Area6 03 2015 by Iowa Farm Bureau

IOWA FARM BUREAU SPOKESMAN

JUNE 3, 2015

SOUTH EAST IOWA

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

Ryan McAllister PFR Director

Beck’s Practical Farm Research (PFR)® studies show that split nitrogen applications provided the greatest ROI when compared to 100 percent pre-plant. For full study results and information on other studies, refer to the 2014 PFR book online at BecksHybrids.com.

Practical Farm Research (PFR)® is a registered trademark of Beck’s Superior Hybrids, Inc.

Progressive Ag Safety Day held

West Liberty third grade students learned how to identify and deal with hazards at home and on the farm on Tuesday, May 26. Hands-on experiences led by local community members and the West Liberty FFA taught safety day participants lifelong safety lessons. For the past 20 years, the Progressive Agriculture Safety Day® program has continued the mission of providing education and training to make farm, ranch and rural life safer and healthier for children and their communities. For more information and photos of the event, see the Muscatine County page. PHOTO COURTESY OF MUSCATINE COUNTY.

FARM FAMILY FAVORITES

Steamed New Potatoes with Parmesan Cheese PorkBeInspired.com recipe 18 small new potatoes, unpeeled 2 Tbsp. butter 2 Tbsp. flour 1 c. milk 1/2 tsp. seasoned salt 1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg

1/3 c. parmesan cheese, freshly grated

Cover potatoes with water in a large saucepan; bring to a boil and cover. Simmer on low heat until tender, for about 8-12 minutes. Drain, and keep warm. In medium saucepan over medium-high heat, melt butter and whisk in flour. Whisk in milk, stirring constantly until thickened. Season sauce with salt and nutmeg. Stir in cheese. Pour sauce over potatoes,and stir to coat.

Seven Layer No Bowl Bars Chris Hermsen, Jesup (Buchanan County) 1 stick butter 1 c. graham crackers, crushed 1 c. flaked coconut 1 (6-oz.) pkg. chocolate chips 1 (6-oz.) pkg. butterscotch chips

1 can sweetened-condensed milk 1 c. pecans, chopped

Melt butter in 9x13-inch pan in 350 degrees Fahrenheit oven. Sprinkle crushed graham crackers on butter. Sprinkle on coconut, then chocolate and butterscotch chips. Drizzle sweetened milk over top, and cover with chopped pecans. Bake 30-35 minutes. Cool completely before cutting into squares.

Chicken Vegetable Dip Becky Moss, Manchester (Black Hawk County) 1 (12-oz) can white chicken 3/4 c. Miracle Whip 3/4 c. sour cream 1 pkg. Knorr vegetable soup mix

Chopped water chestnuts

Mix all ingredients together. Refrigerate over night. Serve with bagel pieces or crackers.

Handmade quilts for World War II vets SUBMITTED BY MONROE A group of quilters will be giving every living World War II veteran in Monroe County their own special quilt during Restoration Days on Saturday, Aug. 8. The Veterans Peace Quilters group, which started in January and meets each Monday at CD’s Restaurant in Moravia, is in the process of making 34 lap and twin-sized quilts with various patriotic themes. Twelve regulars attend each week, but several others sew at home or donate material or money for the World War II veteran’s project. The idea came from a visit to Branson. “Seeing how they regard veterans at virtually every show got me to thinking that we can treat our vets the same way,” stated Arlys West.

Pictured is an example of a patriotic quilt.

Once the World War II vets have their quilts, they’ll start working on quilts for Korean War vets and keep going as long as they have support, material and money. “If anyone would like to

help, we would accept money, material and sewing skills,” West said. Contact one of the ladies for more information. We will have a quilt picture in the next Spokesman.

Enter 2015 FB Photo Contest SUBMITTED BY HENRY The American Farm Bureau Federation, in conjunction with the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture, recently announced the 2015 Farm Bureau Photo Contest. The contest is open to all state and county Farm Bureau members and staff above 18 years of age at the time of entry, including professional photographers. Photo submissions will be used to accurately portray today’s agriculture and the safe practices of farmers and ranchers and also for future publications, promotions and social media by AFBF and

related companies. All photos submitted must exemplify safe practices on the farm or ranch. The contest opened May 15 and runs through March 31, 2016, so there’s still plenty of time to enter. Photos may be entered in four categories: Farm Families, Farm Labor, Technology and Consumer Outreach. Monetary prizes will be awarded to the top three placing photos from each category. First place winners will be awarded $150, second place $100 and third place $75. Judges will also select a “Best in Show” winner for the most dynam-

ic photo entered across all categories as well as two runners-up. The Best in Show winner will receive $400, with a first runner-up and second runner-up receiving $300 and $200, respectively. Contest winners will be announced April 15, 2016, on the Farm Bureau’s media platforms and website. For more information on how to register and to view the contest rules and regulations, visit the 2015 Farm Bureau Photo Contest webpage at http://photocontest.fb.org. Questions about the contest may be sent via email to photocontest@fb.org.

IOWA FARM BUREAU SPOKESMAN

JUNE 3, 2015

NORTH WEST IOWA

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

Dave Duttlinger Wheatfield, IN

“I write my own planting maps with FARMserver’s Management Zone Creation Tool. This gives me the freedom to make changes in the field and not rely on a third party, saving me time and money.”

