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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!
This summer, the University of Iowa is partnering with 14 Iowa state parks to host Wildlife Camps for kids across the state. Jay Gorsh, program coordinator, says “Wildlife Camps have been a popular educational and recreational experience in the Iowa City area for more than 25 years and we are excited to share this program with kids across the state. “Campers will spend a week exploring, learning and playing – in the wild.”
The University of Iowa hosted Wildlife Camps in nine state parks last summer. The camps have been so successful, the university is expanding to 14 state parks in 2019. Wildlife Camps are day camps for students entering 3rd-7th grade and offer fun, exploratory activities focusing on the wildlife, natural habitats and unique features of each state park. In southwest/western Iowa, dates and locations of each camp are as follows:
Springbrook (Guthrie Center) ｜June 17 — 21
Stone (Sioux City) ｜June 24 — 28
Waubonsie (Hamburg) ｜July 15 — 19
Prairie Rose (Harlan) ｜July 22 — 26
Lake Manawa (Council Bluffs) ｜July 22 — 26
Registration is open and enrollment will be limited to 40 students per camp. Cost ranges from $100-$150 per week depending on the park. To register and learn more about individual camp activities visit: https://recserv.uiowa.edu/WildlifeCampsStateParks
The University of Iowa is hosting wildlife day camps in several state parks this summer, and there’s still time to sign up! Summer day camps are for 3rd – 7th graders and taught by teachers, naturalist staff and college students.
Kids will learn about animals, ecology and the outdoors in a fun, safe environment. Day camps are Monday – Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. each day. Check out the list below to find a wildlife day camp near you! (click on a site below for more information and registration)
Nearby 2019 Camps:
Springbrook (Guthrie Center) June 17 – 21
Stone (Sioux City) June 24 – 28
Waubonsie (Hamburg) July 15 – 19
Prairie Rose (Harlan) July 22 – 26
Lake Manawa (Council Bluffs) July 22 – 26
(Radio Iowa) — Iowans need to take even greater caution when hunting for morel mushrooms this spring as so much of the state is — or has been — flooded. Lina Rodriguez Salamanca, a plant pathologist with the Iowa State University Extension, says even if you’re a seasoned morel hunter, be very careful before cooking up any of your rare treasures. “Inspect them thoroughly, inspect the morel specimen so they don’t have a slimy look, a water-soaked area, a fuzzy, powdery look,” Rodriguez Salamanca says. “All of that stuff would be good to avoid, things that don’t look pristine and normal. Any signs of decay would be good to avoid.”
Floodwaters often carry a range of chemicals, sewage and other pollutants, and even if the standing water is now gone, some of those harmful contaminants may be left behind. “Know the site. If it’s a site that is known to have a high risk of pollutants, I would recommend caution and avoid it,” Rodriguez Salamanca says. “Chances are, there may be a residue there.” While the cool, wet weather may promote the growth of this year’s morel crop, other organisms thrive in the moist environment that can be unhealthy. She notes, mushrooms can act much like sponges, soaking up both the good and bad elements around them.
“They have the ability to absorb and in some cases just accumulate what is around them,” Rodriguez Salamanca says. “They’re very good at extracting nutrients from nature including anything that we may have put in there.” She says to avoid picking morels in areas where fish and animals have died, or in areas where there are animal droppings. And as always with wild mushrooms, make absolutely sure what you’re picking is a morel and not something poisonous.
(Radio Iowa) — There’s a growing chorus of people urging Congress to pass a disaster aid package to help flooded Midwestern farmers, as well as those impacted by hurricanes and the California wildfires. Iowa Corn Growers Association president Curt Mether, of Logan, says growers here and across much of the Northern Plains need federal assistance after widespread, prolonged flooding. “They’re really hurting. A lot of them aren’t even going to get their crops in,” Mether says. “It’s one thing not to be able to do it and it’s a whole other issue mentally. You can’t do what you want to do! They’re going to need all the help that they can get.”
Mether is calling on Congress to get past the Puerto Rico issue and anything else that keeps them from sending aid to those who desperately need it. “It’s pretty sad, to me, when they turn things like that into a political battle, which that’s what’s happening with Puerto Rico,” Mether says. “I don’t know. Surely, they can come together on some kind of agreement.”
An aid bill that failed in the Senate would have capped support for Puerto Rico’s food stamp program, as it’s run out of money, following two hurricanes in 2017. Back in Iowa, some farmers had many tons of grain that was in storage bins ruined by floodwaters. That grain isn’t covered by crop insurance, which only covers grain that’s still in the field, creating a predicament. “The stored grains, that’s almost a whole other issue,” he says. “There’s no way to help them with that, really, unless there’s a special declaration. It’s not insured. There’s nothing for them. That would be a top priority.”
Livestock producers have some disaster aid advantage over grain growers, he says, as they have the Livestock Indemnity program for help.
DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Sen. Charles Grassley says Congress won’t consider a new trade deal with Mexico and Canada until President Donald Trump lifts tariffs that have prompted other countries to take actions that have hurt U.S. farmers.
Speaking Wednesday on a call with reporters, Grassley said Trump must end steel and aluminum tariffs before Congress will ratify a United States-Mexico-Canada trade agreement. Farmers in Iowa and across the country have been hurt by reciprocal tariffs placed on agricultural products, including pork and soybeans. Grassley says tariffs also could hinder efforts at a trade deal with China.
Grassley, who expects to meet Thursday with Trump to discuss trade, says tariffs are “keeping the president from being on the cusp of a big win” with Canada and Mexico and just weeks away from a victory in trade negotiations with China.
The latest innovative technology is now right at your fingertips when it comes to your Iowa hunting and fishing licenses. 
The Iowa DNR says it has recently launched Go Outdoors Iowa, a brand new licensing system that makes it easier and available for users to:
Download the GoOutdoorsIowa app via the AppStore or Google Play that allows you to purchase, store and renew your licenses, view hunting regulations, current sunrise/sunset times and report your harvests (also new!). A new collectible hard card is available for purchase in two different designs—a largemouth bass or a pheasant—created by native Iowa artist Bruce Gordon. The durable hard card costs $5 and will include purchased licenses printed on the back for the year. The cards are available to purchase online or in person and will be mailed out after purchase. New designs on the hard card will be unveiled each year.
The new licensing system is accessible, as well as additional information, by visiting https://www.iowadnr.gov/GoOutdoorsIowa. Customer may continue to visit any license agent location to purchase their licenses and permits.
Iowa state parks invite campers to visit this weekend and help celebrate Camping Kick-Off, May 3 – 5. “Year of the Volunteer” is the focus of this year’s Camping Kickoff celebration as the Iowa DNR anticipates the 100th anniversary in 2020 by hosting more than 30 volunteer and family events across the state. A full schedule of programs is available at www.iowadnr.gov/campingkickoff. Campers will also receive a free issue of Iowa Outdoors magazine. T
Todd Coffelt, chief of state parks for the DNR, says “We are looking forward to this season opener and to welcome visitors and campers to our parks.” Those wanting to join the Camping Kickoff celebration can make advanced reservations through today (Wednesday, May 1st). Reservations can be made at https://iowastateparks.reserveamerica.com or by calling 1-877-427-2757. Phone center hours are 7 AM to 7 PM CST (Mon. – Fri.).
After today (Wednesday), campers can use walk-in camping on a first-come, first-serve basis for any sites not already reserved.
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