Most of the time, applicants are being judged solely by …€¦ · es” is a publication...
12
Jefferson County Extension & Outreach Newsletter June 2014 “Most of the time, applicants are being judged solely by their application. That is of- ten the only information a scholarship committee has on an applicant. If a student doesn’t take the time to submit a ‘quality application’, not only is it a personal reflec- tion on their professionalism, but it also makes it very difficult for a committee to view the student as a viable candidate”, says. Mrs. Wheeler.
Transcript of Most of the time, applicants are being judged solely by …€¦ · es” is a publication...
Jefferson County Extension & Outreach Newsletter June 2014
“Most of the time, applicants are being judged solely by their application. That is of-
ten the only information a scholarship committee has on an applicant. If a student
doesn’t take the time to submit a ‘quality application’, not only is it a personal reflec-
tion on their professionalism, but it also makes it very difficult for a committee to
view the student as a viable candidate”, says. Mrs. Wheeler.
NEST Parenting Classes
and Tick-borne Diseases” and on their website, www.ent.iastate.edu/medent/ticks_IA.
Iowans can assist the lab with the Lyme Disease Surveillance Pro-gram by submitting ticks they find. The lab relies on submitted specimens to track tick distribution and infections status in the state. Information on how to submit can be found on the lab’s website at www.ent.iastate.edu/medent/surveillance.
“If you find a tick on yourself, a friend, a family member or a pet, we will gladly take the tick and identify it for you,” Oliver said. “When you find a tick of any sort, wrap it in tissue, add a blade of grass, seal it in a zip-top bag and mail it to us.”
“Ticks and Tick-borne Diseas-
es” is a publication available at the Jefferson County Extension Office, as well as address and mailing infor-mation for insect identification. Our Horticulture Program Assistant, Kim Keller, can assist you with insect iden-tification, or with mailing your sample to the ISU labs. Kim is in the office on Monday and Thursday, 8 ~ 4:30 pm.
Tick Publication Helps with Prevention, Identification
All three tick species that com-monly attack humans are ac-tive in the coming months
ARTICLE | MON, 05/23/2011 - 10:02 | BY CHRISTOPHER WEISHAAR
AMES, Iowa — As Iowans head out into wooded areas this spring and summer in search of mushrooms, for a weekend hike or simply to enjoy na-ture, they should keep an eye out for
some common, tiny pests — ticks. This time of year is when all three tick species that commonly attack humans are becoming more active, and care should be taken to prevent and detect ticks.
Iowa State University Exten-sion offers a publication, “Ticks and Tick-borne Diseases,” that focuses on the three main species: black-legged (deer) ticks, American dog ticks and lone star ticks. The publi-cation discusses biology, habitat, detection, prevention and risks of all three species. The publication is free for download from the ISU Ex-tension Online Store, www.extension.iastate.edu/store.
“Of the three species, blacklegged ticks are of greatest concern because they can transmit Lyme disease,” said Jon Oliver, en-tomology graduate student and member of the Medical Entomology Laboratory. “Starting about now and lasting for the next two months, immature, nymphal blacklegged ticks will be active. Because of their small size — smaller than a sesame seed — the nymphs are hard to de-tect and often remain attached to people long enough to transmit the disease.”
Oliver said blacklegged ticks require high humidity to sur-vive, so are almost exclusively found in thickly forested areas, particular-ly areas with lots of oak trees.
Medical Entomology Labor-atory
Oliver and other scientists at the Medical Entomology Labora-tory at Iowa State University track ticks and mosquitoes, the two lead-ing carriers of diseases to humans in the United States. They also track which counties in Iowa have had ticks infected with Lyme disease, information that is included in “Ticks
Three ‘Nest’ Parenting Classes are held each Thursday of the
month in order to accommodate your schedule:
11:00 am ~ Noon; 2:00 ~ 3:00 pm; 5:30 ~ 6:30 pm
FREE DIAPERS! FREE BABY/TODDLER ITEMS!
Call Lynne Johnson at 641-472-4166
for more information or to sign up!
Results Released of Five-Year Cover Crop On-Farm Yield Study
AMES, Iowa — Cereal rye cover crops added to a corn-soybean rotation seem to have little effect on yield, according to a five-year study conducted by Iowa Learning Farms and Practical Farmers of Iowa. Ten Iowa farmers have devoted part of their acres to conduct the study.
Between 2009 and 2013, the farmers established side-by-side strips of corn/soybean crops with a winter cereal rye cover crop, and strips using no cover crop, replicated at least two times. The cover crop was either drilled after harvest or aerially seeded into standing crops each fall. At each site, the cover crop was terminated the following spring by herbicide.
