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Shelby County Extension & Outreach will host a Seed Treatment Continuing Instruction Course (CIC) for commercial pesticide applicators, Wednesday, October 10, 2018. The program will be shown through the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Pesticide Safety Education Program (PSEP).
The local attendance site is 906 6th St., Harlan. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m., and the course runs from 9 to 11 a.m. The registration fee is $35 on or before October 10. To register or to obtain additional information about the CIC, contact Shelby County Extension & Outreach by phoning 712-755-3104.
The course will provide continuing instruction credit for commercial pesticide applicators certified in categories 4 and 10. Topics to be covered include equipment calibration and safe application techniques; pests, pest management and pesticides; and issues concerning treated seed, including disposal of unused treated seed.
Certified Crop Advisor (CCA) Continuing Education Units (CEUs) will be offered. Interested participants should bring their CCA number to the program.
Additional information and registration forms for this and other courses offered by the PSEP team can be accessed at www.extension.iastate.edu/PSEP/.
(Radio Iowa) — The latest U-S-D-A report on Iowa crops shows at least five percent of the corn and eight percent of the state’s soybeans were harvested by Sunday night. Harvest progress has been slow, though, because of above average rainfall in much of the state last week.
In August, the U-S-D-A predicted U.S. corn yields would average an all-time record of 178 bushels per acre. The prediction for Iowa was the same as last year — just over 200 bushels per acre.
The latest U-S-D-A report for Iowa indicates nearly three-quarters of Iowa corn is rated in good to excellent condition, with maturity about a week ahead of average.
(Radio Iowa) — The ping-pong nature of the weather so far this year could impact the type of quality of the fall leaf colors. Iowa D-N-R state forester Jeff Goerndt says things were trending toward an early pop of color. “Look for possibly an early fall leaf change because of some of the drier weather, but that could change with some of the cooler temperatures in the forecast,” Goerndt says. He admits there’s no easy way to tell exactly when the leaves will change.
“Fall color is really a hard thing to predict, there’s just so many different factors that are involved in how leaves turn color,” according to Goerndt. “Generally hot or dry weather is not a bad thing for fall color. It’s usually produce some brighter colors — especially some of the brighter red colors — as long as it doesn’t get too hot or too dry.” Goerndt says the trees may be like most people as the weather patterns switch back and forth.
“This year it was hotter and drier earlier and then it’s sort of gotten wet in some areas, and so you’ve got some of that back and forth. So, the trees are probably wondering what to do,” Goerndt says. There are some conditions that usually always lead to a colorful leaf display. “Generally for fall color, brighter sunny days and cool nights are usually a good thing for fall color,” Goerndt says. “If we get some wet weather from here on out — that could kind of make for some duller, slower changing trees.”
Goerndt says weather that is too hot and dry causes trees to drop their leaves early, or causes them to turn brown.
(Radio Iowa) — It’s the first week of fall and many Iowa farmers are already starting the harvest. Even weather experts admit it’s been an unusual growing season. Meteorologist Dennis Todey, director of the U-S-D-A’s Midwest Climate Hub in Ames, says 2018 is turning out to be a year of extremes, to be sure.
“The northern part of the corn belt, we had snows in April, we had wet conditions, we were slowed down from planting well into May in some places,” Todey says. “The southern part of the corn belt had some delays but not too badly.” After the late start due to the cold, wet conditions, the heat wave rolled in.
“We’ve had pretty regular heat throughout the summer, very warm conditions back in May and June,” Todey says. “Over Memorial Day, we had 90s which is really pretty high for that time of year. We had a lot of heat early on, then, kind of mellowed after that.” Despite the ups and downs, it ended up being a decent season for most growers.
“Crops matured pretty quickly so that’s moved us along,” Todey says. “We went from being behind to caught up now. We’re getting into a situation where we’re seeing corn maturing along with soybeans or even ahead of soybeans in some places.” Updated computer models show cooler-than-normal temperatures across the region through the end of this month and into October, which may bring the first frost.
AMES, IOWA – Quality beef begins with quality care. The Beef Checkoff Program wants to recognize beef producers, marketers, and educators who diligently care for and properly handle cattle to provide consumers with safe and wholesome beef. Applications for Iowa’s 2018 Iowa Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Awards are now being accepted.
