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Iowa, Nebraska farmers nearly caught up on spring planting

Ag/Outdoor, News

May 7th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Although spring storms initially slowed spring planting progress in Iowa and Nebraska, the U.S. Department of Agriculture reports farmers have nearly caught up to five-year averages in the past week.

Iowa farmers have 40 percent of the corn crop planted, about three days behind the average at this point in the season. Three percent of corn plants have emerged, a slower pace than the five-year average of 9 percent.

The USDA said Monday in its weekly crop update that Iowa soybean planting is at the average of 12 percent completed. Farmers in Nebraska have 42 percent of the corn planted, near the 46 percent average. About 2 percent of the plants emerged behind the five-year average of 10 percent. Soybean planting is slightly ahead of schedule with 16 percent completed.

Shelby County Fire Danger “Moderate” this week

Ag/Outdoor, News, Weather

May 7th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

The Shelby County Emergency Management Agency reports the grassland/field fire Danger Index will be in the “Moderate” category, this week. Persons wanting to conduct an open burn on their property should pay attention to the weather conditions (Including wind direction), and notify their local fire chief of your intentions.  The next update on the danger index will be Thursday morning.

Cass County Master Gardeners to Hold Annual Plant Sale May 12

Ag/Outdoor, News

May 6th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Spring has finally arrived, and just in time for the annual Cass County Master Gardener Plant Sale! The sale is being held at the Cass County Community Center north parking lot, Saturday, May 12 beginning at 8 AM and lasting until the plants are gone. Cost is a free will offering for most plants.

The sale consists of perennial flowers and plants from local Master Gardeners’ own beds- hostas, iris, yarrow, sedum and day lilies, to name a few. Plant selection changes each year depending on what is being dug and divided by our gardeners! The plants this year may be a little smaller due to a late spring, but should be hardy and catch up in no time. All plants will be labeled with information on color, height, and shade vs sun preference, to assist you in finding the perfect spot to plant them in your own landscape.

Besides perennials there will be books from the 2018 Spring Garden Seminar available for purchase; authored by our garden seminar presenter, J. Schwanke, these would make great Mother’s day gifts. There will also be yard art, garden supplies, and other garden books to buy.

It’s recommended that you come in the first hour for best selection, as plants go fast! Cass County Master Gardeners use funds from the plant sale to support their scholarships and community grants, as well as projects they do around the county each year. For more information on the sale, you can find a flier at the Cass County Extension office, or on the Cass County Extension website at www.extension.iastate.edu/cass.

You can also call the Cass County Extension office at 712-243-1132 or email xcass@iastate.edu. Mark your calendar now, and plan to join the Cass County Master Gardeners for their annual Plant Sale on May 12, from 8 AM until the plants are gone!

This is Camping Kickoff Weekend in Iowa. It’ll be in tents.

Ag/Outdoor, News

May 4th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Pack up the tent and sleeping bags, as Iowa’s state parks are hosting Camping Kickoff Weekend this Friday through Sunday. Todd Coffelt, the state parks director at the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, says everything is ready for Iowans to enjoy. “We’ve got all of the facilities hooked up, the water and utilities, and we want people to get out and enjoy the outdoors,” Coffelt says. “Our state parks system is nearing 100 years old so it’s an opportunity for people to take a look at it with a different lens.”

Iowans can use either of two websites to make reservations for camping spots. “They can do a search on the DNR webpage, www.iowadnr.gov, to find a place to visit,” Coffelt says, “or they can go to iowastateparks.reserveamerica.com, and that will be the direct line where they can set a reservation at their favorite park.” Iowa has more than 47-hundred state park campsites and 75-percent of them can be reserved in advance. Coffelt said there are two parks that have temporarily closed their camping facilities for renovation — Ledges and Marble Beach at Gull Point — but Iowans will notice plenty of improvements elsewhere.

“Pleasant Creek will have more water in it and it’s a park that’s been closed with our Lakes Restoration Program and people will now be able to get access there,” Coffelt says. “You’re going to see Lake MacBride is back up and moving, Lake Wapello is back open, and Waubonsie, down in southwest Iowa. We’ve made a lot of effort to get these parks up and running.”  More than 30 state parks are hosting special activities this weekend (May 4-6), including kayaking clinics, fun runs, night sky hikes, volunteer projects and more.

(Radio Iowa)

Dairy farmer agrees to pay more than $24K for fish kill

Ag/Outdoor

May 4th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

NEW VIENNA, Iowa (AP) — A dairy farmer has agreed to pay more than $24,000 in restitution and a penalty for manure runoff that Iowa authorities say killed more than 60,000 fish.
The fish kill was reported Oct. 9 after carcasses were spotted in two creeks in Dyersville. Officials searched the area upstream and determined that the fish kill was caused by manure from the dairy farm, which sits about 3 miles east of New Vienna.

