(Radio Iowa) – Especially during the wintertime, some Iowans like to feed the ducks and geese in parks and nearby ponds, but one expert implores — don’t. Orrin Jones, a waterfowl biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, says when we toss bread and other treats to our feathered friends, it’s teaching them to become dependent on us.  “We want to encourage them to find food on their own,” Jones says. “These birds are migratory in nature and it’s very important that they go and distribute, and finding food is part of that migratory process.”

As we’ve all learned during the past pandemic year, sometimes being in close proximity to one another is a bad thing, and the same goes for birds, which will cluster around when there’s free food. Jones says, “It’s important not to concentrate them more than they would naturally from a disease prevention perspective.” One of the biggest problems with feeding ducks and geese is that, while well-intentioned, it could be a critical mistake for the health of the birds.

“They really need to find natural foods to get a wide range of items in their diet to satisfy their nutritional needs,” Jones says. “Human food is oftentimes detrimental and can even be dangerous to these birds so you might actually be harming them by feeding them.” Geese are quite plentiful in Iowa right now, particularly in urban communities, as there are several groups mingling at once, those that live here year-round and those that are migrating.

Atlantic FFA Advisor Eric Miller reports, last weekend, January 23, 2021, FFA members Dylan Comes, Logan Eilts, Wyatt Redinbaugh, Cooper Jipsen and Daniel Freund traveled to the FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny, Iowa to attend the Amplify Leadership Conference. Members from all over Iowa attended the conference, which taught them about leadership and student development. AMPLIFY Conference focuses on student development. Every year, the conference rotates between two themes: Vision and Purpose.

Front Row Left to right
Dylan Comes, Logan Eilts, Wyatt Redinbaugh
Back Row Left to right
Cooper Jipsen and Daniel Freund. (Courtesy Eric Miller)

AMPLIFY Conference theme for 2021 was “Vision: See. Believe. Achieve.” FFA members examined the importance of having a vivid vision. During the workshop FFA members discovered personal passions and talents to help shape a clearer vision of their future. They created a detailed vision of who (not just what) they want to be in life. This type of leadership development will build a sense of self-confidence and winning mentality. Each member then established a strategy to reach for their declared vision and ended the day by summarizing the value of accountability in reaching their vision. “They taught you how to interact with others and how to see other people’s views,” said Eilts. Other chapter member Freund said “I learned how to be a leader and how to set good goals.”

Eric Miller said, “This was the first leadership conference our students were allowed to participate in this school year. These conferences are important to help develop the kind of leaders that we need in our school and community. I am glad the Iowa FFA provides us with the opportunity and the students are so willing to give their time to become better leaders.” The members that attended the conference enjoyed their time. Jipsen said “I liked meeting new people.” Comes also said “I enjoyed the activities, and hanging out with the other members from our chapter.” All around everybody had a good time and would recommend going again. ‘I would recommend, for one they feed you and they feed you well, and you get to meet a lot of people, you really did learn a lot,” said Redinbaugh.

OMAHA, NEBRASKA – January 28, 2021 – Farmland values increased in 2020 across Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming, driven largely by gains in the second half of the year. That’s according to a report from Farm Credit Services of America (FCSAmerica). The COVID-19 pandemic shaped much of 2020, and farmland values were no exception. Historic low interest rates following the initial outbreak, higher grain prices and government ad-hoc payments supported a real estate market that has been generally stable the past few years.

The latest report on benchmark farmland values from FCSAmerica marks the first time since 2013 that values have increased in each of the four states served by the financial cooperative. However, values remain well below the record highs of 2013. Many of the same factors that supported farmland values in 2020 remain in place, including low interest rates and opportunities to lock in profits.

Tim Koch, chief credit officer for FCSAmerica,  says “Significant improvement in net farm income, along with a favorable outlook for 2021, has continued to build on the favorable price momentum seen in the second half of 2020, with continued strengthening of real estate values anticipated through the remainder of the current sales season.”

