Corn Cover Crop Initiative 2023 Results and Collab...

Iowa Seed Corn Cover Crop Initiative Releases 2023 Results, Provides Update On Collaboration with Heartland Co-op’s Conservation Drainage Program

Contact:  Erica Lydolph, Project Coordinator, 641-799-8638, covercropsagribizorg  (covercropsagribizorg)  

DES MOINES – In 2023, nearly $464,000 in financial assistance was provided to farmers through the Iowa Seed Corn Cover Crop Initiative for cost share associated with cover crop conservation practices through the Water Quality Initiative (WQI). The Iowa Seed Corn Cover Crop Initiative is a project developed by the Iowa Seed Association with the Agribusiness Association of Iowa, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, and Iowa Corn. “Cover crop utilization in a seed corn production system offers a unique opportunity for earlier establishment to further increase soil conservation efforts and protect water quality,” said Iowa Seed Association’s Board of Directors President Jeff Steinback. In 2023, 137 growers received finance assistance, covering over 32,000 acres, saving almost 97,000 tons of soil, and spending an estimated $1.15 million of their own money to implement cover crops.

Partnerships with eight seed companies, representing the majority of seed corn production in Iowa, provide cost share, technical assistance, outreach, and education dedicated to seed corn growers. Funding incentives available to seed corn growers are $15 per acre for winter-hardy and $10 per acre for winterkill cover crops. An additional $5 per acre incentive is available for first-time cover crop users. Financial assistance provided by the Iowa Seed Corn Cover Crop Initiative is stackable with private funds, such as the Practical Farmers of Iowa.

In 2023, the Iowa Seed Association collaborated with Heartland Co-op for dedicated outreach and technical assistance for edge-of-field water quality practices that were not invasive to field operations. The Iowa Seed Association’s $10,000 contribution, along with additional contributions from Agriculture’s Clean Water Alliance, BASF, Iowa Nutrient Research & Education Council, and Syngenta, supported forty saturated buffers and sixteen bioreactors to be released for bidding this spring in the Big Creek and Lower Cedar River watersheds. According to William Hoffman, a Conservation Agronomist for Heartland Co-op, these structures will drain a total of 3,486 acres and remove an average of 41,831 pounds of nitrogen annually. Identification of potential sites was completed by Hoffman and other Conservation Agronomists from Heartland Co-op, who reached out to landowners and surveyed sites for engineering. By connecting growers with technical and cost share information on these practices, increased knowledge and awareness of these practices can further understanding of conservation practices and facilitate accelerated implementation.

The Iowa Seed Corn Cover Crops Initiative helps increase adoption of cover crops specifically within the seed corn production system in Iowa. The focus on seed corn is driven by the unique opportunity that seed corn provides due to the earlier harvest, thereby providing better timing opportunities for establishing cover crops in the late summer and early fall after harvest. Cost share applications for planting cover crops on seed corn acres this coming fall are currently being accepted. Visit www.sustainableseedcorn.org for more information.

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A printable version of this press release can be found here:
Iowa Seed Corn Cover Crop Initiative Results and Collaboration

2023 Iowa Seed Association Annual Golf Tournament ...

Wednesday, June 22, 2023

$90 per golfer | $15 for education & lunch only

Click the link below to register online:

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10:00 AM | Education Session

• • Chad Hart – Professor of Economics, Iowa State University
  • Erica Lydolph – Project Coordinator, Seed Corn Cover Crops Initiative

11:00 AM | Lunch & Check In for Golf

Noon | Golf Shotgun Start

Veenker Memorial Golf Course | Ames, Iowa

All registrations must be confirmed and paid by Wednesday, June 15, 2023 .
NO cancellations will be accepted and NO refunds will be given after Wednesday, June 15, 2023.

To pay with credit card please use the following link:

https://agribiz.swoogo.com/2023seedgolf

Iowa Seed Corn Cover Crop Initiative 2022 Results ...

