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Practical Farmers of Iowa 1997 Field Days
PROFITABLE, ENVIRONMENTALLY-SOUND FARMING:
PRACTICAL FARMERS OF IOWA 1997 FIELD DAYS
INTERNET READERS PLEASE NOTE:
A formatted (with photos) version of this 26-page field day guide
in Adobe Acrobat format can be obtained through FTP with the
username "anonymous.dnexner". To do so, your prompts and
responses would be as follows (Note that sometimes the ISUM
machine is pretty busy.):
(the computer): (you):
ftp isum.iastate.edu
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isum.iastate.edu password (): enter your email address
ftp> cd fieldays
(puts you in the right subdirectory)
ftp> ls
(lists two available files)
ftp> get filename
(whatever the file name is)
ftp> quit
The main body of the field day guide is file "PFIFdays.pdf,"
(about 1 megabyte in size) and the centerfold map of events
is the file "EventMap.pdf" (about 180 kilobytes).
The Adobe Acrobat viewer is freely available and can be
obtained on the Web at (among other sites):
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ml>
or downloaded via ftp (file transfer protocol) at
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PROFITABLE, ENVIRONMENTALLY-SOUND FARMING:
PRACTICAL FARMERS OF IOWA 1997 FIELD DAYS
There doesn't have to be a trade-off between profitable
farming and farming that preserves the soil and water and
protects the health of farm families! PFI farmers are
finding ways to accomplish both these goals, and
agricultural scientists are developing new tools to aid in
the task.
The Practical Farmers of Iowa cooperators and assisting
farmers in this brochure determine what management practices
they will evaluate on their own farms. They carry out
dozens of these trials and collect the data themselves, and
they analyze results with assistance from Iowa State
University Extension. The field trial design is a simple
one, yet it allows trial results to be evaluated
statistically. These research trials often compare the
cooperator's customary practice side-by-side with an
alternative practice. This year, PFI cooperators are
evaluating:
* management-intensive rotational grazing;
* hoop structures and other deep-bedded hog production
systems;
* N management using late spring soil nitrate test &
end-of-season stalk test;
* berseem clover, barley, turnips, and other short-term
feeds and forages;
* P and K fertilizer rates and placement;
* alfalfa as a supplement in finishing rations;
* biological control of corn borer, alfalfa weevil,
stalkborer, potato leafhopper, and corn rootworm;
* comparisons of manure and purchased fertilizer;
* trials using cover crops for soil improvement and weed
control;
* soybean production for identity-preserved premium markets;
* many more comparisons of interest to other farmers.
JULY 1 SOUTH-CENTRAL IOWA with NRCS and Madison Co.
Extension
Dennis and Kate McLaughlin, RR 1, Cumming 50061
(515) 981-9684
Resource people: Les Lewis, Bob Gunnarson, ISU Entomology
Dept.; Dennis Schrodt, NRCS District Conservationist for
Story County.
Dennis and Kate (with help from Dennis' parents) farm 100
acres of row crops, some oats and CRP, 30 acres of hay,
and a 30-head cow-calf herd grazing 60 acres of rolling
pasture.
Demonstrations: biological control of corn borer using an
endophytic fungus (in cooperation with ISU Entomology),
ridge-tillage with terraces and turn rows, strip
intercropping (3 crops), preplant nitrogen application
for corn vs. soil test and sidedress, preparing for
intensive rotational grazing for cow-calf herd (with
Dennis Schrodt, NRCS).
6:30 P.M. From Cumming exit of I-35, go ½ mi W on
pavement, 2 miles S. on gravel, 1¼ mile W. South side
of road, top of hill, (white house).
JULY 9 NORTHEAST IOWA
Walter and Gartha Ebert, 1273 120th St., Plainfield
50666
(319) 276-4444
On their 145-acre farm, the Eberts raise corn, soybeans,
small grains and forages, and they rotationally graze a
sheep flock of 60 ewes and their lambs. They are
participating in a demonstration of profitable oat
production coordinated by the Michael Fields Agricultural
Institute of East Troy, Wisconsin.
Demonstrations: management-intensive grazing for sheep,
profitable oat production, comparison of legume
underseedings for oats.
1:00 P.M. Three miles E. of Plainfield on Hwy. 188 to
Horton, N. 2 miles on Hwy. V-14 to 120th St. W. on 120th
St. 1¼ miles. N. side, white house, maples in front
yard.
