(Radio Iowa-John Slegers) One of the biggest buyers of Iowa corn is planning to cut off most of its purchases in 2024, though diplomatic efforts are still underway that aim to bring about a change in policy. Fourth District Iowa Congressman Randy Feenstra says he recently met with our nation’s top trade ambassador to Mexico, and so far, there’s no movement on Mexico shifting its stance on plans to ban the majority of American corn.

Feenstra, a Republican from Hull, says the window of opportunity is slowly closing around engagement with Mexico.

Mexico is phasing out its use of G-M-O or genetically modified corn next year, though about 90-percent of all corn grown in the U-S is G-M-O corn. Feenstra says the looming ban, prompted by Mexico’s president, is in violation of the U-S-Canada-Mexico Free Trade Agreement.

Atlantic FFA members continued to have success on day 2 of the Iowa State Fair.

In the FFA Farm Crops Contest Atlantic FFA placed 9th as a team. Hayden Kleen placed 7th in field corn multi ear class and Lauren Comes placed 2nd in Sudan grass hay and 4th in grass hay.

In the FFA Photography Show at the Iowa State Fair Lily Johnson won 1 Blue & 2 Red Ribbons. Jacquie Freund won a 1 Red Ribbon, Abbi Richter won 2 Blue & 1 Red Ribbons and Maddie Ritcher won 1 Red Ribbon.

In the FFA Swine Show Grant Petty showed his Market Gilt placing 10th and earning a Blue Ribbon. Grant also showed his Market Barrow earning a Blue Ribbon.

In the final event of the day, Taylor McCreedy was selected as Runner Up in the Iowa State Fair Senior Cowgirl Queen Contest. This was a great way for Taylor to wrap up her week at the Iowa State Fair.

Atlantic FFA Advisor Eric Miller commented “I am so proud of all of the FFA members that participated this week. I would like to thank all of the parents, friends and family that helped with transportation, working with animals, and chores back home at the farm. Without everyone’s support, our FFA members would not have these opportunities.”

Next week Atlantic FFA members will participate in the Dairy Goat show to wrap up the Iowa State Fair. Several FFA members participated in the Parade of Champions on Saturday as well.

(Radio Iowa) – The winner of the Iowa State Fair’s Big Pumpkin contest is 200 pounds heavier than the pig that was crowned as the fair’s Big Boar. Kids, and adults, are lining up to snap photos with the big orange fruit that weighs over 12-hundred pounds. There were 20 entries in this year’s contest and they’re all on display outside the Agriculture Building on the state fairgrounds.

Rhonda Magnusson of Hartford is superintendent of Agriculture and Horticulture Crops at the Iowa State Fair. She says it’s not easy to produce a really huge pumpkin. Growers have to keep the varmints away — and keep the plants supplied with lots of water. “At some point they’ll grow about 40 pounds a day,” Magnussen says. It’s early in the pumpkin growing season and most competitions are held in the fall.

First place pumpkin in 2023 State Fair competition. (RI photo)

“If we had this in the first of October or something, we’d have like over 2000 pound pumpkins,” Magnussen says. The Iowa State Fair started its Big Pumpkin contest nearly 20 years ago and the winners don’t just get bragging rights. There’s an 18-hundred-50 dollar prize.

This year’s winner was grown by a team. Don Young and his son-in-law Tommy Rhodes of Des Moines have won the contest before.

(Radio Iowa) – For Iowans who enjoy growing fruits and veggies in their back yards, it’s almost time to put those home gardens to sleep for the season. Horticulturist Isaac Zaman says once the fall harvests are complete, consider planting some cover grass over your garden.

Any sort of rye or short-lived perennial grasses will do the trick, and he suggests you could also layer your garden with compost or leaf mulch and let it rest over the winter. Zaman says the traditional “three sisters” plantings of corn, beans and squash should be seeing good progress.

