The last two days have been all over the place; however, a common theme has presented itself, run-off from crops. Tuesday began with a visit to the Iowa Agribusiness Association where the discussion centered on problems with the corporations and water. Later in the day we went to an Iowa State research facility that looked at how to minimize N runoff by planting cover crops, specifically Miscanthus. Miscanthus can be used as animal bedding, burned for energy, or used as a buffer crop to reduce nitrate runoff. Then, on Wednesday, the group met in the morning with the Practical Farmers of Iowa. They are a group dedicated to providing farmers with the best practices necessary to farm; they emphasize the farmer-to-farmer relationships and the ability of farmers to share information with each other.  At Practical Farmers we focused on several issues.  First, we learned about efforts to assist farmers who have experienced  pesticide drift, which has been discussed with some other farmers we have met with. The largest impact occurs with horticulture crops (think vegetables and orchards, generally anything that is not a commodity crop such as corn or soy). The Nutty Farmer had discussed cover crops with us, but I never fully understood the purpose other than to prevent soil erosion. PFI added to this by describing how dicamba has a serious problem with pesticide drift if the conditions are not right, but is only active for 1-2 days. Later in the day we heard from Bayer Crop Science with regard to dicamba and the efforts that it is taking to show applicators the conditions on a given day and if they lend themselves to spraying dicamba. Furthermore, some state governments have regulated the dates to which a farmer may spray dicamba beyond what the EPA has listed (no later than 90 days after planting). This is due to dicamba becoming more at risk to pesticide drift as the weather becomes more humid and warm. The states pushing to regulate this put final dates that dicamba can be sprayed believing that as it gets further into the spring/summer and warmer the spraying should stop. When the PFI representative we met with was asked what could be done to prevent pesticide drift or what legislation/ regulations should be passed she did not comment on regulations but said what could be done to prevent. Websites show what is grown where and is self-reported so farmers can tell what pesticides are being used around them. Farmers should make themselves visible and reach out to neighbors if they are concerned. Both Bayer Crop Science and PFI discussed the problem can generally stem from the applicator. The applicator is state licensed and might not be as vigilant as a neighbor would be when applying dicamba, even though dicamba requires extra courses to be taken to be licensed to apply it. Pesticide drift and N runoff are difficult issues to tackle with no clear solution requires more work to be done such as the research Dr. Heaton has done at Iowa State in investigating other crops to be grown that have a practical value, being energy, and a use while grown for farmers, such as being a cover crop.

This morning when at Corteva, Dr. Diehl discussed regulations placed on seed companies and on all GMO products. The science has proven that they are not dangerous to those who consume them so what is the problem? They take about 15 years to be developed and about $150 million in research without seeing a profit. This is similar to The Nutty Farmer’s investment in his chestnut trees. Furthermore, in the USA are regulated by the FDA, USDA, and EPA making it the third most regulated sector in the USA behind pharmaceuticals and crop protection products (read pesticides, fungicides, and insecticides). So again, what is the big deal? Obama had attempted to reduce regulations on GMOs, and rumors are that the Trump administration is decreasing regulations even more.

When visiting the Corn Growers Association and the Soybean Producers Association commodity groups in the afternoon the main focus seemed to be about China. China imports the most soybeans from the USA, and the exports to China have gone down drastically as the trade war continues. There is much speculation as to what is going to happen next; whether the trade war could end, China manipulate their currency or have their infrastructure shifted to South America to supply their demands. These organizations also receive money through check-off programs, the soybeans from federal government check-off programs, and the corn from state check-off programs. The soybean group has different regulations as to what they can do due to it being a federal program, whereas the corn group has a different structure where the checkoff money goes to marketing and media and the other side is lobbying where the funding comes from member dues. The government is dealing with the trade war and listening to concerns these groups voice to attempt to help farmers by giving them checks in an effort to offset the cost of the trade war. Both commodity groups seemed to put on a happy face in a difficult time, and it was difficult to tell how they felt about current policy coming from the Trump administration. Before I began writing this I read an article from Reuters titled “Rural Iowans ponder Trump alternatives as China trade war drags on”. The gist of the article is as the trade war harms farmers, especially soybean farmers, they begin to look at other presidential candidates, resulting in a potential loss of much of President Trumps Midwest voter base.

