On Friday, January 20, Governor Kim Reynolds signed an extension of the proclamation relating to the weight limits and transportation of grain, fertilizer, and manure.

The Harvest Proclamation is effective immediately and expires February 19, 2023. The proclamation allows vehicles transporting corn, soybeans, hay, straw, silage, stover, fertilizer (dry, liquid, and gas), and manure (dry and liquid) to be overweight (not exceeding 90,000 pounds gross weight) without a permit for the duration of this proclamation.

The proclamation applies to loads transported on all highways within Iowa (excluding the interstate system) and those which do not exceed a maximum of 90,000 pounds gross weight, do not exceed the maximum axle weight limit determined under the non-primary highway maximum gross weight table in Iowa Code § 321.463 (6) (b), by more than 12.5 percent, do not exceed the legal maximum axle weight limit of 20,000 pounds, and comply with posted limits on roads and bridges.

See the proclamation here.

(Red Oak, Iowa) –  The Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Pesticide Safety Education Program will be hosting live-streamed Private and Commercial Continuing Instruction Courses (P-CIC & C-CIC) online training this spring as an additional opportunity for private and commercial pesticide applicators to be trained. Attendees will need a computer and a good internet connection to participate in the programs. Applicators can register by going to the Extension Store (https://store.extension.iastate.edu) and searching for “Live Streamed”.

Here is the schedule for the statewide CIC reshow dates and times:

Private Continuing Instruction Courses

• January 31, 6-8:30 p.m.
• February 28, 1-3:30 p.m.
• April 4, 6-9-11:30 a.m.

Commercial Continuing Instruction Courses

• Commercial Ag Weed, Insect, and Plant Disease Management (CCA CEU’s Available), Categories 1A, 1B, and 1C
  • February 28, 9-11:30 a.m.
  • March 30, 6-8:30 p.m.
• Ornamental and Turfgrass Applicators, Categories 3O, 3T, and 3OT
  • March 9, 9-11:30 a.m.
  • March 30, 1-3:30 p.m.
  • April 18, 9-11:30 a.m.

Contacts:
Kathleen Wilson, Pesticide Safety Education Program, 515-294-1122, kmwilson@iastate.edu

(Radio Iowa) – Two long-running strikes at eastern Iowa factories ended over the weekend. Some 11-hundred U-A-W workers at Case New Holland plants in Burlington and Racine, Wisconsin ratified a new contract on Saturday, ending a strike against the ag equipment maker that started last May. On Sunday, nearly 120 workers at Ingredion in Cedar Rapids agreed to a new four-year deal with the grain processing plant.

Those workers are represented by the Bakery Confectionary, Tobacco Workers and Grain Millers International Union Local 100G, and they’ve been striking since August. Statements from both groups say the strikes ended with wins on wages and insurance premiums.

Chris Parks and Cass/Adair County Conservation Officer Grant Gelly talk about all things outdoors. This week they discuss the close of the special antlerless deer season, license renewal time, ice fishing reminders, paddlefish season opening, and much more.

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The Cass County Conservation Board regretfully must cancel the Cabin Fever Escape program due to poor road conditions inside the park. The program/open house was to be held on Saturday, January 21^st from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at the Outdoor Educational Classroom near Massena.

(Cass County, Iowa) – 2023 mobile food pantries have been scheduled for Atlantic, Massena, and Anita. A mobile pantry is a traveling food pantry that delivers food directly to families in need for a one-day distribution. People from surrounding towns and communities are welcome. Mobile food pantries are available free of charge. Anyone in need is welcome, and no documentation is required. Each car can take food for up to two households at a time. It is important to note that Massena pantries require registration. (See below for details)

Anita 2023 Mobile Food Pantries
Where: Anita Food Pantry (208 Chestnut Street, Anita IA 50020)
2023 Dates: February 15, May 17, August 16, October 18
Time: 4:00-6:00 PM

Atlantic 2023 Mobile Food Pantries
Please note: Atlantic 2023 Mobile Food Pantries are being held at different locations during the school
year (Cass County Community Center) and summer months (Atlantic High School).
Time: 4:00-6:00 PM

Cass County Community Center (805 W. 10th St., Atlantic, IA 50022): February 8, April 12,
October 11
Atlantic High School (1201 E. 14th St. Atlantic, IA 50022): June 14, July 12, August 9

Massena 2023 Mobile Food Pantries
Please note: Massena pantries require registration. Boxes are limited. Registration ends the Monday
prior to the pantry date. To register for pantries in Massena, call (712) 779-3447.
Where: Southwest Iowa Egg Coop (74877 Clarke Ave. Massena, IA 50853)
2023

Dates: Feb. 8 (register by Feb. 6), April 12 (register by April 10), June 14 (register by June 12), July
12 (register by July 10), August 9 (register by Aug. 7), October 11 (register by Oct. 9)

Box pick-up time: 4:45-5:15 PM

Mobile pantry dates, times, and locations are subject to change. For the latest information on mobile
pantries in Anita and Atlantic, visit https://foodbankheartland.org/food-resources/find-food/. For the
latest information on Massena pantries, call (779) 3447.