Contact:  Erica Lydolph, Project Coordinator, 641-799-8638, covercropsagribizorg  (covercropsagribizorg)  

DES MOINES – In 2022, over $589,000 in financial assistance was provided to farmers and landowners through the Iowa Seed Corn Cover Crop Initiative for cost share associated with cover crop conservation practices through the Water Quality Initiative (WQI).  The Iowa Seed Corn Cover Crop Initiative is a project developed by the Iowa Seed Association in partnership with the Agribusiness Association of Iowa, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, and Iowa Corn.  Seed corn growers continue to show increased interest in the adoption of cover crops on acres used for seed corn production.  Nearly 200 seed corn growers signed up for funding in 2022, covering over 41,000 acres, saving almost 125,000 tons of soil, and spending an estimated $1.6 million of their own money to implement cover crops. 

Partnerships with eight seed companies, representing the vast majority of seed corn production in Iowa, provide cost share, technical assistance, outreach, and education dedicated to seed corn growers.  Funding incentives available to seed corn growers are $15 per acre for winter-hardy and $10 per acre for winter-kill cover crops.  An additional $5 per acre incentive is available for first-time cover crop users.  In 2022, sixteen new users established cover crops through the Initiative. Applications are being accepted at www.sustainableseedcorn.org for planting cover crops this fall.

For 2023, the Iowa Seed Association approved a new collaboration with Heartland Cooperative for dedicated outreach and technical assistance for edge-of-field water quality practices that are permanent and not invasive to field operations.  By connecting seed corn growers with technical and cost share information on these practices, increased knowledge of these practices can facilitate accelerated implementation.    

The Iowa Seed Corn Cover Crops Initiative focuses on ways to help increase adoption of cover crops specifically within the seed corn production system in Iowa. The focus on seed corn is driven by the unique opportunity that seed corn provides due to the earlier harvest, thereby providing better timing opportunities for establishing cover crops in the late summer and fall after harvest. Cost share applications for planting cover crops on seed corn acres this coming fall are being accepted. Visit www.sustainableseedcorn.org for more information.

Pesticide Applicator Self-Service Site Now Availab...

Pesticide applicators and licensed businesses have a new way to apply for their certification, pay fees, and check on their status. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) has launched a self-service portal for pesticide applicators meant to streamline the certification process.

First-time users will need to register to use the online site. Once registered, users can check on their status, pay fees, and retrieve certification numbers. The site also works for licensed businesses and private applicators.

Additionally, for new applicators who will be working for a licensed business under the supervision of a certified applicator and need to take the private applicator test as the workaround during the COVID-19 pandemic, registration, and payment of fees can be done directly from the portal. A successfully completed test immediately provides a certified applicator number.

• First-time users can register here – click here
• Instructions on First Time User registration instructions – click here
• Pesticide Applicator Self-Service site (login page for those already registered) – click here

The self-service portal uses each pesticide applicator’s unique certification number to match their application and payment to their training and testing history.

To apply for a new or renew an existing pesticide applicator license, individuals will use their certification number to log-in to the self-service portal. The licensee can submit their application, test results, and payment online.

Once in-person testing resumes, proctored test locations will use each applicator’s unique certification number when uploading the test results to the self-service portal. The portal will link the user’s training and testing information to the application and payment records stored in the online system.

Once the application, payment, training, and testing information are received, the licenses and certifications will be processed and sent directly to the applicant.

By moving the process online, individual pesticide applicators can access their records anytime by logging into the self-service portal. The system also has a public search function that empowers customers and employers to verify that their pesticide applicators are licensed to work in the state of Iowa.

Questions about the self-service site can be directed to the Pesticide Bureau via email pesticidesiowaagriculturegov  (pesticidesiowaagriculturegov)  .

FieldWatch® Launches New Program Helping Applicato...

Pesticide applicators in Iowa can now know in near real-time where seed field workers are active. 

Those registered with the FieldWatch system through the state of Iowa as an applicator now have access to SeedFieldCheck reporting, which shows where field workers are currently active and where seed companies plan to have active workers in the following 24 hours. 

The new functionality is integrated into the existing FieldWatch crop and the apiary registry. It will help seed companies more effectively communicate the location and presence of seed field workers to pesticide applicators. The information will be available in near real-time allowing seed companies the ability to make edits and update plans quickly and replace the endless circulation of emails and paper or electronic maps to targeted applicators.

