(Lewis, Iowa) – The 31st Annual meeting for the Wallace Foundation for Rural Research & Development will be held on Wednesday, March 15, 2023, at the Learning Center in Lewis, Iowa*. Registration begins at 9:00-a.m., followed by the program with two speakers, at 9:30-a.m.

Lunch will be served at 11:30 followed by the Annual meeting of the Foundation. This year’s speakers  include Tony Mensing a Field Agriculture Engineer for ISU Extension and Outreach. He will be speaking on Soil Compaction. And, Mark Licht, Assistant Professor and Extension Cropping System Specialist in the Dept of Agronomy at Iowa State University. He will be speaking on farming in Urkaine: Warzone or breadbasket of the World. His extension, research and teaching program is focused on how to holistically manage cropping systems to achieve productivity, profitability, and environmental goals. His research is centered around varied aspects of soybean, corn, and cover crop management.

The Program-is open to the public and there is no fee for attending. The day will conclude with the Wallace Foundation Membership Annual Business Meeting.

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*The Armstrong Research Farm is located approximately 12 miles southwest of Atlantic, IA on Highway 6, south on 525th Street, east on Hitchcock Avenue.

(Radio Iowa) – A northeast Iowa livestock company and four managers have been sentenced in federal court in a scheme to defraud livestock producers throughout Iowa and the Midwest. Fifty-one-year-old Joe Wickham of Waucoma, 65-year-old Charlie Lynch of Waucoma, 60-year-old Leland “Pete” Blue of Fredericksburg pleaded guilty to conspiracy to defraud. While 31-year-old Tyler Thoms of Fayette pled guilty to one count of causing a livestock dealer to keep inaccurate accounts and records.

The charges came from their work with Lynch Livestock, where they were accused of downgrading cattle and manipulating scales to defraud customers during nearly two decades. Wickham and Lynch were fined three-thousand dollars and Blue one thousand. Wickham was sentenced to six months in prison, and the others were each given probation. The company was fined 196-thousand dollars and ordered to pay more than three million dollars in restitution.

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association has released an economic study that says using carbon dioxide pipelines at ethanol plants will increase profits and keep most of the industry from leaving the state.

Dave Miller of Decision Innovation Solutions wrote the report which says taking advantage of federal tax credits for reducing carbon in ethanol would dramatically improve margins. “We built the industry on operating margins in the 20 to 30 cents a gallon range on gross operating margins. Our estimate is that with a 45-Z tax credit that gross operating margin basically doubles,” he says.

The carbon dioxide has to be taken out to make ethanol more carbon friendly to compete with other fuels. Miller says without carbon sequestration, the ethanol production in Iowa would move out to another state who would take advantage of the tax credits. “From about 2007 to 11, we built the Iowa ethanol industry, and in about that same period, that whole industry could move, probably not far beyond the borders of Iowa,” Miller says.

Monte Shaw. (IRFA photo)

Iowa Renewable Fuels Association president, Monte Shaw, says Iowa farmers could still sell their corn to ethanol plants but would have to pay to ship it. “When you are shipping corn instead of adding value to it where you are dropping it off — you are not going to get the same money — about ten billion dollars in lost revenues,” Shaw says. Miller says pipelines are the best way to ship the carbon dioxide to keep the costs down and allow the plants to expand.

Dave Miller. (IRFA photo)

“It is an additional $2.16 billion a year that would flow into the state. We have not done an economic impact study on what all the secondary and tertiary effects are of that,” Miller says. But he says the second impact would exist and stimulate substantial economic activity within the state.

Shaw says other carbon capture options for ethanol plants take time to develop and Iowa could lose 75% of its plants without the pipelines. “You know, we’re in a competition to produce low-carbon transportation options. And so this technology — this carbon capture and sequestration technology is the single biggest and best tool we have to keep liquid fuels like ethanol, competitive with electric vehicles going forward,” Shaw says.

Shaw says he understands the concerns about pipelines but says overall pipelines have an incredibly safe track record. And when it comes to payment for easements — Shaw says the pipeline companies are willing to negotiate. “I have yet to run into a landowner who has a pipeline, proposed to go across their land, who has engaged with one of the companies. And then who I’ve talked to, that said, ‘you know, they really just weren’t offering a fair price’.” Shaw says.

Shaw says he’s familiar with one negotiation near his hometown and wishes the pipeline was running across his land because it would have been about the best way for his farm to make money for the next five years. Shaw says landowners should see what they can get for their easements.”We’re not saying hey, ram these things through, we’re saying ‘fair and equitable’. So we urge landowners not to listen to some of the misinformation that’s definitely been put out there about these pipelines. But to sit down and talk, bring your list of questions, bring your list of concerns,” he says.

Shaw says if we can’t have low-carbon biofuels, we’re going to be stuck with no choice other than electronic vehicles, and he says there should be competition and options for consumers.