For information on local food, farmers markets, and food access, follow the Cass County Local Food Policy Council’s Facebook page @CassCountyLocalFood.

(Radio Iowa) – The number of Iowa counties without a confirmed infestation of the emerald ash borer is now down to three. The Iowa Department of Agriculture has added Monona, Osceola, and Woodbury Counties to the list of infestations. The insects were confirmed in Blencoe, Melvin, and Sioux City, making it 96 of Iowa’s 99 counties with an infestation.

Plymouth, Emmet, and Palo Alto are the only counties that are still E-A-B free. The tree-killing insect from Asia was first discovered in Iowa twelve years ago. Thousands of trees across the state have been cut down after being infected — or in an effort to slow the spread.

(Radio Iowa) – Governor Kim Reynolds has announced funding to complete phase two of Iowa State University’s new Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. The governor announced that I-S-U will receive 40 million in federal American Rescue Plan Act funding and is proposing that an additional 20 million dollars from the Rebuild Iowa Infrastructure Fund go to the project. I-S-U President Wendy Wintersteen earlier said phase one construction would end this year — but phase two is needed to provide an additional 70-thousand square feet for laboratory testing, research and support functions — and would put them all under one roof. Governor Reynolds has earlier indicated her support — saying the Vet Lab is critical to supporting and protecting the country’s ag industry and food supply.

(Bridgewater, Iowa) – Dave Nichols of Nichols Farms, near Bridgewater, was honored with induction into the American Angus Association’s Heritage Foundation at the 2022 Angus Convention held in Salt Lake City, Utah, in November 2022. AAA created the Heritage Foundation in 1983 to honor the contributions of individuals who have gone above and beyond for the Angus Breed.

Nichols was selected for his groundbreaking work in data collection. Nichols Farms was one of the first herds to incorporate computer performance records to intricate feed intake and measurement systems, and has continuously adapted and extended the limits of performance records. Today, Nichols Farms collects and maintains more than 70 fields of data on each animal.

Officials with the Foundation say Nichols’ immense interest in data led to his heavy involvement in the Angus Herd Improvement Records (AHIR), and Beef Improvement Federation (BIF), along with partaking in numerous research projects to improve technology, placing him at the forefront of today’s EPD program. The farm’s latest research project focuses on feed efficiency, collecting data beef producers can utilize in breeding decisions.

Dave Nichols (Photo & story submitted by Terri Queck-Matzie.

In making the award announcement, officials with the Foundation said “Inductees of the Heritage Foundation depict the type of individuals who built a reputation with their drive, ambition and forward-thinking attitude. From his leadership and accolades, to his dedication to providing customers with a firm handshake and the best genetics possible, Nichols’ investment in the breed and its success is evident in all he does.”

In addition to Nichols, the 2022 Heritage Foundation inductees include: Jim and Sue Coleman of Modesto, California; Leo and Sam McDonnell of Columbus, Montana; and Becky and the late Arlen Sawyer of Bassett, Nebraska.

The American Angus Association® is the nation’s largest beef breed organization, serving more than 22,000 members across the United States, Canada and several other countries.

Ames, Iowa – The Iowa Beef Industry Council board of directors selected Mike Anderson, of Ames, to lead as executive director of the Iowa Beef Checkoff organization.

Anderson comes to the beef council after 17 years with Iowa State Extension & Outreach where he served as program manager of 4-H Agriculture & Natural Resources. Anderson is experienced in personnel and program management through his background in coordinating 4-H livestock superintendents and shows at the Iowa State Fair, implementing Iowa 4-H online enrollment and identification programs and hosting several state 4-H events and activities.

Mike Anderson Exec. Director, IBC

“My previous experiences working with youth and adults has been really rewarding and eye-opening. I have seen first-hand how 4-H and FFA youth are more removed from the farm than ever before and would like to use this role as an opportunity to share the importance of agriculture with consumers and tying that back to beef production. I am a firm believer in building a strong team and I look forward to working with staff, board members and stakeholders to execute programs that help share the story of Iowa’s beef industry,” said Anderson.