(Radio Iowa) – One of the joys of fall in Iowa is going to an orchard to get apples freshly picked off the trees. I-S-U Extension fruit crop specialist, Suzanne Slack, says the drought has had some impact, especially for the growers who couldn’t irrigate their crop. One is the size of the fruit you see on the trees. “It looks like a lot of apples, but they’re really small. So the size isn’t good. They’ve also ripened up to three weeks early, which can be pretty detrimental, especially, you know, trying to get labor and operations up and running,” Slack says. Some apples are impacted in their appearance.

“Some cultivars, like honey crisp is a good one, they don’t transport calcium very well to begin with. And then whenever we have drought and hot conditions, they just don’t do it at all and we get a condition called bitter pit. So a lot of the Honeycrisp across the state have bitter pit this year, which is calcium deficiency,” she says. “It makes them ugly, it makes it makes them have little crevices, like a little pit. They call it bitter because it’s unfortunate and upsetting.” She says the smaller size and earlier maturation can impact taste as well. ” I think it makes them taste a little bit, not as strong of an apple taste, kind of like more of a mild apple taste,” Slack explains. “They’re still crunchy, they still have a good texture. But they might not have that, like, wham, pow apple flavor that some cultivars have. They also won’t be as juicy.”

Slack says getting the apples right out of the orchard is still the best way to ensure you are getting the freshest fruit possible. “Some of the apples that we’re eating this year from the grocery store might have actually been picked last year. The technology around storing apples is pretty impressive,” she says. “So we can store them for years with controlled environments. So the ones that you’d be getting locally were fresh picked this year.” She says finding an apple orchard in Iowa is not tough. )”According to my records, we have about 50, large to medium operations. But there’s a lot of smaller ones that may not be on my list. But pretty much if you live in Iowa, you live within about an hour from an orchard at least, most people live closer than that,” Slack says.

Slack says there are also a lot of people who grow their own from a couple of trees to bigger stands. “We have lots and lots of hobby growers with you know, there’s a couple of folks that have 50 to 100 trees and they don’t sell anything. So there’s every level you can think of,” she says. Slack says with the early maturation, you might want to get out sooner than later to find the best selection of fresh apples.

(College Park, MD) – NOAA’s Climate Prediction Center released its latest monthly drought outlook for October 2023, showing where drought is expected to improve, worsen, or remain the same over the next month: Atlantic, Iowa is currently in Moderate Drought (D1), according to the U.S. Drought Monitor, and conditions are expected to persist over the next month.

(Southwest Iowa) – In response to a rash of recent field and ditch fires having taken place, another southwest Iowa County has been placed under a Burn Ban. No open burning is allowed in Audubon County by Order of the State Fire Marshall, per a request from Audubon County Emergency Management Director Tyler Thygesen, acting on behalf of the fire department chiefs in Audubon County.

The Audubon County Burn Ban is in effect now (Oct. 1st) until further notice (when conditions are such that a danger to life and/or property does not exist from opening burning, and at the discretion of the Fire Marshal). Any violation of the proclamation is a simple misdemeanor, punishable by a $200 fine.

A burn ban does not prohibit the following:  supervised, controlled burn for which a permit has been issued by the fire chief of the fire district where the burn will take place, the use of outdoor fireplaces, barbecue grills, properly supervised landfills, or the burning of trash in incinerators or trash burners made of metal, concrete, masonry, or heavy one-inch wire mesh, with no openings greater than one square inch.

Previously, officials in Shelby County announced a Burn Ban was in effect beginning Oct. 1st, and until further notice. Harrison and Crawford Counties have also instituted a ban on opening burning over the  past 10-days.

RED OAK, Iowa – U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-Iowa), Ranking Member of the Senate Small Business Committee, this week, announced her Small Business of the Week: Dunlap Livestock Auction of Harrison County. Throughout this Congress, Ranking Member Ernst plans to recognize a small business in every one of Iowa’s 99 counties. 