REFRESHMENTS SERVED
Craig and Katia Milius, 1169 120th St., Plainfield 50666
(319) 276-3038
Of the 110 tillable acres on the 150-acre farm, all but a
40 acre experimental field is now pasture. Livestock on
the Milius farm includes a 30-cow beef herd, 20 ewes, 30
sows, dairy calves, goats, quarter horses, and broiler
chickens.
Demonstrations: forage mixtures a) canary reed
grass/bromegrass/orchardgrass/timothy/rye/berseem clover;
b) perennial ryegrass/endophyte-free fescue/grazing
alfalfa; c) maize for grazing followed by turnips for
grazing; d) field pea/oat/rape/Alice whiteclover; e)
Japanese millet; alfalfa vs. clover as underseeding for
oats hay; plowing with pigs; running water lines over a
hill; 12x20' "community sheds" for sows and piglets on
pasture; in-field farrowing shelters using on-hand
materials.
3:00 P.M. From Ebert farm, 1 mile W. on 120th St.
From Waverly, take Hwy, V-14 north 2 miles past Horton.
W. on 120th St. 2¼ miles. N. side, blue silo, back
house.
JULY 10 NORTHEAST IOWA
Mike Natvig, 20074 Timber Ave., Cresco 52136
(319) 569-8358
In cooperation with University of Northern Iowa (Laura
Jackson) and the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation (Kyle
Swanson).
With his parents Godfrey and Theodora, Mike farms 250
acres of corn, soybeans, oats and hay. The Natvigs
farrow-to-finish about 700 hogs per year on pasture.
Their beef herd of 33 cows has been in an intensive
rotational grazing system since 1988. The pastures are
dotted with mature trees from what originally was
prairie-oak savannah. The Natvigs recently established a
windbreak, a new farm pond, and a native prairie
planting.
Demonstrations: pasture management (intensive rotational
grazing, burning, etc.) on the historic Norman Borlaug
family farm (with Kyle Swanson), establishment methods
for a hazelnut windbreak/nut operation, managing native
plants for grazing, re-creating the historical plant
community of oak-savannah (with Laura Jackson),
"succotash" (oats/wheat/barley/Canadian field pea) for
green chop and grain.
1:30 P.M. From Protivin take V-58 (Willow Ave.) 1+ miles
north and west. Where highway turns north again,
continue W. 3 miles on 200th St. S. side, at
intersection of 200th and Timber Ave.
Tom and Irene Frantzen, 1155 Jasper Ave., New Hampton
50659
(515) 364-6426
In cooperation with University of Northern Iowa (Laura
Jackson) and ISU Agronomy.
The Frantzens raise cattle, hogs, corn, soybeans, oats,
forages, and alternative crops on 335 acres, of which 85
is rented. They have practiced holistic management since
1992. In 1997 they are implementing a low-investment
expansion of their pork enterprise.
Demonstrations: farm decisions tested against a
three-part goal, fitting the farming to the land,
non-chemical suppression of perennial weeds using crop
rotations and other cultural practices, alternative
feeding practices for swine, Japanese millet as
short-term hay source, high-lysine corn for swine feed,
palaton reed canary grass for permanent pasture,
establishing warm-season grasses for grazing (third year,
with Laura Jackson, UNI), transition to seasonal pork
production using hoophouses and pasture/pen farrowing,
multipurpose shelterbelt trees in a pasture-farrowing
system, establishment methods for hazelnut production, a
-mile CRP shelterbelt, 10-year review of practices and
field days.
4:00 P.M. From the east: From Hwy. 63, 3 miles W. on
Hwy. B-22 (110th St.), ½ mile S. on Jasper Ave. W. side.
From the west: 3 miles E. of Alta Vista on B-22 (110th
St.), ½ mile S. on Jasper Ave. W. side.
PORK BARBEQUE SUPPER
JULY 12 NORTH CENTRAL IOWA
Iowa Valley Community Supported Agriculture midsummer
open-house
(515) 847-3157 (contact: Jay Robinson)
The Iowa Valley CSA is a new, 10-15-share
community-supported agriculture (CSA) project in the Iowa
Falls-Eldora area. It grew out of a co-op buying club
and local PFI members. This CSA emphasizes fresh,
locally grown organic produce.
12:00 Doug Alert and Margaret Smith farm transition to
organic beef production using intensive rotational
grazing
1:00 Julie Forgy (Dows) vegetable production,
chickens
2:00 Jay Robinson (Geneva) biointensive vegetable
production
3:00 Londa Dawkins (Cleves) vegetable production and
market garden
4:00 Deb Winkler (Iowa Falls) vegetable production &
market garden
12:00 P.M. From Hampton: 4 miles S. of Hwy 3 on Hwy 65,
6¼ miles W. on gravel. N. side. From Dows exit of I-35:
5 miles E. to stop sign, 1 mile N. on pavement to 110th
St., E. 1 miles. N. side.
