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UPDATE: Investigation into Montgomery County fertilizer spill continues

Ag/Outdoor, News

March 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

RED OAK  5:01-p.m., 3/13/24 – DNR staff continue to investigate the New Cooperative fertilizer spill near Red Oak in Montgomery County. The release has been stopped and clean-up efforts are still underway.

The product flowed several miles downstream of Red Oak in the East Nishnabotna River, reaching Missouri. The Missouri Department of Natural Resources has been notified.

The DNR encourages private well owners in Montgomery, Page, and Fremont counties with wells in near proximity to the East Nishnabotna River to contact their county health department to test their wells for nitrate. This service is free using Iowa’s Grants-to-Counties (GTC) program. The DNR will be providing county health officials with lists of registered private wells that may be vulnerable.

Due to low water levels in the East Nishnabotna, the concentration of the liquid nitrogen fertilizer is higher than during normal stream flows, causing concern for all animals due to high nitrate and urea levels.

Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine Toxicologist Scott Radke recommends keeping all animals away from the East Nishnabotna River until the plume of contaminant moves out of the area.

The Iowa DNR is working with local, state and federal officials, and will continue to investigate impacts of the spill.

Original press release information from March 12, 2024:

Fertilizer spill in Montgomery County reaches East Nishnabotna River

RED OAK — On March 11, New Cooperative in Red Oak notified the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) of a release on-site early Monday morning.

Approximately 1,500 tons of liquid nitrogen fertilizer (32% solution) discharged into a drainage ditch, then into the East Nishnabotna River. The release occurred due to a valve left open on an aboveground storage tank overnight. Areas of pooled fertilizer have been pumped into a vac truck and will be land applied later. Dead fish were observed in the East Nishnabotna. The extent of the fish kill is still being determined.

DNR field staff are on-site. Samples have been collected and will be analyzed. The investigation is on-going.

Atlantic FFA Competes at Districts

Ag/Outdoor, News

March 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Clarinda, Iowa/by Atlantic FFA reporter Lily Johnson) – On Saturday, March 2nd, 2024, 20 members of the Atlantic FFA chapter competed in the District Career Development Events at Clarinda High School.

Lauren Comes

During the District Business session Sophomore Lauren Comes was elected as the 2024-25 Southwest District Secretary. Lauren will have several new responsibilities in her new office. Lauren gave a speech and answered two questions earlier during the business session.

Lauren said, “Being selected as a district officer was truly an amazing experience. I am extremely grateful and excited for what the year will bring. I can’t wait to be able to represent the Atlantic FFA at a district level. Having the experience to advocate for this outstanding organization is an incredible opportunity.” Hayden Kleen and Keston Schmidt were the chapter delegates for Atlantic FFA at the convention.

Earning a Gold rating, placing 3rd earning the Alternate to the Iowa FFA State Convention was Lola Comes Extemporaneous Speaking.

Keegan Kemp

Also earning Gold was Charli Goff in Ag Welding and Keegan Kemp in Torch Welding.

Lola Comes

Claire Pellett competed in Public Speaking and earned a Silver rating, Makenna Schroeder completed in Chapter Website and the Conduct of Meetings Team earned a Silver.

Team members include Addie Freund, Addalyn Sonntag, Rylee Harlan, Jacquie Freund, Lily Johnson, Collin Harris and Maddy Anderson.

In the FFA Chapter Quiz, Atlantic FFA had 2 members participate. Earning a gold were Lauren Comes placing 11th and Lily Johnson placing 14th.

In the FFA Freshman Greenhand Quiz, Atlantic FFA had 6 members participate. Earning a Gold was Jacquelyn Freund. Receiving silvers were, Rylee Harlan, Addalyn Sonntag, Bailey Gresihaber, Maggie Cohrs. Receiving Bronze include Lily Willrich, and Kayedance Sturm.

Charli Goff

Competing in the Farm Business Management Test was Mia Kloewer placing 40th earning a Bronze medal.

State FFA Officers visit Atlantic FFA Chapter

Ag/Outdoor, News

March 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic FFA Chapter welcomed Iowa FFA State Officer Collin Bauer and District Officer Presley Buttler to a chapter visit on February 26th, 2024. Atlantic Ag Instructor/FFA Advisor Eric Miller says while at the AHS, the officers discussed opportunities in FFA and the students participated in leadership-building activities.

During a year of service to the organization, Iowa FFA officers serve as ambassadors for agriculture and the FFA. They travel to FFA chapters throughout the state to connect with members and talk about the many opportunities available to students enrolled in agricultural education.

Each Ag Class has a lesson tailored to meet the needs of the individuals in the class. Some workshops are based on Leadership Skills, others on Team Building and finally FFA Chapter Recruitment. Each class begins with an introduction of an ice breaker activity used to get the State Officers and the students in the class introduced to each other. This is followed by a game or activity designed to highlight a specific leadership skill or team building activity.

Agricultural education incorporates three aspects of learning. The classroom provides basic knowledge. FFA develops leadership and personal skills. A Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) provides hands-on learning while working or in an agricultural business.

The Iowa FFA Association comprises 285 local chapters preparing over 19,200 students for future career opportunities. FFA activities and award programs complement instruction in agricultural education by giving students practical experience in applying agricultural skills and knowledge gained in classes.

