(Des Moines, Iowa) – The Iowa Department of Agriculture has confirmed a case of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in Mahaska County. The case involves a Iowa. backyard mixed species flock. There have been 19 outbreaks of bird flu found in Iowa since October. Seven have been in backyard flocks, four have been in game bird flocks, and the rest are in commercial turkey and chicken flocks,

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the recent HPAI detections in birds do not present a public health concern. It remains safe to eat poultry products. As a reminder, consumers should always utilize the proper handling and cooking of eggs and poultry products, including cooking to an internal temperature of 165˚F.

Jim Field visits with Iowa Farm Bureau President Brent Johnson about the IFBF annual scholarship program.  To learn more or to apply visit:  iowafarmbureau.com/scholarships.

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(Radio Iowa) – Temperatures are expected to be above normal the rest of this week in what has already been an up-and-down cycle in Iowa. The wide range of temperatures can impact the quality of ice forming on lakes and rivers. The D-N-R’s Pete Hildreth says you should be checking for a minimum of four inches of clear ice for fishing and at least five inches for snowmobiles and A-T-V’s. “Because ice conditions change constantly and its thickness can vary across the lake,” he says. Hildreth says it’s better to wait than risk a chance of going out on thin ice. “Always trust your instincts if the ice does not look right, and don’t go out,” Hildreth says.

The D-N-R has has several other tips for those venturing out on the ice this winter. “No ice is 100 percent safe. New ice is usually stronger than old ice. We encourage folks not to go out alone. If the worst should happen. Someone should be there to call for help or to help rescue,” he says. Hildreth says off-colored snow or ice is usually a sign of weaker ice.  “The insulating effect of snow can slow down the freezing process. And we encourage folks to bring along some basic items to help keep them safe such as hand warmers, ice cleats to help prevent falls, ice picks to wear around your neck to help you crawl out of the water if you do happen to fall in,” he says. “A life jacket or a floating safety rope, a whistle to call for help.”

Hildreth says you should also take a basic first aid kit and an extra set of dry clothes including a pair of gloves when you’re exploring the ice this winter.

(Des Moines, Iowa) – The United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) reports NASS will release the 2022 Census of Agriculture data on February 13, 2024. NASS concluded the data collection this summer with a preliminary national return rate of 61%. The ag census, conducted once every five years, was mailed to over 116,000 producers across Iowa late last year with a preliminary return rate of just over 71%, the highest of any state.

NASS Upper Midwest Regional Director, Greg Thessen says “I want to thank all the Iowa producers for the time and effort they invested in completing their Census form and helping achieve the highest return rate of any state. The aggregate information from individual farmer responses provides a powerful tool to help show the importance of agriculture in Iowa, promote the industry, and track trends. The Census of Agriculture provides the only source of comprehensive agricultural data for every State and county in the nation. Farm and commodity organizations, extension educators, agribusinesses, legislators at all levels of government, news media, and many others will use this data for a wide variety of purposes.”

The ag census data will be available at nass.usda.gov/AgCensus and in NASS’s searchable database, Quick Stats. Publication dates for the various ag census data products can be found on NASS’s online 2024 Agricultural Statistics Board Calendar. Like all NASS data, ag census data will be available in aggregate form only, ensuring that no individual operation or producer can be identified, as required by federal law. Watch for additional news about the ag census at @usda_nass on X (formerly known as Twitter). In addition, two ag census special studies that will provide more in-depth information on certain industries will be conducted this winter: the 2023 Census of Aquaculture and the 2023 Irrigation and Water Management Survey. These questionnaires will be mailed to the producers who reported these activities in the 2022 Census of Agriculture. For more information about these upcoming special studies, visit nass.usda.gov/AgCensus.

Jim Field visits with Lauren Livingston of the Alzheimer’s Association Iowa Chapter about reducing the holiday stress for those with dementia and those who care for them.

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DES MOINES – Gov. Kim Reynolds has announced the extension of a disaster proclamation for Sioux and Taylor Counties effective immediately through January 14, 2024. The USDA has confirmed positive cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in both counties.

The proclamation – issued Friday (today) – allows state resources from Iowa Homeland Security, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and other agencies to assist with tracking and monitoring, rapid detection, containment, disposal, and disinfection. The proclamation also waives regulatory provisions related to commercial vehicles responding to affected sites.

The recent HPAI detections in birds do not present an immediate public health concern, and it remains safe to eat poultry products. If producers suspect signs of HPAI in their flocks, they should contact their veterinarian immediately.

