13 Aug 2013

Competition Awards at the Iowa State Fair

By Lori Chappell

Sibley FFA Student Brings Home the Beef in Iowa State Fair Show

Breanna Gradert of Sibley exhibited the Supreme Female Champion in the FFA Breeding Beef Show held Thursday at the 2013 Iowa State Fair.

Gradert's entry was also named Champion Maine-Anjou Heifer. The commercial heifer belonging to Kale Spengler of Durant earned the Reserve Supreme Female title.

Additional results below:

Champion Angus Bull: Erin Steele, Anita

Reserve Champion Angus Bull: Katie Friederichs, Walcott

Champion All Other Breeds Bull: Rachel Rigdon, Mediapolis

Reserve Champion All Other Breeds Bull: Cody Korthaus, Moulton

Champion Angus Cow-Calf: Kale Kiesewetter, Letts

Reserve Champion Angus Cow-Calf: Maria Wagemester, Clinton

Champion All Other Breeds Cow-Calf: Alexandra Hunter, DeWitt

Reserve Champion All Other Breeds Cow-Calf: Katlyn Ruth, Iowa City

Champion Crossbred Cow-Calf: Rachel Maloy, Ottumwa

Reserve Champion Crossbred Cow-Calf: Ragen Maloy, Ottumwa

Champion Overall Cow-Calf: Kale Kiesewetter, Clinton

Reserve Champion Overall Cow-Calf: Rachel Maloy, Ottumwa

Champion Angus Heifer: Leo Kruse, Osage

Reserve Champion Angus Heifer: Erin Steele, Anita

Champion Charolais Heifer: Brandon Reynolds, Indianola

Reserve Champion Charolais Heifer: Kaylee Snyder, Bloomfield

Champion Chianina Heifer: Bailey Core, Pleasantville

Reserve Champion Chianina Heifer: Mallory Bormann, Algona

Champion Hereford Heifer: Colton Black, Chariton

Reserve Champion Hereford Heifer: Jenna Kauzlarich, Knoxville

Champion Limousin Heifer: Aaron Linhart, Leon

Reserve Champion Limousin Heifer: Aaron Linhart, Leon

Champion Maine-Anjou Heifer: Breanna Gradert, Sibley

Reserve Champion Maine-Anjour Heifer: Kellen Suntken, Belmond

Champion Appendix Maine-Anjou Heifer: Ashley Kress, Audubon

Reserve Champion Appendix Maine-Anjou Heifer: Troy Shaw, Ogden

Champion Simmental Heifer: Katlyn Ruth, Iowa City

Reserve Champion Simmental Heifer: Michaella Beckman, New London

Champion Foundation Simmental Heifer: Matthew Noland, Adair

Reserve Champion Foundation Simmental Heifer: Reed Shockley, Keokuk

Champion All Other Breeds Heifer: Chad Obrecht, Oakland

Reserve Champion All Other Breeds Heifer: Mikaela Boss, Manchester

Champion Commercial Heifer: Kale Spengler, Durant

Reserve Champion Commercial Heifer: Bailey Core, Pleasantville

Awards Given in FFA Poultry Competition at Iowa State Fair

Sixty-four FFA members exhibited 354 birds in the Poultry Show judged Thursday at the 2013 Iowa State Fair.

Kelly Colehour of Anamosa showed the Grand Champion Market Broiler. Runner-up to

Colehour and claiming the Reserve Champion Market Broiler title was Isaac Luzum of Decorah.

The Grand Champion Breeding Birds title went to Kristin Samson of Newton. Emily Meerdink of Hawarden claimed the Reserve Champion Breeding Birds title.

Breed division winners in the FFA Poultry Show included:

Champion American: Payton Rivera, Durant

Reserve Champion American: Payton Rivera, Durant

Champion Mediterranean: Jay McCoskey, Jewell

Reserve Champion Mediterranean: Jay McCoskey, Jewell

Champion English: Emily Meerdink, Hawarden

Reserve Champion English: Emily Meerdink, Hawarden

Champion Miscellaneous: Darcey Tjaden, Wyoming

Reserve Champion Miscellaneous: Darcey Tjaden, Wyoming

Champion Bantam, Old English Game: Ben Parcher, Rudd

Reserve Champion Bantam, Old English Game: Ben Parcher, Rudd

Champion Bantam, Rose Comb, Clean Legged: Payton Rivera, Durant

Reserve Champion Bantam, Rose Comb, Clean Legged: Payton Rivera, Durant

Champion Bantam, Any Other Comb, Clean Legged: Gabi Martens, Wyoming

Champion Bantam, Feather Legged: Kristin Samson, Newton

Reserve Champion Bantam, Feather Legged: Gabi Martens, Wyoming

Champion Bantam, Single Comb, Clean Legged: Cami Maurer, Wilton

Reserve Champion Bantam, Single Comb, Clean Legged: Cami Maurer, Wilton

Champion Market Ducks: Arianna Jamieson, Newton

Champion Breeding Ducks: Alaina Martensen, Onslow

Reserve Champion Breeding Ducks: Mary Broadfoot, Charlotte

Champion Breeding Geese: Myranda Bartels, Elma

Reserve Champion Breeding Geese: Myranda Bartels, Elma

Champion Market Turkeys: Cassidy Simmons, Guthrie Center

Reserve Champion Market Turkeys: Cassidy Simmons, Guthrie Center

Champion Asiatic: Emily Meerdink, Hawarden

Reserve Champion Asiatic: Alaina Martensen, Onslow

Champion Continental: Alaina Martensen, Onslow

Reserve Champion Continental: Madalyn Boehm, Elgin

Champion Large Fowl: Emily Meerdink, Hawarden

Reserve Champion Large Fowl: Emily Meerdink, Hawarden

Champion Bantam: Kristin Samson, Newton

Reserve Champion Bantam: Payton Rivera, Durant

Champion Roasters: Ben Friederichs, Walcott

Reserve Champion Roasters: Koltin Sulzner, DeWitt

Champion Commercial: Cassidy Simmons, Guthrie Center

Reserve Champion Commercial: Arianna Jamieson, Newton

Judges Award Top Honors at Iowa State Fair Columbia Sheep Show

Three Minnesota exhibitors collected top honors in the Columbia Sheep show judged Friday at the 2013 Iowa State Fair.

Isaiah Bauck of New York Mills, Minn., showed the Champion Ram and Champion Ewe and placed first in the Premier Exhibitor contest.

Charles and Louise Worm of Lakefield, Minn., showed the Reserve Champion Ram and took third place in the Premier Exhibitor contest. Reserve Champion Ewe banner was awarded to Thiesen Columbias of Windom, Minn., who also earned second place in the Premier Exhibitor contest.

Complete results below (names, hometowns and animal identification):

