(Statewide News) – The number of Iowa counties under a burn ban continues to grow due to an ongoing fire risk. As of Tuesday, Feb. 18^th, 13 Iowa Counties were banning opening burning. Elsewhere, open burning and tossing of cigarettes or other means that may accidentally create fires, was strongly discouraged. Persons who previously had a controlled burn that was extinguished, were asked to keep a close eye on their property, because strong winds could cause those burn piles to rekindle. In southwest Iowa, Mills County was added to the list, that also includes Crawford, Shelby, Union and Ringgold, as of the latest information.

Aa burn ban goes into effect when fuels (such as tender vegetation, brush and timber) get less than 20% moisture and high temperatures, high winds, and low humidity start to develop.

Burn bans in February are rare, because there is usually enough snowpack on the ground, or at the very least heavy moisture in the ground, because the snow is starting to melt. In the last couple of months, though, Iowa has had significantly less snow than usual. Without that moisture in the ground, the risk of grass and field fires heightens.

Fire officials say what’s needed is a good soaking rain that saturates the soil, along with higher humidity in the range of 40%-50% or more, for a sustained period of time. Otherwise any moisture in the ground from rain can be dried out by the wind within 48-hours, which results in the same dry conditions.

(Glenwood, IA) – The Mills County Emergency Management Agency reports a BURN BAN is now in effect, and until further notice. The ban is in-place due to the continued high temperatures, existing dry fuels, limited moisture, and renewed drought conditions. The BURN BAN is in effect for all areas and jurisdictions within Mills County. The ban prohibits ALL open and controlled burning in Mills County, including all incorporated city limits within the County. For more information, see the attached notification:

(Radio Iowa) – An Iowa State University horticulture professor is trying to find out how some plants are able to endure cold winter temperatures and start growing again in the spring. Professor Rajeev Arora says research is showing there’s not one single factor involved the hardening of plants to the cold. “Freezing tolerance or the acquiring of freezing tolerance is not a single factor phenomenon. In other words, several things are changing, and logistically they work together to put the plant in the hardest state,” he says. Arora says one thing he’s studied is a protein called dehydrin, which helps keep plants from losing water in a process called desiccation.”What happens is that when the ice forms inside these tissues, it is never inside the cells, but outside the cells between the cells,” he says.

Arora says ice in the cells causes plants to loose all their water, which leads to their deaths. “It is the desiccation part of the stress that plant actually ultimately succumbs to and gets injured. It is not so much the cold itself, but the desiccating effect of the freezing is what kills the plant,” Arora says. “And so these dehydrants, they prevent that desiccation or do not let all the water to be pulled out, maintain some hydration so that cells can survive.” Arora says he’s also studying the way some plants roll up their leaves to help them survive the cold in what is called “thermonasty.”

He says there’s no one clear process for plants to survive. “Many, many genes are involved, it’s not just one or two, and those have to collaboratively together also. So, it becomes very complicated,” Arora says, “these things have limits.” Arora says there has been some breeding of plants to better survive the cold, and he hopes his research will lead to more information on how to do just that.

Cass County: Corn $4.05               Beans $10.80
Adair County: Corn $4.02             Beans $10.83
Adams County: Corn $4.02          Beans $10.79
Audubon County: Corn $4.04     Beans $10.82
East Pottawattamie County: Corn $4.08      Beans $10.80
Guthrie County: Corn $4.07                               Beans $10.84
Montgomery County: Corn $4.07                    Beans $10.82
Shelby County: Corn $4.08          Beans $10.80

Oats: $2.81  (same in all counties)

(Prices are per bushel; information is from the area Farm Service Agency [FSA] offices)

(Radio Iowa) – A massive tree clearing project is planned for the Lewis and Clark State Park in Harrison County, near Mondamin. The D-N-R’s Sherry Arntzen says they closed the park on September 8th over safety concerns after noticing several dead trees. “The examination of 137 representative trees revealed that 99 percent of the park’s predominant species, eastern cottonwood, exhibit crown dieback with ten percent already standing dead,” she says. Arntzen says the trees range in diameter from 18 to 48 inches wide. “Mortality is attributed to over maturity and prolonged drought. Due to these harsh conditions, any tree with one-fourth or more canopy loss is unlikely to survive and classified as hazard,” Arntzen says.

