DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Federal authorities are forecasting a 2011 Iowa corn harvest of 2.43 billion bushels, a figure that would match the Iowa record set in 2009. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says the estimate is based on Aug. 1 conditions. Last year, 2.15 billion bushels were harvested in Iowa. The area expected to be harvested for grain is up to 13.75 million acres, compared with 13.05 million acres in 2010. The expected yield for 2011 is 177 bushels an acre. That’s 12 bushels higher than last year’s production but 5 bushels under the record set in 2009.

Duffy tribute - Butter Sculpture

A massive sculpture made of more than 12-hundred (1,200) pounds of butter was unveiled this (Thursday) morning as part of the opening ceremonies for the 2011 Iowa State Fair in Des Moines. It’s located in the Ag Building near the famous life-sized butter cow which has now been part of the Fair for 100 years. The Fair’s “butter cow lady,” Sarah Pratt, also created the surprise sculpture which includes a cow and a young boy teaching a calf to nurse. It’s placed on a turntable so the entire sculpture rotates 360 degrees.

“Some people might know, but I’ll let out the secret, the other cow isn’t completely finished all the way around. It’s only finished on the parts that you can see from outside. So, I was excited to be able to do a sculpture that everyone could see from all sides,” Pratt said. The sculpture, located behind glass in a 42-degree cooler, pays tribute to Norma “Duffy” Lyon – who served as the Fair’s “butter cow lady” for 45 years. Lyon passed away earlier this year at the age of 81. Pratt says she was inspired by a story about how Norma met her husband Joe. Their first meeting involved a minor argument about Norma chasing a butterfly. The sculpture includes a young Norma Lyon with a butterfly in her hand.

“To me, it signifies her curious spirit and her love of all living things. But also, just that spirit that embodies the Fair of curiousity and learning and exploring,” Pratt said. “So, I hope when people are on the fairgrounds and they see a butterfly they might remember Norma.” The 34-year-old Pratt, who’s from Norwalk, learned the art of butter sculpting from Lyon and took over the role of the Fair’s “butter cow lady” in 2006. She spent three weeks working on the sculpture revealed this morning.

“Because it rotates and people can see it from all different angles, there was a lot of consideration taken into all the angles. And because it was all done in secrecy, it made it difficult to come outside and view the sculpture,” Pratt said. “Now that I can see it from outside, I think there are some things I might go in and fix up a little bit.” A long line of people stretched throughout the Ag Building this morning as fairgoers waited to see the butter cow and Pratt’s sculpture of Lyon.

(Radio Iowa)

w/ Kate Olsen

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Applications are currently being accepted for the annual America’s Farmers Grow Communities Program, sponsored by the Monsanto Corporation. Deborah Patterson, Monsanto Fund President, says the program was launched in 2010, and has resulted in investments of more than $3-million in local communities across the country during 2011. Patterson says they’re sponsoring the program again, because they “Care deeply about rural communities.” Patterson says there are some requirements that need to be met before farmers can qualify for the program.

They need be 21-years of age or older, actively engaged in farming a minimum of 250 acres of corn or soybeans, or 40-acres of vegetables. She says there is no purchase required. The application process began August 1^st and continues until November 30^th. Applications can be completed on-line at www.growcommunities.com, or by calling 1-877-267-3332.

This year, nearly $250,000 is available for disbursement in Iowa to all 501-C-3 non-profit organizations, units of local governments, such as fire departments, libraries and schools. Farmers in each of Iowa’s 99 counties are eligible for the program. The winners will be randomly selected by a third party and announced in January, 2012. Once a farmer has won, they get to decide which non-profit organization they wish to receive a portion of the funds.

In addition, for every farmer that enters the contest, Monsanto will donate $1 to their local United Way chapters. So far, over 1,700 farmers have signed up for the current contest period. Patterson says since the program began in 2010, the three top recipients of cash awards have been FFA, 4-H and Fire Departments. She says the farmers themselves don’t get a prize, but they do get a sense of pride in knowing they’re helping out their communities.

Among the local non-profit organizations selected in 2010 by winning area farmers to receive a portion of the funds provided by the America’s Farmers Grow Communities Program, was: the Massena, Audubon, Brayton, Greenfield, and Shelby Fire Departments; the Shelby County Fair Board, and Coon Rapids-Bayard FFA. Those organizations received their awards this past Spring.

