(Atlantic, Iowa) – All year 4-H, FFA, and Clover Kid members are working hard to develop their talents both in and out of the ring. From practicing showmanship, to keeping their animals healthy, members are dedicated to their livestock projects. Throughout the fair week they have opportunities to show off their hard work from the past year. With events like the Pet Show, Livestock Judging, the Clover Kid Animal Show, and many more. Livestock events run from Thursday afternoon on July 24^th with the Horse Show and end with the Livestock Sale on Tuesday July 29^th. Many animals will be housed in the barns the entirety of fair so make sure to go check them out or join us during the shows to see all the hard work the youth exhibitors have put in towards their exhibit! See the schedule below with times and places that livestock events will be taking place.

Livestock Schedule

Thursday, July 24th

• 2:00pm- Horse timed events – horse arena

Friday, July 25th

• 8:00am- Rabbit Show – indoor show ring
• 9:00am- Horse Halter Show – horse arena
• 11:00am- Dog Show – outdoor show ring
• 3:30pm- Livestock Judging Contest – outdoor show ring

Saturday, July 26th

• 8:00am- Sheep Show – outdoor show ring
• 10:00am- Pet Show – Community Center
• 11:00am- Goat Show – outdoor show ring
• 3:00pm- Clover Kid Animal Show – outdoor show ring

Sunday, July 27th

• 7:30am- Swine Show – indoor show ring
• 10:00am- Poultry Show – poultry barn
• 5:30pm- Cow/Calf Show & Feeder Calf Show – outdoor show ring
• 6:30pm- Horse Fun Show – horse arena

Monday, July 28th

• 8:00am- Beef Show – outdoor show ring
• 5:45pm- Parade of Champions – outdoor show ring
• 7:00pm- Grand Champion Beef Selection – outdoor show ring

Tuesday, July 29th

• 8:00am- Livestock Sale – indoor show ring

(Iowa DNR News) – Rivers across Iowa are swollen and swift with recent heavy rainfall. Some rivers are already dangerously high at or near flood stage, and more rivers could rise fast with chances of rain forecast later this week. “All paddlers, even experienced paddlers, should stay off of rain swollen rivers,” said Todd Robertson, paddling instructor and Outreach Coordinator for Rivers Programs at the Iowa DNR. “If a river level is at the top or out of its bank, don’t try to paddle on it.”

Always know your river conditions before you go paddling. For the latest river conditions, visit the USGS site at https://waterdata.usgs.gov/ia/nwis/current or contact your local county conservation board for updates. “Swollen rivers are super powerful with unpredictable current and tons of wood or branch piles coming downstream that can pull a paddler under or pin them underwater,” said Robertson. “These deadly hazards are usually found on outside river bends where currents are strongest, but can be found anywhere on rivers including at the base of bridge piers.”

Large fallen cottonwood trees are a dangerous hazard on the South Skunk River Water Trail immediately downstream of Lincoln Way in Ames. Photo credit: Rick Dietz

Check the Iowa DNR’s interactive paddler’s map for updates on real-time hazards like downed trees and log jams, strainers and bridge construction. Pay attention to the dam warning signs and know where dams are located before you head out on the water. Bridge construction projects across Iowa could close some sections of rivers this summer.

“Water trails across Iowa are impassable with large fallen trees including the South Skunk River Water Trail immediately downstream of Lincoln Way in Ames,”warns John Wenck, Water Trails Coordinator at the Iowa DNR.

(Radio Iowa) – The C-E-O of the Des Moines Water Works says the utility may spend close to two million dollars this year to remove nitrates from their water sources. Ted Corrigan says there are solutions to reducing nitrates in Iowa’s rivers, and more farms are adding practices and infrastructure that can make a difference. “I have never met a producer or a farmer who says, ‘You know, hey, I don’t care about water quality,’” Corrigan says.

