Today:  A slight chance of sprinkles after 5:00 pm. Mostly sunny with a high near 88.  South wind 5 to 10 mph becoming west southwest in the afternoon.  Winds could gust as high as 15 mph.
Tonight:  Mostly clear with a low around 58.  North wind 5 mph.
Tuesday:  Mostly sunny with widespread haze after 2:00 pm and a high near 85.  North wind 5 to 10mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.
Wednesday:  Sunny with a high near 84.  South southeast wind 5 to 10 mph.
Thursday:  Sunny with a high near 87.  South wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.

Sunday’s high was 82 degrees, this morning’s low 54.  This day last year the high was 86 and the low 65.  The record high for this date is 100 degrees set in 1984 and the record low is 35 set in 1967.  Sunrise this morning will be at 6:41 am and sunset tonight is at 8:00 pm.

Today:  Mostly sunny, with a high near 81. North northeast wind around 9 mph, with gusts as high as 16 mph.
Tonight:  Patchy fog after 4am. Otherwise, mostly clear, with a low around 54. East northeast wind 6 to 8 mph.
Sunday:  Patchy fog before 8am. Otherwise, sunny, with a high near 82. East wind around 5 mph.
Sunday Night:  Mostly clear, with a low around 59. South southeast wind 3 to 7 mph.
Monday:  Mostly sunny, with a high near 85. South wind 8 to 11 mph becoming west northwest in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 18 mph.
Monday Night:  Mostly clear, with a low around 58. North wind 7 to 11 mph, with gusts as high as 18 mph.
Tuesday:  Sunny, with a high near 84. North wind 7 to 13 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph.

Friday’s high was 92 and this morning’s low is 69.  This day last year the high was 81 and the low 58,  The record high is 100 set in 1955.  The record low is 39 set in 1904.  Sunrise Saturday is at 6:39 am and sunset this evening is at 8:03 pm.

The USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced today it is updating the  Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) payment rate to support livestock producers in the Midwest who have lost cattle to the extreme heat and humidity experienced this summer. To help indemnify ranchers to reflect a trend towards higher cattle weights in feedlots, the 2023 LIP payment rate for beef calves over 800 pounds will increase from $1244 per head to $1618, an increase of $374.

“The recent heat domes plaguing many parts of the country have proven to be unsurvivable for some animals and temperatures are not expected to let up any time soon. This is one of the latest, many examples of how a changing climate is creating immediate challenges for farmers and ranchers, and we’re finding that our emergency relief programs need to adapt accordingly,” said FSA Administrator Zach Ducheneaux. “Given these circumstances and the trend towards higher weights in feedlots, it became clear that USDA’s Livestock Indemnity Payment rates were not reflective of the true market value for cattle. This change will better indemnify the investments producers have in the livestock they raise, and we will continue to find flexibilities where possible to help our farmers and ranchers in the wake of climate-related impacts.”

LIP provides benefits to livestock owners and some contract growers for livestock deaths exceeding normal mortality from eligible adverse weather events, certain predation losses and reduced sales prices due to injury from an eligible loss. Indemnity payments are made at a rate of 75% of the prior year’s average fair market value of the livestock.

The updated LIP payment rate is effective immediately and will be applied retroactively starting Jan.1, 2023, for all eligible causes of loss including excessive heat, tornado, winter storms, and other qualifying adverse weather. Producers who have already received LIP payments for 2023 losses will receive an additional payment, if applicable, commensurate with this updated rate. For details on eligibility and payment rates, review the LIP fact sheet.

FSA recognizes that an annual update of LIP payment rates does not account for the volatile nature of livestock markets and is further exploring flexibilities to establish more current payment rates.

More Information

On farmers.gov, the Disaster Assistance Discovery Tool, Disaster Assistance-at-a-Glance fact sheet, and Loan Assistance Tool can help producers and landowners determine program or loan options. For assistance with a crop insurance claim, producers and landowners should contact their crop insurance agent. For FSA and NRCS programs, they should contact their local USDA Service Center.

