. The event will feature taped
footage of example projects and the farmers and ranchers who
implemented them, and call-in periods will take comments and
questions from viewers around the country. To get more
information about the program, broadcast time, and satellite
coordinates, call 402-437-5178, ext. 41.
SARE Producer Grant Program Taking Applications
The Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program
of the USDA is once again inviting farmers and ranchers in
the north-central states to submit project ideas relating to
"higher profits, environmental stewardship, or community
development." Grants will be up to $5,000 for individual
producers, and grants to groups of producers can be up to
$10,000. As always, it is important for producers to
involve local information providers (agency types, business,
educators) and to include an "outreach" component in their
proposal.
Funding decisions will be made in late June, and funds will
be available in the fall for the 1998 production season. A
number of PFI members have obtained SARE grants in the past.
Last year, Dave and Lin Zahrt, Turin, improved their loess
hills pasture with help from a SARE grant. For more
information, call the SARE office at 402-274-7081 or Jerry
DeWitt at 515-294-1923.
Midwest's Largest Organic Conference March 7, 8
The 8th Annual Upper Midwest Organic Farming conference
(UMOFC) will be held in Sinsinawa, Wisconsin, on Friday and
Saturday, March 7-8. This year's conference, From the Soil
to the Sale - Building Farms and Communities, features over
50 workshops covering every aspect of organic agriculture
from flame weeding to flower farming. Learn from
experienced growers, educators, and marketers. Workshops
include: living mulch; farm equipment researching; the
home-grown chicken business; grain marketing panel;
community in CSA; soil building; regional food systems;
holistic approach to udder health; improving open-pollinated
corn; and federal organic standards panel. Presenters
include Kate Clancy (Wallace Institute for Alternative
Agriculture) and Bill Heffernan (University of Missouri at
Columbia).
Registration is $65 and includes breakfast and breaks.
Organic meals and child care are available for a fee. Call
715-772-6819 for more information and to make sure there is
still room.
International Organic Meeting in Cedar Rapids
Following hard on the UMOFC (see above), the 13th Organic
Crop Improvement Association (OCIA) International Annual
General Membership Meeting will come to the Cedar Rapids
Collins Plaza Hotel and Convention Center, March 11-15.
Regis Zweigart, President of the Iowa chapter of OCIA, said
the conference is "geared to show the world what OCIA has to
offer its chapters and inspectors - as well as producers,
processors, traders, and consumers of organic foods and
fibers." A few features of the week-long meeting: Tuesday,
March 11 - OCIA annual general membership meeting (and other
sessions throughout the week); Wednesday, March 12 - crop
improvement panel with U.S. and international participants
12:45-2:00 (open to the public), inspector orientation,
chapter workshops; Thursday, March 12 - tours of Amana
Colonies, Frontier Herbs, Seed Savers Exchange; Friday,
March 14 - consumer awareness of organic panel; Saturday,
March 15 - workshops and exhibits 2:00-7:00 (open to the
public). Preregistration for the whole conference is $240
after Feb. 24, but one-day registration is just $25. Send
registration checks to: OCIA International, 10001 Y St.,
Suite B, Lincoln. NE, 68508-1172. Direct information
requests to Regis Zweigart, 319-454-6358.
Flame Cultivation Meeting March 18
The Second Annual Flame Cultivation Round Table Dialogue is
set for Tuesday, March 18, from 9:30-3:00, in the St. Mary
Catholic Church (1303 West Broadway), in Winona, Minnesota.
If you are interested in flame cultivation or you have
results to share (any crop), you are invited to take part in
the discussion. Don't look for any experts up in the front
of the room. One reason the conversation at last year's
meeting was so great was because they pulled the chairs into
a circle, says organizer Dwight Ault.
There is no pre-registration for the event. A hat will be
passed to cover refreshments. For more information, or in
case of "iffy" weather, call Dwight at 507-437-3085.
Women in Agriculture Conference in Iowa City March 8
A one-day conference at the Highlander Inn outside Iowa City
will motivate and inform women involved in agriculture.
Workshops include: The Tools and Rules of the Road for
Financing and Investing in Agriculture for the 21st Century;
Retirement/Estate Planning; Business/Family Issues in
Two-Generation Farming; Building Communities for Tomorrow;
and Stand Out, Step Out, Lead. The keynote session, The
Megatrends of Business and Financing for the 21st Century,
will be given by David Kohl, professor of agricultural
finance and small business at Virginia Polytechnic
University. Registration for the conference costs $35 after
Feb. 25. For more information contact Janet Garkey at
319-337-2145.
What Is In A Name?
(Editors' note: These reflections by farmer Marty
Kleinschmit appeared in the December, 1996 issue of The
Beginning Farmer, a newsletter of the Nebraska-based Center
for Rural Affairs.)
The word "producer" is commonly used instead of "farmer" or
"rancher." The dictionary even defines a producer as one
who grows agricultural products. It likens farmers and
ranchers to machines that spit out product but fails to
consider the planning, managing, and labor they contribute
every day.
The term producer also hints that a farmer or rancher has no
greater mission in life than to produce. It implies that
the measure of their success is the quantity, not quality,
they "produce."
I prefer being called a farmer or rancher. These words add
a sense of responsibility for the land, the animals, and the
people involved along with a level of production. Farmers
and ranchers have higher motives than mere production.
Compost Procurement and Use Workshop March 18
A one-day workshop on how to purchase and use compost will
take place Tuesday, March 18, sponsored by the Leopold
Center for Sustainable Agriculture, the Composting Council,
and the Waste Management Assistance Division of the Iowa
DNR. Preferred compost characteristics for specific
applications will be defined, and application methods will
be discussed. The meeting may prove useful to farmers,
landscapers, horticulturists, nurseries, sod producers, and
state agencies. For more information about the meeting,
contact Garth Frable, WMAD, at 515-281-5105.
