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!
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!
(Radio Iowa) — A proposed cross-country network of recreational trails called the Great American Rail Trail would follow a 465-mile path through Iowa. Existing trails cover about half that distance, according to the Rail Trail Conservancy which created the route. Lisa Hein, of the Iowa Natural Heritage Foundation, says to finish the job, local and state groups need to step up efforts to connect trail systems. Hein says, “We have enough funding to do maybe three to ten miles a year and if we have 150 miles of connections that we need to still make to complete the Great American Rail Trail across Iowa, it’s going to take a few years.”
On average, Hein says building one mile of trail costs 300- to 400-thousand dollars. Some 53-percent of the Iowa route is made up of existing trails like the Lake Manawa Trail and the Cedar Valley Nature Trail, but there are still hundreds of miles of gaps in between. Mike Wallace, executive director of the Dallas County Conservation Board, says they plan to finish one of them — a nine-mile stretch between the High Trestle Trail and the Raccoon River Trail northwest of Des Moines. “We know we can do at least another mile, but that will be done in 2020,” Wallace says. “One piece of the puzzle at a time, I guess.”
The Great American Rail Trail for hiking and cycling would travel from Council Bluffs in western Iowa to Davenport in the east. Nationwide, it would stretch 37-hundred miles from Washington, D-C to Washington state.
(Thanks to Grant Gerlock, Iowa Public Radio)
(Radio Iowa) — The U-S-D-A crop report showed just one day suitable for fieldwork last week and corn progress is 10 days behind and soybeans are two weeks behind last year. Iowa corn growers now have 76 percent of the expected crop planted, with is two weeks behind the five-year average. This is the smallest amount of corn planted by May 26 since 1995 when 75 percent of the expected crop had been planted. Forty-two percent of the crop has emerged — nine days behind last year and 10 days behind average. Less than one-third of the expected soybean crop has been planted. This is the smallest percent of soybeans planted by May 26 since 1993 when just 23 percent of the expected crop had been planted. Eight percent of the crop has emerged, 12 days behind last year and 8 days behind average. Farmers saw one sunny day this weekend, but say it was not enough to make a difference.
(Radio Iowa) — Iowa farmers who’ve been unable to plant corn yet this year face a deadline this week. Corn planted by May 31st is covered by crop insurance. If that corn fails to sprout because of cold and soggy conditions, insurance will help farmers RE-plant their fields in June. Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig says there’s been an “historically slow pace” to planting corn AND soybeans this season. “It’s been a great challenge,” Naig says. “However, we know that if we can get a few days strung together where the weather will cooperate that our farmers can move very quickly and get that crop in the ground quickly. The other piece that we look at is what’s happening to our neighbors…as bad as it is in Iowa, Illinois and Indiana in particular have significant delays.”
Naig says planting soybeans in June rather than corn is an option for some. “It all depends on whether they think they can achieve a decent yield and make that pencil out in terms of profitability,” Naig says. June 15th is the deadline for planting soybeans that can be covered by crop insurance. Farmers debating whether to plant corn or soybeans this week face the dynamic of a soybean market that has been roiled by trade disputes. “The market’s sending a signal. Soybean prices, clearly, have been dramatically reduced. You’re talking a 20 percent reduction in soybean prices this year, a 10 percent reduction in corn and so folks will look at those economics,” Naig says.
But Naig says there are other factors at work, like deciding which corn or soybean hybrids will yield best if planted late. Some farmers may not be able to plant a crop at all this year — and that makes them ineligible for the next round of federal farm payments the U-S-D-A announced last week. Naig says 100-thousand acres of western Iowa farm ground in Pottawattamie, Mills and Fremont Counties was flooded in March — and in some areas there’s still water coming through broken levees. “You’ve got acres that might be dry, but they’ve a tremendous amount of sand and other debris that needs to be removed and those acres may or may not be planted this year,” Naig said. “…For those acres that are planted, you’ll crop insurance. For those that aren’t, you’ll be looking at a prevented planting selection.”
The federal “prevented planting” program provides payments to farmers who cannot plant a crop at all. Naig made his comments during an appearance on Iowa Public Television’s “Iowa Press” program.
