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Griswold FFA student uses KJAN work experience to earn top Ag Communications Proficiency award

Ag/Outdoor, News

April 28th, 2018 by admin

Griswold FFA student and Part-Time KJAN announcer Riley Smith receives his state award

ANKENY, Iowa–FFA members from around the state were honored this past week for work in various categories. 100% of FFA members have proficiencies as part of the agricultural program and the FFA. The proficiencies range in the areas of Agricultural Communications to Home and/or Community Development and from Diversified Agricultural Production to Swine Production. Proficiency Award winners have excelled in their Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE) Programs. These awards encourage members to develop specialized skills that will apply toward a future career.

Griswold FFA student Riley Smith used his experience as a part-time announcer at KJAN as his Supervised Agricultural Experience and earned top honors in the Agricultural Communications category. As a State winner, Riley will now advance to the National FFA competition where he will compete against winners from the other State FFA Associations.

The four national finalists that are selected from each area will be recognized at the National FFA Convention and Expo in October. The Iowa FFA Proficiency Awards program is possible with support from the many partners of the Iowa FFA Foundation.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News |

Iowa agriculture secretary offers spring cover crop tips

Ag/Outdoor

April 28th, 2018 by admin

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa’s agriculture secretary is offering spring management tips for farmers using cover crops.

Cover crops are used to reduce erosion, protect water quality and improve soil health until row crops like corn and soybeans are planted in the spring.

State Ag Secretary Mike Naig says late winter conditions are causing challenges this spring to cover crops planted last fall. Naig says it’s important to allow the cover crop to grow as long as possible to maximize the benefits. He says that is typically easier for soybeans after winter cover crops because of the later planting date and less potential impact on soybeans.

More information and tips on cover crops in Iowa can be found online at www.cleanwateriowa.org/cover-crops , www.extension.iastate.edu/ilf/content/cover-crop-resources or www.practicalfarmers.org/member-priorities/cover-crops/ .

Posted in Ag/Outdoor |

VERY HIGH FIRE DANGER TODAY (4/27)

Ag/Outdoor, News, Weather

April 27th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

AREA COUNTIES: Sac-Crawford-Carroll-Audubon-Guthrie-Dallas-Cass-Adair-Madison-Adams-Union-Taylor-Ringgold...
1111 AM CDT Fri Apr 27 2018

…Very High Fire Danger Today…

Gusty wind and dry conditions will lead to a very high fire danger today, particularly during the afternoon hours. West winds will turn toward northwest and gradually increase as a cool front drops across Iowa. Winds will increase to 20 to 25 mph with gusts to near 35 mph at times before diminishing toward sunset. In addition, relative humidity will be very low this afternoon, in the 25 to 35 percent range, and most surface grasses are dry. This will allow any fires that ignite to spread rapidly, and burning is discouraged.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News, Weather |

Fire Danger may approach Red Flag criteria this afternoon

Ag/Outdoor, News, Weather

April 27th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

A warning today from the Shelby County Emergency Management Agency. Operations Officer Jason Wickizer says “We are continuing in the HIGH category however we will be approaching Red Flag Criteria, which are Relative Humidity below 20%, and winds greater than 15MPH. Our current Fire Behavior prediction is 7 foot flame length or greater, Probability of ignition greater than 60%, and Rates of Spread at or greater than 100 yards per minute.  We will also be experiencing a wind shift that could cause control issues.”

Wickizer said “Today and tomorrow will not be good days to burn due to Control, and spread issues.  Please keep this in mind if people call in asking to burn.  The greatest risk today is Spread Potential due to receptive fuels being cured and in line with winds.” Conditions he said, should begin to Moderate Saturday evening.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News, Weather |

Man dies after becoming trapped in eastern Iowa grain bin

Ag/Outdoor, News

April 27th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

WEST LIBERTY, Iowa (AP) — Authorities say an eastern Iowa man died after becoming trapped in a grain bin. Cedar Rapids station KCRG reports that Cedar County first responders were sent around 5:50 p.m. Thursday to a farm about 5 miles (8 kilometers) north of West Liberty. The Cedar County Sheriff’s Office says 64-year-old Randy Koch was pronounced dead at the scene.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News |

Meterologist says change from La Nina to El Nino creates spring issues

Ag/Outdoor, News, Weather

April 27th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Warm spring weather has been slow to spread across Iowa and the rest of the Northern Plains, causing costly delays for planting, construction and other outdoor activities. Meteorologist Dennis Todey, director of the U-S-D-A’s Midwest Climate Hub, says changes are underway in the major climate drivers. “We are transitioning between La Nina and potential El Nino, so, a large part of what you’re seeing here is trapped,” Todey says. “There is this noted warming hole over the middle part of the country in the middle part of summer, so that’s what is coming into play here.”

