(Radio Iowa) – A key Senator says the Iowa House has approved a meaningless plan that would prevent carbon pipeline developers from applying for government condemnation of land along pipeline routes before February 1st. Senator Dennis Guth, a Republican from Klemme, says the Iowa Utilities Board chair told him there’s absolutely no way the eminent domain process would be even close to being completed by February 1st. “The bill really does absolutely nothing and it doesn’t belong on a budget bill anyhow,” Guth says, “so it’s not going to stay on my budget bill.”

Guth is chairman of the Senate subcommittee that oversees the Iowa Utilities Board budget. Guth says he’s working with Senate leaders and the Utilities Board on a bill that would restrict what eminent domain may be used for. “Trying to make sure that we keep eminent domain for the sorts of things that we think it should be used for,” Guth says, “rather than using it with a broad brush all the time.” But Guth says the bill is still in development and won’t be ready until 2023. This debate over construction of carbon pipelines cuts close to home for Guth. “The pipeline would go one mile from my house, through a farm that I rent,” Guth says.

Guth says there are a whole lot of things not to like about the prospect of having developers seek eminent domain authority from the Iowa Utility Board, to acquire land from property owners who don’t want the pipelines on their ground.  “We don’t believe that we should use eminent domain for a project that’s going to take a private landowner’s property and use it for a purpose that we don’t even agree with necessarily,” Guth says.

Ethanol producers and some corn growers say the pipelines would reduce the carbon load from ethanol plants and, ultimately, benefit farmers by extending the life of the ethanol industry. Guth suggests the primary beneficiaries of carbon pipelines would be the private developers. “Eminent domain is something we can use when you want to build a road or when you want to put in a natural gas pipeline where you are going to have all kinds of homes hooked up to that and you’re going to be doing a benefit to the people,” Guth says. “This carbon pipeline is just going to go straight out of Iowa, into another state, and isn’t going to benefit the people of Iowa at all.”

Pipeline developers propose shipping the carbon to underground storage in North Dakota or southern Illinois.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig says over the past dozen years, his department has awarded 50 million dollars in state grants for installing ethanol-compatible equipment at gas stations and it’s time to take the next step.  “We can have a great industry that produces a fantastic product that’s cheaper and better for the environment,” Naig says, “but if a consumer doesn’t the opportunity to pick up the pump handle and pump it into their gas tank, we haven’t completed the supply chain.”

Naig says Governor Reynolds has proposed a practical Iowa Renewable Fuels Standard Governor because it requires stations that can to offer E-15, but waivers would be available to smaller, older stations that can’t afford new tanks, pumps and fuel lines. “There are fueling stations out there that don’t have compatible equipment, it’s an older station, it’s a mom and pop shop that there is no earthly reason for them to break up their concrete and replace all their tanks and pumps and hoses to be able to offer these higher blends,”Naig says, “but for those stations that can and that have compatible infrastructure, let’s get on with offering those higher blends.”

Under the plan that’s passed the House, Naig’s agency would be in charge of granting the waivers. Naig says he’s asked the legislature to make it very clear which stations would qualify for a waiver and not have to sell E-15 or higher blends of ethanol. “I don’t want a lot of gray area out here,” Naig says.

The governor’s ethanol standard for Iowa passed the House earlier this year, but has stalled in the Senate. House members have also voted for a moratorium on another ethanol-related issue. The proposal would delay until next year any developers’ request to seize property along proposed carbon pipeline routes where landowners have not signed off on access. Naig says he can see the benefits of capturing the carbon from Iowa ethanol plants and shipping it to underground storage through pipelines.

“If you can capture the CO2, you can lower the carbon intensity of a gallon of ethanol and what that can do is, we hope, preserve the longevity and the ethanol and biodiesel and renewable energy in our energy portfolio as a country and that is good news, that is a positive thing that can happen,” Naig says. “On the flip side, there is the issue of building a pipeline and those can be very difficult decisions for a landowner. Imagine a pipeline coming across a century farm.”

Three companies have announced plans to build carbon pipelines through Iowa. Naig says he’d much rather see the companies strike voluntary deals with landowners and the Iowa Utilities Board should be careful in considering private property rights before granting eminent domain for land seizures. “What I have encouraged each of the pipeline companies to do is negotiate in good faith, compensate landowners fairly, answer their questions, satisfy their concerns,” Naig says. “…If these projects are going to go, they should go because the landowners are willing to participate.”

Naig made his comments during a weekend appearance on “Iowa Press” on Iowa P-B-S.

DES MOINES, Iowa (April 3, 2022) – The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) have confirmed two positive cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in Iowa. The virus was found in a commercial turkey flock in Sac County, Iowa and in a flock of commercial breeding chickens in Humboldt County, Iowa.

