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Report says more farmers are hauling own grain

August 14, 2009 By

A new study by the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development at Iowa State University says the emergence of biofuels like ethanol has impacted the way grain is moved in the state. I.S.U. professor Chad Hart co-wrote the study that found a growing number of farmers are buying their own trucks and bypassing grain elevators as they transport their corn and soybeans to market.

"We see much more direct marketing of crops by farmers to the processors of those crops, so to the ethanol plants and to the biodiesel plants. Nearly a third of all Iowa corn and soybeans are now directly marketed by farmers to these processors," Hart says. Hart is an assistant professor of agricultural economics, and says the change in grain transportation has an impact on state roadways.

"We are seeing a lot more semi-truck traffic throughout the state and it’s something that has been building over the past several years, so we do see larger grain loads being moved by truck and they tend to be headed in all directions," Hart says. The study says that increased investment by the state to improve rural roads will be crucial as the heavy truck traffic continues to carry grain across the state.

You can see the full report at the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development website

 

Filed Under: Agriculture Tagged With: , , ,

Boswell says Obama willing to be one-term president

August 14, 2009 By

Congressman Leonard Boswell talks at town hall meeting in Sigourney. Congressman Leonard Boswell, a Democrat from Des Moines, is drawing national attention today for comments he made to three reporters yesterday in Sigourney.

According to Boswell, President Obama is willing to be a one-term president if that’s what it takes to get health care reform and a new, national energy policy.

Boswell told reporters Obama made the "one-term" comment during a February meeting with Boswell and other so-called "Blue Dog" Democrats.

"We talked about some of these things, you know, whether it’s energy or health care or whatever," Boswell said. "The president (said), ‘I’m not going to kick the can down the road.’ And he said that and I said, ‘Well, that’s something I’m kind of used to from southern Iowa, you know. I know about kicking the can down the road.’ And he said, ‘No, if it makes me a one-term president, I’m going to, we’re going to take it on because the country is in need of us taking this on.’ I respected that very much."

Boswell isn’t ready, yet, to say he’ll vote for a health care reform package.

"We don’t have a final bill, so how could I possibly know how I’m going to vote until I see a final bill," Boswell said in response to a reporter’s question. "Come on."

But Boswell isn’t saying he’ll vote "no" on a bill, either.

"We’ve got to make our effort and I’d rather fail trying than just fail, or just stand by," Boswell said.

Listen to Boswell’s appearance in Sigourney yesterday.

Filed Under: Business, Health & Medicine, Politics & Government Tagged With: , , , ,

Thief makes off with 500 golf balls in Spencer

August 14, 2009 By

Spencer police are looking for someone who apparently needs a lot of practice with their driver. Somebody, or some people made off with about 500 golf balls from the driving range at the Spencer Municipal Golf Course.

The balls are all white and marked with a practice logo. Police believe the golf balls were taken sometime late Wednesday night or early Thursday morning and they are asking the public for help finding the thief.

 

Filed Under: Crime & Courts

Rabid squirrel case called rare

August 14, 2009 By

Last week’s case of a rabid squirrel that bit two eastern Iowans is highly rare, according to an official with the Iowa Department of Public Health. There have only been two other rabid squirrel cases nationwide in the past decade. Dr. Ann Garvey, a public health veterinarian, says it’s almost unheard-of for squirrels to go on the attack.

Garvey says, "We did have a squirrel that was found to be positive and that’s very unusual here in Iowa and across the U.S." The bushy-tailed animal nipped a woman on the foot last Friday in Iowa City. The woman managed to capture the squirrel in her garage, called animal control and then the squirrel bit the responding officer, too.

The squirrel was displaying some of the obvious signs of rabies — acting lethargic one moment and attacking the next. Garvey says it was taken to the Iowa Hygienic Laboratory and tested positive for rabies. She says, "It is very rare but we do know that all mammals can be infected with rabies so we definitely know it’s possible and we like to remind folks to take precautions." No matter how cute and cuddly they may appear to be, Garvey says wild animals are still wild and can pose a threat.

"We really want people to enjoy wildlife from afar," Garvey says. "If animals are sick or hurt, it’s not in the best interest of the animals or really for the human’s health to intervene." Based on the strain of rabies, she says the squirrel likely was bitten by a bat.

 

Filed Under: Environment & Conservation, Health & Medicine

Pine Lake State Park reopening faster than thought

August 14, 2009 By

The storm-damaged Pine Lake State Park near Eldora is reopening much sooner than expected. The camp suffered extensive damage as a result of the wind and hail storm that tore through the camp last Sunday. State Department of Natural Resources regional parks supervisor Greg

Van Fossen said crews have made tremendous in clean up efforts but there will still be signs of the storm and debris scattered throughout the park, beach and trails. Camping is being accepted on a first come, first serve basis. Reservations for the campground will resume this Monday, August 17th. The park cabins are open for all current and future reservations.

The beach and beach parking lot are open but there is still some residual storm debris. The Hogsback Picnic area and upper boat ramp remain closed.

 

Filed Under: Environment & Conservation, Fires/Accidents/Disasters Tagged With:

U-I international student program sets enrollment mark

August 14, 2009 By

After enduring a big dent following the Nine Eleven attacks, the University of Iowa’s program for international students has recovered — and set a new enrollment landmark.

Scott King, director of the U-of-I’s Office of International Students and Scholars, says they’ll have a record of more than 650 new students from other countries on the Iowa City campus this fall. King says the largest numbers are coming from China, South Korea and India.

King says, "Even though the economies have been hit really hard, especially in South Korea, this is an expense that families are willing to pay for and have actually saved for many, many years for their children."

International students at the U-of-I this fall hail from 57 countries, from Australia to Zimbabwe. King says Iowa has a lot to offer students from around the globe.

"We have excellent programs, we’ve got a good world reputation," King says. "We also have the advantage of being in a smaller community which is a lot less expensive for living. Compare us to some of the educational hubs like Washington, Boston, San Francisco. Living here is a bargain."

In the months after the 2001 terrorist attacks, it became very difficult for some people to enter the U.S. and the U-of-I program saw a dip in its international numbers. King says things have greatly improved since then.

"The U.S. government’s a lot more comfortable in issuing visas," King says. "Two or three years ago at a meeting with university presidents, then-President Bush and Secretary Rice agreed to give student visas priority in the visa system and not only did they promised it but it actually happened and is working well."

The fall, the U-of-I’s crop of international students includes about 400 new undergrads and more than 250 graduate students. The number of undergraduate international students has more than doubled since 2007. It brings the overall international student population at Iowa to nearly 2,500.

 

Filed Under: Education, Politics & Government Tagged With:

Antique ag equipment on display in Belmond

August 14, 2009 By

Equipment from Iowa’s agricultural history will be chugging away in the fields of north-central Iowa at an event starting today in Wright County. David Nelson is helping coordinate the 20th annual Antique Power Machine and Country Craft Show in the Belmond area.

He says they’ll be threshing about 15 acres of oats, plowing 50 acres of ground with old tractors, and sawing wood with steam engines. Case equipment is being highlighted this year. Nelson says there will be plenty of food and musical entertainment at the festival, which runs through Sunday.

The event is sponsored by the Belmond Area Arts Council and the Jenison-Meachum Art Museum. For more information, visit: www.belmondartscenter.org ".

Filed Under: Agriculture
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