Yearling Ram

1) Isaiah Bauck, New York Mills, Minn., Bauck 2-17, 2/22/2012, 420681

2) Charles and Louise Worm, Lakefield, Minn., Rench 1266, 1/10/2012, U20560

3) Charles and Louise Worm, Lakefield, Minn., Worm 200, 9/14/2011, U20696

4) Hi-Way C Columbias, Mindoro, Wis., Hi-Way C 150, 2/13/2012, U20513

Color Yearling Ram

1) Travaille Family Columbias, Sibley, HF 12-1025, 1/15/2012, 055376

Fall Ram Lamb

1) Micki Williams, Freeport, Ill., M Williams 1302 QR, 9/13/2012, U 21655

2) Isaiah Bauck, New York Mills, Minn., Bauck 2-96, 10/14/2012

3) Charles and Louise Worm, Lakefield, Minn., Worm 310, 10/21/2012, Applied For

4) Dar Braet, Calamus, Fall Ram, 9/17/2012

5) Isaiah Bauck, New York Mills, Minn., Bauck 2-93, 9/30/2012, 422025

6) Travaille Family Columbias, Sibley, Travaille F12-11, 9/17/2012, U22003

7) Thiesen Family Columbias, Windom, Minn., Frey 12-8, 9/13/2012

8) Hi-Way C Columbias, Mindoro, Wis., Hi-Way C 170, 9/12/2012, U21854

9) Travaille Family Columbia's, Sibley, Travaille F12-17, 9/19/2012, U 22002

January Ram Lamb

1) Isaiah Bauck, New York Mills, Minn., Bauck 3-4, 1/14/2013, 422028

2) Isaiah Bauck, New York Mills, Minn., Bauck 3-2, 1/10/2013, 422026

3) Thiesen Family Columbias, Windom, Minn., Thiesen 503, 1/25/2013, 621823

4) Hi-Way C Columbias, Mindoro, Wis., Hi-Way C 172, 1/17/2013, U21858

5) Charles and Louise Worm, Lakefield, Minn., Worm 330, 1/6/2013

6) Hi-Way C Columbias, Mindoro, Wis., Hi-Way C 174, 1/17/2013, U21862

February Ram Lamb

1) Isaiah Bauck, New York Mills, Minn., Bauck 3-18, 2/21/2013, 422031

2) Isaiah Bauck, New York Mills, Minn., Bauck 372, 2/19/2013, 622030

3) Charles and Louise Worm, Lakefield, Minn., Worm, 2/2/2013

4) Micki Williams, Freeport, Ill. , M Williams 1326 QR, 2/11/2013, U 21920

5) Travaille Family Columbia's, Sibley, Travaille 13-99, 2/25/2013

6) Charles and Louise Worm, Lakefield, Minn., Worm 3029, 2/1/2013

7) Hi-Way C Columbias, Mindoro, Wis., Hi-Way C 179, 2/2/2013, U21850

8) Thiesen Family Columbias, Windom, Minn., Thiesen 514, 2/16/2013, 621825

March and After Ram Lamb

1) Hi-Way C Columbias, Mindoro, Wis., Hi-Way C 187, 3/3/2013, U21863

2) Isaiah Bauck, New York Mills, Minn., Bauck 3-28, 3/22/2013, 622037

3) Thiesen Family Columbias, Windom, Minn., Thiesen 398, 3/10/2013

4) Isaiah Bauck, New York Mills, Minn., Bauck 3-24, 3/4/2013, 422036

5) Hi-Way C Columbias, Mindoro, Wis., Hi-Way C 189, 3/5/2013, U21849

Color Ram Lamb - All Ages

1) Duane Bauck, New York Mills, Minn., CJ 3-15, 2/20/2013, 422014

2) Duane Bauck, New York Mills, Minn., 65 3-7, 1/6/2013, 422013

Pair of Ram Lambs

1) Isaiah Bauck, New York Mills, Minn.

2) Charles and Louise Worm, Lakefield, Minn.

3) Hi-Way C Columbias, Mindoro, Wis.

4) Duane Bauck, New York Mills, Minn.

5) Micki Williams, Freeport, Ill.

6) Thiesen Family Columbias, Windom, Minn.

7) Travaille Family Columbias, Sibley

Yearling Ewe

1) Isaiah Bauck, New York Mills, Minn., Bauck, 2/17/2012, 620674

2) Isaiah Bauck, New York Mills, Minn., Bauck 1-81, 9/29/2011, 620663

3) Travaille Family Columbias, Sibley, Travaille 12-38, 2/10/2012

4) Charles and Louise Worm, Lakefield, Minn., Worm 204, 9/25/2011, U20697

5) Thiesen Family Columbias, Windom, Minn., Thiesen 571, 2/2/2012, 620647

6) Hi-Way C Columbias, Mindoro, Wis., Hi-Way C 148, 1/28/2012, U20512

7) Micki Williams, Freeport, Ill., M Williams 1216 QR, 1/24/2012, U 20346

8) Charles and Louise Worm, Lakefield, Minn., Worm 243, 2/17/2012, U20928

9) Thiesen Family Columbias, Windom, Minn., Thiesen 598, 3/3/2012, 620537

10) Travaille Family Columbias, Sibley, Travaille 12-84, 2/18/2012

11) Hi-Way C Columbias, Mindoro, Wis., Hi-Way C 159, 3/1/2012, U20524

12) Micki Williams, Freeport, Ill., M Williams 1209 QR, 1/21/2012, U 20339

Pair of Yearling Ewes

1) Isaiah Bauck, New York Mills, Minn.

2) Charles and Louise Worm, Lakefield, Minn.

3) Travaille Family Columbias, Sibley

4) Thiesen Family Columbias, Windom, Minn.

5) Hi-Way C Columbias, Mindoro, Wis.

6) Micki Williams, Freeport, Ill.