The Natural Resources Commission approved a contract not to exceed one-point-seven million dollars for cutting down and removing the trees. Arntzen says they plan to remove the trees in two phases to improve the safety of the park. “Phase one involves felling approximately 610 mature trees in the campground and high use areas,” she says. “And phase two expands to clearing all hazardous timber within 150 feet of all hiking trails and roads covering approximately 98-point-five acres.” Arntzen says the first phase around the campground is expected to be completed by July. “The successful bidder anticipates being completed in that campground in time for RAGBRAI. So we had no idea that the RAGBRAI route was going to start in Onawa when all of this started back last fall,” she says. Getting rid of the wood from the felled trees is part of the contract.

“They’re going to fell the marked trees, they’re going to grind all the stumps, and they’re going to transport and dispose and burn of all woody debris and vegetation. We do have some brush piles established already that are out and away from our primary use areas,” she says. Arntzen says they have already planted a few trees and will look at the best way to replace trees that are removed. “And we will work with our foresters on appropriate trees to put back in our high use areas that is conducive to the soils that are there,” she says.

The work in the areas that are not high use could extend into March of 2028.

(Radio Iowa) – None of the four Republicans who serve in the U.S. House crossed party lines this week to join Democrats in passing a resolution to override President Trump’s tariffs against Canada. Third District Congressman Zach Nunn of Ankeny says Trump’s trade reset with Canada is necessary. “Talking to a dairy farmer in western Iowa…when they tried to see dairy product to Canada, they were facing a 200% increased tariff are impacting,” Nunn says. “That was not only unfair to them, but it really goes to the point of what tariffs on both sides of the border are impacting so on this one, we feel very strongly that Canada needs to bring those down and make fair trade across the board a reality.”

Congresswoman Ashley Hinson of Marion says she voted against the resolution because Trump is the only one willing to even the playing field and reduce trade imbalances. Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks of Ottumwa says she appreciates Trump’s willingness to take on the egregious trade practices of foreign adversaries. Iowa Democrats say Trump’s tariffs are crushing farmers and hurting the overall economy. Nunn says Trump’s trade and tariff strategy is addressing a situation that’s been decades in the making.

“We have seen tariffs against the United States just really punish, particularly, our ag community,” Nunn said. “…When President Trump did tariffs on places like Vietnam and said: ‘Bring it to zero or you’re getting the same thing back,’ and they were at 95% against U.S. producers, in 24 hours we saw Vietnam drop it and so did the United States.” Nunn suggests, though, there could be a day when he’d vote to rescind tariffs imposed by a president. “I don’t want to see tariffs used viciously and I still believe that the first article in the Constitution says that congress should be leading this, but I do support the president in holding offenders accountable,” Nunn said. “Let’s bring trade tariffs down to zero.”

Nunn made his comments today (Friday) during taping of the “Iowa Press” program that airs tonight on Iowa P-B-S.

DES MOINES, Iowa (IOWA CAPITAL DISPATCH) – A House subcommittee advanced a bill Thursday that would allow landowners to renegotiate damage claims and file complaints with the Iowa Utilities Commission, or court, for damages and yield losses due to pipeline construction.  Rep. David Young, R-Van Meter, sponsored the bill and said it was really about “the premise of you want to leave what you found … in the same condition if not better.”

Young specified that House Study Bill 691 was not related to any particular pipeline, but would provide “predictability” and “consistency” in the standards protecting landowners. The bill was supported by agricultural commodity groups including Iowa Corn Growers Association, Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, Iowa Soybean Association and the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation. Summit Carbon Solutions, a company seeking to build a carbon sequestration pipeline through Iowa, along with the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, also registered in support of the bill.