JULY 12 SOUTHEAST IOWA
Organic Farmer Mentoring Program Field Tour
Steven and Roxanne Hickenbottom and Ambrose Jaeger, RR 2,
Fairfield 52556
(515) 472-5710 (Or call the Rural Action coordinator,
(515) 472-6177.)
Steve is a mentor for the Organic Farmer Mentor Program
and a leader in the promotion of organic farming.
Ambrose Jaeger is an apprentice in the program and is
involved in banded crops and some organic farming.
9:00 A.M. From Fairfield, 4 miles W. on Hwy. 34. S.
side of road, after junction with Hwy. V-64 (to
Libertyville) and before the railroad overpass.
JULY 15 NORTH-CENTRAL IOWA
Steve and Tara Beck-Brunk, Ron and LaDonna Brunk, 12789
240th St., Eldora 50627
(515) 858-3239
Resource people: Les Lewis, Bob Gunnarson, ISU Entomology
Dept.
The 440-acre farm is presently in a corn-soybeans
rotation. As son Steve has worked into the operation,
the farrow-to-finish hog operation has grown to 2,000
head per year, which includes 500-600 cross-bred F1
York-Hampshire gilts.
Demonstrations: biological control of corn borer using an
endophytic fungus (in cooperation with ISU Entomology),
nitrogen management for corn on manured soils using the
late-spring soil nitrate test and end-of-season stalk
test, CRP wildlife shelterbelt using ninebark, lilac,
crab apple, oak, walnut, and conifers.
5:30 P.M. From Eldora, go E. on 175 6½ miles past
bridge. From Grundy Center, 10 miles W. on Hwy 175. N.
side, long lane, "Lean Pork Lane" on mailbox.
LIGHT SUPPER SERVED
JULY 17 EAST-CENTRAL IOWA
New Melleray Abbey, Joe Fitzgerald, 6500 Melleray Circle,
Peosta 52068
(319) 588-2319
Resource people: Joseph Munyaneza, ISU Entomology Dept;
Mo Ghaffarzadeh, ISU Agronomy Dept.
Joe Fitzgerald is farm manager for the New Melleray
Abbey, which grows 2,000 acres of corn, soybeans, wheat,
rye, oats, oil sunflowers, and some hay and leased
pasture. The farm has been owned and operated by
Catholic monks since 1849. The farm is presently
exploring ways to reduce purchased chemicals and improve
conservation. Some land is organic with more acres in
transition to organic certification.
Demonstrations: ± reduced rates of postemerge herbicide
in corn and soybeans, farm composting and use of compost
as fertilizer for corn, flame cultivation in corn and in
soybeans at emergence, management of alfalfa weevil and
leafhopper using scouting and biological control, field
border flaming for biological control of stalk borer
(with ISU Entomology), Bt corn managed as a trap crop for
corn borer, berseem clover interseeded into corn (with
ISU Agronomy).
10:00 A.M. From Hwy 151 west of Dubuque, go NW (at sign
for abbey) on Hwy D-41 (New Melleray Rd.), look for sign
(on right). Or: from Hwy. 20, take Peosta exit, S. 3
miles to New Melleray Rd.
REFRESHMENTS SERVED, DOOR PRIZES AWARDED
JULY 19 SOUTHEAST IOWA
Jeff and Gayle Olson, 2273 140th St., Winfield, 52659
(319) 257-6967
The Olsons farm 1,200 acres of corn, soybeans, and a
little oats and hay, and they have a small cow-calf
operation.
Demonstrations: a cow-calf and feedlot finishing
operation, feedlot runoff containment system with
composting area and liquid collection for irrigation,
oats following corn vs. oats following soybeans, beating
stalkborers in strip intercropping, home-made deep bander
and trial results.
2:00 P.M. From Swedesburg (10 miles N. of Mt. Pleasant
on Hwy. 218) E. on gravel 3 miles. Look for sign.
JULY 20 CENTRAL IOWA
Producer Tour Magic Beanstalk CSA Shared Visions group
Dick and Sharon Thompson, 2035 190th St., Boone
50036-7423
(515) 432-1560
The Thompsons' 300-acre farm uses 5-year and 6-year
rotations to support a beef cow-calf herd and a
farrow-to-finish hog operation.
