(Radio Iowa) – Trees weren’t the only thing knocked down by the derecho that blew through Iowa last week. Gary Knight sells sweet corn at stands in Cedar Rapids and Marion, and tells K-C-R-G T-V he knew some of his corn would have damage. “You know I’m almost afraid to go look at the corn the next morning to see what happened,” Knight says. Over 60 mile and hour winds ripped through the farm, knocking down ten percent of Knight’s sweet corn. “The most vulnerable corn is the corn that’s just ready or ripe, and it has the heavy weight on it. So when it blows down, it’s not going to come back up again,” he says. Some of the corn from those fallen stalks is salvageable, but Knight says he can’t harvest the corn with a machine because of the damage and will have to use the old-fashioned method of picking.

“Go out there by hand, walk through it, bend over, pick them and get them in the wagon. So it’s just a whole lot more work, and hard to find people who’ll go out and do that,” Knight says. The farm lost a total of five acres from the storm that’s now been classified as a derecho. “I’m going to call it ‘monsoon weekend,” Knight says.

That loss of product means some stands are closed for now. As they work to pick up the damage and the crops he said they do still plan to have sweet corn available through September.

(Radio Iowa) – A group of researchers drew strong reactions from a large crowd in Des Moines as they reviewed their report on water quality in the Raccoon and Des Moines Rivers. Jerald Schnorr is a long time professor in the University of Iowa’s College of Engineering. He says data from 2000 U-S rivers indicates these two Iowa rivers are in the top one percent when it comes to nitrate levels.

“You might ask: Well, where’s all the nitrate coming from? It’s a good question,” Schnoor said and the crowd laughed. “Most of it is from agricultural land, roughly 80% and, of that, 40% is coming from fertilizers applied directly to the land; about 20% is coming from manure that’s applied onto the land.” Soybeans also produce nitrates that wind up in ag drainage tiles and that accounts for the remaining nitrate levels connected to agland runoff. About 18 percent of nitrates in the Raccoon and Des Moines Rivers comes from rain and snow according to the report.

Elliot Anderson, a civil and environmental engineering professor at the University of Iowa, says each year about 50-thousand tons of nitrogen winds up in the Raccoon and Des Moines Rivers. “About 10 years ago or so, the state government decided to fund one of the most extensive, world-renowned nitrate monitoring networks that’s ever been in existence…Starting in the next year, we’re set to contract this network from about 80 sensors that we’ve had down to about 20,” he said and the crowd booed. “With this there’s a lot less that we can say about nitrate in the state.”

Last (Monday) night’s event was hosted by the Harkin Institute and by Polk County, which paid 16 researchers who published the 277-page assessment of central Iowa water quality. Adam Shriver of the Harkin Institute says the report is the best objective, factual information about Iowa’s water quality that is available to the public. “Even if those facts contain bad news or are uncomfortable for certain groups,” he said, to extended cheers from the crowd. When a moderator asked if nitrate problems had reached a point where regulations were needed, the crowd and the researchers on stage joined in shouting “yes.”

Matt Helmers, director of the Iowa Nutrient Research Center at Iowa State University, told Axios the main cause of the Des Moines metro’s nitrate problems this year has been persistent wet weather that increased leaching from farm fields into rivers.

(Des Moines, Iowa; Iowa Capital Dispatch) – Corn across the state is a couple of days ahead of schedule, with 53% of corn acres reaching the dough stage and 9% entering the dent stage according to the latest crop progress and condition report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture.  Eighty-nine percent of soybean acres have bloomed across the state and 65% have set pods as of the July 28 through Aug. 3 reporting period.  Both crops continue to rate well, with 85% of corn and 80% of soybeans rated good to excellent.

USDA figures compiled by the National Corn Growers Association show an estimated 5% more corn in the ground this year than last, meaning the crop this year is on track to be the “largest on record.” USDA also projects a $4.20 per bushel farm price for corn in the 2025/2026 marketing year, which is down from this year and the previous year. Hay and pasture continue to rate well across the state, both rated more than 80% good to excellent for the reporting period.

