Agriculture

Kray Seed LLC allows Kray to carry on family tradition

Published by admin on Wed, 01/25/2023 - 10:02am

     Farming runs in the family. Tractors, restoring tractors, runs in the family. Selling seed also now runs in the family.

   Parker Kray, a Monticello High School 2015 graduate, enjoys staying busy. Working three full-time jobs is nothing for him.

   Now, living in Wyoming with his wife, Ashley, Kray sells seed for Beck's Hybrid under his own company, Kray Seed LLC.

   He started selling in 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic.

   "I'm in my third year of selling," he said. "I needed a job to supplement the farm."

Through the roof; Hosch Grain Tec's workload spiked after 2020 derecho

Published by admin on Wed, 01/25/2023 - 9:59am

   On Aug. 10, 2020, a derecho hit the city of Cedar Rapids and the surrounding area, bringing wind speeds of 140 miles per hour and causing widespread damage.

   It took a while for Dale Hosch, owner of Hosch Grain Tec, to be aware of the storm, and then to learn how deeply it impacted dozens of his customers.

   “We were working here that day, doing crane work on my own system,” Hosch said. “They were predicting that storm. We were working 100 feet in the air. And so I said, ‘We’ll just go until we can’t.’

A bond in agriculture: Schneiter siblings share Hay & Grain Show success, and more

Published by admin on Wed, 01/25/2023 - 9:58am

   Siblings Reagan and Lincoln Schneiter have a lot in common. One of the most prominent similarities is their love of agriculture.

   Consequently, they find themselves doing things together, including showing animals at the Great Jones County Fair.

   “It’s a little bit of brother-sister bonding,” said Reagan, 18. “It’s fun to do that together. It’s something that we both like and are passionate about, so we get along when we’re doing this.”

   Not that they don’t have the occasional family spat.

   “We like to fight, too,” Reagan added.

IFBF to award scholarships

Published by admin on Wed, 01/25/2023 - 9:53am

   High school students graduating in spring of 2023 are encouraged to apply for Iowa Farm Bureau Federation’s (IFBF) $2,500 scholarship, awarded to 27 eligible Iowa high school seniors and renewable for four years, up to $10,000.

   “Iowa leads the nation in agricultural production, and one in five jobs in our state is attributed to agriculture, so it’s imperative that we support the next generation of ag leaders,” says IFBF President Brent Johnson.

   “Iowa Farm Bureau is proud to award nearly $500,000 in annual scholarships to students continuing their education.”

AG BRIEFS

Published by admin on Wed, 01/25/2023 - 9:52am

Porker Ride

date is set

   The date has been announced for the fifth annual Jones County Pork Producers Porker Ride.

   It will be held Saturday, Aug. 26, with ride sites and stops to be determined.

   More details will be available in the coming months.

 

Producers laud

governor’s aid

to diagnosic lab

SWCD begins accepting tree orders

Published by admin on Wed, 01/25/2023 - 9:51am

   The Jones Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) is currently accepting orders for their tree and shrub seedling sale.

   All stock is bare root. There are no restrictions as to who can purchase the trees and where the trees are to be planted – this sale is open to anyone. Deadline to order is March 24. Early ordering is highly encouraged as quantities are limited and the more popular species sell out quickly. Trees will be distributed in late April. All orders must be prepaid.

Calf care webinar planned

Published by admin on Thu, 01/19/2023 - 10:05am

   Dairy producers and the industry will get an update on the Calf Care and Quality Assurance program during the I-29 Moo University webinar Feb. 6., from noon to 1 p.m. Central time.

   The Calf Care and Quality Assurance program was formed by a collaboration of multiple sectors within the cattle industry to provide best management guidelines to calf raisers.

Continuous certification is an option for perennial forage

Published by admin on Thu, 01/19/2023 - 10:04am

   The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reminds agricultural producers with perennial forage crops of an option to report their acreage once, without having to report that acreage in subsequent years, as long as there are no applicable changes on the farm. Interested producers can select the continuous certification option after USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) certifies their acreage report.

Organic ag course set

Published by admin on Thu, 01/19/2023 - 10:03am

   Those interested in transitioning to organic production can register for a "Transitioning to Organic Agriculture" course, offered by Kathleen Delate, organic specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. The course will be offered on Tuesdays from 6-9 p.m., beginning Jan. 17 and lasting through May 2.

   The class is offered in-person (for three Iowa State credits) or can be taken online through Zoom. The class will address the increased demand for organic food and feed grains, which presents a viable economic opportunity for Iowa farmers.

CropsTV returns for third season

Published by admin on Thu, 01/19/2023 - 10:03am

   CropsTV, powered by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, returns for a third season in 2023.

   This educational program delivers crop production information directly to farmers and agribusinesses and provides the convenience of crop production education at home, in the office or anywhere there is an internet connection. All episodes will be available for on-demand viewing, providing flexibility for busy viewers.

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