Today the rain again has not been beneficial; however, the class was able to visit a beekeeper and his operation. During our visit, we learned how to keep a hive, about swarms, and the products that can be made from bees. Notably, the beekeeper mentioned how commercial bee operations that rent their bees out for assistance with pollination of crops had harmed his hives two years ago in 2017 and resulted in the loss of all but 12 of his hives. Furthermore, he told the class of how pesticides used to kill weeds have killed much of his garden and other plants he had planted on his property. Heath Stolee, the chestnut farmer we met with yesterday, is a proponent of spraying weeds and manages to keep his garden well maintained, but it is up to the individual spraying to be proficient and careful as to not cause collateral damage. Honey, unlike many other products, does not need to be inspected as it does not lend itself to the growth of bacteria, and the beekeeper had won many awards at the State Fair for his honey, wax products, and displays. When we returned from Mr. Tintjer’s beekeeping operation, some of us decided to go to the Neubauer Farm and listen to Dr. Halva-Neubauer’s brother, Denny, discuss tractors. It started with tractors and we were shown the tractor used in the tractor pull competitions and the truck used in the truck pull competitions, but the highlight was the discussion of the farm operations and the ins and outs of the Neubauer family farm. The sweet corn grown on the farm is different from most corn grown that we have seen thus far, as it is edible. The peas grown on the farm are planted and harvested by the company that will buy and distribute them. This is vastly different from any operation we have visited as they grow what can be sold to the elevators and distributed.

May 19, 2019

Yesterday started with waking up at 6 to help sort and move cattle. Brandon and I began wondering if cows could kick, and within the next three minutes, I painfully learned that this was indeed true. Following this, the class learned about crop insurance. Almost every farmer has crop insurance, and hail coverage is extra; however, it will cover a higher percentage. We later watched “King Corn” as a class and learned that when they planted their acre of corn (sometime between 2005-07) they would not have made a profit without federal subsidies. This was before ethanol, however, it is still important to note how insurance and federal assistance programs help farmers make it work and become profitable. The rain continues to cause problems for the class but does not compare to the problems it has caused farmers. We are all hoping for sunshine.

Today started with visiting POET ethanol refinery in Jewell and learning about the transformation of corn to a bio-fuel. POET produces 2 billion gallons of ethanol a year and recycles all water used in its plant. The challenges in the ethanol industry are similar to those facing farming; it is difficult to bring in new, young, energetic employees and train them. Following the ethanol presentation and tour, we went to the Sweeney farm (our hosts) and assisted in herding and sorting cattle. During this activity, we learned about what makes beef good, how the USDA rates beef, and how the cattle are cared for. We then went to Lost Lake Farm to learn about cheese. We were treated to some samples, learned about how the operation functions and where the cheese is sold. For dinner, the entire class went to Its All Good in Radcliffe, where the pizza is truly all good. We talked to Brian Wosepka, a local farmer using rotational grazing methods for his chickens and beef cattle. He discussed the difficulties facing small farmers and how you need 1,000 acres to be profitable, but he makes it work with only 100. He explained how rotational grazing is not only healthy for the cattle, but for the land and people who eat his meat as well. However, he explained the numerous governmental regulations facing small farmers who wish to sell their meat into the marketplace.

This morning the class attended a farm safety course taught by Professor Butt. During this, the class learned how to not be harmed or involved in a farm accident, as farming is the 8th most deadly occupation in the US, and about precision agriculture. Following lunch (at the #1 Central Iowa Chinese restaurant), Professor Butt took the class to his farm to show us some equipment and how drones can be used in precision agriculture. For dinner, half of the class went to a composting course while the other went to a Farm to Table restaurant and were treated to delicacies from farms within a 100-mile radius of Des Moines that consisted of cheese, vegetables, short-rib, sausage, and delicious rhubarb deserts.