(Radio Iowa) – The wet spring could lead to a drop in the number of pheasants in Iowa. Iowa D-N-R wildlife research biologist Todd Bogenschutz says the switch in the weather pattern can really impact pheasant. “We went from major drought to major flooding in a pretty short time frame, and unfortunately it coincided with peak in nesting,” he says. Bogenschutz says several factors make wet springs tough on nesting pheasants. “We’re just not sure if the hens aren’t quite as attentive, maybe less of the eggs are fertile if they get chilled. You know and then we think in wet years you know, obviously predators,most to predation occurs by smell and when you have wetter conditions, scenting conditions are better, and so that could be part of it,” he says.

Bogenschutz says the wet spring can also cut back the food source for young birds. “Wetter cooler springs could impact the number of insects that are out there too, probably maybe suppresses it a little bit. So maybe the chicks don’t have as much forage base as they do and we tend to have our good years which tend to be warm and dry,” Bogenschutz says. He says hunters had their best harvest last year since 2007. The relatively mild winter helped more pheasants survive, so it’s hard to tell what their fall pheasant survey will show. “It was a really good fall last year. So I think people were thinking, holy cow, we could be phenomenal if everything lined up,” he says. “but you know that didn’t quite come to fruition. The roadside counts will be interesting, I expect we will maybe show some small increases in some areas, but I think especially up in northwest and north central where we got that heavy rain, that our counts are probably going to be lower.”

Bogenschutz says lower counts doesn’t mean hunters won’t find pheasants. “We’re still gonna have birds out there. You know, we had reports of broods early and actually fairly large, a little bit earlier than I normally get them. We definitely did have some early hatch because of I think the mild winter and how quickly it went away this year,” he says.

The annual roadside pheasant surveys are held in August and the results on pheasant numbers will be released in September.

(Radio Iowa) About a dozen Iowa firefighters are helping battle wildfires in other states — across the Rocky Mountains, on the West Coast, and in the Pacific Northwest. Ryan Harr, supervisor of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ Fire Program, says they’ve dispatched Iowans to help extinguish dangerous flareups in California, Colorado, Idaho, Oregon and Wyoming — and one crew just returned from fighting wildfires in South Dakota. “A number of folks are on hand crews where they’re just working on the fire line, preparing new lines, helping burnout, those sorts of things,” Harr says. “We have several people who are attached to U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service fire engines, so they’re actively out doing the initial attack, catching those smoke reports when they come in, and out chasing the fires.”

Iowa is also dispatching E-M-Ts and logistical planners to points west. Most of their assignments are for two weeks and Harr says it can be both grueling and rewarding. “They will spend a lot of time just out on the line working 10-, 12-, 14-hour days. Other folks, like some of our EMTs, are supporting firefighters on the line. Other folks are just on patrol and those sorts of things,” Harr says. “So they’re long, hot days. They do train for it. There is a rigorous national standard of physical fitness that folks have to meet to be deployed on a national assignment.” While Iowa has gotten a reprieve from several years of drought with heavy rain in recent months, Harr says the western U-S has seen just the opposite.

A mixed Iowa DNR and US Fish & Wildlife Service crew works a hand line in Wyoming last week. (Photo from Iowa DNR)

After a year or two of generally wet conditions, he says much of the region is drying out rapidly this summer. “The national need for firefighters across the nation varies from year to year,” Harr says. “The last two seasons haven’t been too busy in the western, southwestern and southern United States. Previous to that, it was quite busy, so we do send firefighters every year, but the number ebbs and flows over time.” Harr says the D-N-R will continue to support its federal partners by providing firefighters and support staff throughout the summer and early fall. “The folks we’re deploying are gaining valuable skills, training in different states, in different areas, with different government agencies, and they bring those skills back home to Iowa, back to the Iowa DNR, back to their local counties, their local volunteer fire departments,” Harr says. “From prescribed burning to volunteer departments doing wildfire suppression and brush fires, we know they’re important skills for folks to go out and bring back to Iowa.”

Every year, Harr says the D-N-R certifies about ten of its own staff and another 35 Iowans from partner agencies, volunteer fire departments, and other organizations to be available for national fire incident assignments.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Royalty was crowned Thursday evening during the 75^th Cass County Fair, in Atlantic, wrapping-up day one of the Fair. Atlantic High School graduate Claire Pellett was crowned Queen of the 2024 Fair. She one was of eight young ladies vying for the title. Claire is a member of the Pymosa 4H club and the daughter of Brad and Kristy Pellett. She also won the title of Miss Congeniality. As Fair Queen, Pellett will represent Cass County at the Iowa State Fair in August.

Jack Brahms was crowned 2024 Cass County Fair King. Jack is a member of the Union Leaders 4H Club, and a CAM High School graduate. He is the son of Steve and Diane Brahms, and one of five candidates for the title.

