Warm, windy weather — and a lack of rain — are raising drought concerns in Iowa. The latest U-S-D-A report indicates about half of Iowa farm fields are short or very short of topsoil moisture. Iowa Ag Secretary Bill Northey says it’s worrysome. “Ironically northwest Iowa was probably our driest area going into spring and they’ve gotten rains,” Northey says. “But the balance of the state is really short of moisture and normally we don’t expect that dry weather until later in the season.” Dry conditions in late May and early June put a “unique kind of stress” on crops, according to Northey.

Corn, for example, is showing inadequate root growth.”When the crop is so short of moisture in that top soil, it actually is hard for those roots to find moisture and, therefore, to grow,” Northey says. “You would think normally…dry weather will cause those roots to go down and try to find moisture, but in some of our areas it’s so dry, if it’s not finding moisture, it actually stops those roots from growing.” While corn in some areas has weak root systems, some soybeans are just sitting in the ground and haven’t sprouted. “We do plant soybeans shallower. We plant them later and if you do a little bit of tillage, it dries out the top, especially since some of our areas of the state haven’t had rain for three weeks or at least any sizable rain and some very dry weather in the last three or four weeks as well.” The other problem is the soybean sprouts, but then dies because of lack of moisture.

Fifty-one percent of Iowa farm fields are “short” or “very short” of topsoil moisture according to the latest U-S-D-A report. The rating for subsoil moisture is 42 percent “short” or “very short.” The driest section of the state is south central Iowa, where 83 percent of the topsoil is “short” or “very short” of moisture.

Link to the U-S Drought Monitor website: http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/

(O. Kay Henderson/Radio Iowa)

w/ Kate Olsen

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The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is trying to lure more people to go fishing. Next weekend (June 1-3), the DNR will allow Iowans without a fishing license to go fishing for free. DNR fish biologist Martin Konrad says it’s a great time of year to cast a line in an Iowa lake. “This is the time of year when the fish are still close to shore, so shore anglers have just as good of an opportunity to catch fish as boat anglers,” Konrad says. The conditions this spring and past winter have also contributed to a healthy crop of fish that’re biting. “We’ve had tremendous fishing this spring,” Konrad says. “The weather warmed up early in March and people got out. Fishing has been above average and it’s been particularly good in the Great Lakes area.” Konrad suggests fishing may be a way for some adults to re-live their childhood memories. “Maybe they’ve been away from fishing for a while and have kind of forgotten about it. Here’s a wake up call,” Konrad says. “The DNR wants people to come back, start fishing again and enjoy it as an outdoor sport and a family activity.” For more information about the Iowa DNR “free fishing days” —
http://www.iowadnr.gov/Fishing.aspx

(Pat Curtis/Radio Iowa)

The 5th Annual Western Iowa No-till (WIN) Demonstration Field Day, scheduled for June 12^th at the Carstens 1880 Farmstead south of Shelby, Iowa, will address a wide variety of topics for anyone interested in learning more about soil stewardship practices on the highly erodible soils of western Iowa. The day starts at 8 AM when registration and vendor displays open. A wide variety of local agribusinesses will be on hand to visit with producers in the morning and demonstrate their services/equipment.

The field day begins at 9 AM with presentation topics including planter settings for heavy residue areas, use of cover crops to improve soil structure, a marketing update and weather outlook. Keynote speaker Paul Jasa will address the crowd over the lunch hour to discuss techniques for success in long term no-till systems for a corn/bean rotation, as well as continuous corn on corn. Lunch will be provided free of charge to all in attendance, including steak sandwiches grilled by the Harrison County Cattlemen.  

Anyone with an interest in soil stewardship, whether looking for basic management ideas or a long-time no-till producer, is encouraged to attend the daylong educational event.  In addition to the educational sessions at the 2012 WIN Field Day, there will be plenty of time for farmers to visit informational displays, vendor exhibits and network with other producers. 4 hours of CCA Credits will also be available at no cost for Certified Crop Advisors needing additional continuing education units this year. 

There is no charge to attend the event, but pre-registration is requested by June 7^th to ensure a lunch will be available.  Registration can be completed by e-mailing csgorham@iastate.edu or by calling the Harrison County Extension Office at 888-644-2105. Registrations may also be faxed to 712-644-2100 or mailed to: ISU Extension Harrison County, 304 East 7^th St., Logan, IA 51546. Registration forms and more information are available at many local ISU Extension and NRCS offices, or can be found online at www.extension.iastate.edu/cass. 

