Area4 29 2015 by Iowa Farm Bureau

IOWA FARM BUREAU SPOKESMAN

APRIL 29, 2015

F IVE -Y EAR A VG . Y IELD A DVANTAGE *

6.7 Bu./A.

SOUTH EAST IOWA

At $9.60/Bu. soybeans, that is a $64/A. advantage over untreated seed.

MAHASKA . KEOKUK . WASHINGTON . LOUISA . MUSCATINE . MONROE . WAPELLO JEFFERSON . HENRY . DES MOINES . APPANOOSE . DAVIS . VAN BUREN . LEE

CALL 800.937.2325 TO ORDER TODAY! Escalate is a registered trademark of Beck’s Superior Hybrids, Inc. *Multi-year Practical Farm Reserach (PFR)® data comparing soybeans treated with Escalate to untreated seed.

New Abandoned Mine Land Projects in Mahaska County SUBMITTED BY MAHASKA Pathfinders Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D), in partnership with the Mahaska Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD), received three Watershed Cooperative Agreement grants from the U.S. Department of Interior’s Office of Surface Mining. Two $100,000 grants were awarded to help fund reclamation of the “Meyer” and “Memmelaar” Abandoned Mine Land (AML) sites in Mahaska County. Another $200,000 grant was awarded to help fund the “Logan” AML reclamation. Other project partners in the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship Division of Soil Conservation

and Mahaska County Secondary Roads. Surface coal mines that ceased operations before 1977 were not required to be reclaimed by the operator once the mining stopped. This means an area strip-mined for coal was often left with large piles of the overburden that was stripped away so coal could be extracted. These are areas are referred to as unreclaimed or abandoned mine land. Iowa has over 230 unreclaimed mine sites affecting 12-13,000 acres. The Meyer site is 16.6 acres and located just west of the City of Oskaloosa. The Memmelaar site is 11 acres and located south and east of the City of Leighton. Acid mine

FARM FAMILY FAVORITES

Balsamic Pork Roast Ellene Renaud, Grinnell (Poweshiek County) 3 lbs. boneless pork loin roast 2 Tbsp. steak seasoning rub (I use Grill Mates Montreal Steak Seasoning)

1/2 c. balsamic vinegar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Place roast, fat side up, in a roaster pan. Sprinkle steak seasoning over the top of the roast. Pour balsamic vinegar over it. Bake for two to three hours, depending on the desired tenderness. Turn roast every 30 minutes, and baste occasionally. Let roast rest for five minutes before slicing and serving.

Creamy Wild Rice & Mushroom Soup Midwest Dairy Association recipe 2 Tbsp. butter 1 medium onion, diced (about 1 c.) 1 c. chopped white mushrooms 1/2 c. diced carrots 3 c. low-fat milk 1/4 c. flour 2 c. chicken broth, low sodium

2 c. cooked wild rice 3/4 c. shredded Cheddar cheese 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh Italian parsley

In a large pot, heat butter over medium heat. Add onions, mushrooms and carrots; sauté until onions are soft (about 10 minutes). In a medium saucepan, whisk milk and flour over medium heat, stirring frequently until milk starts to boil. Whisk constantly for one minute or until milk thickens. Pour into onion mixture and cook for 10 minutes, stir occasionally. Stir in chicken broth and cooked rice; cook for 10 to 15 minutes (or until carrots are soft). Ladle into bowls and top each serving with 2 tablespoons cheese and 1 teaspoon parsley.

Pecan Pie Muffins Carolyn Archer, Moorhead (Monona County) 1 c. light brown sugar, packed 1/2 c. all-purpose flour 2 c. pecans, chopped 2/3 c. butter, softened 2 eggs, beaten

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit. Grease mini or regular muffin cups generously. In a medium bowl, stir together brown sugar, flour and pecans. In a separate bowl, beat butter and eggs together. Stir in dry ingredients until combined. Spoon batter into muffin cups, about two-thirds full. Bake for 12-13 minutes for mini muffins or 1517 minutes for regular size muffins. Run a knife around edge of each muffin, and remove from pan.

Mahaska Soil and Water Conservation District Representatives hold a Partnership Sign depicting the various agency partners involved in the Mahaska County Abandoned Mine Land Project. Pictured (from left): Marilyn Obermire (Assistant Commissioner), Robert Oldham (Commissioner and Chairman), Don Willemsen (Commissioner), Carrie Mc Cloud (Commissioner), Gene Fox (Commissioner) and Jerry Bruxvoort (Assistant Commissioner).

drainage from both sites negatively affects Muchakinock Creek. The Logan site is 98 acres and, to date, is the largest reclamation project to be taken on as a single reclamation project in Iowa. The Logan project is located 5 miles northeast of Eddyville and will mitigate acid mine drainage affecting Turkey Run and Bluff Creek. Unreclaimed mine lands present several environmental and aesthetic problems. These include exposed remnant coal leading to acid mine drainage and acid mine drainage lowering the pH in receiving waterbodies which negatively affects aquatic life and reduces biodiversity. In addition, acidic soils do not support the growth of vegetation so landscapes look barren and the soil continues to runoff without vegetation to hold it in place. Lastly, dangerous “highwalls” and large, steep

spoil piles from mining activity can be hazardous to people and animals traversing the site. “Reclamation plays an integral role in meeting our goals of watershed protection and water quality improvement,” states Mahaska SWCD Chairman Robert Oldham. “The Muchakinock Creek Watershed has been a priority watershed for the SWCD since the late 1990’s and we’re pleased to have two more reclamation projects supporting our other conservation efforts in the watershed.” While reclamation provides important environmental benefits, it’s also expensive. The $300,000 in grant dollars are being leveraged with another $2.64 million to complete these three reclamation projects. “Reclamation continues to be a pricey endeavor,” says Pathfinders RC&D Executive Director De-

tra Dettmann. “With reclamation costing $15,000-$20,000 per acre, every grant dollar secured helps complete more of this important work in Iowa.” To date, Pathfinders RC&D has partnered on more than 30 AML projects in six counties, receiving over $3 million in grant dollars from the Office of Surface Mining. “This is some of the most rewarding our nonprofit has been involved in,” states Dettmann. “The changes before and after are very dramatic.” Pathfinders RC&D is a nonprofit organization that assists local communities with initiatives related to natural resource conservation and rural economic development. Pathfinders RC&D has served southeast Iowa since 1978. To learn more, contact Pathfinders RC&D by calling 641-472-6177 or visit www.PathfindersRCD.org.