Farm Safety Day presented BY ALLISON KOLBE, JUNIOR REPORTER SUBMITTED BY SAC Progressive Agriculture Safety Day was held May 12 at the 4-H building at the Sac County Fairgrounds for the fourth-graders from Schaller-Crestland, Sac City, Wall Lake and Odebolt. The East Sac sent six FFA members to teach the kids about the Hidden Hazards around the farm and the blind spots on a tractor. They were Rachel Conderino, Ben Kolbe, Allison Kolbe, Alex Gerdes, Brandon Langbein, and Quentin Ackerman. Lunch was sponsored by Farm Bureau again this year. Other rotations that educated the

fourth-graders were Sun Safety, First Aid, Bicycle Safety, Fire House, Internet Safety and Lawn Mower Safety. The event lasted from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. It was a fun and educational day for Sac County fourth-graders. The East Sac FFA is a youth organization of 134 student members preparing for leadership and careers in science, business and technology. FFA strives to make a positive difference in the lives of students by developing their potential for premier leadership, personal growth and career success through agricultural education. For more information, visit www. eastsacffa.org.

FARM FAMILY FAVORITES

Steamed New Potatoes with Parmesan Cheese PorkBeInspired.com recipe 18 small new potatoes, unpeeled 2 Tbsp. butter 2 Tbsp. flour 1 c. milk 1/2 tsp. seasoned salt 1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg

1/3 c. parmesan cheese, freshly grated

Seven Layer No Bowl Bars Chris Hermsen, Jesup (Buchanan County) 1 stick butter 1 c. graham crackers, crushed 1 c. flaked coconut 1 (6-oz.) pkg. chocolate chips 1 (6-oz.) pkg. butterscotch chips

1 can sweetened-condensed milk 1 c. pecans, chopped

Chicken Vegetable Dip Becky Moss, Manchester (Black Hawk County) 1 (12-oz) can white chicken 3/4 c. Miracle Whip 3/4 c. sour cream 1 pkg. Knorr vegetable soup mix

Chopped water chestnuts

Mix all ingredients together. Refrigerate over night. Serve with bagel pieces or crackers.

East Sac FFA members who helped with Farm Safety Day included Ben Kolbe, Alex Gerdes, Brandon Langbein, Quentin Ackerman, Allison Kolbe and Rachel Conderino. PHOTO COURTESY OF EAST SAC FFA.

Special quality assurance training scheduled SUBMITTED BY LYON, O’BRIEN, OSCEOLA The Iowa Pork Producers Association is partnering with the Iowa Pork Industry Center and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach to offer free Pork Quality Assurance Plus® (PQA Plus®) and Transport Quality Assurance® (TQA®) programs for Iowa hog farmers. Special quality assurance training sessions will be hosted at the World Pork Expo on Wednesday, June 3, and Thursday, June 4. All sessions will be hosted in room A-2 of the Varied Industries Building on the Iowa State Fairgrounds. Interested individuals should pre-register by contacting IPPA at 515-225-7675 or dricheson@iowapork.org. Session

details are as follows: *Wednesday, June 3: PQA Plus, 9:15 a.m. to noon; TQA, 1 –3:30 p.m. *Thursday, June 4: PQA Plus, 9:15 a.m. to noon PQA Plus and TQA training closest for Lyon County producers: *District 1: Tuesday, July 7, Sioux County Extension Office, 400 Central Ave. NW Ste. 700, Orange City All district locations offer TQA from 12:30-3 p.m. and PQA Plus from 3:15-6 p.m. All sessions are sponsored by IPPA and the Pork Checkoff. Producers are encouraged to preregister to allow adequate space and materials. To preregister or for more information, contact IPPA at 515-225-7675 or email dricheson@ iowapork.org.

PQA Plus and TQA are part of the industry aligned We Care responsible pork initiative, which establishes ethical principles for pork producers to produce safe food, protect and promote animal well-being, protect public health, safeguard natural resources, provide a safe work environment and contribute to a better quality of life in their communities. “Pork producers, their employees and pig transporters continue to show their dedication to continuous industry improvement through certification in PQA Plus and TQA,” said IPPA President Dave Struthers. “These programs, along with the We Care initiative, continue to show our customers the strong commitment we have to food safety and animal care.”

Minimize food safety risks at farmers markets through free online courses SUBMITTED BY PLYMOUTH Four new online courses are being offered through Iowa State University Extension and Outreach to provide science-based information on food safety liability risks at farmers markets. The Farmers Market Food Safety Training course gives vendors and farmers market managers good agricultural practices (GAP) for safe food production and handling specific to farmers markets, with a focus on specialty crop foods. “It is critical for Iowa producers vending at farmers markets educate themselves about safe food practices. That’s why on-farm and at-the-market food safety training programs for farmers and market managers have been established by Iowa State University’s Extension and Outreach,”

said Angela Shaw, professor in food safety and program specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach. “One reason producers should invest time taking this free online class is to demonstrate their commitment to their customers,” said Shaw. “With the number of farmers markets and local food groups in Iowa continuing to grow, making food safe is more important than ever. Farmers market managers and producers can learn at their own pace conveniently, 24 hours/7 days a week, in the comforts of their home office.” The new online series offers knowledge about farm-to-fork food safety and offers participants a certificate of completion suitable to display at their vendor’s booth or market stall. The food safety training is avail-

able in four online video modules including: Pre-Harvest, Post-Harvest, Marketing and Best Practices at the Market and Value Added Products. Note: This course is not a substitute for the full eight-hour GAP course that is recommended for farmers serving multiple venues and farmers market managers. To register for one or all modules in the Farmers Market Food Safety Course, or for more information, go to www.safeproduce.cals.iastate.edu/ training/ The Farmers Market Food Safety Training materials were funded by the USDA Agricultural Marketing Services Specialty Crop Block Grant Program through the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.

IOWA FARM BUREAU SPOKESMAN

JUNE 3, 2015

NORTH EAST IOWA Dave Duttlinger Wheatfield, IN

“I write my own planting maps with FARMserver’s Management Zone Creation Tool. This gives me the freedom to make changes in the field and not rely on a third party, saving me time and money.”

