Going against almost all other industry currents, farming retirements exist only on paper, echoes Charles Schwab, a professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering at Iowa State University. “Farmers keep working at some level and you see these injuries mount. We’ve recorded so many farm injuries with 70- and 80-year-olds and that makes agriculture so different.”
When manure is disturbed or agitated, H2S is released into the air “in bursts,” says Dan Andersen, ag and biosystems engineering professor at Iowa State University. Air concentrations can increase a thousand-fold, reaching deadly levels within seconds.
Anhydrous ammonia is a popular farm fertilizer because it’s highly concentrated and cheaper than other options, said Mark Hanna, extension agricultural engineer at Iowa State University.
Iowa Learning Farms has hosted a number of field days in 2016 where farmers, landowners, agriculture professionals and many others have come together to learn about conservation farming practices. At these events, many attendees have had common questions, and sometimes common misconceptions, about water quality and drainage.
As the fall harvest continues to push on across the Midwest, frequent storms and rainfall have dampened many producers’ fields, and this trend will likely continue through October. Dr. H. Mark Hanna, an agricultural engineer with Iowa State University, has recently published a series of combine adjustment tips that could help producers better cope with …Continue reading “Hanna, ISU extension and outreach advises combine adjustment for wet fields”
First on Mark Hanna’s list when it comes to saving money at harvest is minimizing combine losses. “Make sure you get all the grain you’ve got coming to you,” said Hanna, an Iowa State University Extension agricultural engineer. “Two corn kernels per square foot or four soybeans per square foot equates to one bushel per acre loss. …Continue reading “Hanna: Minimizing combine loss saves money”
Iowa farmers who had flooding in their corn fields may have the option of feeding some of that grain to livestock, but the corn must be tested first. “If the grain has been actually flooded, that is uncontrolled flood water over top of either the ear or the pod, then FDA — Food and Drug Administration …Continue reading “Hurburgh: After tests, some flood-damaged corn may be fed to livestock”
“Increased production coupled with consumer demands for food safety assurance require good manufacturing practices and the training to support them, at all levels of the grain market,” said Charles Hurburgh, professor-in-charge of the Iowa Grain Quality Initiative. “Market activities are much more interrelated than in the past.”
Charles Hurburgh, professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering Hurbugh said producers will face challenges on several fronts during this year’s harvest. Alternating periods of precipitation and high humidity across the state have created favorable conditions for high moisture and mold in the crop, which means grain quality will vary for many producers, he said. “The …Continue reading “MEDIA ADVISORY: Iowa State experts available to comment on 2016 harvest”
A lot of the latest electronics and sensor technologies require a trained eye, Iowa State University Extension ag engineer Mark Hanna notes – but not all. At the least, check for chewed wires and other signs of rodent damage – especially for equipment that may have sat idle for the past 10 or 11 months. …Continue reading “Hanna: 4 Items to check before your combine rolls”
Iowa Governor Terry Branstad signed a proclamation Sept. 9 to commemorate the week. The proclamation calls for all Iowans to “work together to control and mitigate these farm risks.” Working to make farms safer is crucial to a state like Iowa that has more than 90 percent of its land used in agriculture and distributes …Continue reading “Schwab: Experts advise farm safety practices during safety week”
A common issue with any machinery stored for long periods of time can be especially damaging to electronic components, wiring and sensors, says Iowa State University Extension (www.extension.iastate.edu) ag engineer Mark Hanna. “If you have rodents, connectors can be damaged. You may have mice chewing the wiring,” he says. “It’s probably been 10 or 11 …Continue reading “Hanna: Is your combine ready to roll?”
The Iowa State University Northeast Research and Demonstration Farm will celebrate its 40th anniversary on Aug. 26 at its annual fall field day. The program will start at 10:30 a.m., with introductory comments from NEIAEA and Iowa State leaders in celebration of the farm’s accomplishments. John Lawrence, Iowa State associate dean for Agriculture and Natural Resources …Continue reading “ISU Northeast Research Farm to celebrate 40th anniversary on Aug. 26”
Harvest equipment can have a lot to do with how much yield loss you experience. Being attentive to both equipment and field conditions is critical in minimizing yield loss. Research shows during harvest, 60% of yield loss typically occurs at the corn head, according to Iowa State University Extension agricultural engineer Mark Hanna.
Speaking at the field day is Matt Helmers, professor and extension specialist in ag and biosystems engineering at Iowa State University. He will highlight practices and ongoing research efforts to meet the goals of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy. Mark Hanna, extension agricultural engineer, will share tips on adjusting planter settings for strip-till and no-till …Continue reading “Strip-tillage and cover Crop field day planned for July 28 in Webster County”