Through agricultural education, FFA makes a positive difference in students’ lives by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth, and career success.

Bill preventing DNR from buying land at public auction advances

Ag/Outdoor, News

March 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa [KCCI] — A bill moving forward in the Iowa Statehouse limits how the Iowa Department of Natural Resources can purchase land to expand or create public lands. Iowa has 35.7 million acres of land, but only 3% is public, making Iowa second-to-last in the nation for publicly-accessible land.

The bill would restrict the DNR from purchasing land at a public auction. The DNR would still be able to buy land from private sellers and accept land donations.

The bill advanced out of an Iowa House subcommittee on Tuesday and will now head to committee. It will need to pass through the House to make it past Friday’s funnel.

Cass County Extension Report 3-13-2024

Ag/Outdoor, Podcasts

March 13th, 2024 by Jim Field

w/Kate Olson.

Play

Pork Producers CEO says Perry plant closing will hurt producers

Ag/Outdoor, News

March 13th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – The leader of the Iowa Pork Producers Association says the pending closure of the Tyson pork plant in Perry will not only lead to lost jobs, but will also put a strain on producers. Association C-E-O, Pat McGonegle, says he feels disappointment for the community of Perry and for those who now need to find another market for their animals. “This announcement just kind of adds another little headwind to us. But pork producers are resilient, and they’ll get things figured out,” McGonegle says.

McGonegle says once the Perry plant closes in June, the nearest options to take hogs are Storm Lake and Denison. McGonegle says the past 20 months have been rough, with producers losing 20 to 30 dollars per pig, and tough economic times have also hurt processors. “Anytime we get in these, these kinds of headwinds, nothing really surprises you. But certainly, it’s a shock to the community. And it’s a shock to the industry.”

McGonegle says prices have improved during the past two months, but producers are still seeing a loss.

Fire risk is so high, it’s ‘like pouring gasoline on the ground’

Ag/Outdoor, News, Weather

March 12th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) – Warm temperatures, dry conditions and gusting winds are combining to make conditions extremely dangerous for open burning in many areas of Iowa, with burn bans active in 22 counties.

In southwest Iowa, Glenwood Fire Chief Matt Gray says his department tackled a ditch fire along Interstate 29 on Monday afternoon, but as crews were working to contain the blaze, the winds shifted and the flames quickly spread into a nearby cornfield.

“A bunch of the stuff that was leftover from the previous harvest, the corn and stuff like that, was so dry and with the speed of the wind, it was all we could do to keep it contained,” Gray says. “It got up on a levee and burned through that. There was a bunch of high brome grass in there that burned and there were several trees that caught fire.”

Gray says they requested mutual aid from the Oak Township Fire Department as well as from Malvern once the fire spread. Ultimately, he says the blaze consumed between five and eight acres. Despite recent precipitation, Gray says conditions are still ripe for brush fires.

RED — 22 active burn bans, BLUE — 12 recent ban lifts.

“With the wind speeds and all the dry fuels laying on the ground. That’s basically like pouring gasoline on the ground, lighting it, and letting it go,” Gray says. “It’s very flammable, spreads fast, and with the wind, it’s just hard to control.”

Even in areas where burn bans are not in effect, Gray urges everyone to be extremely cautious, and that includes campfires, grills and farm equipment.

“Basically, you’re not supposed to be doing any open burning at all unless you have a burn permit signed from the fire chief who goes out and selects the area that you’re going to burn,” Gray says. “That’s the only way you can do any type of open burning right now.”

During burn bans, residents are reminded not to throw cigarettes from moving vehicles and to stop burning yard waste, piled tree debris, or other items. Violations of a burn ban can subject a person to criminal penalties and civil liabilities for any damages, losses, or injuries resulting from a fire.

John Deere announces production worker lay-offs

Ag/Outdoor, News

March 12th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – John Deere says it will lay off almost 150 production workers in Ankeny in the coming months. On Friday, 150 production employees were placed on ‘indefinite layoff.’ This will take place through April and May.

Around 17-hundred total employees work at the Ankeny site. Most of them perform maintenance or production jobs.

(Update) Fertilizer spill in Montgomery County reaches East Nishnabotna River

Ag/Outdoor, News

March 12th, 2024 by Ric Hanson

RED OAK, Iowa – On March 11, New Cooperative in Red Oak notified the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) of a release on-site early Monday morning.

Approximately 1,500 tons of liquid nitrogen fertilizer (32% solution) discharged into a drainage ditch, then into the East Nishnabotna River. The release occurred due to a valve left open on an aboveground storage tank overnight. Areas of pooled fertilizer have been pumped into a vac truck and will be land applied later. Dead fish were observed in the East Nishnabotna. The extent of the fish kill is still being determined.

DNR field staff are on-site. Samples have been collected and will be analyzed. The investigation is on-going.

Heartbeat Today 3-12-2024

Ag/Outdoor, Heartbeat Today, Podcasts

March 12th, 2024 by Jim Field

Jim Field visits with Kate Olson about the Cass County Master Gardeners Scholarship program and an upcoming tree care workshop.

Play