Canned Peach Jam (Radio Iowa photo)

Pick those beans now if you want green beans, Zaman says, or let them keep growing if you want harder beans to keep over the winter. At a loss for what to do with all those tasty veggies? Zaman says simple preparations can sometimes be the best ones.

The Iowa State University Extension has a wealth of information online about how to can vegetables, including recipes. Just search for “canning” at https://www.extension.iastate.edu/humansciences/preserve-taste-summer

(Washington, D-C) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) is beginning to issue cost-share assistance payments through the Emergency Grain Storage Facility Assistance Program (EGSFP) for approved and funded applications that have met the requirements for partial or final payment. FSA first announced $20 million for this program in March to help producers affected by eligible disaster events from Dec. 1, 2021, through Aug. 1, 2022, that damaged or destroyed large commercial grain elevators in eight Midwest states. Due to the high volume of program applications received, FSA has amended the original Notice of Funds Availability (NOFA) to increase the initial funding amount for EGSFP to $80 million in cost-share assistance.

The unprecedented outbreak of tornadoes and derechos impacted numerous counties in Kentucky, Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, South Dakota and Tennessee. Significant damage or destruction to local, commercial elevators left many grain producers with limited storage capacity for harvested commodities and with no or limited marketing options. This support is being made available under the Commodity Credit Corporation, which allows USDA to act quickly to help agricultural producers navigate significant and unpredictable challenges.

Even with the $80 million in support for EGSFP– quadruple the original funding allocation – this program will not be able to meet the needs of many producers who are still experiencing storage deficits due to these disaster events. For this reason, FSA has secured an additional $40 million in reallocated CCC funds to provide much-needed help to producers and is exploring options outside of EGSFP to do so. Details will be announced in the coming weeks.

To be eligible for EGSFP, producers must have both:
• Eligible grain production.
• Demonstrated a need for additional on-farm grain storage in an affected county impacted by an eligible disaster.

Approved EGSFP applicants who meet the requirements for payment will receive cost-share assistance for the construction of new or renovated grain storage capacity and equipment required to meet drying and handling needs to support the orderly marketing of commodities in counties affected by these disaster events. FSA will not be able to approve and fund all eligible applications that have already been received by FSA even with the increase in initial funding. Therefore, the original application deadline has been modified to Aug. 7, 2023. For additional information on eligibility and payments, please refer to the initial NOFA for EGSFP that was published in the Federal Register on March 16, 2023.

EGSFP Payment Calculation
For applications that have been approved and funded, FSA is using the producer’s self-certified cost of additional on-farm grain storage capacity or drying and handling equipment multiplied by the producer’s share of grain to determine the program payment amount. This amount is multiplied by the cost share rate of 75% or 90%. An eligible producer who certifies that they are socially disadvantaged, limited resource, beginning and veteran farmer or rancher by filing form CCC-860 Socially Disadvantaged, Limited Resource, Beginning and Veteran Farmer or Rancher Certification with FSA will receive the higher 90% cost share rate.

Assistance for Producers Not Funded Through EGSFP
Producers in the geographic impact area who applied for EGSFP and do not receive funding through EGSFP will be contacted by FSA. In the meantime, for producers who may be interested, FSA’s Farm Storage Facility Loan Program (FSFL) can provide low-interest financing for eligible producers who may not qualify for EGSFP but need on-farm storage capacity. FSA is also currently reviewing FSFL policies to determine whether certain flexibilities can be made, or waivers granted, to further reduce FSFL financial obligations for producers in need of immediate grain storage.

FSA will announce planned additional assistance in the coming weeks. To learn more about FSA programs, producers can contact their local USDA Service Center.

