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CLICK HERE for the latest market quotes from the Iowa Agribusiness Network!
CLICK HERE for the latest market quotes from the Brownfield Ag News Network!
(Radio Iowa) – Iowa is back in the “Drought Watch” category on the system put together last year to keep tabs on the situation. D-N-R Hydrology coordinator, Tim Hall, works with other state agencies in assessing the issue. “We take a number of factors and look at them together. And we we decide whether a region of the state is normal, drought watch, drought warning, or drought emergency,” Hall says. He says the drought watch is similar to a thunderstorm or tornado watch.
“Which is really just a call for people to be very careful and pay attention. Because things are looking on the dry side,” he says, “and right now they’re getting a little bit worse all the time. So we’re just trying to keep an eye out and work with folks to make sure everybody has the information they need.” Hall says the state is also seeing the start of what could be a “flash drought,” or rapid increase in drought conditions in some areas. “Particularly in the eastern part of the state where things just got really dry really fast. We saw the U-S Drought Monitor pop up with severe drought in in parts of northeast Iowa and southeast Iowa. So you know, we were kind of on the mend there for a while and then March and particularly April and May have just turned dry on us and they have not done us any favors,” Hall says.
He says there are some indications the conditions might change and bring more rain, and June is normally the wettest month in the state. Hall says until we see more rain, everyone should do what they can to stop water waste by fixing any leaky fixtures. “Which is which is about as pure and simple wasting water as you can get. If you’re just dribbling it down the drain, you’re using resources to pump the water, to treat the water to get it to your house. And if you’re just letting it go down the drain, that’s an absolute waste of resources,” Hall says. “So figure out how to get those leaking faucets fixed and leaking toilets fixed.”
Hall says the situation may soon call for other measures as well. “Unfortunately, it looks like we’re getting into a situation where we’re going to have to start to remind people that water conservation is a necessary thing,” he says. “And we’re going to have to try to work on that a little bit in the state as we get through these dry, these dry weeks here.”
Hall says the best case scenario would be for normal June rainfall to return and turn the drought conditions around. But he says we have to be prepared if that does not happen.
(Ames, Iowa) – June is here, and summer is well underway! Iowa’s future beef farmers are getting their beef projects ready for the county fair, kids are hanging out at the pool, and the smell of beef on the grill wafts through the air. As a parent trying to survive summer vacation, you may be looking for new and exciting things to keep your child entertained. Look no further and break out the crayons and colored pencils because the Iowa Beef Industry Council is having a coloring contest!
Participation is hassle-free. Download the coloring page found on the IBC website and let the creativity flow. After your child has colored the beef grilling sheet to the best of their ability, upload a high-quality photo of their work in the form provided. Participants will be divided into four categories: 2-3, 4-5, 6-7, and 8-9 years of age. The winning picture from each category will receive a $25 beef certificate and an age-appropriate summer grilling swag item.
Entries must be submitted by June 29, 2023 at 5 PM CST. 
(Radio Iowa) – There are now just two Iowa counties without an emerald ash borer infestation. The Iowa Department of Agriculture says the wood-boring beetle has been confirmed for the first time in Plymouth County after a tree service found evidence of the bug in an ash tree in Remsen. Plymouth is the 97th Iowa County to have a confirmed infestation, and that leaves just Emmet and Palo Alto County without the invasive beetle. E-A-B was first discovered in Iowa in Allamakee County in 2010. 
The Ag Department says trees typically die within two to four years after becoming infested.
(Iowa DNR News) – If you are ready to explore Iowa’s happy trails and hidden gems, you should download the State Park Passport for a chance to win prizes as you visit parks and forests across Iowa! It’s free to sign up — the more parks you visit, the more chances for prizes! Please note: If you signed up in 2022, last year’s passport has expired. You must sign up again for the 2023 State Park Passport to participate.
From now through Oct. 31, State Park Passport holders can earn points by checking into more than 60 state parks and forests. Get started by signing up and downloading the passport onto your mobile device. Along with checking into parks through the passport, visitors can then discover “Hidden Gems” as they explore. Each park and forest on the passport includes a description of a “Hidden Gem” feature, such as a historical marker, scenic overlook, special trail and more.
New this year — earn and “bank” points that can be redeemed for various prizes. Each park has a different point value (either 100, 200 or 300 points), with remote parks earning higher points. Additionally, every 300 points earns a chance at a sweepstakes prize package.
Prizes for the 2023 State Park Passport:
500 points – any passholder redeeming at this level gets $5 off an overnight camping stay
1,000 points – first 500 passholders to redeem at this level get a weather-proof sticker
2,500 points – first 300 passholders to redeem at this level get a ceramic coffee mug!