The field day is brought to you by NRCS, ISU Extension and the Soil and Water Conservation Districts (SWCD) in Harrison, Pottawattamie, Cass and Shelby Counties, along with many local supporting agribusinesses.

w/ Denny Heflin

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Many people will take advantage of the Memorial Day weekend to get out their boats out for a run on Iowa’s lakes and rivers. Iowa Department of Natural Resources boating law administrator, Susan Stocker, says we’re not expected to see the high water levels we had last year. But she says you should still check on the local conditions before heading out. “What we are advising people is definitely know where you are going to go boating, and make sure you check those rivers levels. Unlike with the Missouri River where you had all of the flooding last year, or course you’re not going to find that, but you might find some hazards that are in the Missouri River now based on that, and or other areas that are low water that have revealed hazards. So know where you are boating and what the water conditions are,” Stocker says.

With warmer weather this spring, you may’ve already had the boat out this year. If not, she says now is a good time to give the boat a safety check before heading out. “Check your trailer, check your wheel bearings, your tire pressure to makes sure you are able to make it to the lake,” Stocker says. “And then of course once you get to the lake, make sure you prepare your boat in the launching area. Make sure you have all of your safety equipment, your life jackets, that is required. Be sure that you have enough life jackets for everyone who’ll be on your boat. “It can’t work if you’re not wearing it, and the Coast Guard has made some tremendous advancements in the making of life jackets, they’re lightweight, they’re more comfortable,” Stocker says. She says anyone under 12 is required to wear a life jacket while the boat is underway. You should also be sure you have plenty of sunscreen and bug repellent on the boat in case it is needed.

(Dar Danielson/Radio Iowa)

Officials with Southwest 8 Senior Services say the State of Iowa is continuing the Farmers Market voucher program for senior citizens.  In the program, seniors meeting income requirements can obtain vouchers that they can use at participating area Farmers Markets to buy $30.00 worth of fresh, locally grown produce. 

Applications for the vouchers will be available at your local senior center the week of May 29th.  Your application guarantees you a booklet, but there is a limited number, so contact your local senior center if you are interested in obtaining the vouchers.  Council Bluffs residents can pick up an application for the vouchers starting on May 29, 2012 at The Center and the distribution date is Thursday, June 14^th from 9:00am to 12 noon. 

Seniors (age 60 and older) in all other communities in Cass, Fremont, Harrison, Mills, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie and Shelby counties will receive their vouchers through their local senior center after June 11, 2012. 

                Program Criteria:

• Must be at least 60 years of age or older
• Annual income must be less than $20,665 Single or $27,991 Married
• Only one original application allowed per individual.  No photocopies or duplicate applications allowed.

If you have any questions, please call Sherri Carson at 712-328-2540, ext. 18

A presentation by an Atlantic resident who recently returned from an Agricultural Advisory position in Afghanistan scheduled to take place this Thursday, May 24^th , has been postponed for one week. Officials with the Women, Food and Agriculture Network (WFAN) say the visit to Des Moines this Thursday by President Barack Obama has forced a speaking event at Drake University by rural Atlantic resident and organic farmer Denise O’Brien, to be postponed until May 31^st, at 7-p.m.

O’Brien, who recently returned from a one-year appointment as a civilian agricultural advisor in Afghanistan, will speak about her experiences as an advisor for the USDA Office of Foreign Service Operations/Overseas.

She’s scheduled to speak on the topic 7-p.m. Thursday, May 31st, at 206 Cartwright Hall on the Drake University Campus at 27th St. and Carpenter Ave. in Des Moines.  O’Brien will also display her photos of farming in Nangarhar Province. A question and answer session will follow her presentation. The event is free and open to the public, and will be followed by a social hour at the Mars Café, 2318 University Avenue, from 8:30 to 9:30 p.m.

The latest crop report shows a big part of the planting season is done. The report from the U-S-D-A shows 98-percent of the corn acres have been planted, with a few farmers replanting corn that was washed out by April rains. The report shows 81-percent of the corn crop has emerged, which is one week ahead of normal. Twenty-one-percent of the corn is rated excellent and 60-percent is rated good. Just one percent is rated very poor and two percent poor. On the soybean side — planting jump up 46-percentage points to make the work 85-percent complete. That’s ahead of the 69-percent of the beans that were planted at this time last year and well ahead of the five-year average of 60-percent. The report says farmers in north central Iowa planted 55-percent of their beans last week, the most in the state. So far 26-percent of the beans have emerged, which is ahead of last year’s 16-percent and the five-year average of 13-percent.

(Dar Danielson/Radio Iowa)