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CLICK HERE for the latest market quotes from the Iowa Agribusiness Network!
CLICK HERE for the latest market quotes from the Brownfield Ag News Network!
(Iowa DNR News) – Iowa streams are swollen and swift with consistent rainfall the past several days. Some rivers are already dangerously high, and more rivers could rise fast with chances of rain forecast this week. “We encourage all paddlers, especially new and inexperienced paddlers, to stay on lakes and flat-water while the rivers are high due to heavy rain”, said Todd Robertson, paddling instructor and Outreach Coordinator for Rivers Programs at the Iowa DNR.
“Swollen rivers are super powerful and have unpredictable current along with tons of wood debris coming downstream to form deadly “strainers”, said Robertson. He said that even experienced paddlers should stay off of rain swollen rivers. “If you get into a situation where you are struggling and fighting the current, the river will win”, said Robertson. Always know your rivers conditions before you go paddling. For the latest river conditions, contact Iowa DNR Customer Service at 515-725-8200 or your local county conservation board for updates.
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The good news for Iowa’s cottontail rabbit hunters is that Iowa has an abundant rabbit population, with the southern and east central part of the state seeing the best overall numbers. The better news for hunters is Iowa’s cottontail rabbit season begins Sept. 4 statewide. “It should be another good year for rabbit hunting not only for experienced hunters, but for young or novice hunters who can learn necessary skills with little competition,” said Todd Bogenschutz, upland wildlife research biologist for the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Last year, an estimated 16,000 hunters harvested more than 76,000 cottontail rabbits. The most popular way to hunt is with a shotgun walking brushy areas with grass next to crop fields in the morning or evening. It can be done individually or with a group of friends.
Rabbit hunting does not require a significant investment or high tech equipment, just a shotgun and some shells. Rabbit is a lean, low fat meat and popular table fare considered a delicacy in many culinary circles. Cottontail rabbit season is Sept. 4 to Feb. 28, 2022. The daily limit is 10 rabbits with a possession limit of 20. Jackrabbit season is closed. While wearing blaze orange clothing is not required to hunt rabbits, it is recommended. Shooting hours for rabbits is sunrise to sunset. Iowa’s cottontail rabbit population estimates are included in the recently completed August roadside survey of upland wildlife species at www.iowadnr.gov/pheasantsurvey.
Local squirrel populations are variable depending upon acorn production. In areas of lower annual acorn production look for patches of hickory trees as an excellent alternative. Squirrel hunting is an inexpensive and exciting way to get introduced into hunting. Those new to hunting can gain valuable woodsmanship skills as squirrels will twist and turn hunters through the woodlands. “One beauty of squirrel hunting is if you mess up and spook a squirrel there is usually another one just down the ridge, this provides lots of opportunities for success,” said Jim Coffey, forest wildlife biologist for the Iowa DNR. “Experienced hunters often say that they haven’t hunted squirrels since they were a kid. Well, this is the year to be a kid again. Get yourself outside chasing squirrels and bring someone new to hunting along. Squirrels are definitely an underutilized resource.”
Be prepared during early squirrel season for mosquitoes and other flying pests, Coffey said, and try and hunt in the early cool mornings as squirrels will be very active before the heat of the day. Hunters will generally find plenty of squirrels and little competition. This would also be a good opportunity to do some scouting for a spring turkey hunt or to look for whitetail deer rubs before bow season. “These honed skills will make you an overall better hunter. Many of the skills needed for squirrel hunting are also used for spring turkey hunting,” Coffey said. Last year, nearly 13,000 squirrel hunters harvested approximately 76,000 squirrels.
Squirrel season is Sept. 4 to Jan. 31, 2022, with a daily bag limit of six total or combination of red fox squirrels or eastern grey squirrels and a possession limit of 12. Fox squirrels are generally found in more open pasture timber and woodlots whereas grey squirrels tend to be in more mature timber. There is no restriction on shooting hours. Hunters looking for places to go rabbit or squirrel hunting should use Iowa’s online hunting atlas at www.iowadnr.gov/hunting, with more than 600,000 acres of public land that allows hunting. Hunters have the opportunity to hunt these species on additional acres of private land enrolled into the popular Iowa Habitat and Access Program (IHAP).
Enrollment in the program is at an all-time high of nearly 40,000 acres. The IHAP allows hunters access to the portion of the property covered by the agreement, from Sept. 1 to May 31. Conservation officers will provide assistance and enforcement, if needed.
(Iowa DNR News) – Results of Iowa’s 2021 pheasant population survey shows the impact that weather can have on the popular game birds. In the regions where less snow fell, the counts were better; where more snow and ice fell, the counts were worse. Overall, the annual August roadside survey found Iowa’s statewide pheasant population to be essentially unchanged from 2020 at 20 birds per 30-mile route. Within the survey, results showed three of the nine regions – northwest, north-central, west central – averaged at or more than 30 birds per route, which is the first time that has occurred since 2007, and the central region saw a 25 percent increase. The northeast and east central regions were about at their 10-year survey averages. The full report is available at www.iowadnr.gov/pheasantsurvey.