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

Reconsidering the egg SUBMITTED BY ALLAMAKEE Experts have warned against diets high in cholesterol for years and have suggested, for example, limiting egg yolk intake. The previous Dietary Guidelines for Americans stated that Americans eat too much cholesterol and that high-cholesterol foods like eggs should be limited. Preliminary reports, however, indicate that the 2015 guidelines may no longer consider cholesterol as a nutrient of concern for overconsumption. New research suggests that dietary cholesterol intake may not significantly increase blood cholesterol levels or increase the risk of heart disease in healthy adults. Saturated fat and trans fat in the diet are of greater concern for keeping blood cholesterol levels down than the actual cholesterol content of food. However, it is still recommended that we consume

limited amounts of foods high in saturated fat or trans fat (e.g., butter, margarine, fats in meat, and high-fat dairy). Eggs are an inexpensive protein food that is relatively low in total fat and saturated fat and rich in vitamins and minerals. Therefore, eggs can be part of a healthy diet. It is still recommended to eat them in moderation and prepare them with lowfat cooking methods like boiling or poaching. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans are updated every five years by the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Department of Health and Human Services. They provide dietary and physical activity recommendations for Americans ages 2 years and over to reduce risk of chronic disease and promote overall health.

FARM FAMILY FAVORITES

Steamed New Potatoes with Parmesan Cheese PorkBeInspired.com recipe 18 small new potatoes, unpeeled 2 Tbsp. butter 2 Tbsp. flour 1 c. milk 1/2 tsp. seasoned salt 1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg

1/3 c. parmesan cheese, freshly grated

Seven Layer No Bowl Bars Chris Hermsen, Jesup (Buchanan County) 1 stick butter 1 c. graham crackers, crushed 1 c. flaked coconut 1 (6-oz.) pkg. chocolate chips 1 (6-oz.) pkg. butterscotch chips

1 can sweetened-condensed milk 1 c. pecans, chopped

Chicken Vegetable Dip Becky Moss, Manchester (Black Hawk County) 1 (12-oz) can white chicken 3/4 c. Miracle Whip 3/4 c. sour cream 1 pkg. Knorr vegetable soup mix

Chopped water chestnuts

Mix all ingredients together. Refrigerate over night. Serve with bagel pieces or crackers.

A day on the farm

Xavier Elementary fourth-graders from Dyersville got to visit the Brian and Eileen Hoefler farm in New Vienna on Friday, May 15. Dubuque County Farm Bureau Ag in the Classroom provided supplies so the group could make pudding with the help of Dubuque County Dairy Princess Theresa Brehm and Dubuque County Dairy Princess Alternate Jennifer Hammerand. PHOTO COURTESY OF DUBUQUE COUNTY.

Attend Greenhorn Grazing Workshops to sharpen grazing skills SUBMITTED BY CLAYTON, DELAWARE, FAYETTE Livestock producers wanting to maximize benefits from their grazing practices should attend Greenhorn Grazing workshops in northeast Iowa. Producers of all skill levels are welcome to the five-part workshop series, according to Denise Schwab, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach beef specialist. “Greenhorn Grazing is designed for graziers interested in a more controlled or management-intensive grazing system,” Schwab said. “Producers who want to optimize forage and livestock production, increase market access and conserve natural resources will find the modules very informative.” The series content will cover concepts relevant to producers of all grass-based livestock, whether it is beef, dairy, sheep or other animals, she said. “The Greenhorn Grazing program is designed to help livestock producers evaluate their own pasture management and implement steps to increase their grazing efficiency,” Schwab said. “This training features experienced graziers sharing their knowledge and learning from each other. It’s the best combination of academics with real-world experience.” Greenhorn Grazing will be held in the Clayton, Delaware and Dubuque county area, but is open to all producers in northeast Iowa.

Each workshop will have a classroom component led by experienced instructors and a hands-on field component. The workshops are scheduled for 9:30 a.m. to mid-afternoon on the following dates with topics and speakers as described: June 10: Brian Lang, ISU Extension agronomist - soil conditions, fertility and plant productivity. Pat Schaefers, Clayton County NRCS - pasture condition scoring and CSP opportunities. Schwab forage planning and species identification. The pasture component will be at the John Schupbach farm near Elgin featuring new seeding establishment, rotational paddocks, above ground waterline system, wildlife protection systems and custom grazing. July 21: Larry Tranel, ISU Extension dairy specialist - dairy grazing. A fencing demonstration will be part of the pasture portion at the Eric Gaul pasture. Aug. 24: Dan Morrical, ISU sheep specialist - animal grazing behavior, forage requirements and supplementing on pasture. ISU Extension ag engineer Greg Brenneman - watering systems. The Cameron Schulte pasture segment features buried water lines to tanks and a spring water development. Sept. 9: ISU Extension field agronomist Meghan Anderson weed management. Fall and winter forage management practices such

as fall interseeding with Jim Welter; hay field grazing and planning for winter feeding. Dan, Tom and Mark Welter will host this session. Nov. 10: Cover crop grazing and companionship of cattle to row crops to be held at the Jack Smith farm near Epworth. Support from the Clayton, Delaware and Dubuque County Extension districts, Theisen’s HomeFarm-Auto, Arrow Cattlequip, Innovative Ag Services and Welter Seed & Honey Co. help offset the cost of the short course. The $75 per person fee is for all five sessions in the series. It includes a resource notebook and lunches and assists in covering speaker travel. For more information on specific locations or details contact Schwab by phone at 319-721-9624 or email at dschwab@iastate.edu. To register, contact the Delaware County Extension Office at 563927-4201.