Other royalty announced during the Fair, include:

• Jace Thomsen – Cass County Fair Prince. Jace is the son of Jeff and Rana Thomsen
• Makayla Atkinson – Cass County Fair Princess.
• The title of Little Miss went to Molly Schuler, daughter of Josh and Cecilia Schuler.
• Oliver Zellmer was named Little Mister.
• Jace Thomson won the title of Mr. Congeniality.

Following the King & Queen Contest, Thursday, was Senior Recognition and a Youth Dance. The Cass County Fair continues through Tuesday, July 30^th.

Check-out the complete schedule HERE.

(Atlantic, Iowa) – The Cass County Conservation Service reports Nishna Valley Trails is holding a Kids Bike Ride on August 10th, 2024, beginning at 10:30-a.m.  The ride starts in the Schildberg Recreation Area west parking lot. Participants will check-in and start the ride at the west Rotary Shelter, at the Schildberg Rec. Area.

The ride will consist of three age groups: 0-5 yrs old, 6-12 yrs old, and 12 yrs and up. The ride length is set according to age the of the participants. The event is FREE, and all ages welcome. Be sure to wear your bicycle helmet for a sweet surprise.

The ride is co-sponsored by Atlantic Parks and Recreation, Cass County Conservation, Fareway, and West Side Diner in Atlantic, IA. Questions: Call Cass County Naturalist Lora Kanning, at 712-769-2372. After the ride check out Atlanticfest going on downtown!

Officials with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources say roughly 1,600 acres of land along the Missouri River in Woodbury County is being transferred from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska after President Biden signed the Winnebago Land Transfer Act. The Act was passed by unanimous consent by the U.S. Congress.

The land, known as Winnebago Bend Wildlife Area, including the majority of the waterfowl refuge at Snyder Bend Wildlife Area, will become part of the Winnebago Reservation. It will be posted with signs stating that Winnebago Bend and the portion of Snyder Bend is no longer open for public use.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources had agreed to manage the land for public hunting and other recreation in 1981.

(Radio Iowa) – Teenagers with hand-lettered signs and pickup trucks packed with stacks of sweet corn are being seen on street corners in many Iowa cities as we’re smack dab in the middle of prime time for that delicious veggie. Aaron Steil, a consumer horticulture specialist at Iowa State University, says if you haven’t spotted a local grower yet and decide to head to the supermarket for sweet corn instead, you -may- be still getting local ears. “Some grocery stores will get regular, daily batches from local farmers, and some of it is shipped up usually from Florida,” Steil says. “It really depends on the type of corn that’s being grown, too. Some varieties just store better, especially under refrigeration.”

Sweet corn is best when you get it right from the field, so if it’s been on a semi and sitting on a store shelf for a while, it may get squishy and starchy. Steil says the best bet is buying from that kid in the pickup, but if you head for the store instead, it may not be quite as fresh. “If you’re really concerned about it, you can ask the produce folks if this was corn that they got in that day, or if they know where it came from,” he says. “If it’s local and it came in in the last day or two, it’s probably quite fresh and good to eat. But just because it came in from Florida, it doesn’t mean it’s bad either.

There are certain varieties that can store really well for seven to 10 days.” Some Iowans will want to freeze a batch of that sweet corn to pull out in the wintertime for a pleasing taste of summer.  “If you want to keep it long-term, you’re going to blanch the cobs and usually cut the kernels off and then freeze it,” Steil says. “You want to do all that process as quickly as possible. This isn’t something that you would buy at the store, then let it sit on your counter for a while, and then do it a few days later. It would be something you want to do as soon as you get the corn for the best flavor.”

If you just plan to eat the sweet corn, be sure to keep the ears in the fridge. If it gets warm, the sugars will degrade faster and the taste won’t be as fresh.

AMES, Iowa – The Iowa State Fair is quickly approaching and plans for the annual Governor’s Charity Steer Show are in full swing. Iowa cattlemen support this great event that benefits the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa.

Claire Pellet of Atlantic, Iowa, has joined the Governor’s Charity Steer Show lineup of exceptional youth to show her steer at the August 10 event. Each steer is exhibited by a local youth representative and a guest celebrity selected by the sponsor of the steer. Twenty-four steers will be shown this year, with Gov. Kim Reynolds as one of the celebrities showing in the ring. The Governor’s Charity Steer Show is sponsored by the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association (ICA) and the Iowa Beef Industry Council (IBIC).

Claire is the daughter of Brad and Kristy Pellett. Claire is a recent graduate of Atlantic High School. This fall she will be attending Oklahoma State University. Claire has been showing cattle for nine years and was involved in many things at her school. As true Cyclone fans, her family named her steer Magic, in honor of Hilton Magic. Claire will be partnering with Dr. Dan Grooms, dean of Iowa State University’s (ISU) College of Veterinary Medicine. They are sponsored by the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association and ISU College of Veterinary Medicine.