When the project began, the farmers were concerned that the winter cereal rye would im-pact their corn or soybean yields negatively. But after harvest was completed each year, the farm-ers reported that this was not so. The properly managed cover crops had little to no negative ef-fect and, in some cases, actually improved soybean yield.
“When I first started the trial, I thought the following crop would suffer because of the com-petition for water and nutrients,” says Butler County farmer Rick Juchems. “That has been proven wrong with stronger yields and better soil quality.” Juchems’ corn yields remained steady and he saw a slight improvement in soybean yields on the cover crop acres last year as well as in 2011.
Proper management is a key issue when incorporating cover crops into a corn-soybean rotation. Knowing which cover crop to plant, when and how to plant and terminate the cover crop are the main components to successful management. There are many resources to help farmers with answers to these management details. Primary resources can be a cover crop farmer cham-pion contacted through the ILF or PFI network, or a local Extension field agronomist or NRCS field specialist.
Cover crops provide numerous benefits to farm fields. They reduce erosion by holding soil in place, increase soil microbial activity and nutrient cycling, reduce excess nitrogen and increase soil carbon. The biomass from the plant helps to build soil organic matter as well. Cover crop vari-eties range from grains like cereal rye, legumes such as hairy vetch, and brassicas including rad-ish and rapeseed. Winter cereal rye was the only cover crop used in this study.
The farmers in this study include: Bill Buman, Harlan; Jim Funcke, Jefferson; Rick Juchems, Plainfield; Whiterock Conservancy, Coon Rapids; Mark Pokorny, Clutier; George Schaefer, Kalona; Jerry Sindt, Holstein; Rob Stout, West Chester; Gary and Dave Nelson, Fort Dodge; and Kelly Tobin, New Market.
A four-page summary of the study is available online at the ILF website, http://www.extension.iastate.edu/ilf/content/cover-crop-research, and the PFI website, http://practicalfarmers.org/farmer-knowledge/research-reports/
Contact: Stefan Gailans, Practical Farmers of Iowa, 515-232-5661 About the Author
Carol Brown Iowa Learning Farms
515-294-8912 [email protected]
2014 Farmland Rental Rates Decrease Moderately
AMES, Iowa — Rental rates for Iowa farmland decreased moderately in 2014 according to results from a survey carried out by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. This is the first de-crease shown by the annual survey since 1999, according to William Edwards, retired extension economist who directs the survey.
The average estimated cash rent for corn and soybean land in the state for 2014 was $260 per acre, a decrease of $10 per acre or nearly 4 percent from last year,” said Edwards. “Significantly lower crop prices for the 2013 crop and lower price forecasts for this year’s crop have tempered farmers’ optimism about prospective profits.”
The cash rental rates survey results are available in the ISU Extension and Outreach publi-cation Cash Rental Rates for Iowa 2014 Survey. The publication details average rents in the nine Iowa crop reporting districts. The cash rental rate information presented in this publication is the result of a survey of farmers, landowners, lenders, real estate brokers, and professional farm man-agers. They supplied information based on their best judgments about typical cash rental rates for high, medium, and low quality cropland in their counties, as well as for land devoted to production of hay, oats, and pasture.
“Average rents were lower in all nine crop reporting districts except for the southeast dis-trict, which showed no change,” Edwards said. “The largest decrease was in north central Iowa, $24 per acre, where a wet spring last year reduced yields and prevented some acres from being planted. Grundy County had the highest average rent in the state, $330 per acre.”
Typical rental rates per bushel of corn yield, soybean yield and CSR point are computed for each county and displayed as a chart in the publication. Also included are the typical charges for land growing oats and hay, for grazing pasture and corn stalks, and for renting hunting rights.
Information about rents for individual farms was not collected. The rental rates summarized in the publication do not reflect the value of any buildings or storage structures, manure application contracts, or seed production contracts. The Cash Rental Rates for Iowa 2014 Survey is available online as a downloadable document from the Extension Online Store at store.extension.iastate.edu and Ag Decision Maker website. Other resources available for estimating a fair cash rental rate include the Ag Decision Maker in-formation files Computing a Cropland Cash Rental Rate (C2-20) , Computing a Pasture Rental Rate (C2-23), and Flexible Farm Lease Agreements (C2-21). All documents include decision file electronic worksheets to help analyze leasing questions. Copies of all these documents are availa-ble at the Jefferson County Extension Office.
