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Iowa Crop Progress and Conditions Report: July 15-21

Ag/Outdoor

July 22nd, 2019 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (July 22, 2019) – Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig today commented on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. The report is released weekly from April through November.

“After several days of sweltering heat and limited precipitation, the crops got the rain they needed last weekend,” said Secretary Naig. “Farmers are very grateful for the mild temperatures forecasted over the next several days.”

The weekly report is also available on the USDA’s site at nass.usda.gov/ia.

Crop Report

Iowa farmers had 5.0 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending July 21, 2019, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistic Service. There were some reports of crops lying flat and green snap in corn due to high winds produced from various storms throughout the state. Fieldwork activities included spraying and harvesting hay and oats.

Topsoil moisture condition was rated 2 percent very short, 14 percent short, 78 percent adequate and 6 percent surplus. Districts in the southern third of Iowa and the east central district reported topsoil moisture conditions as over 25 percent short to very short. Subsoil moisture condition was rated 1 percent very short, 9 percent short, 81 percent adequate and 9 percent surplus.

Forty-one percent of the corn crop has begun to silk, 12 days behind last year and 1 week behind the 5-year average. One percent of the crop reached the dough stage, 5 days behind last year and average. Corn condition rated 63 percent good to excellent. Forty-seven percent of the soybean crop has started to bloom, 13 days behind last year and 9 days behind average. Four percent of the crop has started setting pods, nearly 2 weeks behind average. Soybean condition rated 64 percent good to excellent.

Seventy-eight percent of oats started coloring, 4 days behind last year and 5 days behind average. Twelve percent of the oat crop has been harvested for grain, 9 days behind last year and average. Oat condition declined slightly from the previous week to 61 percent good to excellent. The second cutting of alfalfa hay reached 56 percent, 11 days behind last year and 8 days behind average. Hay condition rated 61 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition declined for the third straight week with 61 percent good to excellent. High temperatures this past week caused some stress to livestock.

Weather Summary

Provided by Justin Glisan, Ph.D., State Climatologist, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

Thunderstorm activity was present across Iowa on nearly every day of the reporting period with much of the state reporting above average rainfall. A large dome of high pressure over the Midwest also brought very hot conditions, including triple digit heat indices Wednesday through Friday. The statewide average temperature was 79.6 degrees, 4.5 degrees above normal. Iowa experienced spotty showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon and evening on Sunday (14th) with Dubuque Lock and Dam (Dubuque County) reporting 0.53 inch of rain. High temperatures were in the upper 80s and lower 90s with the average high at 90 degrees, five degrees above normal.

Light rain showers formed across northern Iowa into Monday (15th) morning with only a handful of stations reporting measurable totals. Tuesday (16th) was a sunny and breezy day with winds out of the south. High temperatures were in the mid to upper 80s, one to two degrees above average. Moisture from the remains of Tropical Storm Barry helped thunderstorms form across Iowa’s northern half around midnight. The storms consolidated into a well-organized squall line that propagated from northwestern Iowa to the southeastern corner during the daytime hours on Wednesday (17th). There were several reports of severe straight-line winds across nine counties in northwest and southeast Iowa; Harlan (Shelby County) and Mediapolis (Des Moines County) observed 70 mph wind gusts.

A line of storms re-fired around midnight and extended into central Iowa early Thursday (18th) morning. Much of Iowa received measurable rainfall over the 24-hour period ending at 7 a.m. with multiple locations experiencing torrential downpours from stronger storms, especially across northern and south-central Iowa. Osage (Mitchell County) reported 2.60 inches while Rathbun Dam (Appanoose County) observed 1.98 inches. Statewide average precipitation was 0.70 inch, 0.54 inch above average. Temperatures varied from cooler than average in locations along the path of the squall to above average in southern and eastern Iowa.

As Thursday progressed, the band of thunderstorms gradually dissipated. In the absence of cloud cover and rainfall, highs were able to reach into the 90s, creating uncomfortable conditions. Overnight lows remained in the 70s across the state with pockets of low 80s in southwestern Iowa. The average minimum statewide temperature was 74 degrees, 11 degrees above average.

