The planting season is pushing closer to the finish line after another good weather week. Corn planting moved to 86% complete by the end of last week -- compared to 57 percent the week before. That's 13 days behind last year -- but only three days behind the five-year average. The U-S-D-A report … [Read more...]
More planting progress expected this week
Cold, wet weather delayed farmers from getting into the fields this spring, but Iowa Ag Secretary Mike Naig, says they have been quickly working to catch up. "We had a significant week of progress last week on corn and soybean planting. You know, farmers are having to dodge some rain clouds this … [Read more...]
Avian flu restrictions lifted at poultry operations in three counties
The State Agriculture Department announced today that bird flu restrictions have been lifted for three commercial poultry sites in Franklin, Hamilton, and Humboldt County. The Iowa Turkey Federation's Gretta Irwin says this is the start of a recovery. "This shows that the farms have completed … [Read more...]
Planting takes big leap ahead with week of dry weather
Farmers finally got a chance to spend some extended time pulling their planters last week. The U.S.D.A. reports dry warm weather gave farmers five days suitable for fieldwork and they made use of them. Corn planting advanced from 14% to 57% completed. Soybean planting went from 7% in the ground … [Read more...]
Emerald Ash Borer confirmed in all but eight Iowa counties
The invasive insect that kills ash trees has been detached in 91 of Iowa's 99 counties. State officials have confirmed the emerald ash borer has been found in Dickinson and Humboldt Counties for the first time. Mike Kintner is the emerald ash borer coordinator for the Iowa Department of … [Read more...]
Weather kept farmers out of fields last week
There wasn't a lot of action in the farm fields last week. The U.S.D.A. crop report says weather limited farmers to just about two good days in the field. With no tractors pulling planters -- only 5 more percent of the corn crop got in the ground for a total now of 14%. That pace is two weeks … [Read more...]
Missouri River conditions forecast to improve
Iowa's weather pattern is making a big shift this week, from cold and rainy to hot and humid, raising familiar concerns about drought. Meteorologist Doug Kluck, climate services director for the Central Region of the National Weather Service, based in Kansas City, says some forecasts show … [Read more...]
World Food Prize winner a farmer and scientist
The winner of the 2022 World Food Prize is a senior research scientist at the NASA Goddard Institute for Space Studies. World Food Prize President, Barbara Stinson, made the announcement today. "I am so pleased to announce that the 2022 World Food Prize Laureate is Doctor Cynthia Rosenzweig of … [Read more...]
Planting starting out slow with cold temperatures and wet soil
The cool and wet weather has delayed planting in the state. The U.S.D.A. crop report shows that 9% of corn has been planted. That is 11 days behind last year and nine days behind the five-year average. Four percent of soybeans are in the ground -- which is nine days behind last year and five days … [Read more...]
Northeast Iowa family sentenced in farmland loan scheme
Three members of a northeast Iowa family who got double federal loans on their farmland and then declared bankruptcy have been sentenced on various charges. Fifty-three-year-old Aimee Rosenbaum of Lawler pleaded guilty to the conversion of property pledged to a farm credit agency and bankruptcy … [Read more...]