Doug Struyk said some members of the Iowa Soybean Association, which he represented at the subcommittee meeting, are still dealing with yield losses from pipelines built close to a decade ago. The bill allows landowners to renegotiate damage claims for compensation with pipeline companies even if damages were apparent at the time of settlement, or it has been more than five years since a settlement was reached.

HSB 691 also allows landowners, rather than just county supervisors, to file complaints directly with the Iowa Utilities Commission. Landowners can also file claims in small claims or district courts for “violations of damage payment provisions” with the pipeline company.

Onnalee Gettler, a lobbyist for MidAmerican Energy Company, opposed the bill but offered an amendment to lawmakers that would “avoid unintended” legal outcomes of the bill text. Gettler said the ability for landowners to renegotiate claims past five years could lead to them reopening damage claims “in perpetuity,” and MidAmerican would like to see that language changed. She explained that part of the proposed amendment would also clarify the relationship between landowners and farm tenants to ensure a pipeline company is not required to compensate both landowners and tenants for the same parcel. Gettler said the utility company would support the bill if the amendment were adopted.

Rep. Charley Thomson, R-Charles City, chaired the subcommittee and said he intends to take a “closer look” at some of the language raised by MidAmerican. The Iowa Utility Association, American Petroleum Institute and Black Hills Energy were also registered against the bill, but did not speak at the hearing. Kevin Kuhle, speaking on behalf of the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation, said the language in the bill is supported by Farm Bureau policies set in 2022.

Under the bill, farmers could also seek compensation for things like lost or reduced yield, soil compaction, damage to irrigation systems and damage to soil or water conservation structures. Speakers and lawmakers on the committee noted that similar language has been brought up in the Legislature in the past, including in 2023 when a bill to restrict eminent domain for pipelines passed in the House.

The bill heads next to the House Commerce Committee.

(Atlantic) Officials with the Cass County Fair, Tuesday, reported on their social media page, that “Thanks to a national grant from Fairs.com, every fair board, volunteer team, and agricultural society across Iowa will receive fully funded training, tools, and support to strengthen the future of local fairs.”

Thanks to the grant, the Cass County Fair Board is able to host a “You make the difference” Fair workshop at the Cass County Community Center this Saturday, Feb. 14^th, in Atlantic, beginning at 9-a.m. The Board invites anyone passionate about the future of the Cass County or other area fairs, to participate. That includes Fair board members, exhibition organizers, volunteers, community leaders, chamber members, county supervisors and superintendents, extension council members, sponsors, and anyone else who loves everything about their county fair.

Attendees will learn:

• Proven strategies to raise more money for fairs and communities
• Effective tools to recruit and retain volunteers
• Practical solutions to prevent volunteer burnout and maintain strong engagement

The workshop will be led by Ian Hill, an award-winning advocate for ag societies and fairs.

The event is free to attend, but organizers request advance registration to ensure an accurate headcount.

To register, visit iowafairs.com, click on “Meetings,” then select “District Meetings.”

(Radio Iowa) – A bill ready for debate in a House Committee would shield Iowa farmers and renewable fuel producers from lawsuits or criminal charges related to the impact of greenhouse gas emissions like methane or carbon dioxide. The bill is supported by farm groups like the Iowa Corn Growers and Iowa Pork Producers. Kelli Klink is a lobbyist for the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association. “We recognize we need a safe, stable food supply,” Klink said, “and this bill prevents trivial lawsuits against the American farmer in providing food for all.” The bill allows exceptions that would allow farmers to be sued if there’s clear and convincing evidence they violated a government permit or regulation about emissions.

Representative Megan Srinivas, a Democrat from Des Moines, says the bill may be too vague.  “We also aren’t differentiating between small farmers and larger bad actors,” Srinivas said, “and if we have no such differentiation, then we could just be having more accumulative problems, leading to worsening situations.”