IOWA FARM BUREAU SPOKESMAN

JUNE 3, 2015

NORTH IOWA

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

Iowa Cattlemen’s Association to host June pasture walks SUBMITTED BY HOWARD, MITCHELL The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association is holding a pasture walk Tuesday, June 16, at the Eric Smith farm, 2417 348th St., Decorah, with meal at the farm, giving cowcalf producers in the northeast part of the state an opportunity to hear from experts on brush management and maximizing feeder calf value. “The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association continually hears interest from its members wanting to learn about practices to enhance their operation through on-farm visits and industry experts. While Iowa’s cow-calf business is certainly profitable, the practices and topics discussed at the midJune pasture walks will no doubt help Iowa’s cow-calf sector enhance pasture quality and add value to calves

Dave Duttlinger Wheatfield, IN

“I write my own planting maps with FARMserver’s Management Zone Creation Tool. This gives me the freedom to make changes in the field and not rely on a third party, saving me time and money.”

Best Farmer Contest

destined for the feedlot later this fall,” says ICA CEO Matt Deppe. The evening walk will run from 4:30-5:45 p.m. and will be led by those cattle producers hosting the walk. The event will then transition to the meal venues where speakers will address issues. Scott Flynn, a field scientist at Dow AgroSciences, will speak about effectively managing brush while Dr. Terry Engleken, DVM of Iowa State University, will speak on maximizing feeder calf value. ICA director of government relations and public policy, Justine Stevenson, will also give an ICA update. There is no cost to attend, but producers are asked to RSVP to the ICA office by calling 515-2962266 so meals can be planned for appropriately.

FARM FAMILY FAVORITES

Steamed New Potatoes with Parmesan Cheese PorkBeInspired.com recipe 18 small new potatoes, unpeeled 2 Tbsp. butter 2 Tbsp. flour 1 c. milk 1/2 tsp. seasoned salt 1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg

1/3 c. parmesan cheese, freshly grated

Seven Layer No Bowl Bars Chris Hermsen, Jesup (Buchanan County) 1 stick butter 1 c. graham crackers, crushed 1 c. flaked coconut 1 (6-oz.) pkg. chocolate chips 1 (6-oz.) pkg. butterscotch chips

1 can sweetened-condensed milk 1 c. pecans, chopped

Chicken Vegetable Dip Becky Moss, Manchester (Black Hawk County) 1 (12-oz) can white chicken 3/4 c. Miracle Whip 3/4 c. sour cream 1 pkg. Knorr vegetable soup mix

Chopped water chestnuts

Mix all ingredients together. Refrigerate over night. Serve with bagel pieces or crackers.

Second grade classes at RRMR Elementary School in Rockford competed against each other in the Best Farmer Contest. Mrs. Paulus’ class had the tallest corn plant at 35 inches and Mrs. Wood’s class had the longest bean plant at 37 inches. Congratulations to both classes for growing healthy plants and winning Best Farmer prizes! PHOTOS COURTESY OF FLOYD COUNTY.

Applications due July 1 for 2015 Iowa Beef Heifer Awards SUBMITTED BY BLACK HAWK, BUTLER, MITCHELL 4-H, FFA and junior breed association members who own and exhibit a market beef or breeding heifer at the 2015 Iowa State Fair this year are eligible to enter the Iowa Beef Heifer Award contest. Winning an award will help these young cattle producers expand their herds. The winner of each participating breed division will receive a certificate for the purchase of a registered female. Sponsors of these awards are the Iowa State Fair and the respective state breed associations. The breeds for which applicants can compete for a certificate are: Angus, Charolais, Gelbvieh, Hereford, Limousin, Maine-Anjou, Red

Angus, Salers, Shorthorn or Simmental. Show halters are presented to runner-ups and are sponsored by Kent Feeds, Inc. of Muscatine. The Iowa Beef Heifer Award program is designed to honor outstanding youth and future leaders of the beef industry. The program was created to increase the interest and participation in the beef breeding heifer project by allowing youth to earn a certificate for the purchase of a breeding female. Applicants for the award will be evaluated on leadership and involvement in breed organizations and community activities, as well as responsibilities and growth within their beef project. Finalists for the breed awards

will need to participate in a personal interview to be held on Monday, Aug. 17, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds with a panel of judges. Winners will be announced during the selection of the Grand Champion 4-H breeding heifer on Aug. 18. The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association (ICA) coordinates the application process. Program guidelines and applications can be found on the ICA website, www.iacattlemen. org, under the Membership Awards tab. Click on the Beef Heifer Award listing. You can also find out more by calling Kellie Carolan at 515296-2266. Applications are due to the ICA office in Ames no later than Wednesday, July 1.

IOWA FARM BUREAU SPOKESMAN

JUNE 3, 2015

NORTH CENTRAL IOWA

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

Iowa 4-H Youth Conference scheduled SUBMITTED BY HARDIN The dates have been set for June 30-July 2 for a great threeday adventure at ISU for Iowa’s youth. Non-4-H friends can attend this event, too! Delegate registration costs will be $175 per person. This is the same fee for both youth and adults and covers two nights of lodging, seven meals, three keynote speakers, transportation for workshops and community service, facility rental, two dances, and a T-shirt, among other

Dave Duttlinger Wheatfield, IN

“I write my own planting maps with FARMserver’s Management Zone Creation Tool. This gives me the freedom to make changes in the field and not rely on a third party, saving me time and money.”

Heimendingers host day on the farm

supports and services. Hardin County 4-H’ers only pay $100, thanks to the profits from the 4-H Food Stand during the Hardin County Fair. Eighth-12th graders will receive a packet of information in the mail soon. If you have any questions about the Iowa 4-H Youth Conference, check out the website for updates at: http://www.extension. iastate.edu/4h/iowa4hyouthconference. Registration closes June 10 and is $200 ($100 for Hardin 4-H’ers). Farm Bureau board member David Heimendinger and his wife Mary Beth host a farm tour each year for Forest City students. On Thursday, May 21, around 60 youngsters arrived for a day of activities which included tractor rides. According to their teachers, students say the tractor ride is their favorite activity of the day! For more photos see the Winnebago County page. PHOTO COURTESY OF WINNEBAGO COUNTY.