Volunteers needed for Iowa State Fair SUBMITTED BY LEE Nothing compares to the Iowa Farm Bureau state fair volunteers! It takes hundreds of volunteers for Farm Bureau Park to be a fun, exciting place to visit during the fair – and we’re looking for your help. The 2015 Iowa State Fair is August 13-23. We are looking for volunteers to work a four-hour shift in Farm Bureau Park: 8 a.m. to noon, noon to 4 p.m. or 4-8 p.m. Spouses and teenage children are welcome to volunteer as well. Volunteers receive an Iowa Farm Bureau T-shirt, tickets for admission and parking and a food coupon to use at an Iowa commodity food stand/tent. Member volunteers are generally

assigned to assist in the center desk or game tent. Volunteers working the center desk assist with distributing member gifts, signing members up for prize drawings, signing up new members and answering general questions about Farm Bureau. Those working in the game tent assist by asking Ag questions and distributing prizes. Volunteers may also be asked to help with other activity areas in the park. Volunteers need to plan for adverse weather conditions. We provide shade and water, but unfortunately Mother Nature can be challenging. Volunteers also need to anticipate standing for a majority of their shift. Volunteers are kindly asked to make arrangements for

their young children during their assigned work shift. Farm Bureau Park is often a busy location with thousands of fair goers visiting each year. We hope you will consider volunteering – it is truly fun and rewarding to meet other Farm Bureau members and to visit with fair goers who may never have stepped foot on a farm. Please complete the attached form and return it. Time slots will be filled on a first-request, first-served basis. T-shirts, tickets, work schedules and more detailed information will be mailed in early August. Thank you for considering this important request. Please call if you have any questions 515-225-5532.

IOWA FARM BUREAU SPOKESMAN

APRIL 29, 2015

F IVE -Y EAR A VG . Y IELD A DVANTAGE *

6.7 Bu./A.

SOUTH WEST IOWA

At $9.60/Bu. soybeans, that is a $64/A. advantage over untreated seed.

HARRISON . SHELBY . AUDUBON . GUTHRIE . ADAIR . CASS . WEST POTTAWATTAMIE . EAST POTTAWATTAMIE . MILLS MONTGOMERY . ADAMS . UNION . CLARKE . LUCAS . FREMONT . PAGE . TAYLOR . RINGGOLD . DECATUR . WAYNE

ICA sale at Tama will celebrate 30th year of bull sales SUBMITTED BY RINGGOLD The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association (ICA) will hold its third and final performance tested open heifer and bull sale of the season on Friday, May 1, at the Tama Livestock Auction Market in Tama. The sale begins at 6 p.m. To celebrate ICA’s 30th anniversary year of the program, the ICA Bull and Heifer Evaluation Program Committee will host a meal right before the sale, beginning at 4 p.m. In addition, buyers at the sale will be entered into a drawing for a $500 or one of two $200 credit certificate that can be used on a purchase that night, or a purchase at a future sale date through the 2016 sales. “Breeders have consigned excellent sets of heifers and bulls that

carry breed-leading pedigrees and outstanding EPDs (expected progeny differences),” says Kellie Carolan, ICA seedstock manager. Thirty open heifers and 71 bulls are on the sale list. The bulls include 47 Angus, 13 Simmental, six Charolais and five Simmental composites. All bulls go through a 112-day test at the Van Meter Feedyard in Guthrie Center, while the open heifers are in a 96-day test at the same location. “We are bringing the top end of the consigned livestock to the sale,” Carolan said. The sale bulls and heifers represent the top 75 percent of each group tested, and were selected on carcass, growth and reproductive merit. Breeders of the highest-indexing bull from each breed that qualified

FARM FAMILY FAVORITES

Balsamic Pork Roast Ellene Renaud, Grinnell (Poweshiek County) 3 lbs. boneless pork loin roast 2 Tbsp. steak seasoning rub (I use Grill Mates Montreal Steak Seasoning)

1/2 c. balsamic vinegar

2 c. cooked wild rice 3/4 c. shredded Cheddar cheese 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh Italian parsley

Pecan Pie Muffins Carolyn Archer, Moorhead (Monona County) 1 c. light brown sugar, packed 1/2 c. all-purpose flour 2 c. pecans, chopped 2/3 c. butter, softened 2 eggs, beaten

for the Tama sale will be honored prior to the sale by ICA and Zoetis Animal Health, which is the official sponsor of this ICA program. The terminal index is comprised by average daily gain; weight per day of age; weaning weight EPD; yearling weight EPD; marbling; and retail product numbers. Merrill and Steve Henry of Meredith Angus in Indianola claimed the highest indexing bull in the Angus division. Their Lot 225 bull was sired by ‘Connealy In Focus 4925.’ In the Simmental division, Craig Utesch of Triple U Ranch in Correctionville, raised the high indexing bull. His Lot 288 bull was sired by ‘SVF/NJC Mo Better M217. Kyle Wakefield of Wakefield Farms in New Richland, MN, consigned the top-indexing Charolais bull. Lot 273 was sired by LT Sundance 2551 Pld.’ In the final division, Simmental Composite

bulls, Chris Nelson of Nelson Simmentals & Angus of Stanton claimed the high indexing award with his Lot 299 bull sired by ‘G C Weightmaker 931.’ Since ICA took over the performance bull test originally under the direction of the Iowa Beef Improvement Association, the program has performance-tested more than 7,250 elite bulls in its 30-year history. Open heifers were added to the program in 1999 and more than 775 head have been offered for sale in the past 17 years. Two of the program’s sales were held in March. At Bloomfield, the ICA performance tested bulls sold for an average of $4,175, which is the new average high for the program. The Dunlap sale held later that month produced the second highest average sales for the program, $3,698. Throughout the test history, the

BHEP Committee has always strived to give bull and heifer buyers and seedstock producers more information to assist in their genetic selection process. The program has undergone continuous improvement from being part of selection clinics, to adding ultrasound data and pelvic measurements to the catalogs, to including PI-BVD testing for all enrolled cattle and adding new EPDs and indexes to the catalog. For more information about the ICA Bull Evaluation Program or to receive a Tama sale catalog, contact the ICA office at 515-296-2266. Videos of the Tama heifers are online at https://www.youtube.com/user/ iacattlemen/playlists, and videos of the bulls will be there soon. You may also view the sales catalog and other bull and heifer test information on the ICA website at www.iacattlemen. org.