Fall Ewe Lamb

1) Thiesen Family Columbias, Windom, Minn., Frey 12-5, 9/9/2012

2) Hi-Way C Columbias, Mindoro, Wis., Hi-Way C 169, 9/12/2012, U21855

3) Isaiah Bauck, New York Mills, Minn., Bauck 2-68, 10/14/2012

4) Charles and Louise Worm, Lakefield, Minn., Worm 305, 10/2/2012

5) Thiesen Family Columbias, Windom, Minn., M Williams 1301, 9/13/2012

6) Micki Williams, Freeport, Ill., M Williams 1308 QR, 9/15/2012, U 21665

7) Isaiah Bauck, New York Mills, Minn., Bauck 2-67, 9/22/2012, 622021

8) Travaille Family Columbias, Sibley, Travaille F12-08, 9/17/2012, U22004

9) Shane Travaille, Sibley, Frey 12-7, 9/11/2012

10) Chad Travaille, Sibley, Bauck 2-73, 10/10/2012

11) Travaille Family Columbias, Sibley, Travaille F12-10, 9/17/2012

January Ewe Lamb

1) Isaiah Bauck, New York Mills, Minn., Bauck 3-30, 1/10/2013, 422064

2) Isaiah Bauck, New York Mills, Minn., Bauck 3-32, 1/14/2013, 622029

3) Thiesen Family Columbias, Windom, Minn., Man the 100, 1/29/2013

4) Hi-Way C Columbias, Mindoro, Wis., Hi-Way C 175, 1/19/2013, U21861

5) Travaille Family Columbias, Sibley, Travaille 13-38, 1/30/2013

6) Micki Williams, Freeport, Ill., M Williams 1324 RR, 1/31/2013, U 21916

7) Chad Travaille, Sibley, Kuehne 1305, 1/18/2013

8) Thiesen Family Columbias, Windom, Minn., Thiesen 502, 1/25/2013, 621818

9) Hi-Way C Columbias, Mindoro, Wis., Hi-Way C 173, 1/17/2013, U21859

10) Travaille Family Columbias, Sibley, Travaille 13-39, 1/30/2013, U 22010

February Ewe Lamb

1) Isaiah Bauck, New York Mills, Minn., Bauck 3-44, 2/28/2013, 422033

2) Micki Williams, Freeport, Ill., M Williams 1325 QR, 2/11/2013, U 21917

3) Thiesen Family Columbias, Windom, Minn., Thiesen 508, 2/3/2013, 621821

4) Charles and Louise Worm, Lakefield, Minn., Worm 339, 2/16/2013

5) Isaiah Bauck, New York Mills, Minn., Bauck 3-40, 2/17/2013, 422032

6) Hi-Way C Columbias, Mindoro, Wis., Hi-Way C 180, 2/2/2013, U21847

7) Thiesen Family Columbias, Windom, Minn., Thiesen 511, 2/7/2013, 621830

8) Travaille Family Columbias, Sibley, Travaille 13-96, 2/25/2013

9) Dar Braet, Calamus, Feb Ewe Lamb, 2/4/2013

10) Charles and Louise Worm, Lakefield, Minn., Worm 338, 2/16/2013

March and After Ewe Lamb

1) Isaiah Bauck, New York Mills, Minn., Bauck 3-56, 3/18/2013, 622034

2) Thiesen Family Columbias, Windom, Minn., Thiesen 520, 3/2/2013, 621831

3) Hi-Way C Columbias, Mindoro, Wis., Hi-Way C 186, 3/2/2013, U21853

4) Isaiah Bauck, New York Mills, Minn., Bauck 3-97, 3/18/2013, 622035

5) Dar Braet, Calamus, 2/23/2013

6) Travaille Family Columbias, Sibley, Travaille 13-109, 3/2/2013

7) Charles and Louise Worm, Lakefield, Minn., Worm 345, 3/4/2013

8) Charles and Louise Worm, Lakefield, Minn., Worm 344, 3/11/2013

9) Hi-Way C Columbias, Mindoro, Wis., Hi-Way C 185, 3/2/2013, U21852

10) Thiesen Family Columbias, Windom, Minn., Thiesen 524, 3/5/2013, 621828

Color Ewe Lamb-All Ages

1) Duane Bauck, New York Mills, Minn., 65 3-35, 1/30/2013, 622016

2) Duane Bauck, New York Mills, Minn., CJ 3-47, 2/27/2013, 622017

Pair of Ewe Lambs

1) Isaiah Bauck, New York Mills, Minn.

2) Thiesen Family Columbias, Windom, Minn.

3) Micki Williams, Freeport, Ill.

4) Hi-Way C Columbias, Mindoro, Wis.

5) Charles and Louise Worm, Lakefield, Minn.

6) Travaille Family Columbia's, Sibley

7) Chad Travaille, Sibley

8) Dar Braet, Calamus

9) Duane Bauck, New York Mills, Minn.

Pair of Lambs

1) Isaiah Bauck, New York Mills, Minn.

2) Micki Williams, Freeport, Ill.

3) Thiesen Family Columbias, Windom, Minn.

4) Hi-Way C Columbias, Mindoro, Wis.

5) Charles and Louise Worm, Lakefield, Minn.

6) Travaille Family Columbia's, Sibley

7) Dar Braet, Calamus

8) Duane Bauck, New York Mills, Minn.

Young Flock

1) Isaiah Bauck, New York Mills, Minn.

2) Micki Williams, Freeport, Ill.

3) Thiesen Family Columbias, Windom, Minn.

4) Charles and Louise Worm, Lakefield, Minn.

5) Hi-Way C Columbias, Mindoro, Wis.

6) Travaille Family Columbia's, Sibley

7) Dar Braet, Calamus

Flock

1) Isaiah Bauck, New York Mills, Minn.

2) Charles and Louise Worm, Lakefield, Minn.

3) Thiesen Family Columbias, Windom, Minn.

4) Micki Williams, Freeport, Ill.

5) Travaille Family Columbia's, Sibley

6) Hi-Way C Columbias, Mindoro, Wis.