Iowa and Nebraska led the region in overall gains. South Dakota and Wyoming each trended up in the second half of 2020, but South Dakota lagged its neighboring states in year-over-year gains.

State-by-State Changes in Benchmark Farmland Values:

In Iowa, 17 of the benchmark farms tracked by FCSAmerica increased in value. The remaining four saw no change. Fourteen Nebraska benchmark farms saw an increase, three declined in value and one was unchanged. In South Dakota, six farms increased in value; 16 saw no change. Wyoming’s two benchmark farms saw an overall increase. Weakness in grass land values partially off-set the strength reported in cropland values across South Dakota.

(Radio Iowa) A series of webinars on the Farm Bill will be launched next week by the Iowa State University Extension. Ann Johanns, an I-S-U Extension specialist in economics, says they’ll talk about things like the analysis process for ag risk coverage. As producers make their farm bill decisions, Johanns says they need to pay attention to the markets while looking forward. “Producers need to keep in mind that they’re making a decision for prices we’re going to see next year,” Johanns says. “What we see now, we really need to think about that outlook aspect of it, so they’re making the decision to best fit their operation for the 2021 crop, not what they’re selling that 2020 crop at.”

Johanns says the webinars will spend time acquainting farmers with P-L-C, or price loss coverage.  “We also are going to get into a little bit about SCO, which is a supplement coverage option,” Johanns says. “Producers have to pick the PLC track if that’s something they’re considering. They need to look at the whole picture of how their crop insurance fits into the risk management programs, as well as these programs. Hopefully, we’ll get into all that with these virtual meetings.”

The first webinar is scheduled for February 5th at 1 P-M. For more information, Johanns says producers can check the Ag Decision Maker webinar page, or contact their nearest I-S-U Extension office.

w/Kate Olson.

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(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds says any NEW fuel pumps installed in Iowa should be able to dispense gas with at least a 10 percent blend of ethanol — and the governor says B-11 — 11 percent biodiesel — should be the standard for diesel pumps.  “As we look forward to this year’s legislative session, I am excited to advance policies that will grow the biofuels and ag industry,” Reynolds says. “…That means making biofuels the clear choice for Iowa drivers.”

Many retailers offer two, three or even four blends of fuel from one pump and this would not require that EVERY option be a higher blend of biofuel, but it would require E-10 and B-11 at least be offered from newly-installed pumps. A spokesman for the governor says a draft of the legislation Reynolds proposes will be released soon. Reynolds says governors in Illinois, Nebraska and South Dakota are considering similar requirements for new fuel pumps.

“Minnesota has already taken some steps to help drive higher blends and so I think collectively we have a responsibility,” Reynolds says. “We’re better together.” Reynolds also is asking Iowa legislators to expand the state grant program for installing fuel pumps that dispense higher blends of biofuels. The program has a three million dollar budget this year. Reynolds suggests it should be 10 million dollars next year.

“That will help accelerate and help fund the installation of higher-blend compatible infrastructure,” Reynolds says. State records indicate there are more than 40-thousand gas pump meters in Iowa. Two years ago, Reynolds issued an executive order requiring the use of biodiesel in state-owned vehicles with engines that run on diesel. She’s asking legislators to pass a law this year to make that permanent state policy.

You’re invited to join the Cass County Conservation Board, for Common Feeder Bird Identification and Owl Prowl Programs. They will be held February 7th, 2021 at the Outdoor Educational Classroom, near Massena. Get ready for the Great Backyard Bird Count by learning how to identify common Iowa birds that like to visit your feeders. Join Kelly McKay from ‘Building Better Birders’ as he shares about Common Feeder Bird Identification.

Funding for the program is provided by the Resource Enhancement and Protection – Conservation Education Program (REAP – CEP). This workshop will be conducted by Kelly McKay (BioEco Research and Monitoring Center), with assistance from Mark Roberts (Clinton County Conservation) and Brian Ritter (Nahant Marsh Education Center).  The program is the first of the CCCB’s “Building a Better Birder Workshop Series” and are brought to Cass County Conservation Board through the Resource Enhancement and Protection (REAP-CEP) grant.

