Iowa

Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report

Published

2 years ago

November 21, 2022

DES MOINES, Iowa—Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented right now on the Iowa Crop Progress and Situation Report launched by the USDA Nationwide Agricultural Statistics Service. The report is launched weekly April by November.

“Regardless of a 12 months that included important climate challenges, persistent inflation and extremely pathogenic avian influenza, we strategy Thanksgiving and the conclusion of harvest with a deep sense of gratitude. We’re grateful for the hardworking and resilient farm households who proceed to sustainably produce crops and livestock that feed and gas customers right here and around the globe,” mentioned Secretary Naig. “The snowmelt from the primary widespread snow of the season will enhance soil moisture situations, whereas hotter temperatures shall be welcomed as we collect collectively to have a good time Thanksgiving.”

The weekly report can be out there on the USDA’s web site at nass.usda.gov.

Crop Report

Harvest neared completion with 4.8 days appropriate for fieldwork in the course of the week ending November 20, 2022, in keeping with the USDA, Nationwide Agricultural Statistics Service. Chilly temperatures and snow restricted extra fieldwork to making use of soil amendments comparable to anhydrous, manure, and lime.

Topsoil moisture situation rated 17 p.c very quick, 35 p.c quick, 47 p.c ample and 1 p.c surplus. Subsoil moisture situation rated 24 p.c very quick, 38 p.c quick, 37 p.c ample and 1 p.c surplus.

Harvest of the corn for grain crop was just about full at 97 p.c. Moisture content material of subject corn being harvested for grain remained 16 p.c.

Livestock had been largely in good condition with calves weaned and cattle out feeding on stalks.

Climate Abstract

Offered by Justin Glisan, Ph.D., State Climatologist, Iowa Division of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

Wintertime situations blanketed Iowa over the reporting interval with the primary widespread snowfall for the state. Common totals had been within the two to four-inch vary with most stations measuring not less than 0.50 inch. Unseasonable coldness additionally endured with departures of as much as 15 levels beneath regular; the statewide common temperature was 23.8 levels, 13.2 levels beneath regular.

Cloud cowl steadily cleared by Sunday (thirteenth) afternoon with winds blowing out of the southeast and daytime highs lingering within the higher 20s to mid 30s. In a single day lows into Monday (14th) didn’t drop appreciably, holding within the higher 20s north to low 20s south as clouds returned. Mild snow showers shaped over northwest Iowa however dissipated by early afternoon with temperatures nonetheless beneath regular however warming into the low 40s throughout southern Iowa. A broader protect of sunshine to reasonable snow pushed into Iowa in a single day, decreasing visibilities and creating slick highway situations. Snow continued over a lot of Iowa by Tuesday (fifteenth) as afternoon situations remained overcast with temperatures within the 20s. There was a quick lull in snow showers into the night hours with gentle snow redeveloping over many of the state, lending to a different morning of treacherous driving situations. Occasion snow totals measured at 7:00 am on Wednesday (sixteenth) had been highest over a north-to-south swath of central Iowa the place practically 120 stations noticed not less than two inches of moist snow; Mount Ayr (Ringgold County) noticed 4.5 inches whereas an observer in Swea Metropolis (Kossuth County) reported 5.9 inches with a statewide common of 1.8 inches. One other wave of sunshine snow moved southeast by the later afternoon and night hours, abandoning a couple of tenths of inch at a majority of stations reporting snow; Webster Metropolis (Hamilton County) measured 2.0 inches with 1.5 inches in Algona (Kossuth County).

Thursday (seventeenth) noticed blustery northwesterly winds develop with scattered, gentle snow showers persisting throughout parts of northern Iowa. Morning situations had been largely cloudy with lows within the higher teenagers and 20s; excessive temperatures peaked round midday earlier than starting a steep fall by the day and nighttime hours. Pockets of snowflakes continued to fly into Friday (18th) morning with single-digit temperatures in western Iowa whereas low 20s had been reported farther east. Winds shifted to a westerly route by the day with afternoon temperatures remaining within the higher teenagers to higher 20s; the statewide common excessive was 25 levels, 20 levels beneath regular. An upper-level disturbance introduced gentle snow over northern Iowa after midnight with southerly winds and clearing skies in southern Iowa; Sioux Metropolis Airport (Woodbury County) picked up 0.2 inch of snow. Blustery northwesterly winds developed by Saturday (nineteenth) with clearing skies and highs starting from the higher teenagers north to the higher 20s south. Stars had been seen in a single day as a swing to southerly winds indicated a shift to warming temperatures. Morning lows reported at 7:00 am on Sunday (twentieth) held within the teenagers below largely clear skies.

Weekly precipitation totals ranged from no accumulation at a number of southwestern Iowa stations to 1.08 inches in Waterloo (Black Hawk County. The statewide weekly common precipitation was 0.20 inch whereas the conventional is 0.45 inch. Donnellson (Lee County) reported the week’s excessive temperature of 45 levels on the 14th, six levels beneath regular. Mason Metropolis Municipal Airport (Cerro Gordo County) reported the week’s low temperature of 5 levels on the nineteenth, 18 levels beneath regular. 4-inch soil temperatures had been within the low 30s north to higher 30s south as of Sunday.