Cass County: Corn $6.66 Beans $14.91
Adair County: Corn $6.63 Beans $14.94
Adams County: Corn $6.63 Beans $14.90
Audubon County: Corn $6.65 Beans $14.93
East Pottawattamie County: Corn $6.69 Beans $14.91
Guthrie County: Corn $6.68 Beans $14.95
Montgomery County: Corn $6.68 Beans $14.93
Shelby County: Corn $6.69 Beans $14.91

Oats $3.54 (Same in all counties)

(Radio Iowa) – While it’s unseasonably warm across much of Iowa Monday  afternoon, forecasters say high temperatures will be back down in the 20s by Thursday with the chance for more snow, which is excellent news for the state’s thousands of snowmobiling enthusiasts.

Jim Willey of Manchester is spokesman for the Iowa State Snowmobile Association. “We have had some challenging years the last few years,” Willey says. “It’s one of the largest outdoor activities worldwide, but in Iowa, we’re very dependent on getting the right weather. It drives about $30 billion of economic activity in North America, and a big segment of that happens in Iowa when we have snow, and it’s disappointing when we don’t.”

There are about 60 snowmobiling clubs across Iowa which groom more than 8,800 miles of trails statewide. “The trail program is the largest recreational trail system in Iowa,” Willey says. “It’s all completely funded by the registration and trail passes that Iowa snowmobilers buy for their machines. It’s totally a self-funded program. There’s no tax dollars that go into it whatsoever and it’s all paid for by the people that use it.”

(ISSA photo)

There have been multiple advances in technology in recent years, improving the helmets and communications, the snowsuits, boots and gloves, and the snowmobiles themselves. “The type of equipment that’s available today makes it very comfortable to be out in even sub-zero weather riding your snowmobile,” Willey says. “The equipment that snowmobiles have today make them safer and more stable and more enjoyable for everybody to ride.”

Learn more at: www.iowasnowmobiler.com.

(Iowa DNR News) – A midwinter visit to check on the boat − no matter if stored ashore in a backyard or a marina parking lot − is a wise thing to do. Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) has four tips to ensure there are no surprises at spring commissioning.

Water is bad. The number-one concern for any boat in long-term winter storage is water. It can’t be allowed in, but if it does, the water needs a way out. Check the boat’s winter cover to ensure it still allows rain and heavy snow loads to easily shed away from the boat. Small boats should have the drain plug removed. A tight-fitting winter cover will also help keep out the critters, including raccoons, feral cats and muskrats, whose damage boat insurance policies generally do not cover.

Take it home. If you forgot to bring home life jackets when you put the boat away in the fall, it’s best to do it now. That includes throwable devices you keep near the helm. Lifejackets will last longer and stay cleaner. Store in a dry location at home. Signal flares can be kept aboard if they are in location not affected by moisture. Some handheld air horns can leave a not-easy-to-remove rust ring when stored in their upright position. Both signal devices can be put into zip top freezer bags. Other common items left on the boat during winter storage are liquid cleaners that can burst open during the freeze/thaw cycle and food, which draw vermin.

Air it out. Try to ventilate the boat, which will help keep mold and mildew at bay. If the boat is closed tightly and doesn’t have ventilation, use desiccants – often sold in bucket type containers – in cuddy cabins or living space below. Follow the manufacturer instructions and you should be able keep a fairly dry boat making spring cleanup easier and preserving the boat’s value.

Be safe. There may be ice and snow this time of year. If you need to use a ladder, ensure its firmly planted, always tie it off at the top, and have a friend hold it while ascending/descending. Never move or adjust a jack stand – call the yard for assistance. Tying off a winter cover to jack stands is also a bad idea as the stands could be yanked out from under the boat during high winds.

Cass County: Corn $6.62 Beans $14.75
Adair County: Corn $6.59 Beans $14.78
Adams County: Corn $6.59 Beans $14.74
Audubon County: Corn $6.61 Beans $14.77
East Pottawattamie County: Corn $6.65 Beans $14.75
Guthrie County: Corn $6.64 Beans $14.79
Montgomery County: Corn $6.64 Beans $14.77
Shelby County: Corn $6.65 Beans $14.75

Oats $3.61 (Same in all counties)

Atlantic, Iowa – Annie’s Project, a six-week course designed especially to help farm women develop their management and decision-making skills, is being offered by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in Cass County. Online registration is available at www.extension.iastate.edu/womeninag or at the Cass Extension office. Classes will be held at Cass County Community Center at 805 W. 10th St. in Atlantic on Thursdays beginning Feb. 23.

Classes will continue March 2, March 9, March 16, March 23, and March 30. Classes will be held from 6:00 p.m. – 9:00p.m., with a light meal served at 5:30 p.m.  The cost is $75.00. Pre-registration will close a week in advance of the class, or if the class fills up, so organizers encourage those interested to register early!

