(Radio Iowa) — A rising number of beginning farmers are seeking help with loans and other financial planning, according to a report from the Center for Rural Affairs. Wyatt Fraas, the center’s farm and community assistance director, says he advises most of those who are just starting out to apply for loans through the U-S-D-A’s Farm Service Agency.  “In the last few years, there’s been a great increase in the number of small and new farmers who’ve gotten into the business,” Fraas says. “The Farm Service Agency responded to that by offering what they call a ‘microloan’ up to $50,000. Before that, they were focused on the larger commodity operations.”

Those larger operations may’ve been working with sums from the hundreds of thousands into the millions of dollars. He says many of those beginning producers have been challenged lately by low commodity prices and the trade war. “If they’re looking strictly at commodity crops, it’s very difficult to make the cash flow work,” Fraas says. “The Farm Service Agency uses a running average for the prices that they’ll use in those cases, which in this situation works to the farmer’s advantage as far as qualifying for a loan.”

Fraas says it’s critical new producers create a blueprint for their operation that can be shared with the lender. “It’s helpful for beginners to work up a business plan, something that talks about where their business is going to go, how they’re going to run it and the cashflow parts of it,” Fraas says. “The lender may not want to see the entire business plan. They specifically want to see the finances.”

Fraas says any new farmer who’s looking for advice can contact the Center for Rural Affairs, based in Lyons, Nebraska.

(Radio Iowa) — The executive director of the Iowa Turkey Federation says Iowa growers are still feeling some hang-over effects from the 2015 Avian Influenza (AI) or bird flu outbreak that saw the loss of millions of birds. Gretta Irwin says turkey producers have been able to replenish their flocks, however the demand has been down. “That is partially just due to our lack of being able to sell some of our turkey products overseas. So whether is continues to be bans because of high path A-I from 201 — to markets just not opening up because when we had A-I they replaced turkey with other products — our industry is still trying to rebound from that and get back up on our feet.”

Iowa ranks eighth in the nation for turkey production, and fifth for turkey processing. Irwin says Iowa turkey products usually end up in fast-food deli chain stores, as opposed to the center of the table for Thanksgiving dinner. “The processing part of the industry in Iowa is really key to having a successful industry,” according to Irwin. “We have great facilities in Storm Lake Iowa and in West Liberty Iowa — and if you are stopping by a deli store like Jimmy John’s or Subway — you are enjoying an Iowa turkey.”

Irwin says the consumption of turkey has remained stagnant for the last few years. She says the turkey industry is looking at ways to build additional consumption beyond this signature turkey eating holiday. “The industry is really in need of some new product ideas and some new ways of serving turkey and sparking interest in the product again,” Irwin explains. “Yeah, it is something we work on 365 days in our industry, not just Thanksgiving, because it is a year-round protein.”

Iowa raises approximately 12 million turkeys each year.

(Radio Iowa) — Iowa’s largest manufacturing employer is releasing its fiscal year end financial report. Quad Cities-based John Deere is reporting a net income of 785-million dollars for the fourth quarter and two-point-three billion for the year. The quarterly earnings rose 54-percent from a year ago, while the fiscal year earnings are up almost 209-million dollars. Despite an ongoing slump in the ag sector due to still-low commodity prices and trade troubles, Deere says farm machinery sales in the Americas made solid gains. The company’s forecast for 2019 calls for net income of nearly $3.6 billion on sales gains of about 7-percent.

w/Kate Olson.

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OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A state audit says the Iowa Department of Natural Resources has been mismanaging a multimillion-dollar fund set up to help oversee Iowa livestock farms and their manure. The audit report issued Tuesday said the agency improperly transferred money from a fund meant to finance oversight of livestock farms. “We did not identify any unallowable expenses,” Auditor Mary Mosiman said. “It’s just the way they were transferring the money violated Iowa law.”

