Cass County Extension is hosting an informational meeting on farmland leasing topics on Wednesday evening, August 7th. The meeting is first in a series of nine across Southwest Iowa, offered by new ISU Extension Farm Management Specialist Patrick Hatting. Landowners and tenants can improve their knowledge of current leasing issues during the annual farmland leasing meetings, being held statewide beginning in late July. More than 80 meetings will be held, led by farm management specialists with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Each meeting will take the form of a three-hour workshop designed to assist landowners, tenants and other agribusiness professionals with current issues related to farmland ownership, management and leasing arrangements.

The meeting in Cass County will be held at the Cass County Community Center in Atlantic beginning at 6:30 PM on August 7th. Registration Fee for the meeting is $20/person, or $30 per couple if sharing a leasing resource book. Topics will include trends in land values and rental rates, conservation issues, farm bill topics, and a look at the year ahead. Participants will receive a 100-page workbook with resources such as surveys, example lease agreements and termination forms, and a multitude of other publications that will help answer common questions, and possibly spark new ideas. Pre-registration is required by Monday August 5th to ensure you will get a booklet. You can call the Cass County Extension Office at 712-243-1132 or stop in to get registered.

Melissa O’Rourke, farm management specialist in Northern Iowa with ISU Extension and Outreach says “We’ve seen an increasing need for farmland owners and producer-tenants to have more conversation about the cost of crop inputs as well as reasonable expectations on profit margins. ISU Extension has good resources to help people consider how input costs can be considered in setting cash lease rates, and the workshops will show how those can be used.” According to O’Rourke, the volatility of commodity markets has led to increased inquiries regarding both fixed and flexible cash lease methodologies.

One of the challenges that Iowa landowners and tenants continue to face is the knowledge gap that can exist with modern production agriculture. “We have more aging landowners, and landowners who have never farmed themselves – many of these have inherited land from farming parents,” O’Rourke said. “Together with the producers, we try to educate the parties to understand factors to be taken into account on setting rent and farmland management consideration.”

A listing of all ISU Extension offices hosting meetings statewide is available online, with additional information available through the Ag Decision Maker website at www.extension.iastate.edu/agdm/info/meetings.html. The Ag Decision Maker leasing section also provides useful materials for negotiating leases, information on various types of leases, lease forms and newly updated Decision Tools. For more information about the workshop, or to register, visit www.extension.iastate.edu/cass, stop by the Cass County Extension Office, or call (712) 243-1132.

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Midwest wildlife officials gathered Wednesday to discuss how they might better combat chronic wasting disease, which has been spreading among the region’s deer herds. Among those at the two-day conference in Madison were wildlife officials from Kansas, Kentucky, Indiana, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, Minnesota, North and South Dakota, Wisconsin and two Native American tribes — the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa and the Forest County Potawatomi.

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources Secretary Preston Cole kicked off the meeting by imploring the attendees to collaborate with one another. “We’ve all been working trying to stop it on our own. That has to change,” Cole said. “It is our region that is at stake. We have a great opportunity to show the public at large that we are on it.” He told reporters that the conference is “unprecedented” and that states need to make sure they’re not spending money on the same research.

The agenda calls for group discussions on the state of research on the disease, the creation of a common platform for interstate communication on it and the best management practices.
State conservation officials from Missouri, Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin were slated to make presentations today (Wednesday). The group is expected to conclude the conference on Thursday by making recommendations on how to improve regional management of the disease, which attacks the brains of deer and causes the animals to grow thin, act abnormally and eventually die. The disease threatens the deer hunting industry throughout the Midwest.

The disease had been found in at least 24 states in the continental U.S. as well as two Canadian provinces as of early June, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. It’s also been reported in reindeer and moose in Norway, Finland and Sweden. The disease was first detected in Wisconsin in 2002. Infections have since been detected in 35 of the state’s 72 counties.

Iowa State University Research and Demonstration Farms (ISU Armstrong Research Farm) along with the Wallace Foundation for Rural Research and Development,  invite you to attend their annual Demonstration Garden Field Day. The event will be held 6:30-p.m. Thursday, July 25th. If you are a beginning gardener or an experienced gardener, there are demonstrations you will enjoy. This year gardeners will have the opportunity to learn about growing cut flowers, sweet corn and tomatoes. The presentations will cover three main themes: home grown bouquets, augmented sweet corn and a showcase of different types of tomatoes.