Family Crisis Support Networks hosted a duck pond activity

The Cass County Child Abuse Prevention Council partnered with the Healthy Cass County Coalition and other community organizations to host their second annual Family Fun Day at the 2023 Cass County Fair.

On Saturday, July 29th, the fairgrounds were full of family activities from noon-4 PM, including water fights, a duck pond, a garden story walk, hands-on S.T.E.M. activities, a book walk, yard games and more! Each station earned a stamp on a prize card that rewarded the family with a food voucher provided by the Family Crisis Support Network.

Thank you to all the participating organizations for making the day a huge success:  Healthy Cass County, Shift ATL/Sunnyside Range, Cass County Child Abuse Prevention Council, Atlantic Fire Department, Atlantic Public Library, Zion Integrated Behavioral Health Services, Cass County Master Gardeners, Cass County ISU Extension, Cass County Farm Bureau, Iowa Learning Farms, Cass County 4-H and Iowa Corn.

Iowa Learning Farms set up their Conservation Station to teach about the science of water quality and natural resources through hands-on interactive activities

The Cass County Child Abuse Prevention Council and Healthy Cass County loved seeing families enjoy some time together at the Cass County Fair while gathering ideas for activities that can be done at home, at school and out in the community as a family. The council also reminds people that child abuse is preventable, and everyone can play a part in creating safe, healthy, and nurturing environments for kids in our local communities. We cannot wait for next year to do it all over again!

For more information and updates about the Cass County Child Abuse Prevention Council, visit @CassCountyChildAbusePreventionCouncil on Facebook.

4-H Staff and volunteers provided hands-on robotics experiences to youth

For more information on local health and wellness events, resources, and partnerships follow Healthy Cass County on Facebook @HealthyCassCounty.

On Monday, Aug. 21, the DNR was notified of a black liquid in an unnamed tributary, approximately 1 to 1 ½ miles from the North Raccoon River. This liquid has been identified as hog manure and the investigation is ongoing.

Although the manure is no longer actively flowing, an unknown amount of manure continues to be pooled in numerous areas in the tributary and in drainage district tile 37B, verified with the Greene County Drainage District.

The public is asked to continue to avoid swimming or recreating in this area. Additionally, it is recommended that livestock using the tributary for watering be limited as well.

Throughout the week, DNR staff have investigated the area by checking tiles, tile intakes, and drainage tile outlets. Additionally, local officials and multiple landowners have provided information. Field tests show dissolved oxygen at zero and ammonia concentrations greater than 300 ppm, which is as high as the field tests read. Water samples have been collected and sent to the State Hygienic Laboratory for further analysis and are expected within the next 7-10 business days.

One week from today (Friday), the Iowa D-N-R’s State Forest Nursery in Ames will open its phone lines and website for taking seedling orders — both for this fall and next spring. Nursery manager Pat Griffin says they’re preparing now to handle what will most certainly be a deluge of requests for the tiny trees and shrubs.

If you do the math, that’s about 600-thousand seedlings that were sent out last season, though some years, it’s as many as a million. The tree varieties include 23 species of native hardwoods, along with eight evergreen species and 15 smaller trees and shrubs.

Varieties include hickory, maple and walnut as well as red oak, river birch and black cherry, and dozens more. While orders can be made starting September 1st, the seedlings won’t start shipping out until November 1st. Griffin says November is an ideal time to launch into landscaping.

Situated on 98 acres south of Highway 30 in Ames, the nursery was created by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1930s, and has run continuously ever since. The nursery had to raise its seedling prices last season, but Griffin says it didn’t impact sales.

Prices range from 80-cents to a-dollar-20 per seedling. They’re sold in three age classifications, and range in size from 10 to 30 inches, depending on the species. Sales run through May. Orders can be placed starting September 1st at 1-800-865-2477 or online at http://nursery.iowadnr.gov/.

Iowa Congresswoman Ashley Hinson is pushing back at critics who say her plan to override California’s law on pork production will derail up to a thousand laws in other states. California’s law requires that bacon and other uncooked pork that’s sold in California must come from operations that have 24 square foot pens for sows.

