Latest News
CSIF Event Highlights Calving Barns as Alternative to Pasture
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa – September 6, 2016 – Limited access to pasture ground has prompted many Iowa livestock farmers to transition their cattle under roof. For the Wilkerson and Clark families, this type of production system was a feasible option to help diversify their farms and welcome home the next generation. In 2015, brothers Mike...
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Delaware County Family Improves Cattle Performance With Help From CSIF
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa – September 2, 2016 – When the Ryan brothers, Mike, John and Pat, decided to build a monoslope cattle barn on their farm, they knew they could turn to the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF) for siting assistance. “They had all the previous experience of working with other people who...
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CSIF News Briefs – August 2016
Photo Contest Winners Announced August 1st marked the conclusion of our third annual “Farming is a Family Affair” photo contest. A variety of entries celebrating Iowa farm life were submitted during the voting period and were featured on the CSIF Facebook page. The top three winners with the most likes were awarded with a day package...
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CSIF Field Day to Focus on Calving Under Roof
WEST DES MOINES, IOWA – August 5, 2016 – The Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF) is hosting a “Calving Under Roof Field Day” on August 25 near Linden to provide livestock farmers an opportunity to tour existing calving barns, hear about the economics of calving under roof, outline strategies to reduce feed costs, discuss...
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Ryan Brothers Host Cattle Building Open House
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa – August 1, 2016 – Farmers interested in learning about the benefits of raising cattle under roof are invited to attend an open house at the Pat, Mike and John Ryan family farm, to tour their new cattle building and enjoy a complimentary dinner on Tuesday, August 23 from 4:00 –...
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When in Doubt, Hire a Professional
Last month we highlighted three simple steps for diagnosing your tree problems. While it can be rewarding to complete an on-farm project independently, sometimes taking yourself out of the equation can be the best way to save both time and money. When it comes to planting trees, the benefits of hiring a professional tree landscaper...
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Manure Management: Doing the Simple Things First
When it comes to manure, doing one thing to improve management practices is better than doing nothing at all. The “Manure: Your Fertilizer Source Workshop”, sponsored by the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF), provided the tools and know-how to apply simple on-farm manure management practices. Farmers and agribusiness professionals from across the state attended...
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CSIF Partners with Iowa State Fair’s ‘Avenue of Breeds’
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa – July 27, 2016 – In celebration of Iowa’s diverse livestock industry, the Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers (CSIF) is proudly sponsoring the “Avenue of Breeds” at the Iowa State Fair for the sixth year in a row. The 2016 Iowa State Fair runs August 11-21 and the Avenue of Breeds...
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CSIF Hosts First-of-its-Kind Workshop in Northeast Iowa
WEST DES MOINES, Iowa – July 18, 2016 –The Coalition to Support Iowa’s Farmers recently hosted a first-of-its-kind event to help livestock farmers unlock the potential nutrient value of their manure. The “Manure: Your Fertilizer Source Workshop” was held on Wednesday, July 6 at the Comfort Inn in Dyersville. Around 60 farmers and agricultural business...
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CSIF Tips of the Month – July 2016
Third Annual ‘Farming is a Family Affair’ Photo Contest Announced In celebration of Iowa’s farm families, we kicked off the month by launching our third annual “Farming is a Family Affair” photo contest. The contest runs from July 1 – August 1 and is administered through the CSIF Facebook page. The top three photos with...
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