“Hunters can expect a good pheasant season for most of the state again this year, with the best hunting being north of I-80,” said Todd Bogenschutz, upland wildlife research biologist with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. Based on the results of the August roadside survey, Iowa hunters can expect to harvest 250,000 to 350,000 roosters again this year, which would match the second highest bird harvest in the past 12 years. “Bird harvest relies heavily on the number of hunters in the field and last year, we saw an increase of 10,000 pheasant hunters over 2019 and that was reflected in our increased harvest,” Bogenschutz said. An estimated 62,000 hunters participated in 2020, the most since 2009. “The birds are there, so the harvest totals will depend on how many hunters return,” he said. 
While the pheasant count varied by region, the quail count was more consistent; unfortunately, it was consistently lower. Last winter’s snow and ice across southern Iowa’s quail range led to the drop in the quail population. “We’re at the northern fringe of the bobwhite quail range and when we have a winter with lots of snow and ice, the quail population is impacted,” Bogenschutz said. “Quail are still out there, but hunters are going to have to look for them.” The higher counts came from southwest Iowa. Hunters should focus areas where there is a good mix of shrubs, ag fields and weedy cover. Iowa’s partridge showed an upward trend in north central and northwest Iowa, but overall, the survey found the population to be essentially unchanged from 2020. Iowa’s rabbit population declined from 2020 but is still abundant with better counts coming from east central, southwest, south central and southeast regions.
The annual August roadside survey has been collecting data on Iowa’s upland game populations since 1962. Hunters have the opportunity to hunt these species on additional acres of private land enrolled into the popular Iowa Habitat and Access Program (IHAP). Enrollment in the program is at an all-time high of nearly 40,000 acres. The IHAP allows hunters access to the portion of the property covered by the agreement, from Sept. 1 to May 31. Conservation officers will provide assistance and enforcement, if needed.
Hunters who frequent land enrolled in the Conservation Reserve Program should be aware that the land was opened to haying as part of the drought protocol.
(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa dove hunting season opens up today (Wednesday). D-N-R wildlife biologist Todd Bogenschutz says the weather should work out for hunters to see a lot of birds. “Doves are already probably already starting to migrate south, and sometimes that can impact us here if we’ve had some really cool nights. A lot of doves may’ve flown south of Iowa. But given the weather we’ve had this year — I’m thinking that’s probably not the case,” Bogenschutz says. Bogenschutz says the key to dove hunting is to check out your food plot hunting sites before you take the gun out.
He says you want to scout the plots and he says the pots managed by the D-N-R are all up on a website. He says the weather could’ve made those plots less inviting to dove. “There’s been a few spots in the state where we’ve had hail damage and that might impact the plots, and just how well they grew” he says, “and it has been kind of dry, especially up in northern Iowa.” Bogenschutz says the number of birds taken has been pretty consistent in the last several years.
He says last year hunters took around 82-thousand doves and 85-thousand the year before and he says there have been around 10-thousand hunters. Bogenschutz says you can find all the information you need about the season on the D-N-R website.
(Radio Iowa) – A new soybean-crushing plant is expected to be built in Buena Vista County near Alta. The facility will be run by Platinum Crush L-L-C. Mike Kinley is one of the developers. “In and around Buena Vista County…some of the best agriculture production in the United States if not the world,” he says, “and producers there would really benefit from having additional marketing opportunities in their backyard.” Kinley says the project will cost 350-million dollars. When the plant’s done, it’s expected to crush nearly 40-million soybean bushels annually.
“The products that we’ll produce at the plant — soybean meal, soybean oil and a fiber component, which is the hulls — all three products will be sold in the state, but also outside the state and exported around the world,” Kinley says, “and they’re all in very high demand.” Ground breaking is slated for later this year. The plant is expected to become operational around March of 2024, and will create 50 to 60 jobs.
The Buena Vista County facility will be the second modern soybean processing facility in the state. Kinley is also leading the development of Shell Rock Soy Processing, which is under construction in Butler County.
(Radio Iowa) – This is the time of year when a destructive insect called the Asian longhorned beetle emerges from inside the trees where it burrows. Iowans are being urged to give their trees a close look for signs of infestation so they can take action, if needed. Rhonda Santos, with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, says the troublesome bug usually appears now, in late summer. “Now is the best time to look for and reports signs of the Asian longhorned beetle in your backyard and in your neighborhood,” Santos says. “This wood-boring beetle attacks many types of trees, and is a threat to our shade trees, recreational areas, and our forests.”
The pest typically attacks hardwood trees, including maples, elms, birches, and willows, and once a tree is infested, it usually can’t recover. Santos says the distinctive-looking creature is about one-and-a-half inches long and leaves clear signs if it’s in your trees. “The beetle is easy to recognize with their black and white antennae, shiny black body, and six legs,” Santos says. “Beetles create round holes and scars in the bark, sawdust-like material around the tree, and can cause branches to fall.”