Flock owners should prevent contact between their birds and wild birds and report sick birds or unusual deaths to state/federal officials. Biosecurity resources and best practices are available at iowaagriculture.gov/biosecurity. If producers suspect signs of HPAI in their flocks, they should contact their veterinarian immediately. Possible cases should also be reported to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship at (515) 281-5305.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the recent HPAI detections in birds do not present an immediate public health concern. No human cases of these avian influenza viruses have been detected in the United States. It remains safe to eat poultry products. As a reminder, the proper handling and cooking of poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165 ˚F kills bacteria and viruses.

Chris Parks and Cass/Adair County Conservation Officer Grant Gelly talk about all things outdoors. This week they talk about prepping for youth turkey season, spring bird migration and nesting, upcoming area hikes, and more.

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(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig says bird flu has been confirmed in two more sites in the state.

Bird flu has been confirmed at a commercial site in Cherokee County with 88-thousand turkeys and at an egg-laying facility in Osceola County with five-point-three MILLION hens. Naig says nearly 13 million poultry animals have been killed in Iowa so far to try to prevent the spread of bird flu.

Naig says in the bird flu outbreak of 2015, the virus spread from facility to facility, but it appears bio-security measures at large operations are working — and officials believe this year’s round of bird flu is being spread by the spring migration of wild birds.

The bird flu outbreak in 2015 started in mid-April, but the first case of bird flu this year was confirmed on March 2nd. Naig says there’s still a steady supply of eggs, chicken and turkey in grocery stores, but it appears to be shrinking a bit.

Naig made his comments during taping of “Iowa Press” which airs tonight (Friday) at 7:30 on Iowa P-B-S.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig says nearly 13 million poultry animals have been killed in Iowa so far to try to prevent the spread of bird flu.

Naig says in the bird flu outbreak of 2015, the virus spread from facility to facility, but it appears bio-security measures at large operations are working and officials believe this year’s round of bird flu is being spread by wild birds.

Naig made his comments today (Friday) during taping of “Iowa Press” which airs tonight (Friday) at 7:30 on Iowa P-B-S.

(Radio Iowa) – The U-S-D-A estimates American farmers will plant more soybeans and less corn this year compared to last year. Randy Broesder, general manager at the Forest City Farmers Coop, says that’s not quite the trend locally. “Around here, a lot of people did a pretty good job of buying fertilizer early, so there’s still a lot of corn here,” Broesder says. The U-S-D-A estimates Iowa farmers will plant at least 200-thousand fewer acres with corn this year compared to 2021.

Meanwhile, the agency predicts a four percent increase nationwide in the number of acres planted with soybeans. The estimate is impacting prices and Broesder says it’s having an effect on planting decisions, too. “Beans were down 40 cents and corn was up 20, so when you change the market 60 cents, it’s going to change what people plant,” Broesder says. “That’s too big.” There are other factors roiling the grain markets, like the war in Ukraine and the soybean harvest in South America.

Broesder says weather here will also be a factor in market fluctuations. “We’re just so dry — and there’s a big dry area — any little hiccup and it could be explosive,” Broesder says. This week’s U.S. Drought Monitor indicates about two-thirds of Iowa is either abnormally dry or in moderate drought, with severe drought conditions reported in Woodbury and Monona Counties.

(Radio Iowa) – A survey released by the Realtors Land Institute shows land values haven’t dropped off at all. Scott Seifert presented the results. “From September 1st 2021 to March 1st 2022 as a state average on farmland — it went up 14-point-one percent. That is all nine regions and taking in your low, medium and high quality cropland,” Seifert says. Their survey is done every six months, and he says when you look at a full year their survey is close to what other yearly surveys have found for cropland prices. He says land prices probably won’t change a lot in the short term as commodity prices remain strong. But other costs could start to impact them.

“That’s going to hold out for a while, but I think as we get through the year and people made more money on the farm for 2021’s crops than they will for 2022 probably — because inputs are definitely going to catch up, and we’ve already seen that some,” he says. Seifert says those economic factors might slow things a bit. “I don’t think we are going to see the rise like we’ve seen the last 12 to 18 months,” Seifert says. He says that is already evident in the survey when they ask landowners about the expected return.

He says in the survey last March, a majority said they wanted to see a three percent return, and this year they are hoping for a two percent return. But he says they understand they aren’t going to get as much money, but see the land as a hard asset. Seifert says inflation is another factor that is starting to show up more when they asked about impacts on land values. “In 2021 people said that inflation risk was the least important of the list of them there. And then when you came to 2022, that one wasn’t the highest, but it was not the least by any means — it was more the middle of the pack,” Seifert says. “I think people are just understanding the general economics of what’s going on in the U-S today.”

Current interest rate levels and low supply of land being offered to the market were other factors that respondents said impacted land value.