If you are interested in supporting Claire Pellett, please consider donating online or attending the show/auction to contribute. The Governor’s Charity Steer Show is being held in Pioneer Pavilion at the Iowa State Fair on Saturday, August 10 at 4:30 pm. For additional information about the Governor’s Charity Steer Show or to donate, visit www.iowagovernorscharitysteershow.com

Claire Pellett and her steer, Magic.

Jenna Smith, ICA member services and Governor’s Charity Steer Show co-chair, says “The Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer Show highlights the good nature of the beef cattle industry and brings together a valuable collaboration between producers, industry supporters, youth, and community namesakes for an important cause. It is an honor to serve the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa, which provides a crucial service to families in need. The youth participants of the Governor’s Charity Steer Show showcase the giving nature of our industry and offer a local connection to support this meaningful event.”

The Iowa Governor’s Charity Steer Show has been held since 1983 and has raised over $5 million since the show’s inception. Last year the show raised more than $500,000, the third year in a row that the fundraising record has been broken. Funds are raised through online donations, sponsorships, and an auction of steers following the show.

All money raised benefits the three independent Ronald McDonald House Charities of Iowa, located in Des Moines, Iowa City, and Sioux City. These three houses have served over 55,000 families from all 50 states and 62 foreign countries. Families from all 99 counties in Iowa have benefited from the Ronald McDonald Houses of Iowa too.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Agriculture Secretary Mike Naig says he’s met with Iowa’s attorney general to discuss legal challenges to some federal regulations relating to wetlands. “In the conservation space, we’re having some real problems in getting with some of our projects through permitting with the Army Corps of Engineers,” Naig says. “You can be sure that we’re going to be looking at how Waters of the U.S. is defined and the Clean Water Act as it related to trying to go out and do conservation work.”

Naig says the lawsuit would follow the U-S Supreme Court’s recent decision that sharply curtails the authority federal agencies have to interpret the laws they administer. “What that sort of says is here congress has been outsourcing a lot of the detail and some of the specifics to agencies and…congress should do their job give specific direction and then perform oversight over agencies,” Naig says.

Naig suggests a prime target for litigation would be federal rules for wetland restoration projects that require work in connected streams. “Nitrate reducing wetlands and whether or not we need to do stream mitigation adds to the costs of these projects,” Naig says. “…We would argue the overall environmental and ecological impact, the positive impact to that stream segment overwhelms the need to go mitigate.”

Naig made his comments during a recent appearance on Iowa Press on Iowa P-B-S.

(Radio Iowa) – As part of flood recovery efforts, some officials in northwest Iowa are exploring the idea of joining a Water Management Authority that oversees the Little Sioux River watershed. The Little Sioux Headwaters Coalition currently includes agencies in areas along the Iowa-Minnesota border. Clay County Supervisor Allen Batschelet says rather than reinventing the wheel, joining the coalition — which was set up 15 years ago — makes sense.

To create a new one…we would have to go find every affected entity and get them…educated and informed on what this was all about and then get them to go through their approval process and then we’d have to identify who would lead the new agency, wherever it would be. What are the boundaries going to be for it? It would be a pretty heavy lift, I think, and not expeditious,” he says.

Dickinson County Supervisor Steve Clark says it may be time to have his county, along with Clay, Cherokee and Buena Vista Counties become part of the Water Management Authority for the Little Sioux. “We can have a fairly good impact on the whole watershed as we bring in stuff from the top it will slow the water down that goes on downstream,” Clark says.

Last month’s Little Sioux River flooding devastated swaths of Spencer and Cherokee. In the small community of Linn Grove, the crest was six feet higher than the previous record set in 1993. The Little Sioux Headwaters Coalition is scheduled to meet August 14th to hear from a consultant about flood control measures.

(Radio Iowa) – The Lyon County Fair is underway this week — but changes had to be made after high water from the Rock River heavily damaged the Lyon County Fairgrounds in Rock Rapids. Lori Rens is the secretary of the Lyon County Fair Board. “It just devastated and decimated our fairgrounds, all the way down to our infrastructure,” she says. “Some buildings were damaged and we just knew it wouldn’t be a safe place to host our fair this year.”

Lyon County livestock shows were moved to the Osceola County fairgrounds in Sibley. “They ran their fair last week, so there are so many of their fair board members and their superintendents for livestock who are putting in a second week to help us out, so it’s just incredible,” Rens says. “Words cannot express how grateful we are that they opened up their home to us.”

While the livestock shows were moved to Sibley, the Lyon County Fair Queen pageant was held at the community center in Rock Rapids and that’s where 4-H exhibits were judged last Thursday. The Lyon County Fairboard will host a street dance fundraiser in Rock Rapids Friday night to raise money to repair their fairgrounds and racetrack. The flooding not only damaged buildings on the fairgrounds, it left behind large holes in the ground and exposed electrical lines.

(Reporting by Sheila Brummer, Iowa Public Radio)