(Radio Iowa) — As state ag officials work to create the rules for industrial hemp production, Iowa farmers are weighing whether the crop would be a good fit in their operations. Christopher Disbro, founder of the Iowa Hemp Association, says he’s excited about the opportunity for the state’s farmers who he hopes can begin growing the crop during the 2020 planting season.
“It’s an emerging market and it’s an expanding market but there is a market for it and it’s that potential for growth where we want our farmers getting involved,” Disbro says. “In the beginning stages, a lot of the markets focused on the pressed seed oil that goes into beauty products or food products. There’s a lot of people using existing infrastructure to do fiber and textiles.”
Dispro says industrial hemp has a wide range of uses and it holds many opportunities for the state’s growers. “Long-term, it’s not just food and fiber, it’s fuel, it’s bioplastics,” Disbro says. “It’s got real potential to be a really strong third rotational crop for Iowa and for Midwest farmers.” Studies find the production of industrial hemp could grow nationally to be a one-point-nine billion dollar market by 2022, well beyond just fabric, fuel and rope.
“I love a lot of the hemp beauty products, specifically the shampoos and hand lotions, they really make great product,” Disbro says. “We should never have to cut down another tree for paper. I try to use as much hemp paper as I can. It’s got a nice feel to it. It’s a little thicker, a little more substantial.”
Governor Kim Reynolds signed the bill into law earlier this month to legalize industrial hemp production. Iowa farmers won’t be able to legally grow hemp until the U-S-D-A approves the proposed regulatory plan being created by the Iowa Department of Agriculture.
DES MOINES, Iowa – Officials with the IA DNR said Sunday, that rising river levels caused by heavy rainfall lately is forcing some state parks to be closed this Memorial Day weekend.
LEDGES: The Canyon Drive at Ledges State Park is currently closed to vehicle traffic due to flash flooding. The Lower Ledges Road and adjacent parking lots are also currently closed to vehicle traffic due to rising Des Moines River water levels. A significant rise in Saylorville Reservoir pool levels is also forecast, which will likely prolong closures of both the Canyon Drive and Lower Ledges Road into the foreseeable future. Visitors are still welcome to hike in Ledges State Park, though, as all of the trail system remains open. Parking for vehicles is available at the Oak Woods Picnic Area, Lost Lake Trail head, and several other upper area parking lots. Both of the open shelters and the campground at Ledges State Park remain open and accessible by vehicle.
GEORGE WYTH: George Wyth State Park closed Saturday, May 25, due to flooding. With the forecasted rainfall for Sunday night into Monday, the park will likely remain closed through the first part of the week.
FAIRPORT RECREATIONAL AREA: All campsites at Fairport Recreation Area are closed due to flooding from the Mississippi River.
DOLLIVER: Dolliver State Park will close at 3:30pm today, May 26, due to rising river levels and forecasted rainfall expected on Sunday night into Monday. DNR Staff has contacted park users currently on-site and those that have reservation for the near future.
For the very latest on state parks and trail closures across the state, visit: https://www.iowadnr.gov/Places-to-Go/State-Parks/Alerts-and-Closures
The Cass County Conservation Board is holding a National Trails Day T-Bone Trail Ride one week from today (Saturday). The program will meet at the I-80/T-Bone Trail Trailhead, north of Atlantic on Saturday, June 1st beginning at 1-p.m.
The event is FREE! Bike, walk, stroll…everyone is welcome! Come out and celebrate National Trails Day! All ages/abilities welcome!
The event will be cancelled if there is inclement weather.
Turkey hunters reported harvesting nearly 11,400 Iowa birds this spring through the mandatory registration system, which is about 300 birds fewer than were harvested in 2018. Iowa’s spring turkey seasons began April 5 with the youth season and ended on May 12. Hunters purchased 47,400 spring turkey tags.
Photo courtesy of the Iowa DNR.
Iowans can help the DNR with its annual turkey production estimates by reporting all the turkeys seen during the months of July and August. The DNR will have a link to the survey on its website before it begins on July 1, where Iowans can provide the date and county in which the turkey was seen, if it was an adult female or adult male (males have beards on their breast), and whether there are young poults (baby turkeys).
Annual production surveys conducted by the DNR are an important component of the species management plans, which includes providing hunting opportunities. Anyone seeing turkeys is encouraged to participate in this online survey.
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