OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A state audit says the Iowa Department of Natural Resources has been mismanaging a multimillion-dollar fund set up to help oversee Iowa livestock farms and their manure. The audit report issued Tuesday said the agency improperly transferred money from a fund meant to finance oversight of livestock farms. “We did not identify any unallowable expenses,” Auditor Mary Mosiman said. “It’s just the way they were transferring the money violated Iowa law.”

The $1.6 million in fees collected annually from livestock farms is required to be used only for the program to ensure compliance with manure management and barn construction laws. Under the law, the money cannot be used or appropriated for other purposes, and the DNR is barred from transferring money “from the compliance fund’s assessment account to another fund or account, including but not limited to the fund’s general account.”

So the audit doesn’t confirm the allegation that money was being diverted for other uses. The program’s former manager, Gene Tinker, said he believes the money was being misused, and he is appealing losing his job last year. “I’ve always had questions on how they managed this fund because they were very secretive,” said Tinker, whose appeal has been on hold while the audit was being done.

The DNR said the money from the fund was used to enforce the rules and regulations for large livestock farms. State Sen. David Johnson, the Legislature’s sole independent lawmaker and a dairy farmer, requested the audit. Johnson said he hopes the agency will change its practices, so taxpayers can easily see how the money is being spent.

“It’d be better if there was more transparency in how that money is being spent,” Johnson said. The auditor’s office also recommended that the DNR review the amount of the fee it charges livestock farms annually to ensure that it is collecting enough to enforce state regulations.

Iowa farmers had 23.6 million hogs and pigs on September 1, which was a new record and 4 percent higher than last year. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says the state’s chicken population includes 54 million hens, and more than 1 million cows are in Iowa feedlots.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa farmers are nearing the end of this year’s harvest of corn and soybeans. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported Monday that 91 percent of the corn crop had been harvested by Sunday. That matches last year’s harvest but was three days behind the five-year average.

About 97 percent of the soybean crop had been harvested, which is just behind last year’s 98 percent and the five-year average of 99 percent. The harvest progress came despite wintry weather, including temperatures in eastern Iowa that were up to 12 degrees below normal. Some areas also saw rain and snow.

AMES, IA – Shelby County Extension Educator Mary Taggs was honored in October when she received the Iowa 4-H Distinguished Service Award. The award is presented to county staff members who have been in their positions between four and ten years and who have made a difference for the Iowa 4-H program.

The award ceremony was held October 30th in Ames, Iowa as a part of the annual YouthFest conference which brings together Iowa State University Extension and Outreach staff from all over the state to celebrate the work they are doing and participate in workshops and educational opportunities in the field of 4-H youth development.

“This event provides an opportunity for all of us to learn about significant impacts our
4-H staff are making in their local communities and to celebrate those accomplishments,” 4-H staff recognition committee chair Brenda Allen said.

Taggs was recognized in part for her work with the Maker Space program which helps 2nd -6th graders develop their problem-solving and cooperation skills.  Maker Space takes place on no school days in the Harlan school district.  Participants engage in challenges each day that encourage thought, design, creativity and a LOT of fun!  Taggs has been instrumental in acquiring grant funding to support the program.  The program began from a grant award from the STEM Scale-up Program sponsored by the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council.  The program continues due to the generous funding from Monogram Loves Kids.

“She encourages life-long learning as she provides youth opportunities to make their own decisions and be creative,” one nominator said.

To find out more about Taggs and the work she is doing for Iowa youth, contact the Shelby County ISU Extension and Outreach office by visiting the county webpage at www.extension.iastate.edu/shelby

The U-S Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa, reports an Adair County man was sentenced to three-years of supervised release for making a false statement in connection with federal crop insurance. A judge, Friday, also ordered 71-year old Carl Jeffrey Campbell, of Orient, to serve four months of home confinement, and pay a $5,000 fine, plus $100 to the Crime Victims’ Fund, and $32,440 to the United States Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) as restitution. Campbell was also ordered to serve 160 hours of community service.

