CLICK HERE for the latest market quotes from the Iowa Agribusiness Network!
CLICK HERE for the latest market quotes from the Brownfield Ag News Network!
CLICK HERE for the latest market quotes from the Iowa Agribusiness Network!
CLICK HERE for the latest market quotes from the Brownfield Ag News Network!
(Radio Iowa) — The Iowa Department of Agriculture has launched a program to help pork producers deal with hogs they can’t take to market after coronavirus shut downs at packing plants. Ag Secretary Mike Naig says it’s something no producer wants to deal with. “Farmers are doing everything they can to avoid having to take the step of euthanizing and disposing of animals,” Naig says.
“They are finding alternate ways to market, they are selling direct to consumers, they’re changing their feed ration to slow down the rate of gain — they are doing everything they can. This truly is an action, a decision of last resort.” The Ag Department is offering producers 40 dollars for each animal to help cover some of the disposal costs for market-ready hogs. “It won’t cover all costs, but it is a part of the cost that they’ll incur to euthanize and dispose of animals,” he says.
Naig says they are still hoping for federal help to cover the loss of revenue from the hogs. Iowa State University estimates that by mid-May there were approximately 600-thousand pigs in Iowa that were unable to go to the packing plants. Iowa producers were faced with killing thousands of chickens and turkeys during the bird flu outbreak five years ago — and Naig says they learned some things then. “One of the key learnings from that was to really empower producers to make decisions and to take control of the situation,” according to Naig. ”
They know their operations better than anyone else. And they also know the resources at their disposal better than anyone else. We learned that back in 2015.” He says they will hand out the funding in at least three rounds. “The first round closes Friday of this week, and farmers will need to reach out to our office. They can call the main number or they can go to IowaAgriculture.gov, and there is a way to apply there. And then we will subsequently roll out rounds two and three,” Naig says.
Naig says this will help producers deal with the short-term problem. In the long-term, he says they need to continue to get making the packing plants safe for workers. He says that it will allow the employees to confidently show up and know that they can work safely. “That’s ultimately what it takes to return to full processing capacity. Today in Iowa we are running at about 75 percent of our normal processing capacity — an again that number steadily improves each day,” Naig says.
He says this could continue to be a problem throughout the summer. Each applicant who is approved will receive funding for at least one-thousand animals and up to 30-thousand each round, depending on the number of applicants. The money comes from federal coronavirus relief funding.
JOHNSTON, Iowa (AP) — Health officials are confirming another coronavirus outbreak in an Iowa meatpacking plant on the same day that the number of residents who have died from the virus topped 500. Of more than 2,500 employees tested at the Tyson pork processing plant in Storm Lake, 555 have tested positive.
Department of Public Health Deputy Director Sarah Reisetter said Thursday that businesses in Iowa are not required to report outbreaks, and state law only requires disclosure of a business name when it’s necessary to protect the public.
Produce in the Park begins it’s four-month run in Atlantic on June 4th. Market Manager Brigham Hoegh says “There are a lot of changes this year to keep folks safe.” Hoegh says also, “We are very excited to introduce an online pre-order system with drive-through pickup. (This has worked great for other markets across the state, and is hopefully going to help us get local food to lots of people safely.)”
Hoegh says “Recognizing the changes needed for a successful market season in 2020, Produce in the Park’s theme for 2020 is “Romaine Calm and Carrot On.” The market is introducing a number of changes to keep customers and vendors safe, and to comply with the Governor’s requirements for farmers markets this season.
Iowa Governor’s farmers market proclamation summary from the Iowa Department of Ag and Land Stewardship:
1. Musical performances, children’s activities, contests and other entertainment or organized activities are
prohibited.
2. Common seating areas, picnic tables or dining areas are prohibited.
3. There must be at least six feet between vendors’ booths.
4. Customers and vendors must follow social distancing, hygiene and public health guidelines.
Customer Requests:
Produce in the Park is requesting customers’ patience and support in keeping the market as safe as possible for all customers and vendors.
• If you are ill or have been in the past three days, PLEASE DO NOT attend the market.
