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ISU Extension and Outreach information and resources for north central Iowa
Cerro Gordo County
ISU Extension and Outreach
2023 S. Federal Ave. Mason City, IA 50401 641-423-0844 [email protected] www.extension.iastate.edu/cerrogordo
AG NEWS TODAY
Women, Land and Legacy Meeting May 12
Cerro Gordo County Extension and Outreach along with Cerro Gordo County
NRCS, FSA, Soil & Water Conservation District, and Farm Bureau, will hold
a Women, Land & Legacy Meeting on Thursday, May 12, 2016, at the Lime
Creek Nature Center north of Mason City.
A free light supper will be served from 5:30-6 pm followed by a program,
"Monarch Mania," by Todd Von Ehwegen and a program on bee keeping by
Randy Elsbernd. All women involved with farming or interested in farming are
invited to attend. Please RSVP by May 11 by calling Becky or JoAnn at the
Cerro Gordo County Extension and Outreach office, 641-423-0844.
Field Scouting Basics Workshop for Corn and
Soybean Crop Scouts
Learn basic approaches to field scouting at the ISU Field Extension
Education Laboratory Article | 04/20/2016 | By Warren Pierson, Field Extension Education Laboratory, 515-509-8308, [email protected]
AMES, Iowa – Iowa State University Exten-
sion and Outreach is offering a Field Scout-
ing Basics Workshop on Tuesday, May 17 at
the Field Extension Education Laboratory
near Boone, Iowa. Designed for beginning-
level crop scouts, the course provides hands-
on, in-field experience to crop scouts for the
2016 growing season.
ISU Extension and Outreach specialists and
field agronomists provide instruction on the
principles of integrated pest management with an emphasis on weed, insect
and crop disease identification in Iowa corn and soybean production. An over-
view of basic field scouting skills including sample collection, observation and
documentation is also offered.
The half-day Field Scouting Basics Workshop presentation topics and instruc-
tors include:
Crop scouting tips and tools – Angie Rieck-Hinz, extension field agronomist
Corn and soybean growth and development – Mark Licht, extension
cropping systems agronomist
Weed identification – Bob Hartzler, extension weed specialist
Disease identification – Alison Robertson, extension plant pathologist
Insect identification – Erin Hodgson, extension entomologist
Registration check-in opens at 12:30 p.m. The program starts at 1 p.m. and
adjourns at 5 p.m. Pre-registration is required and must be completed before
midnight, May 11. Registration is $65. Attendees of the Feb. 27 Field Crop
Scouting School receive a $20 discount. Additional workshop information and
online registration is available at www.aep.iastate.edu/feel/scout
For assistance with registration, receipts, cancellation or questions on the status
of your registration contact ANR Program Services at 515-294-6429 or
Extension Links
Ag Decision Maker
www.extension.iastate.edu/agdm
Beef Center
www.iowabeefcenter.org
ISU Ag Newsletters
www.extension.iastate.edu/ag/newsletters
Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy
www.nutrientstrategy.iastate.edu
Iowa State Research Farms
www.ag.iastate.edu/farms
Iowa Water Quality Initiative
www.cleanwateriowa.org
Manure Management
www.agronext.iastate.edu/immag
Pesticide Management
www.extension.iastate.edu/pme
Pork Center
www.ipic.iastate.edu
May 4, 2016
… and justice for all Iowa State University Extension programs are available to all without regard to race, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information, sex, marital status, disability, or status as a U.S. veteran. Inquiries can be directed to the Director of Equal Opportunity and Compliance, 3280 Beardshear Hall, (515) 294-7612.
Cooperative Extension Service, Iowa State University of Science and Technology, and the United States Department of Agriculture cooperating.
Woodchip Bioreactors for Nitrate in Agricultural Drainage
Subsurface agricultural drainage
can allow large gains in agricultur-
al productivity in the midwestern
United States. There is, however,
concern about pollutants moving
through these systems. One specif-
ic water quality concern is nitrate,
a form of nitrogen that moves read-
ily through the soil and often can
be present in high amounts in clear
drainage waters. The water quality
of our local streams, rivers, and
lakes can be negatively impacted
by nitrate in tile drainage.
