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 forecast calls for hot — and still hotter — weather for Iowa this week and it’s doing no favors for Iowa’s top crops. Meteorologist Dennis Todey, director of the U-S-D-A’s Midwest Climate Hub in Ames, says the average rainfall for late July doesn’t bode well for the soil, which is already suffering under moderate to severe drought over a wide section of the region. “That’s the climatological average but weekly EP, or evapotranspiration, how much water the crop is using out of the soil, is probably going to be more than that,” Todey says. “So, even the average precipitation this time of year, you’re losing ground into that soil moisture.”
Recent rains were exceptionally heavy in some areas of Iowa, prompting flash flooding. Still, Todey says the soil moisture has been depleted for months across much of the state’s northern half and highs of 95 degrees won’t help. “The soil moisture is rather short in that area,” he says. “Even low 90s will be causing some problems. That’s why this recent precipitation has been helpful in some of the areas further south where they could stand a little bit more temperature at this point. We’re entering that time when we could kill a crop or manage get through it.”
Corn is reaching a critical pollination stage while soybeans will be more at-risk during August.
6:00 am All livestock (not poultry) may begin arriving
7 am – 8 am Enter Rabbits (west end of the Dairy Barn – exhibitors: do not enter through the pit area)
7 am – 8:30 am Weigh Swine
10 am – 2 pm 4-H/FFA Center Open for Clubs to Decorate
8:30 am – 10 am Weigh lead market beef followed by junior feeder pen cattle
10 am – 10:30 am Weigh Bucket/Bottle Calves
10:30 am – 11 am Weigh Meat Goats
11 am – 12 pm Weigh Sheep
12 pm – 3 pm Quilt Show Entry – Varied Industries Building
1:00 pm Bucket/Bottle Calf & Bottle Lamb Records Due to 4-H/FFA Center Supreme Showman Written Test – 4-H/FFA Center
1 pm – 7 pm Mobile Glass Studios (glass blowing creations)
2:00 pm Dog Show – Mid American Arena
4:00 pm Announce results Crops Contest – Swine Show Ring Livestock Judging Contest (Registration 3:30 pm) – Swine Show Ring
4 pm – 6 pm Discover the Fair Scavenger Hunt – Courtyard
4 pm – 7 pm Conservation Station Trailer – Courtyard
5 pm – 8 pm Jesse and the Medicine Men – Gazebo Quilt Show – Varied Industries Building
6:00 pm Free BBQ Hamburger/Pork Burger Meal – Courtyard 4-H Silent Auction Begins – 4-H/FFA Center Ice Cream Social (Historical Society) – Courtyard
6:00 pm Photos: Exhibit Building State Fair Selections – 4-H/FFA Center
8:00 pm GAZEBO PRESENTATIONS
(Radio Iowa) – Officials with Forest City-based outdoor lifestyle product manufacturer Winnebago Industries announced today (Tuesday) they’ve reached an agreement to acquire Barletta Pontoon Boats. Winnebago CEO Michael Happe says Barletta is the industry’s fastest-growing premium boat manufacturer, since it was founded in 2017. “What is particularly exciting about Barletta Boats is the combination of their youth, their success to date, the talent they’ve acquired and the opportunities in front of them,” Happe says. “We believe there are multiple growth avenues. Product line expansion is one. They have a very solid product line today with the three different series of pontoon boats. We know they have great vision to expand that product line in the future.”
Happe says there’s potential growth in pontoon boat sales. “We believe the secular popularity of this particular category, including popularity of this category that is increasing in some untraditional places, i.e. the Western U.S. but also some of the inland waters near some saltwater bodies, means that there’s great potential to expand the overall presence of the category as well,” he says. Happe says Barletta has positioned itself to rise in the pontoon boat industry. 
“From a market share perspective, while they are #9 today, we believe we have signed a purchase agreement with a company that can be a top three market share performer in the pontoon segment in the future,” he says. “That will take some time and some hard work against some formidable competitors, but we believe the market share potential with this particular brand is material.”
It’s the second marine company that Winnebago has acquired in the last four years as the company purchased Chris-Craft Boats in 2018. The agreement is for an initial consideration of $255 million in cash and newly-issued Winnebago stock shares, plus up to $15 million in Winnebago shares upon the achievement of performance milestones at the end of the calendar year.
(Radio Iowa) – Forecasters say it’ll likely be dry much of this week, but last week’s heavy thunderstorms brought some areas of the state four and even five inches of rainfall. Still, overall precipitation is still well below normal in northwest Iowa. Iowa State University Extension field agronomist Joel DeJong says with corn is getting into the pollination phase and more rain would be a big help.
