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The Iowa Pork Producers Association, in cooperation with the Iowa Pork Industry Center at Iowa State University and ISU Extension and Outreach, has developed a new series of conferences for hog farmers in response to current swine health issues impacting the industry.

The IPPA Swine Health and Animal Well-being Committee will hold four “free” management conferences around the state later this month and in early September. The sites and dates are:

Aug. 26, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. – Northwest Iowa Community College, Sheldon
Aug. 28, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. – Carroll Co. Extension Office, Carroll
Aug. 30, 9:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. – Chickasaw Co. Extension Office, New Hampton
Sept. 3, 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. – Washington Co. Extension Office, Washington
Dr. Rodney “Butch” Baker of the Iowa Pork Industry Center at Iowa State University will share what is currently known about the Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus (PEDV) that has proven deadly to piglets across the country this year. Baker will explain how producers can manage employees and visitors relative to PEDV, how hog farmers can protect their herd when most packing plants and trailers are testing positive for the virus, and what can be learned from Transmissible Gastroenteritis (TGE) and the practices that should be effective against PEDV.

“Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) has caused great economic harm to the industry for years and now we’re facing the devastating impact of PEDV,” said Dr. Craig Rowles, committee chairman and a pork producer from Carroll. “We’re offering these conferences to provide the latest information on these issues and try to help producers deal with or avoid these swine health concerns.”

ISU’s Dr. James McKean will discuss how producers can avoid residues and a U.S. Food and Drug Administration inspection. His presentation will include changes in residue testing at packing plants, the impact of detected residues and practical steps to avoid chemical residues.

Rounding out the list of presenters is Dr. Lee Schulz, ISU livestock economist. He will explain how pork farmers can survive with a short corn supply, prospects for continued hog demand and 2014 opportunities.

“FDA has introduced new residue limits and testing procedures and we want to make sure hog farmers are aware of these changes,” Rowles said. “Also, the current and future economic impacts of the swine health issues are critical to producers’ success, so we feel it’s important to include this discussion as well.”

Producers will not be required to register to attend any of the conferences. Interested farmers simply need to attend the conference of their choice.

Any questions should be directed to IPPA Public Policy Director Cody McKinley at (800) 372-7675 or cmckinley@iowapork.org.

The Western Iowa Grape Growers Association (WeIGGA) is sponsoring the 2013 Loess Hills Wine Festival.  The festival will be held on Saturday September 21^st , 2013 from 2-pm to 10-pm at Tom Hanafan River’s Edge Park (Iowa side of the Bob Kerrey walking bridge), Council Bluffs.

The grapes have been harvested, the wine is fermenting. This year will feature 5 Western Iowa Wineries including, Prairie Crossing, Sugar Clay, Vine Street Cellars, Prairie Hawk and Wabash Wine Company and 1 local brewery, Keg Creek Brewery. Three bands will be providing live music during the festival including, JB Acoustic (2-pm to 4-pm), MoJo Bag (4-pm to 6-pm) and Pink Kadillac (6-pm to 10-pm).

The Loess Hills Wine Festival is a fun event for the entire family.  Activities will include craft and local food vendors, hayrides, a grape stomp, food, live music and wine and beer tasting for the adults.  Adult admissions receive a souvenir wine glass and 10 tasting tickets.

Advance tickets for ages 21 and over (normally $30) are $15 per person if purchased before September 1^st at WeIGGA’s web site http://www.weigga.org/html/admission.html . VIP Tickets are $50 and Children ages 10 to 20 years old are $10. Children under 10 are free.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Officials say dove hunting is growing in popularity throughout Iowa since lawmakers legalized the sport in 2011 following years of sometimes angry debate. The state Department of Natural Resources says the number of people registering to hunt mourning doves has gradually increased since lawmakers changed state law two years ago. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service data shows more than 9,000 dove hunters are registered in Iowa, though numbers are preliminary. Officials say they’re still learning how to manage the 70-day season, starting Sept. 1.