Friday (19th) was sweltering across Iowa as highs climbed into the lower 90s north and middle 90s south. Dew point temperatures were also in the upper 70s and lower 80s. The combination of heat and humidity boosted heat indices into triple digits under clear skies; Le Mars Municipal Airport (Plymouth County) reported 120 degrees while Keokuk Municipal Airport (Lee County) observed 110 degrees. The statewide average temperature was 92 degrees, eight degrees above average. Overnight lows mirrored what was experienced Thursday night.

Saturday (20th) was an active weather day with severe straight-line winds reported across 29 counties as a system of strong thunderstorms moved through Iowa. A majority of the state reported measurable rainfall, ranging from 0.10 inch in Dubuque (Dubuque County) to 1.95 inches in Knoxville (Marion County).

Light rain continued into Sunday (21st) morning in southern Iowa as a cold front moved through the state, bringing much cooler conditions. Weekly rainfall totals ranged from 0.11 inch at Fulton (Jackson County) and Le Claire Lock and Dam (Scott County) to 4.91 inches at Estherville Municipal Airport (Emmet County). The statewide weekly average precipitation was 1.51 inches while the normal is 1.01 inches. The week’s high temperature of 99 degrees was reported on the 19th in Little Sioux (Harrison County), 13 degrees above average. Sibley (Osceola County) reported the week’s low temperature of 56 degrees on the 21st, four degrees below average. A maximum overnight low of 81 degrees was reported on the 19th at airports in Davenport (Scott County) and Ottumwa (Wapello County); these readings were 16 and 18 degrees above average, respectively.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor |

Produce Growers Reminded of Free Water Testing July 23 in Atlantic

Ag/Outdoor, News

July 22nd, 2019 by Ric Hanson

Rural growers can get a head start on knowing what’s in their water, before regulations take effect

AMES, Iowa – Produce growers who want to get their water tested can do so for free, thanks to an effort by the Produce Safety Team at Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, which is providing five drop-off dates and locations across the state.

Local producers are reminded that the final drop off date scheduled in Southwest Iowa is Tuesday July 23, from 4-6 p.m. at the Orscheln Farm & Home parking lot, 1200 E. 7th St. in Atlantic. Testing kits can be picked up at the Cass County Extension office, 805 West 10th Street in Atlantic, from 8 AM to 4:30 PM. Other drop off sites for the state are listed below.

Some producers are required to have their water tested, depending on the size of operation and the source of water, in order to comply with the federal Food Safety Modernization Act. Others may wish to test their water to be precautious, in case there are any issues.

Since testing is limited in rural areas, Iowa State Extension and Outreach is sending test cups to county extension offices and farmers markets across the state. Producers should use one cup per water source, and can submit multiple cups if they have multiple water sources.

Producers must follow all collection directions, being sure to mark the time on each sterile cup, and delivering the cup to the drop-off location within three hours.

Members of the On-Farm Produce Safety Team will receive the samples at the drop-off locations and return them to the ISU lab in Ames. Testing and results will be completed in about a week’s time.

“This is important for rural growers because water testing is going to be required by the FSMA, and there are very few labs in the state that are performing the required test,” said Dan Fillius, food safety educator with ISU Extension and Outreach.

Fillius said FDA has pushed back the compliance dates to 2022 and beyond, depending on the size and classification of each producer. However, he said testing makes sense now, so growers can be prepared and take appropriate actions to improve their water quality, if necessary.

Growers who use public and municipal water do not need to do this test. Growers do not need to belong to a farmer’s market to drop off samples, and growers from any county are welcome to use the service. The three-hour delivery of collected samples is critical.

Drop-off location: Atlantic: June 25 and July 23, 4-6 p.m., 1200 E. 7th St., Orscheln Farm & Home parking lot

For more information, visit the On-Farm Produce Safety Team online, or call 515-294-6773.