“Four or five inches below normal right now, yet, even after some pretty good rain since the first of July,” DeJong says. “Our timing was about perfect for the rainfall because we’re not quite at 50% silked at this stage but we’re starting to see a lot more silks on those corn plants and it is that critical time period.” DeJong says Iowa’s soybean fields will soon be entering a critical phase, too.
“August is much more critical for beans,” DeJong says. “It’s really nice to have some moisture now so we can really try to accelerate some of that growth and development, get those rows closed as fast as we can.” DeJong says they haven’t seen any real disease issues with the crops but bugs -are- becoming a problem for some growers.
“We’ve had some insect issues, gall midges along the edges of soybean fields,” he says, “and I’m getting several calls about corn kind of lodged, particularly on continuous corn acres that have some rootworm injury. We’re seeing beetle numbers get high in those fields so we need to watch those silks to make sure they’re not getting clipped by beetles and so we can pollinate that corn crop.”
DeJong encourages producers to scout their fields and make sure those kernels get pollinated as this is the critical time for corn.
Atlantic, IA. – CAM high school student angler Owen Hoover of Anita , IA scored the victory in the Powerade High School Bank Series at the Cappel ACE Hardware SWIFT bass tournament at Mormon Trail Lake on Sunday, July 18th with his bag of 3 fish totaling 38.5 inches. Second was Cooper Jipsen from Atlantic, IA his three fish measured 35.75 inches and rounding out the top 5 were Logan Eilts from Atlantic in third with 20 inches, Teagan Steinhuehler from Harlan with 13 inches was fourth and in fifth was Colton Rudy of Atlantic with 12 inches.
Jake Wailes of Wiota, IA caught a 3-bag limit measuring 40.75 inches to win the Fairlife Yup Junior Bank Series. Second place went to Colin Rudy of Atlantic, IA., with 37.5 inches and rounding out the top 5 were Grayson Molgaard in third with 33.5 inches, Brenty Hoover of Anita fourth, 21.25 inches and in fifth place Colton Kruger of Carson, 19.5 inches. Kruger also earned the AM Cohron & Sons Big Fish of the tournament with his 19.5” bass.
Twenty-eight high school and junior SWIFT Anglers competed at the second bank tournament of the season. All combined the student anglers caught 30 fish with a total length of 363.25 inches which is a 12.10 average length fish. All fish were safely returned to the lake.
Powerade High School Individual Bank Series-
Fairlife Yup Junior Individual Bank Series
The next event for SWIFT will be Sunday, July 25th at Greenfield Lake. It is the final SWIFT tournament in the 20/21 season. SWIFT will also hold their Championship Banquet immediately following the tournament.
2021/22 Season is right around the corner with tournaments starting in September. If you are interested or know of a high school or junior angler who loved to fish send a request for more information to swifishingteam@gmail.com .
For complete details and updated information visit www.southwestiowafishingteam.teamapp.com.
For regular updates, photos, tournament news and more, follow SWIFT’s social media outlets at Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
(Radio Iowa) – The latest U-S-D-A report on Iowa crop conditions indicates corn and soybean fields have responded well to recent rain, but more moisture is needed. Last week hail and high winds did damage some Iowa crops last week, but the damage was scattered and not widespread according the U-S-D-A. Under half of Iowa pastures are rated good to excellent and some farmers are feeding their livestock hay to supplement dwindling grazing opportunities.
Topsoil moisture levels are now rated adequate or surplus in 67 percent of the state. The growth of corn and soybeans are ahead of the five-year average, with corn conditions rated 68 percent good to excellent. Soybean condition are rated 66 percent good to excellent.
The U-S-D-A reports hay production is behind normal and the second cutting of alfalfa hay is 63 percent complete statewide. The oat harvest has started in about quarter of the state. Last year Iowa farmers harvested five-point-six MILLION bushels of oats.
The Atlantic Parks and Recreation Dept. Board of Directors met Monday evening at the Sunnyside Park Kiddie Korral Shelter. During the meeting, Parks & Rec Director Bryant Rasmussen reported work is expected to begin within the next couple of weeks to repair the trail washout at the Schildberg Recreation Area, along Iowa Avenue (the southwest corner of Lake #3). Leftover cement from the hospital parking lot renovation project will be used to help stabilize the bank and repair it. That section of the trail will be closed while work is underway. The washed out asphalt portion of the trail will be replaced with longer lasting concrete, once the bank is stabilized.
Bryant said also, the department is trying to incorporate more programming for young adults and adults. One of the new activities planned for this Saturday at the Trevor Frederickson Softball Field at Sunnyside Park, is Adult Kick Ball. The venture is a partnership between Atlantic Rising, the Chamber of Commerce and Parks and Rec, to have a “pick up-style” game at 5-p.m. Teams will be divided-up once the number of participants is known. You don’t have a team of nine or 10 people, you can show-up by yourself and they will add you to a team.
