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Officials with ISU Extension report the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in Montgomery County has received a $1,000 grant for its Beginning and Young Agricultural Producers program. Farm Credit Services of America (FCSAmerica) provided the Working Here Fund grant to support a yearlong educational program focused on the business end of farming.
FCS America’s Mike Thomas and Michelle Sandin, a consumer lending officer in the Red Oak office, presents a check to Chelsea Cousins.
Chelsea Cousins, program coordinator for the Montgomery County Extension, says “The overarching goal of this project is to increase the number and success of new Iowa farm operations. This requires a continued learning for existing farm businesses and the creation of a fresh pool of individuals who are able to stake out an equity position in farming.”
About 15 enrollees have participated in two of four planned meetings. Participants include young and beginning producers involved in an existing operation, such as a family member’s, and aspiring full-time producers who work off the farm while they build capital and know-how.
Cousins said there is space in the two remaining meetings for additional enrollees. Meetings combine financial education and farm business development with visits to area agricultural operations, with a focus on beef production. Included in the financial topics are financial statements, cash flow management and key financial ratios. Among the production topics: winter nutrition, low-stress weaning and pregnancy checking. Interested enrollees for the August and December meetings can call Cousins at the Montgomery County Extension at 712-623-2592.
ISU Extension and Outreach in Montgomery County was one of 53 organizations to receive a Working Here Fund grant in the fourth quarter of 2016. FCSAmerica awarded $81,140 during the fourth quarter grant cycle that ended December 31, 2016.
AMES, IOWA – Three Iowa high school seniors are receiving scholarships from the Iowa Cattlemen’s Foundation. Winners Madelynn Green of State Center, Megan Pansegrau from Gilman, and Macy Evans of Creston, each receive $1,000 from the Youth Beef Team (YBT) program for their knowledge of beef and cattle production, as well as their communication skills.
Macy Evans
Macy is the daughter of Rob and April Evans. She plans on attending Iowa State University where she will major in Agricultural Education. She chose this field of study because she wants to inspire students to achieve and promote agriculture and make an impact on the industry. It will also allow Macy to continue her passion, her cow herd. Her presentation focused on using social media to reach out to people about what we really do to care for our livestock and how important that personal connection can be to eliminate false information.
All three will also each receive an additional $500 because they completed an online course called Masters of Beef Advocacy, a program that provides additional training on communications and beef production.
Each scholarship candidate provided a written application, and took part in a personal interview and made a presentation on a beef industry issue during the final judging process in Ames on April 1st.
With these awards, the Iowa Cattlemen’s Foundation has provided over $81,000 in scholarship support to Iowa youth since 1994. Show your support for the industry and its future by making a tax-deductible donation to the Iowa Cattlemen’s Foundation to ensure the continuation of our youth programs.
Officials with the Iowa DNR say the emerald ash borer (EAB) can now be linked to 45 counties in Iowa, as Fayette and Madison counties are the most recent to be added to that growing list. EAB is a destructive wood-boring beetle that attacks and kills all ash tree species. The exotic pest was first discovered in Iowa in 2010.
In Fayette County, the insect was discovered in a city-owned ash tree in Oelwein. For Madison County, the finding took place in a rural area south of Winterset. Insect specimens taken from these sites were confirmed as EAB by a federal identifier.
The adult beetle is metallic green in color and measures approximately one-half inch long and can be noticed during the summer months. The larvae burrow through the inner layer of bark, eating away at the vascular tissue, which supplies nutrients to the tree. Starved trees usually die within two to four years.
A federal quarantine, enforced by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, remains in effect and restricts the movement of all hardwood firewood and ash articles out of Iowa into non-quarantined areas of other states. To help reduce the potential for people to unknowingly transport EAB and other destructive tree-killing pests, Iowans are strongly encouraged to use locally sourced firewood.
If a landowner is interested in protecting a valuable and healthy ash tree within 15 miles of a known infestation, the treatment window for protecting an ash tree begins very soon. Soil treatments should be made from mid-April to mid-May. Basal trunk sprays should be applied mid-May to mid-June. Trunk injections begin once the tree has a full canopy. Full details are available in Iowa State University Extension and Outreach publication PM2084: https://store.extension.iastate.edu/product/13114
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey, Monday, commented on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistical Service. The report is released weekly from April through October. Northey said “The damp weather has mostly kept farmers from starting spring field work. There have been some fertilizer applications that have taken place as the weather allowed. Just 6 percent of oats have been planted, which is nearly a week behind the 5-year average.”
The weekly report is also available on the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s website at www.IowaAgriculture.gov
Statewide there were just 0.6 days suitable for fieldwork last week, with only northeast, central and southeast Iowa reporting 1.0 or more days suitable. Fertilizer, manure, and anhydrous applications were made as conditions allowed.