The $1.6 million in fees collected annually from livestock farms is required to be used only for the program to ensure compliance with manure management and barn construction laws. Under the law, the money cannot be used or appropriated for other purposes, and the DNR is barred from transferring money “from the compliance fund’s assessment account to another fund or account, including but not limited to the fund’s general account.”

So the audit doesn’t confirm the allegation that money was being diverted for other uses. The program’s former manager, Gene Tinker, said he believes the money was being misused, and he is appealing losing his job last year. “I’ve always had questions on how they managed this fund because they were very secretive,” said Tinker, whose appeal has been on hold while the audit was being done.

The DNR said the money from the fund was used to enforce the rules and regulations for large livestock farms. State Sen. David Johnson, the Legislature’s sole independent lawmaker and a dairy farmer, requested the audit. Johnson said he hopes the agency will change its practices, so taxpayers can easily see how the money is being spent.

“It’d be better if there was more transparency in how that money is being spent,” Johnson said. The auditor’s office also recommended that the DNR review the amount of the fee it charges livestock farms annually to ensure that it is collecting enough to enforce state regulations.

Iowa farmers had 23.6 million hogs and pigs on September 1, which was a new record and 4 percent higher than last year. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says the state’s chicken population includes 54 million hens, and more than 1 million cows are in Iowa feedlots.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa farmers are nearing the end of this year’s harvest of corn and soybeans. The U.S. Department of Agriculture reported Monday that 91 percent of the corn crop had been harvested by Sunday. That matches last year’s harvest but was three days behind the five-year average.

About 97 percent of the soybean crop had been harvested, which is just behind last year’s 98 percent and the five-year average of 99 percent. The harvest progress came despite wintry weather, including temperatures in eastern Iowa that were up to 12 degrees below normal. Some areas also saw rain and snow.

AMES, IA – Shelby County Extension Educator Mary Taggs was honored in October when she received the Iowa 4-H Distinguished Service Award. The award is presented to county staff members who have been in their positions between four and ten years and who have made a difference for the Iowa 4-H program.

The award ceremony was held October 30th in Ames, Iowa as a part of the annual YouthFest conference which brings together Iowa State University Extension and Outreach staff from all over the state to celebrate the work they are doing and participate in workshops and educational opportunities in the field of 4-H youth development.

“This event provides an opportunity for all of us to learn about significant impacts our
4-H staff are making in their local communities and to celebrate those accomplishments,” 4-H staff recognition committee chair Brenda Allen said.

Taggs was recognized in part for her work with the Maker Space program which helps 2nd -6th graders develop their problem-solving and cooperation skills.  Maker Space takes place on no school days in the Harlan school district.  Participants engage in challenges each day that encourage thought, design, creativity and a LOT of fun!  Taggs has been instrumental in acquiring grant funding to support the program.  The program began from a grant award from the STEM Scale-up Program sponsored by the Iowa Governor’s STEM Advisory Council.  The program continues due to the generous funding from Monogram Loves Kids.

“She encourages life-long learning as she provides youth opportunities to make their own decisions and be creative,” one nominator said.

To find out more about Taggs and the work she is doing for Iowa youth, contact the Shelby County ISU Extension and Outreach office by visiting the county webpage at www.extension.iastate.edu/shelby

The U-S Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa, reports an Adair County man was sentenced to three-years of supervised release for making a false statement in connection with federal crop insurance. A judge, Friday, also ordered 71-year old Carl Jeffrey Campbell, of Orient, to serve four months of home confinement, and pay a $5,000 fine, plus $100 to the Crime Victims’ Fund, and $32,440 to the United States Department of Agriculture (“USDA”) as restitution. Campbell was also ordered to serve 160 hours of community service.

Campbell pleaded guilty to the offense on July 6, 2018. In 2014, Campbell obtained crop insurance for two farms from an insurance company that was insured by the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation. The Federal Reinsured Crop Program is administered by the Risk Management Agency, which is an agency of the United States Department of Agriculture, and the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation, which is a wholly-owned government corporation. The Federal Crop Insurance Corporation reimburses insurance companies for the indemnity payments made to policyholders under the Federal Reinsured Crop Program.