Farm women participating in Annie’s Project courses become better business partners and owners by learning to manage and organize critical information for their own farms, while establishing networks with other farm women and agriculture business professionals.

According to ISU Extension and Outreach farm specialist, Tim Christensen, Annie’s Project covers five areas of agricultural risk management: financial, human resources, legal, marketing and production. “Our goal is to provide a program that is of great interest and value. Each session includes presentations, discussions and hands-on activities,” Christensen said. “In addition, guest speakers share their personal experiences and knowledge to help women become better business partners and owners,” added Christensen.

According to a 2012 survey conducted by Iowa State Extension and Outreach, 47 percent of Iowa’s farmland is owned by women. Annie’s Project supports these women by providing an agricultural business education program that empowers farm women who want to be more knowledgeable about their agricultural enterprises.

“Offering a quality program such as Annie’s Project benefits our community and we are excited to be able to offer this class, as we’ve had a great response from previous sessions,” said Kate Olson, Cass County Extension Director.

“We’re excited to host this class in Cass County again and look forward to sharing valuable educational tools and important resources with women in southwest Iowa, as well as helping then create a local network of support in their local area,” Olson added.

“Annie’s Project empowers women by offering a valuable set of business-based workshops. The program helps participants learn ways to make better financial and risk management decisions,” according to Madeline Schultz, ISU Extension and Outreach Women in Agriculture Program Manager.

More than 33 states have implemented Annie’s Project sites since its inception in 2002. According to post-program surveys, participants have reported that the program encouraged learning and that the nurturing environment has facilitated ongoing conversation with local speakers. In addition, respondents were able to network with other professionals and stated that they felt comfortable interacting with others for additional information and assistance. Overall, participants remarked that the courses were beneficial in understanding the factors in farming that pertain to women, their families, and the land.

For more information, contact Kate Olson at 712-243-1132, or e-mail keolson@iastate.edu. Register online at www.extension.iastate.edu/womeninag or find additional program details at www.extension.iastate.edu/cass.

(Des Moines, Iowa) –  The Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is hosting a series of town hall-style meetings where local staff will provide updates on recently completed hunting and trapping seasons, discuss possible changes, and address other topics as requested. “We want people to come out to these meetings, listen to the seasons reviews, ask questions and hear directly from our staff,” said Todd Bishop, chief of the Iowa DNR’s Wildlife Bureau. “Part of the meeting will be devoted to discussing potential rule changes and collecting feedback as we work through the rules process.”

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.

Meeting date, time and location (Locally):

• Creston, Feb. 21, 6 p.m., Multi-Purpose Room, Southern Prairie YMCA, 1201 West Townline Street
• Onawa, Feb. 22, 6 p.m., Lewis and Clark State Park visitor center, 21914 Park Loop
• Council Bluffs, Feb. 23, 6:30 p.m., Council Bluffs Fish and Game Club, 531 Comanche St.

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.

(Radio Iowa) – D-N-R state deer biologist, Jace Elliott, says hunters reported taking more deer this year. “We saw about 109-thousand-600 deer harvested across the state throughout all of our regular seasons, which represents about a seven percent increase to the harvest that we saw in the prior year,” Elliott says. That included 25-hundred deer taken in the new January season that allowed hunters to use any leftover antlerless tags. “We had 20 counties eligible for this hunt this year in Iowa, and 14 of them sold out completely. by the end of that season,” he says, “many of which sold out during the first day.” Elliott says the traditional hunting hotspots held true this year.

“You know, it was pretty typical to what we see, in most years, the southeast and northeast corners of the state were sort of leading the pack in terms of harvest numbers,” Elliott says. “I believe Clayton County — which is always kind of our number one harvest county in the state — maintained that position. But we did see a lot of harvest come out of south-central and southeastern Iowa as well.” Elliott says numbers were lower in western Iowa as they continue to build back from the E-H-D outbreak and floods in the Missouri River valley.

“Twenty-nineteen was a pretty bad year for E-H-D in that part of the state. And there were some other factors that go into the declines they’re seeing — such as river flooding during the fawn season, and, and so on. But E-H-D is certainly part of the puzzle. Fortunately, this year was a very mild year for E-H-D in Iowa,” according to Elliott. There were around seven-thousand deer licenses sold and hunters tagged deer at a rate of 30-35 percent — which is similar to previous years.

“Our deer population model indicates that we’re still on a fairly stable to slightly increasing trend statewide,” Elliott says. “And we’re well within our management objective, which is basically to manage the statewide deer population at the level that it was in the mid-1990s. And we’re more or less there and have been for years.” Elliott says the weather was favorable across the state for most of the deer season, which helped with hunter success.