But Corrigan says he has met many farmers who don’t know what to do or feel like their margins are too thin to make changes.  “The state of Iowa is probably the only entity that can make a dent in this problem, and asking individual landowners or farmers to do it on their own, voluntarily, isn’t going to get that kind of change that we need to see,” he says.

Corrigan is retiring this week after 35 years with Des Moines Water Works that included the flooding of the plant in 1993, the pandemic and the most recent issues with nitrate removal. He made his comments on the IPR program “River to River.”

(Red Oak, Iowa) – The 2025 Montgomery County Fair continues through Sunday, in Red Oak. The fair began its full run on Monday. Here’s a look at the schedule for the next few days.

Wednesday, July 16
6:30-7:30 AM Enter and weigh-in 4-H/FFA Meat & Dairy Goats—Sheep/Goat Barn
7:30-8:00 AM
Enter and weigh-in 4-H/FFA Market & Breeding Sheep – Sheep/Goat
Barn
8:00-9:30 AM Enter and weigh-in 4-H/FFA Swine – Livestock Pavilion
8:30-10:00 AM: Enter Open Class Flower Show, Baking, Garden, Photography, Arts & Crafts – 4-H Exhibit Bldg.
10:00 AM: Open Class Judging: Flower Show, Baking/Cake Decorating, Garden, Photography, Arts/Crafts – 4-H Exhibit Bldg.
11:00 AM-1:00 PM Enter and weigh-in 4-H/FFA Poultry – Livestock Pavilion
Noon-9:00 PM 4-H Exhibit and Commercial Building Open
2:00 PM 4-H Pet Show Check In – Livestock Pavilion
2:30 PM 4-H Pet Show – Livestock Pavilion
5:30 PM: 4-H Night—Fairgrounds Auditorium; State Fair Static Awards; Top Communications Acts & Share the Fun; Clover Kids Graduation
6:00-7:00 PM Enter and weigh-in 4-H/FFA Rabbits – Livestock Pavilion
7:00-9:00 PM Bingo – Gold Fair Building (West Side)
7:00-8:00 PM Enter and weigh-in 4-H/FFA Market & Breeding Beef – Beef Barn

Thursday, July 17
7:00-9:00 AM Montgomery County Farm Bureau Breakfast for Exhibitors/Families
8:00 AM 4-H/FFA Sheep Show – Livestock Pavilion
Morning – Cookies & Drinks from Farm Credit Services for Exhibitors
9:00 AM–9:00 PM 4-H Exhibit Building Open
30 mins following sheep show: 4-H/FFA Meat & Dairy Goat Show – Livestock Pavilion
Noon-9:00 PM Commercial Building Open
Noon-10:00 PM Amusement Associates (Inflatables) – Near the Grandstand Arena
1:00 PM 4-H/FFA Poultry Show – Livestock Pavilion
Throughout the Day: Meyer’s Petting Zoo; Kid’s Zone; Kiddie Train; Chainsaw Artist
2:00-4:00 PM Balloon Creations – 4-H Exhibit Bldg.
4:30 PM Register for 4-H/FFA Livestock Judging Contest – Livestock Pavilion
5:00 PM 4-H/FFA Livestock Judging Contest – Livestock Pavilion;  Magic Show – Gold Fair Building (West Side)
7:00-9:00 PM Sip & Paint with Corky Canvas and Pudgy Pumpkin Patch – Fairgrounds Auditorium
7:00-9:00 PM Bingo – Gold Fair Building (West Side)
7:30 PM ATV Race – Grandstand Arena

