Managing · Yard and Garden: Applying Herbicide and Fighting Fall Weeds ... BY RICHARD JAURON, GREG WALLACE Fall is the ideal time to prepare a lawn for the months that lie ahead

Jefferson County Extension & Outreach Newsletter October 2014

Farm and ranch women are decision makers.

The decisions made during succession, business, estate, and retirement planning are combined to form a transition plan.

A transition plan helps ensure a farm or ranch continues as productive agricultural business.

Farm and ranch women are generating a cultural tide in American agriculture that is moving management, assets and op-

portunities to a new wave of beginning farmers across the country.

Managing for Today and Tomorrow focuses on the management processes and decisions needed to make successful

transitions.

Managing for Today and Tomorrow includes hands-on activities, interaction with local professionals, and up-to-date re-

sources. Participants of all ages and experience levels will practice tasks to increase confidence in setting goals, nurturing

effective family conversations, and defining the farm legacy. The five-session program includes a 300 page workbook.

Managing

for Today and

Tomorrow

Succession, Business, Estate,

Starting Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2014

And continuing 4 more weeks:

Wednesday, Nov. 19, Tuesday,

Nov. 25, Tuesday, Dec. 2, and

Tuesday, Dec. 9

5:30 pm to 9:00 pm

Jefferson County Extension

Office 2606 West Burlington Avenue

Fairfield, IA 52556

www.aep.iastate.edu/annie

Contact Information:

Course Facilitator: Charles Brown

ISU Farm Management Specialist

[email protected]

641-673-5841

Registration $75

Online (Visa, Master, or Discover Card)

www.aep.iastate.edu/annie/mtt

Or by Mail (By check)

Name: _______________________________________

Address: ____________________________________

City: _________________________________________

State: __________________ Zip: _________________

Phone: ______________________________________

Email: ______________________________________

Clip and return by Nov. 7, 2014 with $75 enrollment fee to:

ANR Program Services

1151 NSRIC

Ames, Iowa 50011-3310

Make checks payable to: Iowa State University

Fee includes course materials and light meal.

A light meal will be served at 5:30 pm

Program begin at 6:00 pm

Enrollment is limited

Program partners and sponsors:

Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture,

USDA, Grant # 2011-49400-30584.

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It’s hard to talk about passing on the farm. Managing for Today and Tomorrow is for farm

and ranch women of all ages who want to plan now for a successful transition later.

Through this five-session program, farm women will learn about the four components that

create a successful transition—Succession, Business, Estate, and Retirement Planning.

Don’t miss this opportunity. Registration is available on-line as courses are posted. Seats are limited

Succession Planning transfers knowledge, labor, management, and ownership over time.

• Explore communication barriers that hold back succession planning.

• Understand the difference between fair and equal.

Business Planning determines what makes up the farm business and intentions for the future.

• Understand why personal and farm finances are important for business management, succession,

and retirement.

• Learn how a business plan can be used for farm business development and/or transition.

Estate Planning reflects the intentions of the established generation.

• Understand key estate planning terms, tools, and concepts.

• Begin assembling estate information

Retirement Planning prepares the established generation with the means and desire to hand over

responsibilities.

• Develop individual retirement definitions and goals.

Investigate retirement options and explore sources of retirement income.

After completing the course, here’s what a few participants had to say about their highest priority for their farm/ranch business:

“Have the information at hand to explore how we are going to transition our farm from my husband to our son and his wife. I think that with the

information you gave us and all the support from your team, we can begin to plan on a longer term basis.”

-Ames, Iowa

“Update and enhance our very simple farm business plan…work together toward common goals while also keeping assets and ownership segre-

gated…encourage communication of the plan to all family members involved.”

-Palmyra, Missouri

“Do some retirement planning using the electronic balance sheet.”

-Effingham, Illinois

“To start having regular farm business meetings for the purpose of improving communication, goal setting for short and long term goals, and suc-

cession planning for bringing in the next generation.

