(Radio Iowa) – Farm commodity groups are calling on the Trump administration to negotiate with trade partners and find new markets amid escalating tariffs and retaliation. The president imposed steep tariffs last week on products from dozens of nations, while he put tariffs on Mexico and Canada earlier this year, the largest importers of corn and ethanol, respectively. Stu Swanson, president of the Iowa Corn Growers Association, calls the new tariffs “disappointing but not unexpected.”

Swanson says, “Now, with widespread tariffs announced on lots of countries, including some of the ones that we see as emerging markets, the concern raises again.” The association is encouraging President Trump to support more domestic uses of corn, like bio-based chemicals and fabrics, and by allowing E-15 to be sold nationwide, year-round. Export markets consume roughly half of U-S soybeans, more than a quarter of pork products, and around 15 percent of the country’s corn production. Swanson says the U-S exported nearly five-billion bushels of corn and value-added corn products last year, and he says the administration’s new tariffs come on top of low commodity prices and high input costs.

“We see tariffs impact us as farmers and the economy and finances on the farm,” he says, “but it also relates heavily to rural Iowa and the communities that we live in.” A downturn in the farm economy has contributed to recent layoffs of hundreds of workers at Corteva, John Deere, Firestone and Cargill. The American Soybean Association is urging the administration to quickly negotiate with impacted countries, including China, the largest importer of American soybeans.

(Iowa DNR News) – A mild winter followed by timely spring rains has Iowa forests and woodlots leafing out ahead of spring turkey season, possibly tipping the playing field in favor of the gobblers, after a record harvest of more than 16,000 birds in 2024. The first of Iowa’s four regular spring turkey seasons opens on April 14. “We are greening up ahead of schedule,” said Jim Coffey, forest wildlife research biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR). “For anyone hunting second season or later, it could be a jungle out there.”

Winter turkey flocks are breaking up and birds are spreading across the landscape. Turkey production has been above the five-year average for three of the past four years, providing good numbers of birds, especially two-year-old jakes. “Jakes will usually respond to calls more easily than toms and have been known to come in in groups – if a group of jakes come in, make sure you have a clean shot at one bird,” Coffey said.

Although Iowa has set spring turkey harvest records twice since 2020, Coffey said it’s important to remember that historically, only one in five hunters will tag a bird.  “Success should be determined by time spent outside, watching the sunrise as the timber comes alive around you, the experience in the woods, not by bagging a turkey,” he said. “Spring turkey hunting is a close, intimate sport, where the excitement is happening in less than 30 yards. And with the early leaf out this year, it could be even closer.”

IA DNR photo

To improve the chances of bagging a turkey, Coffey said hunters should go through their equipment to make sure it all works and gear still fits before hiking into the timber on opening morning. He also said that the ticks are already out so plan accordingly. Iowa’s first of four turkey seasons opens on the second Monday in April each year, and this year, that’s the middle of April, aligning turkey hunting with mushroom hunting season.

“If we get rain and a little heat – it should be a good year for mushroom hunting – which also means we need to be aware of other people in the woods – hunters need to identify their bird, make sure it has a beard, and what’s beyond it,” Coffey said. One final tip, Coffey said don’t overlook Iowa’s smaller woodlots, as they are typically good places to hunt.

Successful hunters are required to report their harvest by midnight of the day after it is recovered by going online at www.iowadnr.gov, calling the toll free phone number printed on the tag, at any license vendor during regular business hours, by texting your registration number to 1-800-771-4692 or through the Go Outdoors Iowa app. “Best way for turkey hunter to help with conservation is to report your harvest,” he said.

Youth-only season is April 11-13

Youth turkey season is designed to provide a strong mentoring experience for the youth hunter. It is restricted to Iowa residents only. “Turkey hunting is an intimate sport and mentoring is a way to learn from other’s mistakes,” Coffey said. “With only about one-in-five hunters tagging a turkey, failure is part of the process. A successful hunt should be gauged on the adventure and experience of being in the woods not placing a tag on a bird.”

Youth tags are sold through the end of youth season on April 13. Youth tags are valid for youth season and each of the four regular seasons until filled or when the season four closes on May 18. Licenses are not sold after the youth season closes.

2025 spring turkey season dates

• Youth Season, residents only, age 15 and younger – April 11-13
• Season 1 – April 14-17
• Season 2 – April 18-22
• Season 3 – April 23-29
• Season 4 – April 30 – May 18

The youth season license is good until filled, but it must be purchased before the youth season closes.

