From left to right: Prince and Mr. Congeniality Garrett Reynolds, King Craig Alan Becker, Queen Emily Plagman, Princess Caroline Pellett

The 2021 Cass County Fair got into full swing on Thursday night with the King and Queen contest held in front of the community garden at the fairgrounds. Emily Plagman was crowned 2021 Cass County Fair Queen and Craig Alan Becker was crowned King. The candidates went through a round of judging prior to fair with a meal and interviews. Then on Thursday night they were introduced to the crowd, asked about their involvement and future plans, and asked a surprise question written by their peers.

A total of 3 King candidates and 9 Queen candidates participated. Mr. Congeniality was awarded to Garrett Reynolds and he was also named Prince. Miss Congeniality was awarded to Taylor McCreedy. Princess went to Caroline Pellett.

King Craig Becker is a member of the Benton Franklin 4H club and Atlantic FFA. He is the son of John and Abby Becker. Queen Emily Plagman is also a member of the Benton Franklin 4H club and the CAM FFA. She is the daughter of Mike and Kristi Plagman.

The Little Miss and Mister contest was held just prior to the King and Queen contest. Youngsters 5-8 years old can enter the contest and winners are chosen by a drawing. The 2021 Little Miss went to Adalyn Hanson and Little Mister went to Ethan Retallic.

2021 Little Mister Ethan Retallic and 2021 Little Miss Adalyn Hanson with 2019 Prince Mitchell Williamson, 2019 King Nathan Behrends, and 2019 Queen Haley Becker

(Radio Iowa) – Two Iowans spoke at a Senate hearing on cattle markets Wednesday. Jon Schaben, the owner of Dunlap Livestock Auction, says something needs to be done to help independent producers. “With an increasing prevalence of extreme market shifts and the limited ability of producers to mitigate market risks in the cattle industry, it is imperative that we uplift the concerns of those in the production sector for this Senate Judiciary Committee hearing,” Schaben says.

“Simply put, the beef supply chain begins with and relies upon thousands of independent cattle producers.” He says the money those producers receive has declined dramatically. “In 20015, 51-and-a-half percent of the consumer dollars spent on beef returned to producers. In 2020, that figure dropped to 37 percent. That’s been a steady decline from what the producers are getting from what the retail dollar is,” Schaben said. He says the large meatpackers controlling the industry is a concern.

“Cattle producers work hard to manage inputs, mitigate risks, and raise cattle that ultimately provide the high-quality beef demanded by meatpackers, retailers, and consumers,” according to Schaben. The greatest fear of independent cattle producers is to lose their livelihoods to meat-packing efficiency, an example of vertical integration. We’ve witnessed vertical integration in the swine and poultry industries — so we know what that path is like.” Shane Miller of Sioux City is the group president of Fresh Meats at Tyson Foods. He had a different view of what is going on with beef prices.

“The present divide between live cattle and boxed beef prices is not the result of a consolidated industry, lack of competition or the cash markets,” according to Miller. “The concentration of ownership within the meat processing industry is virtually unchanged over the last 30 years. Instead, the present spread between live cattle and beef prices has everything to do with supply and demand.” He says the shutdown of plants caused by the pandemic made the situation worse.

“This led to an oversupply of live cattle and an undersupply of beef — all while demand for beef products is at an all-time high,” Miller said. “So, it should not surprise any of us that as a result, the price for live cattle fell, while the price for beef rose.” Miller says Tyson provides several options to producers.

“Producers decide for themselves how to best market and sell their cattle. With Tyson they have a variety of options available — whether that be negotiated cash market, forward contracting, or tailored alternative marketing agreements — or A-M-A’s,” he said. Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley is on the Judiciary Committee and says had strong reservations about consolidation within agriculture and the livestock industry for more than 20 years.

(Radio Iowa) – With most of Iowa’s corn in or near the critical pollination stage, farmers are being advised to scout for the usual pests that can do serious damage to a crop. Iowa State University Extension entomologist Erin Hodgson says pollination can be hampered by several types of insects.

“The primary one would be corn rootworm, so we have northern and western corn rootworm that are very attracted to the silks and can clip them while they’re feeding,” Hodgson says. “We also have Japanese beetle and that’s not an everywhere thing in Iowa but there are certainly some pockets in Iowa where they see a lot of clipping because of Japanese beetle.” Hodgson says it’s crucial producers take the time to walk their fields and seek out these damaging bugs.

“For those areas that are having drought stress, that pollination period could be shortened anyway on top of the silk feeding,” she says. “It is an important time to be out there scouting for insects. If it does seem like the clipping is interfering with the pollination, it would be time to take action in order to protect that period.” While there are several treatment options available to producers, Hodgson says many will have to hire a cropduster to apply pesticides.

