The Atlantic City Council, Wednesday, authorized Mayor Dave Jones to sign a letter of support for a local trails group’s grant application. Dave Chase, with Nishna Valley Trails, Inc., (NVT) approached the Council during their regular meeting saying the letter would help in the processing of a REAP (Resources Enhancement and Protection) Grant from the State of Iowa, for the completion of a section of the T-Bone Trail into Atlantic. Chase said the Iowa Legislature set aside $16-million dollars for REAP-type projects. Applications for a share of that money are due by the middle of this month.

The project will cost $550,000, with half that going to pay for a 162-foot long, 12-foot wide pedestrian bridge that will cross Troublesome Creek.Unlike a previous enhancement grant which required a 20-percent local match and has since been paid back, Chase said REAP does not require any additional funds. He said $780,000 has been set aside for projects in communities the size of Atlantic. Chase said funds from the REAP grant would also serve to enhance the Vision Iowa Grant that the Atlantic Parks and Recreation Department will apply for next year to link existing trail systems.

That means it would be very beneficial enhancement to the Schildberg Quarry Recreation Area and Trail. Only three-miles of the 20-mile T-Bone Trail remains to be completed before it is connected to Atlantic. Chase said the Cass County Resource Enhancement Committee has also agreed to sign-off on the application. And, he said NVT has $124,00 in the bank but will continue to seek sources of revenue to get the project completed. When completed, the T-Bone Trail will extend to the Atlantic Municipal Utilities’ well head trail, as well.

Two tragic accidents this past week involving all-terrain and off-road utility vehicles are refocusing attention on safety as well as efforts to allow utility vehicles on city streets and county roads. David Downing of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources says sales of A-T-Vs and O-R-Vs — the short-hand for “off-road utility vehicles” — are growing rapidly. “You’re seeing more and more of those vehicles and as the counties start to open up their roads and city jurisdictions open up their roads for ATVs and ORVs, obviously there’s more interaction with motor vehicles and all kinds of other things,” he says, “so people need to be aware of that.”

On Saturday, four 14-year-old boys were killed when the utility vehicle they were riding in was hit by a pick-up truck that ran a stop sign near Epworth. Two nine-year-old boys died in an A-T-V accident Monday on a farm near Mount Vernon. Representative Curt Hansen, a Democrat from Fairfield who taught driver’s ed for 43 years, urges Iowans to take the safety courses that are available.  “They don’t handle like a vehicle designed for roadway use and so there’s a lot of limitations that people have to realize,” Hansen says.

Downing says his agency offers an A-T-V safety course. “You can take the class online. It’s available 24 hours a day or you can take a hands-on class,” Downing says. “There’s also the ATV Safety Institute, which you get a certificate back from them, the manufacturers, when you purchase an ATV, then you’re able to take the course free of charge.” Downing says A-T-V drivers have to learn how to shift their weight to balance the machine as it moves. Representative Hansen says he worries about the larger, off-road utility vehicles that have bench seats.

“They’re almost golf carts on steroids,” Hansen says. “They’re just very, very fast and the vulnerability increases with the increase in speed.” Four-wheel A-T-Vs may be driven on rural roads and county highways today if they’re being used for farming. Some local city and county ordinances also allow A-T-Vs, golf carts and other off-road utility vehicles on local roads, but the operator has to be a licensed driver, the vehicle can’t go more than 35 miles an hour and the hours of operation are limited to between sunrise and sunset.

A bill that would have allowed A-T-Vs and off-road utility vehicles on every rural road and county highway in Iowa passed the House this spring, but stalled in the Senate. Representative Brian Moore, a Republican from Bellevue who has been pushing for the legislation, says it only would have applied to Iowans who are above the age of 16 and who have a valid drivers license. “Of course, you get stuff out on the road, four-wheelers and ATVs and more traffic out on the road, there’s going to be a risk,” Moore says. “There’s a risk on bicycles. There’s a risk on walking.”

Moore says he doesn’t plan to introduce the bill again in 2014 unless there are major changes in the make-up of the state senate and he determines the bill could pass the the senate.

(Radio Iowa)

By Haley Carlson
Atlantic FFA Reporter

This year Atlantic FFA had a very successful year at the 2014 Cass County Fair. FFA members competed a variety of different livestock categories and other Fair activities. 20 FFA members participate this year. To start the Fair 3 Atlantic FFA members participated in the King & Queen Contest. FFA member Tyler Christensen was crowned Fair King and Mr. Congeniality. FFA member Wyatt Saeugling was crowned Fair Prince. Representing the ladies, Calley Klindt was a finalist for Fair Queen.