Goal-oriented process builds a legacy of environmental stewardship SUBMITTED BY RINGGOLD The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association has named Glenn and Bev Rowe, Lorimor, as winners of the 2015 Iowa Environmental Stewardship Award Program. Theirs has been a stewardship journey that started in Dallas County and is now operated on farmland in Union and Madison Counties. Their farm operation includes pasture paddocks, wildlife refuge and some crop acres. Cattle have always been an integral part of their farm operation and environmental decisions that have improved land use, water quality and wildlife habitat. The couple began their farming careers in 1969 in rural Dallas County with a small cow herd while working on the diversified farming operation of Glenn’s parents. They were part of the change on that Dallas County farm that converted it from moldboard plowing and finely tilled soils for planting, to leaving soybean stubble untouched and disc chiseling corn stalks that would leave enough residue on the field to avoid wind erosion. While those processes were taking place on the cropland, they purchased some pasture ground in Madison County that had conservation measures in place. There was no rotational grazing; weed management in the pasture was done with chemicals; and cows drank from ponds and creeks. The Rowes

used a goal-oriented process to make changes; one that allowed economic sustainability as well as environmental sustainability. They installed fencing around ponds, put water tanks in below ponds for watering options, built internal division fences and more secure perimeter fences, installed low-stress working corrals and seeded native grass species for weed and erosion control. In 1999, they found a new challenge for another type of sustainability; that of mentoring the next generation of cattle farmers. When sons Justin and Tanner indicated they wanted to be part of the farm operation, Bev and Glenn decided they would build a new home and facilities on a 427-acre farm they had purchased in 1997 in Union County. Once revitalized, the location would lend itself well to rotational grazing and rural water access for their cow-calf herd. The Rowes focused on returning old CRP and lower quality farmland to improved and rotationally grazed pastures. They already knew that doing that part successfully would help them move to sustainable economic goals such as increasing the carrying capacity of the land and increasing forage yields. They partnered with the NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service) on no less than sev-

en projects including rotational grazing, rural water pipeline installation, reseeding and fertilizing after soil testing, internal fencing of paddocks, water heavy use fabric at crossings and stream bank stabilizations. As Iowa’s ESAP representatives, the Rowes have been nominated for recognition at the regional level, which includes four other states. If they are successful in the regional competition, the Rowes will move on to the national level. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association initiated the environmental award program in 1991 to highlight exceptional work done by cattle producers to protect and enhance the environment. Since its inception, Iowa cattle producers have won 16 regional awards and three national ones. It won’t be known until July whether Glenn and Bev Rowe will be selected as the ESAP Region 3 winner. If they are selected, they will compete for the national ESAP title with six other regional winners. The national winner will be announced during the Cattle Industry Annual Convention and Trade Show in San Diego, Calif., in January 2016. ESAP is supported by the National Cattlemen’s Foundation, Dow AgroSciences, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

IOWA FARM BUREAU SPOKESMAN

APRIL 29, 2015

Data Worth Collecting Is Data Worth Using Planting Tip: Clean monitors are happy monitors. Be sure to upload your data into FARMserver every night after planting to keep it safe all season long.

NORTH EAST IOWA

For more planting tips, visit

WINNESHIEK . ALLAMAKEE . FAYETTE . CLAYTON . BUCHANAN . DELAWARE . DUBUQUE

www.FARMserver.com

Control weeds in asparagus and berries SUBMITTED BY ALLAMAKEE, FAYETTE, WINNESHIEK Weeds can cause trouble for asparagus, raspberries and strawberries. Here are some tips from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach horticulturists on the proper way to control weeds in home gardens. To have additional questions answered, contact your county ISU Extension office.

Asparagus

Weeds can become a serious problem in asparagus plantings. Cultivation and hand pulling are the most practical weed control measures for home

gardeners. Hoeing and hand pulling should be done on a regular basis in spring and early summer. Cultivate lightly to avoid damaging emerging asparagus spears. The application of 4 to 6 inches of straw in summer is also effective in controlling weeds. Herbicides are not a good weed control option for gardeners, as few herbicides are available for use in home gardens. Products containing the pre-emergent herbicide trifluralin can be applied in early spring before the asparagus spears begin to emerge. Glyphosate (Roundup) can be used on difficult-to-control perennial weeds. Spot treat weed-infested areas in early spring before the asparagus spears begin to emerge or immediately after

FARM FAMILY FAVORITES

Balsamic Pork Roast Ellene Renaud, Grinnell (Poweshiek County) 3 lbs. boneless pork loin roast 2 Tbsp. steak seasoning rub (I use Grill Mates Montreal Steak Seasoning)

1/2 c. balsamic vinegar

2 c. cooked wild rice 3/4 c. shredded Cheddar cheese 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh Italian parsley

Pecan Pie Muffins Carolyn Archer, Moorhead (Monona County) 1 c. light brown sugar, packed 1/2 c. all-purpose flour 2 c. pecans, chopped 2/3 c. butter, softened 2 eggs, beaten

the last harvest when all asparagus spears have been cut off just below ground level. Do not allow Roundup to get on asparagus spears or ferns, as serious plant injury may occur.

Raspberries

Cultivation and mulches are the most practical weed control measures for home gardeners. Cultivate the raspberry planting frequently during the spring and summer months. Small weed seedlings are easily destroyed. Large weeds are more difficult to

control. To prevent injury to the raspberry plant roots, do not cultivate deeper than 2 to 3 inches. Possible mulching materials include straw, crushed corncobs, chopped cornstalks, sawdust, wood chips, dried grass clippings and shredded leaves. The depth of mulch needed depends on the material used. Optimum depth ranges from 3 to 4 inches for fine materials, such as sawdust, to 8 to 10 inches for straw on well-drained soils. Avoid deep mulches on poorly drained soils to discourage root diseases. When mulching red raspberries, apply the full depth of material between rows. Within rows, apply only enough material to control weeds, allowing new canes to

emerge in spring. Since organic mulches gradually decompose, apply additional material each year.