“The bigger issue is just that at that time of the year, many people will have to contract out an application because the corn is so tall, you either have to get an aerial application or use a high-boy in order to get clearance over the top of the corn,” Hodgson says, “and not everybody has access to that.” Hodgson says the pest damage can mean smaller ears and a reduced number of kernels and kernel weights, harming yield.

A full day of activities will be experienced during 2021 Cass County Fair, on this Thursday. Events include:

• 7:30-a.m.: Swine weigh-in
• 8-a.m.: Rabbit check-in
• 10-a.m.: Poultry check-in
• 10:30-a.m.: Meat Goat weigh-in and Dairy Check-in
• 3-p.m.: Sheep weigh-in
• 4:30-p.m.: Horse check-in
• 5-p.m.: 4-H/FFA Exhibits Open/Food Sale
• 7-p.m.: Little Miss & Little Mister contest
• 7:30-p.m: King & Queen contest
• 8-p.m.: Senior Recognition.

Some of the events set to take place tomorrow (Friday), include: a Dog Show; Clover Kids animal show; Share-the-Fun/Style Show; Mutton Busting, and the Bull ride. See the complete schedule HERE.

OMAHA, NEBRASKA – July 28, 2021 – Farmland values in Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming continue to strengthen, building on the gains that followed the 2020 harvest. Supported by low interest rates and the renewed optimism of higher grain prices and farm income, land values are nearing levels not seen in eight years. Farm Credit Services of America (FCSAmerica) has released its July 2021 farmland value report based on 63 farms spread across its four-state territory. Fifty-three farms increased in value, eight saw no change and two declined. On average, values were up 7.5% in the first six months of 2021.

Iowa saw the greatest overall gains. Twelve benchmark farms are valued at more than $10,000 per acre, including a central Iowa farm with a 34% gain in 2021 for a per-acre value of $13,200.  A year ago, only five farms were valued in excess of $10,000 per acre. Iowa farmland is only 7% shy of its 2013 peak, and the real estate market remains active. A week after the completion of FCSAmerica’s July benchmark report, six bare land farms in central Iowa sold for a low of $14,200 to a high of $16,800 an acre.

Tim Koch, chief credit officer for FCSAmerica, says “As anticipated, the substantial run-up in farm profitability has resulted in increased farmland values on the whole. But we also saw significant differences in values at the local level based on market activity, including the number of sales and land availability.” The two benchmark farms that lost value, for example, were in Nebraska. Yet in the south-central area of the state, values were up an average of 15% in the first half of 2021 and are approaching historic highs. Statewide, Nebraska farmland is 15% behind its peak value of 2013.

Those areas that saw little change in value also tended to have a higher concentration of pastureland. In South Dakota, where values are 11% behind the market peak, only pastureland saw no gain. As cattle operators focus on retaining cash, pastureland values will likely see continued price pressure in coming months, Koch said. While drought is impacting crops in areas of FCSAmerica’s territory, it is unlikely to be a drag on cropland values. Strong crop insurance price levels will offset drought-related production losses. The majority of grain operators are expected to be profitable again in 2021 and interest rates remain favorable, Koch said: “The outlook for real estate looks pretty strong.”

The chart below shows the average change in farm values by state. The number of benchmark farms in each state is in parentheses.

 About Farm Credit Services of America

Farm Credit Services of America is a customer-owned financial cooperative proud to finance the growth of rural America, including the special needs of young and beginning producers. With nearly $34 billion in assets and $6.4 billion in members’ equity, FCSAmerica is one of the region’s leading providers of credit and insurance services to farmers, ranchers, agribusiness and rural residents in Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming. Learn more at fcsamerica.com.

(Iowa DNR News) – The impact that a cold and snowy Iowa winter and driest spring since 1994 had on pheasant nesting success will likely be seen when the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) conducts its annual roadside pheasant counts between Aug. 1-15.

The statewide survey is conducted by Iowa DNR staff who drive 218, 30-mile routes on gravel roads at dawn on mornings with heavy dew. Hen pheasants will move their broods to the edge of the gravel road to dry off before they begin feeding, which makes them easier to count. Todd Bogenschutz, upland wildlife research biologist for the Iowa DNR, says “We had a cold and snowy winter from early January till February, which hurts hen survival, then a warm up, and a good March and April – the dry spring was a positive for nest success – so the model says our pheasant population we will likely be status quo to a slightly increasing. It will be interesting to see the survey results. The conditions for the survey are important as the accuracy of the counts depend on the dew conditions when the routes are run. While the drought conditions have eased across most of Iowa, we are still fairly dry.”

