AMES, Iowa -- Producers who have lost livestock from the recent wind storms or heat may be eligible for payment through the Livestock Indemnity Program. Iowa State University (ISU) Extension beef program specialist Denise Schwab said the "Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008" authorized the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) to provide benefits to livestock producers for livestock deaths in excess of normal mortality caused by adverse weather.

Schwab said producers who think they have losses that might quality should remember that LIP has eligibility requirements and application deadlines.

"To be eligible for LIP, the livestock must be owned by the producer and raised for commercial use as part of a farming operation. Pets or recreational animals do not qualify," Schwab said. "Contract swine or poultry growers also may qualify for lost livestock if they have a written agreement with the livestock owner setting the specific terms, conditions and obligations of the parties involved."

Payment for losses is determined by USDA calculations but is approximately 75 percent of the average fair market value of the livestock, or 75 percent of the average income loss sustained by the contract grower with respect to the dead livestock, she said. Producers also are restricted by other USDA payment limitations.

Producers who suffer livestock death losses should submit a notice of loss and an application for payment to the local Farm Service Agency (FSA) service center that maintains the farm records for their business. This application needs to be made within 30 calendar days after the loss of livestock was apparent to the producer.

More information is available on the FSA website in this LIP fact sheet. People also can contact their local FSA office for details and to apply. The LIP sheet can be found at: http://www.fsa.usda.gov/Internet/FSA_File/lip2011_158c020211.pdf

For information on heat and heat stress in beef cattle operations, check out this page on the Iowa Beef Center website, or contact your ISU Extension beef program specialist. IBC site can be found at: http://www.iowabeefcenter.org/heatresources.html

IBC was established in 1996 with the goal of supporting the growth and vitality of the state's beef cattle industry. It comprises faculty and staff from ISU Extension, College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and College of Veterinary Medicine, and works to develop and deliver the latest research-based information regarding the beef cattle industry. For more information about IBC, visit www.iowabeefcenter.

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New Law Will Improve Quality of Illinois' Charter Schools  

and Empower Parents with More Choice  

   

CHICAGO - July 20, 2011. As part of his agenda to give Illinois' children more opportunities for a quality education in Illinois, Governor Pat Quinn today announced the signing of legislation that will increase school choice for parents. Senate Bill 79 establishes an independent charter school commission that is dedicated to school reform and has the power to authorize and regulate charter schools throughout the state.  

   

Currently, 13,000 children in Illinois are on waiting lists for charter schools, which can only be created when authorized by school districts and certified by the Illinois State Board of Education. The new State Charter School Commission will provide an alternative path to charter school creation and improve the quality of charter schools by setting accountability and outcome standards.   

   

"I am committed to expanding choices for a quality education for every child in Illinois," said Governor Quinn. "Parents shouldn't be limited by zip codes when choosing a school for their children. By creating an accountable body dedicated to charter schools, we are giving communities another way to empower parents with more choices for their child's education."  

   

Sponsored by Sen. Heather Steans (D-Chicago) and Rep. Karen Yarbrough (D-Maywood), Senate Bill 79 allows the State Charter School Commission to hear and decide all appeals to charter school applications. The Illinois Board of Education will appoint the nine members of the commission from a slate of candidates proposed by the Governor. The commission will be funded through fees to charter schools which are authorized by the commission.  

   

Governor Quinn also announced the signing of House Bill 2401, sponsored by Rep. Jerry Mitchell (R- Rock Falls) and Sen. Kimberly Lightford (D-Maywood), which clarifies Illinois law to ensure that each re-enrollment charter school campus has the option to enter the collective bargaining process as its own entity.   

   

Charter schools are just one part of Governor Quinn's broad agenda to give children more options for a great education in Illinois. In recent months, Governor Quinn signed legislation to pave the way for a longer school day and longer school year in Illinois, and establish first-ever performance standards for teachers. Senate Bill 79 goes into effect immediately and House Bill 2401 takes effect Jan. 1, 2012.  

 

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Washington, DC - Today, Congressman Bruce Braley (IA-01) announced a $131,100 grant for the City of Independence. The grant will go towards buying new snow removalequipment for the Independence Municipal Airport.

"This grant money will help the Independence airport ensure the safety of passengers and employees," Rep. Braley said. "Whether traveling for business or family vacation, Iowans rely on their community airports to be safe, secure and reliable. It's critical we give Iowa's airports the tools they need to prepare for all weather conditions and provide the safest and most efficient service to their customers."

The federal grant isdistributed through the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).

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Amana - Join Cindy and her guardian angels as they sing their way through more than just the spin cycle in The Old Creamery Theatre's production of Suds: The Rockin' 60's Musical Soap Opera opening on the Main Stage in Amana on Thursday, Aug. 4 at 3 p.m.

Set in a Laundromat, Suds will wash away your troubles with hit after hit from the 60's like "I Feel Good," "Chapel of Love," "Color My World," "Do You Want To Know A Secret," "Johnny Angel," "Wishin' and Hopin'" and many, many more.

Suds was created and written by Melinda Gilb, Steve Gunderson, and Bryan Scott with musical and vocal arrangements by Steve Gunderson. Sean McCall directs the Old Creamery's production of Suds with musical direction by Ben Bentler. The cast consists of Molly Hammer of Kansas City, Mo., Deborah Kennedy of East Amana, T.J. Besler of Manchester, and Jessica Bradish of Des Moines.

"The music in this show has such wide ranging appeal that all ages know it and can enjoy it," McCall said. "The cast, the storyline, the entire show is a pleasure to produce and we look forward to sharing it with our audiences. We're also excited to bring back The Old Creamery's Patsy Cline, Molly Hammer."

Suds: The Rockin' 60's Musical Soap Opera runs through Sept. 11 and is rated Theatre PG. Tickets are $27 for adults and $17.50 for students. Show times are Wednesday, Thursdays and Sundays at 3 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 p.m. Call the box office at 800-35-AMANA or visit the website at www.oldcreamery.com for more information or to purchase tickets. Group and student rates are available.

The Old Creamery Theatre Company is a not-for-profit professional theatre founded in 1971 in Garrison, Iowa. The company is celebrating 40 years of bringing live, professional theatre to the people of Iowa and the Midwest. We thank KGAN and Fox 28, our 2011 season media sponsor.