Strawberries

Cultivation is the most practical control measure for home gardeners. Cultivate often but keep it shallow to control weeds. Hand pulling also may be necessary. When removing the straw mulch on strawberries in spring, rake the material to the aisles between plant rows. A straw mulch will help control weeds between the rows of strawberries.

Northeast Iowa Family STEM Festival is April 30

SUBMITTED BY CLAYTON amilies throughout Northeast Iowa are invited to attend the Northeast Iowa Family STEM Festival on Thursday, April 30, from 4–7 p.m. at the Northeast Iowa Community College Wilder Business Center, 1625 Highway 150 South, Calmar. The festival is free and open to the public. More than 30 activities and organizations will be at this hands-on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) festival created especially for third- through eighthgrade students and their families.

Attendees can view the night sky from a star lab, fly a flight simulator, conduct amazing science experiments and much more! The goals of this festival are to increase students’ interests in STEM and to promote awareness and understanding of the importance of STEM-related educational and career opportunities. The Northeast Iowa Family STEM Festival is a community-wide partnership led by Northeast Iowa Region Governor’s STEM Advisory Council at University of Northern Iowa, Northeast Iowa Business Network (in part, by the Iowa Eco-

nomic Development Authority), Northeast Iowa Community College, Keystone AEA, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, IowaWorks, and Upper Exploreland Regional Planning Commission. The Northeast STEM region is one of six Iowa STEM Regions guided by the Governor’s STEM Advisory Council and dedicated to building a strong STEM education foundation for all Iowans. For more information about this STEM Region or the Iowa STEM Network, contact Jeff Beneke at 319-273-7397 or go to http:// www.neiowastem.com.

Prepare for canning season SUBMITTED BY FAYETTE, WINNESHIEK he weather is starting to warm up, it’s time to start planning what you are planting in your garden and time to get your canners ready to preserve your garden bounty! The ISU Extension Answerline recently offered some reminders to make sure your canning equipment is in proper working order for safe, high quality home canning. If you have a pressure canner with a dial gauge it needs to be tested every year. The ISU Extension Answerline has a list of Extension offices or hardware store that will do testing. A weighted gauge canner does not need to be tested. If you have a Presto canner, the company will test the gauge. Simply send it to them, they test it and send it back to you. Just be sure and do it far enough in advance to have it back and ready for canning sea-

son. The canner’s vent and safety value should also be cleaned. Use a very small bottle brush or small cloth to run through the holes to make sure they are clean and operating freely. Next check the gasket if your canner has one. It should be soft and flexible, not brittle, sticky or cracked. If it needs to be replaced you can usually find them at hardware stores that sell canning supplies or they can be ordered from the manufacturer. Inventory your jars, flats and bands. Check the jars to make sure there are no small chips or hairline cracks. Nicks, especially on the top sealing edge of the jar can keep the lids from sealing properly. Hairline cracks in jars caused by old age and frequent use could cause them to break under pressure and heat during canning. If your jars need to be replaced start watching for specials on them in stores. Sometimes stores have sales before the canning

season officially starts! The bands can be reused year after year as long as they are not dented or rusty. The flat lids can only be used once so make sure that you toss the old ones and have new lids to use for this year’s canning. Make sure that you have your tested canning recipes ready. Publications and information is available from the Answerline or at your local county ISU Extension office. A great canning resource is the University of Georgia Cooperative Extension Service canning book called “So Easy to Preserve.” It is a comprehensive book with information on all types of home food preservation methods. Remember to look over your tested recipes in advance to make sure that you have all of the ingredients that you will need! With your equipment and supplies ready to go you will have a head start when your garden starts producing!

IOWA FARM BUREAU SPOKESMAN

APRIL 29, 2015

NORTH CENTRAL IOWA

Data Worth Collecting Is Data Worth Using Planting Tip: Clean monitors are happy monitors. Be sure to upload your data into FARMserver every night after planting to keep it safe all season long.

KOSSUTH . WINNEBAGO . WORTH . HANCOCK . CERRO GORDO . HUMBOLDT WRIGHT . FRANKLIN . WEBSTER . HAMILTON . HARDIN

For more planting tips, visit

www.FARMserver.com

Cerro Gordo and Worth County Farm Bureaus donate Share Grant money to local community college SUBMITTED BY CERRO GORDO, WORTH he Cerro Gordo and Worth County Farm Bureaus presented a $10,000 share grant to North Iowa Area Community College (NIACC) providing the college an opportunity to increase cow and sow herds in the on-campus Farm Lab. The funds will provide more opportunities for students to learn valuable animal care techniques. “As more and more students show interest in studying agriculture and animal sciences, our local county Farm Bureaus saw an opportunity to partner with NIACC to

help grow their animal herds to provide students more opportunities to gain valuable, hands-on experiences caring for livestock,” said Kevin Pope, president of the Cerro Gordo County Farm Bureau. “As a farmer myself, I am excited that so many young people are passionately pursuing opportunities in agriculture.” The $10,000 share grant will allow the Animal Sciences Department to grow their current herd. The additional cows and pigs on campus at the NIACC Farm Lab will provide students additional opportunities to work directly with the farm animals and gain valuable insight into animal care.

FARM FAMILY FAVORITES Balsamic Pork Roast Ellene Renaud, Grinnell (Poweshiek County) 3 lbs. boneless pork loin roast 2 Tbsp. steak seasoning rub (I use Grill Mates Montreal Steak Seasoning)

1/2 c. balsamic vinegar

2 c. cooked wild rice 3/4 c. shredded Cheddar cheese 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh Italian parsley

Pecan Pie Muffins Carolyn Archer, Moorhead (Monona County) 1 c. light brown sugar, packed 1/2 c. all-purpose flour 2 c. pecans, chopped 2/3 c. butter, softened 2 eggs, beaten

North Iowa Area Community College Farm Lab received a $10,000 share grant from county Farm Bureaus. Front, from left: NIACC Ag Instructor Abbie Johnson, Cerro Gordo County Farm Bureau President Kevin Pope, NIACC President Steve Schulz, Worth County Farm Bureau President Keith Braun and NIACC Ag Instructor Kevin Muhlenbruch along with many of the college ag students.