Posted in Ag/Outdoor, News |

(Update – bike may have been recovered) RAGBRAI bike stolen in Atlantic

News

July 22nd, 2019 by Ric Hanson

Officials with RAGBRAI report a TREK (brand) bike was stolen Sunday in Atlantic from an event participant. A picture of the bike is shown below. Atlantic Police Chief Dave Erickson told KJAN news they do have a white bike with a Ragbrai sticker on the back, but he was not sure what the brand name was. The A-PD will try and contact the owner once they are officially identified.

click to enlarge image

 

Posted in News |

Price on temporary repairs to levees hits $123M and is still climbing

News

July 22nd, 2019 by Ric Hanson

(Radio Iowa) — The cost to make temporary repairs to levees impacted by spring flooding along the Missouri River continues to rise. John Leighow is chief of readiness and contingency operations with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Northwestern District. Leighow says recent dry weather has allowed their teams access to more levees for assessment.

“Additional damages are being identified as the water continues to drop and our field engineers are attempting to accurately assess the scope of damages to approximately 150 miles of damaged levees,” Leighow says. He adds, the amount of money that’s been spent to temporarily fix damaged levees is growing.

“Currently, the cost of these efforts is around $123 million and it’s climbing,” Leighow says. “That’s $3 million more than what we had last week. As of now, we are not anticipating any budget constraints regarding recovery efforts.” Even though funding is currently available, Leighow says there may soon be more competing claims for the money.

“We are now approaching the peak of hurricane season right around the end of August into Labor Day — early September timeline,” Leighow says. “The peak of hurricane season will compete for the same resources that we need for our recovery efforts.” Releases from Gavins Point Dam in Yankton, South Dakota remain at 70,000 cubic feet per second — nearly double the average release for this time of year.

Missouri River Basin Water Management Division Chief John Remus says adjustments in releases are now tied to precipitation with mountain snowpack mostly gone. “The snowpack is all melted,” Remus says. “We haven’t necessarily seen all of it in the reservoir yet, but the main driver (of conditions) from here on out would be precipitation.”

To date, nine of the 51 damaged levees in the Omaha District have been temporarily repaired. Corps officials say it could be next spring before every breach in the system is plugged.

Posted in News |

VELDA MARIE GROOVER, 89, of Redfield (Celebration of Life 7/25/19&

Obituaries

July 22nd, 2019 by Ric Hanson

VELDA MARIE GROOVER, 89, of Redfield, died Sunday, July 21st, at Adel Acres. A Celebration of Life service for VELDA GROOVER will be held 11-a.m. Thursday, July 25th, at the Redfield United Methodist Church. Johnson Family Funeral Home in Dexter has the arrangements.

Visitation will be held at the Redfield UMC from 6-until 8-p.m. Wednesday (7/24).

A time of fellowship & luncheon will follow the Celebration of Life service, at the Redfield American Legion.

Memorials may be directed to the Velda Groover Memorial Fund, in care of the funeral home.

Posted in Obituaries |

MARY LOIS [Symonds] CARLISLE, 95, of Griswold (Svcs. 7/27/19_

Obituaries

July 22nd, 2019 by Ric Hanson

MARY LOIS [Symonds] CARLISLE, 95, of Griswold, died Sunday, July 21st. Funeral services for LOIS CARLISLE will be held 11-a.m. Saturday, July 27th, at the Griswold United Methodist Church. Rieken Funeral Home in Griswold is assisting the family with the arrangements.

Visitation will be at the Griswold United Methodist Church, on Friday (7/26), from 5:30-until 7-p.m.

Interment will be in the Griswold Cemetery.

LOIS CARLISLE is survived by:

Her children: Dan (Judie) Carlisle, of Waukee; Vickie (Ed) Elwood, of Griswold, and Sue (Dennis) Peterson,

3 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, and 2 great-grandchildren, other relatives and friends.