Two New Resources Printed in Minnesota
Knee Deep in Grass: A Survey of 29 Grazing Operations in
Minnesota is a 36-page booklet from the University of
Minnesota that touches on just about every aspect of
grazing: business management strategies; holistic resource
management; operational changes; pasture layout and
management; weed management; grazing dates; forage testing;
and converting hay land and crop land. $5 plus $2 shipping
(MN residents add 6½% sales tax) paid to University of
Minnesota. Order from MES Distribution Center, U. of M.,
1420 Eckles Ave., St. Paul, MN, 55108-6069.
Monitoring Sustainable Agriculture with Conventional
Agricultural Data, by Dick Levins, is a Land Stewardship
Project publication and the first product of the Biological,
Social, and Financial Monitoring Team. The report of Dick
Levins' talk at the PFI winter meeting (page 4) will give
you a sense of the content. As the flyer for the booklet
states, "We normally think of using income and expense
figures to measure progress toward the goal of earning
profits. Surely, farmers in sustainable agriculture are
concerned about feeding their families and paying their
bills, but those are not their only goals in life." With
examples, Levins lays out four indicators in addition to
profit that farmers can use to evaluate the sustainability
of their operations. $7 (MN residents add 6½% sales tax)
from: Land Stewardship Project, 2200 Fourth St., White Bear
Lake, MN, 55110. For information and bulk orders call (612)
653-0618.
25^ Grazing Conferences Around the Midwest
The third ISU Management Intensive Grazing Symposium took
place Jan. 22-23, in Newton. The program lacked the "big
names" in grazing who appeared in some other Midwest grazing
meetings this winter, but it contained useful information on
skills no livestock producer can ignore. A special section
on stockers was well attended and featured veterinarians and
cattle buyers. The focus here was on animal health issues
and marketing. Symposium proceedings are available for $10
from ISU Extension (515-294-2240). Topics included: pasture
weaning; streambank stabilization; year-'round grazing;
grazing animal health; buy-sell strategies for stockers;
stockpiled grazing; and pasture lambing.
Stevens Point, Wisconsin Grazing Conference Rundown
Jim Hageman, Calmar
(Editors' note: Jim Hageman is a dairy farmer and active in
the Winneshiek County pasture walk network. He attended the
Wisconsin conference Jan. 19-20.)
I attended the Grazing Facilitators Workshop on Jan. 19.
The discussion was on current SARE grant projects in MN & WI
and possible future needs.
Tom Wrchota - Beef grazer from Omro, WI. Reported on
grass-fed beef, 2 lb/day rate of gain on grass with Galloway
cattle. Direct marketed there beef, small size operation.
Marcie Herk - Dairy grazer from Stevens Point, WI.
Reported on lane repair project, hired contractor to grade
and surface lanes with reclaimed road material. She was
very pleased with the results. Also reported success
broadcast seeding red clover in May.
Dennis Johnson - Univ. Of MN Experiment Station, Morris, MN.
Reported on multiple year research on evaluating pasture
evolution under intensive grazing, systems to improve
stands. Research on nitrate leaching in grazing systems.
Research on stockpiling @ date to start growing for winter
needs, date to start using stockpiled forage and the effect
on pasture with various amounts of residue cover for winter.
Too soon for report on project.
Art Thicke - LaCrescent MN. Dairy grazer, Art's farm is one
of six farms in MN & WI in an on-farm monitoring project to
study the effects of rotational grazing on lifestyle,
profitability, soil quality (fertility, water infiltration,
forage species, wildlife), stream bank management and the
effect on wildlife by leaving some paddocks ungrazed until
Aug. The goal of this project is to combine practical
on-farm research to serve as a model for others. No results
yet available.
Dan Undersander - UW Agronomy, Madison, WI. Discussed
issues relating to outdoor winter housing of livestock and
the non-farm public's perception of these management
practices. The public needs to be educated on the health
benefits of outdoor housing.
Another topic of discussion was the shortage of custom
operators for machine hire as more graziers sell their
equipment or don't replace it to reduce expenses. Some
counties already are experiencing shortages. Possibly
Extension could promote the development of more custom
operators. Some dairymen may chose to do custom work
instead of dairy if there is a demand.
25^ FLEDGLING PASTURE POULTRY ORGANIZATION ANNOUNCED
(Editors' note: this press release was sent in by PFI member
Margaret Smith, who saw it on the Internet.)
Pastured poultry producers will be excited to learn of the
organization of the American Pastured Poultry Producers
Association (APPPA). Anyone interested in pastured poultry
production is encouraged to become a member of APPPA. A
quarterly newsletter is planned to promote the exchange of
ideas and information among producers. Reviews of federal
and state laws regarding on-farm processing of poultry will
be featured in the newsletter. Sources of chickens, chicken
feed and rations, production and processing equipment - new
and used, marketing ideas and referrals will add to the
usefulness of the newsletter. APPPA will also develop a
database of farmers actively producing pastured poultry, not
only for networking purposes among members but, also, for
consumers looking for high-quality chicken in their area.
As Joel Salatin, one of the founders of APPPA, says so
eloquently, "We'll be glad to assist and encourage in any
way we can to see more folks enjoy an agriculture that is
emotionally, environmentally and economically enhancing
enough to romance the next generation into it - the ultimate
sustainability. Beautifully, this enables consumers to have
freedom of choice with their food dollar."
The need for such an organization to facilitate the
networking and sharing of information among producers who
raise poultry on pasture has long been felt. Joel Salatin
of Swoope, Virginia, whose pioneering poultry raising ideas
and example have inspired small scale farmers throughout the
U.S., and Diane Kaufmann of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, one
of the early producers following Salatin's methods, have
joined forces with Heifer Project International (HPI) to
launch this new organization. HPI is a private, non-profit
organization that provides funds for livestock, training and
technical support for limited-resource rural families and
communities to help themselves. HPI has received a SARE/ACE
grant to integrate pastured poultry production into the
farming systems of limited-resource farmers. Part of this
grant includes monies to help with the formation of APPPA,
which will provide a forum for furthering education and
outreach, not only for the farmers HPI will be working with
but existing and potential producers as well.
To join, send $20.00 to APPPA, c/o Diane Kaufmann, 5207 70th
St., Chippewa Falls, WI 54729. For more information,
contact Diane at 715/723-2293 or Email:
dkaufman@discover-net.net.
