(An IOWA CAPITAL DISPATCH report) – Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever have expanded Iowa public lands access with two parcel acquisitions in Fremont County. The 350 acres abut existing public lands owned by state and federal agencies and will be enrolled in the Iowa Habitat and Access Program to allow public hunting access while employing habitat management practices to improve the prairie.

The Iowa Habitat and Access Program is managed by wildlife biologists at Iowa Department of Natural Resources who help to improve the quality of wildlife habitat on a property. The first parcel is a 174-acre addition to the Copeland Bend Wildlife Area. The conservation groups’ acquisition connects multiple tracts of the existing public lands northeast of Nebraska City. The second parcel, also 174 acres, is a few miles southeast of the first site and connects portions of the M.U. Payne Wildlife Area along the Missouri River. The groups said the site will improve access to the northern end of the existing wildlife area.

The acquisition of the sites was funded by Pheasants Forever and Quail Forever’s Build a Wildlife Area program. The program has led to permanent protections and publicly accessible land for more than 243,000 acres in 17 states since 1982, according to a news release from the nonprofit organizations. The news release said the newest parcels add habitat for the game birds in areas that are “heavily utilized” by Iowan and Nebraskan hunters.

In 2024, hunters bagged an estimated 460,000 roosters, or male pheasants, and 27,500 quail in Iowa. Quail Forever acquired another Iowa parcel in August that similarly connected several areas of public land, near Centerville, managed by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and Iowa DNR.

(Des Moines, IA) – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is partnering with Iowa deer hunters to collect tissue samples to monitor for chronic wasting disease during the upcoming gun seasons. The goal is to collect samples from each county, with higher quotas based on the presence of or proximity to confirmed positive locations. Hunters interested in submitting samples to the DNR’s surveillance program can do so by contacting their local wildlife staff. Hunters can monitor progress towards county quotas on the DNR CWD Dashboard (www.iowadnr.gov/cwd). So far during the 2025-26 surveillance year, there have been 24 positive cases of chronic wasting disease.

Hunters in areas where the disease has been found or in counties where the quota has filled, can get their deer tested by going to www.iowadnr.gov/cwd and clicking on the hunter submission pathway. There is a video demonstrating how hunters can remove the lymph nodes and package them for mailing. The hunter submission pathway allows hunters to pull and submit their own tissue sample simply by filling out the online form and paying a $25 processing fee, the same fee the DNR pays for its samples.

No special packaging is required and hunter submitted samples are prioritized to expedite testing and results. Samples are tested at Iowa State University’s Veterinary Diagnostic Lab, and results are included with the data from samples the DNR is collecting. Local wildlife staff can help hunters with pulling samples. There are also resources online that shows how to pull and ship samples.

Chronic wasting disease is spread through direct contact between deer and through contact with contaminated surfaces in the environment. Artificially concentrating deer by putting out grain or mineral can increase transmission of the disease because it increases the opportunity for deer to interact and come in contact with infectious material. Deer will concentrate on their own through scrapes and during the breeding season.

The disease can also be spread by transporting infected carcasses. To avoid introducing the disease to a new area, hunters should not transport deer carcasses outside of the county where it was harvested, if at all possible. If, for some reason, hunters need to take the carcass with them, they should landfill the carcass through regular waste disposal. In the few instances where landfilling isn’t an option, hunters should return the carcass to the site of harvest after processing.

DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Lake Restoration Program (LRP) are now accepting public comments on the newly released draft 2026 Lake Restoration Report and 2025 Plan, which includes completion of a project at Lake McKinley, in Union County. The report is available for review at www.iowadnr.gov/Lake-Restoration. It highlights restoration projects completed around the state in State Fiscal Year (SFY) 2025 and outlines plans for upcoming restoration projects.

The Lake Restoration Program works with communities and stakeholders across Iowa to improve water quality and recreational opportunities at publicly-owned lakes. Since the program’s creation in 2006, the Iowa legislature has invested over $176 million in the lake restoration program, with investments at 72 lakes in 55 counties statewide. The program averaged a 37 percent cost share to match LRP funds by other project partners in SFY2025 (local, federal, and other state funds).

Lakes are an important part of Iowa’s economy, accounting for $1.32 billion in annual spending. In 2024, Iowa’s lakes had more than $13.7 million visits statewide. More than 60 percent of Iowans visit a lake at least once per year, and on average, visitors spend an average of $36 on single day trips. Visitors consistently rank proximity to their work or home, quality of facilities, and water quality as their top reasons when choosing a lake to visit.