Once points are redeemed, your passholder points reset to zero. So, cash-in early, or bank points for higher level prizes. Additionally, for every 300 points earned, passholders are automatically entered into a drawing to win a paddling package (kayak, paddle, life jacket and dry bag) or a three-night stay at a cabin at Lake Darling State Park. There is no limit to the number of entries!
Prizes were donated by sponsorship partners Bass Pro Shops and the Iowa Hunter Education Association. 
Post a selfie at the hidden gem with the hashtag #IowaStateParks on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter and the DNR will randomly select one photo to win an outdoor cooking package!
DES MOINES— Iowa DNR officials are asking for the public’s help in determining the cause of a fish kill yesterday (Thursday), along Squaw Creek in the Franklin County town of Hampton.
Thursday afternoon, a local angler reported dead fish in Squaw Creek in East Park in Hampton. The DNR investigated and found that the fish kill extended approximately 1.5 miles upstream through the town of Hampton.
No definitive source of the kill has been identified at this time, though the DNR is continuing to investigate. Any information or tips from the public with knowledge of a possible cause are requested to contact the DNR’s environmental field office in Mason City at 641-424-4073
(Atlantic, Iowa) – A reminder from The Station Where Your Friends Are: An event taking place this Saturday, June 3rd, “Truckin’ on the Trails,” will showcase various cycling opportunities and trails fun in Cass County. All Truckin’ on the Trails activities will take place at the Schildberg Recreation Area West Rotary Shelter (102 Buck Creek Rd. Atlantic, IA 50022).
At 10:30 AM, the event will kick off with the “Nishna Valley Trails Gravel Sampler” ride led by Jon Jordan. This ten-mile ride will visit both trails and gravel. Gravel riding has become
increasingly popular in the last few years, and those interested in learning about this sport are encouraged to attend. Prior to the ride, Jordan will give a primer on gravel skills vs. road skills.
Any “non-skinny” tire bikes will work for this ride. Participants will ride from Schildberg Rotary Shelter (West parking lot) to South T-Bone Trailhead (63395 Dunbar Rd. Atlantic) and back.
Then from 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM, Truckin’ on the Trails is hosting food trucks and live music at the Schildberg Rotary Shelter. Master Griller Catering, Atlantic Kiwanis, and Louie’s Shaved Ice will be selling food, and Sarah Selders will be singing live. Cass County Conservation and Nishna Valley Trails, a tax-emempt local nonprofit that promotes the development of recreational trails and cycling, will be sharing information on their organizations, and Bike Farm will be offering minor bike maintenance and door prizes. 
At 1:00 PM a 1.5-mile kids ride will take off from the West Rotary Shelter. This ride will be a loop that will end back with the food trucks and music.
Whether cycling or walking, pushing strollers, or riding trikes, all people are welcome at Truckin’ on the Trails. Truckin’ on the Trails is just one of many events taking place across the nation on National Trails Day, the first Saturday in June. National Trails Day is an annual event hosted by the American Hiking Society that encourages support of the nation’s public trails. Trails have positive impacts on mental and physical health, and National Trails Day is a day of public events that invites thousands of trail users to participate.
A Cass County trails map can be found online at:
https://www.atlanticiowa.com/experience/cass-county-trails-map-2/. Hard copies of the map will be available at the event and are always available at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce.
(Ames, Iowa) – The latest Iowa Drought Monitor (Released Thursday, June 1) indicated a continued trend toward dryness across the State. Only the north-central & northeast counties are free of drought conditions.The report is released every Thursday, and does not take into account rain received since the report was issued. Atlantic finally received some decent rain Thursday, at slightly more than nine-tenths of an inch. The last time we received over nine-tenths of an inch, was May 5th (.94″). The National Weather Service says a high-pressure system parked over the Great Lakes continues to block any organized weather system from entering the state.
White-No drought; Yellow-Abnormally dry; Tan-Moderate drought; Orange-Severe drought; Red-extreme drought; dark red-Exceptional drought.
Drought areas are categorized from D-O (no drought) to D-4 (Exceptional Drought). The Drought Monitor shows drought conditions continued expanding across the region, from D-O to D-1 (Abnormally Dry) in parts of Illinois, Iowa and Missouri. D-2 soil/drought conditions expanded in Iowa and Missouri, while D-3 (Extreme Drought) conditions grew in Missouri. As of May 28th, USDA data revealed more than half of the topsoil moisture was short or very short in Iowa (50%), Missouri (62%), and Michigan (68%), and 40% or more was short or very short in Wisconsin (45%), Ohio (45%), Illinois (42%), and Indiana (40%).
The story for the Midwest was continued drying of soils, low streamflows, and mounting precipitation deficits over the last 1 to 3 months.
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