Demonstrations: Magic Beanstalk CSA is helping the
Thompsons market beef and pork, which are raised without
antibiotics or hormones.
1:00 P.M. From Ranch Drive-In on old Hwy 30 at west edge
of Ames, go N. 4½ miles on R-38, W. 3½ miles on E-26, N.
side. Two silos.
Marilyn and Harold Andersen, Two Cedars Fibers, Route 2,
Box 155, Story City 50248
(515) 388-5501
Demonstrations: The Andersens raise angora goats, and
Magic Beanstalk CSA is helping them market ready-to-spin
mohair, handspun yarns, and hand-woven blankets, shawls,
mittens, and rugs.
3:00 P.M. Take Hwy 221 east 2.2 miles from I-35, S. on
gravel 2¼ miles, west side. Look for Two Cedars Fibers
sign at farm.
Connie and Mark Tjelmeland, TJ Family Farm, RR 1,
McCallsburg 50154
(515) 434-2440
Demonstrations: The Tjelmelands farm about 600 acres, and
Magic Beanstalk CSA is helping them market broilers that
are raised on pasture without antibiotics. They also
keep laying hens and sell the eggs at several local
outlets, and they will have stewing hens available in
early fall for CSA members.
4:00 P.M. From the four-way stop in Roland, E. 5 miles
on Hwy E-18 (or ½ mile W. of McCallsburg), N. ½ mile on
gravel. West side. White house.
Gary Huber, Onion Creek Farm, 3700 Onion Creek Lane, Ames
50014
(515) 292-0322
Demonstrations: Onion Creek Farm is a collaborative
effort to use organic techniques to grow sweetcorn, green
beans, potatoes, tomatoes, peas, onions, carrots, summer
squash and winter squash for the 55-member Magic
Beanstalk CSA.
5:30 P.M. From Tjelmeland's, go W. on E-18 through
Roland to Hwy. 69. S. on Hwy. 69 about 6 miles to
Gilbert Corner. W. on E-23 through Gilbert to G.W.Carver
Ave. (R-50) just W. of Gilbert. S. 3 miles on R-50 to
Cameron School Rd. W. 1 mile on Cameron to North Dakota.
S. on North Dakota 1½ miles to Onion Creek Lane. E.
side, follow signs.
LIGHT SUPPER SERVED
JULY 23 NORTHEAST IOWA
In cooperation with Northeast Iowa Demonstration Project
(John Rodecap).
Jeff Klinge and Deb Tidwell, RR 1, Box 101, Farmersburg
52047
(319) 536-2314
Jeff and Deb run a 700-800-head-per-year feeding
operation for holstein steers. About two-thirds of their
300 acres is in corn, with the remainder alfalfa.
Demonstrations: malting barley production and marketing,
managing potato leafhopper and alfalfa weevil with field
scouting, cultural practices, and biological controls
(with ISU Entomology), organic corn production (first
year of certification), growing sweetcorn for farmers'
market.
10:00 A.M. From the intersection of Hwys 13 and 52, go
southwest on 13. First farm, NW side of road.
LIGHT LUNCH SERVED
Dan Specht, RR 1, McGregor 52157
(319) 873-3873
The 500-acre farm includes 180 acres of organically
certified crop land devoted to pasture, corn, barley, and
hay. Fifty holstein heifers and about 70 beef calves are
rotationally grazed. An additional 100 acres is wooded.
Dan is a member of CROPP, the Coulee River Organic
Produce Pool, a marketing cooperative.
Demonstrations: management-intensive grazing of beef
yearlings in 1) released CRP, 2) warm season grasses,
native prairie legumes with grazing potential, a 4,000-ft
gravity water line, diatomaceous earth ± ivomectin for
internal parasites, cooperative marketing of beef from
organic farms.
1:00 P.M. From the west side of Marquette, take Hwy B-45
(Pleasant Ridge Rd.) W. 2 miles. From Monona, take B-45
E. 10 miles. At PFI sign, take long lane to S.
JULY 24 SOUTHWEST IOWA
Audubon Graziers
Jim and Mary Bradford, RR 3, Guthrie Center 50115
(515) 747-2578
Pasture Walk and Supper.
6:00 P.M. 13 miles E. of Hamlin on Hwy. 44. 8½ miles W.
of Guthrie Center on Hwy. 44. "Brad-Z Ranch" sign.
LIGHT SUPPER SERVED
For more information about the Audubon Graziers, call
(712) 563-4084.