Campbell pleaded guilty to the offense on July 6, 2018. In 2014, Campbell obtained crop insurance for two farms from an insurance company that was insured by the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation. The Federal Reinsured Crop Program is administered by the Risk Management Agency, which is an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture, and the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation, which is a wholly-owned government corporation. The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation reimburses insurance companies for the indemnity payments made to policyholders under the Federal Reinsured Crop Program.

Crop shifting occurs when a farmer underreports production in a field in order to reach the percentage of loss required to receive an indemnity from their crop insurance policy. Campbell “shifted” production from one farm to another by reporting that several thousand bushels of grain were harvested from one farm when he knew that those bushels were in fact harvested from the other farm. By reporting the bushels of grain from the incorrect farm, or shifting the production, Campbell received insurance indemnities to which he was not entitled. He also “hid” production by not reporting to the USDA or Federal Crop Insurance Corporation several thousand bushels of corn sold in his son’s name.

By failing to report the bushels of grain sold in his son’s name, authorities say Campbell received insurance indemnities to which he was not entitled. The matter was investigated by the United States Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

NEVADA, Iowa (AP) — DuPont has agreed to repay Iowa $10.5 million in incentives it received.
The news of the settlement come a year after the company announced it was seeking a buyer for its 30-million gallon, $400 million cellulosic ethanol plant in central Iowa. The Des Moines Register reports that the settlement repays all but about $3.7 million it received in incentives in 2011 for the plant in Nevada, Iowa.

The plant made ethanol from corn cobs, stalks and other crop residue before closing the plant last year and laying off 90 workers. DuPont says it’s selling the plant to Verbio North America of Michigan, which plans to invest $35 million to make renewable natural gas from corn stover at the plant, a first for the state.

The Iowa Economic Development Authority board agreed Friday to provide $1.78 million in tax credits to Verbio, which plans to create 44 high-wage jobs.

The Cass County 4-H program hosted their annual 4-H County Convention awards program on Sunday, November 11 at the Cass County Community Center. The event, which recognized achievements from the 2017-2018 4-H year, was organized by the 4-H Youth Council and Youth Action Committee. At County Convention, members and leaders of thirteen 4-H clubs in Cass County were present on stage to receive recognition. Record book project awards were announced and recognition was given to members who did outstanding project work throughout the year. Local club leaders were recognized for their service to the 4-H program. Leaders receiving 5 year awards include: Dana McConnell, Jan Steffen, Tarah Anderson, Jeff Anderson, Eva Jensen, Windy Smith, Chris Schroder, Laura Freund and Christy Casey.

Special recognition was given to the Benton Franklin 4-H Club for their exceptional community service projects, and Bear Grove Blazers 4-H Club for their promotional activities during National 4-H Week. Many clubs were also recognized for herdsmanship at fair, clubs who contributed to the Endowment Fund, and club officers were also recognized for their excellent work. “This was a great event for 4-Hers to receive recognition for their accomplishments,” stated Shelby Van Horn, Cass County Youth Coordinator.

Every year Cass County 4-H gives out three special awards. This year’s distinguished service award went to Oathoudt Farm Supply. Receiving an Honorary Member award was Marcy Dorsey and receiving the 4-H Alumni award was Shane Smith. We appreciate what these supporters have done and will continue to do for the Cass County 4-H Program. “This year 21 Clover Kids who have completed 3rd Grade and moved into 4-H. A Clover Kids Graduation ceremony to recognize those members, and help them transition into the 4-H program. This is our second year of this event taking place and we are thrilled to have so many young members excited about 4-H!” said Van Horn.

The program ended with the installation of the 2018-2019 Cass County Youth Council. 4-Her’s serving on the council include: Claire Smith, Katie York, Eric Plagman, Mitchell Williamson, Nathan Behrends, Aly Brockob, Grace Clay, Craig Alan Becker, Carli Henderson, Emily Plagman, Haley Becker, and Jacob Rattenborg. Following the celebration, treats were provided for the parents, relatives, friends and 4-H supporters who attended this celebration and recognition event for Cass County 4-H members and leaders.