The garden at the ISU Research Farm has 9 different varieties of tomatoes, 6 varieties of sweet corn and 13 types of bouquet cutting flowers. The garden also includes miscellaneous vegetables for you to see and enjoy. This year there were some weather-related challenges with gardens planted this spring, but officials feel they are going to be right on track for the Field Day at the Learning Center.

The garden is located on the Armstrong Research Farm, owned by the Wallace Foundation for Rural Research and Development and operated by Iowa State University. ISU staff and local garden experts will be present to describe the research and demonstration plots. After your trip through the gardens, relax in air conditioned classrooms, for a tradition of ice cream and strawberries. The facilities are handicap accessible.

Iowa State requests that any visitors who have recently traveled outside the United States have had at least a five-day waiting period prior to visiting the facility, due to the livestock that is housed and feed there on a daily basis. The Armstrong Research Farm is located 12 miles southwest of Atlantic on Highway 6, half a mile south on 525th Street, and a half mile east on Hitchcock Avenue, or 13 miles east of Oakland on Highway 6, half a mile south on 525th Street, and half a mile east on Hitchcock Avenue. The field day is open to the public at no cost.

The Cass County Conservation Board is holding “Stand Up Paddleboard” (SUP) Demonstration this weekend. The public demonstration will be held on Saturday, July 27th, at 9-a.m.  and again at 10:30-a.m., at the Cold Springs Park- Beach. There is no charge to attend.  SUP is the fastest growing sport in the paddling community not only across the country, but especially right here in land-locked areas like Iowa. It’s fun, healthy as a total body work-out and offers a unique perspective when it comes to being on the water.

After a quick demonstration, you can try out the boards for yourself. If you do not bring a life jacket one will be provided to you. Children must be 16 years or older. Paddler must weigh LESS than 250 LBS. The Stand Up Paddleboard programs will be on the last Saturday of every month (7/27, 8/31, and 9/7), Ending after Labor Day Weekend on Saturday September 7th. You MUST CALL 712-769-2372, to reserve your spot.  The program will be cancelled if there is unsafe weather conditions on the Lake.

(Radio Iowa) — An explosion rocked a northwest Iowa feed mill Tuesday afternoon.
No one was injured in the explosion at Deluxe Feeds in Sheldon, but the facility was damaged. According to a statement from Muscatine-based Kent Feeds — which owns the feed mill — “the cause of the explosion is under investigation.”

The facility produces livestock feed that’s shipped to swine, beef and dairy producers in Iowa and three other states. A 37-million dollar expansion of the plant began in 2017 and has not been completed.

Officials with the Adair & Cass County Farm Bureau report the Cass County Fairgrounds has a fun, new structure to bring enjoyment to youth who visit the fairgrounds, courtesy of Cass County Farm Bureau. The new Farm Playhouse was built and donated to the Cass County Fairgrounds to commemorate the centennial birthday of Cass County Farm Bureau.

The CCFB Board of Directors will host a dedication and official ribbon cutting of the structure on Sunday, July 28th, following their Member Appreciation event at 6:30-p.m.  All community members, families, and fair supporters are welcome to join the CCFB at the at the new Farm Playhouse, located south of the outdoor Show Ring, for the ribbon cutting event.

Officials with the Cass County Extension Office in Atlantic report (as of 12:20-p.m.) their phones are currently out of order. Extension Director Kate Olson says “We are hoping to get it up and running by the end of the day today (Tuesday July 23). Anyone needing to reach the office is encouraged to email or stop by, as we cannot currently receive phone calls or access our messages.”

DES MOINES, Iowa (July 22, 2019) – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today commented on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. The report is released weekly from April through November.

“After several days of sweltering heat and limited precipitation, the crops got the rain they needed last weekend,” said Secretary Naig. “Farmers are very grateful for the mild temperatures forecasted over the next several days.”

The weekly report is also available on the USDA’s site at nass.usda.gov/ia.

Crop Report

Iowa farmers had 5.0 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending July 21, 2019, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistic Service. There were some reports of crops lying flat and green snap in corn due to high winds produced from various storms throughout the state. Fieldwork activities included spraying and harvesting hay and oats.

Topsoil moisture condition was rated 2 percent very short, 14 percent short, 78 percent adequate and 6 percent surplus. Districts in the southern third of Iowa and the east central district reported topsoil moisture conditions as over 25 percent short to very short. Subsoil moisture condition was rated 1 percent very short, 9 percent short, 81 percent adequate and 9 percent surplus.