26^ IDENTITY-PRESERVED IS GROWING
Rick Exner
This winter several conferences have demonstrated the
growing interest in value-added marketing. The latest was
Identity-Preserved Grain Opportunities, the Feb. 3 meeting
in Ames sponsored by Dupont, Insta-Pro International, and
the Iowa Soybean Promotion Board. "Crops as factories" was
the description given by Matt Renkoski of Dupont Optimum
Quality Grains. He cited the examples of high oil corn,
high sucrose soybeans, high lysine beans, and soybeans with
high oleic acid that makes the oil stable for frying. The
"value chain," according to Renkoski, runs from trait
development, to variety development, to grain production, to
handling and processing. However, he said, for the farmer
"we're talking pennies per bushel, not dollars per bushel."
Kent Nelson, of the American Soybean Association, focused on
the Japanese market, whose 100 million bushel appetite for
U.S. soybeans adds 60-70 cents to the commodity price here.
These beans go for human consumption in a country with per
capita income of $36,000. The raw material price of the
soybean is only ten percent of the cost after handling and
processing into tofu. Consequently the Japanese can demand
- and pay for - quality soybeans. That will be a strong
factor in the growth of identity-preserved ("I.P.")
production/marketing.
Jim Traub spoke as a representative of Clarkson Grain, an
Illinois company that now makes half its profits from
identity-preserved markets. Traub described two approaches
to I.P. marketing. The first he described as
"supercommodities." These are high-volume, low-premium
categories like non-genetically-altered soybeans for the
European and Japanese markets. Another example might be
"IOM" soybeans. Beans grown in Indiana, Ohio, and Michigan
(IOM) tend to have higher protein. Clear hilum beans that
are IOM may draw a 20-cent premium. Traub believes that
variety selection is a better way to achieve specific
content, but these soybeans will likely cost more. The
second approach to I.P. is niche marketing and marketing
directly to processors like those in Japan. Niche markets
are smaller, but premiums can be much higher than with
supercommodities.
A brief telephone survey turned up several opportunities for
Iowa producers to enter I.P. food-grade soybean markets.
Most have been used by various PFI members. If you are
aware of others, please share that information with the
newsletter editors.
Clarkson Grain Company
Cerro Gordo and Beardstown, IL
800-453-3973
Beardstown is 75 miles from southeast Iowa, so even though
farmers contracting with Clarkson are required to deliver,
the trucking may not be prohibitive. Company rep Roger
Hendricker deals with a variety of organic and conventional
grains including a little buckwheat, popcorn and dry beans,
but the bulk of the business is corn and soybeans. They
work with three categories of organic soybeans: premium
(large beans, specific varieties, very clean, bagged for
export), smaller organic soybeans (domestic food uses), and
clean-out (for organic livestock feed). The company
contracts at flat prices for organic soybeans. Premium
quality Vinton 81 soybean are contracting at $16-$18 per
bushel this winter. They are paying $9.50 for organic
clean-out beans. Non-organic tofu beans are being
contracted for $0.80-$2 above futures price, depending on
the variety. Clarkson is contracting for yellow organic
corn at $4.50 per bushel.
Fairview Farms
Corwith, IA
515-583-2198
This company is buying specifically HP204 tofu soybeans,
with other varieties paying less. Their production
protocols call for no insecticides and for no herbicides
after a certain time (around last cultivation). They are
contracting at $3 over Chicago Board of Trade for clean
beans delivered to Ames or Kanawha.
North Country Seeds
Ormsby, MN
800-992-0034
This company bought out the Pioneer Hi-Bred Intl. Better
Life program for pesticide-free tofu soybeans, and that is
the category they concentrate on still. Joel Raabe said the
company is probably approaching the desired number of
contract acres, but producers are welcome to call. North
Country has been contracting for pesticide-free HP204
soybeans at the farm gate for a $3.60 premium. The company
picks up the beans at the farm, but the farmer needs storage
capability. Although HP204 is adapted to northern Iowa,
Raabe said the firm is contracting virtually across the
state.
Pacific Soybean and Grain
San Francisco, CA and Story City, IA
515-733-4202
David Springer is the Iowa representative of this company.
He is concentrating on organic soybeans but also works with
pesticide-free and conventional clear hilum beans. He
expects that Pacific will eventually begin to use some of
their own high-protein varieties as well. They presently
pay the greatest premium - up to $19 per delivered, clean
bushel - for certified organic Vinton, Iowa2020, and HP204.
However, he says, he typically starts with whatever clear
hilum bean a farmer likes to grow and then works backward to
develop markets. Pesticide-free soybeans are bringing a
$1-$3 premium from the company, depending on variety.
Springer says conventionally raised, clear hilum beans are
probably "not worth it" for the producer unless they are a
variety like HP204, in which case they can bring a premium
of around $1.50 per bushel. The company has delivery points
for organic beans in southeast, central, and western Iowa
and several in southern Minnesota. Conventionally produced
soybeans can be delivered to an even greater number of
elevators around the state.
Heartland Organic Marketing Cooperative
Harlan, IA
712-627-4217 voice and fax
A few years ago a group of Iowa members of the OCIA (Organic
Crop Improvement Association) decided that if they marketed
together they could generate enough production to bypass
several levels of middlemen. Co-op rep Ken Rosmann reports
they are now dealing directly with soybean wholesalers and
some end-users in Japan and with a growing number of
domestic end users. Currently they are contracting for
ordinary clear hilum organic soybeans at $14-14½ per bushel.
For Vinton variety soybeans (preferred by Japanese buyers
but lower yielding) the contracts are $18-18½ per bushel.
In 1997, the co-op may expand into oats and corn. They are
also keeping track of new soybean varieties being developed
for the food market at ISU. Only members can market through
the co-op, but lifetime membership is only the price of a
(refundable) $250 fee. Ken Rosmann reports that markets are
growing faster than supply, and the co-op could use
additional members.
I.P. Soybean Cooperators Wanted
Are you thinking of raising some kind of identity-preserved
soybeans this year? If so, PFI would like to work with you
to generate information about I.P. soybean production
methods and costs. In return for your work you would
receive up to $400, with an additional $250 if you decide to
hold a field day. Please contact PFI coordinator Rick
Exner, 515-294-5486.
