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DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) — Farmer Jeff Jorgenson looks out over 750 acres of cropland submerged beneath the swollen Missouri River, and he knows he probably won’t plant this year. But that’s not his biggest worry. He and other farmers have worked until midnight for days to move grain, equipment and fuel barrels away from the floodwaters fed by heavy rain and snowmelt.
The rising water that has damaged hundreds of homes and been blamed for three deaths has also taken a heavy toll on agriculture, inundating thousands of acres, threatening stockpiled grain and killing livestock.
In Fremont County alone, Jorgenson estimates that more than a million bushels of corn and nearly half a million bushels of soybeans have been lost after water overwhelmed grain bins before they could be emptied of last year’s crop. His calculation using local grain prices puts the financial loss at more than $7 million in grain alone. That’s for about 28 farmers in his immediate area, he said.
Once it’s deposited in bins, grain is not insured, so it’s just lost money. This year farmers have stored much more grain than normal because of a large crop last year and fewer markets in which to sell soybeans because of a trade dispute with China.
“The economy in agriculture is not very good right now. It will end some of these folks farming, family legacies, family farms,” he said. “There will be farmers that will be dealing with so much of a negative they won’t be able to tolerate it.”
Jorgenson, 43, who has farmed since 1998, reached out to friends Saturday, and they helped him move his grain out of bins to an elevator. Had they not acted, he would have lost $135,000.
The flooding is expected to continue throughout the week in several states as high water flows down the Missouri River. Swollen rivers have already breached more than a dozen levees in Nebraska, Iowa and Missouri, according to the Army Corps of Engineers. The flooding, which started after a massive late-winter storm last week, has also put some hog farms in southwest Iowa underwater. The dead animals inside must be disposed of, Reynolds said.
The water rose so quickly that farmers in many areas had no time to get animals out, said Chad Hart, an agricultural economist at Iowa State University. “Places that haven’t seen animal loss have seen a lot of animal stress. That means they’re not gaining weight and won’t be marketed in as timely a manner, which results in additional cost,” he said.
Vice President Mike Pence says the Trump administration will expedite presidential disaster declarations for Nebraska and Iowa. Pence was in Omaha, Nebraska, on Tuesday to tour areas ravaged by the flood that has killed at least three people and forced hundreds of Midwesterners from their homes. Pence says he spoke to the governors of both states shortly after landing in Omaha to assure them federal aid will soon be on the way.
Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts and Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds were among a group of Republican leaders accompanying Pence during a brief tour of damaged areas. Others included U.S. Sens. Ben Sasse, of Nebraska, and Joni Ernst, of Iowa, as well as Rep. Don Bacon of Nebraska.
(Radio Iowa) — If you think your homeowner’s insurance covers flooding, think again. As snow melts, rain falls, and rivers rise, the Federal Emergency Management Agency reminds Iowans to learn about flood insurance and buy appropriate coverage. David Maurstad heads FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program and says only about 30-percent of properties located in high-risk areas are covered, and only four-percent outside those areas.
“Maybe 2012 or so, there was another pretty significant flooding event in Iowa and the number of people covered was about 12% in the effected areas,” Maurstad says. “We have a lot of work to do in making sure people understand that flood insurance is their first line of defense to recover from flooding events.”
Damage to buildings and their contents is covered if the high water is caused by rain or rising lakes or rivers. Maurstad says the policies are affordable, averaging less than 500-dollars a year in locations that are not flood-prone. “An inch of water can cause $25,000 worth of damage,” Maurstad says. “We’re trying to encourage people when they renew their homeowner policy that they consider flood insurance. They need to get that flood insurance, they need to not wait. We have to do a better job of encouraging renters to have flood insurance. They can be as negatively impacted as whoever owns the building.”
Be advised, after buying flood insurance, there’s a 30-day waiting period before it goes into effect. More information is available at floodsmart.gov.
(Radio Iowa) — Republicans in the Iowa Senate have voted to require able-bodied adults to work, volunteer or go to school for at least 20 hours a week to remain qualified for Medicaid benefits. Senator Jason Schultz, a Republican from Schleswig, says the “Iowa work ethic” is eroding and this will help.
“We’ve told people that you don’t have to work…’Oh, here, by the way, here’s enough stuff to get by. You still don’t have to work,'” Schultz said. “That destroys a culture, people.” Senator Liz Mathis, a Democrat from Cedar Rapids, had this reply. “People don’t wake up every morning, Senator Schultz, and say: ‘I’m so glad I’m on Medicaid. I’m so glad I’m poor,'” Mathis said.
Senator Pam Jochum, a Democrat from Dubuque, says there are better ways to spend the cost five-million dollars it will cost to keep and analyze the reports Medicaid recipients submit about their work, volunteerism or school attendance. “This is not about new work requirements. We can keep saying it is. It is not,” Jochum said. “It’s about new reporting requirements.”