On Friday Calley Klindt and Heather Reyna showed at the FFA Rabbit show. Klindt’s 6 Class Junior Doe earned a Purple Ribbon and won the class. Reyna’s 6 Class Junior Buck won its class earning a purple as well. In the 6 Class Senior Buck class Reyna’s rabbits earned a Lavender, Blue, and Red Ribbon. In the 6 Class Senior Doe Reyna’s rabbits earned a Lavender, and 2 Blue Ribbons. In the 4 Class Junior Doe Reyna’s rabbit earn a lavender and Klindt’s earned a blue. In 4 Class Senior Buck Reyna’s rabbit earned a lavender. In the 4 Class Senior Doe Reyna’s rabbit earn a Red ribbon.

This year in the Horse Show FFA member Carly Westphalen won Reserve Champion FFA Showmanship with her horse.

On Friday Afternoon 3 teams competed in the FFA Livestock Judging contest. 14 teams from across Southwest Iowa competed this year. Atlantic FFA Team 2 placed 4th overall with a total score of 887 points. Team members included Clayton Saeugling, Adam Freund, Morgan Barkley and Emily Saeugling. Atlantic FFA Team 1 which consisted of team members Wyatt Saeugling, Reid Nichols, Marshal McDermott, and Nate Moen placed 6th overall. Atlantic FFA Team 3, which consisted of FFA members Haley Carlson, Tyler Petter, Lexi Freund, and Cole Jipsen placed 8th. In the Individual Contest Tyler Petty placed 4th and Reid Nichols placed 7th.

To end the day Atlantic FFA members helped with the Mutton Bustin event before the Rodeo. Atlantic FFA member Morgan Barkley said, “The Fair is so much fun, but exhausting. It always goes way too fast.“

On Saturday the Atlantic FFA started the day by working in the FFA Foodstand. FFA members took 2 hour shifts helping to serve Hot Dogs, Nachos, Walking Tacos, and the World Famous FFA Maidrites. “I think the Foodstand had an excellent year and continues to thrive once we build a new one”, said FFA member Haley Carlson. The Foodstand is run by the Atlantic, CAM and Griswold FFA Chapters. All the money made from the foodstand will pay for the trophies and ribbons handed out at the fair as well and saving for a new building. Our county FFA chapters were very fortunate to receive a donation from the Trevor Frederickson Memorial Fund. This fund was established after Trevor lost his life in an apartment fire in 2009.

Also on Saturday Tyler Christensen and Heather Reyna showed FFA Lambs. Heather had two lambs in the FFA Black Face Individual Class 1 earning a Purple and a Lavender Ribbon. Tyler’s lamb in class 4 earned a Blue Ribbon. In FFA Black Face breeding Ewes Reyna’s lamb earning Blue Ribbon and in FFA White Face Breeding Ewe class Reyna’s lamb earned a Lavender Ribbon. Reyna also won the Reserve FFA Showmanship award. FFA member Heather Reyna said, “I had a busy Fair. I showed FFA Rabbits, Sheep and Poultry. It was long week, but a lot of fun.”

On Sunday morning the FFA Swine Show was held in the show ring. The Showmanship contest was the first event of the day. Atlantic FFA had 7 member compete this year. Wyatt Saeugling won Champion Showmanship and Emily McDermott was Reserve. In the FFA Pen of Three Market Hog class Clayton Saeugling won Champion and Wyatt Saeugling was the Reserve. Paige Sorensen earned a Purple ribbon, Emily McDermott earned Lavender ribbon, Marshall McDermott earned a Blue ribbon, Kyle Redinbaugh earn a Blue ribbon, with their pens of three. In the FFA Market Barrow class Haley Carlson earned a Lavender and Blue ribbon, Clayton earned a Lavender ribbon, Emily earned a Blue ribbon, Paige earned 2 Blues, Kyle earned 2 Blue ribbons, Marshal earned a Blue ribbon. In the Individual Market Gilt Class, Wyatt Saeugling won Champion and Marshal McDermott was the Reserve. FFA member Wyatt Saeugling said, “I did very well showing my livestock this year. This is my last year and I am going to miss waking up before the sun to work on calves, walk pigs and all of the other little things that go along with it. It has been a life changing experience.”

