DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa’s corn and soybean harvests have passed the halfway point as farmers move quickly to get the drought-damaged crops out of the fields. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says 56 percent of the corn and 54 percent of the soybeans have been harvested. That’s a week or two ahead of normal. The USDA says in Monday’s weekly report that the condition of the corn improved slightly, with 47 percent rated poor or very poor, 33 percent fair and 20 percent in good or excellent shape. Soybeans are rated 31 percent poor or very poor, 37 percent fair and 32 percent in good or excellent condition. Iowa continues to be dry. The state saw just .17 inches of rain in the past week, below the normal of .77 inches.

Officials with the Cass County Soil & Water Conservation District Commission (SWCD) report they have designated $5,000 of their Iowa Financial Incentives Program (IFIP) funds to offer cost-share assistance to individuals for planting cover crops on cropland in Cass County.  Cover crops are used to reduce soil erosion and capture residual fertilizer to protect soil resources and water quality.

Farmers interested in this assistance should come into the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office at the USDA Service Center on 503 W. 7^th Street in Atlantic or call the office at 712-243-3180.  Applications will be accepted on a “first come – first serve” basis.  Approved applications will receive a one-time payment of $20.00 per acre on a maximum of 25 acres.  Applications need to be made by Monday, October 8^th .

Cass County Youth ages 12-to 17 can discover pheasant hunting for FREE, during the Pheasants Forever member guided hunt, on Sat., Oct. 20th.

Pictured: 2011 Cass County Pheasants Forever Youth Hunt. Courtesy Lora Kanning.

The event will be held at Hansen Outfitters in Anita.  Cass County Conservation officials say the group will leave the Atlantic Hy-vee parking lot at 7:30-AM, and will return at approximately 12:30- PM. Lunch will be provided.

There are limited youth spots available. The deadline to sign up is October 17^th 2012.  Call Jason Jordahl at 243-7988 to sign up, and for more information.  Interested youth must have taken a Hunter’ Education Course in order to participate in the event. A shotgun may be provided if a youth does not have access to one. If this is the case, you are asked to mention that, when signing up.

Shelby County Emergency Manager Bob Seivert said today (Monday), that the Fire Danger level in the County will remain in the “HIGH” category through at least Thursday, October 4th. The Fire Danger rating in Shelby County is based on input from local fire chiefs and the Emergency Manager, and weather factors.

Controlled Burns should only be conducted with the knowledge of the local Fire Chief.  Open burning is discouraged. Seivert said last week, that he expects the Fire Danger to remain High throughout the month of October.

State Executive Director of USDA’s Farm Service Agency John R. Whitaker announced that disaster assistance under FSA’s Supplemental Revenue Assistance Program begins on October 22, 2012.

In order to be eligible for SURE a farm or ranch must meet the following requirements: 1. At least a 10 percent production loss on a crop of economic significance.  2. Insured all economically significant crops.  3. Been physically located in a county that was declared a primary disaster county or contiguous county by the Secretary of Agriculture under a Secretarial Designation.  Without a Secretarial Disaster Designation, individual producers may be eligible if the actual production on the farm is less than 50 percent of the normal production on the farm due to natural disaster in 2011.  Other insurance qualifications do apply.

Those producers that suffered a loss in 2011 are encouraged to visit their local FSA office to learn more and to apply.

For more information about the SURE program or other disaster assistance programs you can visit the FSA’s website at www.fsa.usda.gov.

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship today said that more than fifteen cattle herds primarily in western Iowa have had animals contract the Epizootic Hemorrhagic Disease (EHD) virus.

EHD is a virus that is spread by biting midges and primarily affects deer.  A hard freeze kills midges and will stop the spread of the virus.

EHD can cause illness in cattle, including fever, ulcers in the mouth and gums, swollen tongue, excessive salivation, and lameness or stiffness when walking.  Death loss is uncommon in cattle and there is no evidence that the EHD virus can infect humans.

EHD rarely affects cattle, but the wild whitetail deer population in southern and western areas of Iowa and surrounding states is seeing the disease at high levels.  EHD is common in whitetail and other deer in some years and can be fatal in these deer.

Cattle farmers are advised to use insect control as a preventative measure to reduce the risk of having cattle that become infected.  Farmers who notice signs of illness in cattle are encouraged to immediately contact their veterinarian.

Info on animals available for adoption at the Atlantic Animal Shelter.

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