Jim Field visits with Kate Olson about the Cass County Master Gardeners Plant Sale on May 11 and the Bus Trip on May 22.

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(Des Moines, Iowa; via the Iowa Capital Dispatch) – Drought conditions in the state continue to retreat amid abundant rainfall, according to the U.S. Drought Monitor. A Thursday report shows the biggest moisture gains in western and southern Iowa. Less than half of the state now has drought for the first time since June 2023. That’s down from about 96% of the state in October.

Last week’s statewide precipitation averaged 1.32 inches, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. That’s about 45% more than is normally expected. The highest reported rainfall was 4.72 inches in Little Sioux in far western Iowa, whereas the least was one-tenth of an inch near Guttenberg in far northeast Iowa.

A wide area of severe drought remains in eastern Iowa, although it has been shrinking. Much of that area had previously suffered from extreme drought — the second-to-worst classification issued by the Drought Monitor — but its presence has greatly diminished. About 2% of the state has extreme drought, down from 35% at the start of the year.

Drought conditions might lift from about a quarter of the state in the coming months, according to a recent report by the U.S. Climate Prediction Center. Drought is expected to remain, but improve, in the worst-affected areas. A USDA report on Monday said about 78% of cropland has adequate or surplus soil moisture, which is slightly better than a year ago.

Crop planting has been several days ahead of the five-year average. As of Sunday, about 39% of corn and 25% of soybeans had been planted.

(Ames, Iowa/via Iowa Capital Dispatch) – Dairy cattle infected by avian influenza in recent months have surprisingly large amounts of the virus in their milk but little in other bodily fluids, according to tests by the Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory. That makes it easy to confirm whether a lactating cow is infected but makes testing more difficult for other cattle as federal agriculture officials attempt to learn the extent of bovine infections across the nation.

In nasal secretions, blood, feces and urine, “we can find an occasional positive, but those positives are at levels that are almost undetectable,” said Dr. Drew Magstadt, a cattle disease researcher at the Ames lab. His comments were part of an online ISU Extension and Outreach discussion about the virus on Wednesday.

Magstadt discovered about six weeks ago that highly pathogenic avian influenza was the source of a mystery illness among dairy cattle in Texas. It had never been known to infect cattle in the United States before. Since then, the virus has been detected in herds in eight other states, most recently in Colorado. That spread has been caused by the movement of dairy cows from infected herds to previously unaffected herds.

Genetic testing revealed that wild birds initially infected cattle with the virus, but the USDA has found evidence that it has since spread from cow to cow and from cattle to poultry. At least one infected dairy cow had no symptoms of illness. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced last week that fragments of the virus have been detected in the nation’s commercial milk supply even though milk from sick cows is barred from distribution. On Wednesday, it said testing has confirmed that pasteurization — a process of heating milk to kill pathogens — inactivates the virus.

Tests of milk, cottage cheese and sour cream “did not detect any live, infectious virus,” the FDA said. FDA strongly warned against drinking raw milk. Some states, including Iowa, have sought in recent years to expand the unpasteurized milk’s availability for purchase. Also on Wednesday, the USDA said tests of ground beef in states where the virus has been detected showed no evidence of the virus. Dairy cattle are often slaughtered for their meat when their milk production drops.

The ISU Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory tests samples from animals for viruses such as avian influenza. (Photo courtesy of Iowa State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory)

Starting this week, the department requires most lactating dairy cattle to test negative for the virus before they can be transported to different states. Iowa will require labs to report all confirmations of the virus regardless of the animal species, said Dr. Jeff Kaisand, the state veterinarian and a bureau chief for the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship. For now, IDALS will not quarantine dairy farms if their cattle are infected, Kaisand said. Most states have taken a similar approach.

Dr. Yuko Sato, an ISU professor who has researched the virus in poultry, said dairy farmers should take more precautions than what might be required by government officials. She said a bird flu outbreak in 2015 was largely driven by farm-to-farm spread that was the result of insufficient biosecurity measures. About 33 million poultry were culled in Iowa that year. “We waited for the federal government to give us guidance, so we kind of sat on our hands a little bit,” she said. “I encourage the dairy industry to take a proactive stance and try to look at creative solutions, because we’re learning as we speak.”

Highly pathogenic avian influenza is often lethal to poultry — especially chickens — but infected cows usually recover in 10 to 14 days.

