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A full day of activities will be experienced during 2021 Cass County Fair, on this Thursday. Events include:
Some of the events set to take place tomorrow (Friday), include: a Dog Show; Clover Kids animal show; Share-the-Fun/Style Show; Mutton Busting, and the Bull ride. See the complete schedule HERE.
OMAHA, NEBRASKA – July 28, 2021 – Farmland values in Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming continue to strengthen, building on the gains that followed the 2020 harvest. Supported by low interest rates and the renewed optimism of higher grain prices and farm income, land values are nearing levels not seen in eight years. Farm Credit Services of America (FCSAmerica) has released its July 2021 farmland value report based on 63 farms spread across its four-state territory. Fifty-three farms increased in value, eight saw no change and two declined. On average, values were up 7.5% in the first six months of 2021.
Iowa saw the greatest overall gains. Twelve benchmark farms are valued at more than $10,000 per acre, including a central Iowa farm with a 34% gain in 2021 for a per-acre value of $13,200. A year ago, only five farms were valued in excess of $10,000 per acre. Iowa farmland is only 7% shy of its 2013 peak, and the real estate market remains active. A week after the completion of FCSAmerica’s July benchmark report, six bare land farms in central Iowa sold for a low of $14,200 to a high of $16,800 an acre.
Tim Koch, chief credit officer for FCSAmerica, says “As anticipated, the substantial run-up in farm profitability has resulted in increased farmland values on the whole. But we also saw significant differences in values at the local level based on market activity, including the number of sales and land availability.” The two benchmark farms that lost value, for example, were in Nebraska. Yet in the south-central area of the state, values were up an average of 15% in the first half of 2021 and are approaching historic highs. Statewide, Nebraska farmland is 15% behind its peak value of 2013.
Those areas that saw little change in value also tended to have a higher concentration of pastureland. In South Dakota, where values are 11% behind the market peak, only pastureland saw no gain. As cattle operators focus on retaining cash, pastureland values will likely see continued price pressure in coming months, Koch said. While drought is impacting crops in areas of FCSAmerica’s territory, it is unlikely to be a drag on cropland values. Strong crop insurance price levels will offset drought-related production losses. The majority of grain operators are expected to be profitable again in 2021 and interest rates remain favorable, Koch said: “The outlook for real estate looks pretty strong.”
The chart below shows the average change in farm values by state. The number of benchmark farms in each state is in parentheses.
| STATE | SIX MONTH | ONE YEAR | FIVE YEAR | TEN YEAR |
| Iowa (21) | 9.9% | 13.9% | 15.3% | 37.3% |
| Nebraska (18) | 5.6% | 9.5% | -1.8% | 62.9% |
| South Dakota (22) | 7.0% | 9.5% | -4.8% | 71.3% |
| Wyoming (2) | 8.0% | 10.9% | 29.6% | 75.7% |
About Farm Credit Services of America
Farm Credit Services of America is a customer-owned financial cooperative proud to finance the growth of rural America, including the special needs of young and beginning producers. With nearly $34 billion in assets and $6.4 billion in members’ equity, FCSAmerica is one of the region’s leading providers of credit and insurance services to farmers, ranchers, agribusiness and rural residents in Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming. Learn more at fcsamerica.com.
(Iowa DNR News) – The impact that a cold and snowy Iowa winter and driest spring since 1994 had on pheasant nesting success will likely be seen when the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) conducts its annual roadside pheasant counts between Aug. 1-15.
The statewide survey is conducted by Iowa DNR staff who drive 218, 30-mile routes on gravel roads at dawn on mornings with heavy dew. Hen pheasants will move their broods to the edge of the gravel road to dry off before they begin feeding, which makes them easier to count. Todd Bogenschutz, upland wildlife research biologist for the Iowa DNR, says “We had a cold and snowy winter from early January till February, which hurts hen survival, then a warm up, and a good March and April – the dry spring was a positive for nest success – so the model says our pheasant population we will likely be status quo to a slightly increasing. It will be interesting to see the survey results. The conditions for the survey are important as the accuracy of the counts depend on the dew conditions when the routes are run. While the drought conditions have eased across most of Iowa, we are still fairly dry.”
