The Iowa Department of Natural Resources will begin conducting a roadside survey this week to determine what the pheasant population looks like across the state. DNR wildlife biologist Todd Bogenschutz is predicting a significant increase in pheasant numbers for the first time in six years. But, because of the drought, Bogenschutz is warning the roadside survey may not accurately reflect the bird population. “To get a really good count of the birds, we’re dependent on good dew conditions. For good dew, you need moisture in the soil and right now, we don’t have any,” Bogenschutz said. “We don’t get very good counts of birds if we don’t have good dew.”

Last week, the DNR reported hunters in Iowa shot a record low number of pheasants last year. Around 109-thousand (109,000) pheasants were harvested in 2011 — the fewest since record keeping began in 1962. Bogenschutz is expecting hunters will see more pheasants this year because of the recent mild winter. “We need about two more years just like this and we’ll probably get back to bird numbers that people expect in Iowa, but it’s going take more than just one year,” Bogenschutz said. Iowa’s pheasant population dropped to record low territory in 2011 following five winters with above average snowfall and five wetter than normal springs. The DNR’s annual roadside survey is scheduled for August 1-15. The 2012 pheasant hunting season will open October 27.

(Radio Iowa)

MILWAUKEE (AP) — State and county fairs in the sweltering and drought-stricken Midwest may see smaller livestock and produce this year. The dozen pigs Greg Marzahl and his 15-year-old daughter are bringing to the Wisconsin State Fair are about 15 pounds smaller than the normal 275 pounds. Marzahl had three grand champion pigs last year. He says this year, the heat is affecting the pigs’ virility and appetites. The Wisconsin fair opens its 11-day run Thursday in the Milwaukee suburb of West Allis.

State fairs also are set to begin in the next two weeks in Indiana, Iowa and Illinois. Those states also have been hit by unusual heat and drought. Marzahl still plans to bring his pigs to the fair, expecting his competition will be smaller too.

Two Midwestern economists say the drought that’s hit the region will “absolutely” be felt beyond the farm and will be a damper on the national economy. Ernie Goss, an economist at Creighton University, says his research finds the drought hitting beyond the farm field, impacting other businesses like ethanol plants and farm equipment dealers. “Depending on the weather, we’re going to see some significant impacts,” Goss says. “And this is going to roll across the U.S., all the way from Wisconsin, Indiana, Illinois, Nebraska, Iowa, Minnesota — less impacts up further north — (and in) Missouri, very significant impacts, so this will have some impacts on GDP.” The latest report, released Friday, shows the country’s Gross Domestic Product increased by one-and-a-half percent in the second quarter.

There was a drought last year in the south, Texas was especially hard hit, but Iowa State University economist Bruce Babcock says this year’s drought will have a far wider impact because corn and soybean losses will be significant.  “I think Midwesterners mainly felt the southwest drought because now we’re experiencing higher beef prices over the last six months because the herds got culled and we’re now at our smallest cattle herd size in I don’t know how many years,” Babcock says. “…Now we have a potentially another round of shrinking the cattle herd again, but also because of higher feed grain costs, and so this should be a wider-spread event.” According to Babcock, it’s the smaller producers who are most likely to get out of the cattle or hog business this year.

A U-S-D-A report recently estimated food prices would climb five percent because of the drought, but Babcock suggests that impact is under-estimated because the calculation was made before the full extent of crop losses became clear. “It’s really the livestock sector that’s going to be taking the big burden here through higher feed costs,” Babcock says. “It’s not necessarily the crop sector. Even though the drought’s there, it’s not like we’re going to produce zero and what we do sell is going to be sold at a higher price and so crop income is going to be somewhat buffered.” Babcock estimates more than 90 percent of Iowa grain farmers bought crop insurance for this growing season. Skyrocketing feed costs will lead to increased prices for not just beef and pork, but for many other grocery store items, including eggs, milk and cheese.

Each month, Goss and some of his colleagues at Creighton University survey bankers in the Midwest and his July survey is nearly complete. “These are bank CEOs in rural portions of 10 states, average community size 1300. We asked them the impact of this drought. We asked about the impact on ethanol plants and biodiesel and two-thirds of those with ethanol and biodiesel plants in their area reported there were either cut-backs or shut-downs — temporary shut-downs, of course,” Goss says. “…We have an ag equipment sales index. (It) dropped to recession levels this month.” Goss and Babcock made their comments on the Iowa Public Television program, “Iowa Press” which aired Friday night and will be replayed Sunday at noon.
(Radio Iowa)

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad is suspending state laws and regulations to make it easier to transport hay, straw and stover at a time when drought has depleted supplies of the material used largely to feed livestock.  Branstad’s action took affect today (Thursday) and will continue for 60 days.
 