La Nina patterns often bring cooler temperatures along with more storms in some areas and droughts elsewhere. El Nino patterns typically do the opposite. Due to the extended cold weather, many Iowa farmers are a couple of weeks behind in planting and Todey says it will take quite a while to get back to normal growing conditions.  “The catching up cannot happen during the early part of the summer,” he says. “Above-average temperatures, middle part of the summer don’t do much to catch us up in the way of growing degree days.”

Todey says there is no single cause for the prolonged winter we’ve seen across much of the region in recent weeks. “There is a little bit of La Nina influence still because we still are in La Nina,” he says, “but there’s not one indicator. There’s a combination of several different things that has locked into it.”

Many areas in the region have set all-time April records for snow and cold temperatures. The Midwest Climate Hub is based in Ames.

(Radio Iowa)

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News, Weather |

Iowa DNR director to step down next week

Ag/Outdoor, News

April 26th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The director of Iowa’s Department of Natural Resources is stepping down next week. Chuck Gipp announced his retirement Thursday in a news release. He submitted a resignation letter dated April 2 to Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds. His retirement begins Tuesday.

Gipp has been director for six years. He previously served nine terms in the Iowa House, including as majority leader. He says in the letter that running the DNR was “the crowning achievement” of his public service career.

Gipp says he plans to spend more time with his family in Decorah. Deputy Director Bruce Trautman will take over as acting director. The DNR oversees environmental regulation, state parks and natural resource stewardship programs in Iowa. Some DNR programs have seen significant cuts, and a proposed budget backed by Republicans would spend less on the agency next year than when Gipp became director six years ago.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News |

DNR Director Chuck Gipp announces retirement

Ag/Outdoor, News

April 26th, 2018 by admin

(DES MOINES) – Iowa Department of Natural Resources Director Chuck Gipp announced his retirement Thursday. His last day at the department will be Tuesday, May 1, 2018.

“Chuck has an outstanding record of service to Iowa,” Gov. Kim Reynolds said. “He’s spent the last six years leading in this important department, protecting Iowa’s most valuable resources – our land, lakes, waterways and air. Thank you, Chuck, for your service to this great state, and I wish you all the best as you enter retirement.”

“During his time as director, Chuck used his passion for Iowa’s natural resources as his guide in leading the department,” Lt. Gov. Adam Gregg said. “He served our state well for many years, and I know this retirement is well-deserved.”

“It’s been an absolute pleasure to serve Iowans for the past 28 years,” Gipp said. “I’ve been blessed to work among some of the best in the state, and nothing is more gratifying than being able to make a difference in the lives of Iowans.”

Gipp was elected to the Iowa House of Representatives in 1990, where he served nine consecutive terms in several different capacities, including House Majority Leader. After deciding not to seek re-election, Gipp was hired by Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey as director of the Division of Soil Conservation. He served in that role for three years.

Gipp began serving as deputy director of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) in August 2011. Not long after, he became director.

Gipp resides in Decorah with his wife, Ranae. They have two children and one grandson.

Deputy Director Bruce Trautman will serve as acting director of the DNR.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News |

Deadline approaching for “Sleeping bags & Sharks Zoo Overnight” sponsored by East Pott. 4-H

Ag/Outdoor, News

April 26th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

The East Pottawattamie County 4-H is offering an Omaha Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium overnight trip.  You’re invited to come camp out overnight with the sharks at the Zoo.  The campout is open to all area youth completing grades 4, 5, and 6.  The campout will be held on Saturday, June 16, 2018 where we will meet outside the Zoo entrance at 6:30pm.  The evening will consist of evening & morning zoo hikes, programing, snack, an overnight stay, breakfast, drinks and a souvenir campout patch.  Parents will pick up youth at the zoo entrance on Sunday morning at 9:00am where participating youth will then have a day pass into the zoo for Sunday.  Registration and health forms can be found on our website https://www.extension.iastate.edu/eastpottawattamie/news/sleeping-bags-sharks-zoo-overnight .

Registration forms and fees are due to the East Pottawattamie County Extension by April 30th.  All spots will be filled on a first come, first served basis.  A limited number of spots are available.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News |

Fire Danger in Shelby County continues to be HIGH through Monday

Ag/Outdoor, News, Weather

April 26th, 2018 by Ric Hanson

Shelby County Emergency Management Coordinator Bob Seivert reports, the local fire Danger will remain HIGH through Monday. If you plan to burn, PLEASE, contact your local Fire Chief.   Seivert says they have had several fire dispatches in the last few days where the volunteers are called from home and work to respond to a fire, only to arrive and find someone has started a controlled burn, and not called their local Fire Chief or Emergency Management 911. He asks persons planning a controlled burn, to “Please respect the time our volunteers spend protecting your property. Plan your burn in advance, use a burn plan, and call in prior to starting. 712-755-2124.”

Seivert warns also, that the chances for severe weather are expected to increase next week, so be prepared for weather bulletins and to take cover when warnings are issued.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News, Weather |