(Radio Iowa) – There’s still no drought in Iowa, but the number of counties where the soil is considered abnormally dry has almost doubled in the past week, bouncing from around 16 counties to nearly 31, according to the latest U-S Drought Monitor map. Angie Rieck Hinz, a field agronomist with the Iowa State University Extension, says crop conditions in her region of north-central Iowa are improving.

It requires a delicate balance of both rain and sunshine to grow crops, and this season’s been heavy on the rain so far, as a change of pace from nearly four years of drought. Rieck Hinz says the gusty winds are also an issue.

Iowa’s backyard gardeners know how tough it is to keep out the weeds, so imagine what it’s like for farmers with a few hundred acres of crops. She says weeds are sprouting in many fields right and left.

Forecasters say temperatures will rise back into the 80s and 90s today (Friday) and for the next several days across much of Iowa, with the chance for scattered showers through Saturday.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley is calling on the E-P-A and the Biden Administration to raise Renewable Fuel Standard volumes so they keep up with the amount of biofuels our factories can churn out. Grassley says the agency didn’t boost the Renewable Volume Obligation — or R-V-O — levels far enough last year. He says it’s an “insult” for those levels to be so low and the result is a stifled industry and a discouragement of outside investment, which is costing green jobs in Iowa.

Grassley, a Republican, is joining with Minnesota Democrat Amy Klobuchar in calling for a boost in R-V-O volumes in order to keep pace with biofuels production and availability. Sixteen other senators signed on.

The letter to the E-P-A highlights environmental benefits from an increase in biofuels production, including how biomass-based diesel can cut carbon emissions by more than 70 percent. Grassley says there are significant economic advantages for the entire supply chain, from the farmer to the consumer.

Iowa is the nation’s top producer of both ethanol and biodiesel. The letter to the head of the EPA says: “America’s environmental and energy security depend on the widespread production, availability, and use of biofuels. Biofuels play a particularly critical role in emissions reduction for heavy-duty transportation – including aviation, shipping, rail, and trucking – while opening up economic opportunities for American farmers. A strong RFS and broad availability of homegrown agricultural feedstocks are critical for ensuring we keep up the progress we have made in decarbonizing our roads, seas, railways and skies.”

(Radio Iowa) – With bird flu cases confirmed in at least nine northwest Iowa dairy herds, there may be new requirements for some dairy cattle exhibited at county fairs and the Iowa State Fair this summer. Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig expects to make an announcement soon.

Cows enter a more than 300-day lactating cycle and produce milk after giving birth to a calf. In early 2022 after bird flu reemerged in Iowa poultry operations, Naig cancelled live bird shows at fairs and other exhibitions to try to curb the spread of the virus. Iowa law requires county fairs to have a veterinarian inspect all livestock, poultry and birds as the animals arrive on the fairgrounds for shows and exhibits.

Jim Field visits with Cass County Master Gardener Theresa Hansen about the Garden Walk Sunday, June 23, 2024 from 2:00 pm to 6:00 pm.  For more information, visits the Cass County Master Gardeners on facebook at http://www.facebook.com/CassCoMG.

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(Radio Iowa) – State Ag Secretary Mike Naig says Iowa officials are taking a different approach compared to other states when it comes to bird flu testing. When a poultry flock has been hit by the virus, the testing protocol has been that poultry operations within a 20 kilometer radius are tested.

Results are expected soon and Naig says there could be a big bump in the number of bird flu cases confirmed on Iowa dairy farms.

Teams of U-S-D-A experts have been in the state analyzing each of the sites where bird flu has been confirmed among poultry or dairy cattle.

Naig says even dairy farmers OUTSIDE of the mandatory testing zones have contacted state officials to say they suspect cattle are infected with the virus. Dairy cows are quarantined while they’re sick, but are not euthanized.

The strain of bird flu that’s been CONFIRMED at EIGHT dairy operations in northwest Iowa over the past few weeks is the same. Naig suspects bird flu is more widespread.

