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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Tomatoes are the most popular vegetable crop in Iowa. Many diseases and disorders can affect tomatoes during the growing season. Iowa State University Extension specialists describe the symptoms and management of common problems. To have additional questions answered, contact the experts at hortline@iastate.edu or call 515-294-3108.

Why are my tomatoes cracking?
Fruit cracking is a common problem on tomatoes. Cracks usually appear at the top or stem end of the fruit. Cracks radiate out from the stem (radial cracks) or circle the fruit in concentric rings (concentric cracks). Fruit cracking is associated with wide fluctuations in soil moisture levels. A heavy rain or deep watering after a long, dry period results in rapid water uptake by the plant. The sudden uptake of water results in cracking of ripening fruit. Generally, fruit cracking is most common on the large, beefsteak-type tomatoes.

Fruit cracking can be prevented by supplying the tomato plants with a consistent supply of moisture during the summer months. During dry periods, a thorough soaking once every seven days should be adequate for most tomato plants. Conserve soil moisture by mulching the area around tomato plants with dried grass clippings, straw, shredded leaves or other materials. Also, plant tomato varieties that possess good crack resistance. Tomato varieties that possess good to excellent crack resistance include Jetstar, Mountain Spring and Mountain Fresh.

Several of my tomatoes are misshapen. Why?
Misshapen (catfaced) fruit may be due to cool weather during fruit set. Exposure to 2,4-D or similar broadleaf herbicides is another possibility. Catfacing is most common on large-fruited tomato varieties. Affected fruit show leathery scars, bulges, or holes at the blossom end of the fruit. The incidence of catfacing is typically highest on the early maturing fruit and declines during the remainder of the growing season.

A blackish spot develops on the bottom of my tomato fruit. What is the problem and how can it be prevented?
Blossom end rot is probably responsible for the blackish spots on the tomato fruit. Blossom end rot is a common problem on tomatoes. It appears as a brownish black spot on the blossom end (bottom) of the fruit. Secondary organisms invade the brownish black spot and cause the fruit to rot. Blossom end rot is most common on the earliest maturing fruit that ripen in July and early August.

Blossom end rot is caused by a calcium deficiency in the developing fruit. Wide fluctuations in soil moisture levels impair calcium uptake by the root system of the tomato plant. Excessive nitrogen fertilization may also contribute to blossom end rot.

To reduce blossom end rot, water tomato plants on a weekly basis during dry weather to provide a consistent supply of moisture to the plants (tomato plants require about 1 to 1½ inches of water per week during the growing season). Mulch the area around the tomato plants to conserve soil moisture. Avoid over-fertilization. There is no need to apply calcium to the soil as most Iowa soils contain more than adequate levels of calcium.

Pick and discard fruit affected with blossom end rot. The removal of the affected fruit will allow the tomato plant to channel all of its resources into the growth and development of the remaining fruit.

Blossom end rot can also occur on pepper, eggplant, summer squash and watermelon.

My tomatoes are developing white or yellow areas on the sides of the fruit exposed to the sun. Why?The white or yellow areas on your tomatoes are due to sunscald. Sunscald occurs on fruit exposed to the sun during periods of extreme heat. Initial symptoms of sunscald are the development of shiny white or yellow areas on the fruit. Later, the affected tissue dries out and collapses, forming slightly sunken, wrinkled areas. Secondary organisms invade the affected areas causing the fruit to rot.

Losses due to sunscald can be reduced by growing tomatoes in wire cages. Cage-grown tomato plants provide good foliage protection for the fruit. Also, control Septoria leaf spot and other foliar diseases which defoliate the plants and expose the fruit to direct sunlight.

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AMES, Iowa -- The 2011 North American Manure Expo will be July 20 in Norfolk, Neb., at the Northeast Community College Agricultural Complex.

The expo is hosted by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln (UNL) and other land-grant universities in partnership with Nebraska custom manure applicators and businesses and the Iowa Commercial Nutrient Applicators Association.

"Professionalism in Manure Management" is the theme of this year's expo. Educational topics will include manure stockpiling, manure pit foaming and safety, winter application of manure on frozen soils and more. These are just a few of the educational programs ? 23 different sessions in total, repeated twice during the day ? that will be offered at the expo. Many of the sessions will be approved for continuing education units for certified crop advisers and others.

"Fifty-three vendors from across North America will demonstrate the latest technology in manure management," said Chris Henry, UNL Extension engineer. Equipment demonstrations with manure are planned by vendors. Attendees will be able to compare 15 solid spreaders, 13 liquid equipment (towed hose applicators, liquid tankers and sprinkler systems) and six GPS enabled equipment demonstrations. Attendees also will be able to compare sprinkler and solid spread patterns and injector disturbance between different kinds of equipment.

"This will be a great opportunity for commercial manure applicators and livestock producers from Iowa to see the latest in manure application equipment and technology and to attend a wide variety of educational session all in one place," said Angie Rieck-Hinz, coordinator of the Iowa Manure Applicator Certification Program. "With nearly 5,000 certified manure applicators in Iowa, our applicators take their jobs seriously and events like this help them stay on top of technological advances in equipment and current issues in manure management."