(contributed press launch)

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Iowa

Iowa DOT shuts down stretches of I-680, I-29 ahead of anticipated flooding

Published

2 hours ago

June 26, 2024

Press Room

Iowa DOT shuts down stretches of I-680, I-29 ahead of anticipated flooding

COUNCIL BLUFFS, IOWA. (WOWT) – After more than a day of anticipation, officials with the Iowa Department of Transportation confirmed to 6 on Your Side late Tuesday Night that it would be shutting down portions of Interstates 680 and 29 effective at midnight Wednesday.

The closures are due to to rising water on the Missouri River.

The affected stretch of I-29 is from the 25th Street interchange on the north edge of Council Bluffs to the I-29/I-880 interchange.

The I-680 stretch is from the Nebraska border to the I-29/I-680 interchange near Crescent.

A detour was set to be posted near Loveland to take traffic from the I-29/I-880 interchange east to the I-80/I-880 interchange, then southwest on I-80 into Council Bluffs.

Monday night, Iowa DOT’s Austin Yates told 6 News that there was anticipation that the interstate would reopen sometime during the weekend.

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Iowa

New testing required for dairy cattle participating in Iowa fairs

Published

9 hours ago

June 25, 2024

Press Room

New testing required for dairy cattle participating in Iowa fairs

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa (KCRG) – On Tuesday, the Iowa Secretary of Agriculture announced new testing requirements for dairy cattle participating in Iowa fairs and exhibitions.

Secretary Mike Naig announced the new requirements as a way to minimize the potential spread of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI). HPAI (also known as Bird Flu) has hit numerous dairy cattle in the state. The Secretary says the state should expect to see new positive cases announced as the increased testing takes place.

“The Department is issuing a statewide order effective July 1 that will require additional tests for HPAI prior to dairy cattle participating at our state’s many fairs and exhibitions,” said Secretary Naig. “We want to strike a balance between allowing our 4-H, FFA, and dairy exhibitors the opportunity to show their animals, while also requiring additional testing to protect our livestock and minimize the potential spread of the virus,” said Secretary Naig.

To date, the state has reported 11 positive cases of HPAI within dairy herds in Iowa. 9 of those cases have been detected in Sioux County. Iowa has had three poultry cases thus far in 2024, including one case in a commercial chicken layer in Sioux County and two cases in commercial turkey flocks.

“Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza isn’t just a poultry issue or a dairy issue, it’s an issue for all of agriculture. Our approach is reflective of our significant livestock industry, and I want to thank our farmers who have stepped up to help contribute to the broader understanding, visibility and knowledge of this virus,” said Secretary Naig. “We should expect additional challenges ahead and as the situation continues to evolve, we will also continue to evaluate our response. We continue to support our farmers through the joint state and federal response team who are navigating this evolving and unpredictable situation.”

Suspected signs of HPAI in poultry include:

Sudden increase in bird deaths without any clinical signs
Lethargy and/or lack of energy and appetite
Decrease in egg production
Soft, thin-shelled and/or misshapen eggs
Swelling of the head, eyelids, comb, wattles, and hocks
Purple/blue discoloration of the wattles, comb, and legs
Difficulty breathing
Coughing, sneezing, and/or nasal discharge (runny nose)
Stumbling and/or falling down
Diarrhea

Suspected signs of HPAI in dairy cows include:

Decrease in food consumption with a simultaneous decrease in rumination
Clear nasal discharge
Drop in milk production
Tacky or loose feces
Lethargy
Dehydration
Fever
Thicker, concentrated, colostrum-like milk

Officials say that it is safe to enjoy poultry products. Consumers should utilize the proper handling and cooking of eggs and poultry products, including cooking to an internal temperature of 165˚F.

There is no concern about the safety of pasteurized milk or dairy products. Pasteurization has continually proven to successfully inactivate bacteria and viruses, like influenza, in milk.

If dairy producers suspect cases of HPAI, they should contact their herd veterinarian immediately. Possible cases must also be reported to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship at (515) 281-5305.

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Iowa

2024 Eastern Iowa fireworks displays

Published

16 hours ago

June 25, 2024

Press Room

CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa – Cities across Iowa are preparing to host annual Independence Day fireworks displays!

Here is a list of displays you can see in eastern Iowa this year:

Bettendorf

Parade at 10 a.m. on July 4 in downtown Bettendorf
4th of July Festival from noon to 10 p.m. on Spruce Hills Drive in front of Cumberland Square
Fireworks at Middle Park at dusk
More info

Cedar Falls

Fireworks Over the Dome at 9:40 p.m. on June 27

Cedar Rapids

Ellis Fireworks on the River at 9 p.m. on July 3 – more info
Cedar Rapids Freedom Festival – Celebration of Freedom Fireworks
Fireworks start at dark on July 4 in downtown Cedar Rapids
More info

Charles City

Fourth of July Celebration from July 3-6
Fourth of July Parade begins at 11 a.m. on July 4, then fireworks by the Cedar River in the evening
Main Street Charles City’s Party in the Park on July 5
July 6 – magician show, cornhole tournament
More info

Coralville

Coralville’s annual 4thFest parade at 10 a.m. on July 4, starting and ending at the corner of 9th Street and 22nd Avenue
Fireworks display in S.T. Morrison Park at dark, around 9:45 p.m.

Garnavillo