(Radio Iowa) – State records show about 30 percent of farm-related crashes on Iowa roads occur during April, May and June. Steven Freeman, a professor in agricultural and biosystems engineering at Iowa State University, says farmers need to make sure all lights on their equipment are working and the “slow moving vehicle” signs and reflective markers are in the right position. “That maintenance is something that will help the motorists see them,” Freeman says. Freeman says in rural areas, drivers need to exercise patience and keep their distance from farm equipment.

“Even if they have to follow farm equipment for a couple of miles, that’s just a couple of minutes out of their day,” Freeman says. “They should not try to pass because sometimes that’s not going to be safe and they should not be impatient and honking and expecting the farmer to pull over and let them by because sometimes that’s not safe.”

Freeman says the side of the road, especially a gravel road, may not support the weight of the farm equipment and pulling over to let a vehicle pass endangers the safety of the farmer. From 2017 to 2022, there were 114 vehicle accidents in Iowa involving farm equipment that caused serious injury or death. Widespread rain has likely paused planting in much of the state. The U-S-D-A estimates 39 percent of Iowa’s corn crop and about a quarter of Iowa’s soybean fields were planted by last Sunday.

May 1:

• Bill Paulsen of Exira (winner)
• Knox Paulsen of Anita

May 2:

• Don “Mr. Frog” Ozbun of Atlantic (winner)
• Jason Ploen of Minden

May 3:

• Gavin Leighton of Atlantic (winner)

May 4:

• Isabell Wheatley of Avoca (winner)

May 5:

• Donna Phillips of Anita (winner)

May 6:

• No birthdays submitted

May 7:

• Nora Ann Knudsen of Atlantic (Winner)
• Jim Phillips of Anita
• Violet Knight of Atlantic

May 8:

• Penny LaFoy of Audubon (Winner)
• Kurt Haupert of Atlantic
• Kim at the Chuckwagon in Adair
• Tristan Mathisen of Lewis

May 9:

• Donna Karwal of Atlantic (winner)
• Viola Phippen of Stuart
• Kirk Bradley of Atlantic
• Joe Nelsen of Anita
• Christie Wallcae of Griswold

May 10:

• Ashley Williams of Atlantic (winner)

May 11:

• Angela Hillhouse of Atlantic (winner)
• Amy Roland of Atlantic

May 12:

• Jackie Knight of Atlantic (winner)

May 13:

• Leiah Thomas 0f Atlantic (winner)
• Dane Andersen of Waukee

May 14:

• Marilyn Vernon of Atlantic (winner)
• Pete Tallman of Atlantic

May 15:

• No Birthdays

May 16:

• No Birthdays

May 17:

• Kelly Templeman of Atlantic (winner)

May 18:

• Eric Gundersen of Atlantic (winner)
• Walker Embree of Massena

May 19:

• Dick Hensley of Atlantic (winner)
• Gage Lauritsen of Exira
• Steve Andersen of Atlantic
• Darrin Feltner of Omaha, Nebraska

May 20:

• Mary Greving of Exira (Winner)
• Brenton Lambert of Atlantic
• Susan Gray of Atlantic
• Jacque Wickey of Atlantic

May 21:

• Maddi Zellmer of Atlantic (Winner)
• Ellie Jane Schultes of Exira
• Margaret Haley of Exira

May 22:

• Michelle Finnell of Atlantic (Winner)

May 23:

• Joann Anderson of Atlantic (Winner)

May 24:

• Jenn Nelson of Audubon (Winner)
• Rae Ome Conn of Atlantic
• Paul Schmidt of Harlan

May 25:

• Mary Copp of Elk Horn (Winner)
• Fred Sievers of Audubon
• Charla Schmid of Red Oak

May 26:

• Floyd Hackwell of Exira (Winner)
• Ben Nelson of Audubon

May 27:

• Bailie Duncan of Anita (winner)
• Steve Farrier of Atlantic
• Angel Honeck of Atlantic
• Mandy Parks of Atlantic
• Nancy Hepler of Atlantic

May 28:

• Bev Olsen of Exira (winner)
• Emily Kennedy of Atlantic
• Robin “Papa” Jones of Atlantic

May 29:

• Lucy Newton of Atlantic (winner)
• Bill Edie of Atlantic
• Doug Pankonan of Adair
• Mike Hill of Cumberland
• Stephanie Williams Landsown of Atlantic

May 30:

• Alan Peterson of Atlantic (winner)
• Vicki Templeman of Atlantic

May 31:

• Marge Klindt of Atlantic (winner)
• Ralph Cleveland of Exira

Jim Field visits with 2024 Griswold High School seniors Grant Rogers, Karly Millikan and Dakota Reynolds.

