(Radio Iowa) – State and federal officials have announced confirmed cases of bird flu at four sites in the past three days. On Saturday, the Iowa Department of Agriculture announced a hatchery in Kossuth County for game birds like pheasants and quail had been hit by the highly contagious virus.

A backyard flock of mixed species in Cerro Gordo was also identified. On Friday afternoon, officials revealed bird flu had been confirmed in a commercial operation in Taylor County. One-point-two million chickens were laying eggs in the facility. There was also confirmation Friday the virus had been confirmed in a small flock of birds in Jones County. So far this fall, officials have identified bird flu — or highly pathogenic avian influenza — at 13 sites around the state.

The governor has issued proclamations that authorize state agencies to assist in the proper disposal of birds that are being euthanized to try to contain the spread of the virus.

DES MOINES – Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds today (Friday) announced the signing of a disaster proclamation for Taylor County, Iowa effective immediately through December 10, 2023. The USDA has confirmed a positive case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in a commercial egg layer site there. 

This proclamation allows state resources from Iowa Homeland Security, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and other agencies to assist with tracking and monitoring, rapid detection, containment, disposal, and disinfection. The proclamation also waives regulatory provisions related to commercial vehicles responding to affected sites.   

The recent HPAI detections in birds do not present an immediate public health concern, and it remains safe to eat poultry products. If producers suspect signs of HPAI in their flocks, they should contact their veterinarian immediately. 

(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Utilities Board’s public hearing on Summit Carbon Solutions’ proposed carbon pipeline has concluded. Over eight weeks, the Utilities Board convened for 26 days, hearing testimony from over 100 landowners who object to having the pipeline on their property Utilities Board members are letting hundreds of additional public comments be entered into evidence.

Summit waived its right to offer rebuttal witnesses yesterday (Thursday). In a written statement, Summit said the hearing’s conclusion is a critical step forward for its project. Summit’s proposed pipeline would capture carbon emissions from more than 30 ethanol plants in Iowa and four other states.

There’s no deadline for the board to make its decision on Summit’s application for a permit to construct and operate a carbon capture pipeline in Iowa. The board’s three options are to grant the permit, deny it, OR grant the permit with some modifications.

(Adams County,  Iowa) – Officials with the Corning Fire Department said in a social media post, that on Thursday (Nov. 9, 2023), they were dispatched to a combine fire. Once on scene, it was discovered that the field the combine was in had started on fire as well.

Mutual aid was requested from the Cumberland, Grant, Massena and Villisca Fire Departments. Montgomery County EMA provided aerial drone photos during the incident, as well as assistance with finding hotspots.

No injuries were reported. (Photos via Montgomery County EMA)

DES MOINES –  Governor Kim Reynolds has signed an extension of the proclamation relating to the weight limits and transportation of grain, fertilizer, and manure.  The proclamation is effective immediately (11/9/23) and continues through December 11, 2023. It allows vehicles transporting corn, soybeans, hay, straw, silage, stover, fertilizer (dry, liquid, and gas), and manure (dry and liquid) to be overweight (not exceeding 90,000 pounds gross weight) without a permit for the duration of this proclamation.  

The proclamation applies to loads transported on all highways within Iowa (excluding the interstate system) and those which do not exceed a maximum of 90,000 pounds gross weight, do not exceed the maximum axle weight limit determined under the non-primary highway maximum gross weight table in Iowa Code § 321.463 (6) (a) and (b), by more than 12.5 percent, do not exceed the legal maximum axle weight limit of 20,000 pounds, and comply with posted limits on roads and bridges.  

See the proclamation here.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Congressman Randy Feenstra says he remains hopeful Congress will act on a new Farm Bill before the end of the year. Feenstra and some colleagues sent a letter to House Speaker Mike Johnson, urging action on the measure, what could end up being the first trillion-dollar Farm Bill. Feenstra also spoke with Pennsylvania Congressman G-T Thompson, chair of the House Ag Committee, regarding the need to act. Feenstra says the bill’s critical components are hanging in the balance.”We’ve got to open new export markets,” Feenstra says. “We’ve got to strengthen crop insurance, we’ve got to fight against animal disease. These are some big things. Ban China from buying our farmland. This farm bill’s critical. We’ve got to get it passed. So, we’re trying to figure out any way that we can try to get it done in late December yet, but it sounds like it may dip into January. So, we might have to do a two-month C.R. on this.”

