(Radio Iowa) – The annual roadside survey for small game animals starts this week as staff with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources drive routes across the state, looking for a variety of critters. Iowa D-N-R wildlife biologist Todd Bogenschutz says they’ll be seeking pheasants, quail, Hungarian partridge, jackrabbits and cottontails. Bogenshutz says he’s particularly optimistic about the pheasant population. “Last year, the counts were down a bit. We had a tougher winter and it was a wetter spring,” Bogenschutz says. “Coming into this year, we had a fairly mild winter which means we probably had fairly decent hen survival through the winter.”

Bogenschutz says the year ahead may be particularly promising for hunters, especially when compared to 2019. “Spring was cool but it was also one of the driest in almost ten years, that’s usually a good sign in talking about our nesting wildlife,” he says. “A lot of folks are excited about what we’re going to see in the count. Everybody’s expecting things to be up.” Bogenschutz says the work of the counters in the survey should not be impacted by COVID-19 as they’re staff members, not volunteers, and they’ll be driving their routes themselves. He anticipates a busy fall hunting season. “I know our fishing license sales are up and our spring turkey hunting license sales were up,” he says. “I think it’s just because of the COVID thing. A lot of people aren’t working so outdoor recreation is one of the ways they fill the void and maybe that’ll continue this fall.”

The results of the roadside survey will be released by early September. The count started in Iowa in the 1930s.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa chapter of the Sierra Club is calling for a climate adaptation plan and other policies to overhaul the state’s agricultural economy. The group calls for changes to make farming more environmentally sustainable while still being profitable. Chapter director Pam Mackey-Taylor says to create a climate adaptation plan, they want farmers, state officials, consumers and environmentalists to meet and address key questions.  “How do you sustain farm incomes in the future?” Mackey-Taylor says. “What kinds of things do we need to do to adapt? and how do we make sure that agriculture remains a part of our economy for the future?” Mackey-Taylor says the state could invest economic development dollars in small meat processors and in creating new markets so farmers can expand beyond the standard two-crop rotation.

The chapter is also backing the national organization in distancing itself from founder John Muir. In recent weeks, Muir’s ties to eugenics and white supremacy have prompted the nation’s oldest environmental organization to call for a reckoning with its founders and past attitudes. Mackey-Taylor says many people and groups are reconsidering their actions and language around race. Mackey-Taylor says, “It makes sense for Sierra Club to do that close look and to mend the hurts and the harms that we’ve done and to move forward after that.” Across the country, the environmental movement is confronting its lack of diversity as some of the few activists and staffers who are not white have quit or called for organizational overhauls.
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The Planned Parenthood affiliate that includes Iowa issued a statement last week denouncing what it called the “problematic positions” of the organization’s founder. The group said Margaret Sanger’s advocacy of racist ideas was wrong and repugnant.

(By Amy Mayer, Iowa Public Radio)

(Radio Iowa) – Officials are asking Iowans who’ve gotten a mysterious package from overseas to call the Iowa Department of Agriculture. The packages are coming from China and other countries and often indicate the contents are jewelry, but small packets of seeds are inside. Robin Pruisner is the seed control official at the Iowa Department of Agriculture.

“There are no labels, so we don’t know what the seed is,” Pruisner says. “…We don’t know if they have any potential to transmit any seed-borne diseases and, in some cases, it appears they’ve been treated with a pesticide. But again, it’s unlabeled and so treated with exactly what?” Pruisner says she and plant health officials in other states are waiting for U-S-D-A guidance on how to properly dispose of these seeds.

“Do not plant them. Don’t open them. Just kind of hang onto them, but do give us a call and let us know you have them so we can put you on our list,” Pruisner says, “and then once we have direction from USDA, we can make contact and pick up those seeds.” The goal is to ensure some plant disease, unwanted genetic trait or noxious weed doesn’t get introduced in the United States. Pruisner says she’s hearing from a lot of home gardeners as well as people who have never ordered seeds before who’ve gotten these packets. Investigators suspect this COULD be something called a “brushing” scheme.

“You have people who will gather just enough personal identification on you to develop an account for you on a website and then they will send something to you,” Pruisner says. “…With that fake account, they’ve got you down as a verified buyer.” The scammers then use your name on positive reviews posted online to tout the sale of other products.

Cass County Extension will host two meetings for local farmers the first week of August:

On Monday, August 3, at 5:30 PM there will be a FREE meeting on the Cass County Fair Grounds in response to local drought conditions. Meeting topics include crop growth and development under drought conditions, feeding drought damaged crops, including issues with drought silage, and other cattle management considerations, and crop insurance considerations. All topics will be presented by local Extension specialists. The meeting will last approximately 90 minutes, and producers are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs for seating, as the meeting will be held outdoors (under cover in case of rain).