Another Adult Activity, is “Art in the Park,” set for August 4th at 7-p.m. The adult version of the popular kids’ Art in the Park, called “Creation Vacation” take place in the lower center shelter at Sunnyside Park. The paint and canvas will be available for those who show up to paint on, and step-by-step instructions will be made available for those who want it. The main idea is just to have fun and by free-style creative. Bring your own drink and munchies if you wish.
Rasmussen reports the Summer Programs saw many participants: 53 kids signed-up for Tennis; 47 kids went out for Swim Team, and there is an average of 25-to 30 kids for the Art in the Park program that takes place every Wednesday. He said also, as previously mentioned, Cass County applied for a grant to install water fountains at four different locations. One is currently in-place at the Schildberg Rec Area bathhouse. That has a water bottle filling station and a lower water bowl for pets to use.
The City of Anita was supposed to get a water fountain, but they can’t, so the grant will be moved so a fountain can be installed at the Little League Sports Complex trailhead gazebo. The site already has a bike repair station and signage. Before the fountain can be installed, Bryant said they need to find someone to trench a water line about 200-feet to the gazebo. He’s working toward a solution with the Nishna Valley Trails group. He’s also been working with AMU, to get water from a well between fields five and seven. The site would allow the water to be shut-off before winter to prevent a freeze-up of the fountain.
In other business, cracks at Sunnyside basketball court will be sealed in preparation for use as an ice skating rink in the Winter, and cracks along the Eastridge and Schildberg Trails will be sealed to prevent any additional degradation. And finally, he recommends you stop by the Wildlife Refuge Area along Iowa Avenue, which features many vibrant flowers and plants, including black-eyed peas and milkweeds. Those plants and native grasses will hopefully draw monarch butterflies, some of which they hope to tag and release before they make their way to Mexico.
Iowa Avenue can be found between Buck Creek Road and Chestnut Street, north, off of State and Commerce Streets (as you head toward the Schildberg Campground Area).
ELLIOTT— Officials with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources report that on Sunday night, a broken axle caused a truck driver to lose control and enter the Tarkio River about 3 miles east of Elliott, in Montgomery County. Diesel fuel leaked into the river from about 7 to 10:45 p.m. when the semi was pulled from the river. Decker Trucking of Fort Dodge estimates there were 160 gallons of diesel in the fuel tanks. It’s unknown how much fuel was lost, but it could be 80 gallons plus other engine fluids.
The Elliott Fire Department responded to the accident Sunday evening. They placed absorbent booms at multiple places in the river to collect the fuel. After drywall is removed from the ditch, DNR will evaluate the soil to determine if it must be excavated. DNR will monitor the cleanup and consider appropriate enforcement action.
Atlantic– The Cass County office of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will host their annual Farmland Leasing Arrangements meeting on Thursday, August 12th, beginning at 1:30 p.m. The meeting will be at the Cass County Community Center at 805 W. 10th St. in Atlantic, and will last approximately 2 ½ hours. Tim Christensen, farm and agriculture business management specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach, will be the host and presenter of the meeting. The annual meeting is offered to address questions that land owners, tenants or other interested individuals have about leasing farmland, and is open to anyone interested in learning more about these topics.
As Iowa agriculture looks ahead to 2022, farmland leasing meetings provide a base for decisions in rental arrangements for both tenants and landowners. Discussion at this year’s program will focus on land values and cash rent trends, cost of production, methods for determining a fair 2022 cash rental rate, the latest legal updates that impact farm leases and land ownership (such as carbon credit contracts), and the importance of good tenant/landlord communications. Emphasis will be placed on recent returns to Iowa cash rented land and the 2021 Iowa Cash Rental Rate Survey.
Pre-registration is requested at least two days before the meeting and a registration fee of $20/person, or $30 per couple if sharing a leasing resource book, is payable at the door. All registered participants will receive a 100-page leasing resource book and meeting handouts designed to assist landowners, tenants and other agri-business professionals with issues related to farmland ownership, management, and leasing arrangements.
Contact the Cass County Extension office at (712) 243-1132 with questions or to pre-register by Tuesday, August 10th. Additional meetings in the area include Oakland (East Pott.) on July 28, Greenfield (Adair) on August 3, Villisca (Montgomery/Page) on August 4, Elk Horn (Audubon/Shelby) on August 17 and Guthrie Center (Guthrie) on August 18. Contact the county Extension office listed behind each meeting for details and registration information.
For a complete list of all meetings statewide, visit the ISU Ag Decision Maker website at www.extension.iastate.edu/agdm/info/meetings.html or check the ISU Extension calendar for a meeting near you. The Ag Decision Maker leasing section also provides useful materials for negotiating leases, information on various types of leases, lease forms and newly updated Decision Tools.
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