-St. James, Michigan

NEST Parenting Classes

Two ‘Nest’ Parenting Classes are held each Tuesday of the month

in order to accommodate your schedule:

2:00 ~ 3:00 pm; 5:30 ~ 6:30 pm

FREE DIAPERS! FREE BABY/TODDLER ITEMS!

Call Lynne Johnson at 641-472-4166

for more information or to sign up!

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ServSafe Food Safety Training Classes: September 29, Jefferson County Extension Office

in Fairfield

8:45 AM—5:00 PM

(Certification Exam 5:00—6:00 PM)

Registration Forms in Extension Office

Topics covered in Nest classes include: Disciplining you toddler; Fighting: How to

‘fight nice!”; Parenting in Stepfamilies; Nurturing your child’s IQ; How to handle stress;

Pregnancy Concerns and helpful tips, and more!; and a cooking class is offered once a

month! Recipes for the cooking classes are from the Healthy & Homemade Nutritional Cal-

endar featured on Page 7!

Nest Parenting Classes are FREE to residents of Jefferson County who are either

pregnant, or have a child under the age of 5. Attend and receive points that can be used im-

mediately for diapers, wipes, toddler eating utensils, etc!

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2015 Whimsical Garden Calendar Available

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2015 Healthy & Homemade Meals

Calendar ~ Only $2.00!

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2015 ISUEO Gardening

Calendar ~ Only $6.00

Yard and Garden: Applying Herbicide and Fighting Fall Weeds BY RICHARD JAURON, GREG WALLACE

Fall is the ideal time to prepare a lawn for the months that lie ahead before spring, making sure it

emerges healthy and happy. Here are some tips from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach on how to apply fall herbi-

cide and control fall weeds, with help from ISU Extension horticulturists. To have additional questions an-swered, contact the ISU Hortline at 515-294-3108 or [email protected].

When is the best time to apply a broadleaf herbicide to the lawn? Fall (late September to early November) is the best time to apply broadleaf herbicides in Iowa. In

fall, perennial broadleaf weeds are transporting food (carbohydrates) from their foliage to their roots in preparation for winter. Broadleaf herbicides applied in fall will be absorbed by the broadleaf weed’s foli-age and transported to the roots along with the carbohydrates, resulting in the destruction of the broad-leaf weeds. Spring applications are generally less effective than fall applications.

Which herbicides are effective in controlling broadleaf weeds? Effective broadleaf herbicides include 2,4-D, MCPP, dicamba, triclopyr and others. The most ef-

fective broadleaf herbicide products contain a mixture of two or three herbicides, as no single compound controls all broadleaf weeds.

What is the proper way to apply broadleaf herbicides to the lawn? Broadleaf herbicides can be applied as liquids or granules. Before applying any herbicide, care-

fully read and follow label directions. When applying liquid formulations, apply just enough material to wet the leaf surfaces. If only a

few areas in the lawn have broadleaf weed problems, spot treat these areas rather than spraying the en-tire lawn. Liquid formulations have the potential to drift. Spray drift problems can be avoided by following simple precautions. Don’t spray when winds exceed 5 mph. Also, don’t spray when temperatures are forecast to exceed 85 degrees Fahrenheit within 24 hours of the application. Since coarse droplets are less likely to drift than fine sprays, select a nozzle that produces coarse droplets and use low sprayer pressure when applying liquid broadleaf herbicides. When spraying, keep the nozzle close to the ground.

Granular broadleaf herbicides are often combined with fertilizers. Apply granular broadleaf herbi-cides and fertilizer/broadleaf herbicide combinations when the foliage is wet. Broadleaf herbicides are absorbed by the weed’s foliage, not its roots. To be effective, the granules must stick to the weeds and the herbicide must be absorbed by the weed’s foliage. Apply granular products in the early morning when the foliage is wet with dew or irrigate the lawn prior to the application.

Which lawn care practices enhance the absorption of broadleaf herbicides? To ensure adequate leaf surface and herbicide absorption, don’t mow the lawn two to three days

before treatment. After treatment, allow three to four days to pass before mowing. This allows sufficient time for the broadleaf weeds to absorb the herbicide and translocate it to their roots. To prevent the broadleaf herbicide from being washed off the weed’s foliage, apply these materials when no rain is fore-cast for 24 hours. Also, don’t irrigate treated lawns within 24 hours of the application.