On Thursday, August 6, a 6:30 PM, Cass County Extension will host the annual Farmland Leasing Arrangements meeting to address questions that landowners, tenants or other interested individuals have about leasing farmland. Core topics of the 2020 program will be land values and cash rent trends, cost of production, methods for determining a fair rental rate, the latest legal updates that impact farm leases and land ownership, and communication between tenants or landlords. Registration fee for the program is $20/participant or $30/couple, and includes a 100-page workbook with leasing resources. To allow for social distancing at the meeting location, pre-registrations are required by Tuesday August 4^th

Registration is now open for both meetings, and RSVP’s can be made by calling the Cass County Extension Office at 712-243-1132. Registration is requested two days in advance of each meeting to allow for planning.

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Additional information on the drought conditions meeting series can be found at: https://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/drought-meetings-be-offered-central-and-west-central-iowa

Additional information on the Farmland Leasing series can be found at https://www.extension.iastate.edu/agdm/info/meetings.html.

ISU Extension and Outreach is joining industry partners to offer a five-part webinar series on the maintenance issues faced by livestock facility managers and maintenance crews. The sessions are geared toward livestock producers, livestock building owners and contractors, facility managers, maintenance crew members, engineers, designers and others interested in swine building maintenance.

• Aug. 19 – It Is Your Concrete Pit as Well.
• Aug. 21 – Maintenance of Concrete Pits and What to Look For.
• Aug. 24 – Gable End Attic Air Intakes for Roof and Moisture Management.
• Aug. 26 – General Maintenance Tips for Swine Buildings.
• Aug. 28 – Building Truss Management.

Each session is offered from 1-2 p.m. CDT by Zoom videoconference. Sessions will discuss concrete pit maintenance and construction, truss management, roof and moisture management and other repair and maintenance issues that can help protect the building and extend its life. Participants also will learn about unique ways to allow clean air into the attic space and minimize pit-ventilated gases from entering the attic during periods of minimum ventilation during winter months, helping to reduce roof corrosion. Ways to maintain concrete slats including their repair, to help enhance their usable life, will also be discussed.

The series is offered in collaboration with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and sponsored by Ag Property Solutions, AgVICE, Hills Bank, Hog Slat, Iowa Pork Producers Association, Marcus Lumber and Pinnacle. Registration is $20 and includes all five sessions. Advance registration is required to participate and must be completed by midnight, Aug. 17. Payment is online with credit card only. Online registration and additional information is available at www.aep.iastate.edu/building. For questions, contact ANR Program Services at anr@iastate.edu, or contact your regional Iowa State University Extension and Outreach agricultural engineering field specialist.

• KJAN, Atlantic  .23″
• 7 miles NNE of Atlantic  .06″
• 5 miles SW of Atlantic, 1.21″
• Anita  .92″
• Massena  .59″
• Bridgewater  1.8″
• Audubon  .59″
• Bedford 1.51″
• NE of Creston, 2.35″; 2 miles SW of Creston, 1.8″
• Oakland  1.61″
• Villisca  .71″
• Corning  1.58″
• Greenfield, 1.2″
• Guthrie Center  .6″
• Manning  .08″
• Clarinda  1.26″
• Shenandoah  .25″

Cass County Wellness Coordinator Brigham Hoegh said Sunday, “As we enter late July, Grow Another Row is seeing more and more produce being shared across the county, and the program reminds all Cass County residents they are welcome to participate.”

Healthy Cass County logo

“Grow Another Row, Cass County!” is a Healthy Cass County campaign by a group of local growers to encourage residents to grow and share more food in 2020. You don’t have to share huge quantities to participate. Grow Another Row volunteer, Donna Reimers says “Some people share a lot, but others
just share a small bag or two.” Produce is available for anyone to take for free at a number of locations across the county. Grow Another Row volunteer LaVon Eblen says “Last weekend I invited some folks to take some produce, and they took a little extra to share with a neighbor—that’s great!”