FARM FAMILY FAVORITES

Steamed New Potatoes with Parmesan Cheese PorkBeInspired.com recipe 18 small new potatoes, unpeeled 2 Tbsp. butter 2 Tbsp. flour 1 c. milk 1/2 tsp. seasoned salt 1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg

1/3 c. parmesan cheese, freshly grated

Seven Layer No Bowl Bars Chris Hermsen, Jesup (Buchanan County) 1 stick butter 1 c. graham crackers, crushed 1 c. flaked coconut 1 (6-oz.) pkg. chocolate chips 1 (6-oz.) pkg. butterscotch chips

1 can sweetened-condensed milk 1 c. pecans, chopped

Chicken Vegetable Dip Becky Moss, Manchester (Black Hawk County) 1 (12-oz) can white chicken 3/4 c. Miracle Whip 3/4 c. sour cream 1 pkg. Knorr vegetable soup mix

Chopped water chestnuts

Mix all ingredients together. Refrigerate over night. Serve with bagel pieces or crackers.

Applications due July 1 for 2015 Iowa Beef Heifer Awards SUBMITTED BY HUMBOLDT 4-H, FFA and junior breed association members who own and exhibit a market beef or breeding heifer at the 2015 Iowa State Fair this year are eligible to enter the Iowa Beef Heifer Award contest. Winning an award will help these young cattle producers expand their herds. The winner of each participating breed division will receive a certificate for the purchase of a registered female. Sponsors of these awards are the Iowa State Fair and the respective state breed associations. The breeds for which applicants can compete for a certificate are: Angus, Charolais, Gelbvieh, Hereford, Limousin, Maine-Anjou, Red Angus, Salers,

Shorthorn or Simmental. Show halters are presented to runner-ups and are sponsored by Kent Feeds, Inc. of Muscatine. The Iowa Beef Heifer Award program is designed to honor outstanding youth and future leaders of the beef industry. The program was created to increase the interest and participation in the beef breeding heifer project by allowing youth to earn a certificate for the purchase of a breeding female. Applicants for the award will be evaluated on leadership and involvement in breed organizations and community activities, as well as responsibilities and growth within their beef project.

Finalists for the breed awards will need to participate in a personal interview to be held on Monday, Aug. 17, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds with a panel of judges. Winners will be announced during the selection of the Grand Champion 4-H breeding heifer on Aug. 18, 2015. The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association (ICA) coordinates the application process. Program guidelines and applications can be found on the ICA website, www.iacattlemen.org, under the Membership Awards tab. Click on the Beef Heifer Award listing. You can also find out more by calling Kellie Carolan at (515) 296-2266. Applications are due to the ICA office in Ames no later than July 1.

Northey: statewide cost-share available for water quality practices SUBMITTED BY WRIGHT Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey has announced that funds are available to help farmers install nutrient reduction practices. Practices eligible for this funding are cover crops, no-till or strip till, or using a nitrification inhibitor when applying fertilizer. The cost share rate for first-time users of cover crops is $25 per acre, no-till or strip till are eligible for $10 per acre and farmers using a Nitra pyrin nitrification inhibitor when applying fall fertilizer can receive $3 per acre. Any farmer not already utilizing these practices will receive priority consideration for this assistance.

Farmers who have used cover crops in the past may be eligible for $15 per acre for cover crops. Farmers are eligible for cost share on up to 160 acres. The funds will be made available in July, but farmers can immediately start submitting applications through their local Soil and Water Conservation District office. Farmers are also encouraged to visit their local Soil and Water Conservation District office to inquire about additional opportunities for cost share funding through other programs offered at their local SWCDs. The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship received $4.4 million for the Iowa Water Qual-

ity Initiative in fiscal 2015. These funds will allow the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship to continue to encourage the broad adoption of water quality practices through statewide cost share assistance as well as more intensive work in targeted watersheds. In the last two years this program has been available, more than 1,400 farmers put in new nutrient reduction practices on over 144,000 acres. The state provided about $3.4 million in cost share funding to help farmers try a water quality practice for the first time and Iowa farmers provided at least another $3.4 million to support these water quality practices.

IOWA FARM BUREAU SPOKESMAN

JUNE 3, 2015

EAST IOWA

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

Ryan McAllister PFR Director

Practical Farm Research (PFR)® is a registered trademark of Beck’s Superior Hybrids, Inc.

June is Dairy Month SUBMITTED BY TAMA Information provided by the Midwest Dairy Association June Dairy Month, an annual tradition developed to celebrate the dairy industry and its many contributions to our society, originated in 1937. During its first two years, 1937-38, it was called National Milk Month and ran from June 10 to July 10. The 1937 event, sponsored by chain stores, was given the theme “Keep Youthful – Drink Milk.” Originally supported by the National Dairy Council (NDC), June Dairy Month was established to help stabilize dairy demand during periods of peak production when cows were turned out to pasture. To assist in that effort, NDC provided promotional materials to the 6,300 stores participating. “June Dairy Month” became the

official title of the promotion in 1939 and focused on greater use of dairy products. Campaign material, prepared by NDC, was offered to producers, processors and dairy product distributors. June Dairy Month was initially funded by a one cent per pound butterfat assessment in June. During the war years, less emphasis was placed on promotion, more on surviving the war. The retailers helped customers receive an adequate supply of dairy products and provided information to help use them properly. After the war, efforts focused on resuming dairy product usage and regaining “lost” butter sales. In 1947 the slogan was “30 Days for ADA in June.” The goal was “Sales, not Surplus.” By 1950, retailers, producers and processors all