“I want to congratulate the Schaben family and the team at Dunlap Livestock Auction for their longstanding dedication to maintaining an open and competitive marketplace that brings together not only livestock buyers and sellers but the entire Dunlap community,” said Ranking Member Ernst. “Dunlap Livestock Auction honors agriculture traditions while also innovating to meet modern-day needs, and I can’t wait to see their continued success in western Iowa.”

From their first auction of less than thirty head of cattle, hogs, and sheep to now regularly moving thousands of cattle through each sale, the Schaben family has grown Dunlap Livestock Auction into a prominent and well-respected livestock marketplace in Harrison County. Jim and Ruth Schaben purchased Dunlap Livestock Auction in 1950 and have continued to expand the business since, selling the company to their sons, Jay, Jim Jr., and John in the early 1990s. Today, they also offer home and estate, farm machinery, gun, and real estate auctions for clients throughout the Midwest and remain committed to serving their community and the cattle industry.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – It’s that time of year once again, when the Cass County Conservation Board asks “When do you think the first Trumpeter Swan will arrive at the Schildberg Quarry?” Please call in your prediction (by November 10^th) to the Conservation Board at 712-769-2372, leave a message and return phone number if their staff are not in.

Duplicate dates will not be allowed. For example, if a caller predicts November 25th, no one else will be allowed to predict that arrival date. So, call anytime until November 10th to make your prediction! One prediction per family, please. The sponsors of this contest will determine the official arrival of more than 6 trumpeter swans to Lake 4, and if they arrive before the Nov. 10^th no more dates will be taken.

The winner will receive a Trumpeter Swan Prize from the Cass County Conservation Board. Sorry, this contest is only for residents of Cass County.

Trumpeter Swans have visited the Schildberg Quarry for, at least, Twenty-four out of the last twenty-five winters. Arrival and departure dates of the swans have been as follows:

1997/1998 December 18 – January 2

1998/1999 Nothing on record

1999/2000 December 25 – February 15

2000/2001 November 23 – March 6

2001/2002 December 25 – February 24

2002/2003 November 23 – March 15

2003/2004 November 26 – March 21

2004/2005 November 25 – March 18

2005/2006 November 17 – March 5

2006/2007 October 30 – March 9

2007/2008 November 22- February 14

2008/2009 November 18- March 12

2009-2010 November 19 – January 5

2010-2011 November 5 – February 10

2011/2012 November 17 – February 21

2012/2013 November 24– March 4

2013/2014 November 12- April 7

2014/2015 November 11- April 6

2015/2016 November 22- March 24

2016/2017 November 19- March 9

2017/2018 November 9- March 20

2018/2019 November 11- January 23

2019/2020 November 8- March 3

2020/2021 November 30- February 13

2021/2022 November 22- February 28

2022/2023 November 22- February 22

(Harlan, Iowa) – Officials with the Shelby County Emergency Management Agency report the County will be going into a burn ban, starting Sunday, October 1st. The ban is being implemented due to a high fire danger, and water shortages around the county. The Shelby County EMA will update residents when the ban is lifted.

(Iowa DNR News) – Fall colors are starting to tinge the forest canopy. The DNR is now sharing the first fall color report of 2023. Fall color started early in northeast Iowa, most likely due to the drought. Lots of vibrant colors from sugar maple, sumac, Virginia creeper, ash, walnut, basswood and cottonwood. Some buckeyes are turning red in north central Iowa. Hard maples are turning yellow and orange in northwest Iowa. Walnut and cottonwood are turning yellow. Roadside sumacs are bright red and crimson in central Iowa. Walnut, cottonwood, and hackberry are becoming yellow. Virginia creeper vines are bright red.

Walnut, elm and cottonwood are showing yellow; some are already losing their leaves in southeast Iowa. Poison ivy, sumac and Virginia creeper are turning bright red. Poison ivy and Virginia creeper vines are turning bright red in south central Iowa. Walnut and cottonwood have turned yellow; some are already losing their leaves.