Friday, July 18
8:00 AM 4-H/FFA Swine Show – Livestock Pavilion
Morning – Cookies & Drinks from Farm Credit Services for Exhibitors
9:00 AM–9:00 PM 4-H Exhibit Building Open
Throughout Day: Crier Close-Ups – 4-H Exhibit Building (11:00, 1:00, 3:00); Meyer’s Petting Zoo; Kid’s Zone; Kiddie Train; Chainsaw Artist
Noon 4-H/FFA Rabbit Show – Livestock Pavilion
Noon-9:00 PM Commercial Building Open
Noon-10:00 PM Amusement Associates (Inflatables) – Near the Grandstand Arena
1:00-3:30 PM: Senior Citizens Day Bingo – Fairgrounds Auditorium; Sponsored by Montgomery County Fair Board & Montgomery County YMCA – An afternoon of bingo with prizes, entertainment and refreshments. All senior citizens are welcome to come join for this free afternoon!
2:00-5:00 PM Caricature Artist – 4-H Exhibit Building
4:30-6:30 PM Balloon Creations – 4-H Exhibit Bldg.
5:00-7:00 PM Mills/Montgomery Cattlemen’s Association steak supper – Fairgrounds Auditorium
6:00-10:00 PM Mechanical Bull Ride – Grandstand Area
7:00-9:00 PM Bingo – Gold Fair Building (West Side)
8:00 PM FREE Bull Ride – Grandstand Arena , DJ Immediately following

(Audubon, Iowa) – Activities at the 2025 Audubon County Fair got underway Tuesday, and continue through Sunday. Here is a list of events for the next few days:

WEDNESDAY, JULY 16
7:00-8:00 AM 4-H/FFA Swine check in
8:00- 9:00 AM 4-H/FFA Sheep & Goat check in
8:00-9:30 AM Farm Bureau Exhibitor Breakfast-Hoop
9:00-10:00 AM 4-H/FFA Beef check in
9:00 AM-3:00 PM Commercial Exhibit set-up
9:30AM-11:00 AM 4-H/FFA/Open Class Rabbit/Poultry check in
11:00 AM 4-H/FFA Horses must be stalled
12:00 PM Open Class static must be entered
1:30 PM 4-H/FFA Exhibitor Meeting
3:00 PM Open Class exhibits must be in place
5:30 PM Sponsorship Dinner-Tent by Agrihall
4-H Pie Auction
4-H Hall of Fame
Little Miss Audubon County
Queen Coronation

THURSDAY, JULY 17
9:00 AM Judging Open Class Entries
10:00 AM 4-H/FFA Horse Show
12:30 PM Clover Kids Stuffed Animal Show-Hoop
2:30 PM – 4:30 PM Touch-a-Truck – Infield Pitts- Sponsored by OSLC
3:00 PM Cornhole Tournament-Livestock Pavilion
4:00 PM-9:00 PM Inflatables-Sponsored by Fair Sponsors
5:00 PM Survivor Game Show – Bob Bohm
5:00 PM Clover Kids Rabbit Show
4-H/FFA & Open Rabbit Show
5:30 PM Mini Motor Madness – Race Track
7:00 PM FARMily Feud Ag Show – Bob Bohm
8:30 PM Magic Show – Bob Bohm
9:15 PM Fireworks

FRIDAY, JULY 18
8:00 AM 4-H/FFA Swine Show
10:00 AM Rondini’s Magic & Family Fun Show
11:00 AM – 9:00 PM Inflatables-Sponsored by Fair Sponsors
11:00 AM Magic Show – Bob Bohm
Noon – 1 PM Rondini’s Bombastic Bubble Fun
Noon Clover Kids Sheep Show
4-H/FFA Sheep Show
Clover Kids Goat Show 4-H/FFA Goat Show
PeeWee Goat Show
1:00 PM Survivor Game Show – Bob Bohm
2:30 PM Rondini’s Magic & Family Fun Show
3:00 PM Hay Throwing Contest

(Radio Iowa) – Former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack, a Democrat, suggests he and Republican Governor Kim Reynolds have something in common when it comes to rejecting bills to restrict the use of eminent domain. Reynolds vetoed a bill last month, saying it would impose new regulations on more than just a proposed carbon pipeline.

“The decision she made, if I understand it properly, is that there were deep concerns about the way in which the legislation was crafted and the unintended consequences of such legislation,” Vilsack said, “which is precisely the same reason I vetoed the legislation I vetoed.” In 2006, during his last year as governor, Vilsack vetoed a bill designed to make it harder for cities and counties to use eminent domain authority to acquire land for economic development projects.