The main hit to dairies where bird flu is detected is a drop in milk production, but Naig says some Iowa dairy cows have died after being diagnosed with bird flu.

According to the U-S-D-A, it’s older dairy cows that die after getting the virus. The National Veterinary Services Lab in Ames is processing the tests for highly pathogenic avian influenza in Iowa dairy herds.

(Clive, Iowa) – The 2nd annual BBQ & Brew at the Ballpark takes place this Saturday, June 22 at Principal Park in Des Moines. Attendees can consume numerous offerings of delicious Iowa pork, sample Iowa craft beers and ciders, learn barbecue tips from a grill master, vote for their favorites in the Backyard BBQ Contest, meet local celebrities, and enjoy live music performances.

Your purchase of a ticket gets you all of that, and you’ll also be helping fight food insecurity in our state. Proceeds from BBQ & Brew at the Ballpark will benefit Iowa food banks, who are struggling to keep up with demand from families in need.

Linda Gorkow, Executive Director of the Iowa Food Bank Association, said “In the state of Iowa, we have an increase in food insecurity. Pork is a very valuable protein and every ounce makes a difference. 10 percent of Iowans are food insecure. The Iowa Food Bank Association works with 1,200 pantries across the state of Iowa and six food banks. We all work to help serve, and we couldn’t do it without friends like the Iowa Pork Producers and every individual that donates.”

Advance tickets cost just $20 at IowaPork.org. The second Annual BBQ & Brew at the Ballpark begins at 2pm Saturday, brought to you by the Iowa Pork Producers Association and Iowa Cubs, there is something for everyone at this event.

30 backyard barbecuers will be competing for more than $10,000 in cash prizes. For attendees, you get to sample the competitors’ delicious pork, plus Smokey D’s BBQ & Berkwood Farms will provide grilled pork loin sandwiches, and you receive 15 samples of beer from Iowa’s top craft breweries. Netflix Barbecue Showdown Champion Thryon Mathews, an Iowa resident, will be offering grilling tips in his Barbeque Boot Camp.

A panel of celebrity judges will pick their favorite pork offering from the 30 competitors. Iowa musicians will be performing throughout the event. Raffle prizes, including a Traeger grill, a Blackstone grill, Iowa Cubs package, and more will be available.  Attendees who prefer not to partake in the “brew” portion of BBQ & Brew can get in for just $15. Kids 5 and under get in free.

Fareway Stores is also serving as a sponsor of BBQ & Brew at the Ballpark and will provide resources and support for the donations to local food pantries. Visit IowaPork.org to purchase your ticket today. Tickets are $20 in advance, $30 at the door.

(Radio Iowa) – A man from Pocahontas has been charged with stealing livestock and a number of other felonies after an investigation involving law enforcement agencies in eight northwest Iowa counties. Twenty-six-year-old Corey Edward Goeders (GOH-ders) was arrested Friday, and has been released on bond.

According to the Palo Alto County Sheriff, investigators linked Goeders to livestock thefts that primarily took place between June of last year and February of this year. Goeders faces 20 felony charges. He’s been accused of money laundering, tax evasion and ongoing criminal conduct and as well as theft.

Sheriffs’ departments in Palo Alto, Kossuth, Buena Vista, Calhoun, Clay, Pocahontas, Webster and Woodbury Counties all worked on the cases against Goeders, as did agents from the Iowa Department of Public Safety and the Iowa Department of Revenue.

Jim Field visits with Ashley Smith about Adair Chuckwagon Days “Candyland” celebration this weekend.

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• KJAN, Atlantic  2.57″
• 3.3″ 2 miles W of Exira (Judi Hansen reports)
• 7 miles NNE of Atlantic  3.07″
• Elk Horn  3.17″
• Massena  .93″
• Avoca  1.5″
• Corning  .71″
• Bridgewater  .9″
• Earling  .99″
• Kirkman  .9″
• Missouri Valley  .74″
• Creston  .75″
• Clarinda  .77″
• Carroll  .82″