Hinson, a Republican from Marion, says liberal activists in California should not be able to tell Iowa pork producers how to run their operations.

The National Pork Producers Council and the American Farm Bureau say it will cost 350 million dollars to retrofit U-S hog confinements to meet California’s rules, but the U-S Supreme Court upheld California’s law in May. A coalition of groups lobbying against Hinson’s proposal say it would open the floodgates to China’s take-over of American agriculture.

A bipartisan group of 150 House members also have warned adding Hinson’s so-called “EATS Act” to the Farm Bill would kill the Farm Bill’s chance for passage this year. The lawmakers say Hinson’s proposal would harm pork producers who’ve complied with California’s rules and would overturn other state laws about invasive pests, livestock diseases and puppy mills. California’s new standards for pork are set to go into effect January 1st. California’s space requirements for ag operations that produce veal and eggs went into effect nearly a year ago.

Ames, Iowa – Graduates of Iowa State University’s Master Conservationist Program are invited to gather in the Loess Hills this September for the first-ever statewide meetup.

“The goal for this event is to get graduates together to explore different parts of Iowa while providing space for socializing and learning,” said Kaycie Waters-Brocka, natural resources field specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and co-director of the Master Conservationist Program.

The event will begin with a dinner and social at the Desoto National Wildlife Refuge on Sept. 29, followed by a day of field trips around the Loess Hills on Sept. 30. Graduates will get the opportunity to meet conservation professionals in western Iowa and learn about how management in the Loess Hills differs from other places in Iowa. Saturday’s tour will begin at the new Willow Lake Nature Center, where participants will learn about various water quality conservation practices happening in the area. Participants will then get to hike around a few scenic places in the Loess Hills while learning from County Conservation Board and Department of Natural Resources biologists. Lunch will be provided, and during lunch attendees will learn about the unique fire management that happens in the Loess Hills.

The Master Conservationist Program started in Iowa in the 1990s but was redesigned and reinvigorated in 2017. Since then, over 700 people have completed the curriculum that combines online lectures about statewide efforts for conservation and land stewardship with in-person lessons led by local natural resources professionals in over half of Iowa’s counties. Graduates are encouraged to volunteer in their communities and continue to stay engaged with one another and local instructors. This statewide meeting will be the first of its kind. The program’s goal since its inception has been to “Plant the seeds of conservation in Iowa.”

Adam Janke, program co-director and extension wildlife specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach, said he hopes graduate engagement efforts such as this will help those seeds flourish.

This year’s event is hosted by ISU Extension and Outreach Harrison County. Future graduate meetups will be hosted in other areas of the state, with the goal of giving graduates more opportunities to network and learn from one another, while also explore more of Iowa’s unique natural resources.

Graduates of any Master Conservationist Program offering from any year are invited to attend the event. The registration for this event is $35 and payment in the form of cash or check will be accepted at the event. Dinner on Friday evening and lunch on Saturday will be provided. Pre-registration is required, and registration closes on Monday, Sept. 18. Registration can be found at this web link: https://go.iastate.edu/BWODOE.

Lodging is not provided. Those traveling can explore surrounding areas for overnight accommodations: Missouri Valley, Onawa, Denison, Harlan and Council Bluffs, Iowa, or Blair, Nebraska.

This event is only open to those who have previously completed the Master Conservationist Program. For more information, contact Kaycie Waters-Brocka at 515-294-5820 or kwaters@iastate.edu; or reach Adam Janke at 515-294-7429 or ajanke@iastate.edu

SHELBY – Iowa farm history will be showcased September 9 and 10 at Carstens Farm during the 41st Annual Carstens Farm Days. This farm show showcases threshing, sawmill operations,

An event for all ages, Carstens Farm Days showcases a variety of tractors and implements each day during a parade. The 41ST Annual Farm Days show is September 9 & 10, 2023.

crafters and vendors, a quilt show and of course, tractors. The Farm Days show has something for everyone throughout the weekend.