Asian Longhorned Beetle (USDA photo)
The beetle is not native to the U.S. and has few-to-no natural predators. Santos encourages Iowans to take five minutes and give your trees a close inspection for those round holes or sawdust. “If you see any of these signs, take photos and even capture the suspicious insects to help the USDA with identification,” she says.
Iowans are frequently warned not to move firewood, because in this instance, they might be unknowingly spreading Asian longhorned beetles, since the insects can hide inside wood. If you spot one, report it to the U.S.D.A. online at Asianlonghornedbeetle.com or call the agency’s hotline: 866-702-9938. The beetle was first spotted in the U.S. in New York in 1996 and spread quickly. It’s one of a group of invasive pests and plant diseases that costs the nation some 40-billion dollars each year in losses to trees, plants, and crops.
(Radio Iowa) -A new report on global climate change is being released with help from researchers at Iowa State University. The study from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change had more than 200 authors from a dozen chapters around the globe. William Gutowski, an I-S-U professor of geological and atmospheric sciences, says the report was three years in the making. He calls it sharp and authoritative. “We have to review all of the scientific literature that’s out there that’s relevant to our chapter and we have to discuss it, decide what we learned from it, what we think is good information and what we think maybe is not so important,” Gutowski says, “and then we get reviewed by people on the outside. I think my chapter had to respond collectively to over 5,000 review comments.”
I-S-U’s chapter covered central North America, where weather extremes in the past year ranged from brutal cold in Texas last February to the drought in Iowa and across the Midwest. Gutowski expects continued weather extremes. “When we look at the future scenarios, there’s different options that we consider,” Gutowski says. “One would be, just keep letting things go along as they have been. Other scenarios we consider are ways that we might control the rise in greenhouse gases, maybe even start to have the level of greenhouse gases go down.”
It all comes down to what actions humans may take, he says, as to how quickly the changing climate may be impacted. “Trying to change things, it’s a long, slow process. It’s like trying to turn a ship around. You don’t just do it overnight,” Gutowski says. “Nonetheless, we can do things now that set the stage for a much better future for our children and their children down the road with actions that we start to take right now.”
Gutowski says the report is a wake-up call to do something and it has to involve countries around the world. Iowans can help to stave off climate change, he says, by doing things like conserving electricity and gasoline, and promoting wind and solar power.
(Atlantic, Iowa – by FFA Reporter Aspen Niklasen) – The Atlantic FFA Chapter placed 8th and won a Gold Medal in the annual Iowa FFA Ag Mechanics Career Development Event held at Iowa State on June 10, 2021. The Atlantic FFA Chapter team included: Cooper Jipsen, Logan Eilts and Wyatt Redinbaugh. Their Agriculture education instructor and FFA advisor is Mr. Eric Miller. Jipsen led the team this year placing 5th overall in the individual contest. Jipsen said “It was a great experience, with a lot of learning activities that came along with it. I am really excited to use the new skill I learned in the future.”
Team Photo
Cooper Jipsen, Wyatt Redinbaugh, Logan Eilts (photo submitted)
88 individuals from 24 FFA chapters participated in this year’s Career Development Event designed to provide the student an opportunity to display their agricultural knowledge and skills in the area of Agricultural Mechanics & Technology. Activities included demonstration of skills, problem solving, and knowledge application in agricultural machinery equipment, metals and welding, structures, environmental and natural resources, and electrical systems. The Iowa FFA Agricultural Mechanics & Technology Career Development Event was made possible with support from Titan Machinery through the Iowa FFA Foundation. The Agricultural Mechanics & Technology Career Development Event was hosted by the Iowa State University Ag 450 Farm and was coordinated and conducted by Mr. Kevin Sanders and the Agricultural Education & Studies Department at Iowa State University in Ames.
And, the Atlantic FFA Chapter placed 11th and won a Silver Medal in the annual Iowa FFA Horse Career Development Event held at Kirkwood Community College on June 8, 2021. The Atlantic FFA Chapter team included: Taylor Mccreedy, Aspen Niklasen and Colton Becker. Their agriculture education instructor and FFA advisor is Mr. Eric Miller. Niklasen led the team this year placing 10th overall in the individual contest. Niklasen, who improved from her 21st placing the prior year said” I had a lot of fun and really learned a lot about horses.”
26 FFA chapters participated in this year’s Career Development Event designed to provide the student an opportunity to display their agricultural knowledge and skills in the area of Equine Science. The 87 individual contestants evaluated halter and performance classes. They also answered questions over the classes and gave oral reasons to explain their placings. A written examination was included along with a team problem solving competition. The Iowa FFA Horse Career Development Event was made possible with support through the Iowa FFA Foundation. The Horse Evaluation Career Development Event was coordinated and held at the Iowa Equestrian Center in Cedar Rapids. The official judge was Heather Angle-Gardner of Ottumwa, Iowa.
Team Photo
Aspen Niklasen, Colton Becker, Taylor McCreedy (Photo submitted)
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