Jochum and the other Democrats present in the Senate today (Tuesday) voted against the bill, while all 32 Republicans voted for it. Senator Jerry Behn, of Boone, a Republican, says work requirements for welfare should be enforced. “It is simply a compassionate nudge toward being successful,” Behn said. “…This is a bill that we are in dire need of. Will it fix everything? No. Will it help? Yes.”
The bill now goes to the House. The Senate has passed two other bills aimed at making welfare program changes. One created a new crime of illegally possessing more than two food stamp cards and it passed unanimously.
In response to Governor Reynolds’ disaster declarations for many Iowa counties, the Iowa Department of Revenue has granted a 30-day extension and suspension of any penalty or interest for taxpayers whose principal residence or business is located in the disaster areas and whose payment or return is due on or before March 31. This includes all tax types.
The governor has issued declarations for 41 counties impacted by the recent flooding, including (locally): Adair, Crawford, Dallas, Fremont, Guthrie, Harrison, Mills, Monona, Montgomery, Page, Pottawattamie, and Shelby.
State law authorizes Iowa Department of Revenue Director Kraig Paulsen to extend the period of time for filing tax returns and making associated payments. This includes the suspension of any penalty or interest associated with those returns or payments.
Officials with Cass County Public Heath said Tuesday, Parents as Teachers (PAT) currently has limited openings. Parents who are interested in the program can contract Nancy Gibson, Parents as Teachers Educator with Cass County Public Health at 712-243-7475.
Referrals are also welcome – anyone who knows of a family that could benefit from participating is encouraged to call. PAT is a free program for Cass County families with children ages 0-5, which provides home visits to help young children grow up healthy, safe, and ready to learn.
Officials with the Harlan Police Department, Tuesday, issued report on arrests from over the past couple of weeks. This past Sunday, 28-year old Alicia Arlene Dellaca, of Avoca, was arrested following a traffic stop. Dellaca was transported to the Shelby County Jail where she was charged with operating while intoxicated, prohibited acts, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, operating without owner’s consent, false reports to police, driving while revoked, and careless driving.
Last Saturday, 24-year old Khadijah Meeks, of Harlan, was arrested following a traffic stop. Meeks was transported to the Shelby County Jail where she was charged with driving while revoked and violation of financial liability.
On March 12th, 24-year old Matthew Allen Strong, of Harlan was arrested on an active Shelby County warrant. Strong was transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was also charged with possession of drug paraphernalia and possession of burglary tools.
March 8th, following a traffic stop, Harlan Police arrested 27-year old Miranda June Willis, of Charter Oak. Willis was transported to the Shelby County Jail where she was charged with prohibited acts, possession of a controlled substance, possession of drug paraphernalia, operating a non-registered vehicle, and improper rear lamps.
And, on March 7th, 25-year old Jacob Wayne Jens, of Avoca, was arrested on an active Pottawatomie County warrant. Custody of Jens was transferred to a Shelby County deputy for transport to Pottawatomie County.
Officials with the Missouri DOT said Tuesday, the Interstate 29 closure has been extended further south to the U.S. 71 intersection north of St. Joseph, MO (mile marker 57) due to flooding. Previously, I-29 had been closed at Rock Port, MO (mile marker 110).
Interstate closures include:
Local traffic is urged to check www.511ia.org for current flood-related closures and detour routes. Interstate 29 travelers are being detoured using the following route:
Travelers should be aware that westbound I-680 on the detour route in Iowa is reduced to one lane due to damage from previous flood waters.
AMES, IOWA – Iowans submitted nominations between February 11 – March 11 to kick off the quest to find the best burger in Iowa. Nominations were accepted online by the Iowa Beef Industry Council and the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association. The number of votes each restaurant received determined the 2019 Top Ten restaurants. The restaurants making the Top Ten list (in alphabetical order) include:
Seven of the contestants have returned to the Top 10 list from previous nominations over the past few years, including the Robin’s Nest Cafe/Bakery in Clarinda, and The Twisted Tail in the Logan/Beebeetown area. (* indicates returning contestant)
To qualify, the burger must be a 100% beef patty or patties, although other ingredients may be added such as spices, and served on a bun or bread product. Burgers may include any combination of condiments, sauces, cheese or toppings.
The quest for the winner of the Iowa’s Best Burger will now begin. All Top Ten restaurants will be visited by a panel of anonymous judges who will evaluate the burgers based on taste, appearance, and proper doneness (160 degrees Fahrenheit). The judges’ scores and comments will be accumulated and the winner will be crowned on May 1.
To learn more about the contest and the Top Ten restaurants, including addresses and hours, visit www.iabeef.org. Last year, Café Beaudelaire of Ames took home the title of the 2018 Iowa’s Best Burger.