(Radio Iowa) — The fees for hunting, fishing and trapping licenses in Iowa will soon increase. A legislative committee has given final approval to the license fee increases, which were proposed by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources staff. Bruce Trautman, the acting director of the Department of Natural Resources, says “Generally speaking, it’s about a 17 percent in those fees, so it’s a modest increase that is certainly going to cover some of our critical needs we have within the wildlife bureau, the fisheries bureau and also our conservation officers.”

It’s been 15 years since the state license fee for fishing was raised, as Republican lawmakers have vowed NOT to raise state taxes OR fees. So…Iowa legislators recently handed over authority to D-N-R staff to set hunting, fishing and trapping license fees. The fees go into the state’s Fish and Wildlife Fund and are used on staff salaries and to do things like improve wildlife habitat and run the state’s fish hatcheries. Trautman says the new fees won’t take effect until next year. “If we don’t have any reductions in the number of licenses — when you raise something, you take a bit of a risk (and) there might be a few folks dropping out — we’re anticipating about a $4.5 million increase,” Trautman says.

There’s been a growing reliance on FEES to run the D-N-R. The amount of GENERAL state tax dollars budgeted for the agency is less than half of what it was a decade ago. Sporting groups lobbied for the increase in hunting, fishing and trapping license fees for several years.

(Radio Iowa) — A delegation of Iowa pork producers and industry officials is now in Korea after spending several days in Japan on what’s being called a “meat mission.” Pat McGonegle, C-E-O of the Iowa Pork Producers Association, spoke with Iowa reporters from Seoul and says they’ve kept a tight schedule of face-to-face talks with supermarket officials, packers and even an ambassador. McGonegle says, “We’ve been meeting with some retailers, certainly a lot of importers, food service users of our U.S. pork product here in both countries.”  Japan is the top importer of Iowa pork products and South Korea is the number-two importer. McGonegle is among nine Iowans on the trade trip and he says their message is being well received. “U.S. product is viewed as a very high quality product,” McGonegle says. “We’re a reliable supplier and that’s been important to us but we’re also in a very competitive market. Other countries are friendly competitors, they’re taking opportunities to be as aggressive as they can be.”

That marketplace aggression is expected and it’s healthy, he says. “It’s in our nature in agriculture, when somebody competes with us, we’re going to become more competitive,” McGonegle says. “We’re being more aggressive because our competitors are being more aggressive.” Lee Schulz, a livestock economist with the Iowa State University Extension, calls South Korea the “star market” for U-S pork, given the direction tariffs have taken trade in many areas of the world. “We’ve seen a loss of export share to some of our major exporting destinations, being Mexico and to some degree, China, especially when you look at pork variety meats,” Schulz says. “South Korea has absorbed a lot of that additional production that’s available.”

McGonegle says there’s much support in South Korea for the new trade agreement, while in Japan there’s an urgency for reaching a new accord with the U-S for free trade. At day’s end, he says, “the image, the quality and the reliability of U-S pork helps keep us in first place.”

w/Denny Heflin.

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(Radio Iowa) — They called it a “harvest bee” as friends and neighbors brought their equipment to the fields of a Plymouth County farmer Tuesday, who suffered the loss of his son in an airplane crash. Thirty-six-year old Patrick Kellen was one of four people to die when the plane crashed Friday, on the way to a hunting trip. Marty Pippett helped organized the harvest bee for Kellen’s father Del.  On Tuesday, he said they were running with six 12-row combines, six grains carts, and 16 semis running grain back and forth.

Pippett says it only took some phone calls to line up farmers to help out. “Obviously with the tragedy that occurred over the weekend — everybody wants to do what they can to help out the Kellen family and let them have the time that they need with their family,” Pippett says. “There was an outpouring of support from everyone in the farming community. We started making some phone calls yesterday, and without hesitation, everyone stepped up to the plate.”

He was not surprised by the response. “Just another example of how this community is pretty special and everybody will do what they can to help each other out,” Pippett says. The farmers all converged on a cornfield in the southeast area of Plymouth to harvest the remaining 600 acres of corn left in the fields. Pippett says the goal was to finish the harvest before the Kellen wake scheduled for Thursday and the funeral which is scheduled for Friday.