Most farmers have wrapped up the second cutting of alfalfa hay and 39% of alfalfa hay acres across the state have had a third cutting. Oats are ready for harvest across the state, with 64% of acres already harvested.  Soil moisture conditions were similar to the week prior with 31% of topsoil and 27% of subsoil rated surplus for the reporting period.

According to State Climatologist Justin Glisan, Iowa continued to see above-average precipitation, with parts of the state receiving between 1 and 3 inches above the normal. A derecho swept through parts of northern and eastern Iowa July 28, with wind speeds up to 99 miles per hour recorded. According to Glisan’s report, there were two “spin up” tornadoes in the same storm that damaged some crops in Lyon County.

Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a disaster proclamation for Buena Vista, Cerro Gordo, Clay, Dickinson, Lyon, Palo Alto and Worth counties to help with damages from the storm systems. Later in the week, temperatures dropped to 5-10 degrees below average, and smoke from Canadian wildfires drifted across the state causing hazy skies and degraded air quality.

The average precipitation for the week was 2.18 inches, which was more than double the normal, according to Glisan. The average temperature for the week was 71 degrees, just 1.5 degrees below normal.

Cass County: Corn $3.76 Beans $9.35
Adair County: Corn $3.73 Beans $9.38
Adams County: Corn $3.73 Beans $9.34
Audubon County: Corn $3.75 Beans $9.37
East Pottawattamie County: Corn $3.79 Beans $9.35
Guthrie County: Corn $3.78 Beans $9.39
Montgomery County: Corn $3.78 Beans $9.37
Shelby County: Corn $3.79 Beans $9.35

Oats: $2.85 (same in all counties)

(Prices are per bushel; information is from the area Farm Service Agency [FSA] offices)

 

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Organizers of Produce in the Park says they have another great lineup at the park in Atlantic, this week, including fire truck water fights, a foam party, face painting, and–scheduled in a hurry by popular demand–another sushi truck! The event is themed “Back to School, Back to COOL.” Please note: Chestnut Street will be closed between 6th and 7th Street during PiP for our Fire Truck Water Fights. The rest of Chestnut is open!

Produce in the Park takes place from 4:30-until 6:30-p.m., Thursday, August 7th, at the downtown Atlantic City Park. There is no cost to attend. Food Trucks this week include Liza’s Sushi & More, B&D’s Ice Cream, and Amos Fabulous Foods.

More than 25 vendors will have on-hand: Fresh Produce (tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, and more); Farm-Fresh Eggs; Local Meats (lamb, chicken, pork, beef); Baked Goods & Desserts; Freeze-Dried Snacks; Local Honey; Arts & Crafts; Garden Decorations, and Compost.

Visiting community organizations and businesses with tables or booths at the event include: Zion, Healthy Cass County, Atlantic Public Library, Civil Air Patrol, Cass Health, T.S. Bank, and more.

DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) offers more than 200 hunter education courses each year, and now is the time to enroll before hunting seasons arrive.

Hunter education is a mandatory program designed to introduce students to firearms safety and several other life-long skills that are important to the many different types of outdoor recreational activities.

A person who is 11 years old or older may enroll in a course, but those who are 11 and successfully complete the course will be issued a certificate which becomes valid on their 12th birthday.

Students may certify in several ways, such as the traditional classroom course or a hybrid online/field day course. Students 18 years of age and older may certify completely online with no field day requirement. For more information on course options, visit: https://www.iowadnr.gov/things-do/hunting-trapping/hunter-education-safety

“Our courses are taught by volunteer instructors who are also hunters, so very few classes take place after mid-November,” said Jamie Cook, program coordinator with the Iowa DNR. “Many new hunters, and parents of new hunters, tend to delay in finding a hunter education course until classes become unavailable. My advice is to check the website weekly.”

To find a course and begin the registration process visit https://license.gooutdoorsiowa.com/Event/EventsHome.aspx

Hunter education is required for anyone born after Jan. 1, 1972, in order to purchase a hunting license. Iowa recognizes hunter education certificates issued by another state and some foreign nations.