Employees with the Cass County Conservation Service invite the public to join them Thursday morning, for a clean-up effort at the West Nodaway Wildlife Area. AmeriCorps Habitat Specialist Rebekah Karsch says from 9am-until Noon, conservation staff and other volunteers will be working to cut down invasive cedar trees to improve the grassland habitat for pheasants and quail.

Karsch says if you have a chainsaw, and are skilled in operating it, you’re welcome to bring it along. Otherwise, you’ll need gloves, bottled water, a long-sleeved shirt and pants, because you’ll be helping to drag the cut trees off to the side.

The West Nodaway Wildlife Area is located 4-miles south and 2-miles west of Massena, on Victoria Road, in the Edna Township. The public land is available for hunting and picnics.

If you have any questions about the clean-up effort taking place Thursday morning, call Rebekah Karsch at 712-243-3180, extension 134.

Commercial manure applicators who have not fulfilled their 2011 manure applicator certification training requirements can attend the three hours of annual continuing instruction required to maintain their manure applicator certification on Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2011, from 9 a.m. to noon. Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will conduct a statewide re-show of the 2011 Commercial Manure Applicator Certification training. There is no fee to attend the workshop, but commercial applicators must register by Aug. 24 by calling the Cass County ISU Extension Office at 712-243-1132.

Commercial applicator business owners and managers are reminded that existing or previously certified employees must meet certification requirements prior to hauling or land applying manure. New employees can work for the first 30 days of employment without meeting the certification requirements, but must be actively seeking certification status. Applicators who are unable to attend the Aug. 31 training need to schedule time at their local ISU Extension office to watch the training DVD. Due to scheduling conflicts, many ISU Extension offices will no longer accept walk-in appointments to watch the DVD. If meeting training requirements by attending the 3-hour training session is not convenient, commercial applicators may contact their local DNR field office to schedule an appointment to take the certification exam to meet certification requirements.

Commercial manure applicators that have already completed training for 2011 are not required to attend.

If you have questions about this training session or the Manure Applicator Certification program, contact the Cass County Extension Office at 712-243-1132 or go to
http://extension.agron.iastate.edu/immag/mac.html

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will allow promiscuous fishing to take place in waters bodies left behind from the 2011 Missouri River flood, beginning on Aug. 15. These waters bodies need to be completely isolated from the river, unlikely to be connected to the river during normal flows, did not exist before the flood, and are less than 5 feet in depth if on public land. Anglers will need permission to access water bodies on private land.

Promiscuous fishing regulations for isolated water bodies in Missouri River flood plain in Iowa will remain in effect until on or about November 30, 2011.

Anglers with a valid fishing license will be allowed to harvest any size or number of fish species from these isolated flood waters. Any number of fishing poles, jugs or nets will be allowed. Anglers must remain in sight of these lines at all times, and follow all other fishing regulations and area rules. Trot lines will be allowed (name and address must be attached), however lines may not be set across entire water body and at least one end must be above the water level and visible.

Dynamite, poison, or electric shocking devices, or any stupefying substances will not be allowed. It is illegal to sell fish or stock captured fish into public waters.

If anglers capture a sturgeon fish species the DNR asked that they be returned to the river as quickly as possible. Pallid sturgeon is listed as an endangered species in the Missouri River and is protected under federal law.

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (AP) – The U.S. Department of Agriculture says Iowa’s cropland value has increased by nearly 24 percent in 2011 over the previous year. The rise in cropland value in Iowa was the highest in the nation. Nationally, cropland values increased by a little over 9 percent.The average cropland value in Iowa was $5,700 an acre.

Iowa State University economist Mike Duffy says the increased value isn’t surprising due to low interest rates and high prices for corn and soybeans.

Tom Olsen, Iowa State University Extension Farm Management Specialist, spoke to a
crowd of 48 area landowners, tenants and agriculture professionals during the
Farmland Leasing Meeting on Wednesday, August 3, 2011 at the Guthrie Activity Center
in Guthrie Center. Olsen presented current leasing information including the latest
land value survey and cash rent survey. The program was organized and sponsored by
the Guthrie County Extension Office.

Iowa farmland values increased by at least 15 percent during 2010.  ISU Extension
research indicates that the average age of farmland owners continues to rise.
Fifty-five percent of Iowa's farmland is owned by people over the age of 65, while
28 percent of the land is owned by individuals over age 75. The research found that
children and surviving spouses of farmers are less likely to continue operating the
farm themselves. That's a major reason why farmland leasing continues to increase.

USDA Report from the Cass and Audubon County FSA and NRCS offices.  Denny Heflin Reports.

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