The August roadside survey has been conducted over the same routes since 1962. In addition to pheasants and quail, the survey collects data on partridge, cottontails and jackrabbits. Results will be posted online at www.iowadnr.gov/pheasantsurvey in early September. Iowa’s pheasant season begins Oct. 30.

w/Kate Olson.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (6.4MB)

Subscribe: RSS

(Radio Iowa) – Congressman Randy Feenstra has gotten language included in a House ag bill for wildfires and hurricanes that would also cover the 2020 derecho-related losses. “I am very pleased to see the committee come together working on this bipartisan legislation for our farmers and our producers. I am also so very pleased to see the legislation include production losses caused by high winds and derechos,” Feenstra says. Feenstra has been pushing for several months to get the derecho coverage after the derecho caused the loss of 850-thousand acres of crops.

“This was the most costly thunderstorm in U-S history — costing about seven-point-five BILLION (dollars). I am very pleased that our committee is continuing these efforts to ensure that Iowa farmers and farmers across the country receive disaster relief they need to offset these massive losses by these events,” Feenstra says. Feenstra is a Republican from Hull.

The Montgomery County Recreational Trails Committee is hosting a Three Community Trails Bike or Walking Event on Friday, August 20 and Saturday, August 21, 2021, in Villisca, Stanton and Red Oak. Organizers say there is no charge to participate, but donations will be accepted and all the fun you will have is absolutely FREE. The first community event will be on Friday night, August 20 as Villisca hosts their “Every Street Bike Ride”. Participants will gather starting at 7:00 PM at the Park Shelter House, at the intersection of 3rd St. and 3rd Ave. A leisurely evening bike ride, lasting around an hour and a half, will take riders down and up every street and avenue in Villisca past well known historic attractions including the Ax Murder House. Bikers may also choose to ride only streets or only avenues, either of which takes about 40 minutes. There will also be a 2-mile and a ¾ mile walking route.

The next morning, August 21, participants will be able to ride or walk the Stanton Greenbelt Trail. The event will start anytime between 8 and 9 AM from Anderson Park. Participants will be able to also visit the Swedish Heritage and Cultural Center and enjoy a cup of coffee and pasties or lunch at the new Fika Coffee Hus on Main Street. The event will then travel to Red Oak for a 2:30 PM for the Historic Heritage Hill ride or walk including the WWII depot museum, and the scenic Red Oak Trail. Begin the journey at the Montgomery County Court House at 2nd and Coolbaugh St. ending at the “518” Building at the corner of Red Oak Square, 4th and Reed for wonderful music and drinks of all kinds.

For those who participate in all three communities, a FREE commemorative T-Shirt will be awarded.

Get a commemorative T-shirt for participating in all 3 rides! (Photo from the MCRTC Facebook page)

Those who choose to do only one or two segments will be able to make a suggested donation and get the same T-Shirt. Each community will have a separate route for biking and walking. Their purpose is to introduce to you the three participating communities and the NEW Montgomery County Recreational Trails Committee. We will also share the work of connecting our county from North to South and East to West through a new system of trails.

Pre-Registration is encouraged, but not required. You can register at Montgomery County Recreational Trails Face book page. Remember, when bicycling, “Think Safety. Wear your Helmet”.

Activities at the FREE 2021 Cass County Fair get underway bright and early Wednesday morning. From 9-a.m. Until 2:30-p.m., there is 4-H/FFA Static Exhibit Judging, and from 10:30-a.m.until 12:30-p.m., “Bucket of Junk” judging. Cass County ISU Extension Director Kate Olson says the event is sponsored by Weirich Welding

The projects created by the kids using the scrap metal are left on display throughout the week in the Community Center. On August 2nd, awards will be presented by the judges for technical effort and creativity, and a “People’s Choice” award, for the most creative bucket.

She said it should be a record-setting year for the Bucket of Junk Contest, with a good number of participants. Clover kids Showcase entries will also take place Wednesday, from 9-a.m., until Noon. Olsen says something different this year, than in years past, is that the Food Sale has been moved from Wednesday to Thursday, beginning at 5-p.m.

Another change this year, is the addition of a table-setting contest at the Community Center on the Fairgrounds.

The weather should be a little less hot and humid toward the end of the week, but some may be concerned about the welfare of the livestock, not to mention their handlers. Kate Olsen says their exhibitors know how to handle their animals, and watchful eyes will make sure both participants and animals are safe.

And, Olsen says with regard to COVID, there will be a lot of hand sanitizer available on the grounds, social distancing will be possible due to most of the events being outdoors, but a mask will not be required. You may of course, wear a mask at your discretion.

Some of the big events taking place during the Cass County Fair, include:

Little Miss/Mister Contest, 7-p.m. Thursday
King & Queen Contests, 7:30-p.m. Thursday
Senior Recognition, 8-p.m. Thursday
A Bull ride on Friday at 8-p.m.
Tractor Pulls 6-p.m. Saturday
Golf Cart Races Sunday at 7-p.m.
And, the Grand Champion Beef Selection takes place 6:30-p.m., Monday.

View the complete Fair Schedule HERE