(Radio Iowa) – The paddlefish snagging season provides anglers a chance to snag an unusual fish on the Missouri and Big Sioux rivers that may’ve put on a lot miles in the water. The D-N-R’s western Iowa fisheries supervisor, Chris Larson, says they recently heard about a fish tagged in Iowa that was caught in one of the reservoirs in Tennessee.

Larson says the fish was tagged in 2013 when it was around 29 inches and had grown to 40 inches and was about 20 pounds heavier. Larson says paddlefish live well over 50 years. The Iowa paddlefish season runs through April 30th.

New York, NY, Ithaca, NY, and Port Rowan, ON— The 27^th Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) will take place from Friday, February 16 through Monday, February 19. Volunteers from around the world are invited to count the birds they see for at least 15 minutes on one or more days of the count, then enter their checklists at birdcount.org. Anyone with internet access can participate, no matter what their skill level—it’s a great family activity, too.

A lot has changed since the first Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) was held in 1998. Each year brings unwavering enthusiasm from the growing number of participants in this now-global event. All the data contribute to a snapshot of bird distribution and help scientists see changes over the past 20 years.

“The very first GBBC was an experiment,” says the Cornell Lab of Ornithology’s Marshall Iliff, a leader of the eBird program. “We wanted to see if people would use the Internet to send us their bird sightings. Clearly the experiment was a success!” eBird collects bird observations globally every day of the year and is the online platform used by the GBBC.

“The Great Backyard Bird Count is a great way to introduce people to participation in citizen science,” says Audubon vice president and chief scientist Gary Langham. “No other program allows volunteers to take an instantaneous snapshot of global bird populations that can contribute to our understanding of how a changing climate is affecting birds.”

Varying weather conditions so far this winter are producing a few trends that GBBC participants can watch for during the count.

Jon McCracken, Bird Studies Canada’s National Program Director, reminds participants in Canada and the U.S. to keep watch for snowies. He says, “The GBBC has done a terrific job of tracking irruptions of Snowy Owls southward over the past several years. We can’t predict what winter 2024 will bring, because Snowy Owl populations are so closely tied to unpredictable ‘cycles’ of lemmings in the Arctic. These cycles occur at intervals between two and six years.  Nevertheless, there are already reports of Snowy Owls as far south as Virginia.”

In addition to counting birds, the GBBC photo contest has also been a hit with participants since it was introduced in 2006. Since then, tens of thousands of stunning images have been submitted.

Learn more about how to take part in the Great Backyard Bird Count at birdcount.org where downloadable instructions and an explanatory PowerPoint are available. The GBBC is a joint project of the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society with partner Bird Studies Canada and is made possible in part by sponsor Wild Birds Unlimited.

This is a wonderful family program for bird watchers of all ages and is free of charge. All you need is basic knowledge of bird identification! It is not required that you record every species you see, only those that can be properly identified. To participate in the bird count either call the Conservation Board at 712-769-2372 and receive everything you need in the mail (or pick up in the office), or go to the website: http://www.birdcount.org/ and follow the instructions.

Let’s get out there this year and stay in the top 10 in the state! Please help the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and Audubon Society by participating in the Great Backyard Bird Count.

(Lewis, Iowa) – The Cass County Conservation Board is holding a Snowshoe Night Hike next week. The Snowshoe Night Hike will be held at the Outdoor Educational Classroom outside of Massena, on February 16th 2024 at 7-p.m. Come out for a great night hike, try to call in various species of Owls that may be in the park that night! Snowshoes (variety of sizes) will be available. Cass County Naturalist Lora Kanning says “We will hike, and if the sky is clear, it will be a great night to stargaze! FREE, Dress for the weather!

The event be a night hike with “NO SNOWSHOES- if there is NO Snow!”

The following evening (Nov. 17th), there will be a “Sweethearts Snowshoe Hike.”  The Sweetheart Snowshoe Hike will be held at the Pellett Memorial Woods outside of Atlantic, beginning at 7-p.m. Come out for a great night hike, who knows what nature has waiting for us then! Snowshoes (variety of sizes) will be available. This event is also free. Be sure and dress for the weather.

The event WILL be CANCELLED with “NO SNOW!”

Moments of silence were observed in the Iowa House and Senate this (Tuesday) morning to honor former Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey, who died unexpectedly at the age of 64. Northey served more than a decade as state ag secretary before his appointment as a U-S-D-A Under Secretary during the Trump Administration. Speaker Pat Grassley led the tribute in the House.

Senator Dennis Guth, of Klemme, worked in a farm group with Northey before Northey was first elected ag secretary in 2006.

Senator Dan Zumbach, a farmer from Ryan, wept as he spoke about Northey.

Northey had been C-E-O of the Agribusiness Association of Iowa since last March.