On Sunday afternoon the FFA Poultry Show was held outside the poultry barn. In the Commercial Egg Pen of Three Heather Reyna was the Champion. In the Individual Large Fowl class Heather won 2 Red ribbons. In the Bantam Class Calley Klindt won Reserve Champion and won a Blue and Red ribbons and Heather won a Blue ribbon. In the Duck Class Calley won a Blue ribbon Heather won Purple. In the FFA Geese class Calley was the Champion and Heather was the Reserve Champion. In the FFA Turkey Division Heather won a Purple ribbon. In FFA Pigeon Division Calley Klindt was Champion and Reserve. The final class was FFA Showmanship, the Champion was Calley Klindt.

The Final event for Sunday was the FFA Feeder Calf Show. In the FFA Feeder Heifer Show Mark Jacobsen earned Champion and a Blue ribbon.

On Monday the FFA Beef show started the day. In the Market Heifer Division, Emily McDermott earned a Lavender, Marshal McDermott earned a Blue ribbon, Gabrielle Jordahl earned a Blue ribbon. In the FFA Market Steer Show, Haley Carlson earned a Purple ribbon, Wyatt Saeugling earned a Lavender ribbon, Clayton Saeugling earned a Lavender ribbon, Marshal McDermott earned a Blue ribbon, and Mark Jacobsen earned a Lavender and Blue ribbons. Later in the evening Carlson won Champion FFA Market Steer.

The FFA Goat show finished off the livestock portion of the Fair. In the FFA Market Goat Show, Haley Carlson was Champion. Tyler Petty was Reserve Champion and he earned a Blue ribbon. Morgan Barkley earned a Blue ribbon. In the FFA yearling Doe class Haley Carlson and won Champion. In the FFA Showmanship event Haley Carlson won Champion.

Eric Miller, Atlantic FFA Advisor said, “Overall the Fair was a success for all of our FFA members. I think we will have more FFA members participate in the future.” FFA member Lexi Freund said, “I have recently joined FFA and got to participate in working the foodstand and also livestock judging, which I thoroughly enjoyed.”

The Atlantic FFA members would like to thank all who donated trophies for the FFA shows at county fair this year as well.

By Haley Carlson
Atlantic FFA Reporter
The Atlantic FFA Chapter is selling Sweet Corn this year at HyVee in Atlantic. The project began with a class discussion on a possible fundraiser and an educational learning opportunity. FFA Seniors Wyatt Saeugling, Tucker Sager, and Steven Wright began the process of gathering information about starting the project. Steven contacted Steve Jorgensen from Farm Service Co-Op about donating the seed. This year we planted Syngenta Sweet Corn. Farm Services Co-Op in Atlantic has been a big supporter of this project from the beginning. FSC donated fertilizer for our Sweet Corn plot. They have also donated a sign for the plot. Lindeman Tractor in Atlantic has also been a strong supporter of this project. This year Lindeman’s donated the use of a planter for our project.

To increase the educational component of this project the 2014-15 FFA Officer team was responsible for making a business presentation to Atlantic HyVee Store Director Amy Jordahl, Produce Manager Brent Magee, Atlantic School Superintendent Dr. Michael Amstein, and High School Principal Heather McKay. Each member had a different section of the presentation to work on. The officers business plan consisted of seed selection, equipment, sales and marketing.

FFA members Marshal McDermott and Clint Hansen broke ground west of the Atlantic Bus Barn in late April. The first round of planting took place at the beginning of May. Two additional plantings took place about 15 days apart. As the summer progressed, members of Atlantic FFA checked the sweet corn and made sure that it was growing properly.

On Friday, August 1st, 9 FFA members harvested 97 dozen ears of corn for HyVee, with additional harvesting happening every week. The FFA Sweet Corn will be sold for the next few weeks. HyVee Store Director Amy Jordhal said, “Hy-Vee is proud to be supporting our Atlantic FFA members. The commitment and dedication that these young adults have put into this real life experience has been top notch. Hy-Vee is proud to support all of our local growers, providing our customers with produce that truly is ‘field to table’.

On Thursday August 7th from 11-7 pm Atlantic HyVee will have a Sweet Corn Feed. This is an all you can eat Atlantic FFA Sweet corn, served with 2 pieces of fried chicken and creamy coleslaw – $7.00 Atlantic FFA members will be on site from 11-1 and 4-6 to help serve. They will be accepting donations that will go to construction of the new FFA Foodstand at the Cass County Fairgrounds.