The August roadside survey has been conducted over the same routes since 1962. In addition to pheasants and quail, the survey collects data on partridge, cottontails and jackrabbits. Results will be posted online at www.iowadnr.gov/pheasantsurvey in early September. Iowa’s pheasant season begins Oct. 30.
(Radio Iowa) – Congressman Randy Feenstra has gotten language included in a House ag bill for wildfires and hurricanes that would also cover the 2020 derecho-related losses. “I am very pleased to see the committee come together working on this bipartisan legislation for our farmers and our producers. I am also so very pleased to see the legislation include production losses caused by high winds and derechos,” Feenstra says. Feenstra has been pushing for several months to get the derecho coverage after the derecho caused the loss of 850-thousand acres of crops.
“This was the most costly thunderstorm in U-S history — costing about seven-point-five BILLION (dollars). I am very pleased that our committee is continuing these efforts to ensure that Iowa farmers and farmers across the country receive disaster relief they need to offset these massive losses by these events,” Feenstra says. Feenstra is a Republican from Hull.
The Montgomery County Recreational Trails Committee is hosting a Three Community Trails Bike or Walking Event on Friday, August 20 and Saturday, August 21, 2021, in Villisca, Stanton and Red Oak. Organizers say there is no charge to participate, but donations will be accepted and all the fun you will have is absolutely FREE. The first community event will be on Friday night, August 20 as Villisca hosts their “Every Street Bike Ride”. Participants will gather starting at 7:00 PM at the Park Shelter House, at the intersection of 3rd St. and 3rd Ave. A leisurely evening bike ride, lasting around an hour and a half, will take riders down and up every street and avenue in Villisca past well known historic attractions including the Ax Murder House. Bikers may also choose to ride only streets or only avenues, either of which takes about 40 minutes. There will also be a 2-mile and a ¾ mile walking route.
The next morning, August 21, participants will be able to ride or walk the Stanton Greenbelt Trail. The event will start anytime between 8 and 9 AM from Anderson Park. Participants will be able to also visit the Swedish Heritage and Cultural Center and enjoy a cup of coffee and pasties or lunch at the new Fika Coffee Hus on Main Street. The event will then travel to Red Oak for a 2:30 PM for the Historic Heritage Hill ride or walk including the WWII depot museum, and the scenic Red Oak Trail. Begin the journey at the Montgomery County Court House at 2nd and Coolbaugh St. ending at the “518” Building at the corner of Red Oak Square, 4th and Reed for wonderful music and drinks of all kinds.
For those who participate in all three communities, a FREE commemorative T-Shirt will be awarded.
Get a commemorative T-shirt for participating in all 3 rides! (Photo from the MCRTC Facebook page)
Those who choose to do only one or two segments will be able to make a suggested donation and get the same T-Shirt. Each community will have a separate route for biking and walking. Their purpose is to introduce to you the three participating communities and the NEW Montgomery County Recreational Trails Committee. We will also share the work of connecting our county from North to South and East to West through a new system of trails.
Pre-Registration is encouraged, but not required. You can register at Montgomery County Recreational Trails Face book page. Remember, when bicycling, “Think Safety. Wear your Helmet”.
Activities at the FREE 2021 Cass County Fair get underway bright and early Wednesday morning. From 9-a.m. Until 2:30-p.m., there is 4-H/FFA Static Exhibit Judging, and from 10:30-a.m.until 12:30-p.m., “Bucket of Junk” judging. Cass County ISU Extension Director Kate Olson says the event is sponsored by Weirich Welding
The projects created by the kids using the scrap metal are left on display throughout the week in the Community Center. On August 2nd, awards will be presented by the judges for technical effort and creativity, and a “People’s Choice” award, for the most creative bucket.
She said it should be a record-setting year for the Bucket of Junk Contest, with a good number of participants. Clover kids Showcase entries will also take place Wednesday, from 9-a.m., until Noon. Olsen says something different this year, than in years past, is that the Food Sale has been moved from Wednesday to Thursday, beginning at 5-p.m.
Another change this year, is the addition of a table-setting contest at the Community Center on the Fairgrounds.
The weather should be a little less hot and humid toward the end of the week, but some may be concerned about the welfare of the livestock, not to mention their handlers. Kate Olsen says their exhibitors know how to handle their animals, and watchful eyes will make sure both participants and animals are safe.