The Common Feeder Birds session will start at 2PM and be indoors. The Owl Prowl Hike will start at 4PM and will be outside. Pre-Registration is appreciated. Call  769-2372 or email to sign up lkanning@casscoia.us. Take Hwy 148 south of Massena, Turn Left on Tucson Rd, Follow it East for about two miles, and then a right hand turn into the parking lot. Of course this qualifies for our 120hrs Outdoor Challenge don’t forget to use #120hrsCassCoIA as a hashtag for your adventures.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Renewable Fuels Association executive director Monte Shaw is calling on the Biden Administration to reverse the ethanol waivers the Trump Administration granted the oil industry. “The message from this one action, which could be taken immediately, would signify that we are truly entering a new, more hopeful phase for biofuels,” Shaw says. Shaw delivered the opening speech at today’s (Tuesday’s) virtual Renewable Fuels Summit and began by focusing on the Trump Administration’s decision to ignore court orders and grant waivers. Shaw also warns of the looming fight over accelerated production of electric vehicles as well as arguments about ethanol’s role in reducing carbon emissions. “In short, we must be ready to do battle in 2021,” Shaw said.

Shaw says policymakers must consider whether normal working people can actually afford E-Vs — electric vehicles — or if they’re even best option to reduce carbon. “Here’s the dirty little secret. An EV today, charged in a state like Missouri or Minnesota or many others that rely on coal for electricity actually has a higher carbon footprint per mile than my flex-fuel Tahoe motoring down the road powered by E85,” Shaw says. “Biofuel supporters must be ready to fight EV mandates in 2021.”  Shaw says research shows the carbon content of tailpipe emissions is reduced when a vehicle is running on ethanol blended fuel.

“Never in my lifetime has DC descended into the tribalism and lack of serious thought we are seeing today and, let’s face it, that’s saying something,” Shaw said. “…We are seeing elected officials hit the policy ‘easy button’ of an unworkable slogan that will fit on a bumper sticker instead of bringing people together to work on real solutions that require time, earnest effort and — heaven forbid — a bit of compromise.”

Shaw is asking the IOWA legislature to increase state grant money for retailers that install pumps for higher blends of ethanol. According to the Iowa Corn Growers Association, 57 percent of the corn harvested in Iowa is used to produce ethanol.

• KJAN, Atlantic  9.5″
• Massena  5″
• Bridgewater  9″
• Corning  10.8″
• Audubon  6″
• Guthrie Center  14″
• Red Oak  12.6″
• Creston  10″
• Carroll  4.8″
• Clarinda  14″
• Shenandoah  13″

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Pork Congress will be held this week but the pandemic is forcing a series of major changes from years past. Iowa Pork Producers Association spokeswoman Dal Grooms says the first event is at 10 o’clock tomorrow (Tuesday) morning in Des Moines. “We are going to start the week off with our annual meeting but that will be the only in-person event that we have,” Grooms says. “Then we’ll have education sessions and those are all going to be one-hour virtual sessions. Of course, there’s not going to be any trade show available to producers, and we know how much they love that.”

The 2020 event, which usually brings five-thousand producers to Iowa’s capitol city, was cancelled due to COVID-19. Grooms says a host of top-notch speakers are lined up for this year’s edition. “Our keynoter is Damian Mason, an ag economist who also does some motivational and inspiring speaking,” Grooms says. “He’s going to be talking about different events that have happened in agriculture and how they’re going to impact producers in the future.”

Mason’s talk is scheduled for noon on Wednesday, while there are two educational workshops planned for Thursday. “One is going to be with Hannah Thompson-Weeman of the Animal Ag Alliance. She’s going to talk about some of the animal activists and what they’ve been doing and how producers can protect their farm and farm security,” Grooms says. “The other educational session is going to be about some of the new marketing opportunities that have been developed.”

Pre-register for most events at: iowaporkcongress.org