Moreover, because many streams
and rivers in this region lead to the
Mississippi River, nitrate in midwestern agricultural drainage also contrib-
utes to the hypoxic zone (or Dead Zone) in the Gulf of Mexico. Fortunately,
there are a number of practices that can reduce the amount of nitrate in
drainage water. Woodchip bioreactors are a new option to reduce the
amount of nitrate in drainage before it gets to local surface waters. This fact-
sheet describes key questions relevant to this innovative approach to water
quality. This publication can be found at https://store.extension.iastate.edu/
Product/Woodchip-Bioreactors-for-Nitrate-in-Agricultural-Drainage
What Is a Woodchip Bioreactor?
Drainage water is diverted through a buried trench filled with woodchips.
Microorganisms convert the nitrate in the drainage water to harmless nitro-
gen gas (denitrification).
BENEFITS OF A WOODCHIP REACTOR
Nitrate removed through denitrification
Bioreactors placed at edge-of-field
Does not impact current land management practices
The publication, “Applying Woodchip Bioreactors for Improved Water
Quality” by Michelle Soupir, Tom Isenhart, Matt Helmers, Natasha Hoover,
can be found online at the ISU Extension store at http://store.extension.
iastate.edu/Product/Applying-Woodchip-Bioreactors-for-Improved-Water-
Quality or pick one up at Cerro Gordo County Extension.
When Tenants in Common Own the Farm From the CALT Brief, Iowa State University - Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation, [email protected] It’s a common situation that often leads to conflict. A father dies without a will and his three children inherit his farm
through the rules of intestate succession. Or maybe an aunt dies with a will leaving a one-third share of her 80-acre pas-
ture to her nephew and the remaining two-third’s share to her niece. In both cases, the parties inheriting the property are
tenants in common.
Most Iowa landowners understand the basic rights of
tenants in common. They each have an undivided
interest in the whole property. Regardless of their
respective ownership interests, they each have the
right to possess the entire parcel. A tenant in com-
mon with exclusive possession of the entire parcel
must pay rent to the other tenants in an amount re-
flecting the non-possessing tenants’ ownership
shares. When tenants in common die, their respective
shares are passed to their heirs in the same manner as their other property. Read more online at https://www.calt.iastate.
edu/newsletter/2016-april
Working with Pollinators Focus of Iowa State Publication, Videos
Suggestions for working with butterflies, bees and other pollinators provided Article | 04/26/2016 | By Laura Jesse, Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic Director, 515-294-0581, [email protected] and Jesse Randall, ISU Extension Forestry, 515-294-1168, [email protected]
AMES, Iowa – As winter has given way to spring, insects
have begun to reappear in lawns and gardens across the
state. Attracting insects such as butterflies or bees is a sim-
ple process that can add beauty to any outdoor space.
Providing a place for butterflies and other pollinators to
comfortably live not only helps beautify a garden, but also
works to promote the growth of species that are threatened
and in decline.
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach publication
“Gardening for Butterflies and Pollinators” (RG 0601) dis-
cusses how to create butterfly gardens by planting a few of
the insect’s favorite plants in a sunny corner of the yard. It
is available online at the Extension Store.
The publication was written by Laura Jesse, director and insect diagnostician in the Plant and Insect Diagnostic Clinic at
Iowa State University; Nathan Brockman, curator for the Butterfly Wing at Reiman Gardens in Ames; and Donald Lewis,
professor and extension entomologist at Iowa State University.
“Flowers that provide pollen and nectar are great additions to any garden and are a huge benefit to butterflies and bees,”
Jesse said. “Monarch butterfly adults will feed on many types of flowers but they need milkweed to lay eggs on and for
their caterpillars to eat. If we want the pretty adults we have to feed the kids!”
ISU Extension and Outreach is also working to help grow the monarch butterfly population through its work with the Io-
wa Monarch Conservation Consortium. The Consortium, which was founded in 2015 and includes representatives from
Iowa State and other agencies and organizations from across the state, has planted over 10,000 milkweed seedlings at all
12 ISU Research and Demonstration Farms.
“Because Iowa is part of the breeding range for monarchs, planting milkweed for the caterpillars and nectar-producing
flowers for the adults is a priority of Iowa State entomologists,” said Jesse. “By creating habitat for butterflies and polli-
nators, everyone can make their backyards or roadsides an oasis for these important insects.”
Jesse Randall, assistant professor and extension forester at Iowa State, has also released a series of short videos on bee-
keeping. The series of nine videos covers a wide variety of topics, helping producers learn how to begin the process of
beekeeping, how to handle the bees and ultimately harvest their honey. Working with bees can be intimidating, and the
videos are designed to provide tips and suggestions for many different aspects of working in an apiary.