Horticulture hints BY YVONNE MCCORMICK, ISU EXTENSION HORTICULTURIST SUBMITTED BY HUMBOLDT

Reasons to rotate

Do you rotate in your garden? No, not by twirling around or doing the twist; leave that kind of rotation in the garden to your decorative spinners and whirly-a-bobs. For a healthier garden, what you should rotate, are your vegetable plants to different locations in the garden every year. But why rotate you may ask? When the same garden crops are continually planted year after year in the same spot, a number of problems may occur. Harmful insects and disease to a particular plant will build up in the soil to an attack level. Better plant nutrition is provided by plant rotation. By rotating plants with different nutritional needs to a new location in your garden each season, a soil nutrient deficiency can be avoided. Switching up plantings will help to improve your garden soil structure. As roots of different vegetables grow to various depths, rotating plants with different size root systems will penetrate the soil at different levels. Residual root fibers will add organic matter to benefit the soil as well. Ideally, a four to six year rotation plan is best. Unfortunately, today’s gardens are much smaller than those the size of grandma’s Victory garden of the past. Family size has gotten smaller, space for a large garden may not be available, and time constraints have reduced the size of garden plots. So how can one rotate crops in

a small garden? Ideas include perhaps growing only one type of vegetable each year, such as tomatoes the first year, then beans the second year, and squash the third year. Freeze or can the extra produce for use in following years. If space is available, move your garden area to a different location each year. Perhaps consider planting tomatoes in five gallon buckets, light colored or white plastic is better than black. Grow vining plants such as peas, pole beans, cucumbers and squash vertically on a trellis or fencing to take up less room in a smaller garden. Remember, even a two year rotation is better than none at all. Or just changing the location of plant

families within the garden is helpful in managing insects and disease. A three or four year rotation plan is more practical for most gardeners. Keep a garden journal to remember what you plant from year to year. Did you know? When rotating crops, do not use plants from the same plant family, as they are susceptible to similar insect pests and diseases, and have similar nutrient requirements. For example, the Solanaceae family includes tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, eggplant, and petunias. Investigate a plant’s other family members to plan a proper garden rotation. Gardening questions? Contact McCormick at yvonne@iastate.edu for information or advice.

IOWA FARM BUREAU SPOKESMAN

APRIL 29, 2015

F IVE -Y EAR A VG . Y IELD A DVANTAGE *

6.7 Bu./A.

EAST IOWA

At $9.60/Bu. soybeans, that is a $64/A. advantage over untreated seed.

TAMA . BENTON . LINN . JONES . JACKSON . POWESHIEK IOWA . JOHNSON . CEDAR . CLINTON . SCOTT

North Tama Kindergarten learns about farm safety from puppets

SUBMITTED BY TAMA he Ag in the classroom committee presented farm safety lessons through puppets to the 32 students who watched the animals tell the story of farm safety and its importance to them. Watch-it the Scarecrow and Cautious the Crow gave advice to the children about how to act around animals, not to ride on a tractor if there isn’t a seat for them and staying safe around other equipment and chemicals.

The puppet show is interactive, so the children answered questions and repeated rhymes as the puppet show was going on. They also heard a lot of good safety rhymes to share with friends and family. One of the rhymes was, “riding horses helmets on, with an adult ride on!” The children had a chance to ask questions and tell of their experiences on any farm. Rebecca and Calvin Dostal, Dylan Hosek and Tommy Weber of Traer presented the puppet show.

FARM FAMILY FAVORITES

Balsamic Pork Roast Ellene Renaud, Grinnell (Poweshiek County) 3 lbs. boneless pork loin roast 2 Tbsp. steak seasoning rub (I use Grill Mates Montreal Steak Seasoning)

1/2 c. balsamic vinegar

2 c. cooked wild rice 3/4 c. shredded Cheddar cheese 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh Italian parsley

Pecan Pie Muffins Carolyn Archer, Moorhead (Monona County) 1 c. light brown sugar, packed 1/2 c. all-purpose flour 2 c. pecans, chopped 2/3 c. butter, softened 2 eggs, beaten

The North Tama Kindergarten class got a visit on April 8 from the farm safety puppets.

ICA sale at Tama will celebrate 30th year of bull sales Meal precedes May 1 sale

SUBMITTED BY BENTON CLINTON, LINN he Iowa Cattlemen’s Association (ICA) will hold its third and final performance tested open heifer and bull sale of the season on Friday, May 1, at the Tama Livestock Auction Market in Tama. The sale begins at 6 p.m. To celebrate ICA’s 30th anniversary year of the program, the ICA Bull and Heifer Evaluation Program Committee will host a meal right before the sale, beginning at 4 p.m. In addition, buyers at the sale will be entered into a drawing for a $500 or one of two $200 credit certificate that can be used on a purchase that night, or a purchase at a future sale date through the 2016 sales. “Breeders have consigned excellent sets of heifers and bulls that carry breed-leading pedigrees and outstanding EPDs (expected progeny differences),” says Kellie Carolan, ICA seedstock manager. Thirty open heifers and 71 bulls are on the sale list. The bulls include 47 Angus, 13 Simmental, six Charolais and five Simmental composites. All bulls go through a 112-day test at the Van Meter Feedyard in Guthrie Center, while the open heifers are in a 96-day test at the same location. “We are bringing the top end of the consigned livestock to the sale,” Carolan said. The

sale bulls and heifers represent the top 75 percent of each group tested, and were selected on carcass, growth and reproductive merit. Breeders of the highest-indexing bull from each breed that qualified for the Tama sale will be honored prior to the sale by ICA and Zoetis Animal Health, which is the official sponsor of this ICA program. The terminal index is comprised by average daily gain; weight per day of age; weaning weight EPD; yearling weight EPD; marbling; and retail product numbers. Merrill and Steve Henry of Meredith Angus in Indianola claimed the highest indexing bull in the Angus division. Their Lot 225 bull was sired by ‘Connealy In Focus 4925.’ In the Simmental division, Craig Utesch of Triple U Ranch in Correctionville, raised the high indexing bull. His Lot 288 bull was sired by ‘SVF/NJC Mo Better M217. Kyle Wakefield of Wakefield Farms in New Richland, MN, consigned the top-indexing Charolais bull. Lot 273 was sired by LT Sundance 2551 Pld.’ In the final division, Simmental Composite bulls, Chris Nelson of Nelson Simmentals & Angus of Stanton claimed the high indexing award with his Lot 299 bull sired by ‘G C Weightmaker 931.’ Since ICA took over the performance bull test originally under the direction of the Iowa Beef Improvement Association, the program has performance-tested more