Former Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey served as a USDA Under Secretary from the spring of 2018 to early January, 2021. (USDA photo)

Jim Field visits with Matt Wilbur, a member of the group “Touch of Grey” who will be performing at the Wilson Performing Arts Center in Red Oak on Saturday, February 24, 2024 at 7:30 pm.  Call the Wilson at 712-623-3183 or go online to www.wilsonartscenter.org for tickets.

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(Radio Iowa) – Democrats in the Iowa House are raising concerns about the pending sale of a southeast Iowa fertilizer plant. Koch Industries plans to buy the Iowa Fertilizer Company near Wever for three-point-six BILLION dollars. Representative J-D Scholten of Sioux City, says four companies already control 75 percent of the nitrogen fertilizer market in the U-S.

“Ask any row crop farmer and fertilizer is one of the number one costs they’ll bring up as an issue,” Scholten says. “This issue is not new and this is what Governor Branstad did when he gave to tax breaks to the Iowa Fertilizer Company over 10 years ago to create competition in the market.” In 2012, the State of Iowa provided 112 million dollars in tax credits and loans for the project. Lee County provided a 30 million dollar property tax abatement. Representative Elinor Levin, a Democrat from Iowa City, says state officials need to ensure Koch meets the terms for those incentives.

“Governor Branstad, when he awarded all of these tax incentives, pointed to competition specifically with Koch Industries as a reason to provide these incentives,” Levin says. “Well, now they’re being provided and incentivizing Koch to buy here in Iowa.” Scholten says the other concern is what happens to the 260 Iowa Fertilizer Company employees. “When the company has their monopoly power and they have record profits for these companies and they have these CEOs making huge amounts of money where workers get left behind, it’s a constant theme throughout our nation,” Scholten says, “so there’s nothing that won’t be the same.”

Koch’s acquisition of the southeast Iowa plant is being reviewed by federal anti-trust regulators, House Democrats have sent a letter to the U-S Justice Department, the Federal Trade Commission and Iowa Attorney General Brenna Bird that outlines concerns about the sale. Koch Industries already operates a fertilizer plant in Fort Dodge.

(Radio Iowa) – Former Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey has died. Northey, who was 64, was a fourth-generation farmer from Spirit Lake and an Iowa State University graduate.

He talked about his path to becoming Ag Secretary after receiving an Iowa Ag Leader Award in 2022 for his outstanding and distinguished service to Iowa agriculture. “I left Iowa State, came back to the farm, got involved in Iowa Corn Growers, Iowa Farm Bureau and served in some roles in those organizations, and then ran for Iowa Secretary of Ag back in 2006,” he said. Northey said he loved the job. “It’s a a great job. A wonderful job to be a part of, certainly a highlight of my career,” he said.

Northey was reelected twice to the state post and then resigned in early 2018 after being appointed as Under Secretary in the U.S. Department of Agriculture, where he oversaw the Farm Service Agency.

Current Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig said in a statement that he was shocked at Northey’s death. He says Northey was a husband, father, grandfather, and a farmer who loved Iowa and loved Iowa agriculture.

Bill Northey. (IA Ag Dept. photo)

Other Iowa elected officials also reacted to the news. U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley said in a statement, “the Iowa farm community lost a giant. Bill Northey was a dear friend and fierce advocate for the family farmer.” Fellow U.S. Senator Joni Ernst said in a statement, “Bill Northey dedicated his life to Iowa agriculture. Throughout his career as a farmer, leader in key agriculture organizations, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, and U.S. Department of Agriculture Undersecretary, he was a steadfast advocate for the producers that feed and fuel our world. He helped establish Iowa as a national leader on key initiatives including ethanol and the Nutrient Reduction Strategy, while always remaining grounded and connected to his family farm in Dickinson County.”

Governor Kim Reynolds said in a statement that, “Bill was a great leader whose work ethic and passion for Iowa agriculture was unmatched. Iowans and farmers around the country were fortunate to have such a rock-solid advocate and friend.” The Governor has ordered all flags in Iowa to be lowered to half-staff and they are to remain at half-staff until sunset on the day of Northey’s funeral.

Jim Field visits with Joni Ehm of the Green Hills Area Education Agency about the services AEA provides to local schools.

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(Des Moines, Iowa) – Republican State Representative Thomas Moore from Griswold, Tuesday, welcomed students in southwest Iowa to the State Capitol in Des Moines. FFA members were in the city for a Legislative Symposium, to build character and promote citizenship, volunteerism, and patriotism. More than 700 high school students wearing blue corduroy from 118 schools visited the Iowa State Capitol Building in Des Moines on January 30th. The students visited with legislators, exhibited skills learned in the agriculture classroom and learned the importance of citizenship.