Around 50,000 turkey licenses will be purchased this year. Hunters may purchase two turkey tags, with at least one for season four. Shooting hours are one half hour before sunrise to sunset.

(Radio Iowa) – A bill to make it legal to go “noodling” for catfish in Iowa lakes, streams and rivers is under consideration in the Iowa House. Representative Ray Sorenson of Greenfield sponsored the bill to have the state start issuing noodling licenses after hearing from Iowans who want to try to catch catfish with their bare hands.  “I’ve had constituents bring it to me before,” he says, “but this was an entire family.”

Sorenson says the teenage girl in that family went “noodling” in another state. “And that’s where she kind of fell in love with it,” Sorenson says. It is legal to go “noodling” for catfish in at least 17 other states, including Wisconsin and Illinois. The fishing technique has opponents. Jim Obradovich is a lobbyist for the Iowa Conservation Alliance.

Representative Ray “Bubba” Sorensen (R-Greenfield) (official photo)

“How noodling works is a person reaches in with their hand and the biology of the catfish kind of creates a kind of a handle or a hook for a person once you get past your wrist and you grab on and the catfish grabs on,” Obradovich said, “and the way it ends is one of the two will give up.” Beynod the potential of injury to the human hand, Obradovich says noodling isn’t good for the fish.

“Noodlers generally don’t then take that catfish and then filet it or eat it. They just send it back. This causes damage to the fish,” Obradovich said. “The larger fish which they go for in this activity are the gene pool that we want to keep around and keep healthy for catfish procreation.”

The bill has cleared the House Natural Resources Committee and was reviewed yesterday (Tuesday) by another subcommittee. Noodling for fish is sometimes referred to as “tickling” or “hogging” and it is currently illegal in Iowa. People caught using the noodling technique to snag a catfish can face a fine.

In 2019, a man who pulled a 50 pound catfish from the Mississippi River and was photographed with his catch in downtown Davenport was fined nearly 100 dollars. In 2012, a Harlan man was pictured in the local newspaper with a 30 pound catfish and he was assessed a 177 dollar fine for noodling.

Senate File 608 would increase the minimum of the grain indemnity fund to $5 million and the maximum to $12 million. This is an increase from the current parameters, which are set at $3 million and $8 million, though it is not as great an increase as a bill proposed in the Iowa House of Representatives. The House bill would increase the fund’s range to $8 million and $16 million.  SF 608 would also include “grain purchased under credit-sale contract” under the definition of “purchased grain” meaning grain purchased on a credit sale would be eligible for the same indemnity protections.

The House version of the bill would also include credit-sale contracts, but would reimburse those contracts at a rate of 70% of the grain purchased.  Sen. Kerry Gruenhagen, R-Walcott, added a minor clarifying amendment to the bill, which passed.  The bill advances after a vote of 39-8.

House File 508 has yet to be debated on the House floor.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Supreme Court has brought back a lawsuit in a zoning case involving a Christian conservative group. The Family Leader sought the rezoning of a former pumpkin farm and cornfields in rural Polk County so it could turn it into an office area and events venue. Nearby landowners and the One-thousand Friends of Iowa group sued to stop the rezoning, but the district court ruled they did not have standing to sue.

The Iowa Supreme Court ruled that the landowners do have standing, and One-Thousand Friends should be able to fill in other information in their suit to prove they have members with a direct interest in the zoning.

Three justices dissented on that point, and the case now goes back to the district court.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – Officials with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources report the City of Atlantic was recently honored with the 2024 Tree City USA Award at the 34th Annual Community Forestry Awards Luncheon in Ankeny. The award was presented by the Arbor Day Foundation and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources on April 3rd, at the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny.   

“The Tree City USA award is a symbol for communities who have made a commitment to the management of public trees,” says state forester Jeff Goerndt. “Your community has provided an outstanding example for other Iowa communities by enhancing our forest resources and demonstrating the great value of trees in providing multiple benefits for future generations.”

In the picture are Kayla Lyon, Director of the Department of Natural Resources, Dolly Bergmann with Atlantic Trees Forever and Jeff Goerndt, State Forester (Photo courtesy the IA DNR)

 Atlantic was one of 73 Iowa communities to qualify for Tree City USA status. To receive the award, a city must, at a minimum, have either a city forester or an active city tree board; have a tree ordinance; spend at least $2 per capita annually for its community forestry program; and have a tree planting and maintenance plan. 