JULY 26 SOUTH CENTRAL IOWA
Mark and Julie Roose, 1504 133rd St., Pella 50219
(515) 625-4227
The Rooses farm 350 acres (295 tillable), raising corn,
soybeans, barley, and hay. They have a 50-sow
farrow-to-finish operation, a small beef feedlot, and a
40-head beef cow herd.
Demonstrations: biological control of alfalfa weevil and
potato leafhopper, beginning intensive rotational grazing
with beef cow-calf herd, hoophouse hog production (at the
farm of John and Mary Roose), diversified farming
demonstration.
1:00 P.M. From Sully exit (#173) of I-80, take Hwy. T22
S. and Hwy. F62 E. to Sully. From ¼ mile E. of Sully, go
S. on Hwy. T33 8-9 miles (through Peoria) to Hwy. 102., 1
mile E. on 102 to 1st gravel (Elba Ave.), 1 mile N. on
Elba. Gold (2nd) house on E. side. From Pella, 8 miles
E. of Vermeer plant on Hwy. 102 to Elba Ave., then same
as above.
JULY 28-29 NORTHEAST IOWA
Prairie Pastures: Native Plants and Wildlife for
Rotational Grazing Systems. Laura Jackson, University of
Northern Iowa
This two-day workshop in a biologically rich region of
Iowa will bring together scientists and farmers to share
their experiences integrating agriculture and native
species.
Day 1 (from Mike Natvig farm, Cresco. Program begins at
9:00 A.M.): prairie pasture establishment and use,
production and quality, experimental prairie forages,
frost seeding/identifying seedlings, making pasture
attractive to birds, oak savannah pasture management,
fencing materials for rotational grazing, wetland
restoration, caravan to Hayden Prairie.
Day 2 (morning only. Program begins at 8:00 A.M.):
caravan to Matt and Diana Stewart farm (Oelwein), Vic
Collins farm (Oelwein), native grass demonstration plot
(Jim Ranum, NRCS).
From Protivin take V-58 (Willow Ave.) 1+ miles north and
west. Where highway turns north again, continue W. 3
miles on 200th St. S. side, at intersection of 200th and
Timber Ave. (Natvig farm).
Preregistration is encouraged. Contact Laura Jackson,
University of
Northern Iowa, Department of Biology, McCollum Science
Hall 2438, Cedar Falls, IA 50614-0421, or call (319)
266-5468, or (319) 273-2705, jacksonl@uni.edu.
AUG 15 NORTHWEST IOWA
Paul and Karen Mugge, 6190 470th St., Sutherland 51058
(712) 446-2414
(With: Michael Ellsbury, USDA-ARS Northern Grain Insects
Laboratory; Joel DeJong, ISU Extension; John Obrycki, ISU
Entomology Dept.)
The Mugges raise corn, soybeans, and some oats on their
320 acres of land. They also take part in a networked
farrow-to-finish hog operation.
Demonstrations: manure and nitrogen rates for corn (with
ISU Extension), composting hog carcasses using existing
facilities, construction of a hoophouse for finishing
hogs, field cropping vs. narrow strip intercropping
(corn-beans-oats and corn-soybeans), practices to prevent
rootworm migration in strip intercropping (with
USDA-ARS), grasshopper management in strip intercropping
(with ISU Entomology), economics of crop rotations,
soybeans after ± deep-banded P & K in corn, growing
herbicide-free soybeans for specialty tofu market.
8:30 A.M. Hwy 10, 3 miles W. of Sutherland, N. side.
Colin and Carla Wilson, Dan and Lorna Wilson, 5482 450th
St., Paullina 51046
(712) 448-2708
The Wilsons farm 800 acres of corn, soybeans, barley, and
hay. They farrow 2,400 hogs a year, half of which are
farrowed on pasture. Seventy-five percent of the hogs
are custom finished by a neighbor, and the rest by the
Wilsons. They are experimenting with the Tamworth breed
in their cross breeding program.
Demonstrations: beginning 2nd year with a Swedish-style,
deep-bedded farrowing and nursery building, hoophouse for
breeding and gestating sows, pasture farrowing,
double-row vs. single-row soybeans on 38" ridges.
10:30 A.M. From Paullina, go 1 mile W. on Hwy 10, 1 mile
N. on Polk Ave., ¼ mile W. North side, red buildings,
white house (Colin and Carla's).
