Officials with the Harrison County Historical Village and Iowa Welcome Center, say the “Living Loess Tour” series returns Saturday, May 18, 2013, with nine artisans in the Loess Hills welcoming visitors 9-am to 3-pm each third Saturday through October. This month, visitors are invited to celebrate two special anniversaries- the 100^th Anniversary of the Lincoln Highway and the 75^th Anniversary of the Harrison County Historical Village. The anniversary activities are at the Harrison County Historical Village and Welcome Center, located 5 miles east of I-29, Exit 75 on Highway 30 between Missouri Valley and Logan. 

Special 75^th Anniversary activities May 18 include a guided trail hike, talks on fur trapping and early pioneer life.  Tour a log cabin and school, and learn about the Farmer’s Market, then enjoy grilled burgers and soda from 11am to 1pm from Reisz Farms compliments of the Harrison County Conservation Board. As part of the double anniversary event, you can register to win a two night stay in a housekeeping cabin at Willow Lake Reservation Area near Woodbine, or a Lincoln Highway Centennial gift basket.

To celebrate the 100^th Anniversary of the Lincoln Highway, from 11am to 2pm you can meet the collector of a special exhibit, “Lincoln Highway: The First 100 Years”, get questions answered by an expert, and sip on samples of “Lincoln Highway Red” wine from Santa Maria Winery.  You’ll also be able to take a state by state visual tour on the Lincoln Highway with the special exhibit. For more details, log onto www.livingloess.com.

The Lincoln Highway: The First 100 Years special exhibit will be at the Harrison County Welcome Center until May 27, 2013.

Warmer weather is returning to Iowa — and so is the pollen. An allergy expert says this spring is shaping up to be one of the worst allergy seasons in years, but Iowans who are constantly sneezing likely already know that. Ted Myatt, an environmental health specialist, says allergy sufferers have more to worry about than just the great outdoors as there can be no where to hide, inside or out. “There’s allergens that are generated outside, the pollen from grass and trees and mold spores from outdoors, all of those particles end up in your home because you’re constantly moving outdoor air into your home,” Myatt says. On top of that, there are allergens generated indoors as well, like pet dander from dogs and cats. Those things, in combination with coming off of last year’s drought, are making for foul conditions for Iowans with allergies. After you’ve been outside, Myatt says it may be helpful to shower right away or to change your clothes — and to use bedding that’s hypoallergenic.

“Washing those sheets in hot water is a great strategy to prevent dust mite exposure,” Myatt says. “Dust mites love bedding and are hard to get rid of unless you use really hot water. Another thing I like to recommend is to take off your shoes. You track in a lot of dirt, a lot of pollen, a lot of mold.” Mold can be a huge problem. Even an isolated area of mold, like a window sill, can trigger symptoms in those allergic to it. He says mold spores travel by air and they will spread. Dust and pollen gather on TV screens and other electronics so keeping them clean is very important. Myatt says even for Iowans who were never bugged by allergies before, this spring could be different.

“People as they age acquire new allergy symptoms,” Myatt says. “If you move to another area of the country where the mixture of the types of pollens and allergens in the air are different than what you’re used to, you see people acquire new allergies.” Even opening the windows to let in a fresh spring breeze will also be letting in dust, mold spores and pollen.

(Radio Iowa)

The field and grassland Fire Danger Index in Shelby County remains in the “Low” risk category this week. That was the word today (Monday), from the Shelby County Emergency Management Agency, who said also, that the weekly notifications will likely be discontinued soon, unless unusually dry conditions return to the area.

The number of cows being raised for beef in Iowa is at its lowest level in 60 years, but producers are expecting to add to their herds as the drought eases. Iowa beef producer Steve Rehder, of Hawarden, says Iowa should continue to pursue new markets despite the current situation.

Steve Rehder (Radio Iowa/photo)

Rehder represented the Iowa Beef Industry Council last month as part of an Iowa meat trade mission to Mexico, El Salvador, and Honduras. He says there are some big challenges for Iowa beef in the latter two countries.

“The biggest issue is the price of beef and we informed them, because of low numbers, that’ll be an issue for quite a while,” Rehder said. “Our inventory of cattle is the lowest it’s been since 1952 and coincidentally, Mexico, El Salvador, and Honduras are enduring the same problem.” The six-day trip in April marked the first time a representative of the Iowa Beef Industry Council has visited El Salvador and Honduras. Rehder noted the countries are already importing high quality beef for the people who can afford it.