About the Authors
William Edwards Department of Economics
515-294-6161 [email protected]
Ann Johanns Department of Economics
641-732-5574 [email protected]
Wildlife: Prevent Birds from Flying into Windows and Doors ARTICLE | THU, 05/03/2012 - 13:14 | BY REBECCA CHRISTOFFEL, CHRISTOPHER WEISHAAR
AMES, Iowa ― Spring is in the air, which also brings nesting time for Iowa’s songbirds. While many homeown-ers enjoy seeing and feeding the birds, it can be disconcerting for homeowners who have birds fly into glass doors or windows again and again. So are Iowa’s songbirds crazy, or is something else going on? "I’ve received multiple questions from homeowners asking about this behavior, what is causing it and what can be done about it," said Rebecca Christoffel, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach wildlife specialist. "Most incidences of birds flying repeatedly at a glass door or window are simply issues of territory." Christoffel said male songbirds who see their own reflection mistake it for an “interloper” invading their territory. Very few, if any, species are able to differentiate their own image in glass from that of another of their species ― the bird flies at the glass, often colliding with it, in an effort to drive off the “interloper” they see. Birds that commonly exhibit this behavior during the breeding season include American robins, cardinals, American goldfinches and some sparrow species. “This seemingly erratic behavior will eventually subside once the bird is no longer in breeding mode,” Christoffel said. “However, with birds that raise multiple broods of young over the course of the spring and summer, it could be months before the animal stops.” Christoffel said there are options available to homeowners to help alleviate this behavior by birds: One option is to cover the outside of the window or glass door with an opaque substance such as brown paper bags. The idea is to prevent the bird from seeing its own reflection. Windows and doors al-so can be soaped up on the outside to produce the same effect. A less obtrusive option is to purchase a set of raptor silhouettes from a local bird feed supplier or home shop. When the bird sees the raptor’s silhouette in a window, it will be seeing a potential predator and avoid the window. However, the homeowner’s view will be obstructed by the opaque raptor silhouettes. Even less obtrusive is to purchase a set of raptor silhouettes that are only visible in the UV light spectrum ― these are clear or nearly invisible to human eyes but clearly visible to birds. These de-cals also can be found at a local bird feeding supplier or home shop. An alternative to raptor silhouettes is to place pieces of colored tape or flagging in irregular pat-terns on the window. Finally, placing non-reflective screen outside the window 2 to 3 inches from the glass also will deter the bird and prevent it from reaching the glass.
New Farm Program & Crop Marketing Meeting A crop marketing update and new farm program meeting will be held in Fairfield at the Jefferson County Extension Office at 9:00 AM, Thursday June 19th . Topics will include: *Crop Price Outlook *ARC and PLC overview *Base Acreage reallocation *Farm tax update “These meetings are designed to help farmers, landowners and other agri-business professionals with current issues related to marketing 2014 crops and pending enrollment decisions with the new farm program, “ said Charles Brown, farm business and management specialist with ISU Exten-sion and Outreach.
Updated CSA Directory Puts More Iowa Producers on the Map Submitted by benesh1 on Wed, 04/30/2014 - 08:36
By Craig Chase, Laura Miller AMES, Iowa – Consumers interested in eating local have more resources to do so with the updated directory, Iowa CSA Farms: 2014 Statewide List of Iowa CSA Farms and Organizers. Produced by the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture and Iowa State University Extension and Out-reach, this publication identifies local producers who operate Community Supported Agriculture enterprises that sup-ply consumers with local, fresh, organic and sustainably produced food during the growing season. The directory will be updated annually. “There are already some great Buy Fresh Buy Local guides to finding CSAs in Iowa, but with the help of re-gional partners, we were able to collect farm info that I don’t think is listed anywhere else,” said Savanna Lyons, graduate research assistant at the Leopold Center. “Also, the locations of the CSA farms are organized by Extension region, which will make this a tool that ISU Extension and Outreach staff really can use to promote the farms in each region.” Seventy-five farms and organizers are listed in the 2014 directory, with contact information, website links, available produce and distribution range. The listings are searchable by name, county and Extension region—18 of the 20 regions in the state have CSA producers. For comparison, the 2006 directory covered 16 regions, with 49 CSA producers. CSA enterprises connect farmers and consumers so that locally produced foods reach local dinner plates, securing farmers’ businesses while promoting healthy eating. As the 2014 Iowa CSA Farms explains: Community members become shareholders by paying in advance for farm products… The early payments provide capital up front when farmers’ need is greatest. The farm then supplies fresh produce on a regular basis… [linking CSA members] with the ebb and flow of the farm. The 8-page publication is available by title on the Leopold Center website at www.leopold.iastate.edu/pubs (look for Iowa CSA Farms). It also is available at the ISU Extension Online Store, https://store.extension.iastate.edu (use reference number PM 1693: a sample is below). For more information about Iowa CSA farms, contact Savanna Lyons at the Leopold Center, [email protected], or Craig Chase, Leopold Center Marketing and Food Systems Initiative leader, [email protected].