And, Olsen says with regard to COVID, there will be a lot of hand sanitizer available on the grounds, social distancing will be possible due to most of the events being outdoors, but a mask will not be required. You may of course, wear a mask at your discretion.
Some of the big events taking place during the Cass County Fair, include:
Little Miss/Mister Contest, 7-p.m. Thursday
King & Queen Contests, 7:30-p.m. Thursday
Senior Recognition, 8-p.m. Thursday
A Bull ride on Friday at 8-p.m.
Tractor Pulls 6-p.m. Saturday
Golf Cart Races Sunday at 7-p.m.
And, the Grand Champion Beef Selection takes place 6:30-p.m., Monday.
View the complete Fair Schedule HERE
(Radio Iowa) – Competition in the meat supply chain is the subject of a U-S Senate Judiciary Committee hearing scheduled for tomorrow (Wednesday), and at least three Iowans will be in the chamber. Iowa Senator Chuck Grassley calls the hearing “long awaited” as he says he’s been expressing strong reservations about consolidation within agriculture and the livestock industry for more than 20 years. “We have two Iowans as witnesses and I look forward to their testimony,” Grassley says. “Family farmers are very important to rural communities across America. We’ve got to keep the family farmer strong and from the standpoint of cattle feeders, they’re on life support.”
The two Iowans who are scheduled to testify are: Jon Schaben, owner of Dunlap Livestock Auction, and Shane Miller, group president of Fresh Meats at Tyson Foods. Tyson joins J-B-S, Cargill and National Beef as the four largest meatpackers which, Grassley says, control 80-percent of the marketplace. “According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, for every one dollar Americans spend on food, farmers only get 14.3 cents,” Grassley says. “Meantime, the retail price of beef for consumers has increased and remains very high.”
The pandemic has brought to the forefront the U-S-D-A’s inability to preserve our nation’s beef supply chain, Grassley says, calling on the agency to be more engaged and aggressive in policing anti-competitive activities. “I’m not upset about paying more for my beef but I’m upset that farmers are not getting a fair price,” he says. The Senate hearing, called “Beefing up Competition: Examining America’s Food Supply Chain,” is scheduled for Wednesday at 1:30 PM/Central time.
(Radio Iowa) – A new breed of tick is being found in the U-S for which Iowans, especially cattle producers, need to be watchful. Professor Grant Dewell, an Iowa State University Extension beef veterinarian, says it’s called the Asian longhorned tick but to see its tiny antennae which resemble horns, you’d need a magnifying glass. “It could potentially be here,” Dewell says. “It’s really hard to see, compared to other ticks. Most ticks we’re familiar with are the size of a pencil eraser or something like that. This Asian longhorned tick is about the size of a sesame seed.”
The tick is native to East Asia and it is spreading across the United States. It’s been identified as far east as Arkansas and as far north as New York. “It’s something that we could easily miss if it was here, if we’re not really paying attention to it,” Dewell says. “As much as we move cattle nowadays, where cattle are moved all over the U.S., somebody sure could have imported a breeding animal from the East Coast and brought (the tick) here, so it’s just something we need to keep an eye on.”
Lyme disease and anaplasmosis are associated with most ticks. Dewell says the Asian longhorned ticks may carry those and other blood-borne diseases that are not common in the U.S. People should be aware of the risks, but he says cattle producers need to be vigilant for this tiny-but-dangerous insect. “They tend to target livestock. They will attach to people if given the opportunity but they don’t target people,” Dewell says. “Like most ticks, whatever you offer them, but they tend to focus on livestock. They’re typically in tall grass and brushy areas where they can easily move from that forage onto the host.”
A single Asian longhorned tick female can essentially start a new tick population on her own, as Dewell says she can lay up to 2,000 eggs without ever finding a mate. That’s why he says identifying new infestations and preventing the spread is essential. If you think you’ve found one, contact the Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic at Iowa State University.
(On the web at https://hortnews.extension.iastate.edu/pidc)
(Radio Iowa) – The U-S-D-A crop update says the lack of precipitation is causing some stress on crops. The U-S-D-A says the crop stress is most notable in the northern third of the state — which has the worst drought conditions. The overall condition of the corn crop was reported at 65 percent good to excellent. That’s down three percentage points from the previous week.
Stressed-Corn-ISU-photo
The soybean condition was rated 61 percent good to excellent — and that is down five percent from the previous report.
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