Donated produce is also distributed through pantries including Atlantic Food Pantry, The Lord’s Cupboard (the Griswold food pantry), and Cass County COVID-19 Mobile Food For All. The Produce Drop-off Schedule (where you can share produce with others) is as follows Through September 2020:

• Anita: 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month: Anita Food Pantry 208 Chestnut St. (pre-bagged
  produce requested) contact: Tracey Lett (712)249-4996
• Atlantic:
  • Monday: Cass County Community Center, 805 W 10th St. 10 AM-12 PM back entrance.
    Contact: Brigham Hoegh (712)249-5870;
  • Tuesday: New Life Church, 600 Pine St. 8-10 AM
  • Thursday: Atlantic Food Pantry 19 W. 4th St. (pre-bagged produce requested) Contact:
    (712)243-1820
  • Saturday: American Legion Memorial Building, 201 Poplar St. 3-5 PM
• Cumberland: Monday-Thursday: Cumberland City Hall, 216 Main St., 8AM-4PM
• Griswold: contact: Donna Reimers (712)789-0236; The Lord’s Cupboard (Methodist Church) 100 Cass St. 10-11 AM
• Lewis: Friday: 3HO, 201 1st Lewis St. 10 AM- 3PM
• Marne: Every day Barb Fisher’s house (401 Washington St., Marne), 8AM-8PM
• Wiota: Wednesday: Bonnie William’s house (309 Allen St.), 8AM-Noon

Produce Pick-up Schedule (where you can find free produce, depending on availability):
Please only take what you need, and be sure to wash produce before eating.

• Atlantic:
  • Tuesday: New Life Church, 600 Pine St. 10:30 AM – 12:30 PM
  • Saturday: American Legion Memorial Building, 201 Poplar St. 5 – 7 PM
• Cumberland: Monday-Thursday: Cumberland City Hall, 216 Main St., 8AM – 4PM
• Griswold: contact: Donna Reimers (712)789-0236; Tuesdays: Methodist Church, 100 Cass St. 11 AM – 5:30 PM
• Lewis: Friday: 3HO, 201 1st Lewis St. 10 AM – 3 PM
• Marne: Every day Barb Fisher’s house (401 Washington St., Marne), 8 AM – 8 PM
• Wiota: Wednesday: Bonnie William’s house (309 Allen St.), Noon – 8 PM

For more information on the program and to register for the newsletter, visit
http://www.extension.iastate.edu/cass/content/grow-another-row-cass-county.

Results from the 2020 Cass County Fair in the following categories can all be found on-line here: Poutry Show;Goat Show-All Results-Dairy Goat;Sheep Show – Sheep Awards; Rabbit Show – All FFA-4H;Horse Show Awards;Pet Show; All Static Exhibits -State Fair Static. Some of the results include a video or slide show.

Check back on the Cass County ISU Extension website (linked above), for additional results as they become available.

Award/Participant/FFA Chapter/Parents/Trophy Sponor

CHAMPION FFA MEAT GOAT:

• Makenna Potter/Griswold FFA/Brent & Amy Potter/Anita Veterinary Clinic

Reserve Champion FFA Meat Goat:

Hannah Carlson/Atlantic FFA/Mike & Pat Carlson/R&B Feeds

CHAMPION FFA BREEDING DOE:

Natalye Scholl/CAM FFA/Chris & Jodi Scholl/FFA Association

Reserve Champion FFA Breeding Doe: Natalye Scholl – Atlantic Locker, Sponsor.

FFA GOAT SHOWMANSHIP

FFA DAIRY GOAT SHOWMANSHIP:

Taylor McCreedy/Atlantic FFA/Marty & Shelby McCreedy/Renew Ag Supply

MEAT GOAT SHOWMAN: Natalye Scholl

Runner-Up: Rio Johnson/Atlantic FFA/Melissa & Jim Johnson/G&S South Devons & Miller Club Lambs

CHAMPION FFA DAIRY GOAT: Taylor McCreedy; Sponsor – Berg Electric

Reserve Champion FFA Dairy Goat: Taylor McCreedy – FFA Assoc. Sponsor

CHAMPION 4-H MEAT GOAT:

Karly Byers/Griswold Clubsters/Derrick & Tiffany Byers & Chrissy Kirchner/In Memory of Kenny Evans

Reserve Champion 4-H Meat Goat: Natalye Scholl/Benton Franklin/Sponsor – Rod & Malena Sothman Family.

SUPREME CHAMPION 4-H BREEDING DOE: Natalye Scholl; Sponsor – Cass County Fairboard

Reserve Champion 4-H Breeding Doe: Natalye School/Benton Franklin/Sponsor – Cass County Fair Board.

CHAMPION SENIOR 4-H BREEDING DOE:

Taylor McCreedy/Cowpokes; Trophy Sponsor – Alan & Nettie Beattie Family

Reserve Champion Senior 4-H Breeding Doe: Jacob Rattenborg/Grove H.O.T/Stacie & Joel Hansen/Trophy Sponsor – Alan & Nettie Beattie Family.

CHAMPION YEARLING 4-H BREEDING DOE: Natalye Scholl/Benton Franklin/Sponsor- R&B Feeds.