24^ On-Farm Research Opportunities
Mo Ghaffarzadeh
I have been trying to do on-farm demonstration and
eventually research projects with a few farmers. In last
few years I have been welcomed and appreciate the
opportunity to work with some of you. As part of my
research objectives I'm trying to find alternative crops and
improve efficiency of land use by cover crops. We have
learned much about berseem clover and how it can fit in
different cropping system with your cooperation. Next
growing season I would like to continue that and again
reaching for your help. I have several demonstration,
observation and preliminary research ideas and would like to
use your input in conducting them. Following are the topics
which I need someone to collaborate with. Also, any new
suggestion are welcomed.
Overseeding berseem clover in sunflower crop (preferably
organic farm)
Underseeding berseem clover with small grain or grasses as
annual forage crop
Overseeding berseem clover in silage corn or sweet corn
Intercropping (overseeding or underseeding) berseem clover
with small grains as cover crop
Interseeding berseem clover with oat or grass for grazing
Using oat/ berseem clover in rotation during transition
period from conventional to organic production system
Seeding berseem clover in removed male rows in seed-corn
production
Intercropping berseem clover with corn (preferably organic).
For those that are interested I will provide seeds, help to
design plot plan, collect data and information, and prepare
a summary of the results. Please contact me at:
Mohammad Ghaffarzadeh ("Dr. Mo")
3503 Agronomy Hall
ISU Ames, Iowa 50011
Phone: (515) 294-7845
28^ PFI Profile: Paul and Karen Mugge, Sutherland
Jenny Kendall
Summary:
narrow strip intercropping of corn, beans, and oats
specialty crops
early-wean hog nursery and finishing hogs
(See also the graphic files farmdiag.wmf and muggedat.wmf,
available for downloading)
Meet the Mugge family - Karen and Paul, Charity (married and
in college), Melissa (17), and Taylor (8). Don't bother to
phone them on a night when one of the kids has a sporting
event - Paul and Karen will be there cheering. At 6'5",
Paul has the appearance of an athlete, himself. But it was
his height that nearly kept him from his dream of flying.
Ultimately, Paul decided instead of flying 'em, he'd learned
to make 'em. After graduating from Iowa State University
with a B.S. in aerospace engineering in 1974, he went to
work for the Boeing Company, in Seattle, Washington.
It was in Seattle that Paul and Karen met and married, but
when Paul's father decided to retire from farming, they took
the opportunity to return to Iowa. "It was March 5, 1975,
to be exact," says Karen. "Let me tell you, that first year
was something." But she learned to drive the tractor and
meet the other demands of farm life. She now works part
time off the farm as a home health aide.
The health and well-being of the family play an integral
role in the choice of farming practices for this farm.
Along with these concerns, Paul's interest in engineering
and in applying the scientific method is evident on this 320
acre farm. In one field, he's growing specialty soybeans
with a cover crop of brassica. In another, he has narrow
strips of corn, soybeans, and oats that is the hallmark of
narrow strip intercropping. True to his science background
and interest, Paul enjoys trying new things and keeping
records. He makes farming decisions carefully, based on the
available data - and Karen's intuition.
Paul's objective is to obtain the most net profit from each
acre and each hog. To that end, Paul and his family have a
long term vision for the farm where profit is a part, but
not the sole objective. " I want to end my farming career
with the soil and it's inhabitants healthier than when I
began. Implied in this vision, of course, is that I be
profitable enough over the next 20 years that I am still the
steward of my farm."
"Soil erosion control is paramount. I want my farm to
contribute more than it's share to feeding the world while
contributing much less that it's share to environmental
degradation. I want my farm and my relationship with my
farm to exemplify the same values to my children and
grandchildren that I learned from my parents. An Indian
proverb sums up my long-term vision - 'We don't inherit the
land from our fathers, we borrow it from our children.'"
To implement his vision, Paul's goals for his farm include:
being profitable, being efficient in the terms of resources,
understanding more about ecology and using that
understanding. Underlying these goals is Paul's intent: "I
want to be a good steward of the gifts God has given me and
humanity in general."
Paul considers himself to be a newcomer to doing on-farm
research. Even so, he's applying his scientific method to
testing several practices that he anticipates will help him
meet his goals of being profitable while being ecologically
sound. He's active on the Practical Farmers of Iowa Board
of Directors and considers that the greatest benefit he
obtains from his involvement with PFI is interacting and
learning from other PFI cooperators and the research
scientists at Iowa State University and the Soil Tilth Lab.
On-farm Trials In 1996, Paul is conducting four trials that
demonstrate his varying interests:
deep-banded P&K and P&K with lime
brassica cover crop for weed control in food-grade
soybeans
comparing narrow-strip intercropping to corn-bean
rotation by whole field
testing a new USDA soil inoculant for soybeans.
In past years, Paul and Karen have:
compared liquid hog manure to purchased nitrogen for
corn
strip-intercropping
investigated rootworm damage in strip-intercropping.
In addition, the Mugges cooperate with another local farmer
on nurserying and finishing hogs.
Impact of Sustainable Farming If you ask Paul what
sustainable farming means, he will tell you that sustainable
farming is a term that means many different things to many
people. He considers himself to be pragmatic about what
sustainable farming means. To Paul, sustainable agriculture
must include these elements - profitability, preserves the
resource base (both on a farm scale and a worldwide scale),
preserves the social fabric of rural culture, is safe and
healthy for consumers of farm products as well as for farm
workers and other rural inhabitants, preserves a diversity
of species and a genetic diversity within species of flora
and fauna on both a micro and macro scale.
Says Paul, "I think my farm enjoys very low soil erosion, a
relatively low level of purchased inputs, better soil tilth,
and high productivity."
If there is anything that Paul would like others to know
about being involved with Practical Farmers of Iowa and
about practicing sustainable methods of farming, it would be
this: "Sustainable farming practices are not just the right
thing to do, but are profitable in both the long and the
short run. I would hope that people would think of PFI, not
as a group of radical extremists, but as a group of
dedicated and thoughtful farmers who care about the world
and the society we leave to posterity."
31^ PFI ON-FARM TRIAL RESULTS, 1996, PART I
(Editors' note: Results of PFI 1996 on-farm research will
appear in The Practical Farmer over the course of this year
instead of just the winter issue. We hope this gives
readers more chance to absorb these cooperator reports. In
1996, a number of trials looked at insects both beneficial
ones, like the wasps used to control corn borers and alfalfa
weevils, and insect pests that may be manageable with the
right fungus or cultural practice. We selected the
following results for the first installment of the 1996
research report.)