Accomplishments since the program’s inception include:

• 40 miles of shoreline protection to minimize erosion
• 7.7 million cubic yards of excess sediment removed (equivalent to over 513,000 dump trucks of material)
• 44 projects enhancing 14,000 acres of wetlands and shallow lakes
• Over 250 watershed best management practices (BMPs; e.g. ponds, grade stabilization structures, urban stormwater BMPs, and upland/stream restoration) implemented with program funds on public lands
• Over 700 BMPs constructed in priority watershed in concert with project partners (e.g. NRCS, SWCDs, US EPA Section 319, IDALS, Municipalities) to protect downstream lakes
• 60 infrastructure improvement projects (e.g. dam/spillway repairs, lake outlet water control structures, fish barriers) to preserve Iowa’s lakes for the next generation

Major projects completed in 2025 include: A $3.52 million investment in Three Mile Lake, (Union County); a $2.92 million investment at Casey Lake (located within Hickory Hills Park, Black Hawk County); a $987k investment at the Iowa Great Lakes to assess shoreline damage from the 2024 floods; and a $1.8 million investment at Prairie Rose Lake (Shelby County) and Green Valley Lake (Union County), for phosphorus inactivation treatments.

Major projects planned for 2026 include completion of the projects at Lake Keomah (Mahaska County), and McKinley Lake (Union County), shoreline stabilization projects at the Iowa Great Lakes to address flood damage, and beach restoration projects at Brushy Creek Lake (Webster County), Big Creek Lake (Polk County), and Hickory Grove Lake (Story County), to reduce bacteria concentrations at each of these beaches. Several large-scale shallow lake/wetland restoration projects are underway, including projects at East Twin Lake (Hancock County) and Little Storm Lake (Buena Vista County).

The DNR is accepting comments from Dec. 5th through Dec. 17th. Comments may be submitted via email to michelle.balmer@dnr.iowa.gov. or sent via mail to Michelle Balmer, Iowa Department of Natural Resources, 6200 Park Avenue, Suite 200, Des Moines, Iowa 50321.

(Radio Iowa) – The first of two Iowa gun seasons for deer opens Saturday. D-N-R state deer biologist Jace Elliott says harvest numbers started out down for the early youth, archery and muzzleloader seasons due to warm weather. “Luckily, things cooled down in the second-half of October. Conditions across the state stayed really nice for deer harvest throughout November, and we ended up catching up as a statewide harvest to exactly where we were at this point last year,” Elliott says. Elliott says the deer population in some areas is still recovering from a couple of bad years for disease. “Much of central, western and southern Iowa counties have experienced severe hemorrhagic disease in 2023 and 2024,” Elliott says. “Fortunately, we got a a break from it across the state this year. But we are still hearing from a lot of folks in those counties, the numbers are still quite a bit lower than they were prior to those outbreaks.”

Elliott says the colder weather can be a benefit for hunters as it keeps the meat cold and ensures that deer are active. “There seems to be a certain point at which it also increases your movement. Especially when we have some snow on the ground that’s going to keep deer on their feet longer during daylight hours, they still have the same calorie requirements to fulfill, and so they’re going to have to be a lot more active to meet those energy needs in order to to survive,” he says. “Cold weather and snow is good for deer movement. It’s good for observing deer. It’s good for tracking wounded deer. So hunters should definitely be excited about the conditions we have coming up over the next week or two,” he says.

Elliott says the first gun season had been the most popular for many years, but there’s been a shift. “Everybody wanted to get that first crack. Over the years, we’ve seen a lot more of a shift into gun two, and over the last few years we have almost an even split,” he says. “And it really comes down to the weather during gun one. I think a lot of people make last minute calls on whether they’re going to buy a gun one or gun two tag, and over the last few years it’s been very even.”

Elliott says there are no regulation changes this year, but there are still some restrictions for western Iowa. “For hunters in Western Iowa, make sure that you’re aware whether or not your county has buck only requirement for gun one. Most of the far Western counties along the Missouri River would be included all the way up to Lyon County there in the northwest,” he says. “So just read the regulations and make sure that you understand what you can and cannot harvest during gun one, even if your tag says any deer.”