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa – March 30, 2022 – Nominations are now being sought to recognize the 2022 Iowa Conservation Farmer of the Year.  Now in its 70^th year, this prestigious honor has been awarded to celebrate conservation progress and Iowa farmers who are committed to exceptional environmental stewardship and conservation efforts.

The statewide and regional awards, co-sponsored by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) and the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF), honor Iowa farmers who have distinguished track records of commitment to soil conservation and water quality improvement efforts. The grand prize winner will receive the use of a new John Deere 6E utility tractor for one year. Last year’s Iowa Conservation Farmer of the Year award winner, Cedar County farmers Ken Fawcett and his nephew, Kent Stewart, were recognized for embracing innovative conservation practices to take on the challenge of improving Iowa’s soil health and water quality while sharing their experiences and insight with fellow farmers.

To nominate a farmer for the award, visit www.cdiowa.org/awards for a short form summarizing the nominee’s conservation efforts and commitment to improving soil.  Nominations are due May 13, 2022 to your local Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) office.

One nominee will be selected by each of Iowa’s 99 county SWCD offices. These individuals will be considered for regional conservation awards. Nine regional award winners will compete for the title of “Iowa’s Conservation Farmer of the Year.”  The winner will be announced during the Iowa State Fair and will receive the keys to their tractor during the Conservation Districts of Iowa annual meeting, September 23-24, in Ames.

The 2022 Conservation Farmer of the Year winner will receive free use of a John Deere 6E Series utility tractor for up to 12 months or 200 hours of use. The prize, valued at more than $12,000, has long been donated by the Farm Bureau partner Van Wall Equipment of Perry and John Deere.

AMES, Iowa – Over the past few years in Iowa, agricultural producers have faced trade wars, a global COVID-19 pandemic, derechos and hurricane-force winds, and drought-like conditions. Now many are again being impacted by avian influenza.

Poultry producers may be wondering how much more stress they can take or how they can be strong in the face of these challenges. They also may start to experience distressing thoughts and anxious feelings or responses, such as having difficulty sleeping or concentrating. Such strong reactions are common with such extreme events, said David Brown, behavioral health specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

“How can Iowans maintain resilience in the face of these challenges? Fortunately, there are a number of actions people can take to restore their emotional wellbeing and increase their resilience,” Brown said.

A farmer veterinary walks inside a poultry farm. Photo Credit: Man in poultry barn, by roibu/stock.adobe.com.

Brown offered the following suggestions:

• Get plenty of rest and eat well-balanced meals. Relaxation exercises, such as deep breathing, meditation/prayer or practicing mindfulness, may also make it easier for a person to sleep.
• Remember other hardships you managed well during different times in your life and tap into those same skills.
• Take a break from the news and social media. All those pictures and information about bird loss can make your stress even greater.
• Make time to talk to friends, family members and coworkers. This is important, since the COVID-19 pandemic has already weakened many support outlets.
• Avoid alcohol and drugs.
• Maintain routines in the home and school as much as possible.
• Engage in fun activities, including exercise or hobbies.
• Identify what your top priorities are and make a plan that breaks down the tasks into simple steps.

Resources available for dealing with stress

In collaboration with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, two USDA grant funded (USDA NIFA 2021-70035-35720) publications are now available. One is Farm Stress and Mental Health: A Fact Sheet for Agricultural Advocates. This eight-page publication provides resources and information for those agribusinesses supporting producers.

The second resource is Stress on the Farm: A Resource for Farmers, Families, and Communities.  This four-page document highlights the key signs of stress for farmers and family members to be aware of and offers many helpful resources.

For more information, contact Brown at dnbrown@iastate.edu.

Other resources

Iowa Concern, offered by ISU Extension and Outreach, provides confidential access to stress counselors and an attorney for legal education, as well as information and referral services for a wide variety of topics. With a toll-free phone number, live chat capabilities and a website, Iowa Concern services are available 24 hours a day, seven days per week at no charge. To reach Iowa Concern, call 800-447-1985; language interpretation services are available. Or, visit the website, https://www.extension.iastate.edu/iowaconcern/, to live chat with a stress counselor one-on-one in a secure environment. Or, email an expert regarding legal, finance, stress, or crisis and disaster issues.

Project Recovery Iowa offers a variety of services to anyone affected by the recent Iowa disasters and COVID-19 pandemic. Virtual counselors and consultants provide counseling, family finance consultation, farm financial consultation, referral information and help finding resources for any Iowan seeking personal support. Iowans of all ages may join groups online for activities and learn creative strategies for coping with the effects of the pandemic. Project Recovery Iowa will announce upcoming programs on the website and via all social media to help Iowans build coping skills, resilience and emotional support. To request support, visit Project Recovery online.