Farmers see December price gains across crops and inputs
Farm prices in December rose 14 percent from 1990-02 indexed levels, up 0.9 percent from November. Tomatoes corn strawberries and lettuce fetched higher prices while oranges broilers dairy and grapes fell. Equipment costs rose 43 percent versus 1990-02, with the index flat from November and 6.7 percent above December 2004. Feeder cattle diesel fuel feeds and LP gas declined, offset by higher nitrogen fertilizer feed concentrates feeder pigs and feed grains.
Farm Notes on meat goat production workshop in Cedar Rapids
Eric Finch discusses meat goat production at an Iowa Communications Network workshop January 24 from 7 to 9 p.m. The event is viewable in Linn Hall Room 203 at Kirkwood Community College Cedar Rapids. Registration costs 19 dollars. Contact Kirkwood Continuing Education for details and registration. Hours and show information are listed on quadcitiesfarmshow.com.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Eric Finch
Iowa Communications Network
Linn Hall
Kirkwood Community College
Cedar Rapids
Kirkwood Continuing Education
Foryourlifetime
Workshop on crop insurance and energy costs at Hawkeye Downs
An interactive 11 am workshop at Hawkeye Downs Cedar Rapids discusses crop insurance and energy costs with input costs and alternative energy topics. Farm Credit Services of America and Iowa State University Extension present. A meal is provided. Reservations due Monday at 1 800 593 0151 or online at managingcroprisks.com
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Hawkeye Downs
Sixth St
Cedar Rapids
Farm Credit Services of America
Iowa State University Extension
Managingcroprisks. Com
ISU Ext Confinement Site Manure Workshop and Related Ag Events
Iowa State University Extension offers a two hour continuing education workshop for confinement site manure applicators in January and February at multiple sites. Two sessions are at Stutsman Inc Hills Jan 24 and Linn County Extension Marion Feb 9. A wind energy value seminar Feb 1 in Washington followed by a USDA Rural Development grant writing workshop until 4 p.m. Registration costs 20 dollars with lunch included. Trade show participants include over 200 agricultural businesses at the Quad Cities Farm Show in Rock Island Illinois January 15 to 17 with informal meetings on January 15 and 16 about increasing combine profitability.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Iowa State University Extension
Stutsman Inc
Hills
Linn County
Marion
Knights of Columbus
Washington
Iowa
Usda Rural Development
County Farm Bureau
Iowafarmbureau.com
Quad Cities
QCCA
Rock Island
George Kuchar
Kuchar
Seminar on organic farming and greenhouses heads to Maharishi Vedic City
Maharishi Vedic City hosts a 1:30 p.m. Saturday seminar on organic farming and greenhouses in Headley Hall at 2100 Mansion Dr. The $7 registration fee can be paid at the door or via Jim Huffsmith at (641) 470-7070 or tours maharishivediccity.net. Directions from Highway 1 City.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Maharishi Vedic City
Headley Hall
Jim Huffsmith
Maharishivediccity
Fairfield
Airport Road
Jasmine Avenue
Grand Drive
Mansion Drive
Eighth Annual WM Expo And Crop Fair At Hawkeye Downs
The Eighth Annual WM Expo and Crop Fair takes place at Hawkeye Downs in Cedar Rapids on Tuesday and Wednesday. Seminars cover weather trends at 9:30 a.m. and market update at 1 p.m. Tuesday, planting techniques at 2 p.m. Wednesday, with show hours 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Tuesday and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday. The Tractorcade 2006 route will be announced at 11 a.m. Tuesday in the Bingo Hall followed by lunch by Benton County Pork Producers.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
WM Ag
Hawkeye Downs
Cedar Rapids
Benton County
Aged teachers in demand as schools seek agriculture educators
In Holton Kansas and nationwide districts struggle to recruit ag education teachers amid rising demand. A 2001 to 2004 National Association of Agricultural Educators study shows shortages and growing graduation numbers yet insufficient hiring. Marketability and licensing hurdles deter potential teachers.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Larsson
United States
Larison
National Association of Agricultural Educators
Mini cattle grow in popularity across small farms
Suburban ranchers turn to miniature cattle to fit on small plots. Maryland breeder Bill Bryan notes calves sold to three to five acre setups for milk, meat, or PET-like use. Breeders claim tiny cattle require less pasture, eat less, and are easier to handle, with higher meat per acre potential.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Bill Bryan
Maryland
Bryan
Trappe
Miniature Cattle Gain Niche Markets and Higher Prices
Bry an quotes $1,600 for female miniature calves and $1,000 for bulls versus $500 to $600 for normal calves. Gradwohl of Happy Mountain Miniature Cattle Farm in Covington, Washington, says six niche markets exist for minis. Most minis are sold as pets or for small-scale milk, breeding, showing, organic beef, or farm markets.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Bryan
Richard H. Gradwohl
Happy Mountain
Covington
Wash
Gradwohl
Safe Farming: Safety Audits Highlight Tool Hazards On Farms
LaMar Grafft of Iowa’s I CASH urges eye protection with grinders and guards for saws, checks cords for damage, and recommends GFCI outlets. He stresses wearing goggles during hammer work and sharing safety tips from farm audits. He grew up in Jones County and promotes farm safety education.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
LaMar Grafft
Jones County
Iowa
Center For Agricultural Safety and Health
I-Cash
The
University of Iowa
Also Mentioned on This Page
Iowa Agricultural Statistics Gazette Graphic
Quadcities Farmshow
Wind Energy
WMT Ag
Tractorcade
the Gazette
Margaret Stafford
Associated Press
Holton, Kan
Jason Larsson
Holton High School
Tom Broyles
Virginia Tech
Adam Kantrovich
Morehead State University
Broyles
Ag Education
al Education
Steve Harbstreit
Kansas State University
Alex Dominguez
Pres. Trappe, Md
Gazette Classifieds
Greg Schafer
Michelle Grandfield
Gazette Communications
Collins Road Market
Michelle
Hedges Realty
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