NEWS BULLETIN | 2024 FALL Newsletter

FALL 2024

NEWS BULLETIN

ISA News & Updates

Inside This Issue:

Sign Up Growers for the Iowa Seed Corn Cover Crops Initiative
Safe Handling of Treated Seed During Harvest
ISA Golf Tournament Highlights
Upcoming Iowa Seed Association Events
Thank You to Our Sponsors!

Sign up Growers for the

Iowa Seed Corn Cover Crops Initiative

There’s still time to sign up for cost-share for cover crops planted on seed corn acres through the Iowa Seed Corn Cover Crop Initiative. Growers are encouraged to sign up for cost-share as soon as possible, as the financial incentives from the Iowa Department of Ag & Land Stewardship require growers to have applications submitted prior to seeding cover crops.

Through the Iowa Seed Corn Cover Crop Initiative, growers can receive cost-share on 100% of their seed corn production acres. For 2024, cost-share rates are $15/acre for winter-hardy cover crops like cereal rye or $10/acre for winterkill cover crops like oats. An additional $5/acre is available for first-time cover crop users.

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 crops. The Iowa Seed Corn Cover Crop Initiative helps increase adoption of cover crops specifically within the seed corn production system in Iowa.

For more information on how to apply, visit www.sustainableseedcorn.org. Please share this information with seed production representatives and growers.

Safe Handling of Treated Seed During Harvest

As harvest begins across the country, the Iowa Seed Association reminds farmers and grain handlers to take the proper steps to ensure treated seed does not enter the grain supply. It’s always important to completely remove, and properly dispose of, all treated seed from containers and equipment used to handle harvested grain. Treated seeds offer an economical and sustainable way to boost food security by helping crops thrive, maximizing yield potential. Good stewardship means keeping them out of grain channels. For educational resources on treated seed stewardship, including videos, graphics, one-pagers and FAQs, visit: seed-treatment-guide.com/. Learn more about treated seed benefits and safety at www.betterseed.org/treated-seeds/.

ISA Golf Tournament Highlights

The Iowa Seed Association annual golf tournament was held June 20th at Veenker Memorial Golf Course in Ames. Golfers heard from speakers Chad Hart, ISU Professor of Economics, and Will Hoffman, conservation agronomist with Heartland Cooperative. Over 50 people attended the event. The Greenleaf team of Brad Kimball, Tom Miller, Greg Kegler, and Brad DePrez was the Flight #1 champion team after winning the tiebreaker over Bratney Co. The Corteva team of Kevin Gillis, Trent Borth, Jay Balch, and Kelly Schneider won Flight #2. Mike Giles won closest to the pin, Kevin Gillis had the longest drive, and Kelly Schneider sunk the longest putt. Over $2000 was raised for ISA scholarships.