“As far as increasing the market for the more poverty stricken people, that’s where we need the price of beef to come down a little bit so it can be more competitive,” Rehder said. “The infrastructure is there and I really believe…we have the opportunity to increase exports down to those countries.” During the trade mission, the Iowa delegation toured processing plants and retail supermarkets. Rehder said many of the people he met are hoping to attend the World Beef Expo in Wisconsin in late September.

“I plan on being there and meeting up with a few of them again. Just making contact and having people from Iowa come down to see them…they were really impressed by that,” Rehder said. The Central American Free Trade Agreement allows U.S. Choice and Prime beef to enter both El Salvador and Honduras without a tariff, because it does not compete with their own grass-fed beef. Mexico was the third largest U.S. beef export market in value and the largest in volume in 2012.

(Radio Iowa)

The recent rain and snow have played havoc with outdoor events and activities, but all the moisture has a positive side. Tim Hall of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources says moisture of any type is important after the severe drought that hit the state. “This is exactly what we’d hoped for, is sustained long-term, better then normal precipitation during the months when we typically get a lot of rain anyway. And March and April and May are pretty wet months, and we are getting more than normal right in those months,” Hall says.

April set a new statewide average for rainfall at six-point-five-two inches (6.52), with normal rainfall for April at three-point-five-one (3.51) inches. A new drought map comes out Thursday, and Hall expects to see the areas with severe problems continuing to shrink. “We’re making some real improvement in the drought conditions in the state, and I think we’re gonna continue to see improvement in the near future,” according to Hall. Not only has the amount of rain increased, it is coming at a time where the frost is out of the ground — so the rain that falls or snow that melts — sinks into the soil.

“In fact our groundwater folks who work with a lot of the water utilities in northwest Iowa are starting to see that reflected in the water levels in some of the wells that are used to supply drinking water,” Hall says. “So we’re starting to see some gradual recovery in the levels in wells, which is indicative of the water making it down into the ground where it is going to do some real good.” He says those areas that were not hit as hard by the drought are building up some reserve with the rains that’re falling now. Hall says that makes it less likely they’ll get back into a water shortage.

“I think if the rainfall stopped for a couple of weeks, which it probable will — I mean we go through periods where we don’t get rain for a couple three weeks — the real danger is if that rainfall slows down or stops and we get excessively hot where the demand for water also starts to go up in conjunction with the rain going down,” Hall says. Hall says farmers are probably really hoping the rain will stop for awhile so they can get into the fields — but he says even they will be happy that all the moisture is replenishing the groundwater.

(Radio Iowa)

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A deadline is approaching for owners who want to recognize their generational farms in Iowa.  Owners have until June 1 to apply for the century and heritage farm program. It recognizes families that have owned their farms for 100 years and 150 years.  Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey says the program highlights the state’s deep history and strong agricultural heritage.

There are various ways to request an application, including from the agriculture department’s website. A ceremony to recognize participants will be held at the Iowa State Fair in August.

More than 17,000 farms across Iowa have been recognized as century farms since 1976. More than 580 farms have been recognized as heritage farms since 2006.  Last year, 345 century farms and 69 heritage farms were recognized.

The Iowa Department of Transportation will allow the harvesting of hay along state highway right of ways this summer. D-O-T agronomist Joy Williams says a permit is required and there are specific guidelines on where the work is allowed. “Medians, shoulder areas, we don’t allow any haying the interstate,” Williams explains. “The permit is just kind of of a system to both inform the applicants as well as to protect our won right of way. If there is any damage, applicants are responsible for any damage.” The harvesting of hay along the state’s highways for livestock feed has been allowed for several years but has become more popular as hay continues to be in short supply.

Williams says the rules allow farmers to use one state resource while protecting another. “The mowing law was designed primarily to preserve habitat for wildlife during the nesting season. And this was in particular response to the low pheasant population,” Williams explains. “Pheasants nest on the ground and mowing can disturb the nests, or kill the hen and crush the eggs.” Williams says those who do the mowing must wear approved safety apparel furnished by the state. She says work performed between the road and the ditch bottom requires that someone is on hand to direct traffic. There are two harvesting seasons; the first is July 15th through September first.

(Radio Iowa)

Due to recent rain and snow events, the Shelby County Emergency Management Agency has reduced the grassland and field fire danger rating to “Low.” The risk factor had been in the “Moderate” category over the past week. Officials say the latest rating will be in effect until at least Monday, May 6th.