Andrea Farrior and Chris Parks talk about what is new at the Atlantic Animal Shelter at 309 Sunnyside Lane in Atlantic.

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w/ Dr. Keith Leonard

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w/ Kate Olson

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Cass County Memorial Hospital will be hosting an informational program on Thursday, September 26th from 12-1pm to help prepare area farmers to respond to chemical exposure.  The Program titled “Lessons Learned from Anhydrous HAZMAT Event” will be presented by Jay and Sheri Moorehead of Falls City, Nebraska.

In 2007 Jay Moorehead expaerienced an exposure to anhydrous ammonia while working on his farm.  He will speak about his experience and lessons learned from exposure.  CCMH Educational Services Director Amber Scott is pleased that the program will be very timely information with farmers getting into their fields with chemicals soon following harvest.

The program will be held in Conference Room 2 at the hospital and there is no charge for the program.  A box lunch will be available for those who register in advance. Register or get more information by calling the CCMH Educational Services Department at 712-243-7567.

Harrison County Extension, United Western Cooperative, and BASF will hold a farmers meeting at noon on September 26th at the County maintenance shed one mile south of Modale on Austin Avenue (Highway K-45) and 280th Street. Palmer amaranth is a new row crop weed species first discovered in Iowa this summer in Harrison County, and is a plant that merits heightened management by local farmers.

The first step in management of any problem species is correct identification. Extension and coop agronomists and herbicide representatives will be on hand to share information on Palmer amaranth. Actual plants will be used to teach attendees the keys to identification, and management strategies will be discussed. The meeting should last about an hour and sandwiches and beverages will be provided, courtesy of United Western Coop.

For more information, contact Rich Pope at the Harrison County Extension office in Logan at 712-644-2105.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa officials say several factors will determine if hunters have a successful early duck season. The state Department of Natural Resources says seasonal wetlands are largely dry, and there may not be enough to support a boat for hunters.

Officials say it’s unclear whether blue-winged teal will stick around, though they do favor shallow water. Hunters can use a wetland habitat condition report to prepare for marsh conditions or to change their hunting location.

The early duck season runs from Saturday through Wednesday. The second duck season begins on different dates in October depending on zones. Nearly 30,000 hunters are expected to hunt waterfowl in Iowa.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says DNR Conservation Officer Dan Pauley reported a fish kill in a creek near Westside in Crawford County to the DNR Environmental Services Field Office in Atlantic on Thursday, Sept. 19th.

Holly Vandemark responded Thursday afternoon and observed dead chubs and minnows and a few larger fish in the East Boyer River for a mile downstream, possibly originating between the FAC Farmers Co-op Elevator and the city wastewater lagoon. The fish appeared to have been dead for some time.

Water samples from the kill area and downstream revealed only the slightest elevation in ammonia, nitrate and dissolved oxygen. Live fish and aquatic wildlife were observed in the sampling areas. There may be several contributing factors to the fish kill and the DNR will continue to investigate.

Report fish kills and spills to the state’s 24-hour spill line at 515-281-8694.

MISSOURI VALLEY, Iowa (AP) — Thousands of people are expected to gather at a farm in Iowa’s Loess Hills to celebrate a berry touted for its health benefits. The free North American Aronia Berry Festival will be held Saturday and Sunday at Sawmill Hollow Family Farm north of Missouri Valley.

The festival will include vendors, craftsmen and activities involving aronia berries, which are prized by some for their high levels of antioxidants. On Sunday, the Hy-Vee Healthy You Wellness Tour Bus will be at the festival to offer flu shots. More information is available at www.sawmillhollow.com.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The brother of Gov. Terry Branstad will pay a fine and spend $26,000 to install a wetland area after his cattle farm failed to comply with requirements of his clean water permit.  The Environmental Protection Agency says Branstad Farms near Forest City did not maintain adequate records for the application of manure onto farm land and did not sample the manure and soil as required.

EPA documents show Monroe Branstad, the governor’s brother, operates the farm. The EPA says the farm will pay a $5,100 civil penalty and spend the additional money to install a wetlands restoration area, the first agreement of its type in the EPA region covering Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska.  The governor’s spokesman says he will not comment.