Topsoil moisture levels rated 1 percent very short, 6 percent short, 67 percent adequate, and 26 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 2 percent very short, 6 percent short, 72 percent adequate, and 20 percent surplus. South central Iowa reported the highest surplus subsoil moisture level at 38 percent although just a week ago, according to the USDA’s U.S. Drought Monitor, portions of the area were still considered to be in a moderate drought along with much of southeast Iowa.
Six percent of oats have been planted, 3 days behind last year’s progress, and almost a week behind the 5-year average. Livestock conditions are generally good although muddy lots are reported to be an issue. Calving is already complete for some cattle operations.
State Climatologist Harry Hillaker said last week was the wettest week in 25 weeks. Temperatures for the week as a whole averaged from eight degrees above normal in far northwest Iowa to one degree below normal over the extreme southeast. Soil temperatures as of Sunday (2nd) were averaging in the mid-forties over nearly all of Iowa.
The Shelby County Emergency Management Agency has lowered the County grassland and field Fire Danger rating to “Low,” this week, due to the recent and on-going rain. The rating was “Moderate” last week.
Even though the fire danger rating is Low, you are asked to call-in and report your burning projects to Shelby County Dispatch at 712-755-2124, and, notify your local Fire Chief.
Lewis, Iowa – Palmer amaranth, a new weed to Iowa and a serious threat to production agriculture, has now been discovered in at least 48 of Iowa’s 99 counties. Farmers, crop consultants, landowners, and those interested in learning to identify and manage this new threat will want to attend the “Keep Palmer Amaranth Off Your Farm” workshop this Friday, April 7 from 2-4 PM. The workshop is being hosted by the Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach Field Agronomist Aaron Saeugling and East Pottawattamie County Extension. The two-hour workshop will be held on April 7 at the ISU Armstrong Research Farm, 53020 Hitchcock Ave, Lewis.
“With Palmer amaranth discoveries quickly increasing across the state, proper identification is key to controlling infestations and preventing movement to crop fields,” said Saeugling. This workshop will discuss new discoveries of Palmer amaranth across the state, key traits to differentiate the common amaranth species in Iowa from Palmer amaranth, and management in both crop and non-crop areas. Handouts about Palmer amaranth identification will be provided.
Palmer amaranth
Palmer amaranth is one of several pigweed species found across Iowa. Other pigweed species found in the state include waterhemp, redroot pigweed, Powell amaranth, and spiny amaranth. “At a quick glance there are many similarities among the weedy pigweeds, but knowledge of what specifically to look for simplifies differentiating Palmer amaranth from the other pigweeds species in the state,” said Saeugling.
Farmers and scouts should be observing high-risk areas for Palmer amaranth, including areas with significant equipment movement, suspicious-looking waterhemp infestations, newly-seeded conservation plantings, and areas near animal agriculture operations, Saeugling said.
This meeting is free and open to the public. Certified Crop Advisors CEUs will also be offered with the meeting. Please re-register for the workshop by noon on April 6, by calling the East Pottawattamie County Extension office at (712) 482-6449. For more information, please contact Aaron Saeugling at 641-344-5704 or clonz@iastate.edu.
We kid you not on this April 1st: Governor Branstad has declared April “invasive species” month to raise awareness about the problem. “Millions of dollars, both public and private, are spent each year for the control of invasive plants, insects, diseases and animal species in Iowa woodlands and urban areas,” Branstad says.
Oriental bittersweet, for example, has spread into Iowa. Its vines climb over and smother trees. “Iowa’s woodlands, wild lands and waterways draw hundreds of thousands of tourists and recreational users each year,” Branstad says. “…Awareness of invasive species is an important first step towards behavioral change which can prevent the introduction and spread of invasive species.”
Members of the Trees Forever group and other advocates circled Branstad’s desk as he signed the proclamation. One of them was in costume. “Oh my God, we do have an invasive species here!” Branstad quipped as the woman walked into his office for the event. A man in the crowd then asked Branstad: “Do you have any ash trees up in your place?”
You may have guessed what she was wearing based on that quip. The woman was dressed as an emerald ash borer. By the way, Branstad indicated he’s “not 100 percent sure” on what species of trees are planted at Terrace Hill, but he believes most are shagbark hickory.
According to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, the five MOST COMMON invasive species in Iowa are Bush Honeysuckle, Garlic Mustard, European Buckthorn, Multiflora Rose and Reed Canary Grass. There are some state laws targeting the introduction of invasive species by land AND by water. For example, it’s illegal to transport an invasive species by boat, so boat owners are to clean off any plants, animals or mud that may be stuck to the boat before leaving a body of water in Iowa.
(Radio Iowa)
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