LIGHT LUNCH SERVED
Agriculture Stewardship Center, Dordt College, Sioux
Center 51250
(712) 722-6285
(With: Doug Buhler, Keith Kohler and Madonna Foster,
National Soil Tilth Lab; Charles Brummer and Mo
Ghaffarzadeh, ISU Agronomy Dept.)
The Agriculture Stewardship Center provides teaching,
work-study, research and outreach opportunities.
Demonstrations: rotational grazing for dairy heifers, ±
Bt gene in corn vs. inexpensive hybrid, ± waxy gene in
corn, ± Roundup-Ready soybeans in 36" rows vs. drilled
soybeans, annual medic cover crop nursery (with Charles
Brummer, ISU), brassica, berseem clover, and annual medic
smother crops for weed management in corn (with Soil
Tilth Lab), berseem clover green manure trial (with Mo
Ghaffarzadeh, ISU), medics vs. herbicide for in-row weed
control in corn, results of 1996 cover crop trial, ag
lime vs. pell lime for alfalfa on acid soil.
1:30 P.M. Hwy 75 N. 2 miles from last stop light in
Sioux Center, turn E. at sign for Stewardship Ctr., go ½
mile, turn right at first lane. Meet in dairy
observation room.
REFRESHMENTS SERVED
AUG 19 NORTHEAST IOWA
Steve and June Weis, 2191 440th St., Osage 50461
(515) 737-2566
Steve and June raise corn, soybeans, oats and hay on
1,000 acres. They also maintain a 200-sow
farrow-to-finish operation, finishing in a variety of
systems, and they raise 1,400 veal calves per year. The
operation is a family farm corporation between Steve, his
father, and two brothers.
Demonstration: One year's experience finishing in three
hoohouses (labor, feed consumption, gain, slaughter
checks), rations for hoophouse production. (Experienced
hoophouse producers will also offer their insights on the
kinds of operations where hoop structures fit best.)
1:30 P.M. From Osage, 7 miles N. on Hwy. 218. On a
curve, turn N. onto Monument Ave. 1 mile N. and E. on
Monument. 1 mile N. on March Ave. to "T" intersection.
W. on 440th St. First place, N. side.
AUG 21 EAST-CENTRAL IOWA
David and Lisa Lubben, 24539 Hwy 38, Monticello 52310
(319) 465-4717
With assistance from Virgil Schmitt, Extension crops
field specialist.
About half of the 1,200 acres the Lubbens farm is devoted
to row crops. The remainder grows alfalfa hay or
bromegrass for pasture. Intensive rotational grazing is
used with the 100 stock cows, and the Lubbens run a
250-head feedlot for finishing.
Demonstrations: corn nitrogen management on manured soil,
corn ± the Bt gene, ± "beaver tail" seed firmers in
conventionally planted corn, drilled soybeans vs. 18"
rows.
10:00-12:00 A.M. From Monticello, 3 miles N. on Hwy 38.
3rd house (look for PFI sign).
REFRESHMENTS SERVED
AUG 25 NORTH CENTRAL IOWA
Dennis and Eve Abbas, 1038 180th St., Hampton 50441
(515) 579-6421
Dennis and Eve raise corn, soybeans, oats and hay on 320
acres, and they have used ridge tillage for 14 years.
They market certified organic soybeans and corn and
pesticide-free soybeans. In addition, they
farrow-to-finish about 500 hogs per year and raise some
beef as well.
Demonstrations: organic soybean and corn production
practices, preparing for finishing and farrowing in
hoophouses.
1:30 P.M. From Hampton, 4 miles W. on Hwy. 3 to Kildeer
Ave., 3 miles N. on 180th St., ½ mile W. on gravel. N.
side, white house, red buildings.
Fritz and Dawn Groszkruger, RR 1, Box 42, Dumont, IA
50625
(515) 456-5524
The Groszkrugers raise corn, soybeans and oats for seed
and hay on 300 acres. They have used ridge tillage for
18 years. They farrow-to finish hogs and sell 800 pigs
per year from 42 sows. A new addition to the farm is a
13-head beef cow herd.
Demonstration: getting started with a hoophouse finishing
facility.
(Please leave your chore clothes and boots at home to
visit this hog facility.)
4:00 P.M. From Hampton N. on Hwy. 65 to Hwy. C-25, 7
miles E. to Warbler Ave. N. 1/8 mile. E. side.
AUG 28 SOUTHWEST IOWA
Neely-Kinyon Research Farm, Greenfield 50849
(515) 743-8412 (Adair County Extension office)
With support from the Wallace Foundation for Rural
Research and Development, Shared Visions, and the
livestock, crops, and educational committees of the
Neely-Kinyon Farm.