Champion Ram: Isaiah Bauck, New York Mills, Minn., Bauck 2-17

Reserve Champion Ram: Charles & Louise Worm, Lakefield, Minn., Rench 1266

Champion Ewe: Isaiah Bauck, New York Mills, Minn., Bauck

Reserve Champion Ewe: Thiesen Family Columbias, Windom, Minn., Frey 12-5

"Nothing Compares" to the 2013 Iowa State Fair, August 8-18. The Fairgrounds are located at East 30th and East University Avenue, just 10 minutes east of downtown Des Moines, and are open 7 a.m. to 1 a.m. each day of the Fair. Exhibit hours may vary. For more information, call 800/545-FAIR or visit iowastatefair.org.

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12 Aug 2013

What's New at the Freight House Farmers' Market

By Jeff Ignatius

Come to the Market and enjoy the best the QCA has to offer!

Peppers add a splash of color and a wonderful exciting taste to salads, pastas, soups, sauces and stews.  Don't forget to add some to fresh tomatoes and make your own homemade salsa.
Seedless watermelons are so good we put them in two newsletters.
Be sure to bring the kids, they love the playground,bounce house and clowns.  You will love the outdoor fresh air, great foods and healthy choices.  Make it a Market day for the whole family.  Admission and fun is always free!
The corn was knee high by the 4th of July and now its as high as an elephants eye! Come down and enjoy some fresh roasted corn here at the market or take home a dozen or two and enjoy all week.
12 Aug 2013

The Iowa State Fair's Largest Thank You Card to Farmers

By Nancy Doll
??As the Iowa State Fair gets underway, Farm Bureau Financial Services is pleased to present the fair's largest thank you card to farmers. This is a great opportunity for fair goers to sign their names or leave a message in support of Iowa's farm families.


09 Aug 2013

IOWA FARM BUREAU LAUNCHES NEW PROGRAM TO HELP IOWANS KEEP FARMING IN THE FAMILY

By Laurie Johns

'Take Root' Focuses on Farm Business and Succession Planning

WEST DES MOINES, IOWA - August 8, 2013 - Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF), the state's largest grassroots farm organization, launched a new program today to help farmers develop business and succession plans. The program, called Take Root, was established to help farm families work through a step-by-step process of developing a vision for their operation and a managed approach to the obstacles they face in farm growth and transition.

"Over 97 percent of farms in Iowa are family-owned and operated, according to the 2007 Ag Census, and we'd like to see that continue," said IFBF Farm Business Development Manager Nathan Katzer. "Our aim is to provide resources to help farm families build their own vision for the future, because creating a vision that's bigger than you could grow by yourself is at the root of business and succession planning."

A series of four "Take Root" business continuation and succession planning sessions will be offered around the state starting this month, free of charge for Farm Bureau members and $45 for non-members.

"Many Farm Bureau members told us that succession planning is one of their biggest ongoing concerns," Katzer said. "We want to help multi-generation farm families develop plans to bring the younger members into the ownership structure of the operation and will help families develop flexible contingencies for the uncertain times ahead."

Katzer said surveys of Iowa farms highlight a clear need for a program like Take Root.  "History shows us that only 30 percent of the farms successfully make the transition from the first to the second generation and only 10 percent of those make it to the third generation.  Keeping Iowa farming legacies intact and ongoing is essential to the continued success of our state's agriculture industry," he said.

Katzer said each plan will be different because they will build on the strengths of each farm and be customized to their needs.

The Take Root program will connect farmers with expert resources including lenders, attorneys, Iowa State University and others who have been successful in helping farm families manage their farm transitions.

"The program is a comprehensive approach to planning for a family farm's continuation and growth from the roots up," said Katzer.

The four pilot sites for the Take Root sessions are:

August 29 in Eldora at 6:00 p.m. at the Fire House Grill.

September 9 in Fort Dodge at 6:00 p.m. at the Webster County Farm Bureau office.

September 10 in Nashua at the Iowa State University Borlaug Center at 6:30 p.m.

September 12 in Creston at 6:30 p.m. at Southwestern Community College.

For more information on Take Root, go to www.iowafarmbureau.com or contact Katzer at 515-225-5494 or nkatzer@ifbf.org.

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05 Aug 2013

IOWA FARM BUREAU SHOWS HOW "IOWA RISES UP"AT 2013 IOWA STATE FAIR

By Rick Martin

Visitors to Farm Bureau Park can meet Iowa farmers, win great prizes

WEST DES MOINES, IOWA - Aug. 5, 2013 - This year Iowa State Fair visitors will have the opportunity to Spin the Wheel at Farm Bureau Park to win great prizes while learning how Iowa's farmers help "Iowa Rise Up."  No matter the degree of agriculture knowledge, fairgoers will have the opportunity to interact with Iowa farmers while also having the chance to earn great prizes.

Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) members will enjoy a number of perks at the fair, while Farm Bureau Park showcases how Iowa farmers help "Iowa Rise Up" by raising and growing our food and energy.  Members can redeem a thank you coupon for a free gift and register for a chance to win a free Cub Cadet Zero Turn Riding Mower.  Members are encouraged to sign up family and friends as new Farm Bureau members, with the new member entered in a drawing for $2,000 in free ethanol.

All park visitors can take a guess at how many balls are loaded in the cab of a Ford F-150 for a chance to win $500.  Farm Bureau Park visitors also have the opportunity to win a Big Green Egg smoker grill and sign the fair's largest Thank You card to Iowa's farmers, courtesy of Farm Bureau Financial Services.  Park guests will have the chance to sign up daily to win a free smart phone from Farm Bureau's newest benefit partner, Ready Mobile.

Visitors are encouraged to learn more about Farm Bureau benefit partners and special member discounts on services and products including Morton Buildings, Case IH tractors, hay equipment and utility vehicles, Ford and Lincoln vehicles and Wellmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield health insurance available through Farm Bureau agents.  The newest partner, Ready Mobile, will be on site to answer questions and will provide a free phone charging station for fairgoers with a low cell phone battery.

Young fairgoers will also find free entertainment at Farm Bureau Park as the Iowa Farm Bureau Young Farmer Advisory Committee members offer a variety of free kids' activities and prizes from 8:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 10.

The IFBF is again promoting the importance of healthy lifestyles by featuring a number of free blood pressure, cancer, hearing, balance, and other health screenings on select fair days. Other special activities at Farm Bureau Park on select fair days include :

Saturday, Aug. 10

4:00 p.m., Governor's Charity Steer Show in the Livestock Pavilion.  Charity Auction immediately following

Tuesday, Aug. 13 - Farm Bureau Day at the Fair

9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m., Farm Bureau's Cookout Contest on the Grand Concourse, judging at 10:00 a.m.

9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m., Free farm consultation services provided by Coalition to Support Iowa's Farmers

9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Morton Buildings Tent

9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., If you pay health insurance premiums or out-of-pocket healthcare costs, learn about tax savings plans provided by BASE Third-Party Benefit Administration

9:00 a.m. - 8:00 p.m., Sign up to win a Case IH pedal tractor provided by Case IH

9:00 a.m., Century and Heritage Farm Awards on the Century/Heritage Farm Stage (note location change)

Thursday, Aug. 15

9:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m., Free business consultation services provided by Renew Rural Iowa, VentureNet Iowa and CIRAS (ISU Center for Industrial Research and Service)

Farm Bureau Park is located next to the Varied Industries Building, right off the Grand Concourse. For a complete listing of Farm Bureau activities at the fair, visit www.iowafarmbureau.com.

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About Iowa Farm Bureau

The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation is a grassroots, statewide organization dedicated to enhancing the People, Progress and Pride of Iowa.  More than 153,000 families in Iowa are Farm Bureau members, working together to achieve farm and rural prosperity.  For more information about Farm Bureau and agriculture, visit the newsroom at www.iowafarmbureau.com.

02 Aug 2013

U.S. Trade Representative Froman, Secretary of Agriculture Vilsack Announce Continued EU Market Access for American Producers of High-Quality Beef

By USDA Office of Communications

Washington, D.C. - August 1, 2013 - Today, United States Trade Representative Michael Froman and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack announced that the European Union (EU) will continue to provide U.S. beef producers with significant access, at zero duty, to the EU market for high-quality beef produced from non-hormone-treated cattle. The United States and the European Union are planning to extend for two years Phase 2 of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in 2009 in connection with the United States' long-running dispute with the European Union over its ban on beef from cattle treated with certain growth-promoting hormones.

In the year since Phase 2 began, U.S. beef shipments under the quota were an estimated $200 million, up 300 percent from the value of exports in the year before the MOU entered into force. Under the extension, the EU would maintain until August 2, 2015 its duty-free tariff rate quota for high-quality beef, established pursuant to the MOU between the United States of America and the European Commission Regarding the Importation of Beef from Animals not Treated with Certain Growth Promoting Hormones, at the Phase 2 quantity of 45,000 metric tons per year.

"I am very pleased that American ranchers and meat processors will be allowed to ship substantial quantities of high-quality U.S. beef into a market worth millions of dollars to their bottom lines," said Ambassador Froman. "Before the memorandum of understanding was signed, the EU's beef market had been largely closed for far too long. The substantial market access that we have achieved since 2009 shows what we can accomplish with practical, problem-solving approaches to trade barriers."

"Since 2009, this agreement has greatly expanded opportunities for U.S. beef producers to export high-quality products to the European Union," said Vilsack. "By working together with our EU partners to extend this agreement, we have maintained access to a key market for beef products, and set the stage for further progress. USTR and USDA will continue working closely with our trading partners around the world, including the EU, to further expand trade access for U.S. agricultural products."