Many Iowa farm fields, which experienced flash flooding earlier this summer, could now use a good soaking. The USDA’s weekly crop update, released Monday, shows dry soil is stressing corn and soybeans in parts of the state. Linn County farmer Darell Jordan is coping with the weather extremes. “Since the 1st of March, we’ve had equal to about a yearly amount of rain…about 30 inches of rain,” Jordan said. But, half of that overabundance of rain fell in June.

We’ve had less than an inch of rain in the last three weeks,” Jordan said. “So, we are right at the verge of starting to show stress in these crops. Jordan farms about 1,000 acres of corn and soybeans near Mount Vernon.  “In places, we’re showing nitrogen deficiency, but that would be expected where we’ve had excess amount of water,” Jordan said. “But, where we could get the water away and maintain a balance in the soil, I think the crops look real well…corn and soybeans.”

The USDA report places 77-percent of Iowa’s corn crop and 74-percent of the soybean crop in good to excellent condition. The report notes the lack of precipitation has caused a drop in soil moisture. The statewide average rainfall last week was just 0.12 inches.

(Radio Iowa)

Officials with the Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources say two adult Emerald Ash Borer (EAB) beetles have been collected from a trap in a residential tree in Boone and have been positively identified as EAB by a federal identifier. The trap was placed in the tree this summer after suspect galleries were found in an ash tree branch that fell during a storm. A statewide quarantine restricting the movement of hardwood firewood, ash logs, wood chips and ash tree nursery stock out of Iowa into non-quarantined areas of other states was issued on Feb. 4, 2014 and remains in place. 

The city of Boone Parks Department has already taken several steps to prepare for a potential infestation of the EAB. They have inventoried 100% of the street trees in the community and are assessing the condition of ash trees, as well as all other trees, in the right-of-way. The city council established funding for removal of street trees and the purchase of specialized equipment to chip large diameter trees.

DES MOINES – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today (Monday) announced that more than $6.75 million is available to help farmers and landowners install conservation practices through the state cost share program. Farmers can contact their local Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) offices to apply for assistance of up to 50 percent of the cost of the project.

Northey says “The cost share program is a partnership between the state and local landowners to help get conservation practices on the land that prevent erosion and better protect water quality. Now is the time for farmers to plan ahead and work with the local soil and water conservation district office so they are ready to move ahead with construction of the practices as soon as the crops are out of the field this fall.”

He said also “These funds are a great investment by the state and historically farmers contribute $1.50 for each dollar invested by the state. There continues to be strong interest in the cost share program, but there are funds available and we encourage farmers to contact their local soil and water conservation district office to discuss options for their farm.”

Conservation practices eligible for assistance through the program include terraces, waterways, ponds, buffers, cover crops, and several other conservation practices.

In addition to the statewide cost share, at least five percent of the funds will be used to protect several publicly owned lakes and cost share in these projects is available for up to 75 percent of the cost of the project. Eligible lakes include: Badger Creek Lake (Dallas SWCD and Madison SWCD); Lake Icaria (Adams SWCD); Prairie Rose Lake (Shelby SWCD); Three Mile Lake (Adair SWCD, Union SWCD) and
Twelve Mile Lake (Adair SWCD, Union SWCD).

A map of the targeted lake projects is available on the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s website at www.IowaAgriculture.gov.

 

Iowa deer hunters will notice fewer seasons and changes in certain seasons this year. Officials with the Iowa DNR say the January antlerless deer season has been eliminated, the number of antlerless deer tags has been reduced and hunters in 27 northwest counties are allowed only antlered deer during the first shotgun and early muzzleloader seasons. Crossbows were allowed as a legal method of take for resident Iowa hunters during the late muzzleloader season.

Iowa waterfowl hunters have an experimental September teal only season from Sept. 6-21 in all three waterfowl zones. The remaining waterfowl seasons will be set during the August 14 meeting of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources Natural Resource Commission after the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service issues their season requirements to the states.

Iowa Hunting and Trapping Seasons

Deer Seasons

Youth: Sept. 20-Oct. 5

Disabled Hunter: Sept. 20-Oct. 5

Archery: Oct. 1-Dec. 5 AND Dec. 22-Jan. 10

Early Muzzleloader: Oct. 11-19

Late Muzzleloader: Dec. 22-Jan. 10

First Shotgun: Dec. 6-10

Second Shotgun: Dec. 13-21

Nonresident Holiday: Dec. 24-Jan. 2

 Small Game and Upland Seasons

Youth Rooster Pheasant: Oct. 18-19

Rooster Pheasant: Oct. 25-Jan. 10

Bobwhite Quail: Oct. 25-Jan. 31

Gray Partridge: Oct. 11-Jan. 31

Ruffed Grouse: Oct. 4-Jan. 31

Cottontail Rabbit: Aug. 30-Feb. 28

Fox and Gray Squirrel: Aug. 30-Jan. 31

Crow: Oct. 15-Nov. 30 AND Jan. 14-March 31

Pigeon: Continuous Open Season

Migratory Game Bird Seasons

Mourning Dove: Sept. 1-Nov. 9

September Teal Season: Sept. 6-21 in all three zones. Additional regulations apply.