(Radio Iowa) – As the U-S Department of Agriculture consolidates operations away from Washington D-C and into five new “hubs” across the country, Iowa was named among the early favorites for one of those locations — but it’s not going to happen. Kansas City is the final choice for the region, according to a memo from U-S Ag Secretary Brooke Rollins to her staff. Missouri Agriculture Director Chris Chinn says relocating U-S-D-A offices can benefit the people the agency serves. “We think it will be a great opportunity for the state of Missouri,” says Chinn. The process is to take place over the next few years. Along with Kansas City, the hubs are to be located in: Indianapolis, Indiana; Salt Lake City, Utah; Fort Collins, Colorado; and Raleigh, North Carolina.

The agency moved two research agencies to Kansas City in 2019: the Economic Research Service and the National Institute of Food and Ag. Chinn says having U-S-D-A personnel close to land-grant institutions and ag research has been positive. “They have the opportunity to travel out to those schools if they want to, to observe that research, to have those meeting opportunities,” says Chinn, “but more importantly, they know what agriculture needs because Kansas City, while it is an urban area, you don’t have to drive very far and you’re out in the country where you can see tractors, combines, hogs, cattle, the list goes on and on.” Iowa State University is a land-grant university.

The Rollins memo noted how Kansas City has a lower cost of living compared to Washington D.C., and she noted the U-S-D-A will continue to maintain critical agency service centers in locations like St. Louis. Robert Bonnie, a former U-S-D-A Under Secretary of Farm Production and Conservation, says strong relationships between the agency and land-grant universities are important, but he’s not sold on the hub plan. “I don’t think you get USDA closer to its constituents and stakeholders by dividing it up,” Bonnie says. “I actually think it’s served exactly the opposite purpose.” Bonnie says relocating the agency makes it more difficult for farmers and others to get information from the agency.

The number of jobs that will come with the Kansas City move is unknown.

AMES, Iowa – The Iowa State Fair is quickly approaching and the anticipation of the annual Governor’s Charity Steer Show is building. The Iowa beef cattle industry is again partnering with the governor in this fundraising event to raise money for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa. Hundreds of fairgoers will attend the August 9 event, featuring youth, industry supporters, local celebrities, and of course, steers. Each steer is exhibited by a local youth representative and a guest celebrity selected by the sponsor of the steer. Twenty-five steers will be shown this year. Along with Gov. Kim Reynolds, there are other notable celebrities showing this year, ranging from industry favorites to college athletes. (See the complete list below).

Among the celebrities participating in the event, is Iowa Lt. Governor Chris Gearthart-Cournoyer). She will be showing the steer “Mickey,” exhibited by Kennedy Eischeid, of Manning. “Mickey” is sponsored by the Crawford County Cattlemen and Nor-AM Cold Storage.   The Governor’s Charity Steer Show is sponsored by the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association (ICA) and the Iowa Beef Industry Council (IBIC).

The Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer Show has been held since 1983 and has raised nearly $6 million for the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa since the show’s inception. Last year, the show raised more than $568,000, the fourth year in a row that the fundraising record has been broken. Funds are raised through online donations, sponsorships, and an auction of steers following the show. All money raised benefits the three independent Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa, located in Des Moines, Iowa City, and Sioux City. These three houses have served over 55,000 families from all 50 states and 62 foreign countries. Families from all 99 counties in Iowa have benefited from the Ronald McDonald Houses of Iowa, too.

If you are interested in supporting the Governor’s Charity Steer Show, consider donating online or attending the show/auction to contribute. The Governor’s Charity Steer Show is being held in Pioneer Pavilion at the Iowa State Fair on Saturday, August 9, at 4:30 p.m. Then follow us to the Penningroth Center for the live auction, where additional funds are raised and records are broken. For additional information about the Governor’s Charity Steer Show or to donate, visit www.iowagovernorscharitysteershow.com.