Vilsack discussed his veto during a recent appearance on Iowa Press on Iowa P-B-S. “I think there’s a balance between individual property rights, which are really important to protect, and the need for a community to have economic opportunity and the kind of infrastructure that’s necessary for folks to have a quality of life in all parts of the country,” Vilsack said. Vilsack suggests the lack of growth in Iowa’s rural areas is factor in the push back against the carbon pipeline.

“I think if we had a healthier economy for small and mid-sized farming operations, we might not have quite the angst that we have in the countryside today,” Vilsack said, “which reflects itself in the push back on eminent domain.” And Vilsack, who served a dozen years as the U-S Secretary of Agriculture, says the pipeline is about ensuring a future for the ethanol industry.

“Our aviation industry is absolutely intent on having sustainable aviation fuel,” Vilack said. “You cannot make that fuel…cost-competitively unless you basically incent…the ability to basically capture the carbon that’s produced from developing that fuel and redirecting it someplace else.”

A bill President Biden signed in 2022 included 12 BILLION dollars for projects to capture, transport and store carbon. The tax and policy bill President Trump signed this month changed some clean energy tax credits, but the carbon sequestration credits from the Biden era were preserved.

OMAHA, NEB. — Despite ongoing challenges in commodity markets and uncertain farm profitability, agricultural land values have remained remarkably stable through mid-2025, according to Farmers National Company. This resilience is mainly driven by the basic economic principle of supply and demand; there are simply more motivated buyers than willing sellers.

While producers remain the main buyers of ag land, interest from individual and institutional investors cannot be ignored, Farmers National Company noted. As land values stabilize after reaching peaks within the past five years, investors are increasingly attracted by both annual returns and long-term appreciation. According to Farm Credit Services of America, benchmark Midwest farmland values have increased 56.9% over the past five years and 38.3% over the past decade, reinforcing land’s appeal as a long-term asset.

Inventory remains limited, with listings down 20–25 percent from the peak in 2020–2021. Many long-term landowners are choosing to hold onto their properties, recognizing the stability and value appreciation land offers compared to more volatile investments.

According to Paul Schadegg, Senior Vice President of Real Estate at Farmers National Company, farm profitability will be a key factor affecting land values in the future.

“The USDA forecasts 2025 net farm income to be the lowest since 2020. This will likely influence producer purchasing power and investor returns, especially as input costs, commodity prices, and interest rates fluctuate,” says Schadegg. “While balance sheets generally remain strong, any negative movements in the ag economy could quickly impact the land market.”

Geopolitical developments also influence the market. Trade policies, tariffs, and global unrest create uncertainty, impacting both domestic and international markets. While renegotiated trade agreements may present future opportunities, current tariffs could decrease demand for U.S. agricultural exports as other countries expand their production and infrastructure.

Looking into the second half of 2025, those with solid financial positions—both producers and investors—will be best equipped to pursue land purchase opportunities. During periods of volatility, Farmers National Company sees strong demand for real estate and management services as landowners seek answers in today’s market.

Farmers National Company has successfully marketed more than $450 million in land value in the first half of 2025.

“We have had a strong start to the year and will continue to adapt to the global elements that impact the land value market,” Schadegg says.

Des Moines – On Thursday, July 24, former Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack will host a forum with farmers and Iowans at the Ericson Public Library at 702 Greene St. in Boone. The event will begin at 11:00 a.m.

This event is part of a series that is focused on how Democrats plan to help “Grow Iowa” through building a stronger economy and attracting more people to our state. More events featuring agricultural speakers and ideas will take place this summer.

Former Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack

Secretary Vilsack will speak about his forward vision concerning the many issues that Iowa farmers face and that affect the economy of rural communities. Everyone is welcome to attend and ask questions.

Farmers Forum with Tom Vilsack

When: Thursday, July 24 at 11:00 a.m.

Where: Ericson Public Library, 702 Greene St., Boone