Forty-one percent of the corn crop has begun to silk, 12 days behind last year and 1 week behind the 5-year average. One percent of the crop reached the dough stage, 5 days behind last year and average. Corn condition rated 63 percent good to excellent. Forty-seven percent of the soybean crop has started to bloom, 13 days behind last year and 9 days behind average. Four percent of the crop has started setting pods, nearly 2 weeks behind average. Soybean condition rated 64 percent good to excellent.

Seventy-eight percent of oats started coloring, 4 days behind last year and 5 days behind average. Twelve percent of the oat crop has been harvested for grain, 9 days behind last year and average. Oat condition declined slightly from the previous week to 61 percent good to excellent. The second cutting of alfalfa hay reached 56 percent, 11 days behind last year and 8 days behind average. Hay condition rated 61 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition declined for the third straight week with 61 percent good to excellent. High temperatures this past week caused some stress to livestock.

Weather Summary

Provided by Justin Glisan, Ph.D., State Climatologist, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

Thunderstorm activity was present across Iowa on nearly every day of the reporting period with much of the state reporting above average rainfall. A large dome of high pressure over the Midwest also brought very hot conditions, including triple digit heat indices Wednesday through Friday. The statewide average temperature was 79.6 degrees, 4.5 degrees above normal. Iowa experienced spotty showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening on Sunday (14th) with Dubuque Lock and Dam (Dubuque County) reporting 0.53 inch of rain. High temperatures were in the upper 80s and lower 90s with the average high at 90 degrees, five degrees above normal.

Light rain showers formed across northern Iowa into Monday (15th) morning with only a handful of stations reporting measurable totals. Tuesday (16th) was a sunny and breezy day with winds out of the south. High temperatures were in the mid to upper 80s, one to two degrees above average. Moisture from the remains of Tropical Storm Barry helped thunderstorms form across Iowa’s northern half around midnight. The storms consolidated into a well-organized squall line that propagated from northwestern Iowa to the southeastern corner during the daytime hours on Wednesday (17th). There were several reports of severe straight-line winds across nine counties in northwest and southeast Iowa; Harlan (Shelby County) and Mediapolis (Des Moines County) observed 70 mph wind gusts.

A line of storms re-fired around midnight and extended into central Iowa early Thursday (18th) morning. Much of Iowa received measurable rainfall over the 24-hour period ending at 7 a.m. with multiple locations experiencing torrential downpours from stronger storms, especially across northern and south-central Iowa. Osage (Mitchell County) reported 2.60 inches while Rathbun Dam (Appanoose County) observed 1.98 inches. Statewide average precipitation was 0.70 inch, 0.54 inch above average. Temperatures varied from cooler than average in locations along the path of the squall to above average in southern and eastern Iowa.

As Thursday progressed, the band of thunderstorms gradually dissipated. In the absence of cloud cover and rainfall, highs were able to reach into the 90s, creating uncomfortable conditions. Overnight lows remained in the 70s across the state with pockets of low 80s in southwestern Iowa. The average minimum statewide temperature was 74 degrees, 11 degrees above average.

Friday (19th) was sweltering across Iowa as highs climbed into the lower 90s north and middle 90s south. Dew point temperatures were also in the upper 70s and lower 80s. The combination of heat and humidity boosted heat indices into triple digits under clear skies; Le Mars Municipal Airport (Plymouth County) reported 120 degrees while Keokuk Municipal Airport (Lee County) observed 110 degrees. The statewide average temperature was 92 degrees, eight degrees above average. Overnight lows mirrored what was experienced Thursday night.

Saturday (20th) was an active weather day with severe straight-line winds reported across 29 counties as a system of strong thunderstorms moved through Iowa. A majority of the state reported measurable rainfall, ranging from 0.10 inch in Dubuque (Dubuque County) to 1.95 inches in Knoxville (Marion County).

Light rain continued into Sunday (21st) morning in southern Iowa as a cold front moved through the state, bringing much cooler conditions. Weekly rainfall totals ranged from 0.11 inch at Fulton (Jackson County) and Le Claire Lock and Dam (Scott County) to 4.91 inches at Estherville Municipal Airport (Emmet County). The statewide weekly average precipitation was 1.51 inches while the normal is 1.01 inches. The week’s high temperature of 99 degrees was reported on the 19th in Little Sioux (Harrison County), 13 degrees above average. Sibley (Osceola County) reported the week’s low temperature of 56 degrees on the 21st, four degrees below average. A maximum overnight low of 81 degrees was reported on the 19th at airports in Davenport (Scott County) and Ottumwa (Wapello County); these readings were 16 and 18 degrees above average, respectively.

