DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Ethanol production in Iowa has increased to a record 3.7 billion gallons in 2011. The Des Moines Register says production for the state’s 41 plants has jumped by about 200 million gallons from last year. Monte Shaw, the executive director of the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, says the industry has relied on export markets for growth. The overall production for ethanol in the U.S. for 2011 is estimated at 13.8 billion gallons,. Foreign sales of U.S. ethanol have added an additional 1 billion gallons of production this year. Much of the foreign demand has come from Brazil. A shortfall in the sugar cane crop caused that nation to turn to imports for domestic use.

w/ Max Dirks

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Compared to recent years, fewer deer were taken in Iowa during the recently completed shotgun deer seasons. Dale Garner is the Iowa Department of Natural Resources’ wildlife bureau chief. He says hunters harvested just under 69,000 deer, down about 9% from last year and nearly 30% compared to 2006. The DNR has been working to reduce Iowa’s deer population in recent years. Garner said it’s probably frustrating for many hunters. “But, it’s also a good thing for land owners, farmers and motorists because as the (deer) population drops, hopefully traffic accidents and damage to crops goes down as well,” Garner said. Some hunters are concerned the herd reduction efforts have gone too far. Garner said his advice to those hunters is to work with the landowner to see if the deer population is at a desirable level and adjust the local doe harvest accordingly. The DNR will make a recommendation on what direction to take with the deer population next spring.
Antlerless and muzzleloader hunting seasons are scheduled for January. Reductions in the harvest were proposed this year, but were not adopted.

(Radio Iowa)

w/ Kate Olsen talking about food smarts around the holidays.

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The Cass County Conservation Staff invites you to join them on January 7th at Atlantic’s  Schildberg Quarry, for a “Soiree with the Swans.” The Schildberg Quarry is located on the northwest edge of Atlantic, on the north side of Highway 83. Conservation staffers will be on-hand giving ten-minute presentations regarding the Trumpeter Swans every half-hour, beginning at 11:00 a.m., with the last one being presented at 2:00 p.m. There will also be time to view the swans through spotting scopes and witness random swan feeding sessions.

Soiree with the Swans long sleeved t-shirts ARE STILL available for purchase! Hot chocolate, cookies, grilled hotdogs, and other snacks will be provided free of charge with donations being accepted (for swan care).

IF THE WEATHER IS “BAD” OR THE SWANS ARE NOT AT THE QUARRY…the program will be held at the Atlantic Public Library from 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m. with a light lunch available. This event is being sponsored by the Cass County Conservation Board, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, and the Atlantic Public Library.

Cass, Decatur and Taylor counties have added their 4-H history to “Iowa 4-H History by County,” a blog detailing the history of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach 4-H Youth Development. The history blog is a partnership of the Iowa 4-H program and the Iowa 4-H Foundation. The online history notes the importance of the country fair to the 4-H program in Cass County.

Throughout the years, 4-H and the fair have changed emphasis to meet the needs of the times. As early as 1949, 4-H project entries began changing to meet the needs of 4-H members who resided in towns and had interests other than livestock, although animal project areas such as rabbit, poultry and goats continued to expand as well. View the full history on the blog, at www.iowa4hfoundation.org/4hhistory.

Over the next two years, 4-H staff and volunteers will be reviewing additionalcounty 4-H histories, with two to four being published on the blog each month, said Shelly Greving, marketing director for the Iowa 4-H Foundation. The idea that led to the blog took root 10 years ago during Iowa 4-H’s centennialyear, when several 4-H volunteers and ISU Extension staff members started talking about writing an illustrated history of 4-H in Iowa, Greving explained. Those early discussions resulted in “A 4-H Story: Helping Hands, Caring Hearts” (4H 4805), an illustrated 4-H ABC book for children. The book is available from the ISU Extension Online Store, https://store.extension.iastate.edu/.

County celebrations during the 4-H centennial, as well as ISU Extension’s centennial in 2003, resulted in the gathering of numerous pictures, record books and memorabilia. Florine Swanson, retired Iowa 4-H Foundation executive director, led the online history project as counties compiled their history and submitted it to the review committee to be published on the site, Greving said.
“All these efforts have resulted in what now will be a living history of 4-H. We hope 4-H members, alumni, volunteers, leaders and staff will add their comments and continue the history of 4-H, sharing the many facets of each county’s 4-H program,” Greving said. “Individuals may choose to continue the legacy of 4-H by making a donation to directly impact Iowa 4-H or their county 4-H program.”  Today’s 4-H youth develop citizenship, communication and leadership skills; and learn about everything from aerospace to zoology,” said Chuck Morris, director of ISU Extension and Outreach 4-H Youth Development.

To learn more about 4-H, contact Susan at the Cass County Extension Office at 712-243-1132.

Missouri Valley, Iowa (AP) – Federal wildlife reuges that straddle the Missouri River north of Omaha, in Iowa and Nebraska, have been scheduled to re-open to the public next month. The DeSoto and Boyer Chute National Wildlife Refuges will re-open on January 2nd. Much of the flood damage at DeSoto has been repaired, but the visitor’s center will remain closed for more work. Some hiking trails will not be available.

DeSoto will be closed for the Jan. 11th-Jan. 18th deer hunt, and people will need to use the U.S. Highway 30 entrance to reach the refuge. Visitors to Boyer Chute will have to park at the main entrance gate and enter the refuge on foot. Silt deposited by the floodwaters will prevent driving access to Boyer Chute, indefinitely.

Adair County 4-H & FFA members who wish to exhibit market beef at the 2012 Adair County Fair or any other 4-H shows must weigh and tag their animals today.  Youth must weigh lead market steers, lead market heifers, feeder pen cattle and return bucket/bottle market animals to be eligible to exhibit at the county fair.  Those who will show only at the county fair should arrive at weigh-in between 9:30 am and 11:30 am.  4-Her’s who will show at the Iowa State Fair or Ak-Sar-Ben and FFA members who will show at the Iowa State Fair should call the extension office now at 641-743-8412 or 1-800-ISUE399 to set up an appointment the weigh between 8:30 am – 9:15 am.

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — A survey of bankers in 10 Midwest and Great Plains states reflects continued economic growth in the region, which boasts strong agricultural performance and rising commodity prices.The Rural Mainstreet Index rose to 59.7 in December, the highest survey figure since June 2007. The index hit 58.4 in November, 52.9 in October and 52.2 in September. Survey organizers say that whenever the index, which ranges from 1 to 100, is above 50, it suggests the economy will grow.Creighton University economist Ernie Goss, who oversees the survey, says growth in U.S. regions tied to agriculture and energy are outpacing urban areas.The survey covers Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming.

w/ Dave York

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