DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Environmental groups have filed a lawsuit seeking to force the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to stop planting genetically modified crops in wildlife refuges in Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, and Missouri. The federal lawsuit was filed Tuesday in California by the Center for Food Safety, Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility, the Sierra Club, and Beyond Pesticides.

It alleges the Fish and Wildlife Service unlawfully entered into farming contracts on five refuges in the four states without an environmental analysis required by federal law. The lawsuit also seeks to have the service end blanket pesticide use in the national wildlife refuges until environmental impact studies are done.

A similar lawsuit halted the practice of planting GMOs in refuges in several states the northeast and in the southeast.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — The condition of the corn crop in Iowa and nationally has declined slightly as a late summer dry hot spell settles in over Iowa and other Midwest states renewing fears of a crop damaging drought. The Department of Agriculture says in Monday’s weekly report that corn is about two weeks behind schedule in Iowa as 21 percent is now rated poor or very poor up from 18 percent the previous week and 44 percent is good or excellent, down from 48 percent previously. The remaining portion is fair.

Nationally a larger portion of the crop similarly slipped into poor or very poor category. Iowa soybeans are now 20 percent poor or very poor, up from 18 percent the week before. A similar decline is reported nationally.

Iowans who don’t enjoy the extreme heat that’s in the forecast this week may find relief in a prediction from the Farmers’ Almanac. The publication’s managing editor, Sandi Duncan, says they’re predicting a winter with below normal temperatures for about two-thirds of the country. “We are saying it’s going to be a very cold winter, in fact, we’re using the words ‘piercing cold’ in your neck of the woods, with normal snowfall,” Duncan says. “So, it’s going to be one of those rough, old-fashioned, very chilly, very cold, snowy winters.”

The Farmer’s Almanac for 2014 hit newsstands today (Monday). Scientists don’t put much stock in the almanac’s weather forecasts, which Duncan says are based on a secret, mathematical and astronomical formula. “It takes things like sun spot activity, tidal action of the moon, the position of the planets, and a variety of factors into play,” Duncan says. “We’ve been predicting the weather for 197 years and people who follow our forecasts say we’re about 80 to 85 percent accurate.”

The Farmers’ Almanac, which was founded in 1818, is predicting a heavy winter storm will hit the Northeast U.S. right around the time Super Bowl is played February 2 in New Jersey.

On the web at http://www.farmersalmanac.com/

(Radio Iowa)

Shelby County Emergency Management Coordinator Bob Seivert says the local Fire danger signs have been in the “Low” category since spring, and while they are not implementing the bi-weekly fire danger assessments, given the general lack of rainfall…and expected very hot and windy condition expected to prevail through the next week…Seivert advises businesses and area fire departments to move the fire danger signs into the “Moderate” category.

Seivert asks residents of Shelby County to “Please report a planned or controlled burn prior to ignition,” by calling 712-755-2124. If you need help in determining if the burn can be conducted safely, you’re asked to contact the Emergency Mgt Agency, or your Fire Chief.

Seivert says his office will continue to monitor conditions and keep residents and the media updated as necessary.

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska cattle producers are being warned to keep watch for a grass fungus that poses problems for livestock. The ergot (UR’-guht) fungus has been confirmed in several nearby states, including Missouri and Iowa.

Richard Randle is a University of Nebraska-Lincoln beef veterinarian, and he says he and colleagues are aware of at least a couple of unconfirmed Nebraska reports. Early moisture followed by heat causes certain grasses to grow quickly and develop seed heads faster than cattle can consume them. That allows ergot to flourish in the seed heads.

The tips of cattle ears and tails fall off because the fungus can hamper blood flow to extremities. Cattle also can become lame, but ergot poisoning is unlikely to be fatal. More information is available online at http://marketjournal.unl.edu/

The Cass County Conservation Board is holding a “Movie in the Park” Campground Program. The title of the August 30th film is “Legend of the Guardians the Owls of GaHoole.” The free public program will be held at the Campground Shelter at Cold Springs Park in Lewis, on August 30^th 2013, at 9:00-pm!

If it rains the movie WILL BE cancelled. You DO NOT have to be a registered camper to attend the program.

The Cass County Conservation Board is 55 years old this year. Officials say they’ve decided to celebrate in a couple of different ways: a digital treasure hunt and a Birthday Celebration. The Board considers Cass County parks to be our treasures, and they would love for you to visit them. Follow clues established by the Board and take a picture. Two special clues involve using a GPS (The rules and clues are published below).

Geocashing

Prizes will be awarded, but you will have to wait until the Birthday Celebration on September 14th, when you can meet Conservation Department employees and board members. The event takes place at the Cold Springs Park– Campground Shelter, beginning at 7-PM.  Cake and refreshments will be served.
The Cass County Conservation Board was established in 1958 as the county resource agency with the authority to acquire lands specifically for recreation and conservation. Each member of our board is appointed by the Cass County Board of Supervisors and appointed five year terms.
****************
Treasure Hunt Rules:
1. All photos must include at least one member of the family or person. Self-portraits are allowed as long as we can verify your location by the picture.
2. Photos shall be submitted through the following email: lkanning@casscoia.us
3. Entrant will only receive an email back if their submission was Incorrect.
4. One entry per family.
5. Deadline for submission is Sept 3rd 2013 at 4:30 PM CST. Winners will be drawn and announced at the Birthday Celebration Sept. 14th 2013.
6. The CCCB reserves the right to display winners’ photos and other contest images.
7. Board members, staff and their families are ineligible for the drawing.
Prizes: all correct submissions will be entered into one drawing. There will be 3 additional drawings one for each of the correct GPS clues, and one for correct pictures for ALL of the picture clues.

Clues:
1. Over 70,000 Mormons traveled by on the Road to Zion. Take your picture with the sign describing these events.
2. Travel to this park on a “dry” day and take your picture with the park entrance sign!
3. Enjoy our “newest” Cass County park, take your picture in the “newest” structure on the shore.
4. Named after a pioneer town that had a saw mill and a hotel. Take your picture with the park entrance sign.
Get out your GPS unit for these special prizes:
Go to these coordinates (N 41˚ 18.200 W 095˚ 06.195) and leave your full name in the log to qualify for a special prize!
Go to these coordinates (N 41˚ 25.724 W 094˚ 58.955) and find a wildflower or tree sign. Email the correct name from the sign to the email above to qualify.
Reminder the deadline for submission is Sept 3rd 2013 at 4:30 PM CST. Winners will be drawn and announced at the Birthday Celebration Sept. 14th 2013.

The Cass County Conservation Board is holding a “Mysterious Monarchs” Program early next month. The free public program will be held at the Campground Shelter at Cold Springs Park in Lewis, on September 7^th, beginning at 4:00-pm, and at the Camblin Addition Shelter at Sunnyside Park in Atlantic, on September 14^th beginning at 2:00-pm.

During the sessions, you can discover the Monarch Butterflies before they begin their journey south. Conservationists will be tagging monarchs and show the public how to do so, as well.  If you would like a home tagging kit you must attend and pre-register for the Kit. Call 712-769-2372 to pre-register for your kit. You DO NOT have to be a registered camper to attend the program. 

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

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