than 7,250 elite bulls in its 30-year history. Open heifers were added to the program in 1999 and more than 775 head have been offered for sale in the past 17 years. Two of the program’s sales were held in March. At Bloomfield, the ICA performance tested bulls sold for an average of $4,175, which is the new average high for the program. The Dunlap sale held later that month produced the second highest average sales for the program, $3,698. Throughout the test history, the BHEP Committee has always strived to give bull and heifer buyers and seedstock producers more information to assist in their genetic selection process. The program has undergone continuous improvement from being part of selection clinics, to adding ultrasound data and pelvic measurements to the catalogs, to including PI-BVD testing for all enrolled cattle and adding new EPDs and indexes to the catalog. For more information about the ICA Bull Evaluation Program or to receive a Tama sale catalog, contact the ICA office at 515-296-2266. Videos of the Tama heifers are online at https://www.youtube.com/ user/iacattlemen/playlists, and videos of the bulls will be there soon. You may also view the sales catalog and other bull and heifer test information on the ICA website at www. iacattlemen.org.

IOWA FARM BUREAU SPOKESMAN

APRIL 29, 2015

Data Worth Collecting Is Data Worth Using Planting Tip: Clean monitors are happy monitors. Be sure to upload your data into FARMserver every night after planting to keep it safe all season long.

NORTH IOWA

For more planting tips, visit

MITCHELL . HOWARD . FLOYD . CHICKASAW . BUTLER . BREMER . GRUNDY . BLACK HAWK

www.FARMserver.com

Control weeds in asparagus and berries SUBMITTED BY CHICKASAW, HOWARD Weeds can cause trouble for asparagus, raspberries and strawberries. Here are some tips from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach horticulturists on the proper way to control weeds in home gardens. To have additional questions answered, contact your county ISU Extension office.

Asparagus

Weeds can become a serious problem in asparagus plantings. Cultivation and hand pulling are the most practical weed control measures for home

FARM FAMILY FAVORITES

Balsamic Pork Roast Ellene Renaud, Grinnell (Poweshiek County) 3 lbs. boneless pork loin roast 2 Tbsp. steak seasoning rub (I use Grill Mates Montreal Steak Seasoning)

1/2 c. balsamic vinegar

2 c. cooked wild rice 3/4 c. shredded Cheddar cheese 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh Italian parsley

Pecan Pie Muffins Carolyn Archer, Moorhead (Monona County) 1 c. light brown sugar, packed 1/2 c. all-purpose flour 2 c. pecans, chopped 2/3 c. butter, softened 2 eggs, beaten

the last harvest when all asparagus spears have been cut off just below ground level. Do not allow Roundup to get on asparagus spears or ferns, as serious plant injury may occur.

Raspberries

emerge in spring. Since organic mulches gradually decompose, apply additional material each year.

Strawberries

Yard and garden Properly dividing perennials

SUBMITTED BY HOWARD Herbaceous perennials (those that die back in the fall and emerge in new growth in the spring) are commonly divided for three reasons: to control size, to rejuvenate plants and to propagate a prized perennial. Horticulturists with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach offer tips on the proper way to divide perennials. To have additional questions answered, contact the ISU Hortline at 515294-3108 or hortline@iastate.edu. Do I need to divide the perennials in my garden? Some perennials, such as garden peonies, can be left undisturbed for 50 or more years. Others need to be divided periodically to contain their spread or to rejuvenate declining plants. Perennials, such as bee balm and obedient plant, are vigorous growers. They grow so rapidly that they begin to crowd out neighboring plants within a few years. Bee balm and other vigorous growers should be divided every two to three years. After dividing the perennials, replant some of the divisions, give others to relatives

or neighbors and discard remaining plants in the compost pile. In contrast, the performance of some perennials, such as bearded iris, begins to decline after several years. If not divided every three to five years, bearded irises usually don’t bloom well because of overcrowding. Declining perennials should be divided to rejuvenate the plants. While division may not be necessary, many perennials can be divided on a periodic basis to obtain more plants. It’s best not to divide butterfly weed, false blue indigo and several other perennials as these plants have deep taproots. Attempts to divide perennials with deep taproots are often unsuccessful. When should I divide my perennials? The best time to divide perennials varies with the different plant species. Early spring (just as new growth begins to appear) is the best time to divide aster, chrysanthemum, hosta, bee balm, sedum, yarrow, obedient plant and ornamental grasses. Bearded iris should be divided in July or August. Late summer/early fall is the best time to divide peonies. Daylily, garden phlox and coreopsis can be suc-

cessfully divided in early spring and late summer/early fall. How often can I divide my perennials? If you would like additional plants, many perennials can be divided on a periodic basis. The frequency of division depends on plant vigor. Most fast growing perennials, such as aster, coreopsis, daylily, hosta and garden phlox, can be divided every two to three years. Perennials that grow rather slowly, such as peony, can be divided every four to five years. Some perennials, like false blue indigo and butterfly weed, don’t like to be divided and should be left undisturbed in the garden. How do I go about dividing perennials in spring? Dig up the perennials in early spring just as new growth begins to appear. Divide each plant clump into sections with a sharp knife. Each division should contain several shoots and a portion of the root system. Replant the divisions immediately. Keep the newly divided perennials well watered through spring and summer. Most newly divided perennials do not bloom well until their second growing season.

4-State Dairy Nutrition and Management Conference June 10-11 SUBMITTED BY CHICKASAW The 2015 Four-State Dairy Nutrition and Management Conference will be held June 10-11 at the Grand River Center in Dubuque. The conference will present the latest research on issues concerning the dairy industry, including feed management and behavior. This conference is a collaborative effort of Iowa State University Extension, University of Illinois Extension, University of Minnesota Extension and University of Wisconsin Extension. The program starts on Wednesday, June 10, with a pre-conference symposium spon-

sored by Arm and Hammer animal nutrition focusing on animal health and immunity. Speakers include Dr. Joel Pankowski, Jim Nocek, Michael Ballou and Danica Baines. Conference topics include: • Rick Grant, Creating a perfect dining experience for your cows and Making milk with forage: understanding rumen fiber dynamics • Gordie Jones, Achieving excellence: how to move beyond 90 lbs of milk. and Dry cow diets • Tom Jenkings, Rumen lipid sub-models in nutrition programs • Bill Weiss, Practical mineral rec-

ommendations • Dave Combs, Feeding low lignin alfalfa • Jeffrey Bewley, Precision dairy monitoring technology investment considerations Other topics to be covered include: useful information from a TMR fat analysis, five things to help manage foot health, sampling variation in feeds, dollars and sense of organic dairying, corn silage fungal disease, serotonin impact on calcium status, building milk protein and using the KetoMonitor to manage herd level ketosis.

