Members of Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement are turning in petition signatures to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, calling for tougher enforcement of the Clean Water Act. Jess Mazour, I-C-C-I’s farm and environment organizer, says the comments were focused on the D-N-R’s draft list of impaired waterways. She says more accountability is needed.

“We decided we were going to get as many comments as we can, offering a solution to some of these problems,” Mazour says. “In our eyes, issuing Clean Water Act permits and holding factory farms and manure polluters accountable is one way we can start cleaning up Iowa’s waters. We got about 2,000 comments collected online and in person from across the state and then we hand-delivered them to the DNR.” Mazour says tougher rules and better enforcement are needed to protect the state’s waters.

“Not a single hog confinement in Iowa has a Clean Water Act permit and the current permitting system is not working, obviously, because we continue to have manure spill after manure spill,” Mazour says. “We know these factory farms are basically getting away with polluting and the DNR’s not doing anything about it. We think the Clean Water Act will give them tougher regulations to follow and then start cleaning up our water.” Mazour says the agency could use more state dollars to be able to enforce state environmental regulations.

“The DNR needs more funding to hire more inspectors,” she says. “Right now, there’s only 15.75 full-time equivalent inspectors for over 9,000 of these facilities in Iowa. Obviously, the Clean Water Act needs to be implemented. They need to start issuing tough fines and penalties when manure spills occur.” The DNR’s most recent list of impaired waterways in Iowa is at 725, that’s up from 630 in 2012.

(Radio Iowa)

w/ Kate Olson

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CYLINDER, Iowa (AP) – Authorities say a 58-year-old Iowa man tried to rescue his son who was overcome by fumes in a hog manure pit, but both men later died. The accident occurred Saturday afternoon in the northwest Iowa community of Cylinder. The Palo Alto County Sheriff’s Office says Gene Opheim and his 32-year-old son, Austin, were making repairs when Austin was overcome by the gases. His father then entered the pit to save his son but also was overcome.

Fire and rescue personnel were called to the scene. The Sheriff’s Office says the men were removed from the pit and taken to Palo Alto County Hospital in Emmetsburg, where they were pronounced dead.

The prelude to today’s big livestock sale at the Cass County Fair was held Monday evening, with the Parade of Champions and Grand Champion Beef Selection Show.  Among the big winners during Monday’s event were Lindsey Dinkla and Hannah Carlson. Carlson exhibited the Grand Champion Market Heifer, which weighed 1,388-pounds. Hannah is the daughter of Mike and Pat Carlson. Lindsey Dinkla, the daughter of Gary and Beth Dinkla,  exhibited the Grand Champion 4H Market Steer, which weighed-in at 1,326-pounds.

The Reserve Grand Champion Market Heifer was shown by Caroline Pellett, with the Pymosa 4H Club. She is the daughter of Brad and Kristi Pellett. The Reserve Grand Champion Market Steer was shown by Haley Carlson, with the Pymosa 4H Club. Haley is the daughter of Mike and Pat Carlson. Haley also exhibited the Grand Champion FFA market heifer.

Marshall McDermott, of the Atlantic FFA displayed the Reserve. Marshall is the son of Mike and Melanie McDermott. Eric Plagman showed the Grand Champion FFA Market Steer. Eric is the son of Mike and Kristi Plagman. The Reserve went to Nate Moen, of the Atlantic FFA. His parents are Clint and Laura Fruend.

The livestock sale gets underway at 8-a.m. and will conclude when all the animals are sold. Breakfast will be served at the Foodstand from 6:30-until 10-a.m.

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today (Monday), commented on the Iowa Crops and Weather report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistical Service. The report is released weekly from April through October. Northey said “The continued pattern of rain showers and storms moving across the state means crops generally have plenty of moisture, which is not usually the case in late July. While there are certainly areas that have seen some crop damage due to the weather, in general both corn and beans are in good condition across much of the state.”

A dry start with rain near the end of the week allowed Iowa farmers 5 days suitable for corn fieldwork for the week ending July 26, 2015, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. There were reports of crop stress due to the hot, dry weather, as well as weed problems in soybeans. Topsoil moisture levels rated 0 percent very short, 6 percent short, 78 percent adequate and 16 percent surplus.

Subsoil moisture levels rated 0 percent very short, 5 percent short, 79 percent adequate and 16 percent surplus. Northwest Iowa was the driest area of the State with one-quarter rated very short to short on topsoil moisture. Eighty-three percent of the corn crop had reached the silking stage or beyond, with 11 percent reaching the dough stage. Corn condition rated 83 percent good to excellent.

Soybeans blooming or beyond reached 78 percent. Thirty-seven percent of soybeans were setting pods, slightly ahead of average. Soybean condition rated 76 percent good to excellent this week. Oat acreage turning color or beyond reached 96 percent, with 57 percent of the oat crop harvested for grain or seed, 5 days ahead of last year. Oat crop condition rating increased to 81 percent good to excellent.

The first cutting of alfalfa hay neared completion, while the second cutting reached 68 percent, one day behind last year, and nearly a week behind the average. The third cutting of alfalfa hay got underway this week. Hay condition was rated at 68 percent good to excellent, while pasture condition rated 77 percent good to excellent. Livestock saw some stress during the day, but generally recovered at night.

Photos provided to the Atlantic Police Dept. courtesy Laura Bacon with the Atlantic News Telegraph.

