WEST DES MOINES, IOWA - January 8, 2014 - In its first year, the statewide network of farmers, animal well-being experts, veterinarians and industry leaders known as the Iowa Farm Animal Care Coalition (IFAC) responded to a wide-ranging series of farmer and consumer questions about farm animal care in Iowa through its 1-800-252-0577 help line or at www.iowafarmanimalcare.org.

IFAC was formed in 2013 to answer Iowans' questions about farm animal care and assist farmers with farm animal care resources to help ensure all Iowa farm animals benefit from the latest science-based animal care standards.

"In the inaugural year of IFAC, we received 15 calls, ranging from farmers seeking advice, to neighbors or people just driving by a farm, wanting to know more about animals being raised outdoors in inclement weather.  We have had farmers, sheriffs and veterinarians all weighing in on these questions and providing excellent follow-up and assistance as needed," says IFAC Executive Director Denny Harding.

IFAC was modeled after the 20-year-old Alberta Farm Animal Care program, which has grown in scope to handle hundreds of calls a year.

"Consumers have a lot of questions about where their food comes from, so it's nice to have this resource available to them," said Harding. "But it's good to know they're finding us, because until IFAC, there wasn't a centralized place where Iowans could go to find out about how farm animals respond to extremes in climate like the cold temperatures we're seeing now, or how diverse Iowa's livestock farms really are. Now, they can call if they see something they don't understand or just to learn more about how responsible livestock farmers care for their animals."

In addition to providing information on farm animal care to consumers and referrals to farmers, IFAC also provides access to animal care experts who specialize in many aspects of animal care, including animal science experts and veterinarians from Iowa State University's Colleges of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture and Life Sciences, and the Iowa State Veterinarian office at the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS).  This independent team of experts makes up the On-Farm Evaluation Team and specializes in performing voluntary on-site evaluations to ensure appropriate farm animal care is being given.

IFAC has a four-person Advisory Committee including Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey, Animal Rescue League of Iowa Executive Director Tom Colvin, State of Iowa Veterinarian Dr. David Schmitt, and Iowa State Sheriff and Deputy Association President Jerry Dunbar.

IFAC is a collaborative effort including farmers from the Iowa Farm Bureau, the Iowa Pork Producers, Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine and College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.

For more information about IFAC or farm animal care in Iowa, visit www.iowafarmanimalcare.org or call 1-800-252-0577.

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During limited-time sale, fans may order personalized 2013 Midwest League championship rings

DAVENPORT, Iowa (JAN. 8, 2014) - Fans of the Quad Cities River Bandits can own a piece of history with a commemorative 2013 Midwest League Championship ring in a limited-time sale. Until Feb. 1, fans may purchase rings that match the ones earned by the team's players and staff, and each fan may personalize the championship hardware with his or her last name on the side of the ring.

Fans may order rings by completing an order form at Modern Woodmen Park, calling 563-324-3000 or visiting www.riverbandits.com. Each ring is $295, and all orders must be received and paid by Feb. 1.

"We are thrilled to offer River Bandits fans the opportunity to show their championship pride with rings identical to those earned by the team!" said River Bandits co-owner Dave Heller. "Our fans made Modern Woodmen Park the best place to win and celebrate two Midwest League Championships in the past three seasons, and these special-edition rings will give them a unique keepsake to honor that support."

Pictures of the ring design are available at www.riverbandits.com. On the face of the ring will be "Midwest League Champions" around the border with the colored logo of the Q-C letters with cowboy hat and bandana in the middle of the ring. One side of the ring will have the year - 2013 - and the logo of the River Bandits' major league affiliate, the Houston Astros. The other side will have the raccoon logo from the River Bandits' cap and space for the wearer's last name. Rings are classic design in sterling silver with cubic zirconia, raised name, tooling and a customized wood presentation box.

The River Bandits will open the 2014 Midwest League season at Modern Woodmen Park Thursday, April 3. A full schedule of home and road games for 2014 is available at www.riverbandits.com, and ticket plans for the 2014 season are now on sale.

UP NEXT: Season-ticket holders can still guarantee their same seats for the upcoming season, but time is running short! Ticket-plan holders must renew their plans with a $50 deposit per seat by Jan. 31, in order to keep the same seats as last season. Contact your account representative or call 563-324-3000 today to renew your ticket plan. To order ticket plans - with new lower prices - for next season, call the River Bandits box office at 563-324-3000 or visit www.riverbandits.com to download the season ticket order form. Season ticket and mini-plan packages start at just seven games and begin at less than $40. Call a River Bandits account representative today to choose your seats and get the details of our various mini-plan packages.

ABOUT THE BANDITS: Having just been named Ballpark Digest's winner of Best Ballpark Improvement in America under $1 million, the River Bandits ownership is making one of the biggest improvements to Modern Woodmen Park since the ballpark was first built back in 1931! A new Ferris wheel, standing 112 feet over the playing field, is planned for this spring, along with a carousel, a new ride called a "Drop and Twist," an expanded zip line, and many other new games and attractions. In 2013, the team unveiled a new 220-foot long dual zip line, a rock climbing wall, and a number of new bounce houses. The team's major league affiliate, the Houston Astros, just saw all six of its affiliates reach the playoffs - the first time in a decade any MLB team can claim such success. The River Bandits were one of three affiliates to reach the championship round and one of two to win their league championship.

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Soldiers will repair damaged trucks from winter storm

SPRINGFIELD, IL (01/08/2014)(readMedia)-- More than 30 Illinois Army National Guard mechanics were activated to support the winter storm efforts Jan. 8. Soldiers from across Illinois responded to Gov. Pat Quinn's request to supplement the supporting efforts of Illinois Central Management Services to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) with truck repair and maintenance of winter storm equipment degraded by the events over the last week.

"The best of our best mechanics in the Illinois National Guard are ready to assist and share their expertise during this unique mission," said Brig. Gen. Daniel M. Krumrei of Springfield, the Adjutant General of the Illinois National Guard. "Whether turning wrenches or recovering vehicles on the snow-packed roads across Illinois, our men and women in the Illinois National Guard are proud to support the citizens of Illinois."

Soldiers from Company B, 634th Brigade Support Battalion (BSB) in Champaign; Company D, 634th BSB in Galva; Company E, 634th BSB in Joliet; Company G, 634th in Crestwood; 3625th Maintenance Company in North Riverside and 3637th Maintenance Company in Springfield all deployed to various IDOT locations and will assist until Friday.

"We are very appreciative of the assistance and dedicated service from the Illinois National Guard," said Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann L. Schneider. "The extreme temperatures coupled with the weight and volume of snow have been really hard on our equipment and has caused breakdowns in some areas. The help from the Illinois National Guard will get those trucks back on the road more quickly and efficiently, to continue the work necessary to ensure the continuing safety of the motoring public."

Earlier this week on Jan. 6, Quinn activated two Soldiers to assist IDOT and Illinois State Police to pull three civilian vehicles and five semi tractor-trailers out of the snow and line of traffic. Another 13 Soldiers were on stand-by to assist before all 15 Soldiers were relieved of duty Jan. 6.