An Iowa Natural Resources Department settlement signed last week says farm owner John Hoefler and the department agreed that he would pay a $2,000 penalty and restitution and investigative costs of more than $22,400 and take steps to ensure the spill doesn’t recur.

Among the dead fish were minnows, white suckers and creek chubs.

Frederickson Fund donates to upcoming Kids Fishing Clinic

Ag/Outdoor, News

May 4th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

The Trevor Frederickson Memorial Fund has donated $500 to Josh Peach for the upcoming kids fishing clinic. The clinic takes place Saturday, June 2nd. at Lake Anita State Park. The Friends of Lake Anita will begin registration for the event at 9:30, with fishing to start at 10.  There will be a short program held prior to fishing.  Each participant will receive a prize and the event is finished off with a hot dog, chips and water provided to the participants.

Lake Anita Park Mgr. Josh Peach (Left), receives a check from Melanie Petty with the Trevor Frederickson Memorial Fund. (Photo submitted)

Fund spokesperson (and Trevor’s mom) Melanie Petty, says “We are happy to help sponsor this wonderful event that gets kids out into the great outdoors.  Fishing is a great sport that you can enjoy all of your life.  If you are new to fishing, the group even has a few fishing rods that they will loan out for the event.”

Petty reminds you also, that the 10th Annual TFred Memorial Golf Outing will be held on Saturday, August 11th at Nishna Hills Golf Club.  This is the only fundraising event for the year.  If you are interested in entering a team please call or text Melanie Petty at 712-249-3696.  She says “We look forward to a great day of golf and friendship.”  All monies raised are donated back to the community that Trevor loved.

 

Local 24-Hour Rainfall Totals ending at 7:00 am on Friday, May 4

Ag/Outdoor, Weather

May 4th, 2018 by Jim Field

  • KJAN, Atlantic  1.5″
  • 7 miles NNE of Atlantic  1.26″
  • Massena  .34″
  • Elk Horn  1.18″
  • Audubon  1.07″
  • Avoca  .2″
  • Villisca  1.2″
  • Kirkman  .69″
  • Manning  .71″
  • Carroll  .97″
  • Denison  .18″
  • Red Oak  .18″
  • Clarinda  .42″
  • Shenandoah  .98″
  • Missouri Valley  .52″
  • Logan  .16″
  • Bedford  .57″
  • Underwood  .12″

Atlantic included among 10 funded Urban Water Quality demonstration projects

Ag/Outdoor, News

May 3rd, 2018 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today announced ten urban conservation water quality demonstration projects have been selected to receive $789,100 in funding.  In addition to the state funds, the 10 projects will provide over $3.2 million in matching funds and additional in-kind contributions to support water quality improvement efforts. Participating communities include: Algona, Ames, Atlantic, Cherokee, Clive, Coralville, Garnavillo, Grimes, Muscatine, North Liberty and Sioux City.

Locally, the Atlantic Urban Conservation and Education Project was awarded a grant of $41,000 toward the $82,000 project cost, of installing bioretention cells, rain gardens, native landscaping and a bioswale within a community park, and at the high school. In addition to the water quality improvements, the Atlantic High School will also integrate educational curriculum on the water quality benefits of these practices.

Projects will focus on conservation measures that capture and allow stormwater to be absorbed into the ground and reduce the impact on water quality, stream flows and flooding. The projects also include strong partnerships and education components to promote increased awareness and adoption of practices and tools to reduce nutrient loads delivered to surface waters. Practices to be installed as part of these projects include bioretention cells, bioswales, native plantings, permeable pavement, rain gardens, soil quality restoration, wetlands and others. More information about these and other urban water quality practices can be found at https://www.cleanwateriowa.org/urban/

Local 24-Hour Rainfall Totals ending at 7:00 am on Thursday, May 3

Ag/Outdoor, Weather

May 3rd, 2018 by Jim Field

  • KJAN, Atlantic  1.26″
  • 7 miles NNE of Atlantic  .54″
  • Massena  .67″
  • Elk Horn  .31″
  • Avoca  .4″
  • Oakland  .5″
  • Corning  .49″
  • Villisca  1″
  • Clarinda  .83″
  • Shenandoah  .64″
  • Red Oak  .91″
  • Underwood  .27″
  • Manning  .07″
  • Kirkman  .11″
  • Persia  .14″
  • Bedford  1.35″
  • Creston  1.23″

USDA Report 5-3-2018

Ag/Outdoor, Podcasts

May 3rd, 2018 by Jim Field

w/Max Dirks.

Play