With the addition of seed field workers to the FieldWatch system, the state of Iowa has a “one-stop-shop” for applicators to find information about sensitive crops, apiaries, and seed field workers. 

SeedFieldCheck is a pilot project launched in the state of Iowa by the Iowa Seed Association, Iowa Agricultural Aviation Association, and FieldWatch®. 

More information about the pilot program:

• Press release from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship announcing the pilot program
• Video demonstration of how to sign up as an applicator
• SeedFieldCheck Best Practices for seed companies and applicators  
• SeedFieldCheck Flyer

ISA encourages all commercial applicators to register with FieldWatch®. Companies and pesticide applicators who are currently registered with FieldWatch® will need to specifically add the SeedFieldCheck capability. This will allow a full report of sensitive crops, apiaries, and active field workers to registered users.

Companies currently participating in reporting field workers include Bayer, Becks, Corteva, Remington Seeds, and Syngenta.

For questions, please contact Joan O’Brien at 515-262-8323 or via email at href="joanoagribizorg" target="_blank">joanoagribizorg.

Help Applicators Keep Field Workers Safe

Pesticide applicators can now know in near real-time where seed field workers are active.

Those registered with the FieldWatch system through the state of Iowa as an applicator now have access to SeedFieldCheck reporting which shows where field workers are currently active and where seed companies plan to have active workers in the following 24 hours. 

The new functionality is integrated into the existing FieldWatch crop and apiary registry and will help seed companies more effectively communicate the location and presence of seed field workers to pesticide applicators. The information will be available in near real-time allowing seed companies the ability to make edits and update plans quickly and replace the endless circulation of emails and paper or electronic maps to targeted applicators. 

With the addition of seed field workers to the FieldWatch system, the state of Iowa has a “one-stop-shop” for applicators to find information about sensitive crops, apiaries, and seed field workers.

SeedFieldCheck is a pilot project launched in the state of Iowa by the Iowa Seed Association, Iowa Agricultural Aviation Association, and FieldWatch®

More information about the pilot program:

• Press release from the Iowa Department of Agriculture announcing the pilot program: https://iowaagriculture.gov/news/secretary-naig-reminds-producers-pesticide-applicators-communication-key-reducing-target
• Video demonstration of how to sign up as an applicator: https://fieldwatch.com/applicatordemo/
• SeedFieldCheck Best Practices for seed companies and applicators: https://fieldwatch.com/seedfieldcheckbestpractices 
• SeedFieldCheck Flyer: https://fieldwatch.com/seedfieldcheckinfo/ 

Companies and pesticide applicators who are currently registered with FieldWatch will need to specifically add the SeedFieldCheck capability. This will allow a full report of sensitive crops, apiaries, and active field workers to registered users.

Companies currently participating in reporting field workers include Bayer, Becks, Corteva, Remington, and Syngenta.

For questions, please contact Joan O’Brien at 515-262-8323 or via email joanoagribizorg  (joanoagribizorg)  . Thank You.

Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardshi...

Governor Reynolds extended the end date of the COVID-19 Emergency Declaration to April 30, 2020. As part of that decision, additional declaration language was added regarding commercial pesticide applicators who are not currently certified.

The declaration provides an opportunity for companies to hire new applicators during the Emergency Declaration period using the private applicator exam. See the full press release from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship for details.
The association has been working diligently with Governor Reynolds and Secretary Naig on the commercial pesticide applicator certification issue.
We would like to thank the Governor and Secretary for their leadership in providing a solution in these difficult circumstances and continuing to recognize it is in the vital interest of the state and the country that the food production system in the United States remains as uninterrupted as possible.

Additional Information

The COVID-19 pandemic has created delays in processing and mailing pesticide applicator cards and certifications. Applicators can view the status of their certifications on the Department’s public search portal.
For more information, contact the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s Pesticide Bureau at pesticidesiowaagriculturegov  (pesticidesiowaagriculturegov)   or 515-281-8591.