• Masks are strongly encouraged.
• Only 1 person per household should attend the market.
• Please maintain a distance of six feet between yourself and all other people at the market.
• Please do your best to make arrangements for children under the age of 16.
• No pets (service animals exempt).
• You will not be able to handle products. Please maintain 6 foot distance from vendors & other customers, and point to what item you would like. The vendor will select and bag for you.
New Online Pre-Orders with Drive-Through Pick-Up:
For the first time, Produce in the Park is offering an Online Pre-Order system with drive-through pick-up from 3:30 – 6:00 PM. The online ordering system will officially open for orders on Sunday, May 31 and can be found at www.produceintheparkatlanticiowa.com or by visiting @ProduceInThePark on Facebook.
Produce in the Park is following other markets around the state in implementing this option, and feedback from other markets has been very positive. Market managers across the state have shared that customers are asking for the service to continue even after COVID-19. Hoegh says “We are really excited to offer this safe, convenient service to market customers during a time when physical distancing is important for everyone’s health.”
New Market Set Up:
In order to keep customers and vendors safely distanced, Produce in the Park is rearranging vendors such that all vendors will be set up along 6th Street between Poplar and Chestnut. Pre-order drive-through customers will enter the market from Poplar Street, and walk-up customers are asked to park along the East side of the park on Chestnut street.
Updated Market Days and Hours:
• Produce in the Park is open Thursdays from 4:30-6:30 PM in the Atlantic City Park, 10 W 7th Street. From June 4 through September 24.
• This year, pre-market drive-up shopping is available for at-risk customers from 3:30 to 4:30 PM. During this hour, customers at high risk of COVID-19, who are unable to shop online, can drive through the market and pay with cash or check without leaving their vehicles. This service will be offered first come first served.
Thank you to the community for understanding, and support. Thank you to 2020 sponsors 1st Whitney Bank and Trust, Cass County Health System, Deter Motors, Cass County Tourism, Atlantic Community Promotion Commission, the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, and Lindeman Tractor.
Contact Produce in the Park:
Email: produceintheparkatlanticiowa@gmail.com; Market Manager Phone: Brigham Hoegh 712-249-5870
(Radio Iowa) — Iowa’s two U-S senators are asking the Food and Drug Administration to clarify its policies on making alcohol-based hand sanitizer during the pandemic. Iowa ethanol producers were initially given the go ahead to use some of their ingredients to make sanitizer, but Senator Chuck Grassley says the F-D-A later changed its guidelines. Now, it’s unclear if ethanol can be used in the process. “Ernst and I want clarification from FDA so that people that are involved in this good faith effort to help out during the pandemic,” Grassley says. “I’d suggest they can’t be making much money at it, just a good faith effort.”
Ethanol producers got involved with the sanitizer to both provide a valuable commodity during the health crisis and also to have a marketable product, since fuel sales dropped dramatically with so many people staying home. Grassley says the F-D-A’s revision of guidelines left many in the industry mystified about what standards need to be met for hand sanitizer. “We’re in a situation where there’s questionable activity going on but that nobody has ill intent,” Grassley says. “We’re trying to clarify things so that people can continue to do their good work in good faith and not get in trouble for it.”
As the economy slowly reopens, Grassley notes the need will continue to grow for hand sanitizer at schools, restaurants, churches, factories, and other locations. Iowa is the nation’s number-one biofuel producer with 43 ethanol plants and 11 biodiesel plants supporting 43,000 jobs throughout the state’s economy.
(Radio Iowa) — State health officials report nearly 600 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 today (Wednesday), pushing the total over 18-thousand. The new case count includes an increase of more than 400 cases in northwest Iowa’s Buena Vista County alone. Moments ago, Governor Kim Reynolds was asked if there’s an outbreak at a food production facility in Storm Lake — and she said nothing is confirmed:
The state website shows 21 new deaths in Iowa from the virus during the past day, taking the total to 485. The number of Iowans hospitalized with COVID has risen to nearly 400, while more than 98-hundred Iowans have recovered. Bars, breweries and wineries will be allowed to reopen tomorrow, with casinos, amusement parks and other large venues reopening on Monday.