The latest data from the Iowa Department of Natural Resources indicates agricultural production accounts for 29 percent of the state’s greenhouse gas emissions. Just over 80 percent of methane emissions come from farming operations.

(Des Moines, IA) – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will host a series of town hall-style meetings where local staff will provide updates on recently completed hunting and trapping seasons, discuss possible changes to hunting and trapping rules and regulations, and address other topics as requested. In the KJAN listening area, those meetings will be held:

• Creston, March 3, 6 p.m., Performing Arts Building multi-purpose room (124), 1201 West Townline Street, and, in
• Council Bluffs, March 5, 5:30 p.m., Bass Pro Shops, 2901 Bass Pro Drive.

The meetings are open to the public. Comments collected from these public meetings will be considered along with other related comments received by the Iowa DNR prior to proposing changes to hunting rules and regulations. Proposed rules will be presented to the Natural Resource Commission during a regular public meeting for consideration and additional public comment. Comments received during previous listening sessions have resulted in regulation changes, including modifying and removing areas closed to Canada goose hunting, establishing later goose season dates and increased bag limit, expanding the raccoon hunting and trapping season on private land, modifying Iowa’s antlerless deer quotas in north central and western Iowa, and extending the regular trapping season through the end of February.

Todd Bishop, chief of the Iowa DNR’s Wildlife Bureau, says “We want people to come out to these meetings, listen to the seasons reviews, ask questions and hear directly from our staff. Part of the meeting will be devoted to discussing potential rule changes and collecting feedback as we work through the rules process.”

Any person attending the public meeting that has special requirements, such as those related to mobility or hearing impairments, should contact the Iowa DNR or ADA Coordinator at 515-725-8200, Relay Iowa TTY Service 800-735-7942, or Webmaster@dnr.iowa.gov, and advise of specific needs.

Other meeting dates, times and locations include:

• Waverly, March 2, 6 p.m., Waverly Public Library, 1500 W. Bremer Avenue
• Bloomfield, March 3, 6 p.m., Pioneer Ridge Nature Center, 1339 Hwy. 63
• Boone, March 3, 6 p.m., Wildlife Research Station, 1436 255^th Street
• Burlington, March 3, 6 p.m., Burlington Public Library, 210 Court St.
• Chariton, March 3, 6 p.m., Pin Oak Lodge, 45996 State Hwy. 14
• Decorah, March 3, 7 p.m., Franklin W. Olin Building, Room 102, Luther College, 700 College Drive, next to the Prues Library
• Des Moines, March 3, 6:45 p.m., Des Moines Izaak Walton, 4343 George Flagg Parkway
• Maquoketa, March 3, 7 p.m., Hurstville Interpretive Center, 18670 63rd Street
• Spencer, March 3, 6:30 p.m., Iowa Lakes Community College, 1900 Grand Ave. Suite B1, Entrance #1-West side of the North Mall
• Iowa City, March 4, 5:30 p.m., Johnson County Extension Office, 3109 Old Hwy 218 South
• Charles City, March 4, 6:30 p.m., Public Library Zastrow Room, 910 Clark Street
• Okoboji, March 4, 6 p.m., Maser Monarch Lodge, 22785 Nature Center Road
• Perry, March 4, 6 p.m., Dallas County Conservation Board, Forest Park Museum administration building, 14581 K Avenue
• Algona, March 5, 7 p.m., Tietz Entrepreneurial Center at the Algona campus of Iowa Lakes Community College, 2111 Hwy 169 North
• Hinton, March 5, 5 p.m., Dennis L. Sohl Center for Outdoor Learning, Hillview Recreation Area, 25601 C60
• Lake View, March 5, 6:30 p.m., Speaker Park Shelter House, 418 North Blossom Street
• Toledo, March 5, 5:30 p.m., Tama County Nature Center at Otter Creek Lake Park, 2283 Park Road
• Ventura, March 5, 6 p.m., Clear Lake Wildlife Unit Office, 15326 Balsam Ave.