IowaSeed Forum Announces Speakers

Wednesday, February 12, 2020
Iowa State Fairgrounds
Varied Industries Building
9:00 – 9:20
Iowa Seed Annual Meeting and Honorary Member Award

9:20 – 9:35
John Latham, Latham Hi-Tech Seed
ASTA Update

9:35-10:05
Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig, IDALS
Iowa Update

10:05 – 10:35
Dave Tierney, Bayer CropScience
Addressing Iowa legislative/issues update and glyphosate update

10:35-11:05
Stephanie Regagnon, FieldWatch CEO
2020 Overview

11:05 – 11:45
Dr. Chad Hart, ISU
Economics

Lunch and scholarship recognition to follow forum, view conference information at www.iowaseed.org

Iowa Seed Golf & Education

Wednesday, June 26, 2019
Veenker Memorial Golf Course
Ames, Iowa

Download Registration Form Here (PDF)

Instructions: Attendees visiting the Seed Science Center are asked to park at the Memorial Union on Lincoln Way and walk to the Seed Science Center.

It’s a 10 to 15-minute walk from the parking lot. Please arrive early to park and attend the session on time. Google maps walking directions from the parking lot: https://goo.gl/maps/qJYvZSMpxP11VVZs9

Schedule of Events:

9:00 AM               Check-in | ISU Seed Center, coffee and refreshments

11:00 AM*          Check-in for golfers who did not attend morning sessions (*at Golf Course)

11:15 AM            Tour of Seed Lab (optional) and depart for luncheon at Veenker Clubhouse

11:30 AM            Luncheon at clubhouse

12:00 PM             Golf Shotgun Start

Directions:

From Memorial Union parking to Veenker Clubhouse https://goo.gl/maps/R72B8myuFUZgNsAK6

Addresses to Know:

Memorial Union, ISU Campus, 2229 Lincoln Way, Ames, IA 50012
Seed Science Center, 2115 Osborn Drive, Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa 50011
Veenker Memorial Golf Course, 2916, Veenker Dr, Ames, IA 50011

Contacts:

Joan O’Brien, Iowa Seed Association Office
joanoagribizorg  (joanoagribizorg)   or 515-262-8323\

Register Today!

Download Registration Form Here (PDF)

Please return to :

Email: JoanOagribizorg

Mail: Iowa Seed Association 900 Des Moines St, Des Moines, IA 50309

Cornelius Named 2019 ISA Board President

Des Moines, IA – The Iowa Seed Association (ISA) named Chuck Cornelius of Bellevue, Iowa, as 2019 Board President during the 2019 ISA annual meeting in Des Moines. The full 2019 board was confirmed and announced on February 13. The association also held the annual Iowa Seed Forum prior to the annual meeting.

Cornelius is currently the President and Production Manager of Cornelius Seed Company in Bellevue, Iowa. Chuck joined the family business after graduating from Iowa State University with a degree in Agronomy, extending the company’s family-owned heritage to the 5th generation.

Also rising in the ranks of the ISA board is Chris Latham of Latham Hi-Tech Seeds, named 1^st Vice President and Randy Ramundt of Bayer CropScience, named 2^nd Vice President. 2018 ISA President Jim Webster of Corteva Agriscience moved to Past President and will help on the board for one final year.

Each seat on the ISA serves a three-year term until the term either expires or the board member is nominated to the leadership track to become board president. Newly added to the board of directors include Brooke Achenbach of Syngenta and Terry Garner of BASF. Both Achenbach and Garner will serve on the ISA board until 2022.

Full board contact information can be accessed here https://iowaseed.org/board-of-directors/ 

Full Board of Directors Listing

Brooke Achenbach, Syngenta

Adam Anderson, Corteva Agriscience

Jim Anderson, Remington Seeds, LLC

Jeremiah Andorf, Bayer CropsScience

Chuck Cornelius, Cornelius Seed Company – 2019 President

Terry Garner, BASF

Chris Latham, Latham Hi-Tech Seeds  – 1^st Vice President

Randy Ramundt, Bayer CropScience – 2^nd Vice President

Jim Rouse, Iowa Crop Improvement Association

Tom Severson, Agvantage FS

Jim Webster, Corteva Agriscience – Past President

Dr. Manjit Misra, Iowa Seed Science Center Director – Appointed

 

The Iowa Seed Association strives to promote the seed industry, research pertaining to the betterment of agriculture, and to cooperate with educational and regulatory authorities in the development of a sound and effective seed program for the advancement of agriculture.

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