Wayne and Margaret Neely donated their farm near
Greenfield to the Wallace Foundation for use in research
and demonstrations. The Neely-Kinyon Farm is one of
several community satellite farms around the ISU
Armstrong Research Farm.
Demonstrations: 15" vs. 30" corn rows, corn breeding
demonstration (white, high-protein, high-oil, and
historic hybrids), chicken manure ± synthetic N for corn,
± Amisorb for corn and soybeans, economics of tofu
specialty soybeans vs. conventional variety and
marketing, weed changes over time in Roundup-Ready corn
and soybeans vs. conventional varieties, Roundup-Ready
soybean variety trial (with Adair Co. Soybean Assn.), hay
protection methods, stockpiled forage and cornstalks for
winter grazing (with ISU Animal Science and ISU Agronomy
Depts.), berseem clover management (with ISU Agronomy
Dept.), interseeding species for pasture improvement,
product evaluation for pasture Canadian thistle control,
wildflower planting.
4:00 P.M. From Greenfield 1½ mile S. on Hwy. 25. E.
side. Start at building site, which is ½ mile E. of Hwy.
25, for displays.
LIGHT SUPPER IN MACHINE SHED
SEPT 2 NORTHEAST IOWA
John and Pam Cowles, RR 2, Box 90, Bloomfield 52537
(515) 675-3414
The Cowles' have 180 acres in permanent pasture, with
another 370 acres in crop rotation. Eighty acres of the
pasture is used by a 45-head Jersey dairy herd. The
Cowles renovated a barn on their home place to begin
milking cows in 1995. They describe the farm as in
transition from row crop and beef cow production to dairy
utilizing old permanent pasture and new seeding alfalfa
and alfalfa/grass.
Demonstrations: grazing-based dairy, alfalfa for
mid-summer grazing, intensive grazing management setup
using permanent electric fencing, two ponds with a pump,
hydrants and temporary lines, double-five
herringbone-style milking parlor.
1:00 P.M. From Bloomfield, 6½ miles E. on Hwy. 2. From
Milton, 8½ miles W. on Hwy. 2. At "IMO Camp" sign on Hwy.
2, take gravel S. 1½ miles. E. side.
REFRESHMENTS SERVED
SEPT 4 SOUTHWEST IOWA
Ron and Maria Rosmann and sons, 1222 Ironwood Rd., Harlan
51537
(712) 627-4653
(With support from Nelson Farm Supply)
The Rosmanns raise oats, corn, soybeans, rye, turnips,
barley, alfalfa and pasture on their 480-acre farm. The
farm is certified organic, and the Rosmanns are seeking
certification for their cow herd. They farrow 800
Tamworth-Berkshire hogs annually, and they maintain a
cow-calf herd of 90 cows. They also raise broilers and
operate a small nursery featuring container-grown and
field-grown trees, all for local sales.
Demonstrations: soybean weed management in conventional
tillage vs. ridge-till, grazing for a cow-calf herd using
cool season and warm season grasses, Baldridge grazing
maize, turnips and other short-term forages in a
30-paddock system, demonstration of diatomaceous earth
for internal parasites of cattle, report on study of
alfalfa in hog finishing rations, two varieties of
clear-hilum specialty organic soybeans, high-oil corn
production for cattle feed.
4:30 P.M. rain or shine From intersection of Hwy. 59
and 44 in Harlan, 2 miles W. on Hwy. 44, then N. 2¼
miles on Ironwood Rd., W. side.
LIGHT SUPPER SERVED
SEPT 10 NORTHEAST IOWA
Matt and Diana Stewart, 15434 25th St., Oelwein 50662
(319) 283-1337
In cooperation with Northeast Iowa Demonstration Project
(John Rodecap).
Two hundred acres of the 380-acre farm is in grass, the
rest is in corn and alfalfa. The 100-cow registered
Holstein herd and 100 of the 140 heifers are on pasture.
The Stewarts are working to combine traditional and
seasonal dairying, optimizing forage quality through
grazing, and focusing on the bottom line.
Demonstrations: strategies for late summer and fall
grazing, season of calving study (with John Rodecap),
pasture mix changes over time, survey of birds in a 1995
pasture biodiversity study, grazing warm season grasses,
pasture improvement with fairly high rates of liquid
dairy manure and liquid-seeding of ladino clover from
Holland and canarygrass. Also this year: 20 acres of
spring-planted annual ryegrass and 2 acres of Forage
Feast chicory.
