Small Grains News and Updates

August Small Grains News

Happy August,

I hope that harvest went smoothly and that these rains returned just in time to get your summer cover crops established. Now, we’re in the lull before the fall harvest storm begins. It’s a good time to plan out small grain fields, particularly winter small grains that need to be established in September and early October. Luckily I have boatloads of new resources and materials from the small grains conference to aid you in the planning. Keep on reading for more details.

And, in rather exciting news, Practical Farmers was awarded a new NRCS Conservation Innovation Grant so we will be able to offer cost share again for small grains harvested in 2019!! See more details below.

Best,

Alisha

Presentations Online from the Small Grains Conference

On July 30 we had a good crowd of about 70 people gather at Minnesota State University in Mankato for the small grains conference. The breakout sessions focused on agronomy, livestock integration and markets for small grains. We collected presentations from all of the speakers, and now those are posted on our website along with the videos we made of the three livestock sessions and the plenary address by Dr. Matt Liebman. You can access these presentations on our website or by clicking the button below.

Cropping System Diversity: Effects on Production, Soil Health and Profitability - Matt Liebman

We will also have blog coverage on several of the sessions. Read all about Kevin Smith’s session on marketing to breweries and keep your eye on the blog for more summaries of individual sessions from the markets track to come.

Access Conference Presentations

Survey Open to Request Cost Share Acres for 2019

With a new award from the NRCS’s Conservation Innovation Grant, PFI will be able to offer cost share on small grains harvested in 2019 and a following cover crop that includes legume species. For details on the cost share eligibility and program requirements refer to this flyer. Because we were unable to give cost share to everyone who contacted us last year, we’ve changed the payment structure to pay $25/acre on up to 100 acres of small grains plus a legume cover crop. This will allow PFI to cost share 5,000 acres in 2019 across Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin.

In order to be first in line to claim your cost share, you can start requesting acres now via this link. The survey will ask for your contact info, the number of acres and small grain you plan to plant and the legal land descriptions for the field(s). Completing this survey does not guarantee that you will get cost share, but it puts you in the official queue. Contracts will be issued on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Request Cost Share Acres

September 7 Shared Learning Call on Growing Cover Crop Seed in Iowa

One of the most popular sessions at the small grains conference was on growing small grains to sell for cover crop seed. We heard from many farmers that they wanted an Iowa-specific version of this session – so that will be the focus of our next call.

Robin Pruisner from the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and a representative from Iowa Crop Improvement Association will use the first half of the call to give an overview of Iowa’s laws regarding seed production. They will cover seed licensing and certification requirements and exemptions. Then we’ll reserve half of the time on the call for Q & A from the participants. Come ready to discuss!

The call will take place from Noon – 1 p.m. on Friday, September 7. To join the call dial 641-715-3620 and enter passcode 357330#.

EVENTS

Shared Learning Call: Growing and Selling Cover Crop Seed in Iowa

September 7, Noon - 1 p.m.

Dial 641-715-3620 and enter passcode 357330# when prompted

Field Day: Cover Crops + Small Grains = A Perfect Pair for Soil Health and Water Quality

September 10, 2:30 – 5:30 p.m. | Mark and Melanie Peterson of Bent Gate Farm

2311 N Ave., Stanton, IA 51573

IN THE FIELD

Harvest and Post-Harvest Handling

For those of you who haven't harvested yet, check out these resources:

The Harvest episode of our Rotationally Raised Video Series
The Post-Harvest: Handling and Storage episode of our Rotationally Raised Video Series
The recap blog from our July 6th call on harvest and post harvest handling
The recap blog from PFI's June 27 small grains combine clinic

Rotationally Raised - Post-Harvest: Handling and Storage

Marketing

If you don't already have a market lined up for your grain, here are some resources on identifying a market that lines up with the grain quality you've achieved with your crop:

The 2018 Small Grains Directory lists small grains buyers for seed and grain by location
The recap blog from our grain and seed markets call in early 2017
Grain Miller's markets presentation from the 2016 small grains short course
The recap blog from our March 2018 call on marketing to breweries and distilleries
The rotationally raised short on markets for small grains

And don't forget about straw!

The blog recap from our straw marketing call in 2017

Time to Think about Planting Winter Small Grains

Planting season is fast approaching. It's time to start thinking about selecting and ordering your seed, target planting date and lining up crop insurance. Still unsure which small grain is right for you? Here are some resources:

The variety selection episode of our rotationally raised video series
The blog from January 2017's shared learning call on variety selection with seed dealer Mac Ehrhardt
Jochum Weirsma’s presentation on Winter Rye Variety Selection in Iowa from the 2017 Small Grains Conference or this blog from his presentation at the 2017 PFI Annual Conference
Joel Ransom’s presentation on Winter Wheat Variety Selection from the 2017 Small Grains Conference
This blog from Oct 2017 shared learning call on Raising High Yielding Winter Small Grains Starts in October with Planting
Crop Insurance Options for your Small Grains