A group of concerned area citizens is offering a $2,000 reward for information leading to the return of two chainsaw carvings taken sometime Sunday night from the Cass County Fairgrounds.  The pig and goat head carvings were created over the last couple of days by Doyle Chainsaw Artist and are to be auctioned off tonight (Monday) at the fair as part of a fund raising effort for the fair.

A reward is being offered for information leading to the return of the carvings. Anyone who might have any information about the theft is asked to contact the Atlantic Police Department, the Cass County Extension Office, or any Fair Board member. Anyone wanting to contribute to the reward fund can contact Bill Simons (249-9503) or Allen Zellmer.

Women can work on developing their wild side by registering for the Becoming an Outdoors-Woman (BOW) workshop coming up Sept. 18-20. The weekend workshop is held at the Springbrook Conservation Education Center in Guthrie County. Julie Sparks, DNR Becoming an Outdoors-Woman coordinator, says “This workshop is an excellent opportunity for women 18 years or older to try a wide variety of activities they may never have had the chance to experience. We have top-notch instructors, our class sizes are kept small and the setting at Springbrook is beautiful, particularly in the fall.”

Workshop topics include basic fishing, fly fishing, birdwatching, archery, beginning shooting, basic motor boat skills, kayaking, survival skills, stand up paddling, Dutch oven cooking, basic camping and much more. The $150 registration fee covers food, lodging and materials for the workshop.

Women thinking about participating are encouraged to sign up soon, as many classes fill quickly. Brochures and registration forms are available online at www.iowadnr.gov/bow or by contacting Julie Sparks, at 515-725-8285 or julie.sparks@dnr.iowa.gov.

The Cass County Fair wraps up the last, full day of activities in Atlantic, today. Tomorrow, breakfast will be served at the Foodstand from 6:30-to 10-a.m., and the livestock sale will take place beginning at 8-a.m. On tap for this morning, is the Best of Show in the Outdoor Show Ring, Best of Iowa show at 9:30 in the Community Center, and at 11-a.m., the Watermelon Feed in the Outdoor Show Ring. As always, the commercial exhibit building will open at 10-a.m. for you to check out the various vendors and artisans.

Today’s Noon Special at the Foodstand is Roast Beef, with hot beef being sold this evening at 5.  The Foodstand is open until 10-p.m.

This afternoon, the Style Show will be held in the Community Center, beginning at 4-p.m., with Building Awards being presented at that time, as well. At 6-p.m. is the Parade of Champions in the Outdoor Arena. The Grand Champion Beef Selection in front of the Grandstand starts at 7-p.m., and Mud Volleyball in the Horse Arena gets underway at 8-p.m.

There are just two full days left for you to get out and enjoy the totally free, 2015 Cass County Fair, in Atlantic. Today’s activities include the 7:30-a.m. Swine Show at the Indoor Show Ring, and a Modified Poultry Show at 10-a.m.

The Poultry Show was changed because the State is not allowing any live birds to be exhibited at county fairs due to the threat posed by the Avian Influenza. Exhibitors at the Cass County Fair are getting around that, by bringing pictures of their birds and showing them, just as if they were there live. Participants will also have to explain to the judge how they raised the bird and provide other information, just as if the animal was there with them. In addition, a Quiz Bowl, with general poultry questions, and egg judging, will be featured.

The Commercial Exhibit Building will open as usual, at 10-a.m., the same time there’s an Antique Equipment Demonstration. Other activities today include:

• Decorator’s Showcase at the Cass County Community Center (Noon-to 4-pm)
• Clover Kids Animal Show in the Outdoor Show Ring, at Noon.
• Today’s Noon Special at the Foodstand is Windsor Chops.
• A Ventriloquist and Hypnotist will be available for your entertainment at the Grandstand, beginning at 1-p.m., 3:30-p.m. and 8-p.m..
• Share The Fun activities will be held at the Community Center, beginning at 5:30-p.m., the same time the Cow/Calf Show gets underway in the Outdoor Show Ring.
• At 6-p.m., there’s the Feeder Calf Show in the Outdoor Show Ring.
• At 6:30, check out the Horse Fun Show in the Horse Arena.

Don’t forget to watch Doyle Chainsaw Artistry at 10-a.m., 3-p.m. and 5-p.m.; and, let the kids explore the Kids Barn Activities in the Commercial Building, from 10-am until 5-pm. The Cass County Fair runs through July 28th, with no parking or admission fees. Check out the daily schedule and get more information about the Fair at http://www.extension.iastate.edu/cass And, follow the fair on Facebook at www.facebook.com/theCassCountyFair.

Listen for our live broadcasts every day of the fair from 1-until 7-pm, on AM 1220 and FM 101.1, KJAN.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A bird flu that resulted in the deaths of 48 million chickens and turkeys has finally waned, but industry officials and government researchers will gather this week in Des Moines to discuss next steps if the virus returns this fall or next spring.

Meetings scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday in Des Moines are coordinated by the Georgia-based U.S. Poultry & Egg Association. The trade organization represents egg and meat chicken companies as well as businesses handling turkeys, ducks and breeding stock.

Organizers closed most sessions to the public and media, saying they wanted participants to talk freely about what caused the outbreak and how to respond more effectively to future problems. U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad are scheduled to talk Tuesday morning.