Latest News
Winter Guide to Windbreaks
The holiday season may be over, but Old Man Winter remains. Tired of those inconvenient snow drifts piling up on your livestock farm? A properly planted windbreak can greatly reduce your time and effort spent on moving snow. Two Approaches to Snow Control When it comes to windbreaks, there’s no such thing as a one-size-fits-all...
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12 Reasons to Call the Coalition
Since 2004, the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF) has assisted over 3,720 Iowa farm families in raising livestock responsibly and successfully. As a trusted third-party resource, CSIF offers a variety of services that are completely confidential and free of charge. The wide range of these services are summarized in the following “12 Reasons to...
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CSIF News Briefs – December 2016
Five Tips for Understanding Manure Management Farmers wear many hats, and when it comes to manure management they must balance the roles of an agronomist, economist and environmental steward. Check out the following tips from our recent Manure Workshop to learn how you can better maximize the nutrient value of your manure. Manure Management Tips...
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CSIF Conference to Focus on Managing Risk on Your Farm
Industry experts to provide strategies to improve profitability WEST DES MOINES, IOWA – December 15, 2016 – The Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF) is hosting its twelfth annual Farming for the Future Conference January 19 from 10:00 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Quality Inn and Suites in Ames. This year’s conference, themed “Managing...
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Big Gain, Inc. Invests in CSIF
Big Gain, Inc. affirms its support of Iowa agriculture through an investment in the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF). Brian Waddingham, executive director of the Coalition, says the group has stepped forward with an investment to support CSIF’s efforts in working with livestock farmers. “We’re extremely grateful for the contribution made by Big Gain,...
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Land-Based Aquaculture: Hurdles and Business Planning Practices
Increasing global demand for seafood has prompted many Iowa farmers to explore land-based aquaculture as a profitable and sustainable venture to grow and diversify the family farm. Several hog barns and school buildings across the state have already been converted to fish farming facilities, but while food fish and shrimp remains a big driver for...
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Trees: Your Long-Term, Low-Cost Solution
While there’s no silver bullet to completely mitigate livestock odors or control snow deposition, there is one solution many Iowa farmers turn to as the next best alternative – trees! A properly designed windbreak not only reduces the impact of winds and inclement weather, but can dissipate odors, shift snowfall and enhance farm aesthetics. In...
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Five Tips for Understanding Manure Managment
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa – December 8, 2016 – Farmers facing tight markets can impact their profitability by understanding the top five criteria in manure management decisions, according to experts at the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF) recent manure management workshop. Over 60 farmers attended the event to learn how to better manage their...
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Farmers Reel in Business Opportunities at CSIF Aquaculture Conference
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa – December 1, 2016 – The emerging aquaculture industry offers big market opportunities for Iowa’s livestock farmers. According to experts at the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF) recent Aquaculture Conference, the high quality resources that position Iowa as a top producing agricultural state also make it a natural fit for...
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CSIF News Briefs – November 2016
Farmers Reel in Business Opportunities at CSIF Aquaculture Conference The high quality resources that position Iowa as a top producing agricultural state also make it a natural fit for aquaculture production. Although indoor fish and shrimp farming systems are still relatively new in the United States, many Iowa farmers are intrigued by the business model...
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