STRIP INTERCROPPING: YIELDS AND "BUGS"
Table 2 (the graphic file table2.wmf, available for
downloading) shows results of strip intercropping trials on
the farms of Paul and Karen Mugge, Sutherland, and Jeff and
Gayle Olson, Mt. Pleasant. The numbers at the top of the
table were collected by the cooperators themselves, while
the yields at the bottom of the table were hand harvested by
ISU. Corn yielded better in strips than in large,
single-crop field blocks, and the corn at the strip borders
yielded better than corn in the center of the strips. That
was expected and reflects the biological efficiency that is
part of strip intercropping's attraction. Paul planted
28,000 seeds per acre in his sole-crop blocks and about
35,000 in corn strips. The low harvest stand measured in
row 4 of the strips makes him wonder if he might have had a
faulty planter unit.
Soybean yields apparently suffered in strips at Olsons', and
the unreliability of the combine monitor forced Paul Mugge
to throw out his soybean data. Soybean yields averaged the
same or slightly higher in strips over three years of
comparisons by six cooperators, and corn yields averaged ten
bushels higher in strips than field blocks for those 18
site-years.
The current challenge in strip intercropping appears to be
bugs. Maybe strips are no more vulnerable to insects than
is sole-cropping, but PFI is working with entomologists and
agronomists from ISU and South Dakota State University to
answer related questions. There were three suspected
culprits in 1996: grasshoppers, common stalkborers, and corn
rootworm beetles.
Paul and Karen Mugge, in northwest Iowa, have had problems
with grasshoppers on the whole farm for the past two years.
Paul has observed grasshoppers eating oat regrowth after
small grains harvest, and these hungry pests moved right
over into the soybeans after finishing off the oat strips.
Failure of the combine monitor prevented Paul from measuring
the effect of grasshoppers on soybean strips. Intercropped
corn yields next to oat strips were still higher than in the
center of the corn strips.
Common stalkborer may also have used strips as highways to
travel into the field from the grassy borders where their
eggs hatch. Any stray grass left between strips can also
harbor these stalkborer eggs and young larvae. PFI
coordinator Rick Exner and ISU entomologist Kris Giles
applied an experimental biological control for stalkborers
when they were migrating out of field borders on Jeff and
Gayle Olson's farm. That information is being evaluated.
Next year New Melleray Abbey may use its flame cultivator to
singe the grass in field borders where stalkborers reside in
spring.
Finally, SDSU entomologist Mike Ellsbury continued his study
of corn rootworms in strip intercropping. In 1995, Mike
found evidence that western corn rootworm larvae were
migrating underground into the first row of a corn strip
next to the previous year's corn. In 1996, those data did
not show strong trends. However, Mike did test several
methods for interrupting the rootworm migration, and those
results appear in the side-bar and Figure 2 (the graphic
file figure2.wmf, available for downloading).
IPM Projects: Learning to Work with the Agricultural
Ecosystem
In addition to PFI projects with management of insects in
strip intercropping, cooperators have been working in two
projects that seek to expand the toolbox for insect
management in corn and alfalfa. In 1995, PFI and ISU
entomologists began a two-year investigation of biological
control of the alfalfa weevil and the European Corn Borer.
With support from the Leopold Center for Sustainable
Agriculture, each year two farms worked on alfalfa weevil
and two farms concentrated on corn borer. Integrated Pest
Management (IPM) involves field sampling for pests to see if
they have reached the threshold at which treatment is
justified. "Treatment," as we understand more about the
ecology of insects, increasingly includes more practices
than spraying insecticide. Among these, "biological
controls" manage pests by manipulating the agroecosystem.
Part of IPM research today is refining those thresholds.
There are good economic reasons for this. Let's say you
have scouted your hay field and found an average of two
alfalfa weevil larvae per stem. Present guidelines say that
is the threshold above which you will suffer losses if you
don't do something. (Incidentally, a certain amount of
insect feeding actually stimulates alfalfa leaf production,
and that response also happens to peak at two larvae per
stem.) But what if you knew half those alfalfa weevil
larvae would be dead in a week? You might take a
wait-and-see approach.
In fact, several organisms can devastate weevil populations.
A variety of tiny wasps lay their eggs in the weevil larvae,
and a common fungus, Zoopthora phytonomi, attacks the larvae
under the right conditions. If farmers could make their own
judgements about the "health" of alfalfa weevil populations,
they could often save money and avoid insecticides, which
may be harder on the weevil's enemies than on the alfalfa
weevil itself. The study was designed to see if farmers can
learn the necessary skills. The answer according to this
project is "yes." As Figures 3 and 4 show, there was very
good agreement between the scouting information collected by
PFI cooperators and ISU entomologist Kris Giles.
Biological control was the other focus of the project. One
promising biocontrol is the use of unharvested strips
described by Jeff Klinge and Mark and Julie Roose. Findings
from this project are leading to more research on these
unharvested strips. Corn borer biocontrol was addressed
both by the Leopold Center study, as reported by Joe
Fitzgerald, and by the SARE-funded (Sustainable Agriculture
Research and Education, USDA) research described by Dennis
McLaughlin, Ron and LaDonna Brunk, and Doug Alert and
Margaret Smith. ISU Entomologist Les Lewis also provides
background on that project in the following pages.
Corn Borer Control with the Fungus Beauveria
Les Lewis, ISU
Beauveria bassiana (say "bo-vária") is a widely distributed
fungus that kills insects including the European corn borer,
Ostrinia nubilalis. Recent research at the USDA-ARS, Corn
Insects Research Unit demonstrated what we call an
endophytic relationship between B. bassiana and corn plants.
Beauveria bassiana applied to corn in the V7 stage of plant
development enters the plant, colonizes the tissues and
kills European corn borer larvae that bore into the stalk.
Together with PFI, we applied for and received a SARE grant
to evaluate B. bassiana as a component to manage European
Corn Borer on the farm. Three farms were involved in this
research.
