(Radio Iowa) – An Iowa State University study shows how plants’ genetic factors are impacting crop stress as it relates to climate change. Stephen Howell, a distinguished professor of genetics, development and cell biology at I-S-U, says they’re making critical advances. “There are two very different systems within plants that recognize heat stress and help to protect plants from heat stress,” Howell says. “They’ve been thought to work very independently, and what we’ve been able to show is that the systems actually are coordinated and they work together.”

He notes it’s completely coincidental the study is being released at a time when Iowa is seeing crops impacted by drought — and by the derecho. “All of these issues about climate change have had an influence on the kind of work that we’re doing,” Howell says. “We’re very concerned about how well our crops in Iowa are able to tolerate heat stress and so this has motivated quite a bit of our studies.”

Howell says the study is being done through the use of a state-of-the-art facility called the Envirotron at the I-S-U Ag Engineering/Agronomy Research Farm. “We can simulate different climate conditions and ask then how plants perform under those conditions,” Howell says. “We have this fantastic robot that’s able to travel from one incubator chamber to another to be able to monitor plants and how they’re doing.”

The complete study is appearing in the academic journal, The Plant Cell.

The Adair County Extension Office, in partnership with Showstockplanet.com, are holding an online premium auction for Adair County 4-H/FFA members that exhibited market livestock at the 2020 Adair County Fair. For directions accessing the auction or making a bid, please contact the Adair County Extension at 641-743-8412 or eaide@iastate.edu

Auction Start Date: Monday, August 31st at 8:00 am
Auction Close Date: Tuesday, September 1st at 8:00 pm
Auction Link: https://ssponlinesales.com/auction/9679

ALL checks from winning bidders should be made out to Adair County Extension and mailed or dropped off to:

Adair County Extension
154 Public Square, Suite C
Greenfield, IA 50849

Bulbs bring spring color!  The Cass County Master Gardeners have taken on a new project this fall, with a bulb sale featuring tulip and narcissus bulb mixtures.  This sale is now open to the public for pre-order, with delivery by the end of October, in plenty of time for fall planting.  Order forms are available at the Cass County Extension office, or online at www.extension.iastate.edu/cass.

The bulbs will be freshly dug from the gardens of Van Engelen, Inc., in Connecticut, and shipped in bulk to the Cass County Master Gardeners.  The Master Gardeners have ordered 500 bulbs, which they hope to pre-sell by the end of September.  The bulbs are expected to arrive by the end of October, for packaging five bulbs to a bag, and each bag of tulip mixture or narcissus mixture will sell for only $ 5. Pre-payment is requested at the time of order to guarantee your bulbs.

The colorful Giant Darwin Hybrid Tulip Mixture includes:  Apricot Impression, Banja Luka (red and yellow), Big Love (pink), Cream Jewel (white), Daydream (apricot to yellow), Golden Parade, Pink Impression, Red Impression, Salmon Impression, White Cloud, and World’s Favorite (red), with plant heights from 20 to 24 inches. The Fragrant Narcissus Mixture features daffodils in colors from white to golden yellow, including:  Double Narcissi Bridal Crown, Cheerfulness and Yellow Cheerfulness; Tazetta Narcissi Geranium and Golden Dawn; Triandrus Narcissi Starlight Sensation, Sunlight Sensation and Thalia; Poeticus Narcissus Pheasant’s Eye; and Jonquilla Narcissi Pipit and Pueblo, ranging in height from 14 to 20 inches. Each bag of 5 will feature a random selection from the colors listed above.

Cass County Master Gardeners will also be holding their second annual Fall Plant Sale on Saturday, October 10, from 8 to 10 am or until sold out.  Bulb orders will be taken, if they are not already sold out, at this event.  Master Gardeners will bring bulbs and plants from their own gardens for this sale.  Donations of divided plants are welcome if you would like to donate perennials or bulbs from your garden. Please call in advance and make arrangements to drop off donated plants before the date of the plant sale!

For more information about these events and about Master Gardener activities in Cass County, please call the Cass County Extension Office at 712-243-1132, or email Cass County Extension Director and Master Gardener Coordinator Kate Olson at keolson@iastate.edu.  In addition, you are invited to follow the Cass County Master Gardeners at their Facebook page at www.facebook.com/CassCoMG to keep up with local events and tips for gardening!

w/Kate Olson.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (6.6MB)

Subscribe: RSS

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds says she is allocating $100 million in federal funds to help livestock producers, the biofuels industry, beginning farmers and small-scale meat processors recover from the coronavirus pandemic. As many Iowa farmers deal with the impact of a massive storm and continue to suffer from lower demand for corn and soybeans and extremely low prices, Reynolds says she will use money from the federal CARES Act to programs to help agriculture related businesses and farmers.