“Honey bees are quite gentle if you work around them, they force you to be calm and quiet,” Randall said. “They are also
a great source of local food; there isn’t enough honey available to keep up with demand. It’s good to know where your
food is coming from and how it is being handled; you can’t always get that at the grocery store.”
View the video at http://www.extension.iastate.edu/article/working-pollinators-focus-iowa-state-publication-videos
ISU Extension and Outreach Part of Iowa Source Water Ag Collaborative
Iowa's First Source Water Protection Week to be held May 1-8 Article | 05/02/2016 | By Jamie Benning, Water Quality Program, 515-294-6038, [email protected]
AMES, Iowa – Improving water quality is an emphasis of Iowa State University
Extension and Outreach. To further the efforts being made in the area, ISU Exten-
sion and Outreach is one of the founding members of the Iowa Source Water Ag
Collaborative.
“Many practices that reduce the loss of nitrates to surface water also protect
groundwater,” said Jamie Benning, ISU Extension and Outreach water quality pro-
gram manager. “Implementing practices such as cover crops in a capture zone pro-
tects local drinking water sources and contributes to meeting the goals of the Iowa
Nutrient Reduction Strategy.” http://www.nutrientstrategy.iastate.edu/
The collaborative's recently unveiled website at http://www.iasourcewater.org/ has source water information and re-
sources for private well users, communities, farmers, landowners and professionals that can be accessed.
Look for Seed Corn Maggot in Corn and Soybean
By Erin W Hodgson, Extension Entomologist Specialist, 515 294 2847, [email protected]
Seed corn maggot is a seed and seedling pest
of corn and soybean. Plant injury is especial-
ly prevalent during cool and wet springs. The
larvae, or maggots, feed on germinating corn
and soybean seeds or seedlings. They can
feed on the embryo, delay development or
kill the plant. Infestations tend to be field-
wide instead of grouped together like for
many other pests. To confirm seed corn mag-
got injury, check field areas with stand loss
and look for maggots, pupae and damaged
seeds (e.g., hollowed out seeds or poorly developing seedlings). Photo: Typical seed corn maggot injury in soybean and
corn Soybean photo (left) by Marlin Rice; corn photo (right) by Purdue Extension.
Biology-Seed corn maggots overwinter in Iowa as a pupa in the soil. Adult flies emerge and mate in April and May, and
females lay eggs in soil. Maggot densities will be higher in soils with high organic matter (e.g., manure and green plant
residue). Recent soil tillage, regardless of residue type, is attractive to egg-laying females. This fly species has a lower
developmental threshold of 39°F and upper threshold of 84°F. There are 4-5 generations per year in our area.
Identification-Seed corn maggots are white, legless and 1/4 inches long with a tapered body. The maggots have a black
mouth with hook-like mouthparts to feed. The pupa is brown and looks like a “wheat seed.” The adult fly is grey to
brown in color with red eyes. Adult seed corn maggots are 1/20th inches long and look like a small house fly. Read more
online at http://crops.extension.iastate.edu/cropnews/2016/04/look-seedcorn-maggot-corn-and-soybean
Wednesday, May 11, 2016 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Community Gardens Meeting Cerro Gordo Extension
and Outreach, Mason City Thursday, May 12, 2016 5:30 PM - 8:00 PM Women, Land and Legacy Meeting 4-H Learning Cen-
ter, North Iowa Events Center, Mason City Wednesday, May 25, 2016 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Cerro Gordo County Extension Council Meeting Cerro
Gordo Extension and Outreach, Mason City Saturday, May 28, 2016 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Band Festival Parade downtown Mason City Monday, May 30, 2016 8:00 AM - 4:30 PM Memorial Day - Extension Office Closed Mason City To view this newsletter online or find more information about these events, go to www.extension.iastate.edu/cerrogordo or call 641-423-0844.
Cerro Gordo County Extension and Outreach
Calendar of Events
Cerro Gordo Co. Extension Staff
Regional Director Donovan Olson 641-423-0844
Executive Director John Sjolinder 641-423-0844 [email protected]
County Youth Coordinator 641-423-0844 [email protected]
ISU Youth Specialist Gail Castillo 641-423-0844
Office Manager/Bookkeeper
JoAnn Bartusek 641-423-0844 [email protected]
Office Assistant/Clover Kids
Becky Oelkers 641-423-0844 [email protected]
Agriculture Specialists
Livestock Russ Euken 641-923-2856 [email protected]
Agronomy Angie Rieck-Hinz
515-532-3453 [email protected]
Farm Management Kelvin Leibold
641-648-4850 [email protected]