The recent hot and dry spell has prompted the U.S. Drought Monitor to list nearly a quarter of Iowa in “severe drought.” A week ago, none of the state was in that category. State Climatologist Harry Hillaker says it’s clearly very dry across Iowa, but he disagrees with some of the U.S. Drought Monitor’s new assessment. “Right along the Nebraska border, there was actually a fairly good rain there about a week-and-a-half ago. So, I would have left out Harrison and Pottawattamie Counties (from the severe drought category). They’re still plenty dry, but certainly not as dry as the rest of that area,” Hillaker says.

In far northeast Iowa, a section of Allamakee County is labeled as being in “moderate drought.” Hillaker believes that area shouldn’t be listed in that category just yet. Overall, the U.S. Drought Monitor calls all of Iowa at least “abnormally dry,” compared with 82 percent last week. Sixty-percent of Iowa is in moderate drought and 22.4 percent is in severe drought. Hillaker says the lack of moisture and this week’s extreme heat will likely hurt the development of Iowa’s corn and soybeans.

“The worry with most of the corn and soybeans is it’s going to decrease the yield and the corn kernels themselves won’t fill very well with the lack of moisture, which is going to be worsened by the heat…same with the beans,” Hillaker says. This month is on track to enter the record books as Iowa’s 7th driest August. Last month was the state’s 9th driest July on record.

Hillaker says the two months combined have produced the 4th lowest precipitation total in 141 years of records. “The only ones lower were all a long time ago with 1947 being the most recent one. The other two were back in the 1800s,” Hillaker says. The dry spell, which started back in June, follows Iowa’s wettest ever spring. Over the months of March, April, and May, Iowa received a statewide average of nearly 17.5 inches of rain. That was over two inches above the previous record, which was set in the spring of 1892.

(Radio Iowa)

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — A growing season that began unusually wet and cold in the Midwest is finishing hot and dry, renewing worries of drought and its impact on crops. Experts say corn and soybeans may not have enough moisture in dry areas to develop to full weight, which could reduce this year’s harvest.

The weekly Drought Monitor report released Thursday shows that lack of rain has caused drought conditions to expand in parts of Illinois, Indiana and Michigan, and most of Minnesota and Wisconsin. It also shows that abnormally dry conditions have expanded in eastern Iowa and South Dakota. Rain eased drought in portions of northern Nebraska, but much of the western half of the state remain in extreme drought.

But the drought monitor showed improvement in some states, including Kansas.

As interest increases in managing beef cows in dry lot or under roof management systems, local producers and veterinarians are asking Iowa State University for information comparing different systems. To address this interest and provide timely information and expertise, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach has planned three cow facilities and management update sessions in southern Iowa.

Joe Sellers, extension beef specialist, said the sessions will be held Wednesday, Sept. 4, in Corydon; Monday, Sept. 9, in Anita; and Monday, Sept. 16, in Oskaloosa. All sessions run from 6 to 8:30 p.m. and include a meal provided by Farm Credit Services of America, the Iowa Beef Center at Iowa State and local sponsors.

“We’re bringing Iowa State faculty and staff to present a variety of informational beef cow operation topics, from feeder calf market outlook to health management concerns and recommendations,” Sellers said. “Each location will cover the same topics by the same presenters.”

Sellers and fellow extension beef specialist Christopher Clark will present comparisons of three cow management systems, including pros and cons of each. Sellers also will talk with attendees about whether they can justify building a facility for wintering and calving cows. Clark will offer cattle health management recommendations. Lee Schulz, Iowa State University ag economist, will present information on feeder calf market outlook and cow-calf business prospects.

All three sessions are offered at no charge, but pre-registrations must be made by the Friday prior to the session to be attended. Session dates, specific locations and preregistration information are as follows.

• Sept. 9, Anita, Anita Veterinary Clinic. Call Stuart-Anita Veterinary Clinics 515-523-1755 or 712-762-4193 by Friday, Sept. 6.

For more information, see the update sessions flyer on the Iowa Beef Center website at www.iowabeefcenter.org or contact Sellers at 641-203-1270 or sellers@iastate.edu.

Andrea Farrior and Chris Parks discuss the latest happenings at the Atlantic Animal Shelter.

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DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Officials want visitors to Iowa’s rivers and lakes over the Labor Day weekend to monitor low water levels. The state Department of Natural Resources says water levels are nearly identical to levels measured during last year’s drought. As a result, some paddlers and tubers could end up doing some walking. Officials say people should check stream flows to make sure the water can support a canoe, kayak or tube. It will ensure paddlers and tubers don’t get stuck with a much longer trip than they planned.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Environmental and animal welfare groups are suing the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, alleging the federal agency unlawfully scrapped a rule that would have authorized the EPA to collect information from large-scale livestock confinement farms. The EPA dropped the rule in July 2012, saying it would get farm locations, waste management practices and number of animals on the properties from state and federal agencies.

The lawsuit was filed Wednesday in Washington and claims that the EPA lacks the rational basis required by law to withdraw the rule. It also says the information is critical to enforcing the federal Clean Water Act. The EPA didn’t respond to messages.

The plaintiffs are The Center for Food Safety, Environmental Integrity Project, Food & Water Watch, The Humane Society and Iowa Citizens for Community Improvement.

Guthrie County 4-H will host a silent auction beginning Friday, August 30 in the 4-H Exhibit Building at the Guthrie County Fair. Proceeds from the sale will help more than 200 4-H member participate in the local 4-H program.

Mollie Clark, County Youth Coordinator for Guthrie County ISU Extension & Outreach said “We are very lucky to have such a great 4-H program in Guthrie County and this benefits ALL of the members in our county.”

Items on the auction range include, but are not limited to: an electric grill; a large pizza each month for a year from Zipp’s Pizzaria in Adair; Cattlemen’s Cook Out, and Adirondack chairs. The Guthrie County Extension Office and Silent Auction Committee expresses its gratitude to all of the local individuals and businesses that have generously donated to help the 4-Her’s.

The silent auction will end on Monday, September 1^st at noon.

w/ Kate Olson

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