Included is $60 million to provide grants to eligible producers of pork, beef, chicken, turkeys, dairy, fish or sheep to serve as working capital to stabilize livestock producers.

WOODWARD, Iowa (AP) — Before an unusual wind storm this month, Iowa corn farmers were expecting a near-record crop. About a month before corn would be fully mature and ready for harvest, a derecho blew in from the west with hurricane-force winds that cut a swath through the middle of Iowa. The Aug. 10 storm flattened corn fields and damaged grain bins, farm buildings and homes.

Millions of acres of Iowa corn are damaged to some degree. Crop insurance and other federal programs will help. And those outside the damaged area could benefit from higher prices that may result.

JOHNSTON, IOWA – When COVID-19 hit the United States and most Americans were opting to stay home as much as possible, Iowa biofuel producers were badly hurt by the decline in fuel demand. Today Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds announced the state is dedicating over $15 million of relief funding for Iowa renewable fuels producers, making Iowa the first state in the nation to provide direct aid to the biofuels sector.

“Governor Reynolds has provided a much-needed lifeline for Iowa’s renewable fuels producers,” said Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Executive Director Monte Shaw. “At its peak, the COVID-19 pandemic led to the idling of roughly 50 percent of Iowa’s biofuels production capacity. Even today fuel use has not returned to normal and biofuels producers are struggling to simply breakeven. IRFA members from across the state are deeply grateful for Governor Reynold’s leadership as they work to recover from the financial blow wrought by the pandemic.”

The relief funding will be awarded based on the number of qualifying gallons produced in the first quarter of 2020. IRFA continues to work with members of Congress on possible federal relief.

“We appreciate the work done by our federal legislative champions on language for the next COVID relief package,” Shaw said. “Ethanol and biodiesel producers across the country are suffering from suppressed fuel demand and still need comprehensive, in-depth relief from the federal government. Today’s action by Governor Reynolds will help Iowa’s biofuels producers keep going until Congress and the Trump Administration act.”

JOHNSTON, IOWA – Today Secretary Mike Naig unveiled the details of the $7 million Iowa Renewable Fuels Recovery Program that Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds first announced on June 30. The new program, which utilizes the state’s CARES Act funding, provides grants to Iowa fuel retailers that add E15, B11, and higher biofuel blends to their stations.

“IRFA members want to thank Governor Reynolds and Secretary Naig for seeing the many benefits biofuels provide to the state of Iowa and prioritizing their growth,” said Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Policy Director Nathan Hohnstein. “Iowa fuel retailers and biofuel producers have both been struggling under the weight of demand destruction from COVID-19. These grants will help retailers stay competitive by adding low-cost, home-grown biofuel blends and provide a demand boost for Iowa’s biofuels producers.”

These new grants are separate from Iowa’s existing biofuel infrastructure program, the Renewable Fuels Infrastructure Program (RFIP), and RFIP funds cannot be used on the same equipment or costs.

The program will provide up to $30,000 per approved project, and applicants may submit both ethanol and biodiesel-related applications for a single site for a maximum funding of $60,000 per site. Funds will be awarded to projects completed by December 30, 2020 or for purchasing equipment delivered by December 30, 2020 and installed at a later date. The retailer must commit to selling the qualifying biofuel blend for a minimum of 60 months. To provide flexibility, the 60-month commitment may begin anytime within 24 months of project completion.  Forty percent of the funds are being initially reserved specifically for Iowa’s smaller fuel retailers, those with ten fuel stations or less.

To apply for a grant or learn more about the new program visit: https://iowaagriculture.gov/grants

DES MOINES – Gov. Kim Reynolds announced today that she has allocated approximately $100 million of federal CARES Act relief funds for a range of agricultural programs to offset the impact of COVID-19 on farmers, producers and agricultural industries.

“Iowa is at the foundation of our global food supply chain and the epicenter of the renewable fuels industry,” said Gov. Reynolds. “COVID-19 and a devastating derecho dealt a major blow to everything from the demand for ethanol to the supply of meat on grocery store shelves. But just as important are the livelihoods of thousands of Iowa farm families, agricultural industries and the communities they support. Today’s investment reflects the critical role Iowa’s ag industry has in our state’s overall economic recovery.”