Horse, steam and gas power

Come see steam engines powering antique threshing machines, antique cars, trucks and machinery, a parade, crafts, and entertainment.  Over two hundred restored antique tractors will be on display.  The original Carstens farm buildings will be open for tours. The buildings will be alive with demonstrations that will bring back memories for older visitors and teach valuable history lessons to young people.

Food for all

A Friday evening pulled pork sandwich dinner will be hosted by the Friends of the Shelby Stone Arch Trail Committee. Proceeds of the Friday evening dinner will go to the trail committee.  The dinner will be served from 5:00 – 7:30 pm.

All good days begin with a good breakfast and to start Farm Days off right, a great breakfast is planned at 6:30 a.m. both Saturday and Sunday. Snacks and lunch options provided by the Hodges Smokehouse Catering of Minden will be available. Various non-profit local groups will be offering refreshments and delicious desserts all weekend.

Homemade ice cream will be in plentiful supply during Farm Days. Serving Benny’s Ice Cream will be Carstens board member Ben Ausdemore and his wife Katie. This is a treat visitors won’t want to miss!

On Saturday beginning at 5:30 p.m. enjoy Staley’s Chicken for a delicious dinner at the farm. The dinner will be $15 for adults and $10 for kids age 8 and under. Dinner proceeds will go toward on-going maintenance at Carstens 1880 Farmstead.

Farmall Tractors and Equipment To Be Featured

Farmall equipment of all types will be featured during Farm Days.  Farmall tractor and implement owners are invited to bring their exhibits to display throughout the weekend.

Horsepower-testing, sawmill operations and field demonstrations will occupy tractor exhibitors all day. Over 250 pieces of vintage equipment were on display during the 2022 Farm Days show. Visitors will enjoy watching most of the restored tractors as they go through the parade each afternoon at 2 p.m.

Quilt Show

A colorful display of quilts, wall hangings, wearable art and other types of quilting projects will be featured in the special event building at the farm. Many talented quilters from around the area will allow their works of art to be displayed for all to enjoy. Even if you have never displayed a quilt before, consider joining the fun and bringing a quilt to display.  Exhibitors are asked to deliver their quilts on Friday, September 8. For details about the quilt show or to inquire about adding your quilt to the collection, please call Jan Hursey at 712-544-2662.

Crafts, plants and treats galore

In case visitors run out of vintage tractors and other pieces of equipment to look at, there will be over fifty crafters and vendors on hand. A wide array of crafts, plants, vintage and antique items will be available.  From unique wooden creations to home raised honey, there will be something for everyone.

A very healthy crop of farm-grown potatoes will also be available for purchase. Proceeds from the sale of potatoes will help make improvements to the farmstead.

Sunday Worship 

On Sunday morning a non-denominational worship service will take place at 9:00 a.m. on the lawn in front of the Carstens home. Worship will be led by the United Lutheran Church, Shelby. Everyone is welcome to join in the worship service.

Admission

Admission is $10 per day for everyone nine years and older.

Carstens 1880 Farmstead, Inc., a non-profit group of local volunteers, oversees an 80-acre working farm museum exhibit located between Minden and Shelby, Iowa in Pottawattamie County.  The farmstead is the home of Carstens Farm Days, which is held the first weekend after Labor Day each September.  It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.  For more information visit the web site: www.carstensfarm.com

Thursday:  Sunny, with a high near 96. Heat index values as high as 105. West wind 5 to 7 mph becoming light and variable in the afternoon.

Thursday Night:  A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms after 1am. Partly cloudy, with a low around 71. East northeast wind 5 to 10 mph, with gusts as high as 15 mph.

Friday:  A 20 percent chance of showers and thunderstorms. Mostly sunny, with a high near 89. East northeast wind 5 to 10 mph.

Saturday:  Mostly sunny, with a high near 82. North northeast wind around 10 mph.

Sunday:  Sunny, with a high near 83. East wind around 10 mph becoming south southwest in the afternoon.

Wednesday’s high was 96 and this morning’s low 77.  This day last year the high was 87 and the low 63.  The record high is 105 set in 1936 and the record low 37 set in 1908.  Sunrise today is 6:37 am and sunset at 8:06 pm.