How do I control creeping Charlie in my lawn? Ground ivy (“creeping Charlie”) in lawns can be controlled with broadleaf herbicides.

Products that contain 2,4-D or triclopyr are most effective. 2,4-D is an active ingredient in many broadleaf herbicide products. Triclopyr can be found in Ortho Weed-B-Gon Chickweed, Clover and Oxalis Killer for Lawns and several other products. In Iowa, herbicide applications should be made between late Septem-ber and early November. Two applications are necessary to effectively control ground ivy. The first appli-cation should be made in late September/early October, the second a month later.

ISU Extension and Outreach to Host

Meetings for High Tunnel Crop

Growers ARTICLE | TUE, 09/02/2014 - 13:49 | BY JOE HANNAN

AMES, Iowa -- Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will host a series of meetings this fall for growers produc-ing crops in high tunnels. Three meeting sites will offer the beginning “High Tunnel 101” workshop to current commer-cial fruit or vegetable growers and traditional farmers interested in diversifying their production.

Topics to be covered at the workshop include site and high tunnel selection, construction, soil management, irrigation, pest management, bed design and cropping systems. A high tunnel manual will be provided.

A second set of workshops, “Advance High Tunnel Tomato Production,” will be offered for growers already using a high tunnel structure in their production system for advanced high tunnel training. Topics to be covered in-clude environmental control, nutrient management, foliar sampling, hands-on grafting practice, production budgets and succession plantings for maximum efficiency.

Pre-registration is required for all workshops by calling the site of participation. Fees for each workshop are $55 per person or $90 per couple (or employees of the same farm), and includes a resource guide, lunch and refresh-ments.

High Tunnel 101 Heartland Acres Events Center, 2600 Swan Lake Blvd, Independence, Iowa

Oct. 27, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call Buchanan County Extension by Oct. 23 to register at 319-334-7161 Annelise Winery, 15110 Hwy 92, Indianola, Iowa Oct. 30, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call Warren County Extension by Oct. 28 to register at 515-961-6237 Lee County Extension Office, 414 N Main St., Donnellson, Iowa Nov. 7, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call Lee County Extension by Nov. 5 to register at 319-835-5116

Advance High Tunnel Tomato Production North Iowa Events Center, 4-H Learning Center, 3700 4th St. SW, Mason City, Iowa

Nov. 18, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Call Cerro Gordo County Extension by Nov. 14 to register at 641-423-0844

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Diana Cochran Named Fruit Specialist for ISU Extension and Outreach BY PATRICIA HOWARD

AMES, Iowa Diana Cochran is the new fruit specialist for Iowa State University Exten-sion and Outreach. She brings expertise in nursery management, plant propagation and horticulture plant materials to this position, which serves the state of Iowa.

In her role, Cochran will focus on commercial fruit production and provide support to Iowa producers. Horticulture Extension and Outreach provides research-based information to aid in making their operations more efficient and profitable. Cochran’s research emphasis is in fruit production and viticulture, with a focus on evaluat-ing sustainable production systems, cold hardiness, season extension, nutrient management and environmental variables such as light, temperature and water use efficiency on growth, develop-ment, and establishment. “I look forward to getting to know the great state of Iowa and working with Iowa growers to help produce quality fruit crops without reducing crop quality,” Cochran said. Cochran has a Ph.D. in agricultural science from Mississippi State University, and her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in horticulture from Auburn University. Cochran can be reached by email at [email protected] or by phone at 515-294-6764.

