(Radio Iowa) — A ten-year study documents the conservation benefits of cover crops on farm fields and shows they’re a long-term tool for soil health. Growers were asked to plant strips of cereal rye as a cover crop on their corn and soybean fields, leaving neighboring areas without it. Liz Ripley, with Iowa Learning Farms, says after working out some kinks the first year or two, the results were so positive it was hard to keep farmers in the study. “In the strips that had the cover crops, they didn’t see the level of erosion, right next door to fields that did,” Ripley says, “and compared to those other fields that weren’t participating in the trial, they could see how the soil moisture even was changing over time.”

Many participants bowed out after just five years to plant the cereal rye across their entire fields. Ripley says cover crops are an investment in a farm’s future productivity. The study sites were all in Iowa but she says the findings should hold up throughout the Corn Belt. “They’re going to see very similar results in terms of the impacts on crop yields,” Ripley says. “When it comes to some of the other variables, here in Iowa, we have some really great soil. But a little further south, they start with a little bit lower organic matter, and so they can have the opportunity for faster increases in soil organic matter.”

Ripley says where small yield losses occurred, farmers made adjustments to how they plant their cash crop and were able to get back their expected yields. Iowa Learning Farms and Practical Farmers of Iowa partnered on the study.

(Lewis) – The Cass County Conservation Board will hold a Full Moon Owl Prowl Hike, 7-p.m. Monday, at the Cold Springs Park, near Lewis. The CCCB invites you to come out for a great night hike, with unknown surprises possibly in store. The Full Moon will light the way.  Officials say the group will hike and try to call in various species of Owls that may be in the park, Monday night.

All ages are welcome to attend. Be sure and dress for the weather. If there is snow, snowshoes will be available.

If you have ever wanted to grow your own succulents instead of purchasing them, or wondered why certain plants flourished in your yard while others perished, or even dreamed of growing masses of blooms or veggies using your small deck, patio or raised bed, then tomorrow (Saturday, March 7th), is your chance to learn all about growing. Cass County Master Gardeners are giving you the opportunity to receive short, small group learning on those topics and many others during the “Lightning Learning” portion of the Spring Garden Seminar. The seminar, “Garden Inspiration, Old & New” will be held Saturday, at the Cass County Community Center.

Master Gardener Jan Steffen says “The ‘Lightning Learning’ portion of our seminar gives participants the opportunity to move around and visit 10 minute demonstrations on a variety of topics. They’ve been popular at our seminars before, and we are excited to bring them back in 2020.” Topics for the “Lightning Learning” sessions include Hosta Highlights, Propagating Succulents, Small Space Gardening, What’s New at the Garden Centers, Soil Testing, Seed Lending Libraries, Faux Finish Pot Painting and more. This fast, fun-filled portion of the seminar will last an hour with participants choosing the topics they want to participate in. Steffen says that with the variety of topics offered, everyone should find inspiration for their garden.

“Garden Inspiration Old & New” is a half day seminar designed to help discover what’s new in the garden and heirlooms that continue to delight gardeners. In addition to the Lightning Learning sessions, participants will hear from two guest speakers. To start the day, Kathy Johnson, owner of local business “Flowers For You”, will share her insight into growing cut flowers, knowledge of floral design and tips for selecting and growing flowers for your own bouquets.

The second speaker is Cody Egan from the Seed Savers Exchange in Decorah, Iowa. Cody will teach attendees about heirloom plants and how to preserve them. Cody believes that heirloom seeds have the ability to reconnect us to a specific time and place, a certain soil and season during which that seed, and the memories associated with it, were grown.

“Garden Inspiration Old & New” will be held at the Cass County Community Center in Atlantic. Doors open at 8:30AM, and a light continental breakfast will be served. The program begins at 9AM and will conclude by 12:30PM. Cost for the seminar, including continental breakfast and refreshments is $20. A schedule and registration form are available at the Cass County Extension office, or online at www.extension.iastate.edu/cass. Questions can be directed to Kate Olson at 712-243-1132 or by email at keolson@iastate.edu.

(Radio Iowa) — To best prepare for outbreaks of any foreign animal diseases, the Iowa Pork Producers Association is partnering with the Iowa Department of Agriculture in asking state lawmakers for money. Drew Mogler, the association’s public policy director, says funding is needed to help the ag department prepare for diseases like foot and mouth disease or African swine fever. “They’ve ramped up some funding efforts for activities,” Mogler says, “and this year, again, we’re supporting them for another half-a-million dollars, for some of those activities as they continue to build up their planning and preparedness efforts alongside the industry.”

He notes that’s the primary state agency for battling any foreign animal diseases, should they reach Iowa. “The department of ag plays a pretty critical role in movement of animals and permitting,” Mogler says. “It’s important that they have the resources at their disposal to be able to make sure that continuity of business for producers and they have certainty as we respond to an incident like that.” Mogler says Iowa lawmakers are wrapping up their talks on policy bills after the recent “funnel” deadline. “Now, they’re turning to appropriations and putting budgets together,” Mogler says. “It’s one of those things that we’re pretty confident that we’ll be able to get some of that money but continue to remind legislators of the importance of proper planning and preparedness in the state.”