“Iowa exported more than $16 billion in manufactured goods and agricultural products to 199 countries last year alone,” said IEDA and Iowa Finance Authority Executive Director Debi Durham. “The critical assistance Gov. Reynolds announced today will support the continuation of Iowa’s long-standing legacy of agricultural excellence in our communities and throughout the world.”

“This has been a tough year for the agriculture community. I’m grateful that Gov. Reynolds has been a strong advocate for the farmers and agribusinesses in our state,” said Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig. “The programs funded by the CARES Act will help our farmers, renewable fuels retailers and producers, and small meat processors respond to market disruptions and continue on the road to recovery.”

The allocations are as follows:

• $60 million — Iowa Livestock Producer Relief Fund — Using the Iowa Economic Development Authority’s (IEDA) existing small business relief program infrastructure, this program will provide grants of up to $10,000 to eligible producers of pork, beef, chicken, turkeys, dairy, fish or sheep to serve as working capital to stabilize livestock producers. (Administered by IEDA)
• $15.5 million — State Biofuel Grant Program — Biofuels producers were excluded from receiving aid under other parts of the CARES Act; this program will provide relief to those Iowa ethanol and biodiesel producers based on gallons produced. Grants will also be awarded through IEDA’s existing small business relief program and are capped at a maximum grant of $750,000 per producer. (Administered by IEDA)
• $7 million — Renewable Fuel Retail Recovery Program — Announced previously, this funding supports a program that helps expand retail fueling infrastructure for higher blend renewable fuels, including E15 or higher & B11 or higher. (Administered by IDALS)
• $6 million — Iowa Beginning Farmer Debt Relief Fund— COVID-19 has negatively and disproportionately impacted a large number of beginning farmers in Iowa, creating the potential for longer-term generational damage to Iowa agriculture. This program will provide eligible beginning farmers with a long-term debt service payment of up to $10,000, to be paid directly to their lender. (Administered by IEDA)
• $2 million — Meat Processing Development and Expansion Program — Designed to aid small meat processors, this program is focused on expanding processing capacity across the state to meet protein demand. (Administered by IDALS)
• $500,000 — Farm Produce and Protein Program — This innovative program is designed to help specialty ag producers in Iowa as well as the schools that purchase them. In addition to supporting local growers of fruits and vegetables to expand their capacity, it provides grants to schools that buy produce and other local crops and protein sources. (Administered by IDALS)
• Up to $9 million — Iowa Disposal Assistance Program — The disruption to the meat supply chain due to COVID-19 forced producers to euthanize and dispose of livestock due to lack of market access. This program, announced initially in May, provided direct payments to producers to recoup those expenses. (Administered by IDALS)

Producers can apply for IEDA-administered programs at iowabusinessrecovery.com beginning on Aug. 31, 2020 and can apply for IDALS-administered programs at iowaagriculture.gov/grants beginning today, Aug. 24.

All of west central Iowa is currently under a moderate to extreme drought. The drought conditions are causing major concerns for both crop and livestock producers. To compound this situation the Derecho weather event has caused significant damage to crops and infrastructure across the area. To help address those concerns, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will be hosting a Virtual Ag Coffee Meeting on September 9^th at 9:00 am. This event will be a live webinar presentation and have 11 in person viewing locations across West Central Iowa.

The meeting will be split into two segments with Mike Witt, ISU Field Agronomist, discussing the agronomic impacts of the drought and the Derecho. Specific agronomic topics that will be discussed are: harvesting downed corn strategies and expectations, managing fields that are unharvestable, ideas for residue and fall cover crop, grain quality and grain storage issues. Tim Christensen, ISU Farm Management Specialist, will be discussing the financial impacts and strategies for fall 2020. Specific farm management topics to be discussed are: crop insurance conversations, new USDA/FSA programs, considerations for handling drought and low yield crops with markets and handling farm stress. The meetings will last approximately 90 minutes.

The Virtual Farmers coffee will be a meeting that features both in person and virtual discussions. If you do not have internet access or would like to attend the meeting in person rather than home there are seats available at the 11 county extension offices. The speakers will be live via Zoom and able to answer question during and after the presentation. Each county office will be limited in their seating due to Covid-19 restrictions. Pre registration is required to attend the meetings in person and is on a first come, first serve basis. Walk-ins will not be accepted unless confirmed by individual county offices the day of the meeting. At home or virtual viewing of the meeting can be done by registering at the website www.aep.iastate.edu/coffee. This registration will provide you with a personal link to the meeting.