FARM FAMILY FAVORITES

Steamed New Potatoes with Parmesan Cheese PorkBeInspired.com recipe 18 small new potatoes, unpeeled 2 Tbsp. butter 2 Tbsp. flour 1 c. milk 1/2 tsp. seasoned salt 1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg

1/3 c. parmesan cheese, freshly grated

Seven Layer No Bowl Bars Chris Hermsen, Jesup (Buchanan County) 1 stick butter 1 c. graham crackers, crushed 1 c. flaked coconut 1 (6-oz.) pkg. chocolate chips 1 (6-oz.) pkg. butterscotch chips

1 can sweetened-condensed milk 1 c. pecans, chopped

Chicken Vegetable Dip Becky Moss, Manchester (Black Hawk County) 1 (12-oz) can white chicken 3/4 c. Miracle Whip 3/4 c. sour cream 1 pkg. Knorr vegetable soup mix

Chopped water chestnuts

Mix all ingredients together. Refrigerate over night. Serve with bagel pieces or crackers.

worked together to promote June Dairy Month. In 1955 American Dairy Associ-

ation (ADA) became the national leader for June Dairy Month campaigns. The emphasis changed to sales promotion programs for dairy products, and advertising and merchandising programs were added to an already-effective public relations program. The June promotion be-

came a month-by-month merchandising event in which one or more foods made from milk were highlighted nationwide on a monthly basis. This advertising was visible evidence of dairy farmers’ dollars at work. June Dairy Month continued to evolve over the years and entire communities across the country, both rural and urban, have embraced it and have become involved in many ways. On-farm events such as breakfasts and open houses are popular in June, with dairy farmers throwing open their doors so that people can learn more about how they take care of cows and produce the milk that people depend on for good health. Some celebrate with product samples at creameries, grocery

stores and local banks and businesses. Some dairy princess coronations happen in June, and it would not be unusual to come across a cow milking contests, cow visits at zoos or a running event honoring June and using chocolate milk as a refuel beverage. Traditional media outlets, especially in communities where dairy farms dot the landscape, often promote June Dairy month with remote on-farm broadcasts or trivia contests. The newer format of social media also allows for pointing out the goodness of dairy during the month. The special link between farmers and consumers is really the basis of what June Dairy Month is all about – celebrating and using a wonderful product that’s real, fresh and simple.

Iowa dairy experts present at annual Midwest conference in June BY LARRY TRANEL AND LEO TIMMS SUBMITTED BY POWESHIEK Dairy nutritionists, industry professionals, veterinarians and producers will hear the latest research of issues concerning the dairy industry, including feed management and behavior at the 2015 4-State Dairy Nutrition and Management Conference, June 10 and 11. The conference, hosted by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in collaboration with University of Illinois Extension, University of Minnesota Extension and University of Wisconsin-Extension, will be held at Grand River Center in Dubuque, Iowa. “Iowa’s dairy producers and consultants will benefit by attending this year’s conference,” said Larry Tranel, dairy specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. “Both feed and forage nutritional information and behavioral studies of cows should give participants a sea-

sonal advantage for reducing stress this summer,” said Tranel. Among the many national speakers presenting at the annual conference this year, three are Iowans: Dr. Jan Shearer, veterinarian specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, will speak on Euthanasia of cattle: Are you doing it correctly?; Larry Tranel, dairy specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, will present the Dollars and Sense of Organic Dairying; and Lee Pattison, a Garnavillo, Iowa, dairy producer, will explain how he uses rumination and activity for herd management of his 700-cow dairy operation. The primary focuses for this conference are dairy nutrition and management. A pre-conference symposium sponsored by Arm & Hammer Animal Nutrition, will feature presentations on advances in animal health and immunity, effectiveness of practical transition interventions and using probiotics in feed to promote

gut health. For a conference agenda and speaker’s list or to register online, go to the Wisconsin Agri-Business Association’s website at wiagribusiness.org/ fourstate.html or download and mail the four-state brochure mail-in form. Early conference registration by May 31 was $150. Late registration fee is $175. No mail-in or online registrations will be accepted after June 2; a table will be available for walk-in registrations at the conference. For registration questions, call the Wisconsin Agri-Business Association at 608-223-1111. The annual conference is sponsored by Extension dairy teams from Iowa State University, University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities, and the University of Wisconsin-Madison, as well as platinum sponsor Arm & Hammer Animal Nutrition and co-sponsors Alltech, Inc., of Ames, Iowa, and Dairyland Laboratories, Inc., of Arcadia, Wis.

Iowa Women’s Landowner Conference scheduled SUBMITTED BY IOWA Women, Land and Legacy (WLL) along with Iowa Land Sales & Farm Management are happy to announce their continuing partnership to host the third annual Iowa Women’s Landowner Conference Thursday, June 18, in Brooklyn, Iowa. With women owning or co-owning nearly half of Iowa’s farmland, they have the potential to transform Iowa’s landscape and farm communities in significant and positive ways. Conference sessions this year will cover: Estate Planning (what you should know and tax planning), Grain Marketing (how to maximize profit in a tight-margin market), Land Rent and

Lease Agreements and Iowa County’s own Rona Wyant on “Creating a Legacy.” Attendees are encouraged to bring spouses, family members, tenants or whoever else might benefit from the topics covered at this year’s conference. Mike Pearson, host of Market to Market and local farmer/businessman, will be moderating the event for the third year. Local session experts include: Angie Cook, attorney and CPA; Laurel Bower Bergmaier, Producer with IPTV; Elaine Kub, author, “Mastering the Grain Markets”; Vince Johnson, land broker; Matt Mann, accredited farm manger; and Rona Wyant, farmer and owner

of Fireside Winery. Various speakers are scheduled throughout the day, concluding at 3:30 p.m. Early registration is $30 for those registered by June 8. After June 8, the registration fee is $40. Snacks, lunch, handouts and door prizes are all provided. To reserve your seat at the conference, register online by visiting http://iowalandsales.com/. You may also call 319-668-2010, ext. 2 or email mel@ wfan.org. Registration fees may be paid in advance or on the day of the event. Persons with disabilities who require accommodations to attend or participate in this conference should contact Jennifer Ness at 319-6682010, or Jennifer.ness@ia.usda.gov.