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Con-Ed CIC:

Roadside Forest Aquatic: October 15: 9:00 AM—Noon

Mosquito/Public Health: October 23: 9:00 AM—Noon

Ornamental Turf: November 5: 1:30 PM—4:00

Comm Ag Weed Disease: November 12: 9:00 AM—Noon

Greenhouse: November 12: 1:30—4:00 PM

Fumigation: November 18: 9:00 AM—Noon

Aerial Applicators: November 18: 1:30—4:00 PM

Pest Control: December 3: 9-11:30 AM

PPAT

(Private Pesticide Applicator Training)

Thursday, December 18th

7:00 PM

Pro-Ag Outlook Meeting

4:00 pm—8:30 PM, Wednesday, November 5th

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*Commercial Manure Applicators

January 6, 2015 9AM ~ Noon

*Confinement Manure Applicators

February 12, 2015

Worksheet Helps Producers Identify Selections for 2014 Farm Bill BY ANN JOHANNS

AMES, Iowa -- The Agricultural Act of 2014 is important legislation. It provides farmland owners and operators the opportunity to make a one-time election

of a commodity program for 2014 through 2018. The legislation also allows the operator to enroll annually in a chosen program. Iowa State University Exten-sion and Outreach provides several resources to assist in this decision-making process.

“While the Farm Bill of 2014 provides opportunities for farmers to update their farm selections, it is important that they consider several factors before making these decisions,” said Ann Johanns, extension program specialist. Johanns coordinates Ag Decision Maker, an agricultural economics and business website sponsored by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

“We have developed several tools, including the Base Acreage Reallocation and Payment Yield Update, to assist owners and operators as they determine what is best for their business and family,” Johanns said.

Alejandro Plastina, an extension economist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, developed the Base Acreage Reallocation and Payment Yield Update.

“Opportunities to update base acres and payment yields for commodity programs are few and far between,” Plastina said. “So farmers should seriously consider this opportunity provided by the 2014 Farm Bill.”

“The worksheet is a simple tool to evaluate the convenience of having the payment formulas for some commodity programs updated to better reflect current production patterns on a farm-by-farm basis,” Plastina added. He noted that the decision tool includes multiple worksheets to allow information for up to five farms.

The Base Acreage Reallocation and Payment Yield Update worksheet was designed to help Iowa farmland owners with base acreage reallocation decisions for the Agricultural Risk Coverage-County (ARC-CO) program and the Price Loss Coverage (PLC) program, and with payment yield update deci-sions for the PLC program. To access this and other online tools, go to www.extension.iastate.edu/agdm.

To further support producers, a series of workshops will be held across Iowa to provide information about the Farm Bill and the impact it has on producers. The meetings will be held once final regulations are set. A complete schedule will be posted on the AgDM Farm Bill Web page at www.extension.iastate.edu/agdm/info/farmbill.html

Yard and Garden: Improve Landscape in Late Summer, Early Fall ARTICLE | THU, 08/28/2014 - 14:25 | BY RICHARD JAURON, GREG WALLACE

As late summer becomes early fall, it is a great time to get outside and do some yard work. Get tips on great ways to improve the yard, trees, garden and flower beds from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach horticulturists. To have additional questions answered, con-tact the ISU Hortline at 515-294-3108 or [email protected].

Is late summer/early fall a good time to plant a tree? Mid-August through September is an excellent time to plant pine,

spruce and other evergreens. (Evergreens planted in late October or November may not have ade-quate time to become established before the onset of winter and could be subject to desiccation, injury and death.) Deciduous trees and shrubs can be planted from August through early Novem-ber.

Water newly planted trees every day for three or four days and then gradually reduce the frequency of watering. When watering, slowly apply water to the rootball and the surrounding soil. A thorough watering every seven to 10 days (in dry weather) should be sufficient three to four weeks after planting. Continue watering until the ground freezes.

Can perennials be successfully planted in late summer/early fall? Late summer/early fall is an excellent time to plant many perennials. It also is a good time to

move or divide perennials, such as peony, daylily, garden phlox and Oriental poppy. Perennials planted in late summer or early fall should be mulched with several inches of straw, pine needles or other materials in late fall. Mulching helps prevent repeated freezing and thawing of the soil that may heave plants out of the ground. Drying of exposed plant crowns and roots can cause severe damage or death.