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(Atlantic, Iowa) – Cass County Conservation Interpretive Naturalist Lora Kanning say the Conservation Department’s 30th Pioneer Skills Festival takes place this Saturday afternoon (May 4th). Kanning says they still need help in the barn, so if you’re interested in volunteering by leading a pioneer station, email Lora Kanning at lkanning@casscoia.us. They would love to have help from 12:30-until 4 pm, as the festival runs from 1-4pm.

Kanning said also, the Cass County portion of the T-bone trail is CLOSED. DO NOT go around any barriers, please turn around. The Construction contractor is repairing bridge approaches in Cass county. The project is taking longer due to the weather. This weekend there may be sections of the trail open and others may have barriers. Kanning says they hope to be finished with the project next week!

On Thursday May 9th , the Cass County Conservation Department will host a 5th grade field trip and conservation day. They are asking for volunteers to help the 5th graders fish at Cold Springs park from 9am-2pm. If you are available that day to help, email Lora Kanning. That email again is lkanning@casscoia.us .

Lastly, Kanning reports summer camps still have a couple open spots. Fliers went out in the Department’s last newsletter! It can also be found on the Conservation Department’s website https://www.casscountyia.gov/county-departments/conservation-office/

Details on upcoming events and projects happening from May into June will be released in the next few weeks.

• KJAN, Atlantic  .78″
• 7 miles NNE of Atlantic  .53″
• Massena  .63″
• Audubon  .54″
• Corning  .79″
• Avoca  .8″
• Red Oak  65″
• Earling  .65
• Kirkman  .81″
• Missouri Valley  .56″
• Carroll  .75″
• Clarinda  .17″
• Creston  .85″

(Atlantic, Iowa) – Cass County Wellness Coordinator Grace McAfee reports Grow Another Row produce donations sites are open in Cass County for the 2024 season. Growers with rhubarb, asparagus, radishes, greens, herbs and other early-season produce are now invited to share their harvests.

Grow Another Row is a Healthy Cass County campaign started in 2020 by a group of local growers to encourage residents to grow and share more fresh produce. Anyone is welcome to donate or take produce. Many individuals drop off extra produce and pick up something they need during the same trip. There is no requirement to sign up to either donate or take produce. Donations of any size are appreciated. No donation is too big or too small for this program. Donations and pick-ups are encouraged to take place from dawn to dusk. As the program continues to grow… so do the stands! There are now ten produce stands located in Cass County this year!

Participants are reminded not to wash produce before donating if they can’t dry it and to take only what they need. Be sure to wash the produce before eating it. Produce bagged or packaged in family-sized containers is requested if possible. Contact Kate Olson at the Cass County Extension Office by calling (712) 243-1132 or email keolson@iastate.edu if you need produce bags or containers to package donations.

If produce is shared to the stands, you’re welcome to email Grace McAfee (mcage@casshealth.org) or share a photo on the Facebook Page (@CassCountyLocalFood). This will let the public know fresh produce is available for pick up! Please include the time, date dropped off and stand location to help us get the word out.

A Grow Another Row stand

For more information on Grow Another Row visit https://www.extension.iastate.edu/cass/family-food.

Subscribe to our newsletter delivered via email multiple times per month during the growing season, featuring growing tips, volunteer opportunities, and current information on where to drop off and pick up available fresh produce. Email mcage@casshealth.org to be added to our mailing list for the 2024 growing season! For information on Cass County food pantries, farmers markets and other locally-driven food initiatives, follow the Cass County Local Food Policy Council on Facebook @CassCountyLocalFood.

Healthy Cass County is a community-focused volunteer network formed to promote the health and well-being of Cass County residents. Follow Healthy Cass County on Facebook @HealthyCassCounty (https://www.facebook.com/HealthyCassCounty/).

Grow Another Row 2024 Stand Locations (May-October, dawn to dusk)

• Anita Food Pantry, 208 Chestnut St. Anita
• Atlantic Library, 507 Popular St. Atlantic
• Atlantic Midtown Apartments, 1209 E 8th St. Atlantic
• Atlantic Mollett Park, 1020 E. 3rd St. Atlantic
• Cumberland Methodist Church, 500 Main St. Cumberland
• Griswold Methodist Church, 100 Cass St. Griswold
• Lewis Library, 412 W. Main St. Lewis
• Marne Masonic Lodge, 418 2nd St. Marne
• Massena – SWI Egg, 74851 Richland Rd. Massena
• Wiota, 108 Pioneer St. Wiota.

Jim Field visits with 2024 Audubon High School seniors Mattie Nielsen, Addesyn Hocker and Alexis Obermeier.

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