A C-R is a continuing resolution, or a stopgap measure that extends the deadline. Feenstra, a Republican from Hull, says the flap over the House Speaker’s position delayed work on the Farm Bill and other important issues. “All of a sudden, we did no work for three weeks,” Feenstra says. “We didn’t pass any budget bills. So, that’s taken the forefront right now, is doing all the budget appropriation bills, to try and create a budget that was due September 30th that we haven’t got to yet. That’s all the floor time, that’s all we’re doing is debating right now–which is unfortunate.”

Feenstra says a one-year extension of the 2018 Farm Bill — which expired in late September — would be harmful to Iowa farmers and to certain programs. “Our farmers need certainty,” he says. “They need certainty in the programs. These programs have all lapsed since September 30th. I’m just fearful if we go another year with some of the old programs, that’s going to be a problem. I really think about what’s happening with fighting against an animal disease. We cannot have African swine fever get into your hog production.”

Last week, Iowa Congressman Zach Nunn expressed confidence the House would avoid a one-year extension of the old farm bill.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa State University’s student-run farm, known as Ag 450, is marking eight decades in operation. Skyler Rinker, an I-S-U ag ed professor, says students get to learn about the day-to-day work required to run a farm, everything from the financial side to feeding livestock to fine-tuning combines. Rinker says the farm was founded in 1943 and still runs on the premise of taking the science and putting it into practice.

Ag 450 focuses on farm management and operations, and many facets of production agriculture, with soybeans, corn and hogs. The farm was started on the Ames campus with 187 acres, while it’s grown to more than 600 acres today, with 80 to 100 students enrolling in the course every year.

(Radio Iowa) – The trapping season is in its first full week across Iowa. D-N-R Furbearer Biologist, Vince Evelsizer, says there are a couple of positives for those venturing out. “A lot of the furbearer populations are doing well, they’re stable to slightly increasing,”Evelsizer says. “The weather is another story, it’s quite good to here, so though the weather’s good to be outdoors doing some trapping.” The drought could have an impact depending on the type of animal you are pursuing. “For those that trap water for things like beavers and muskrats and mink, things like that, otters, some of their favorite places may have low water levels or even be dry,” he says. “We have gotten some timely rains this fall so that has helped.”

The season was extended from the end of January through the month of February this year. Evelsizer says you aren’t going to make a lot of money from trapping right now, but you still get enjoyment out of the process. “The fur market is not very strong right now. So it’s a really good time to take your focus off of worrying about what fur prices are and have fun with it,” Evelsizer says. “Take a beginner out, whether that’s a kid or an older person that wants to try it out. It’s a good time to do that. It’s also a good time to try different methods for you know, some species that you maybe haven’t tried for in the past.”

He says raccoons have been one of the popular animals for trappers in Iowa. “Lately beavers are getting attention to and then it can vary from region to region — but otters and bobcats are still pretty popular,” he says. “And then in the northwest and parts of north- central Iowa, muskrat trapping on the marshes is still somewhat popular, if there’s water this year in the marshes.”

The D-N-R saw 15-thousand-300 furharvester licenses purchased in 2022 and Evelsizer says that number has been fairly stable over the past seven years. The Iowa Trapper’s Association and the D-N-R are offering a ‘learn to furharvest’ workshop for beginners this fall on November 18th in St. Charles.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Officials with Produce in the Park, in Atlantic, say the 10th Annual Harvest Market – a Produce in the Park holiday farmers market – will take place November 20th (Thanksgiving week), from 3-until 6-p.m., at the Cass County Community Center (805 W. 10th St.). The event features drawings for $20 gift cards every hour.

Products on-hand during the Harvest Market will include: local produce and meats; farm-fresh eggs; baked goods; seasonal candles; decorations; holiday gifts, and more. A food truck from “Game Time Eats” will be on-site, serving Cheesesteaks, Burgers, and Nachos.

A reminder: Harvest Market accepts SNAP/EBT/Food Stamps and Double Up Food Bucks.

If you have any questions, Harvest Market can be reached at produceintheparkatlanticiowa@gmail.com. You can also check them out on Facebook @ProduceInThePark.

w/Kate Olson.

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