Yard and Garden: Lawn Mowing Tips ARTICLE | WED, 04/30/2014 - 13:49 | BY RICHARD JAURON, WILLY KLEIN
AMES, Iowa — Proper mowing practices play a vital role in helping to maintain a healthy, sustainable home lawn. Horticulturists with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach answer questions about lawns and lawn mowing. Homeowners and gardeners with lawn questions should contact horticulturists at Hortline by emailing [email protected] or calling 515-294-3108. What is the proper mowing height for a lawn?
Kentucky bluegrass lawns should be mowed at a height of 2.5 to 3 inches in the spring and fall months. Mow bluegrass lawns at a height of 3 to 3.5 inches in June, July and August. A higher mowing height in summer helps to cool the crowns of the turfgrass plants, encourages deeper rooting and provides more leaf area for photosynthesis during the stressful summer months.
Mowing below the recommended range may scalp the turf and cause the turfgrass to deteriorate. Low mow-ing heights make the turfgrass more susceptible to drought, high temperature and wear injury. In addition, low mowing heights increase the likelihood of weed problems.
Mowing too high reduces tillering and causes matting of the grass. Reduced tillering results in fewer and coarser plants. Matted grass creates a micro-environment that encourages disease development.
How often should I mow my lawn? Kentucky bluegrass lawns should be mowed at the height of 2.5 to 3 inches in spring and fall. Set the mower
blade to a height of 3 to 3.5 inches during summer. As a general rule, never remove more than one-third of the total leaf surface at any one mowing. For exam-
ple, to maintain a lawn at 3 inches, the grass should be mowed when it reaches a height of 4.5 inches. Mowing frequency is based on the growth rate of the turfgrass. Weather conditions, cultural practices (such
as fertilization and irrigation practices) and other factors determine the growth rate of turfgrass. Kentucky bluegrass and other cool-season grasses grow quickly in spring when weather conditions are favor-
able. The growth of cool-season grasses slows in summer and then picks up again in fall. Fertilizing and irrigating the lawn on a regular basis promote turfgrass growth.
In spring it may be necessary to mow every four to five days, possibly only once every one to two weeks in summer, with more frequent mowing again in the fall.
Should I remove the grass clippings when mowing the lawn? When the lawn is mowed properly, grass clippings do not need to be removed or bagged. Small clippings filter
down into the turf and quickly decompose, returning essential plant nutrients to the soil. Lawn clippings do not signifi-cantly contribute to thatch development.
Grass clippings may need to be bagged or raked and removed when mowing extremely tall grass. You also may want to bag the grass clippings and use them as a mulch in vegetable and flower gardens.
What are some good mowing practices? Whenever possible, mow the lawn when the grass is dry. Wet grass is more difficult to cut and occasionally clogs rotary mowers. Also, it’s safer to mow the lawn when
the grass is dry, as there is less risk of slipping and being injured by the mower. Mow the lawn with a sharp blade. Sharpen the mower blade each spring. Thereafter, periodically inspect the blade and sharpen as needed. A dull blade tears the ends of the grass blades. The damaged tissue dries out, giving the turf surface a whitish appearance. Also, the torn leaf tissue loses greater amounts of water and increases the possibility of disease problems. Alternate your mowing pattern or direction each time the lawn is mowed. Repeatedly mowing the lawn in the same direction pushes the grass over rather than cutting it cleanly. Also, different mowing patterns reduce soil compaction and wear from the mower wheels. Establish several mowing patterns that result in as few turns as possible. Less turning reduces mowing time and damage to the turf from the turning mower wheels.
About the Authors Richard Jauron Horticulture 515-294-1871
[email protected] Willy Klein ISU Extension and Outreach 515-294-0662
Jefferson County
2606 W. Burlington
Fairfield, IA 52556
www.extension.iastate.edu/jefferson
PH: 641-472-4166
FAX: 641-472-2591
Greater Jefferson County Fair June 25 ~ 30, 2014
If you would like the monthly newsletter delivered electronically, send your email address to [email protected]
**Reshow Schedule Changes**
2nd Friday/month
*Commercial Manure 9am-12 *Confinement Manure 1pm-3pm
*******************
3rd Friday/month
Commercial Ag Weed 9am-12 Ornamental Turf 1pm-3pm
All other reshows on 4th Friday/month
All reshows will be billed at Late Registration amount
There will be NO reshows in June or December.
You must register before a reshow will be held.