2025 Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer Show Participants:

1. Sponsors: Iowa Beef Industry Council and Iowa Cattlemen’s Association

Celebrity: Governor Kim Reynolds

Exhibitor: Addison Brueggeman | Lake Park, IA

Steer: Scottie​

2. Sponsors: Crawford County Cattlemen and Nor-AM Cold Storage

    Celebrity: Lt. Governor Chris Gearhart Cournoyer

    Exhibitor: Kennedy Eischeid | Manning, IA

    Steer: Mickey​​​

3. Sponsor: Davis County Beef Promoters

Celebrity: Jon Nash, Executive Vice President, Cargill Food

Exhibitor: Ty Swaim | Drakesville, IA

Steer: Judge

​​4. Sponsors: Mahaska County Cattlemen & Friends

Celebrity: Buck Wehrbein, President, NCBA

Exhibitor: McLane Warren | New Sharon, IA

Steer: Merlin

​​​​5. Sponsors: Iowa Farm Bureau

Celebrity: Brian Feldpausch, Vice President, Iowa Farm Bureau

Exhibitor: Lucas Sheehan | Remsen, IA

Steer: Rocky

​​​6. Sponsor: Dee Zee, Inc. (The Quality Truck Accessory People)

Celebrity: Curtis D. Claeys, Iowa State Fair Board, President

Exhibitor: Evan Huberty | Mitchellville, IA

Steer: Furgy

​​​7. Sponsor: Iowa Bankers Association

Celebrity: Jeff Angelo, Host of the WHO Radio Morning Show

Exhibitor: Brenna Thie | Mediapolis, IA

Steer: ​Jimmy

​8. Sponsors: Volunteer Boards of Iowa Ronald McDonald House Charities

Celebrity: To be announced

Exhibitor: Chandler Ludwig | Elma, IA

Steer: Snoop Dog

​​9. Sponsors: Eastern Iowa Ronald McDonald House and Quad Cities McDonald’s

Celebrity: Matt Kroul, Former University of Iowa and NY Jets Football Player, Current Farmer and Owner at Kroul Farms

Exhibitor: Tyler Lukavsky | Washington, IA

Steer: Thunder

​​10. Sponsors: Central Iowa Ronald McDonald Houses and Des Moines Area Independent Owner Operators

Celebrity: Jackie Schmillen, Director of Public Affairs of the Iowa National Guard and

overall Hype Person for all great things happening in Central Iowa

Exhibitor: Asher Henson | Martensdale, IA

Steer: Colt

​11. Sponsors: Siouxland Ronald McDonald House and Siouxland Area McDonald’s Operators

Celebrity: Dan Venteicher, Iowa Dairy Farmer

Exhibitor: Merritt Moss | Hull, IA

Steer: Big Red

​​12. Sponsor: Friends of Floyd County

Celebrity: Nick Fox, UNI Wrestler

Exhibitor: Chet Brunner | Rockford, IA

Steer: Clifford

​​13. Sponsor: Monroe County Cattlemen & Supporters

Celebrity: Tork Whistler, BarnTalk Podcast Host

Exhibitor: Ty Haywood | Albia, IA

Steer: This’ll Do

14. Sponsor: Iowa County Beef Supporters

Celebrity: Casey Manser, Iowa SIDS Foundation Executive Director

Exhibitor: Elery Hinrichsen | Williamsburg, IA

Steer: Mack​

​15. Sponsors: Foster and Evelyn Barkema Charitable Trust and Friends of Franklin County Cattlemen

Celebrity: JayJay Goodvin, Chief Explorer of the Iowa Gallivant

Exhibitor: Tate Lundt | Rockwell, IA

Steer: Pablo

​16. Sponsor: Iowa Junior Hereford Association

Celebrity: Brenna Bird, Iowa Attorney General

Exhibitor: Logan Keppler | Indianola, IA

Steer: ​Buddy

​17. Sponsors: Benton County Cattlemen and Local Supporters

Celebrity: Mike Naig, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture

Exhibitor: Jack Wayson | Mount Auburn, IA

Steer: Bond “007”