Research on the Doug Alert/Margaret Smith farm, Hampton, IA
had four treatments - 1) B. bassiana applied at V7 stage of
corn development, 2) B. bassiana applied at R3 stage of corn
development, 3) B. bassiana applied post harvest to crop
residue and, 4) an untreated check. Research on the Ron and
LaDonna Brunk farm, Eldora, IA and the Dennis and Kate
McLaughlin Farm, Cumming, IA had treatments 1, 3, and 4.
The B. bassiana (726 Mycogen Corp., Butte, MT) was applied
to the respective plants at 0.4 grams/plant using a
hand-held applicator. Treatment 4 (post harvest) was
applied with a hand-operated cyclone spreader. (Editors'
note: the V7 stage of development is roughly equivalent to
seven fully expanded leaves and typically occurs in early
June. R3 is about the "sweetcorn" stage of ear
development.)
The design of the experiment was similar to PFI field trials
but with more treatments. A replication contained five rows
of corn 400 ft. long at the Alert Farm, six rows 400 ft.
long at the Brunk Farm, and four rows 400 ft. long at the
McLaughlin Farm. At black layer (physiological maturity)
the number of plants in two adjacent rows 22 ft. long were
counted and the ears harvested. These ears were stored in
burlap bags, and the corn will be shelled and weighed. The
plants in each sample were split from tassel to base and the
inches of tunneling was measured. An additional five plants
were harvested and will be evaluated for B. bassiana.
Following harvest two 1-meter squares of crop residue within
each replicate were dissected. Number of live larvae and
number of B. bassiana-infected larvae were counted.
Data from these studies are presented in Table 3 and Figure
5 (the graphics files table3.wmf and Figure5.wmf, available
for downloading). Preliminary results suggest to us that an
application of B. bassiana at whorl stage reduces tunneling
by the European Corn Borer and decreases the percentage of
plants with insect damage.
Rootworms in Strip Intercropping
Michael Ellsbury, South Dakota State University
Investigations continued on the Mugge Farm on the
possibility of rootworm damage in the strip system. Soil
was sampled for eggs, adult emergence was monitored, and
root damage was rated on a 1 to 9 scale. As in 1995,
rootworm eggs were found in the soybean strip but in smaller
numbers. There were few rootworm eggs in the soil where
corn was planted. We found evidence of only minor rootworm
damage to the first row of corn caused by larvae migrating
underground from the soybean strip. Root damage and adult
emergence were much lower in 1996 than in 1995. It is
interesting to note that 1996 yield in the outer corn row
was higher than that in the other five rows. We speculate
that overwinter mortality and a cool wet spring may have
reduced numbers of surviving rootworms.
Three barrier treatments were tried at the corn/soybean
interface to test their effect on rootworm movement into the
outer corn row. These treatments included: Counterr soil
insecticide, crambe oilseed meal, and a tillage treatment in
which the soil was ripped to about 9 inches depth with a
cultivator shank (Figure 2, the graphic file Figure2.bmp,
available for downloading). The oilseed meal treatment was
included because research has shown this material to be
toxic and repellent to soil-dwelling insects. The tillage
treatment was intended to disrupt old root channels and soil
pore structure that could be used by rootworm larvae moving
toward corn roots. Evidently the tillage treatment had the
opposite effect, since root damage was highest and yields
lowest in the areas that were ripped (Figure 2). Very few
emerging adults were observed in any of the treatments.
This suggests to us that compaction of soil at the
corn/soybean interface may be a means of limiting rootworm
movement into the first corn row.
Trichogramma Wasps for European Corn Borer at New Melleray
Abbey
Joe Fitzgerald, New Melleray Abbey farm manager
The monks of New Melleray Abbey farm nearly 2,000 acres as
their primary source of income and have farmed since 1849.
A three-year "discernment" process begun in 1991 led to a
renewed commitment to farm sustainably. To this end, a
portion of the farm has been certified organic, and the
organic acres are expected to grow. In all facets of the
farm we seek to protect and enhance the environment while
providing a profit. We are constantly experimenting and are
happy to be cooperating with Practical Farmers of Iowa in
our pursuit of sustainability.
In 1995 and 1996, with the assistance of ISU entomologists,
we sought to control the European Corn Borer in field corn
with timed releases of trichogramma wasps instead of
chemicals. The ISU entomologists scouted fields to locate
plots that offered the possibility of corn borer
infestation. Once identified, the plots were flagged for
eventual release of wasps. Later scouting determined
whether enough corn borer larvae were present to warrant
releasing the wasps.
Michigan State University research showed a 78 percent
reduction of European Corn Borer larvae with the release of
trichogramma (Orr and Landis, 1993). This was more
effective than Dipel (Bt) At 34 percent, Pounce at 65
percent, and Lorsban with a 66 percent reduction. The tiny
wasp parasitizes the corn borer by laying its eggs on the
larvae. These eggs grow and develop at the expense of the
corn borer larva, eventually killing it.
We found that European Corn Borer egg masses were 73 percent
parasitized where there had been a release of the wasps.
There was zero parasitism in the control plot, where no
wasps were released. The trichogramma wasp shows promise as
a chemical-free control for corn borer. At present the
method is expensive and best suited to high-value crops such
as sweetcorn and organic corn.
The recent introduction of Bt corn is giving farmers a new
tool to control the corn borer. We grew some demonstration
plots of Bt corn in 1996. The technology is new enough to
lack a track record on effectiveness, environmental impact,
and resistance by the corn borer. It seems prudent to
maintain and utilize a variety of pest control options.
With ISU, we also tried a biological control for common
stalkborer. A nematode that is lethal to the stalkborer was
applied in a water suspension to the field. The spray was
timed to coincide with the migration of the stalk borers out
of grassy areas near the edge of the field. Numerical data
were not collected, but there was a visible difference
between treated and untreated plants. We will participate
in more research using the nematode in 1997.
Improving IPM
Mark and Julie Roose, Pella
In 1996 we continued the project begun the previous year, a
study of alfalfa weevil and other insects in alfalfa
supported by the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture.
We worked with the ISU Entomology Department through
graduate student Kris Giles, who was on the farm regularly.
