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Crop report shows 17% of Iowa corn is planted

Ag/Outdoor

May 1st, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Dry and warmer weather has allowed a lot of Iowa farmers to finally get into their fields. The new USDA crop report shows, as of Sunday, 17-percent of the state’s expected corn crop has been planted. That’s still four days behind the five-year average, but ZERO-percent of Iowa’s corn was in the ground one week ago. Planting progress is much slower in northern Iowa where fields remain wet from melting snow. Meanwhile, in southeast Iowa, 44-percent of the corn is planted. Most of the state received no precipitation last week and temperatures climbed to as high as 79 in De Soto, Atlantic, Red Oak, and Shenandoah on the afternoon of April 27th.

(Radio Iowa)

Posted in Ag/Outdoor |

IA Ag Sec to tour work of Hungry Canyons Alliance in Pott. County

Ag/Outdoor, News

April 30th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Iowa Secretary of Agricultire Mike Naig will make two stops in Pottawattamie County, Wednesday (May 2nd). Naig will stop at 22000 510th Street, in Walnut at 3-p.m. , and at 3:40-p.m., at Old Town Park (12515 385th Street) in Macedonia, as part of Soil and Water Conservation Week (April 29-May 6), to view work done by Hungry Canyons Alliance to address stream channel erosion and degradation of the deep Loess (Luss) soils region of western Iowa.

This year’s theme of Soil and Water Conservation Week, is “Watersheds: Our Water, Our Home.” More information about the activities that will take place this week, can be found at www.iowaagriculture.gov/conservationweek.asp. The Hungry Canyons Alliance works in a 23 county area of the deep loess soils region.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News |

Iowa Pork Producer’s Best Tenderloin Contest

Ag/Outdoor, News

April 30th, 2018 by Jim Field

The Iowa Pork Producers Association has started accepting nominations for their 2018 best pork tenderloin contest. Any café, restaurant, or tavern that serves breaded or battered pork tenderloins is eligible to be nominated. The establishment must also be open year-round to win the contest, but seasonal restaurants can make it in the top 5. The top 5 restaurants from each of the IPPA’s districts with the most nominations will be judged. One person who nominates the winning restaurant will be entered into a drawing for $100, and the winning restaurant will receive $500, a plaque, and statewide publicity. In the 2017 contest, the IPPA received 3014 nominations between 271 different establishments. The Winner of the 2018 contest will be announced during National Pork Month in October. Nominations can be submitted up until June 5th, via their website or by using the form in the May issue of the Iowa Pork Producer Magazine.

For more information about the Iowa Pork Producers and their contest, visit their website or call 800-372-7675.

 

Past winners from the Area:
2015: 2nd – Three C’s Diner – Corning, Top 5 – The Office – Lenox

2014: Honorable Mention – B&S’s 529, Carroll, Menlo Café – Menlo

2011: Honorable Mention – The Rusty Duck, Dexter

2007: 1st – Larsen’s Pub – Elk Horn

2006: 2nd – The Links Restaurant & Lounge, Panora

2005: Honorable Mention- The Farmer’s Kitchen, Atlantic

2004 (Best GRILLED Tenderloin): 1st– Darrell’s Place, Hamlin, Honorable Mention – Elm’s Club, Creston, Viking Lake, Stanton

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News |

EXTREME FIRE DANGER this week in Shelby County

Ag/Outdoor, News, Weather

April 30th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Shelby County Emergency Management Coordinator Bob Seivert reports the current weather conditions, and lack of rainfall have produced EXTREME Fire Danger conditions and will make any fires that do start, highly likely to spread very, very quickly. NO OPEN BURNING of any kind is recommended. Burn plans are required to be on file with Emergency Management, and, permission (signed burn plan) from the local Fire Chief are required during this time.

Relative humidity values are low and high winds in excess of 30 mph are forecast for today (Monday). Frontal Boundaries will provide an opportunity for winds shifts, making any fires, difficult to control and predict. If you have recently burned an area, please keep an eye on it for rekindle. Do not hesitate to call 911 and report any fires today.  Seivert says in addition, please be aware of the risk of severe weather over the next few days. It is probable that spotters will be deployed at some point.