IOWA FARM BUREAU SPOKESMAN

JUNE 3, 2015

CENTRAL IOWA Ryan McAllister PFR Director

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

Practical Farm Research (PFR)® is a registered trademark of Beck’s Superior Hybrids, Inc.

Online registration opens for teacher’s workshop

SUBMITTED BY POLK, STORY arshall County Farm Bureau, in partnership with Jasper County Farm Bureau and the Iowa Agriculture Literacy Foundation, will be hosting a free teacher professional development workshop June 11-12. The two-day event will highlight local agriculture through on-site and video conferencing tours as well as showcase new and innovative ways of incor-

porating agriculture into classroom teaching. The workshop will be available for teacher recertification credit and graduate level credit. Educators can register online by visiting https:// prodev.aeapdonline.org/4DCGI/ 22028399991601INV&True. County teachers who attend will receive $25. For additional information, please contact Jean at the county office by calling 641-753-6637 or via email at marshall.county@ifbf. org.

FARM FAMILY FAVORITES

Steamed New Potatoes with Parmesan Cheese

Join in the excitement at the world-famous Knoxville Raceway for Night at the Races June 27!

Marion County invites FB members statewide to Knoxville race SUBMITTED BY MARION The Marion County Farm Bureau board of directors would like to extend an invitation to all Farm Bureau members statewide to come join us for the annual Marion County Farm Bureau Night at the Races at the world-famous Knoxville Raceway.

1/3 c. parmesan cheese, freshly grated

Seven Layer No Bowl Bars Chris Hermsen, Jesup (Buchanan County) 1 stick butter 1 c. graham crackers, crushed 1 c. flaked coconut 1 (6-oz.) pkg. chocolate chips 1 (6-oz.) pkg. butterscotch chips

1 can sweetened-condensed milk 1 c. pecans, chopped

Chicken Vegetable Dip Becky Moss, Manchester (Black Hawk County) 1 (12-oz) can white chicken 3/4 c. Miracle Whip 3/4 c. sour cream 1 pkg. Knorr vegetable soup mix

Chopped water chestnuts

Mix all ingredients together. Refrigerate over night. Serve with bagel pieces or crackers.

just interested in seeing what all the excitement is about to support the mission of Farm Bureau and enjoy a great deal of some of the most exciting racing action in Iowa. If you have any questions, please contact Melinda at the Farm Bureau office in Knoxville at 641-842-2215.

Crop scouting competition open for enrollment

PorkBeInspired.com recipe 18 small new potatoes, unpeeled 2 Tbsp. butter 2 Tbsp. flour 1 c. milk 1/2 tsp. seasoned salt 1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg

As a special benefit of our sponsorship of the Mid-season Championships on Saturday, June 27, any Farm Bureau member with their membership card or Spokesman label is entitled to half-price admission. This is a great opportunity for long time fans or members who are

SUBMITTED BY BOONE

Iowa high school teams can win monetary prizes for best crop knowledge.

o those soybean leaves have frogeye leaf spot or herbicide injury? Is that Palmer amaranth or common waterhemp growing near the field entrance? Are twospotted spider mites or soybean sudden death syndrome causing the yellow patches at the Peterson Farm? These can be tough problems to solve. But crop scouting, along with knowing what questions to ask and clues to look for, can help determine the right answers. To provide students an opportunity to learn crop-scouting skills and integrated pest management basics, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is hosting a Crop Scouting Competition for Iowa Youth on Tuesday, Aug. 4. Teams of Iowa high school students (those completing grades 9-12 in the 2015-16 school year) are invited to compete. One of the strengths of the competition is that it involves teams working at outdoor field stations in corn and soybean plots run by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach

faculty and staff. Student teams get outside the classroom, apply their skills and learn directly from extension professionals. They learn the basics of crop scouting while young prepares students for farm production and agronomy-related careers. Watch the 2015 Scouting Competition promotional video. “Getting students excited about making good pest management decisions using crop scouting and saving money sets a great base for their education – and for Iowa’s agriculture businesses in the future,” said Daren Mueller, integrated pest management program director and extension plant pathologist with Iowa State University. The competition format will be approximately 12 stations on a variety of topics including: • Corn and soybean diseases • Corn and soybean insects • Weed identification • Corn and soybean growth stages • Estimating corn yield • Plant populations • Adequate field assessment (e.g., scouting patterns) • Noninfectious crop disorders Schools, clubs or other organizations may enter a team composed of three to five participants.

An adult team leader must accompany each team of students. Past team leaders have included Future Farmers of America or Ag teachers, seed dealers and coop employees. Top scoring teams win prizes: $500 for first place, $300 for second, $150 for third and $50 for fourth place. More information about the crop scouting competition and instructions on how to register a team are available online at www. ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/cropscouting. Teams must be registered by Monday, June 15. Registration is $50 per team; the fee will be refunded when the team attends the competition. Registration forms and payment by check is due by June 15. “Our class will be returning to the competition,” said Joe Shirbroun, DuPont Pioneer seed dealer and Farmersburg team leader in Clayton County. “They loved it, and I truly enjoyed the day. I was proud of the class I had, and I told them I wanted them to get some experience and have fun.” Event sponsors include DuPont Pioneer, Iowa Soybean Association, Iowa Certified Crop Advisors and Iowa Independent Crop Consultants Association.