(Radio Iowa) – Iowa Congresswoman Ashley Hinson is blasting a United Nations organization for calling on citizens in the United States and other developed countries to eat less meat. The recommendation comes from the U-N’s Food and Agricultural Organization, which Hinson says it headed by a member of the Chinese Communist Party.

Hinson is co-sponsoring a resolution in the U-S House to condemn the U-N report, which also recommends that developing countries increase livestock production to improve the diets of their citizens. The report suggests reducing greenhouse gas emissions requires a reduction in excessive meat consumption in the world’s richest nations.

Hinson, a Republican from Marion, says it appears the United Nations can call on Americans to eat less meat, but they cannot condemn Hamas for atrocities in Israel.

The United Nations report suggests livestock production accounts for a third of greenhouse gas emissions and 40 percent of methane. Hinson and Nebraska Congressman Mike Flood are co-sponsoring the resolution pushing back on the U-N report. Flood and Hinson say meat is one of the most efficient ways to deliver protein and reducing meat consumption in the U-S would shatter the world’s food security.

(Atlantic, Iowa) — Produce in the Park’s Christmas Market 2023 takes place December 23rd at the Nishna Valley Family YMCA, in Atlantic. The event will be held from Noon until 3-p.m. Organizers say this holiday market offers local and handmade foods and crafts, with local favorite Pim’s Thai being on site for lunch needs.

Produce in the Park is accepting vendor applications for Christmas Market, and additional holiday markets planned for winter and spring 2024. Vendor applications can be found online at www.ProduceInTheParkAtlanticIowa.com; printed copies of the application are available at the Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce (102 Chestnut St., Atlantic, IA 50022). Produce in the Park seeks vendors selling handmade or homegrown products, including local foods, as well as beauty products, candles, crafts, art, and decorations.

Christmas Market 2023 is sponsored by Cass Health, Gregg Young of Atlantic, First Whitney Bank & Trust, Meyer & Gross Real Estate, Nishna Valley Family YMCA, Atlantic Area Chamber of Commerce and the City of Atlantic.

For the latest information on Christmas Market and all Produce in the Park markets, follow Produce in the Park on Facebook (www.facebook.com/ProduceInThePark) or Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/produceintheparkatlanticia/).

Jim Field visits with Ray McCalla about the Cass County Choral Society Holiday Concert on Thursday, December 21 at 7:00 pm at the Atlantic Middle School Auditorium.

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(Des Moines, Iowa) – The Iowa Healthiest State Initiative’s Double Up Food Bucks program has launched new digital technology to simplify participation for users. The program has transitioned from single-use redeemable paper currency to an online system centered on the new reloadable Double Up Food Bucks Card. The new cards will be usable at all participating Double Up Food Bucks locations.

Double Up Food Bucks is a supplemental SNAP benefit program run by the Iowa Healthiest State Initiative that helps low-income Iowans bring home more fruits and vegetables, while also supporting local farmers. Program participants can double the value of federal SNAP benefits at participating farmers markets, co-ops, and grocery stores including Hy-Vee and Fareway locations around the state when purchasing fresh produce. “As we continue to combat food insecurity in Iowa, it’s important to make sure families have nutritious meals that include fresh produce,” said Elisa Sloss, Senior Vice President, Hy-Vee. “By modernizing the redemption process, the program is easier to use and ensures that those enrolled receive all the benefits they are eligible for.”

“Fareway is proud to partner with the Iowa Healthiest State Initiative to improve access to fresh fruits and vegetables and enhance the functionality of the DUFB program,” said Jake Moran, Chief Financial Officer of Fareway Stores Inc.

Prior to the release of the new technology, the Double Up Food Bucks program was available through paper currency. The new technology replaces the paper currency with a reusable plastic card. The Double Up Food Bucks card allows SNAP users to spend and save their bucks and removes the risk of losing or destroying paper currency. Users can sign up for a Double Up Food Bucks card at participating sites by shopping for fruits and vegetables with their SNAP/EBT card and asking their cashier about Double Up Food Bucks.

The Double Up Food Bucks Iowa program is made possible by donations from sponsors including the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Alliant Energy, Bank of America, Farmers Mutual Hail, Iowa Total Care, Max & Helen Guernsey Foundation, United Way of Central Iowa, and the Nelson Family Foundation.

To learn more about Double Up Food Bucks and to find participating locations, visit www.DoubleUpIowa.com