1:00 P.M. From Oelwein, 1 mile S. on Hwy. W-19 (Outer
Rd.). NE corner of W-19 and 25th St.
SEPT 11 CENTRAL IOWA rain or shine
With the Henry A. Wallace Institute for Alternative
Agriculture.
Richard and Sharon Thompson, 2035 190th St., Boone
50036-7423
(515) 432-1560
Resource people: Michael Duffy, ISU Extension Economics;
George Beran, ISU Vet. Med. School; Charles Brummer, ISU
forage breeder; James Holland, ISU small grains breeder;
Rick Exner, PFI/ISU Extension coordinator.
The 300-acre farm is chiefly in 5-year and 6-year
rotations. The farm also supports a beef cow-calf and
farrow-to-finish hog operation. Most of the crop land is
devoted to on-farm research.
Demonstrations: new cow shed with concrete foundation and
walls, concrete sow feeders and snow problems, results
from A-frame farrowing isolit, second year of Austree
windbreak, new modifications of Buffalo ridge-till
planter, rotary hoe wheel repair with bolts, double-throw
ridges in soybeans, manure dump box, manure/biosolids
storage, corncob and lime shed, intensive rotational
grazing pasture walk, liner under crushed rock cattle
lane.
Discussions: moldboard plowing/rye cover crop, tub
grinding cornstalks and hay for beef cows, economics of
cropping systems, problems with "guess rows," pathogen
control through cleaning, bedding and liming, oats in
rotations and rations, recycling farm buildings.
2:00 P.M. until dark following ISU Agronomy Day
(No charge. The 1997 research report will be
complimentary.)
The Thompson farm is 4 miles north of the ISU Agronomy
Day site. Or: Hwy. 30 to Hwy 17. Take Hwy. 17 N. about
4 miles to Hwy. E-26. Go E. 1½ miles. N. side, two
silos.
LIGHT SUPPER SERVED
SEPT 13 SOUTHWEST IOWA
Kenneth Rosmann, 1240 Ironwood Rd., Harlan 51537
(712) 627-4217
In cooperation with Heartland Organic Co-op, ISU
Extension, and ISU Agronomy Department.
The 510-acre farm has been in transition to organic
production since 1983 and was certified organic in 1991.
Crop land is in a five-year rotation. The 70-unit
cow-calf herd rotationally grazes in a 12-paddock system.
Demonstrations: purchased turkey manure vs. on-farm
cattle manure for corn production (with ISU Extension),
specialty "tofu" soybean variety trial (with ISU Agronomy
Dept.), developing markets for organic oats and corn,
diversified farming.
3:00 P.M. From intersection of Hwy. 59 and 44 in Harlan,
2 miles W. on Hwy. 44, then N. 2 miles on Ironwood Rd.,
W. side, long driveway.
SEPT 14 SOUTHEAST IOWA
Tom Wahl and Kathy Dice, 13882 I Ave, Wapello 52653-9449
(319) 729-5905
With Farms Forever Shared Visions and PFI Sustainable
Projects.
Fifty-three of the farm's 55 hilly acres are in timber,
primarily young oak and walnut. Tom and Kathy also keep
dairy goats, sheep, and chickens.
Agroforestry Demonstration: fruit- and nut-bearing trees
grafted varieties of chestnut, black walnut, Persian
("English") walnut, heartnut (a sport of Japanese walnut),
pecan, hican (pecan-hickory crosses), shellbark and
shagbark hickory, persimmon and pawpaw. Also evaluated:
seedling strains of hybrid hazelnut, nut pines (Korean
pine, Swiss stone pine), and ginko.
2:00 P.M. From Burlington: Hwy. 61 N. to Hwy. 252. E.
to 4-way stop in Grandview. S. 1½ miles. "Chestnut
Acres" sign on left side (across from large white house
on right).
From Muscatine: Hwy. 61 S. to ½ mile past Hwy. 252
intersection. 1½ miles E. and S. "Chestnut Acres" sign
on left side.
From Iowa City: Hwy 218 S. to Ainsworth. E. on Hwy. 92
to Hwy. 61. S. ½ mile on Hwy. 61. 1½ miles E. and S.
"Chestnut Acres" sign on left side.
REFRESHMENTS SERVED
****************************************************************************
Rick (Derrick N.) Exner
PFI Farming Systems Coordinator
ISU Extension
Practical Farmers of Iowa
2104 Agronomy Hall, ISU, Ames, IA 50011
(515) 294-1923, -9985 fax