IOWA FARM BUREAU SPOKESMAN

JUNE 3, 2015

SOUTH WEST IOWA

Ryan McAllister PFR Director

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

Practical Farm Research (PFR)® is a registered trademark of Beck’s Superior Hybrids, Inc.

Meals from the Heartland BY LAURA SWANK, LAMONI FFA REPORTER SUBMITTED BY DECATUR On Sunday April 19, eight members of the Lamoni FFA Chapter traveled to Ames and participated in Meals from the Heartland. These members included Autumn Buckingham, Jessica Elliot, Andrew Vannest, Amarillo Reyes, Cameron Thorpe, Michael Starnes, Tanner Burton, and Alexis Binkley. The Iowa FFA Association and Meals from the Heartland, with the help of FFA members across Iowa, partnered together and packaged 250,000 meals at the 87th Iowa FFA Leadership Conference at the Hilton Coliseum in Ames. 2015 is the fourth year that these two organiza-

tions have engaged in this partnership. More than 1,500 FFA members from all throughout Iowa attended. Meals from the Heartland is a non-profit organization composed of volunteers who package meals for delivery to starving people in Iowa, the United States and all around the world. Since 2008, Meals from the Heartland has provided more than 39 million meals to those with food insecurity. This event was made possible with the support of from the Iowa FFA Foundation and its partners: The Iowa Food and Family Project, a part of the Iowa Soybean Association and GROWMARK. The Iowa FFA Association has 225 local chapters with over 14,700 FFA members.

FARM FAMILY FAVORITES

Steamed New Potatoes with Parmesan Cheese PorkBeInspired.com recipe 18 small new potatoes, unpeeled 2 Tbsp. butter 2 Tbsp. flour 1 c. milk 1/2 tsp. seasoned salt 1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg

1/3 c. parmesan cheese, freshly grated

Seven Layer No Bowl Bars Chris Hermsen, Jesup (Buchanan County) 1 stick butter 1 c. graham crackers, crushed 1 c. flaked coconut 1 (6-oz.) pkg. chocolate chips 1 (6-oz.) pkg. butterscotch chips

1 can sweetened-condensed milk 1 c. pecans, chopped

Chicken Vegetable Dip Becky Moss, Manchester (Black Hawk County) 1 (12-oz) can white chicken 3/4 c. Miracle Whip 3/4 c. sour cream 1 pkg. Knorr vegetable soup mix

Chopped water chestnuts

Mix all ingredients together. Refrigerate over night. Serve with bagel pieces or crackers.

Eight members of the Lamoni FFA Chapter traveled to Ames and participated in Meals from the Heartland. These members included Autumn Buckingham, Jessica Elliot, Andrew Vannest, Amarillo Reyes, Cameron Thorpe, Michael Starnes, Tanner Burton, and Alexis Binkley.

OA meeting for two regions held SUBMITTED BY CLARKE, DECATUR, LUCAS, RINGGOLD, WAYNE Tim Prunty, regional manager for Region 15, and Jeff Probasco, regional manager for Region 16, scheduled a combined meeting for their two regional OA’s on Wednesday, May 20. The two regions made up of Region 15 – Leola Boyce, Clarke; Karen Schuldt, Decatur County; Latisha Cunningham, Lucas County; Jodie Holliday, Madison County; Tosha Brooks, Warren County; and Carol Anne McCrea-

ry, Ringgold County (unable to be there), and Region 16 – Barb Peterson, Appanoose/Davis counties; Pat VanWeelden, Monroe County; Pat McCulley, Mahaska County; Raejean Theis, Wayne County; and Melinda Kuiper, Marion (unable to attend) met at 10 a.m. at the Grassroots Café in Humeston and discussed the status of the membership of the counties as a result of the membership drive in February and March, and discussed several minor issues within their own region that needed attention. No big

changes have occurred in accounting for a few years and a few suggestions were made regarding the other areas. After lunch together at the wonderful Grassroots Café in Humeston, the OA’s traveled to Corydon to visit the Wayne County Museum. For those of you who have never visited it, it is awesome! Very organized, clean and roomy and full of the past – much of which is agricultural changes over the years and the beginning of manufacturing in southern Iowa. Well worth taking your family for a visit.

Nominations sought for Environmental Leader Award

SUBMITTED BY ADAIR, CASS, LUCAS, RINGGOLD Iowa Gov. Terry E. Branstad, Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds and Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey encourage Iowans to nominate farmers for the Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award who have taken voluntary actions to improve or protect the environment and natural resources of our state. Nominations are due by June 15 and the nomination form can be found at www. iowaagriculture.gov/EnvironmentalLeader.asp. The award is a joint effort between the governor, lieutenant governor, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

and Iowa Department of Natural Resources to recognize the efforts of Iowa’s farmers as environmental leaders committed to healthy soils and improved water quality. “The Iowa Water Quality Initiative is growing due to farmers’ engagement in the plan,” Branstad said. “The Iowa Farm Environmental Leader Award is our chance to recognize producers who are going the extra mile in their land stewardship.” Farmers who are nominated should have made environmental stewardship a priority on their farm and incorporated best management practices into their farming operation. As true stewards of the land, they recognize that im-

proved water quality and soil sustainability reaps benefits that extend beyond their fields to citizens of Iowa and residents even further downstream. An appointed committee of representatives from both conservation and agricultural groups will review the nominations and select the winners. The recipients will be recognized at the Iowa State Fair. Since creation of the award in 2012, 219 farm families have been recognized. Winners are presented a certificate as well as a yard sign donated by Monsanto. Hagie Manufacturing also sponsors a recognition luncheon for award recipients following the ceremony.