(Des Moines, Iowa)  – Atlantic FFA Advisor/Ag Instructor Eric Miller reports that on the first official day of the Iowa State Fair, Thursday, members of the Atlantic FFA Chapter continued to earn awards with their projects. The day began with Claire Schroder and her rabbits in the FFA Rabbit Show. In class 2 FFA Pin of Three Fryer Rabbits, Schroder placed 2nd earning a Purple Ribbon. She continued the show earning 3 Blue Ribbons along the way. Schroder said, “I think showing rabbits was a great way to experience my first year showing at the Iowa State Fair. Everyone is very helpful, and they know what they are doing. I encourage and support everyone to show rabbits at the state fair if they can!”

Claire Schroder

In the FFA Breeding Beef Show, three Atlantic FFA members participated. McKenna Sonntag placed 1st in her class, earning a Purple Ribbon and was in the running for Champion Simmental Beef. Brock Henderson also competed in the Simmental division earning a Blue Ribbon. Lola Comes also earned a Blue Ribbon in a very competitive Angus division. (Photos are courtesy Eric Miller)

Brock Henderson

Lola Comes

McKenna Sonntag

Finally to wrap up the day, Taylor McCreedy picked up right where she left off on Wednesday and continued her winning ways. McCreedy began the competition by placing 2nd in Western Riding, 4th in FFA Trail Class and was named Overall Halter Horse Champion. McCreedy, having won several divisions already, was also named Reserve Champion High Point Individual FFA Horseman.

Taylor McCreedy

In total points Taylor McCreedy and Colton Becker were named Reserve Champion FFA High Point Chapter. After the show McCreedy said, “The Iowa State Fair has always been my favorite place to show and to experience this type of success makes it even more special. FFA has provided me with some amazing experiences and I have made a lot of great friends through competition! I owe the FFA program a lot.”

Atlantic FFA members wrap up the week with the FFA Commercial Swine Show, FFA Photography and FFA Farm Crops results today (Friday). Next week several FFA members will also compete in the FFA Dairy Goat Show.

(Radio Iowa) – The new U-S Drought Monitor shows the areas of Iowa with extreme and severe drought dropped following recent rains. Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig says a lot of farmers are thankful for the rains. “You know, you’d still say, and then the drought monitor will still say, that we’re dry. And you know, 100 percent of the state of Iowa is in at least abnormally dry. And you’ve seen persistent drought in some places like along western Iowa, southeast Iowa, there’s a pocket. But once again, this year, we’ve seen timely rain,” Naig says.

He says the impact of the drought has not been totally washed away. “We’ve got some places in the state that certainly will, we’ll see some yield reduction because of that persistent dryness,” Naig says. “But as I’ve traveled the state, there’s a lot of places that look really good. So now’s when you need rain, you still need to finish this crop off. And it’s good to see a more active weather pattern.”

IA AG Sec Mike Naig (RI photo)

Naig was at the Iowa State Fair for its opening ceremonies Thursday. He touted the new “Choose Iowa” program. “This is something that the legislature funded this past year, it’s time for us as a state to have a branded program for Iowa-made, Iowa-raised, Iowa-grown products,” he says. “So you know, it’s everything from a farmer selling beef direct to a consumer or a vegetable producer who’s working with a restaurant working with a chef.”  Naig says consumers have been asking for and want to consider local when they are buying food.  “I see a lot of exciting opportunities here. And I think too, for small and beginning farmers, just more market opportunities for folks to sell. And again, consumers are going to win in this whole thing,” he says.

Food, beverages and other agricultural products that are grown, raised or made within Iowa and meet or exceed minimum criteria can carry the “Choose Iowa” logo.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa State Fair opened today (Thursday) with Governor Kim Reynolds and others cutting a ribbon near the entrance gate.

The Governor made some brief remarks welcoming everyone.

Fair Board chair Darwin Gaudian of Primghar says he is looking forward to some good weather.

His close “Best Days Ever”, is the theme of this year’s Iowa State Fair. The fair runs through August 20th.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Here’s a reminder from “The Station Where your friends are,” that the Nishna Valley Trails group is holding a Kids Bike Ride Saturday, August 12th, at Schildberg Recreation Area west parking lot, in Atlantic. Check-in, and the start of the ride at the west parking lot, will begin at 10:30-a.m.