ATLANTIC, IA (April 7, 2025) – Produce in the Park’s “EGG-cellent Spring Celebration Market” is all about farm-fresh eggs. Spring Celebration Market will be held at the Nishna Valley Family YMCA (1100 Maple St. Atlantic, IA 50022) on Saturday, April 19 from noon to 3:00 PM. Market visitors will find farm-fresh egg vendors, a 4-H poultry exhibitor sharing information and offering a free egg art craft, and Cass Health Dietitian Sarah Andersen sharing information on the benefits and nutrients of eggs, as well as different ways to prepare this versatile food. Cass County Extension will be sharing information on raising chickens, and Sarah Selders will be offering Easter-themed face painting–which of course will feature Easter eggs.

Spring Celebration Market attendees will hear tunes from the Squeezy Pease Accordion Due, get to see a live Easter bunny, and enjoy a free bounce house and playland thanks to the YMCA. Pim’s Thai Food Truck and Lucky Wife Wine Slushies will be parked outside the YMCA during the market.

Vendors at the spring farmers market will offer lots of local vegetables including fresh greens, carrots, beets, sweet potatoes, and butternut squash, as well as beef, pork, lamb, chicken, honey, and farm-fresh eggs. The market will also offer a variety of baked goods and desserts including gourmet cupcakes, cookies, kringle, pies, rye bread, and other sweet breads. Craft vendors will be selling jewelry, home decorations, candles, wax melts, a variety of bath and body products, and more. Lastly, late April is a great time to buy plants, and vendors will be selling both potted plants and plant starts. As with all Produce in the Park farmers markets, there is no cost to enter the farmers market, and local organizations–including Cass County Tourism and Healthy Cass County–will be at the market sharing information on various community happenings and resources.

All Produce in the Park farmers markets accept SNAP EBT, otherwise known as food stamps, for all qualifying food items. Produce in the Park continues to accept vendor applications for Spring Celebration Market, and is also now accepting vendor and sponsor applications for summer markets in the Atlantic City Park. Vendor and sponsor applications can be found online at www.ProduceInTheParkAtlanticIowa.com; printed copies of the applications are available at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce (102 Chestnut St., Atlantic, IA 50022). Produce in the Park seeks vendors selling handmade or homegrown products, including local foods, as well as beauty products, candles, crafts, art, and decorations.

Spring Celebration Market Market 2025 is sponsored by Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce, Cass County Tourism, Cass Health, City of Atlantic, First Whitney Bank & Trust and Nishna Valley Family YMCA.
For the latest information on all Produce in the Park markets, follow Produce in the Park on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ProduceInThePark) or Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/produceintheparkatlanticia/).

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Atlantic FFA Banquet was held March 30th at the Atlantic High School. According to Atlantic FFA reporter Maddy Anderson, there were 195 members and guests were present at the event. The banquet started with the opening ceremonies, led by the 2024-2025 chapter officers. This year the officers include President Lola Comes, Vice President Lily Johnson, Secretary Lauren Comes, Treasurer Hayden Kleen, Reporter Maddy Anderson, Sentinel Frank Freund, and Student Advisor Joaquin Wailes.

2024-25 Chapter President Lola Comes said “The FFA banquet is a reflection of each members’ hard work, incentives, and dedication to the agriculture industry. [Members] spent the evening sharing [their] accomplishments and great food with parents, alumni, and current FFA members.” The opening ceremony was followed by a welcome to members and guests, and was given by President Lola Comes. Following that, dinner was held for members and guests. Wiota Steakhouse provided the pulled pork and the sides for the FFA members and guests. The Alumni chapter held a silent auction that raised over $1,300 for future scholarships.

Following presentations by guest speakers, awards were given out. First were those recognized for earning 10,000 FFA points throughout their time as a member. These points are earned through getting involved with our chapter. The more activities and events a member participates in, the more points they earn. Those recognized for reaching 10,000 points included Mia Kloewer, Lola Comes and McKenna Sonntag. The next award was the Academic Achievement Award. The award is given to those who have been a part of the Atlantic FFA chapter for three years, and have maintained a 3.5 GPA or above throughout all those years. Those who received the Academic Achievement Award included Carter Witzman, Lola Comes, Joci Zarbaono, McKenna Sonntag, Mia Kloewer.