​​​18. Sponsor: Iowa Corn Promotion Board

Celebrity: Ralph Lents, Iowa Corn Promotion Board President

Exhibitor: Tucker Freimuth | Lytton, IA

Steer: Burt Reynolds

​19. Sponsor: Johnson County Cattlemen & Reeve Farms

Celebrity: Jess Settles, Iowa Hawkeye Basketball Great, Basketball TV Analyst, Farmer

Exhibitor: Reece Meyer | Solon, IA

Steer: Whiskey​

​20. Sponsors: Jackson County Cattlemen and Friends of Jackson County

Celebrity: Jason Brantley, VP of Production Systems, John Deere

Exhibitor: Anna Cota | Bellevue, IA

Steer: Prince

​​21. Sponsors: Iowa Veterinary Medical Association and ISU College of Veterinary Medicine

Celebrity: Dr. Dan Grooms, Iowa Veterinary Medical Association &

ISU College of Veterinary Medicine

Exhibitor: Matt Elbert | Rock Rapids, IA

Steer: Trice​

​22. Sponsor: District 20 Cattlemen’s Associations

Celebrity: Dr. Gene W. Hoy, Former Head Vet of the Iowa State Fair

Animal Learning Center & area vet

Exhibitor: Hailey Pedrick | Ollie, IA

Steer: All On Red

​23. Sponsor: Iowa Premium, A National Beef Company

Celebrity: To be determined

Exhibitor: Bryce Schwenneker | Adel, IA

Steer: Dale

​​24. Sponsor: ServiTech, Inc.

Celebrity: Ryan Hassebrook, ServiTech President & CEO

Exhibitor: Henry McCollom | Colo, IA

Steer: Joe

25. Sponsor: Iowa Angus Association

Celebrity: Mark McCully, CEO American Angus Association

Exhibitor: Isabella Gotto | Dyersville, IA

Steer: Duke

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Congresswoman Ashley Hinson says she’s confident congress can essentially overrule a U-S Supreme Court opinion that upheld California standards for pork sold in that state. The rules require pork sold in California to come from the offspring of sows that had enough space to move and turn around. Hinson says her “Save Our Bacon Act” will put a stop to that policy.

“California should not be telling Iowa farmers who to raise their hogs,” Hinson says. “Prop 12 set unscientific, arbitrary mandates on producers hundreds, if not thousands of miles away and it’s hurting both farmers and families.” California voters approved Proposition 12 in 2018 by a large margin. In 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled California’s animal welfare law did not violate the Constitution’s commerce clause, but Justice Neil Gorsuch wrote that if pork producers believe it causes a massive disruption in their industry, they can lobby congress to intervene.

“In the Supreme Court’s decision, they noted that congress had the authority to determine how states may regulate and get involved here with interstate commerce,” Hinson says, “and I think that when you look at what we’ve got here, this does exactly that.” Congress typically drafts constitutional amendments to undo U.S. Supreme Court rulings that interpret the constitution. However, Congress has occasionally acted to pass a bill in similar situations and Hinson says this particular legislative fix is necessary.

“According to USDA, the cost for producers to comply with Prop 12 is up to $4500 per sow. That is devastating for small, family-run farms that don’t have that kind of money lying around and it’s not just farmers feeling the pain. Consumers are paying more, too,” Hinson says. “Since Prop 12 went into effect, the price of a pork loin has gone up 41%.” California’s rules require about 24 square feet of space for each sow. Hinson says her bill ensures California activists cannot dictate how pork producers raise pigs in Iowa.

“In California, if they want to decide that they want their sows to live in this much space, then they can do that for their producers,” Hinson says, “but for us it’s telling our Iowa producers they can continue to do things how they have with the farrowing process that is scientifically based.”

Supporters of the California regulations say it’s cruel and inhumane to confine pregnant sows in pens that are so small they cannot turn around. The National Pork Producers Council says gestation stalls allow sows to move side to side and lie down, but NOT to turn around and potentially contaminate her water and food.