Three age groups ride a length of the trail according to age. The event is FREE, and all ages welcome. After the ride check out Atlanticfest going on in the downtown area!

The Kids Bike Ride is co-sponsored by Atlantic Parks and Recreation, Cass County Conservation, Fareway, and West Side Diner, in Atlantic. For questions, call Cass County Naturalist Lora Kanning, at 712-769-2372.

(Des Moines, Iowa)  – Atlantic FFA Advisor/Ag Instructor Eric Miller reports even before the Iowa State Fair officially began, members of the Atlantic FFA Chapter were hard at work. On Wednesday (Aug. 9th), the Draft Horse Show kicked off with Colton Becker and his Percheron “Spring” began the day by winning Champion FFA Halter class. Next was FFA Showmanship where Becker also came out on top. Finally in the FFA Cart Class, Becker finished 1st and swept the FFA Draft Horse competition. (All photos are courtesy Eric Miller & Melissa Johnson)

When asked about his outstanding day Becker responded, “My experience at the Iowa State Fair was one to remember. Last time I competed in the FFA horse show it was during covid. During covid the state fair was completely different, this year it was nice to experience the normal. This year I competed in 3 different classes and did well in both. I am thankful for my advisor, family, and friends that all come together and help.”

In the FFA English Equitation Division, Taylor McCreedy had an outstanding day. McCreedy won Champion FFA Horse English Equitation. Taylor also placed first in English Walk/Trot and 3rd in English Pleasure. McCreedy will also compete in Western Classes and the CowGirl Queen contest as the Iowa State Fair continues this week. Becker and McCreedy will also represent Atlantic FFA in the Parade Of Champions on Saturday afternoon.

Colton Becker and “Spring”

Colton Becker and “Spring”

Poultry Group; Left to Right: Rio Johnson, Bethany Anderson, Lily Johnson, Conner Johnson, Walker Gary.

Poultry Group; Left to Right: Rio Johnson, Conner Johnson, Walker Gary, Bethany Anderson.

Taylor McCreedy

In the FFA Poultry Show, Atlantic FFA had an outstanding day winning Supreme Champion Large Chapter Herdsmanship and won the Supreme Champion FFA Poultry Award. FFA members Bethany Anderson, Rio Johnson, Conner Johnson, Lily Johnson and Walker Gary brought a total of 44 birds for the show today. Bethany received 3 Blues & 2 Purples, & was named Champion Modern Game Bantam & Champion Old English Game Bantam. She also received 3rd place Showmanship. After the show Anderson said “The other exhibitors and staff were very nice and helpful. The show was lots of fun and was a great experience, seeing many breeds and varieties of poultry was very educational.”

Rio received 10 Blues on her Individual Breeding Class poultry entries, with 1 of her birds placing first in its class. Johnson also said, “Not only did I get to help and teach others about my poultry, but I also got to learn from other exhibitors too. It was really cool seeing how much hard work everyone puts in for the poultry project.” Conner received 7 Blues & 2 Reds on his Individual Breeding Class poultry entries, with 2 of his birds placing 1st in their class. Lily received 8 Blues & 2 Reds on her Individual Breeding Class poultry entries, with 1 of her birds placing 1st in its class. Walker received 6 Blues & 2 Reds on his Individual Breeding Class poultry entries, with 1 one of his birds placing 1st in their class.

Atlantic FFA would like to give a special shout out to Melissa Johnson for all of her help! Atlantic FFA Advisor Eric Miller said, “it was an outstanding way to start the Iowa State Fair.” Later this week Atlantic FFA members will have 3 individuals with Breeding Cattle, 2 FFA Pigs, 1 individual showing Rabbits, 4 members showing photography and FFA Farm Crops. To finish out the fair 2 individuals will also show FFA Dairy Goats.