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USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer. To file a complaint of discrimination, write: USDA, Office of the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office of Adjudication, 1400 Independence Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call (866) 632-9992 (Toll-free Customer Service), (800) 877-8339 (Local or Federal relay), (866) 377-8642 (Relay voice users).


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02 Aug 2013

Farm Progress Show Expands

By Farm Progress Show

Farm Progress Show on the Grow

Growth for the Farm Progress Show continues to exceed the initial projections for exhibit space when the event's permanent facilities were designed. Agriculture's boom years continue to increase demand for exhibit space at the nation's largest outdoor farm event, and the Decatur, Ill., exhibit area will be expanded for its 2013 event. This follows the trend that started with the 2011 show and was continued at last year's Boone, Iowa, show facility.

 
DECATUR, ILL. (08/01/2013) - The 2013 Farm Progress Show once again introduces an expanded show site for its Decatur, Ill., permanent facility. A new street has been added as well as an annex to accommodate exhibitors' requests for exhibit space. This year's Farm Progress Show is scheduled for August 27, 28 and 29.
In 2012, the Farm Progress Show needed to expand the Boone, Iowa, site, also due to the increased demand for exhibit space at this prime show. Demand for space has once again spurred show organizers to expand exhibit space, this time at the Decatur, Ill. site.
Growth projections exceeded
"When the Farm Progress Show sites were built in Decatur and Boone, they were built to accommodate the largest show usage in recent times," says Matt Jungmann, national events manager. "Before the 2011 show, we added Eleventh Street to meet the demand for space. This year, it became clear that extra space was needed to accommodate all the requests by exhibitors, and the investment would need to be made to accommodate those requests."
Largest outdoor farm show
The Farm Progress Show grounds have grown from 10 streets to 12 over the last eight years the show has been in Decatur. This year's demand for exhibit space results in the creation of an annex exhibit area in the west parking lot, as well as adding the Twelfth Progress Street within the exhibit field. The new street will be paved for visitor comfort. This expansion equates to 3.647 million square feet of exhibit space, a 6% increase since 2011.
More for visitors
The extra expansion area referred to as the "Annex," located outside of Gate 1 in the west parking lot, has an excess of 60 new companies exhibiting. There will be a mix of outside lots and a tent with booths inside. These exhibitors span the ag spectrum and include companies like Polaris, Roto-Mix, Merschmann Seeds, Husqvarna and many more.
This year's show has even more for visitors to see. With the completion of Twelfth Progress Street and the addition of the Annex, the Farm Progress Show will host more than 600 companies, almost 100 more exhibitors than in previous years.
Don't miss this year's events
Mark your calendar for the 60th annual Farm Progress Show and, after you learn about the latest in ag technology, make your way to the fairgrounds for the third annual Great Lakes Hybrids Farm Progress Show Shootout Tractor Pull or take in the country music concert headlined by Chris Cagle.
The 2013 Farm Progress Show takes place in Decatur, Ill., Aug. 27, 28 and 29. The exhibit field is open to visitors 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday; 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday. Admission is $15 for adults, $8 for ages 13-17 and free for ages 12 and under. Discounted advance adult admission tickets are available now on the show's website. For a full schedule of events and more detailed information, visit www.FarmProgressShow.com.
There's a handy Farm Progress Show app for iPhones and Android mobile phones, available in the respective devices' app markets.
Additional events
The third annual Great Lakes Hybrids Farm Progress Show Shootout Tractor Pull will be held Aug. 26 and 27 at the Macon County Fairgrounds. Full ticket information and additional details about the pull are available online at Facebook.com/FPSShootout, eTix.com or www.FarmProgressShow.com. This is a separate event and a separate admission ticket is needed.
Or after the show on Wednesday, Aug. 28, take in the country music concert headlined by Chris Cagle. Full ticket information and additional details about the concert are available online at eTix.com and www.FarmProgressShow.com. The concert is a separate event and a separate admission ticket is needed.
The public is welcome at the show, tractor pull and concert events.
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About the Farm Progress Show
Farm Progress Show, www.FarmProgressShow.com, the nation's largest outdoor farm event, annually hosts more than 600 exhibitors displaying new farm equipment, tractors, combines and farm implements; seed and crop protection products; and many additional farm supplies and services.
Producers from the U.S. and around the world attend this industry-leading annual agricultural event.
Ag manufacturers and suppliers from across the country and around the world are exhibitors. Field demonstrations are a show mainstay. Each show day, field demos include side-by-side tillage techniques, GPS and precision equipment, and tractor and combine performance comparisons on hundreds of corn acres available for harvesting. Live cattle-handling demonstrations include the newest cattle chutes, equipment, animal health products and work techniques. Additionally, the show features restored antique machinery, arts and crafts displays, horse training demonstrations and entertainment.
The show is an excellent learning opportunity for producers and includes a wide variety of marketing, management and production seminars.
The Farm Progress Show is a Penton business.
01 Aug 2013

SCOTT COUNTY EXTENSION CALENDAR.