BQA is a national program for beef cattle production that assures the highest standards of animal care and treatment. It was developed with guidance from leading animal health and well-being experts and outlines essential elements for cattle care. More than 90 percent of all U.S. beef is raised under the BQA program. (1)
The Iowa BQA program will recognize an outstanding cow/calf and feedyard beef producer, dairy producer, beef marketer, and/or educator/s who best demonstrate BQA practices, including sound animal husbandry practices. Nominees should be BQA certified and work to continually improve BQA on their operations while operating sustainable cattle businesses. The desire to encourage fellow producers to implement BQA and communicate what the industry is doing to ensure quality cattle care is a plus. The award is open to all segments of the industry – commercial cow-calf, seedstock, backgrounders, feedyards, dairy operations, auction markets operators/managers, veterinarians, and other educators.
“Beef Quality Assurance is becoming increasingly necessary to access markets in addition to being the right thing to do,” said Day Loy, Director, Iowa Beef Center. “The BQA awards program recognizes those that are going above and beyond the basic guidelines that help assure a safe, wholesome beef supply that is well cared for in the production process and enhancing our industry’s reputation.”
Completed entries are due by Friday, November 2, 2018. The Iowa BQA Award winners will be selected by a committee of fellow cattle producers, veterinarians, pharmaceutical representatives, and others who have a vested interest in the future of the beef industry. Nominations can be submitted by any organization, group or individual on behalf of an Iowa beef producer or marketer. Individuals and families may not nominate themselves; however, the nominees are encouraged to be involved in the application process. Winners will be recognized during the Iowa Cattle Industry Leadership Summit and Annual Meeting held at the Prairie Meadows Event Center in Altoona, IA on December 6-7, 2018.
For further information on these awards or to download the application, please visit www.iabeef.org/resources/producer-resources/iowa-beef-quality-assurance-program
(1) https://www.beefitswhatsfordinner.com/Media/BIWFD/Docs/beef-csr-report-2017-final.pdf
(Radio Iowa) — New studies find farming remains one of the world’s most dangerous professions. Iowa State University Extension agricultural engineer,Chuck Schwab, is reminding Iowans in the industry to slow down and take breaks. “Agriculture, the industry as a whole, had roughly 2.2 deaths per 100,000 workers, which makes it the highest industry in the United States for the death rate,” Schwab says. That surpasses mining, construction, manufacturing and transportation. He says one reason for agriculture being so high with injuries and deaths is because it involves so many people from a wide age demographic. Schwab says, “We see a lot of the older farmers being hurt and again, when you’re talking about a uniqueness to this industry, agriculture doesn’t have that cap where when you get to 65, you stop farming.”
While older farmers may have many decades of experience, he says some of the tasks of farming become much more difficult and dangerous, the older you get. “What happens with older farmers, you tend to have different reactions times, you have balance issues, hearing issues, sight,” Schwab says. “All these senses play a role in how you make good, safe decisions and how to avoid injuries.” The same is true with younger generations, he says. The best thing a farmer of any age can do, according to Schwab, is take a break from the action and have a moment of rest. “The more your body is working and focused on a task without that break, you have a tendency to maybe not see some of the things that you would normally see,” Schwab says. “Or you put yourself at risk. You need to be hydrated. You need to have energy for your body.”
Besides helping your body recover, taking a break can also give your brain a rest from thinking about the chores at hand and you can come back to the job thinking more clearly.
The Iowa DNR, and Friends of Lake Anita are holding a “Volunteer Day” at Lake Anita State Park- Primitive Campground this Saturday, September 22nd 7AM-9AM. Iowa state parks invite you to join statewide Volunteer Day on September 22nd. More than 40 parks need volunteers to help paint buildings, repair tables, trim branches, plant trees, pick up litter and more! All ages are welcome, along with varying levels of experience. Join the Cass County Conservation Board for a morning of Park Cleanup around Lake Anita.
The Cass County Conservation Board, Iowa DNR, and Friends of Lake Anita are also holding a “Dutch Oven Cooking- Breakfast Program.” The public program will be held at the Primitive Campground at Lake Anita State Park in Anita, on September 22nd from 9-a.m. until Noon. During the FREE program, you can learn how to make two breakfast dishes in a dutch oven. You’re asked to bring your own place setting for samples. Free will donation for supplies will be accepted. You DO NOT have to be a registered camper to attend the program.
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