We monitored alfalfa weevil populations weekly during May
and June to see if parasites or diseases of the weevil
affected their populations (Fig. 3, the graphic file
Figure3.wmf, available for downloading). When we harvested
the first cutting of hay, we left a windrow unharvested in
the center of the field.
Our unseasonably wet weather allowed the fungus disease
Zoopthora phytonomi to drastically reduce weevil
populations. When the wet weather turned abnormally dry,
our focus shifted to the potato leafhopper. We hoped the
adult leafhoppers would congregate in the uncut hay strip in
the center of the field, allowing the new growth to develop
unhindered. We believe we lessened the leafhopper impact,
but we're not sure how much.
Farmer involvement was a very important part of this
project. Early in 1995, we invited neighbors in to talk
with Kris about the project, and there has been continuing
interest in what the research was finding. Last August we
held a field day to share results and talk about our
diversified farming system.
IPM and sustainable farming practices have been useful to
us. We are appreciative of PFI, and the IPM Issues Team of
the Leopold Center for their work on this project.
Our Experience With IPM and Biological Control of Alfalfa
Weevil and Potato Leafhopper
Jeff Klinge & Deb Tidwell, Farmersburg
In 1996 I learned how to:
Use a sweep net;
Identify insects at different stages of growth;
Raise captured weevil larvae and determine how many of
them were infected with the Zoopthora fungus. (the
graphic file Figure4.wmf, available for downloading)
Carry out on-farm research so that the results are
useful.
Although alfalfa weevils were not a big problem this year, I
now feel I can determine when they are a big enough problem
to justify action.
ISU entomologist Kris Giles suggested we leave a strip of
alfalfa uncut at first harvest to attract adult alfalfa
weevils and leafhoppers. We found that the leafhoppers were
attracted to these strips and basically left the rest of the
field alone. I plan to leave strips in the alfalfa fields
next year.
During the field day there was discussion of insect pests,
alfalfa management, and crop rotations. We toured the farm,
and people were interested in my Austree windbreak for the
feedlot as well as in our native prairie planting.
Testing the Fungus Beauveria on Corn Borer: Three
Cooperators' Perspectives
1) Ron and LaDonna Brunk, Steve and Tara Beck-Brunk, Eldora
We are interested in the possibility of controlling corn
borers in field corn without chemical insecticides. An
insecticide program is costly, takes accurate timing, and
includes the inherent problems of chemical residues and
human exposure in the field. The plan to infect a field
with a perennial fungal disease fatal to European corn borer
seems feasible and would certainly be of practical and
economic value. When the opportunity arose to cooperate
with PFI and the Iowa State Entomology Department in an
experiment with an endophytic fungus, we were interested and
willing. We hope this experiment will add to knowledge on
the degree of control this fungus could provide and its
persistence in a treated field.
2) Doug Alert & Margaret Smith, Hampton
Margaret and I have been cooperating with Les Lewis and
associates of the Agricultural Research Service on a project
evaluating the fungus Beauveria bassiana for long-term
suppression of European Corn Borer (ECB). Our role in the
project included normal crop production tasks with some
additional assistance to facilitate efficient plot harvest.
We also politely deactivated electric fences when
researchers doing plot work and collecting data!
After seeing the early data showing the naturally-occurring
fungus had already killed a significant percentage of ECB
larvae, we were curious why most of our neighbors' fields
were treated for corn borer this season. We are hopeful
that the additional application of the fungus (seeding the
field) will increase the percentage of larvae killed. This
seems to us a promising area of research that would give us
another tool for the pest management "toolbox".
3) Dennis and Kate McLaughlin, Cumming
In 1996 ISU researchers Les Lewis and Bob Gunnarson came to
our farm to evaluate in-field applications of a naturally
occurring fungus known as Beauveria that infects the corn
borer in the larval (worm) stage. As I understand it, the
basic strategy is to increase the prevalence of this "good
guy" fungus.
Resistance is a term we hear in connection with pests like
weeds and insects. Nature is creative and pests tend to
evolve ways around our defenses. The classic examples are
those insecticides and herbicides whose effectiveness has
declined due to their widespread use (and misuse). Even a
safe product like Bt corn may well have a very limited
"shelf life," leaving us with an "evolved" corn borer and a
prematurely obsolete tool. Assuming Nature "bats last" in
the game of resistance, Beauveria, being a living organism
itself, should evolve right along with the corn borer.
At this point there are more questions than answers from the
trial. Corn yield seems almost secondary to issues like
application methods, timing, infection rates, and winter
survival of the fungus. Time will tell how the Bt story
turns out, but Beauveria may provide a way to keep Nature
"at bat" for us long term in our struggle with the number
one economic pest of corn.
38^ FOOTPRINTS OF A GRASS FARMER
Landscape Descriptions - Daydreams, Dead-ends, or
Decisions...
Tom Frantzen, Alta Vista
A common topic in discussion about sustainable agriculture
is the land itself. People who care about the land show
consideration for how it is treated. If they happen to
practice Holistic Management, they are asked to describe
what the future landscape needs are in order to produce the
forms of production that sustains their quality of life.
Last November, our family worked at defining what our farm
should look like. We know that this description is
important in supporting our values. The real issue is how
our described landscape will support us far into the future.
We know why we seek protected soil and shelter from high
winds and a home for wildlife. But what specifically do we
desire on our land to create these effects? Where would it
be established? When can it be achieved? These questions
sound overwhelming but with open lines of communication,
long nights, and plenty of "cabin fever" weather, we made
good progress.
Each year, our farm is guided by a written holistic
management plan. Writing this plan begins in November and
is usually complete in early January. This plan is put
together in a 3-ring binder, currently named our Sunlight
Harvesting Manual. This book has 12 chapters. Each chapter
has its own table of contents. Chapter 4 covers our
landscape description.
Our general futuristic plan follows our table of contents in
Chapter 4. Ideally, we desire no erosion, we want
windshelter, good habitat for wildlife, and recreational
use. Water should infiltrate the soil profile effectively,
and minerals should be efficiently recycled. We are
uncertain about what level of plant succession would be
appropriate. The sun should power our farm. That is the
reason for entitling this book Sunlight Harvesting Manual
rather than a crop and livestock notebook. This general
description, although somewhat vague, tentatively guides our
planning.