Furbearer Hunting Seasons

Raccoon: Nov. 1-Jan. 31

Opossum: Nov. 1-Jan. 31

Red and Gray Fox: Nov. 1-Jan. 31

Bobcat: Nov. 1-Jan. 31 Additional regulations apply.

Coyote: Continuous Open Season

Groundhog: Continuous Open Season

Trapping Seasons

Raccoon: Nov.1-Jan. 31

Muskrat: Nov.1-Jan. 31

Red and Gray Fox: Nov.1-Jan. 31

Coyote: Nov.1-Jan. 31

Badger: Nov.1-Jan. 31

Mink: Nov.1-Jan. 31

Weasel: Nov.1-Jan. 31

Opossum: Nov.1-Jan. 31

Striped Skunk: Nov.1-Jan. 31

Beaver: Nov. 1-April 15

Otter: Nov.1-Jan. 31 Additional regulations apply.

Bobcat: Nov.1-Jan. 31 Additional regulations apply.

Persons interested in bow hunting deer in Atlantic are advised to pick up their instruction packet from the Atlantic Police Department. The information packets are available Monday through Friday, from 8-a.m. to 4-p.m. Once the packet is filled-out by the hunter, it must be signed by Police Chief Steve Green. If you are already qualified to hunt, you won’t have any further issues to contend with.
It’s the third year the City is making bow hunting available within the City limits. Lt. Dave Erickson with the A-PD says the number of deer harvested each year continues to grow, with last year being very successful. Erickson says bow hunting is made available to the public, with certain exceptions and requirements.

New hunters not previously qualified may still pick up their packet, but they must also make an appointment to shoot with Lt. Erickson at the P-D. The packet explains the rules and City Ordinance. He says the hunting seasons mirror those established by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Hunters must be 18-years of age or older and have a State of Iowa hunting license. They also must have a deer tag or tags issued by the DNR.

Erickson says the one thing they are requesting is that anyone who wants the public to hunt deer on their property, please call the police department Monday through Friday and submit their name. The list of property owners’ names who will allow hunting will then be made available for hunters to contact and provide information as to when they would like to request permission to do so.
Anterless tags will be available.

Hunters must take a doe first before being allowed to hunt a buck within the City limits. If you wish to continue hunting Does – antlerless – the City will reimburse for the tag you purchased through the DNR. You will need to call the Police Department at 712-243-3512 when you harvest a deer. The police will verify that it was taken within the city limits. The hunter then brings the tag to City Hall, where they will be reimbursed for the doe tag. The maximum reimbursement is $28.50. Up to six doe tags per person are allowed for reimbursement.

There are restrictions are where bow hunting will be allowed. For instance, No hunting on City parks of City property. Among the things to note this year: Hunting will not be allowed if your paperwork is not filled out and copies are on file at the Police Department; All hunters must respect the property lines of the land they are hunting on, and be courteous to residents of adjoining properties; Hunters must carry a cell phone with them in case a law enforcement officer needs to contact them with regard to any complaints; Hunter should use safety harnesses while hunting from an elevated stand; Field dressings must be done outside the City limits of Atlantic.

Persons needing to qualify for the in-City hunt will be required to pass a verbal and skill test conducted by the A-PD and Atlantic Archers. The applicant must be able to shoot at 3-d targets up to a maximum of 30-yards from an elevated stand, and successfully hit with 3 out of 5 arrows.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The value of farmland in Iowa is up again this year reaching a new high at a time when many observers expect values to drop due to falling commodity prices. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says in a new report released Friday the average value of an acre of cropland in Iowa rose 9.4 percent from a year ago to a new record $8,750.

The value of farm real estate — a measurement of the value of all land and buildings on farms — climbed 10.4 percent to $8,500 an acre. Iowa leads the nation in the value of farmland and buildings with a total value of $235.6 billion. That’s up nearly 18 percent.

The annual report is based on producer surveys completed in the first two weeks of June.