By Amanda Heitz

August 13, 2013 Summer Gardening Webinar, Scott County Extension Office, 6:30 pm-8:30 pm

August 27, 2013 ISU Scott County Extension Council Meeting, Scott County Extension Office, 7:00 pm

September 3, 2013 Summer Gardening Webinar, Scott County Extension Office, 6:30 pm-8:30 pm

September 6, 2013 Pesticide Applicator Testing, Scott County Extension Office, 10:00 am-2:00 pm

September 24, 2013 ISU Scott County Extension Council Meeting, Scott County Extension Office, 7:00 pm

Visit our events calendar at our web site: http://dbs.extension.iastate.edu/calendar/

01 Aug 2013

Forest2Market Reports 2Q-2013 Delivered Wood Fiber Prices for the Midwest

By LeAndra Spicer

Aspen prices remained steady before ending the quarter on an upswing. Hardwood and softwood prices saw significant increases before tapering off to typical levels. Average fuelwood prices steadily increased over the past three quarters.

Forest2Market's latest Midwest Delivered Price Benchmark shows average prices for aspen remained relatively steady throughout the second quarter of 2013. Hardwood and softwood prices were more volatile, displaying steep increases between the close of the first and the start of the second quarter. Residual chip pricing, both hardwood and softwood, has shown little volatility over the last nine months.

Aspen pulpwood prices remained relatively constant throughout the quarter, starting at $41.03 per ton in April before dropping to $40.91 per ton in May. Aspen closed the quarter at a high of $41.57 per ton in June.

Average hardwood pulpwood prices increased $4.68 per ton from March ($44.29 per ton) to April ($48.97 per ton). The spike was largely due to increased woodyard transfers and hauling from piledown areas as spring breakup came into full swing.  Hardwood pulpwood prices fell to $46.70 per ton in May, and were back in line with winter price levels by June ($45.06 per ton).

Softwood pulpwood prices also increased at the start of the spring season, coming in at a quarterly high of $49.03 in April (prices averaged $47.84 per ton in March). Prices then fell five percent over the quarter to $47.65 in May and $46.48 in June. The end of seasonal road restrictions and increased supply are expected to help moderate prices throughout the summer months.

Peter Coutu, Forest2Market's Business Lead for the Midwest and Northeast regions, noted the delivered price reports have added a degree of transparency previously absent in the Midwest market. "At Forest2Market, we strive to provide our customers with the information they need to make better-informed decisions and improve business performance. Since its introduction to the Midwest in the fourth quarter of 2012, the Delivered Price Benchmark has helped subscribers identify significant opportunities for adding value to their wood fiber supply chain."

In addition to aspen, hardwood and softwood delivered prices, the benchmark reports fuelwood pricing. Average prices for biomass have displayed a slow but steady increase since 4Q2012, the first quarter Forest2Market introduced its delivered price benchmark to the Midwest. Overall, the per ton average price for biomass increased $1.16, from $26.34 in Q4 2012 to $27.50 in Q2 2013. The increase is attributed to rising competition for raw material and seasonal factors.

Forest2Market Delivered Price Benchmarks

Forest2Market launched its Delivered Price Benchmark service for the Midwest in 2012. The report provides quarterly price information based on transaction-level data for aspen, hardwood, softwood and fuelwood. Forest2Market has provided its delivered price benchmark service in the US South since 2006 and the Pacific Northwest since 2007.

About Forest2Market

Forest2Market provides market pricing data as well as wood and fiber supply chain expertise to customers in the forest, wood and paper products, recovered fiber and bioenergy industries. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the company also has offices in Eugene, Oregon and Appleton, Wisconsin. For more information, visit www.forest2market.com.

26 Jul 2013

State of Iowa Leaders Encourage Bipartisan Congressional Movement on Farm Bill

By Tim Albrecht

(DES MOINES) - Governor Terry E. Branstad, Lt. Governor Kim Reynolds, Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey and Iowa Department of Natural Resources Director Chuck Gipp today called upon congressional leaders to swiftly reconcile farm bill differences to seize the opportunity to provide long-term certainty to agricultural producers, enact program reforms and achieve cost savings.

"A long-term farm bill is overdue and congressional leaders have the opportunity to provide certainty in the farm economy. I am hopeful that congressional leaders can find a way forward in the very near future," said Branstad.

"The farm bill provides vital certainty to Iowa farmers," said Northey. "It is important that the House and Senate work together on a bipartisan basis to keep the bill moving."

A copy of the letter can be found here.

 

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