The remainder of this chapter includes: a general
description of a five year plan for our land; fencing
projects; wildlife and shelterbelt plantings and intentions;
building plans; and permanent pasture arrangements. An
overall farm map drawn to scale with a matrix lists field
numbers, acres, and crop intentions. To map the future of
our crop and rotated pasture lands, we needed alternative
cropping systems to compare. Six strategies were compared
to our existing practices, each over a five year span. Each
rotation scheme was examined for economic performance, soil
protection and maintenance of productivity (whole
ecosystem), monthly workload, compatibility with livestock,
amount of tillage, and overall effect on our quality of
life.
>From the group of seven rotations, we eliminated four on
grounds of incompatibility. The three remaining - two
organic and one 7 year non-organic - were than compared
using the Holistic Management testing guidelines. One
rotation package, a split five year corn, bean, oats, hay,
pasture / corn, bean, corn, oats, hay, emerged as the most
likely practice to produce our desired quality of life.
Following the tradition of Holistic Management, we assume
that this choice is wrong and will monitor its adaptation
using early warning criteria. Soil loss, weed problems, and
crop yields constitute most of the criteria.
To achieve the physical environment that we desire requires
a lot of decision making. The very first one is to decide
to do the planning. Daydreaming can be a healthy exercise.
Goal setting helps us plan for the future. Dead-ends can be
avoided by careful monitoring.
We now have a map, a selected decision-making process, and
an activity manual to guide us. The future looks
interesting!
39^ FROM THE KITCHEN
Marj Stonecypher, Floyd, 515-398-2417 (recipes welcome!)
The Farmer's Almanac says, "nicer weather from February on,"
sure hope so. Time to think about spring and summer? My
cousin from McKinney, Texas and I are trying to plan a
family reunion for summer. He is deep into doing family
geology. So we need to get the families together again for
more information for him to put into his computer. Thinking
about reunions, here is a recipe that my late Aunt Mollie
always brought. She left us a year ago at the age of 94.
Now someone else has to bring her dish. She gave the recipe
to me a few years ago. I'm wondering if she meant for me to
carry on with her beans? It was simply delicious, and never
a bean for her to take home.
AUNT MOLLIE'S BAKED BEANS
2# assorted dried bean - soaked over night in plain cold
water
Add: 1/4 tsp soda - Boil for 2 or 3 minutes, drain and
rinse.
Add: 2 cups brown sugar
desired bacon (not fried).
1/2 cup dark molasses
1/2 tsp. dry mustard
salt and pepper
1/2 stick of butter
Bake 3 hours or more till done - 350 degrees. Keep moist
with water. You don't like baked beans? - You will these!
SOUR CREAM CHOCOLATE CAKE
3 blocks (3 oz) baking chocolate
1 1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/2 cup butter or margarine
1 tsp. salt
1 cup boiling water
2 eggs
2 cups light brown sugar, packed
1/2 cup dairy sour cream
2 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp. vanilla
Combine baking chocolate, margarine and boiling water in a
small bowl; stir until chocolate and margarine are melted.
Thoroughly combine brown sugar, flour, baking soda and salt
in a large bowl. Gradually add chocolate mixture beating
thoroughly. Beat eggs, sour cream and vanilla. Blend into
above and beat one minute at medium speed. Pour into a
greased and floured 13 x 9 x 2 inch pan. Bake at 350
degrees for 35-40 minutes. Cool and frost with your
favorite frosting. Note: If you do not have baking
chocolate bars, you can use 1/2 cup cocoa plus 1 1/2 tsp.
shortening.
40^ CORRESPONDENCE TO THE BOARD
Correspondence to the PFI directors' addresses is always
welcome. Member contributions to the Practical Farmer are
also welcome and will be reviewed by the PFI board of
directors.
District 1 (Northwest): Paul Mugge, 6190 470th St.,
Sutherland, 51058. (712) 446-2414.
Colin Wilson, 5482 450th St., Paullina, 51046. (712)
448-2708.
District 2 (North Central): Doug Alert, PFI Vice President,
972 110th St., Hampton, IA 50441. (515) 456-4328.
Don Davidson, 18711 250th St., Grundy Center, 50638. (319)
824-6347.
District 3 (Northeast): Walter Ebert, RR 1, Box 104,
Plainfield, 50666. (319) 276-4444.
Dan Specht, RR 1, McGregor IA 52157. (319) 873-3873.
District 4 (Southwest): Robert Bahrenfus, 15365 S. 12th Ave.
E., Grinnell, IA 50112. (515) 236-4566.
Donna Bauer, 1667 Hwy. 71, Audubon, IA 50025. (712)
563-4084
District 5 (Southeast): David Lubben, PFI President, 24539
Hwy
38, Monticello, IA 52310. (319) 465-4717.
Jeff Olson, 2273 140th St., Winfield, 52659. (319)
257-6967.
PFI Executive Vice President & Treasurer: Dick Thompson,
2035 190th St., Boone, 50036. (515) 432-1560.
Coordinators: Rick Exner, Gary Huber, Room 2104, Agronomy
Hall, ISU, Ames, Iowa, 50011. (515) 294-1923.
Internet: dnexner@iastate.edu
x1ghuber@exnet.iastate.edu
41^ PFI MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION AND RENEWAL FORM
Name _____________________________________________________
Address __________________________________________________
City _____________________________________________________
County __________________________________________________
State __________________________________________________
Zip Code __________________________________________________
Phone # (________) ________________________________________
This is a:
new membership
renewal
Do you derive a significant part of your income directly
from farming in Iowa?
yes no
Individual or family membership: $20 for one year, $50 for
three years.
Please enclose check or money order payable to "Practical
Farmers of Iowa" and mail to:
Practical Farmers of Iowa
2035 190th St.
Boone, IA 50036-7423
****************************************************************************
Rick (Derrick N.) Exner
<bold><color><param>ffff,0000,0000</param>PFI</color></bold><color><param>ffff,0000,0000</param>
</color>Farming Systems Coordinator
<bold><color><param>0000,0000,ffff</param>ISU</color></bold>
Extension
Practical Farmers of Iowa
2104 Agronomy Hall, ISU, Ames, IA 50011
(515) 294-1923, -9985 fax