Posted in Obituaries |

Democrats seek hearings over firing of Iowa agency head

News

July 22nd, 2019 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Democratic leaders in the Iowa Legislature are calling for hearings on Gov. Kim Reynolds’ refusal to discuss why she demanded the resignation of former Iowa Department of Human Services Director Jerry Foxhoven. Senate and House Government Oversight Committee Democrats called Monday for hearings on Foxhoven’s sudden departure last month and want him to appear to explain what happened.

Sen. Tony Bisignano says a 2017 state law requires the reason for demanding a state employee’s resignation to be made public. Reynolds has declined to explain why she asked Foxhoven to resign beyond saying there were several factors. Foxhoven has declined to explain the factors behind his firing. He declined to comment Monday. Separately, Auditor Rob Sand, a Democrat, says he plans to investigate the reasons behind Foxhoven’s departure.

Posted in News |

Lottery players would get refunds under $4.3M settlement

News

July 22nd, 2019 by Ric Hanson

DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Thousands of lottery players who bought tickets for drawings that were rigged by an insider could be eligible for refunds under a tentative $4.3 million legal settlement. A judge still must approve the deal from lawyers for plaintiffs in a class-action lawsuit and the Multi-State Lottery Association.

The settlement announced Monday would resolve claims stemming from former association security director Eddie Tipton’s long-running jackpot-fixing scheme. Tipton installed code that allowed him to predict winning numbers for drawings on certain days. He and his associates bought winning tickets worth millions.

Players who purchased tickets for drawings between 2005 and 2013 that were tainted by the scheme would be eligible. The lottery association would establish $4.3 million fund for eligible class members, attorneys’ fees and other costs. The named plaintiff, Iowa resident Dale Culler, would receive a $20,000 incentive payment.

Posted in News |

Heartbeat Today 7-22-2019

Heartbeat Today, Podcasts

July 22nd, 2019 by Ric Hanson

New Director Ric Hanson speaks with RAGBRAI “Team Bad Monkey” riders Zack Humphries, Al Hiller and Craig Sommeren, about the first day’s ride from Council Bluffs to Atlantic.

Play

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (8.8MB)

Subscribe: RSS

Posted in Heartbeat Today, Podcasts |

Flood-hit businesses struggle to restore customer volume

News

July 22nd, 2019 by Ric Hanson

OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — Some Nebraska and Iowa businesses are still struggling to recover from flooding that damaged their properties or otherwise kept customers away from their doors.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency estimated that in Nebraska alone, more than 1,000 businesses were affected by March’s severe weather. Flooding continued into May and June in eastern Nebraska and western Iowa, especially along the Missouri River. Central Nebraska got hit by flash floods earlier this month this month, hurting Kearney’s hotel and tourism industry.
The Omaha World-Herald reported that businesses and boosters have been taking extra steps to send a message: Our towns and businesses haven’t been wiped out, and we need customers now more than ever.

A Harley-Davidson dealership in (Iowa’s) Pacific Junction threw a party at the end of June to celebrate the dealership’s return to its regular location after cleaning up and repairing soggy drywall. Loess Hills Harley-Davidson moved employees and motorcycles to a temporary building in nearby Glenwood for months after taking on 18 inches of water. “We can either sit back and say we’re victims and we’re going to play the pity party or say, hey, were going to take the opportunity to make something good out of something bad,” general manager Dan Roland said.

Agricultural company Cargill has helped employees pay for hotels in Nebraska City to ensure operations at its plant there weren’t interrupted too much by road closures and detours. Interstate 29 across the river in Iowa was closed by flooding, and the Iowa Highway 2 link to the bridge over the Missouri to Nebraska City was underwater for weeks as well. In northeast Nebraska’s Knox County, officials have been handing out maps so visitors can navigate flood-damaged roads and bridge reconstruction. The community of Verdigre held an event called “Good As New” at the end of May.

Developers are speeding plans to build more housing on the Nebraska City side of the Missouri, in case Iowa residents hurt by flooding decide not to rebuild, said Dan Mauk, executive director of the Nebraska City Area Economic Development Corp.

Posted in News |