When is the best time to sow grass seed? Mid-August to mid-September is the best time to seed new lawns and overseed existing

lawns in Iowa. Late-summer seeding has several advantages over spring seeding. The seeds of cool-season grasses germinate quickly in the warm soil of late summer. The warm days and cool nights of early fall promote rapid turfgrass growth. The growing grass also has less competition from weeds as few weed seeds germinate in fall.

When should I plant tulips and daffodils? October is the ideal time to plant tulips, daffodils and other spring-flowering bulbs. Plant

bulbs in groups or clusters to achieve maximum visual impact. Bulbs planted individually or in sin-gle rows are generally not as effective. Spring-flowering bulbs can be planted as late as December if the ground is not frozen.

Are there any vegetables that can be planted in late summer? For a fall crop, plant leaf lettuce and spinach in mid-August. Radishes can be planted from

mid-August to mid-September. October is the best time to plant garlic in Iowa. Plant cloves one inch deep with the pointed side up. To prevent winter injury, cover garlic with a 4- to 6-inch layer of weed-seed free straw. In early spring, move the straw to between the rows to allow the garlic foli-age to emerge.

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Operation ReLeaf: Alliant Energy, Iowa DNR and Iowa State University Extension and Out-

reach are partnering to offer specific tree choices for Alliant Energy customers for only

$25 each! Order forms are available on our website at

www.extension.iastate.edu/jefferson. Deadline to order is Sept. 26th with tree pickup on

Thursday, October 2nd between 4:30 and 6:30 PM. Order forms are also available in the

Extension Office.

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Part 2

New Beef Facilities Tour Shows Expansion Options for Young Producers BY PATRICK WALL, SHERRY HOYER

KNOXVILLE, Iowa -- All signs point to Iowa as the most eco-nomical place to feed high quali-ty beef cattle, and young cattle enthusiasts are eager to fill the void. Two new harvesting facili-ties in the state, an abundance of cheap feedstuffs and record-high fed cattle prices are the formula, and innovative beef cattle facilities are the solution, according to Patrick Wall. The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach beef program spe-cialist said a three-location tour in southeast Iowa will provide a look at expansion options.

“The Iowa Beef Center, via the Beginning and Young Livestock Producer Network, is proud to host the free tour on Thursday, Sept. 25,” Wall said. “It begins near Albia with a stop at a pitted, covered feeding structure. We’ll then travel to rural Oskaloosa to view a hoop and mono-slope structure side-by-side in operation. After the third stop at a new calving and cattle handling facility near Ot-ley, we’ll end with dinner at the Marion County Extension office in Knoxville.”

The tour offers young producers looking at expanding their beef cattle enterprise the opportunity to check out these new structures and to ask ques-tions of those doing chores in them every day, Wall said. The tour also will provide nutrition information, and materials that compare manure handling and value from the various facility types. An event brochure is available on the IBC website.

“This is a huge invest-ment for young farmers, and anything we can do to help them limit risk and find the building that fits their labor and re-sources will benefit the industry in the long run,” Wall said.

People are welcome to attend any or all of the stops, including dinner, at no charge, but preregistration is needed by Monday, Sept. 22. For more in-formation or to preregister, con-tact Wall either by phone at 515-450-7665 or email pat-

The 2014 State Forest Nursery Seedling

Catalog is available in the Extension Office.

Jefferson County

2606 W. Burlington

Fairfield, IA 52556

www.extension.iastate.edu/jefferson

PH: 641-472-4166

FAX: 641-472-2591

Greater Jefferson County Fair June 24 ~ 29, 2015

If you would like the monthly newsletter delivered electronically, send your email address to [email protected]

**Reshow Schedule Changes** 2nd Friday/month

*Commercial Manure 9am-12 *Confinement Manure 1pm-3pm ******************* 3rd Friday/month

Commercial Ag Weed 9am-12 Ornamental Turf 1pm-3pm All other reshows on 4th Friday/month

All reshows will be billed at Late Registration amount There will be NO reshows in June or December. You must register before a reshow will be held.

Operation Re-Leaf Tree Pick-up:

Thursday, October 2nd 4:30 PM ~ 6:30 PM

Trunk or Treat: Sunday, October 26th at the Fairgrounds!