IOWA FARM BUREAU SPOKESMAN

APRIL 29, 2015

NORTH WEST IOWA

Data Worth Collecting Is Data Worth Using Planting Tip: Clean monitors are happy monitors. Be sure to upload your data into FARMserver every night after planting to keep it safe all season long.

LYON . OSCEOLA . DICKINSON . EMMET . SIOUX . O’BRIEN . CLAY . PALO ALTO . PLYMOUTH . CHEROKEE BUENA VISTA . POCAHONTAS . WOODBURY . IDA . SAC . CALHOUN . MONONA . CRAWFORD . CARROLL . GREENE

For more planting tips, visit

www.FARMserver.com

Goal-oriented process builds a legacy of environmental stewardship SUBMITTED BY CHEROKEE The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association has named Glenn and Bev Rowe, Lorimor, as winners of the 2015 Iowa Environmental Stewardship Award Program. Theirs has been a stewardship journey that started in Dallas County and is now operated on farmland in Union and Madison Counties. Their farm operation includes pasture paddocks, wildlife refuge and some crop acres. Cattle have always been an integral part of their farm operation and environmental decisions that have improved land use, water quality and wildlife habitat.

The couple began their farming careers in 1969 in rural Dallas County with a small cow herd while working on the diversified farming operation of Glenn’s parents. They were part of the change on that Dallas County farm that converted it from moldboard plowing and finely tilled soils for planting, to leaving soybean stubble untouched and disc chiseling corn stalks that would leave enough residue on the field to avoid wind erosion. While those processes were taking place on the cropland, they purchased some pasture ground in

FARM FAMILY FAVORITES

Balsamic Pork Roast Ellene Renaud, Grinnell (Poweshiek County) 3 lbs. boneless pork loin roast 2 Tbsp. steak seasoning rub (I use Grill Mates Montreal Steak Seasoning)

1/2 c. balsamic vinegar

2 c. cooked wild rice 3/4 c. shredded Cheddar cheese 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh Italian parsley

Pecan Pie Muffins Carolyn Archer, Moorhead (Monona County) 1 c. light brown sugar, packed 1/2 c. all-purpose flour 2 c. pecans, chopped 2/3 c. butter, softened 2 eggs, beaten

Madison County that had conservation measures in place. There was no rotational grazing; weed management in the pasture was done with chemicals; and cows drank from ponds and creeks. The Rowes used a goal-oriented process to make changes; one that allowed economic sustainability as well as environmental sustainability. They installed fencing around ponds, put water tanks in below ponds for watering options, built internal division fences and more secure perimeter fences, installed low-stress working corrals and seeded native grass species for weed and erosion control. In 1999, they found a new challenge for another type of sustainability; that of mentoring the next generation of cattle farmers. When sons Justin and Tanner indicated they wanted to be part of the farm operation, Bev and Glenn decided they would build a new home and facilities on a 427-acre farm they had purchased in 1997 in Union County. Once revitalized, the location would lend itself well to rotational grazing and rural water access for their cowcalf herd. The Rowes focused on returning old CRP and lower quality farmland to improved and rotationally grazed pastures. They already knew that doing that part successfully would help them move to sustainable economic goals such as increasing the carrying capacity of the land and increasing

Team Beef

forage yields. They partnered with the NRCS (Natural Resources Conservation Service) on no less than seven projects including rotational grazing, rural water pipeline installation, reseeding and fertilizing after soil testing, internal fencing of paddocks, water heavy use fabric at crossings and stream bank stabilizations. As Iowa’s ESAP representatives, the Rowes have been nominated for recognition at the regional level, which includes four other states. If they are successful in the regional competition, the Rowes will move on to the national level. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association initiated the environmental award program in 1991 to highlight

exceptional work done by cattle producers to protect and enhance the environment. Since its inception, Iowa cattle producers have won 16 regional awards and three national ones. It won’t be known until July whether Glenn and Bev Rowe will be selected as the ESAP Region 3 winner. If they are selected, they will compete for the national ESAP title with six other regional winners. The national winner will be announced during the Cattle Industry Annual Convention and Trade Show in San Diego, Calif., in January 2016. ESAP is supported by the National Cattlemen’s Foundation, Dow AgroSciences, USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

ICA sale at Tama will celebrate 30th year of bull SUBMITTED BY CHEROKEE The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association (ICA) will hold its third and final performance tested open heifer and bull sale of the season on Friday, May 1, at the Tama Livestock Auction Market in Tama. The sale begins at 6 p.m. To celebrate ICA’s 30th anniversary year of the program, the ICA Bull and Heifer Evaluation Program Committee will host a meal right before the sale, beginning at 4 p.m. In addition, buyers at the sale will be entered into a drawing for a $500 or one of two $200 credit certificate that can be used on a purchase that night, or a purchase at a future sale date through the 2016 sales. “Breeders have consigned excellent sets of heifers and bulls that carry breed-leading pedigrees and outstanding EPDs (expected progeny differences),” says Kellie Carolan, ICA seedstock manager. Thirty open heifers and 71 bulls are on the sale list. The bulls include 47 Angus, 13 Simmental, six Charolais and five

Simmental composites. All bulls go through a 112-day test at the Van Meter Feedyard in Guthrie Center, while the open heifers are in a 96-day test at the same location. “We are bringing the top end of the consigned livestock to the sale,” Carolan said. The sale bulls and heifers represent the top 75 percent of each group tested, and were selected on carcass, growth and reproductive merit. Breeders of the highest-indexing bull from each breed that qualified for the Tama sale will be honored prior to the sale by ICA and Zoetis Animal Health, which is the official sponsor of this ICA program. The terminal index is comprised by average daily gain; weight per day of age; weaning weight EPD; yearling weight EPD; marbling; and retail product numbers. Since ICA took over the performance bull test originally under the direction of the Iowa Beef Improvement Association, the program has

performance-tested more than 7,250 elite bulls in its 30-year history. Open heifers were added to the program in 1999 and more than 775 head have been offered for sale in the past 17 years. Two of the program’s sales were held in March. At Bloomfield, the ICA performance tested bulls sold for an average of $4,175, which is the new average high for the program. The Dunlap sale held later that month produced the second highest average sales for the program, $3,698. For more information about the ICA Bull Evaluation Program or to receive a Tama sale catalog, contact the ICA office at 515-296-2266. Videos of the Tama heifers are online at https://www.youtube.com/user/ iacattlemen/playlists, and videos of the bulls will be there soon. You may also view the sales catalog and other bull and heifer test information on the ICA website at www.iacattlemen.org.