The next Fire Danger Conditions update will be on Thursday, May 3rd.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News, Weather |

Atlantic Yard Waste pile to remain closed

Ag/Outdoor, News, Weather

April 30th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Atlantic Fire Chief Mark McNees said the Atlantic Yard Waste site near the Schildberg Recreation Area will remain closed today (Monday), due to the strong winds. McNees said “I cannot allow more fuel to be added, causing more fires and the potential spread to the River end Schildberg Recreation Area.” The Chief says it will re-open as soon as possible, once the danger has passed.

The yard waste site was closed Sunday afternoon.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News, Weather |

City of Atlantic Burn Pile closed until further notice

Ag/Outdoor, News, Weather

April 29th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Atlantic Fire Chief Mark McNees reports the compost/burn pile near the Schildberg Recreation Area is closed effective 2:45-p.m. Sunday (Today) until further notice, due to the strong winds and risk of embers. KJAN will let you know when the compost/burn pile is available for use.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News, Weather |

Griswold FFA student uses KJAN work experience to earn top Ag Communications Proficiency award

Ag/Outdoor, News

April 28th, 2018 by admin

Griswold FFA student and Part-Time KJAN announcer Riley Smith receives his state award

ANKENY, Iowa–FFA members from around the state were honored this past week for work in various categories. 100% of FFA members have proficiencies as part of the agricultural program and the FFA. The proficiencies range in the areas of Agricultural Communications to Home and/or Community Development and from Diversified Agricultural Production to Swine Production. Proficiency Award winners have excelled in their Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) Programs. These awards encourage members to develop specialized skills that will apply toward a future career.

Griswold FFA student Riley Smith used his experience as a part-time announcer at KJAN as his Supervised Agricultural Experience and earned top honors in the Agricultural Communications category. As a State winner, Riley will now advance to the National FFA competition where he will compete against winners from the other State FFA Associations.

The four national finalists that are selected from each area will be recognized at the National FFA Convention and Expo in October. The Iowa FFA Proficiency Awards program is possible with support from the many partners of the Iowa FFA Foundation.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News |

Iowa agriculture secretary offers spring cover crop tips

Ag/Outdoor

April 28th, 2018 by admin

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa’s agriculture secretary is offering spring management tips for farmers using cover crops.

Cover crops are used to reduce erosion, protect water quality and improve soil health until row crops like corn and soybeans are planted in the spring.

State Ag Secretary Mike Naig says late winter conditions are causing challenges this spring to cover crops planted last fall. Naig says it’s important to allow the cover crop to grow as long as possible to maximize the benefits. He says that is typically easier for soybeans after winter cover crops because of the later planting date and less potential impact on soybeans.

More information and tips on cover crops in Iowa can be found online at www.cleanwateriowa.org/cover-crops , www.extension.iastate.edu/ilf/content/cover-crop-resources or www.practicalfarmers.org/member-priorities/cover-crops/ .

Posted in Ag/Outdoor |

VERY HIGH FIRE DANGER TODAY (4/27)

Ag/Outdoor, News, Weather

April 27th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

AREA COUNTIES: Sac-Crawford-Carroll-Audubon-Guthrie-Dallas-Cass-Adair-Madison-Adams-Union-Taylor-Ringgold...
1111 AM CDT Fri Apr 27 2018

…Very High Fire Danger Today…

Gusty wind and dry conditions will lead to a very high fire danger today, particularly during the afternoon hours. West winds will turn toward northwest and gradually increase as a cool front drops across Iowa. Winds will increase to 20 to 25 mph with gusts to near 35 mph at times before diminishing toward sunset. In addition, relative humidity will be very low this afternoon, in the 25 to 35 percent range, and most surface grasses are dry. This will allow any fires that ignite to spread rapidly, and burning is discouraged.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News, Weather |

Fire Danger may approach Red Flag criteria this afternoon

Ag/Outdoor, News, Weather

April 27th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

A warning today from the Shelby County Emergency Management Agency. Operations Officer Jason Wickizer says “We are continuing in the HIGH category however we will be approaching Red Flag Criteria, which are Relative Humidity below 20%, and winds greater than 15MPH. Our current Fire Behavior prediction is 7 foot flame length or greater, Probability of ignition greater than 60%, and Rates of Spread at or greater than 100 yards per minute.  We will also be experiencing a wind shift that could cause control issues.”

Wickizer said “Today and tomorrow will not be good days to burn due to Control, and spread issues.  Please keep this in mind if people call in asking to burn.  The greatest risk today is Spread Potential due to receptive fuels being cured and in line with winds.” Conditions he said, should begin to Moderate Saturday evening.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News, Weather |