Rural growers can get a head start on knowing what’s in their water, before regulations take effect

AMES, Iowa – Produce growers who want to get their water tested can do so for free, thanks to an effort by the Produce Safety Team at Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, which is providing five drop-off dates and locations across the state.

Local producers are reminded that the final drop off date scheduled in Southwest Iowa is Tuesday July 23, from 4-6 p.m. at the Orscheln Farm & Home parking lot, 1200 E. 7th St. in Atlantic. Testing kits can be picked up at the Cass County Extension office, 805 West 10th Street in Atlantic, from 8 AM to 4:30 PM. Other drop off sites for the state are listed below.

Some producers are required to have their water tested, depending on the size of operation and the source of water, in order to comply with the federal Food Safety Modernization Act. Others may wish to test their water to be precautious, in case there are any issues.

Since testing is limited in rural areas, Iowa State Extension and Outreach is sending test cups to county extension offices and farmers markets across the state. Producers should use one cup per water source, and can submit multiple cups if they have multiple water sources.

Producers must follow all collection directions, being sure to mark the time on each sterile cup, and delivering the cup to the drop-off location within three hours.

Members of the On-Farm Produce Safety Team will receive the samples at the drop-off locations and return them to the ISU lab in Ames. Testing and results will be completed in about a week’s time.

“This is important for rural growers because water testing is going to be required by the FSMA, and there are very few labs in the state that are performing the required test,” said Dan Fillius, food safety educator with ISU Extension and Outreach.

Fillius said FDA has pushed back the compliance dates to 2022 and beyond, depending on the size and classification of each producer. However, he said testing makes sense now, so growers can be prepared and take appropriate actions to improve their water quality, if necessary.

Growers who use public and municipal water do not need to do this test. Growers do not need to belong to a farmer’s market to drop off samples, and growers from any county are welcome to use the service. The three-hour delivery of collected samples is critical.

Drop-off location: Atlantic: June 25 and July 23, 4-6 p.m., 1200 E. 7th St., Orscheln Farm & Home parking lot

For more information, visit the On-Farm Produce Safety Team online, or call 515-294-6773.

The 2019 edition of the Cass County Fair begins later this week, in Atlantic. Activities start Wednesday, with 4-H Static Exhibit Judging (9-a.m. – 2:30-p.m.), and the Clover Kids Showcase (9-a.m. until Noon). The food sale at the Cass Community Center starts at 10-a.m., Wednesday.  Preparation work begins at 6-p.m.

The full-event and activities begin in earnest Thursday morning, and includes the Swine Weigh-In from 7:30-to 9:30, Rabbit Check-in from 8-to 9:30-a.m., Poultry Check-in 10-a.m. to 11-a.m. At 10:30-a.m., the Meat Goat and Dairy animals will be checked-in. The rest of Thursday’s schedule is as follows:

• Sheep Weigh-in: 3-p.m. to 4:30-p.m.
• Horse Check-in: 4:30-p.m. to 5:30-p.m.
• 4-H Exhibits open at 5-p.m.

At 7-p.m., there’s the Little Miss and Little Mister Contest, followed at 7:30-p.m. by the King and Queen Contest, and Senior Recognition at 8-p.m. Entertainment for the night is an outdoor movie slated for 8:45-p.m.  During the day also, there is Chain Saw Artistry, with multiple shows per day, with  times to be determined (TBD), Midway Carnival rides and entertainment (Times TBD). The carnival opens at noon each day, and punch cards are available: $20 for 24 punches, or $1/punch if purchased individually. Games/attractions cost anywhere from 1-5 punches.

Iowa-based Gotcha Games will provide some fun entertainment, including: A gyroscope, mechanical bull, Laser Tag, and a 24-foot “rock” climbing wall. Other upcoming attractions at the 2019 Cass County Fair include:

• Mutton busting (6:30-p.m., Friday) and the Bull Ride (8-p.m., Friday)
• Youth Water fights (4-p.m. Saturday), and the Tractor Pull (6-p.m. Saturday)
• The All-American Lumberjack Show (7-p.m., Sunday)
• The Parade of Champions (5:45-p.m., Monday), and Grand Champion Beef Selection (6:30-p.m., Monday)

The Fair concludes Tuesday (July 30th) with the Livestock Sale at 8-a.m. For a full Fair Schedule, click here: https://www.extension.iastate.edu/cass/sites/www.extension.iastate.edu/files/cass/2019%20Fair%20Schedule.pdf