IOWA FARM BUREAU SPOKESMAN

APRIL 29, 2015

F IVE -Y EAR A VG . Y IELD A DVANTAGE *

6.7 Bu./A. CENTRAL IOWA

At $9.60/Bu. soybeans, that is a $64/A. advantage over untreated seed.

BOONE . STORY . MARSHALL . DALLAS . POLK . JASPER . MADISON . WARREN . MARION

Iowa Cattlemen’s Association sale at Tama will celebrate 30th year of bull sales SUBMITTED BY BOONE, MARION, MARSHALL, WARREN The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association (ICA) will hold its third and final performance tested open heifer and bull sale of the season on Friday, May 1, at the Tama Livestock Auction Market. The sale begins at 6 p.m. To celebrate ICA’s 30th anniversary year of the program, the ICA Bull and Heifer Evaluation Program Committee will host a meal right before the sale beginning at 4 p.m. In addition, buyers at the sale will be entered into a drawing for

a $500 or one of two $200 credit certificates that can be used on a purchase that night or a purchase at a future sale date through the 2016 sales. “Breeders have consigned excellent sets of heifers and bulls that carry breed-leading pedigrees and outstanding EPDs (expected progeny differences),” says Kellie Carolan, ICA seedstock manager. Thirty open heifers and 71 bulls are on the sale list. The bulls include 47 Angus, 13 Simmental, six Charolais, and five Simmental composites.

FARM FAMILY FAVORITES

Balsamic Pork Roast Ellene Renaud, Grinnell (Poweshiek County) 3 lbs. boneless pork loin roast 2 Tbsp. steak seasoning rub (I use Grill Mates Montreal Steak Seasoning)

1/2 c. balsamic vinegar

All bulls go through a test lasting 112 days at the Van Meter Feedyard in Guthrie Center, while the open heifers are in a 96-day test at the same location. “We are bringing the top end of the consigned livestock to the sale,” Carolan said. The sale bulls and heifers represent the top 75 percent of each group tested, and were selected on carcass, growth and reproductive merit. Breeders of the highest-indexing bull from each breed that qualified for the Tama sale will be honored prior to the sale by ICA and Zoetis Animal Health, which is the official sponsor of this ICA program. The terminal index is comprised by average daily gain; weight per day of age; weaning weight EPD; yearling weight EPD; marbling; and retail product numbers. Merrill and Steve Henry of Meredith Angus in Indianola claimed the highest indexing bull in the Angus division. Their Lot 225 bull was sired by Connealy In Focus 4925. In the Simmental division, Craig Utesch of Triple U Ranch

in Correctionville raised the high indexing bull. His Lot 288 bull was sired by SVF/NJC Mo Better M217. Kyle Wakefield of Wakefield Farms in New Richland, Minn., consigned the top-indexing Charolais bull. Lot 273 was sired by LT Sundance 2551 Pld. In the final division, Simmental Composite bulls, Chris Nelson of Nelson Simmentals & Angus of Stanton claimed the high indexing award with his Lot 299 bull sired by G C Weightmaker 931. Since ICA took over the performance bull test originally under the direction of the Iowa Beef Improvement Association, the program has performance tested more than 7,250 elite bulls in its 30-year history. Open heifers were added to the program in 1999 and more than 775 head have been offered for sale in the past 17 years. Two of the program’s sales were held in March. At Bloomfield, the ICA performance tested bulls sold for an average of $4,175, which is the new average high for the program. The Dunlap sale held later

that month produced the second highest average sales for the program, $3,698. Throughout the test history, the BHEP Committee has always striven to give bull and heifer buyers and seedstock producers more information to assist in their genetic selection process. The program has undergone continuous improvement from being part of selection clinics, to adding ultrasound data and pelvic measurements to the catalogs, to including PI-BVD testing for all enrolled cattle and adding new EPDs and indexes to the catalog. For more information about the ICA Bull Evaluation Program or to receive a Tama sale catalog, contact the ICA office at 515296-2266. Videos of the Tama heifers are online at https://www. youtube.com/user/iacattlemen/ playlists, and videos of the bulls will be there soon. You may also view the sales catalog and other bull and heifer test information on the ICA Web site at www.iacattlemen.org.

4-H’ers in action

2 c. cooked wild rice 3/4 c. shredded Cheddar cheese 2 Tbsp. chopped fresh Italian parsley

Pecan Pie Muffins Carolyn Archer, Moorhead (Monona County) 1 c. light brown sugar, packed 1/2 c. all-purpose flour 2 c. pecans, chopped 2/3 c. butter, softened 2 eggs, beaten

Members of Marshall County Extension’s Outdoor Adventure 4-H group and their parents traveled to Otter Creek Marsh east of Tama on April 11 to check in on the waterfowl and other wildlife and learn about the importance of marshland. Tim Thompson (center) is the DNR staffer who led them on the adventure. The special interest club for 4-H youth for fourth-graders and older is active throughout the year. Past adventures have included camping, archery, ice fishing and horseback riding as well as a variety of educational outings. PHOTO COURTESY OF MARSHALL COUNTY.

Spring farm safety tip SUBMITTED BY DALLAS Motorists, please remember to share the roads with the large farm machinery that is on the roads during planting season. Both motorists and farmers have the responsibility to avoid collisions.

Farmers should be sure to have slow-moving vehicle signs are on the equipment and lights that are working correctly. Motorists, please remember that the equipment travels at a slow speed and sometimes takes

up a large portion of the roadway. Please be patient, reduce your speed and stay a safe distance between you and the equipment so they can see you and pass when it’s safe. Have a safe planting season!