Opponents had fought legalization, arguing the birds represented peace and have so little meat that the only reason to shoot them was as target practice. Supporters of the change responded that the birds are plentiful and there was no reason to keep them off limits.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The Iowa Electrical Examining Board won’t exempt farm buildings from mandatory electrical inspections.  The Des Moines Register says the board voted 8-3 on Thursday to reject a proposal that would have generally exempted farm buildings. The proposal was aimed at resolving issues stemming from a court ruling that the board exceeded its authority by requiring inspections on most electrical installations on farms.

Some critics say the inspections are a power grab by the board and that the inspections overburden farmers. Other farmers and their supporters say poorly installed electrical wiring creates safety hazards.  On Thursday the board set a task force to seek a compromise to present to the Legislature.

Safety is important, no matter where you live. Officials with the Cass County Extension Service and Outreach invite area youth to join them for a Rural Safety Day on August 24th from 8:30 AM – 2 PM at the Cass County Fairgrounds. The event is free for all 4-6 graders in Cass County, who will learn how to keep themselves safe while working on or visiting a farm.

Youth will learn about first aid, safety around animals, unexpected hazards, electrical safety and much more. Lunch and resources will be provided by Cass County Extension and Outreach. Whether you’ve spent your entire life on the farm, occasionally visit friends or relatives on the farm, or have never set foot on a farm, there is something for everyone at Rural Safety Day.

To register, contact the Cass County Extension office at 712-243-1132 or xcass@iastate.edu before 4:30 PM on August 22^nd. Youth will also need to have a health form on file with the Cass County Extension office to participate. These forms are available in the Extension office, or can be printed using the following link: http://www.extension.iastate.edu/cass/news/rural-saftey-day-set-august-24th.

This year’s Rural Safety Day will be full of hands-on fun and exploration. With the harvest season coming up and youth spending time outdoors in the cool fall weather, plan to attend this educational day for tips on staying safe this fall!  Make sure to register by August 22^nd to be a part of this fun-filled day.

Firefighters from Lenox, Clearfield, Corning and Creston were called to the scene of a blaze Tuesday night at CMC-Dalton Ag Products, in Lenox. Also assisting at the scene were officials with Taylor County Ambulance, Adams County Emergency Management, Lenox Police and the Taylor County Sheriff’s Office. Officials say the fire was reported at around 10:36-p.m. The cause of the fire and amount of damage is undetermined at this time. The State Fire Marshall’s Office has been contacted to conduct further investigation. CMC-Dalton Ag Products manufactures fertilizer application equipment, such as tool bars, dry spreaders, liquid applicators and running gear for related equipment.

The latest U-S-D-A crop report was released Tuesday, and shows that under half of the corn crop statewide is in either good (39%) or excellent (10%) condition. The same is true for soybeans with 39-percent in good condition and only 9-percent in excellent condition. Iowa Ag Secretary Bill Northey says there was not enough rain to go around. “Other than a few spots that got some rain, some spotty heavy rains, everybody else needs rain,” Northey says. “I guess it’s August in Iowa and we almost always need rain in August in Iowa.”

Northey has been at the Iowa State Fair and talking with farmers about their crops. “Most places have crops that don’t look too bad, but could really benefit from rain. Others are saying if they don’t get rain pretty soon, that their crops are really going to be suffering hard,” Northey says. The Ag Secretary farms near Spirit Lake.

(Radio Iowa)

The costs associated with being a farmer in Iowa rose by double-digits, percentage-wise, last year.  A report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service shows $26.84 billion was spent in Iowa on agricultural production in 2012. That marks an 11-percent increase over 2011. Only farmers in the state of California spent more last year, $31 billion, according to the report.

In 2012, Iowa farmers dealt with the worst drought in five decades, which cut crop yields and hurt livestock production. The biggest cost for Iowa farmers last year was feed, at $4.43 billion. Iowa is the nation’s top producer of corn, soybeans, and pork. Nationally, farmers spent a record $351.8 billion on ag production in 2012.

(Radio Iowa)