The proclamation will allow people to transport loads of hay, straw and stover weighing up to 90,000 pounds on non-interstate highways without a state permit. Wide loads also can be moved without a permit as long as they don’t exceed 12 feet, 5 inches in width. Rules regulating hours of service for drivers hauling specific agricultural produces also are suspended.

Details about the rules are available online at www.iowa.dot.gov .

Much anticipated rainfall following the passage of a cold front failed to materialize across much of western Iowa Wednesday night and early Thursday morning. As a result, Shelby County Emergency Management Officials say the Fire Danger level will remain in the “HIGH” category through Monday, July 30^th.  Jason Wickizer, Emergency Medical Services Coordinator at the Shelby County EMA, told KJAN News the rains in his county were “very spotty.”

Wickizer said the Fire Danger rating in Shelby County is based on input from local fire chiefs and the Emergency Manager, and weather factors. He says the County has experienced high temperatures, low humidity during the afternoon, and abundant natural fuel –in the form of dry grass and crops – due to the low rainfall. Wickizer says even though some rain is in the forecast for this weekend, that doesn’t mean the Fire Danger threat will be reduced prior to Monday.

Signs indicating the increased fire threat are located at fire stations within the County, and on the Shelby County Emergency Management Agency’s website, at www.shelbycountyema.com.  Shelby County is currently not included in a ban on open burning. Wickizer said that’s because they are using the “Fire Danger” signs as a “public education tool.” He said since they have not seen an increase in fires, they will use the signs instead of asking the State Fire Marshal’s Office for an open burning ban. The purpose of the Fire Danger signs, according to Wickizer, is to cut down on instances where people start fires on their property, and have numerous fire trucks show-up when it is a non-emergency situation.

He says anyone who wants to conduct any type of open burning outside, on their property, should contact the Shelby County EMA at 712-755-2124, and inform the on-duty dispatcher of your intentions. The dispatcher will put residents in contact with their local fire chief. Permission for you to conduct an open burn is at the sole discretion of your fire chief.

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – The latest U.S. Drought Monitor map shows all of Iowa and most of Nebraska are suffering severe or extreme drought.  The map shows the east-central portion of the state and a section of southeast Iowa are experiencing extreme drought.  

In Nebraska, the western 75 percent is enduring extreme drought, with the most of rest suffering severe drought. A few counties in central Nebraska are listed as being under exceptional drought conditions, the worst possible listing on the monitor.
 
The drought map is a project shared by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the National Weather Service. The latest map is based on conditions as of 6 a.m. Tuesday and so doesn’t include rainfall from storms Wednesday night and Thursday morning.

w/ Denny Heflin

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The Audubon County Fair continues its near weeklong run today, in Audubon. Some highlights include a “Knowledge Bowl” in the Show Barn at 1:30, Children’s Theater at the Grandstand (5:30-p.m.), 4-H Recognition at the Grandstand (6:30-p.m.) and the Queen Contest at 7:30-p.m.

For more information, log on to www.extension.iastate.edu/audubon/

And, for information about other county fairs going on in the State of Iowa, surf to http://www.iowafairs.com/site/aif-member-fairs.php

The 2012 Cass County Fair begins its six-day run today, in Atlantic, with livestock check-ins and other activities. Among them, is the 4-H static exhibit entries and conference judging, and a food sale that takes place in the Community Center at 10-a.m. 

The King and Queen Contest starts tonight at Eight O’clock, and can be heard live here on KJAN. Then at 8:30, there’ll be a Senior Recognition. Highlights during the evening hours of the next few days include: a Bullride at 7:30-p.m. Friday; ATV races at 6-p.m. Saturday; a tractor show Sunday at 4-p.m.; Grand Champion Beef selection Monday at 7-p.m., and the Livestock sale Tuesday, at 8-a.m. 

For a complete rundown of the fair schedule, surf the web to http://www.extension.iastate.edu/cass/ and look for the pdf link.

And, for information about other county fairs going on in the State of Iowa, surf to http://www.iowafairs.com/site/aif-member-fairs.php