Crop shifting occurs when a farmer underreports production in a field in order to reach the percentage of loss required to receive an indemnity from their crop insurance policy. Campbell “shifted” production from one farm to another by reporting that several thousand bushels of grain were harvested from one farm when he knew that those bushels were in fact harvested from the other farm. By reporting the bushels of grain from the incorrect farm, or shifting the production, Campbell received insurance indemnities to which he was not entitled. He also “hid” production by not reporting to the USDA or Federal Crop Insurance Corporation several thousand bushels of corn sold in his son’s name.

By failing to report the bushels of grain sold in his son’s name, authorities say Campbell received insurance indemnities to which he was not entitled. The matter was investigated by the United States Department of Agriculture Office of Inspector General. The case was prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Iowa.

NEVADA, Iowa (AP) — DuPont has agreed to repay Iowa $10.5 million in incentives it received.
The news of the settlement come a year after the company announced it was seeking a buyer for its 30-million gallon, $400 million cellulosic ethanol plant in central Iowa. The Des Moines Register reports that the settlement repays all but about $3.7 million it received in incentives in 2011 for the plant in Nevada, Iowa.

The plant made ethanol from corn cobs, stalks and other crop residue before closing the plant last year and laying off 90 workers. DuPont says it’s selling the plant to Verbio North America of Michigan, which plans to invest $35 million to make renewable natural gas from corn stover at the plant, a first for the state.

The Iowa Economic Development Authority board agreed Friday to provide $1.78 million in tax credits to Verbio, which plans to create 44 high-wage jobs.

The Cass County 4-H program hosted their annual 4-H County Convention awards program on Sunday, November 11 at the Cass County Community Center. The event, which recognized achievements from the 2017-2018 4-H year, was organized by the 4-H Youth Council and Youth Action Committee. At County Convention, members and leaders of thirteen 4-H clubs in Cass County were present on stage to receive recognition. Record book project awards were announced and recognition was given to members who did outstanding project work throughout the year. Local club leaders were recognized for their service to the 4-H program. Leaders receiving 5 year awards include: Dana McConnell, Jan Steffen, Tarah Anderson, Jeff Anderson, Eva Jensen, Windy Smith, Chris Schroder, Laura Freund and Christy Casey.

Special recognition was given to the Benton Franklin 4-H Club for their exceptional community service projects, and Bear Grove Blazers 4-H Club for their promotional activities during National 4-H Week. Many clubs were also recognized for herdsmanship at fair, clubs who contributed to the Endowment Fund, and club officers were also recognized for their excellent work. “This was a great event for 4-Hers to receive recognition for their accomplishments,” stated Shelby Van Horn, Cass County Youth Coordinator.

Every year Cass County 4-H gives out three special awards. This year’s distinguished service award went to Oathoudt Farm Supply. Receiving an Honorary Member award was Marcy Dorsey and receiving the 4-H Alumni award was Shane Smith. We appreciate what these supporters have done and will continue to do for the Cass County 4-H Program. “This year 21 Clover Kids who have completed 3rd Grade and moved into 4-H. A Clover Kids Graduation ceremony to recognize those members, and help them transition into the 4-H program. This is our second year of this event taking place and we are thrilled to have so many young members excited about 4-H!” said Van Horn.

The program ended with the installation of the 2018-2019 Cass County Youth Council. 4-Her’s serving on the council include: Claire Smith, Katie York, Eric Plagman, Mitchell Williamson, Nathan Behrends, Aly Brockob, Grace Clay, Craig Alan Becker, Carli Henderson, Emily Plagman, Haley Becker, and Jacob Rattenborg. Following the celebration, treats were provided for the parents, relatives, friends and 4-H supporters who attended this celebration and recognition event for Cass County 4-H members and leaders.