It was all part of the 39th Annual Iowa FFA Legislative Symposium and FFA Day at the Capitol. During the morning, FFA members gathered at the Downtown Embassy Suites and enjoyed a brief message from Lt. Governor Adam Gregg, who then presented the FFA Week Proclamation. The proclamation officially declares February 17-24, the week of President George Washington’s Birthday, FFA Week in Iowa.

The morning program provided opportunities for FFA members to hear from Mike Naig, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture, about the importance of agriculture in Iowa and abroad. Iowa Farm Bureau Federation President, Brent Johnson, then delivered a message about the importance young agriculturalists can play in the agriculture industry. Jake Swanson from High Yield Strategies then spoke about the importance of advocating for the agricultural industry.

The 39th Annual Iowa FFA Legislative Symposium and FFA Day at the Capitol was made possible with support from Iowa Farm Bureau Federation through the Iowa FFA Foundation.

Moore says he welcomed FFA organizations from Atlantic, Stanton, East Mills, Red Oak, and CAM to the Capitol. (photo’s below)

Stanton FFA is pictured above. Their FFA is led by Advisor Andrea Spencer.

CAM FFA is pictured above. Their FFA is led by Advisor Ward Umbaugh.

East Mills FFA is pictured above. Their FFA is led by Advisor Alan Spencer. Moore visited with them on behalf of Representative Sieck.

Red Oak FFA is pictured above. Their FFA is led by Advisor Riley Pelzer.

Atlantic FFA is pictured above. Their FFA is led by Advisor Eric Miller.

February 1:

• Bev Weppler of Atlantic (winner)
• Janet Cavner of Atlantic

February 2:

• Jim Field of Atlantic

February 3:

• Mardell “Mardy” Sorensen of Exira (winner)
• Julie Ehlers of Atlantic

February 4:

• Hannah Christoffersen of Audubon (winner)

February 5:

• Janice Braun of Exira (winner)
• Dr. Keith Swanson of Atlantic

February 6:

• Amelia Teegerstrum of Elk Horn (winner)

February 7:

• Barb Harris of Atlantic (winner)

February 8:

• Kayla Mendenhall of Atlantic (winner)
• John Schultes of Exira
• Brenda Muhr of Exira

February 9:

• Betty Knight of Atlantic (winner)
• Andy Bateman 0f Atlantic
• Marilyn Fruend of Atlantic
• Beckett Nelson of Exira
• Mary Turner of Anita
• Doug Foster of Atlantic

February 10:

• Gene Crane of Exira (winner)
• Ginger Thomas of Atlantic
• Joni Hansen of Manning

February 11:

• Kynleigh Petersen of Spencer (winner)
• Dorothy Bates of Atlantic (winner)
• Sheryl Sunderman of Atlantic

February 12:

• Jon Hays of Hamlin (winner)
• Gary Newton of Atlantic

February 13:

• Kyle Dailey of Atlantic (winner)
• Jalen Petersen of Atlantic
• Sully McClain of Audubon

February 14:

• Dwayne McDaniel of Elliott (winner)
• Dale Huegerich of Exira
• Marcy Sager of Norwalk

February 15:

• Sarah Christensen of Audubon (winner)
• Ronell Nymand of Brayton

February 16:

• Kathi Rose of Atlantic (winner)
• Robert Keithley of Atlantic
• Grayson Arthur Roland of Atlantic
• Donnie Christensen of Maryville, Mo
• Kylene Amdor of Lewis

February 17:

• Gary Johnson 0f Brayton (winner)
• Dennis Phillips of Atlantic
• Vernie Venteicher of Brayton

February 18:

• Hazel Sager of Atlantic (winner)

February 19:

• Judi Hansen of Exira (Winner)
• Kathy Butler of Atlantic
• Rick Thompson of Exira
• Sherri Wilkerson of Brayton

February 20:

• Ileen Furne of Atlantic (Winner)
• Jonathon Kobs of Atlantic

February 21:

• Jean Templeman of Atlantic (Winner)
• Mya Hocamp of Atlantic
• Katie Wheeler of Exira

February 22:

• Brandi Mericle of Wiota (winner)
• Mary Maher of Atlantic
• Jason Christensen of Audubon

February 23:

• Jane Kite of Marne (winner)
• Adrian Hansen of Atlantic
• Clare Christensen of Audubon
• Nicole Casey of Atlantic

February 24:

• Maddie Richter of Atlantic (winner)

February 25:

• Raymond Vais of Exira (winner)
• Myah Ehrman of Anita
• Ryan Richter of Atlantic

February 26:

• Sharon Winston of Atlantic (winner)
• Winnie Munson of Atlantic
• KayLani Brown of Fontanelle
• Bev Juelsgaard of Exira

February 27:

• No birthdays submitted

February 28:

• Randy Fielelkorn of Exira (winner)
• Jax Teegerstrom Of Elk Horn

February 29:

• Steph Witzman of Atlantic (winner)