Fall color is a week ahead of last year in west central Iowa. Some shrubs and trees are starting to turn on the drier slopes. Lots of fall prairie flowers in bloom. Walnut and cottonwood are starting to turn yellow in southwest Iowa. Dogwoods are turning purple, plums are reddish pink, and drought stressed sumac is starting to turn red. With all of Iowa’s beautiful state parks and wooded areas, there are so many places to get your fall color fix. Plan your autumn excursions today!

Get outside this fall!
Autumn brings a welcoming crispness to the air. Fun abounds statewide for those in search of color and good times outdoors. From fall festivals to apple orchards, Iowa has many fall activities to celebrate local traditions and create memories with your family. Start planning your autumn excursions today with these great resources:

• Travel Iowa – lists of apple orchards and pumpkin patches, must-visit fall attractions, fall festivals, scenic drives and more
• MyCountyParks.com – attend a fun fall program for the whole family at a local county park
• Iowa State Park Passport- discover your new favorite parks, check in to track your progress and earn prizes

It’s easy to add fall color to your yard. Iowa DNR, through a partnership with the USDA Forest Service, is offering a mixture of hardwoods, low-growing ornamental and evergreen tree species for $25 each.  All Iowa residents can purchase up to two trees to be picked up at the following locations:

Tuesday, October 3, 4:30-6:30 p.m., Jefferson County Conservation (2003 Libertyville Rd, Fairfield)
Thursday, October 12, 4:30-6:30 p.m., Swan Lake State Park Nature Center (22676 Swan Lake Drive, Carroll)
Tuesday, October 17, 4:30-6:30 p.m., Fort Des Moines Park (7200 SE 5th St, Des Moines)
Submit an order form, available online, to reserve your trees.

(Atlantic, Iowa) –  Here’s a reminder from the “Station where your friends are”: The ‘Tour de Parks’ free, community bicycle ride will take place this Sunday, October 1, 2023 at 2:00 PM. The ‘Tour de Parks’ bike ride around Atlantic will be a guided ride this year. The group ride will depart from Atlantic City Park (10 W. 7th St. Atlantic, IA 50022) at 2:00 PM sharp. Nishna Valley Trails President Dave Chase and wife and Board Member Barb Chase will be leading the group ride on their tandem bicycle. Board Member Bruce Henderson and Rick Pellett will also assist with guiding the group.

Tour de Parks will stop at multiple parks throughout Atlantic where community organizations will greet riders and share information. The ride will end back at the Atlantic City Park where the Atlantic Kiwanis will be providing a free meal, Sarah Selders will be singing live, and additional community organizations will be sharing information and greeting riders. Tour de Parks participants can expect to ride on both trails and streets, as the ride is designed in part to highlight area trails and the bike-ability of the City of Atlantic. The full route is approximately 8 miles total with one small hill, but this year there will also be a shorter 6-mile option with no hills.

Participating organizations include Cass County Conservation, Nishna Valley Trails, Cass County Extension, Cass County Grow Another Row, Healthy Cass County, Cass County Master
Gardeners, Atlantic Kiwanis, Atlantic Rotary, and the Atlantic Lions Club.

Details:
Tour de Parks – Atlantic
Date: Sunday, October 1, 2023
Time: 2:00 PM start time. The ride will last until approximately 4:00 PM.
Location: The ride will start and end at Atlantic City Park (10 W. 7th St., Atlantic, IA 50022)
Who: Anyone who would like to bike around Atlantic and check out some great parks!
Cost/Registration: Free, no registration required!

Nishna Valley Trails is a tax-exempt local nonprofit that promotes the development of recreational trails and cycling. People who support these causes are welcome to join the group. For more information on Nishna Valley Trails or to join the organization, contact President Dave Chase at barbdavechase@gmail.com or 712-249-3059.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Cass County Extension will be celebrating all things 4-H during National 4-H Week October 1-7. Now is the time of year for youth to join and participate in 4-H, a worldwide youth development program, hosted in Iowa by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

Cass County 4-H will be hosting a Fall Fest on Sunday, October 8th from 2:00-4:00pm at the Cass County Fairgrounds. The community is invited to come out for an afternoon of family fun! Current 4-H members will be at the event to celebrate 4-H. All are welcome to join in on the fun and see what 4-H all is about.