Mogler says while neither foot and mouth disease or African swine fever has shown up in the United States, it’s critical officials are vigilant with protection efforts against any possible outbreaks.

AMES, IOWA – In cooperation with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will host the Farmers Market Nutrition Program 2020 webinar training for new and returning farmers market vendors March 26 or April 15. Eleven ISU Extension and Outreach county offices are hosting the March 26 webinar and 22 extension offices are hosting the April 15 webinar. On April 15, the webinar will be shown online and at the ISU Extension and Outreach Guthrie County office. This viewing option is provided as a service to individuals without access to a computer or limited internet service.

The Iowa Farmers Market Nutrition Program (FMNP) consists of the Women, Infants and Children (WIC) FMNP and the Senior FMNP. The FMNPs are Congressionally authorized programs that provide fresh, nutritious, unprepared, locally grown fruits, vegetables and herbs from farmers markets and farm stands to nutritionally at-risk women, infants, children and low-income seniors. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship does not limit the number of vendors who may become certified under FMNP. For more information and eligibility, visit IDALS Marketing, Horticulture and Farmers Markets.

To attend an ISU Extension and Outreach hosted webinar, simply show up at one of these ISU Extension and Outreach locations near you.

Thursday, March 26, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. ISU Extension and Outreach county offices hosting this webinar are:

• Adair County: Greenfield, 154 Public Square, Ste C,. Contact: krohrig@iastate.edu
• West Pottawattamie County: Council Bluffs, 1705 McPherson Ave. Suite 200. Contact: kmoore16@iastate.edu

Wednesday April 15, 10:30 – 11:30 a.m. ISU Extension and Outreach county offices hosting this webinar are:

• Carroll County: Carroll, 1205 W US Hwy 30, Ste G. Contact: juleeg@iastate.edu
• Crawford County: Denison, 35 S Main St. Contact: kthul321@iastate.edu
• Guthrie County: Guthrie Center, 212 State St. Contact: kristad@iastate.edu

DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will hold the 2020 spring auction on March 21, in the Livestock Pavilion on the Iowa State Fairgrounds, in Des Moines. Doors will open at 7 a.m., and the auction will begin at 8:30 a.m. The public may view the items for sale and pre-register for the auction from 4 to 6 p.m., on March 20. There will not be any buyer’s premium fee added to the sale.

Items up for auction include more than 600 firearms, bows, gun barrels, scopes, gun cases and other assorted equipment. The items are sold “as is” with no guarantee or warranty. Any person interested in purchasing a firearm at the auction must have either a valid Iowa ID and right to carry permit, federal firearms dealer license or a conceal carry permit.  The Iowa right to carry permit can be obtained from a sheriff’s office. Allow two to three weeks to receive the permit. No permit is necessary to purchase other items.

Payment must be made on auction day. All sales are final. All items must be removed from the site within one half hour after the sale completion.  The Iowa DNR reserves the right to reject any bids and withdraw any item from the sale at any time.  A sale bill is available online at http://www.iowadnr.gov/Hunting and will be updated if inventory is added. The DNR will not be mailing any sale bills. Inquiries can be made with the auctioneer, Auction Solutions www.auctionsolutionsinc.com.

Shelby County Emergency Management Coordinator Alexander Londo reports today (Thursday), that the county is “Currently in Extreme Fire Danger,” and Tthere will be no burning allowed until further notice.” The County is under a Wind Advisory until 6-p.m. Gusty winds and low humidities will create a very high risk of grassland fires today. Do not carelessly discard smoking materials, and use extra caution when driving high profile vehicles.

Pottawattamie County is also under a ban on opening burning until further notice.

w/Max Dirks.

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Firefighters from Wiota, Anita and Cumberland were called to the scene of a grass fire just before Noon, today (Wednesday). The incident began as a controlled burn that got out of control, near 720th and Memphis Road. It was called-in at around 11:48-a.m.

All photos by Cass County Emergency Mgmt. Coordinator Mike Kennon.

The National Weather Service has warned about very dry and breezy conditions setting the stage for a grassland fire danger. Be extremely cautious if you are planning a controlled burn, and notify your local fire department.

After more than a decade of displaying an extensive collection of tractors, trucks, farm machinery and more, the owners of the Farmall Land USA Museum, near Avoca, are retiring. Jerry and Joyce Mez own and operate the museum. They plan to close the doors near the end of the harvest season, in late September. The museum, which started out as an Avoca implement dealership that was purchase by Jerry’s father Max, in 1943, has more than 225 pieces in the collection, including various ag-related toys and advertising.

Picture via KNOD

The museum will open for the season on April 4th. Its last day of operation is September 27th. Farmall Land USA…located on Highway 59, north of Avoca near Interstate 80… is open Tuesday-Saturday 9 am to 5 pm and Sunday from noon to 5.