Reserve Champion: Taylor McCreedy/CowPokes/Trophy sponsor – Cass Co. Fairboard

CHAMPION JUNIOR 4-H BREEDING DOE: Natalye Scholl/B-F/Cass Co. Fairboard

Reserve Champion: Ryleigh Harrison/Griswold Clubsters/Carrie & Matthew Harrison/Trophy Sponsor – Faith Lutheran Church of Griswold.

CHAMPION SENIOR 4-H MEAT GOAT SHOWMAN:

Taylor McCreedy/Cowpokes/Jerry & Kathee McCrory Family – Trophy Sponsor.

Runner-up: Jacob Rattenborg/Grove H.O.T/Stine Seed – Trophy Sponsor.

CHAMPION INTERMEDIATE 4-H MEAT GOAT SHOWMAN:

Ryleigh Harrison/Griswold Clubsters/Cass Co. Fairboard – Trophy Sponsor.

Runner-up: Brocker Henderson/Benton-Franklin/Petty Show Lambs – Trophy Sponsor.

CHAMPION JUNIOR 4-H MEAT GOAT SHOWMAN:

Caden Will/Benton Franklin/Amanda & Cody Will/Sponsor – Cumberland Telephone Co.

Runner-Up: Nollan Smith/Griswold Clubsters/Ryan & Windy Smith/Sponsor – STINE Seed.

OVERALL SUPREME CHAMPION MARKET GOAT:
Makenna Potter/Griswold FFA/Trophy Sponsor – Kim Tibken Graphic Design

OVERALL SUPREME CHAMP BREEDING DOE:

Natalye Scholl/Benton Franklin/ Natalye Scholl – Trophy Sponsor

OVERALL RESERVE SUP. CHAMPION BREEDING DOE: Natalye Scholl/ Sponsor  R&B Feeds.

FFA Awards:

• Grand Champion FFA Halter Horse: Taylor McCreedy, Atlantic FFA (Parents Marty & Shelby McCreedy)
• Reserve Grand Champion FFA Halter Horse: Colton Becker, Atlantic FFA (Parents John & Abby Becker)
• Grand Champion FFA Game Horse: Colton Becker
• Reserve Grand Champion FFA Game Horse: Taylor McCreedy
• Grand Champion FFA Western Pleasure: Taylor McCreedy
• Grand Champion FFA Western Pleasure: Colton Becker
• Champion FFA Horse Showman: Taylor McCreedy
• Champion FFA Horsemanship: Taylor McCreedy
• Reserve Champion FFA Horsemanship: Colton Becker

[Award Sponsors include: CAM FFA; Atlantic Rotary; Atlantic FFA Alumni; Blaine Service, LLC; Berg Electric; Stine Seed; Iowa State Troopers Association; FFA Association]

4-H Awards:

• Champion 4-H Pony: Colton Rudy, Cowpokes (Parents Chuck & Jill Rudy)
• Reserve Champion 4-H Pony: Callie Rudy, Cowpokes
• Champion 4-H Mare: Belle Wickman, Cowpokes (Parents Erich & Tammy Wickman)
• Reserve Champion 4-H Mare: Nollan Smith, Griswold Clubsters (Parents Ryan & Windy Smith)
• Champion 4-H Gelding: Taylor McCreedy (Parents Marty & Shelby McCreedy)
• Reserve Champion 4-H Gelding: Colton Becker, Benton-Franklin (Parents John & Abby Becker)
• Champion 4-H Junior Trail*: Lilly Barber, Cowpokes (Parents TJ & Jess Barber)
• Champion 4-H Intermediate Trail: Colton Rudy, Cowpokes
• Champion 4-H Senior Trail: Taylor McCreedy, Cowpokes
• Champion Senior 4-H Showman: Taylor McCreedy
• Runner-Up Senior 4-H Showman: Belle Wickman
• Champion Intermediate 4-H Showman: Colton Rudy
• Runner-up Intermediate 4-H Showman: Lilly Barber
• Champion Junior 4-H Showman**: Julienne Schutt, Griswold Clubsters. (Parents Derrick & Tiffany Byers, and Curt Schutt)
• Runner-Up Junior 4-H Showman: Drew Barber, Cowpokes (Parents TJ & Jess Barber)

[Award Sponsors include: Atlantic BPW; Mike & Jess Jacobsen; Cumberland Telephone Company; Hunt Brothers – Fred & Nick; Carspecken Family; Atlantic Dental Center; In Memory of Haley Jo Baker*; Dan Miller Family;Rawhiders Saddle Club; Sandbothe Firestone; Cass County Fairboard; Barber Quarter Horses; Jody Zellmer Memorial** and Tim & Corissa Dean]