(Radio Iowa) The end of the planting season is getting closer. The U-S-D-A crop report shows 97 percent of the corn crop is in the ground — which is three weeks ahead of last year and two weeks ahead of the five-year average. Eighty-two percent of the corn has already emerged — up by 20 percent from the previous week. On the bean side — 92 percent are planted — and that’s almost one month ahead of last year and two weeks ahead of average. Just more than half of the beans have emerged — double what had already popped out of the ground last week.
The Montgomery County Ag Society (Montgomery County Fair Board), reports “Due to the ongoing social distancing guidelines and additional precautions taking place to help slow and reduce the spread of COVID-19, the Montgomery County Ag Society has made the difficult decision to cancel the grounds and grandstand entertainment for the 2020 Montgomery County Fair,” which runs July 14-19 in Red Oak.
Montgomery County Fair Board President Amy Liddell said in a social media post, “After consulting with Montgomery County Public Health, Montgomery County Emergency Management, the Montgomery County Board of Supervisors, and fair board members, it was determined this was the best decision due to the uncertainty of what the public health situation may look like in July. We want nothing more than to have a fair; however, volunteers, visitors, youth of Montgomery County and staff health and safety are our main concern.”
The Montgomery County Fair Board, in partnership with the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach of Montgomery County, are working to fulfill the fair vision of providing opportunities to the 4-H and FFA members to showcase their talents and accomplishments. Although event schedules are subject to change, please see the list below for current plans.
• Livestock Show – Show and Go Format (no animals will be housed on the grounds)
• Static Events – Dropped off exhibits with write-up will be judged
• Communications, Table Setting & Awardrobe Events – Format to be determined
• Clover Kids Graduation – Virtual Event to be determined
• Clover Kids Share Show – Cancelled
• Fair Queen Contest – Proceeding as planned
• All Open Class Events – Cancelled
• Grandstand Events – Cancelled
• Commercial Exhibits – Cancelled
• No concessions on the grounds
• Auction – Format will be changed to a premium base with additional details to be determined (please contact Fair Board to sponsor)
County fair is an opportunity for Montgomery County’s youth to have a unique learning experience. Even though fair in 2020 needs to happen in non-traditional ways, exhibits and evaluation of exhibits are important to help 4-H and FFA members complete their project learning. As details are finalized, information will be sent to families and volunteers. We will be live-streaming events as they occur and providing video links after the events. “During this time of uncertainty, the Extension staff is working with our amazing volunteers to offer educational opportunities for our youth this summer,” said Eva Woods, County Youth Coordinator for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach of Montgomery County. “Our youth have shown their dedication to their projects, and we want to reciprocate by giving them an outlet to showcase their hard work.”
“The Montgomery County Fair Board would like to thank all the supporters, sponsors, and partners for their support of the Montgomery County Fair,” Amy Liddell said. “We hope to see everyone at next year’s fair, July 13th – 18th, 2021!” For more information, regarding this year’s fair and updates about events at the fairgrounds, please follow the Montgomery County – IA Fair on Facebook. Please email Amy (liddellauctionservices@gmail.com) with additional inquiries. For more information, regarding 4-H & FFA events at this year’s fair, please follow Montgomery County-IA Extension on Facebook and at https://www.extension.iastate.edu/montgomery.
(Radio Iowa) –Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds, Tuesday, said she was in the process of setting up a call with the Iowa State Fair Board this week to discuss their plans for the 2020 State Fair, which is currently scheduled to begin August 13th. “I know they’ve been trying to wait to see how Iowa responds to our continuing to open up our economy,” Reynolds says, “and so we’ll have an opportunity to visit with them this week and see if I can answer any questions that they may have and really listen to them and see what they’re considering as they’re moving forward with making a decision.”
Minnesota’s 2020 State Fair was cancelled last week. The Missouri State Fair is scheduled to begin on the same day as the Iowa State Fair. Missouri officials say they’ll make an announcement in early to mid-June about what their state fair will look like.
Facebook
Twitter
YouTube
RSS