10,000 point club

Honorary Chapter Farmer: Claire, Drew, Kim and Lola Comes.

Star Placement: Joaquin Wales

Star Farmer: Lola Comes

Star Greenhand Award: Walter Freund

After the Academic Achievement Award came the Star Greenhand, Star Ag Placement and Star of Ag Production Awards. The Star Greenhand is awarded to a freshman who the chapter officers feel was the most involved with the chapter in the past year. The award was given to Walter Freund. The next award, Star Ag Placement, is an award given to a member that has done an exceptional job in their employment, whether that be in or out of agriculture. The award was presented to Joaquin Wailes. Finally, the star Ag Production was awarded to Lola Comes for her dedication to Agriculture, the FFA and work on Comes Farms.

This year also, new officers for the 2025-2026 term elected two members to receive the Atlantic FFA Leadership Award, which is given in appreciation to those who have shown leadership through their years in FFA. The two members who received the award were Mia Kloewer and McKenna Sonntag. The officers elected the Drew & Kim Comes Family to receive the Honorary Chapter Farmer award. That award is given to people who have played a large role in helping the Atlantic FFA chapter and the activities they do.

16 FFA members were given the Discovery Degree. The Discovery Degree is awarded to members who are finishing their 8th grade year of schooling, and have been involved in FFA for one year. Those that have been involved for one year of high school Ag, received the Greenhand Degree, which was given to 20 members. Next came 17 members who were Chapter FFA degrees, which are given to members who have been involved in FFA for 2 years since being in high school, or members who have been in FFA for three years including their 8th grade year.

The banquet concluded with the installation of new chapter officers. For the upcoming 2025-2026 year, the new officers include the following: Lauren Comes as President, Frank Freund as Vice President, Lily Johnson as Secretary, Hayden Kleen as Treasurer, Maddy Anderson as Reporter, Keston Schmitt as Sentinel, and Claire Schroder as Student Advisor.

(Radio Iowa) – The weather has been on an up and down warm to cold and back again cycle in recent weeks. State climatologist Justan Glisan says the short term outlook is still split. “What that means is we’re not getting a clear signal, and we’re in a transition from a weak La Nina back towards what we call ENSO neutral, or between El Nino and La Nina,” Glisan says. He says there’s a little stronger indication as we get deeper into April. “We are seeing a warmer signal develop towards the middle of the month, but also a leaning drier signal,” he says.

Glisan says the current projection would bode well for farmers. “A warmer and dryer signal would be a good window for field work to get started for our farmers out there that are itching to get the planters out,” Glisan says.

March was the first month so far this year to see above normal precipitation.

(Radio Iowa) – An ambitious new bicycle trail is proposed for northwest Iowa that would span five counties, following the Highway 71 corridor. The Iowa Great Lakes Connection Five-County Trail would complete a bike trail from Spirit Lake to Carroll through Dickinson, Clay, Buena Vista, Sac, and Carroll counties. Group organizer Kathy Fueston says trail supporters met last month in Storm Lake for the first time since 2013.  “We had a great showing from all five counties,” Fueston says, “and certainly representation on how they saw their portion of the trail being built.” A new trail would run from Spencer to Lake View. The project would connect to existing trail systems on each end, including the Iowa Great Lakes Spine Trail to the north and the Sauk Rail Trail to the south. Smaller loops could connect other communities.

Fueston says the next section of the project will be from Dickinson to Clay counties. “That project should start this summer,” she says. “They’re hoping to go at least halfway, but they may make it all the way to Clay County, depending on funding. Sac County is currently working on a trail to Lake View. Those two sections are probably next, and then Sac City to Storm Lake, Storm Lake to Spencer will be the ones that we’ll really be working hard on to get the funding and figure out exactly how our trail route will go.” Fueston has been working on the project for 20 years and says the trail as currently proposed would stay along Highway 71 from Okoboji to Early. Group members feel the five counties working together could have more impact seeking grants and donations than if they were working separately.

Fueston says project representatives attended the Iowa Bicycle Coalition Expo in January. “We were trying to educate the Des Moines people on this trail, because when finished, we certainly know they’ll be headed north as much as we’ll be headed south,” Fueston says. “It’s a huge project, but we’re down to basically completing two and a half counties. So when you put it in that perspective, it seems manageable.”

The leaders of the group foresee the project eventually growing into a 220-mile paved trail from Okoboji to Des Moines, and potentially beyond.