The first gun season runs through December 10th and the second gun season starts December 13th and runs through the 21st. Hunters are expected to harvest between 55 to 60-thousand deer during the two guns seasons

DES MOINES, Iowa, June 16, 2024 — U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Rural Development Deputy State Director in Iowa Henry Kummerer today (Thursday) announced that the Agency is investing in six projects in Iowa including three loans totaling $3,000,000 and three grants totaling $683,333. Five of the projects support small business expansion and one project will improve fire and emergency service. In a news release, Kummerer said “Throughout the state, cooperatives help unleash innovation and entrepreneurship by passing along project financing to small businesses and ag producers with funds from USDA programs. Under the leadership of the Trump Administration, USDA is continuing to partner with co-ops to support job creation and to promote economic development in rural Iowa.” The funding was made through the Rural Economic Development Loan and Grant program.

The projects and the amount of the funds received include:

• Raccoon Valley Electric Cooperative: A $1-million dollar loan to fund a pass-through loan to Iowa Corn Processors L.C.; The project will replace outdated equipment and upgrade the company’s packaging line at its milling services facility in Glidden. The project is expected to create five new jobs and promote economic development in this rural Carroll County community.
• Corn Belt Power Cooperative: A $1-million dollar loan to fund a pass-through loan to Iowa Corn Processors, L.C.; This project will replace outdated equipment and upgrade the company’s packaging line at its milling services facility in Glidden. This project is expected to create five new jobs and promote economic development in this rural Carroll County community.
• The Central Iowa Power Cooperative received a $1,000,000 loan to fund a pass-through loan to Industrial Hardfacing Inc., a company located in Lamoni which manufactures custom parts for rendering, meatpacking, oil seed and the pet food industry. This project will fund building expansion and equipment purchases. The project is expected to create six jobs and promote rural economic development in Decatur County and surrounding areas.
• The Dumont Telephone Company, headquartered in Butler County, received a $300,000 grant to provide a loan to Erika and Thaylan Bowman DDS PLLC, doing business as White Oak Dental. This loan will help the company purchase a dental practice in Fort Dodge in Webster County. Once completed, this project is expected to promote employment, expand dental care options, and support economic development in this rural community and surrounding areas.
• The Lehigh Valley Cooperative Telephone Association Inc. received a $300,000 grant to establish a revolving loan fund. This project will provide a loan to Erika and Thaylan Bowman DDS PLLC, doing business as White Oak Dental. The loan will help the company purchase a dental practice in Fort Dodge in Webster County. Once completed, this project is expected to promote employment, expand dental care options, and support economic development in this rural community and surrounding areas.
• Rockwell Cooperative Telephone Association received an $83,333 grant to establish a revolving loan fund. This project will partially finance the construction of a new fire department and emergency services facility for the Bristow Fire Department. Repayment of this loan will be used for future business and community development loans and will help spur economic development in the rural community of Bristow in Butler County as well as in surrounding areas.

USDA Rural Development has 11 offices across the state to serve the 1.3 million Iowans living in rural communities and areas. Office locations include a state office in Des Moines, along with area offices in Albia, Atlantic, Humboldt, Indianola, Iowa Falls, Le Mars, Mount Pleasant, Storm Lake, Tipton and Waverly. To learn more about investment resources for rural areas in Iowa, call (515) 284-4663 or visit www.rd.usda.gov/ia.

Cass County: Corn $4.10 Beans $10.78
Adair County: Corn $4.07 Beans $10.81
Adams County: Corn $4.07 Beans $10.77
Audubon County: Corn $4.09 Beans $10.80
East Pottawattamie County: Corn $4.13 Beans $10.78
Guthrie County: Corn $4.12 Beans $10.82
Montgomery County: Corn $4.12 Beans $10.80
Shelby County: Corn $4.13 Beans $10.78

Oats: $2.55 (same in all counties)

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

Lewis, Iowa –Cass County Conservation and the Iowa Bluebird Conservationists and are once again hosting a Cass County Christmas Bird Count on Sunday, December 21st. Those that want to participate in the count will be meeting at Cold Springs State Park in Lewis at 8:00am to divide into groups that will cover different sections of the count circle. Birders are encouraged to dress for the conditions and bring along binoculars and bird books if you have them, otherwise they can be provided.

