The Shelby County Emergency Management Agency says they will keep the Fire Danger warning signs in the county in the “Low” category. Even though signs are in the low position, EMA Coordinator Bob Seivert says the winds will be gusty today (Thursday) and Friday, so anyone planning to conduct an open burn should consider that, and possibly consider postponing open burning until the weekend. The fire danger warning signs will be updated again on Monday.

Andrea Farrior and Chris Parks discuss the latest news from the Atlantic Animal Shelter.

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w/ Dr. Keith Leonard

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Iowa is the top soybean producing state in the nation and researchers at the U.S. Department of Agriculture are hoping to help growers by determining which soybean varieties react the best to a changing climate. James Bunce is a Research Plant Physiologist with the USDA. “We’re looking for variation among soybeans in how they respond to rising atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration,” Bunce says. Rising CO2 tends to stimulate yields of many different kinds of crops, according to Bunce, including some soybeans.

“What we’re trying to do is just optimize that stimulation by finding the varieties that respond best when grown at high CO2,” Bunce says. “And ultimately we’re trying to find the genes that are responsible for that, but the first step is just to find varieties that respond better than others.” Bunce says finding the most CO2 adaptable soybeans is important because it will help maintain an abundant and affordable food supply. He notes the U.S. is “remarkably lucky” in terms of our natural resources.

“The amount of money that we spend per capita for food is very low compared to most other places in the world, just because we have such abundant food crops and resources to grow them,” Bunce says. “This is just trying to keep that favorable balance of food supply intact as the climate changes.” Iowa farmers grew 414 million bushels of soybeans last year. Soybeans are increasingly used for human consumption and alternative fuel, but are still predominantly used for animal feed.

(Radio Iowa)

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Shelby County will host a Fumigation Continuing Instructional Course for commercial pesticide applicators on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2013. The program will be shown at locations across Iowa through the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Pest Management and the Environment program.

The local site for the Nov. 19 CIC is 906 6th St., Harlan. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. followed by sessions from 9 to 11 a.m. The registration fee is $35 on or before Nov. 12 and $45 after Nov. 12. To register or to obtain additional information about the CIC, contact the Shelby County Extension and Outreach office in by phoning 712-755-3104.

The 2013 course will provide continuing instructional credit for commercial pesticide applicators certified in categories 7C (Fumigation) and 10 (Demonstration and Research). The course will cover topics including safe handling of phosphine, pest identification, effective grain fumigation, and laws and regulations.

Additional information and registration forms for this and other courses offered through the PME Program can be accessed at www.extension.iastate.edu/PME.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Iowa tourism officials are using the Internet to help determine the cover of the state’s next travel guide. The Iowa Tourism Office says people can vote between three cover options on the department’s Facebook page. The photos were chosen from more than 600 images submitted by people. The guide is Iowa’s trip-planning publication. It lists from more than 700 attractions, 750 hotels, 200 bed and breakfasts and 350 campgrounds.

The covers either show one destination or several. They range from an image of motorcycling in the Loess Hills to an image of tubing on the Mississippi River. People have until Friday to vote. The winning cover will be announced on Nov. 12. The new guide will be available in early 2014.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Farmers finally caught up this week as favorable weather for harvest put them ahead of the normal for the first time this growing season. The U.S. Department of Agriculture says 75 percent of corn in Iowa is now harvested, 4 percentage points ahead of the 5-year average. Some corn has higher moisture content than desirable for storage and farmers are leaving it in the field to allow it to further dry. Drying corn with propane-powered dryers increases cost and cuts into profits.

Iowa Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey says limited propane supply also is creating challenges. The soybean harvest is 95 percent complete, four days ahead of normal. Nationally, 73 percent of corn is harvested, better than 71 percent average and soybeans are at 86 percent, which is near the average.

Members of all 15 4-H Clubs in Cass County will gather Sunday afternoon at the Cass County Community Center, for the County 4-H Convention. The annual awards program begins at 2-p.m., and is being organized by the 2012-2013 4-H Youth Council and Youth Action Committee.

At County Convention, members and leaders of the 4-H clubs in Cass County will be presented on stage to receive recognition. Record book projects will be announced and recognition given to those members who did outstanding work. In addition, local club leaders will be honored for their service to the 4-H program, with special recognition being given to 4-H clubs for outstanding community service projects and other activities.

Parents, relatives and friends are invited to attend the event for Cass County 4-H members and leaders, during which the final activity for the day will be the installation ofthe  2013-2014 Cass County 4-H Youth Council. Current members of the Council include Hannah Ankenbauer, Katie Aupperle, Stephanie Freund, Luke Frisbie, Emily Jacobsen, Heather Reyna, and Haley Schmidt.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources has released the latest version of its Water Summary, a look at drought conditions, precipitation values, and stream flows. Officials say rainfall during the month of October was slightly above normal, at 2.79 inches, as compared to normal October precipitation of 2.61 inches. However, more months of consistently above normal rainfall are needed to reduce drought conditions before the 2014 growing season.

The most significant groundwater concerns are in a band through the middle of the state with the driest areas in Boone, Calhoun and Webster counties. The lowest streamflow conditions are in the Skunk and Chariton River watersheds. With the exception of a swath of area stretching southeastward from Carroll through Guthrie, Madison, the eastern half of Adair and Union Counties, most streams in the KJAN listening area are at normal flow, according to the DNR.

Precipitation across southwest Iowa was at or above normal for the month, with the exception of a few counties to the south of Cass, where it was 50-to 75-percent below normal. Here in Atlantic, we received 3.95-inches for the month of October, which was well above the normal 2.76-inches.

The latest Drought Monitor from the National Drought Mitigation Center shows with the exception of central and western Pottawattamie County, most counties in the KJAN listening area either still abnormally dry, or in a moderate drought. In Atlantic, we’re still about 5-inches shy of normal precipitation for the year-to-date. Shallow groundwater across the area is at or near seasonal lows.

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For graphical maps of the drought situation, surf to http://www.iowadnr.gov/Portals/idnr/uploads/geology/10.31.13%20WSU2.pdf