“We have a variety of fun activities planned which will showcase some of the project areas with hands-on activities, games and fun at our Fall Fest October 8th!” says Katie Bateman, County Youth Coordinator with Cass County Extension. “A 4-H information booth and snacks will be available from 2:00-4:00pm!”

Fall Fest will be a fun event for all ages to come out and celebrate National 4-H Week! You are invited to follow Cass County 4-H on Facebook page, www.facebook.com/CassCoIAExt or search for “Cass County Iowa 4H” on Instagram.

Keep an eye out for Cass County 4-H members, volunteers, and supporters showing their 4-H pride during National 4-H Week. Many of our local 4-H clubs will be creating window displays in local businesses. Other clubs will be doing special events and activities during the week such as wearing 4-H shirts to school or doing service projects around their community!

In addition, the Iowa 4-H Foundation and Cass County 4-H are partnering to host the Iowa 4-H Giving Day (www.iowa4Hgivingday.org), a special 24-hour event, on October 3rd at noon until October 4th at noon. Each year on Iowa 4-H Giving Day, supporters and alumni across the state come together to financially support Iowa’s largest youth organization, to ensure these opportunities continue to be available to youth across the state and at the county level. 4-H supporters can donate online or in person to support programs at the county or state level!

“4-H is a year-round program for youth in grades Kindergarten through 12. National 4-H Week is a great time to show some the wonderful things 4-H offers to youth,” stated Bateman. “In fact, research has shown that young people in 4-H are nearly four times as likely to contribute to their communities and are twice as likely to engage in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) programs during after school time.”

4-H is active in each of Iowa’s 99 counties and empowers youth to reach their full potential through many different types of experiences including photography, music, woodworking, sewing, livestock and horticulture. 4-H grows confidence, creativity, curiosity, courage, character and much more in youth. 4-H allows youth to use the skills that they learn to go out and make a positive difference in their communities.

Cass County 4-H has more than 300 4-H youth and 100 volunteers involved in the program. Interested in joining 4-H? Contact the Cass County Extension Office at 712-243-1132 or visit the Cass County Extension website at www.extension.iastate.edu/cass.

(Radio Iowa) – An Iowan who had a leadership role in the Farm Service Agency a decade ago says a federal government shutdown would delay Conservation Reserve Program payments, which are issued in October. President Obama appointed John Whitaker as Iowa State Executive Director of the Farm Service Agency in 2009 and Whitaker was in that role when the federal government shutdown for 16 days in October of 2013.

“CRP payments and other payments are due October 1. The more that we delay making those payments, the more likely it is the federal government will have to pay interest on those payments,” Whitaker says. “That adds to our cost, the cost of doing government.” If Conservative Reserve Program or C-R-P payments aren’t made by October 31st, the federal government is required to pay a penalty and add interest onto those checks. Whitaker says even a week-long federal government shutdown in October would create issues with C-R-P payments.

“It’s going to be more and more difficult to get them all certified and all through the system and the staff is stressed because they know the cost of not getting the payment made and they also know those producers are waiting on those payments,” Whitaker says. “They expect that payment to be paid in early October, not the end of October or in November or later than that.”

Whitaker made his comments during an online news conference organized by the Iowa Democratic Party. Two years ago, the federal government paid 382 million dollars on C-R-P contracts that keep the land out of corn and soybean production for up to 15 years. Farm Service Agency offices will be closed if congress does not pass a spending plan for the next federal fiscal year, which begins Sunday. Whitaker says that means farmers will not be able to submit required reports to the U-S-D-A about cover crops that are being planted this fall.

“You know, Iowa’s agricultural areas are heavily dependent on the USDA and USDA programs,” Whitaker says. Whitaker served on the Van Buren County Board of Supervisors for 10 years. Whitaker served seven years in the Iowa House before he was appointed to lead the Farm Service Agency operations in Iowa.