It is also suggested to either wear or bring along an article of blaze orange clothing for any birding that may occur in parks that allow public hunting, as it will be the final day of deer season. The count will run until 3:30pm that day as we cover a 15-mile diameter circle as thorough as we can. Organizers say participants will meet for lunch at Noon at the Atlantic Pizza Ranch to compare lists and reboot for counting in the afternoon. You are welcome to join for the whole day or just the morning or afternoon sessions. All abilities are welcome whether you are comfortable just birding from a vehicle and roadside or if you would like to walk through areas as well. Weather backup date will be determined if necessary.

Home birders may also contribute to the Cass County Count by watching their home feeder. Feeder counters will need to keep track of the time spent observing and will count the maximum number of a species seen at one time, not a cumulative for the day.

Contact Chris Parks or Lora Kanning at Cass County Conservation if you would like to contribute and we will provide guidelines. The Christmas Bird Count is a valuable research tool for the Audubon Society and is the nation’s longest running citizen-science bird project. This year is the 126th year of the count and the Cass County area is excited to join in again.

Find more information on the Christmas Bird Count at www.christmasbirdcount.org. Chris Parks says “We would really love to know you are planning on coming ahead of time, so please reach out.”

Contact: Chris Parks, Lora Kanning

Phone: 712-520-2103

Email: chparks@gmail.com

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Representatives Zach Nunn (IA-03) and Don Davis (NC-01) today introduced the Farm Transitions Act, bipartisan legislation to address the impending generational shift in American agriculture and help young and underserved farmers in Iowa carry on their family tradition. In his news release, Nunn said “In Iowa, farming is a way of life that’s passed down from one generation to the next. With over half of U.S. farmland set to change hands in the next two decades, we need to ensure that family farms can stay in the family. This bipartisan bill would give young and beginning farmers better access to the tools, capital, and support they need to build successful operations and keep our rural communities strong.”

Over 95% of Iowa’s 87,000 farms are still family-owned, forming the backbone of a rural economy that contributes more than $159 billion annually to the state. But with two-thirds of Iowa’s farmland now owned by individuals aged 65 and older, experts warn of generational consolidation when these farmers begin to retire. Without a clear path for young and beginning farmers to step in, thousands of farms that have been family-run for generations could be bought up by large corporations or outside investors.

“Strengthening rural America requires real partnerships and lasting solutions,” said Rep. Davis. “These bipartisan bills reflect our commitment to giving rural communities the tools they need to grow, thrive, and prepare for the future. From expanding access to federal rural development resources to supporting the next generation of family farmers, this work is critical to the long-term success of eastern North Carolina and rural communities nationwide. We need more people moving to eastern North Carolina and rural America. These bills will make it easier for eastern North Carolina towns to access rural development technical assistance and for our next generation of farmers to keep our rich agricultural tradition in the east going strong.”

With over 370 million acres of farmland expected to transition ownership in the coming decades, the Farm Transitions Act directs the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to stand up the Commission on Farm Transitions—Needs for 2050, which was originally authorized in the 2018 Farm Bill but never formally established. The Commission would evaluate the major challenges facing the next generation of producers, including land affordability, access to credit, tax and lending barriers, and the effectiveness of existing USDA programs. It would also assess the role of mentorship, technical training, and foreign ownership in shaping the future of American agriculture—an expansion of the original Commission mandate.

The Farm Transitions Act would require the Commission to deliver a comprehensive set of policy recommendations to Congress within two years, with an emphasis on ensuring young and beginning farmers have access to the land, resources, and support they need to keep family farms strong for the next generation.

HAMILTON COUNTY, Iowa (IOWA CAPITAL DISPATCH) – A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza has been detected in a commercial turkey flock of about 18,000 birds in Hamilton County, according to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. Iowa has had nine detections of the H5N1 strain of the highly pathogenic avian influenza, which has impacted more than 184 million commercial and backyard birds since February 2022.

IDALS reported a case of the bird flu in a Calhoun County turkey flock in October. The October case was the first detection in the state since April. Gov. Kim Reynolds issued a disaster proclamation for Hamilton County following the HPAI detection. The proclamation makes state resources more available as officials work to dispose of birds exposed to the virus and monitor, contain and further detect the bird flu.

IDALS asked producers to exercise heightened biosecurity around their flocks to help prevent the spread of HPAI, which is usually deadly for exposed poultry. Producers who notice sudden deaths in a flock, lethargy, decreased egg production, or birds with swollen heads and difficulty breathing, should contact their veterinarians, according to the agriculture department.

Turkey, chicken and egg products remain safe to consume during the current HPAI outbreak, IDALS said.