The expo is open from 7 a.m. - 6 p.m. There is no cost to attend. For more information about the North American Manure Expo visit http://manureexpo.com/

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AMES, Iowa - A second group of Iowa women traveled to Uganda as part of the rural development program, Bridging the Gap: Increasing Competitiveness of Ugandan Women Farmers in the Marketplace. This farmer-to-farmer program connects Iowa farmers with eight groups of women farmers in the Kamuli District of Uganda.

The yearlong project is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Iowa State University's Global Extension Program has partnered with a Ugandan nonprofit organization, Volunteer Efforts for Developing Concerns (VEDCO), to provide production and marketing expertise to Ugandan farmers. Iowa State University's Center for Sustainable Rural Livelihoods (CSRL) and VEDCO have been providing outreach and education in the district since 2004. As a result, many of the area Ugandan farm families are now poised to increase crop diversity, as well as increase grain yields and quality for sale to commercial markets.

The project focuses on improving maize (corn) grain quality and collaborative or group marketing of the grain. In addition, soybeans are being introduced as a food and as a cash crop. The Iowa volunteers are training Ugandan farmers to keep written farm business records.

The first group of Iowa farmers traveled to the Kamuli District in March. In late May, farmers Jennifer Steffen and Jenny Thomas and Mercy Kabahuma, a graduate student in agronomy at Iowa State, visited the district to verify progress toward the project's objectives and to continue training the farmer groups. The women spent six days with the groups of farmers and each brought unique experiences to the group's visit in the Kamuli District.

Kabahuma grew up in the city of Kampala, Uganda. In 2008 as an undergraduate, she interned with a CSRL service-learning program, coordinated by Iowa State University in the Kamuli District, and became familiar with the area farmers. When she learned of Bridging the Gap, she couldn't wait to return. She's noticed some changes since then.

"There's a huge difference from when I left and when I returned this year. I noticed that most of the women have grown into larger-scale producers and they are thinking bigger now and producing for market," Kabahuma said.

The Iowa volunteers started their trip investigating potential maize markets. They toured a local maize mill in Kamuli and a local warehouse where grain can be stored and the quality maintained for future sales. They noted both good and poor quality maize and other local grains. The mill owner expressed interest in receiving high quality maize from the local women farmers and offered to pay them a premium. This price difference based on quality was only recently made available to farmers.

Later that day, the Iowans met up with the eight women farmer group leaders and traveled four hours to Agroways, a grain warehouse in Jinja. The warehouse is similar, though smaller, to the grain elevators in Iowa. At this potential marketing outlet, the Ugandan farmers were introduced to East African Grain Standards and the process and fees required to sell or store their maize for later sales. The farmers are able to secure loans on stored grain at this facility, though most do not have a bank account that would allow them to do so.

During the majority of the trip, the Iowa volunteers met with the farmer groups to discuss post-harvest handling of the grain and joint marketing, monitor individuals' farm record books and evaluate their new soybean plantings.

The Ugandan farmers impressed Steffen, a farmer from southeast Iowa. "The women farmers in the Kamuli District are industrious, hardworking and resilient. They are wonderful communicators and willing to learn new, improved and economically advantageous methods of farming that have the potential to improve their livelihoods," Steffen said.

One group in particular, led by farmer Rose Mbiira, shows great potential, said ISU Extension Value Added Agriculture Specialist Margaret Smith, co-director of the Bridging the Gap project. While meeting and working with Mbiira's group, the Iowa volunteers readily observed these women's increasing business savvy, but were equally impressed by the laughter and joy shared among the group members. Smith hopes to begin joint marketing efforts with Mbiira's group.

The volunteers reported two other groups that also appear to be ready for joint marketing, Smith added. Because quality of maize varies from farm to farm, the Bridging the Gap project will begin with group trucking. Each farmer will bag and weigh her crops on the farm, and then transport and sell as a group to one of the markets investigated during this work trip.

"In Iowa, we have an amazing system in place to market our crops. Our Iowa farmers' experiences allow them to identify the gaps in the Ugandan marketing system and help identify steps for improving local farmers' maize grain quality and marketing. The ultimate goal is to improve profitability and bring more money to the household," said Smith. "This farm-based technology and information transfer is a wonderful benefit to this program."

Thomas has been in the agriculture and livestock industry for more than 30 years. She prepared for her first trip to Africa by watching films and reading books on the culture.

"I was prepared for large cultural differences. Rural Ugandan families live very simply, with no running water, electricity, cars, or mechanized farm equipment. What struck me most, though, were the similarities between our cultures. I found that we have the same basic challenges, to adapt our production systems and our lives to changing circumstances so that we can produce enough to meet the needs of our families. They are interested in developing cash-generating enterprises, because they need to pay for educational and growing family expenses," observed Thomas. "Elementary and secondary education is subsidized by the Ugandan government, but not completely free. These new and expanded enterprises are where they hope to use our expertise. With two students in college, I can relate to the challenge of providing for my family."

"In Uganda, women are in charge of the household by growing and preparing food for the family and looking after everyone at home," said Kabahuma. "By empowering the women and making them think of production for market in addition to feeding their families, more money will come in to the family and more kids will go to school. This project is going to have a big impact with cooperating farmers in the Kamuli District."

The next group of Iowa women farmers is scheduled to arrive in Uganda on Aug. 21. They will meet with both farmers and VEDCO administrators to continue helping improve on-site farm production, crop quality and farm business record keeping in the Kamuli District.

For more information, contact Margaret Smith at mrgsmith@iastate.edu.

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