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
New Guide Provides Updated Weed Identifi-
cation and Herbicide Resistance Information
A convenient reference guide to assist producers and agronomists in the field
Article | Mon, 10/19/2015 - By Kristine Schaefer, Pesticide Safety Education Program,
515-294-4286, [email protected]
AMES, Iowa –Iowa State University Extension and Outreach has released a
new version of the Weed Identification Field Guide, first published in 2010, to
assist producers and
agronomists with ac-
curately identifying
weeds in Iowa corn
and soybean fields.
The Weed Identifica-
tion Field Guide, 2nd
Edition, includes ad-
ditional weed species
and updated infor-
mation on herbicide
resistance manage-
ment. The guide is
now available for pur-
chase online from the
Extension Store at
https://store.extension.iastate.edu/.
Kristine Schaefer, contributing author of the publication and pesticide safety
education program manager at Iowa State University Extension and Outreach,
said it was important to amend information about herbicide resistance and
management from the first edition, as issues continue to develop.
“One weed added was Palmer amaranth, a new weed to Iowa and one that has
shown resistance to glyphosate and other herbicides,” said Schaefer.
The 108-page booklet is organized into five sections: weed management, grass
weeds, broadleaf weeds, other weeds, and glossary and index. Each section
includes supplemental identification descriptions, enhanced photos and tools
for correctly distinguishing weeds that have similar characteristics.
“The guide is intended to help producers and agronomists identify weeds in the
field without having to go back to the office or check online to confirm identi-
fication,” said Schaefer.
The pocket-sized guide contains 35 illustrations and more than 250 high-
quality photographs of weeds found in Iowa. Funding for the development of
the guide was provided by the United Soybean Board Take Action program
and the Iowa Soybean Association.
Printed copies can be purchased online through the Iowa State University Ex-
tension and Outreach Extension Store for $10, and the PDF version can be
downloaded for $5.
PHOTO: Weed Guide in use. Adam Sisson.
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
November 2, 2015
… 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.
How Farmers Can Deal with Weeds
Resistance - Watch the Video
Online
ISU Extension and Outreach weed scientists and field agron-
omists educate farmers about diversifying their weed man-
agement to deal with weeds that have grown resistant to sim-
ple management systems.
View the video at http://www.extension.iastate.edu/
node/32248.
Farm Financial Management: 16 Ways to Stretch Cash Flow
PDF file from AgDM Newsletter - October 2015, By William Edwards, retired economist and Ann M. Johanns, extension program
specialist, 641-732-5574, [email protected]
No matter how well you budget or how efficiently you manage your farm business, there may be periods in which cash
flow is negative. No one knows for sure when these periods will occur, and how long will they last, but every operation
should have a financial contingency plan to provide for unexpected cash flow shortfalls.
Sixteen actions can be taken to improve an operation’s liquidity when projected cash inflows fall short of projected cash
outflows. They are listed online in order of expediency at https://www.extension.iastate.edu/agdm/articles/edwards/
EdwOct15.html.
Financial stress can lead to increased stress in other areas. During unprofitable times in agriculture, check in with friends
and neighbors. If you or someone you know is struggling, encourage them to seek professional help, possibly from a
medical professional, clergy person or counselor. Assistance is also available at any time through the Iowa Concern Hot-
line, 800-447-1985.
Iowa State University Extension and Outreach offers a free and confidential program called Farm Financial Planning. It
consists of one-on-one counseling with trained farm business consultants who provide help developing accurate financial
statements, budgeting alternative actions, and contacting other extension programs or outside services that may be useful.
More information is available at http://www.extension.iastate.edu/farmanalysis/. For a list of Farm Financial Planning
associates go to http://www.extension.iastate.edu/farmanalysis/associatelist.htm.
Pro-Ag Outlook and Management Seminars
From Ag Decision Maker
The Pro-Ag Outlook and Management Seminars are designed to provide agribusiness leaders with a concise evaluation of
current market conditions, expected trends in crop and livestock income potential and management implications. Partici-
pants will also receive an overview of the agricultural industry and learn how changes may affect Iowa producers.
Programs and speakers will vary by location. Highlights include:
• Corn & Soybean Market Outlook & Management Considerations - Dr.
Chad Hart, Extension Grain Marketing Specialist
• Swine & Beef Outlook & Management Considerations - Dr. Lee
Schulz, Extension Livestock Economist or Shane Ellis, Extension Field
Specialist
• Profit Analysis- Strategies for 2016 - Dr. Alejandro Plastina, Exten-
sion Economist
• And more! - Extension Field Specialists, Extension Field Agrono-
mists, ISU Legal Experts
Mason City Pro-Ag Outlook Seminar, Fri., Nov. 20, 1:00 pm, 4-H Learning Center, North Iowa Events Center, Mason
City, registration $20, call 641-423-0844. Read more at http://www.extension.iastate.edu/agdm/info/meetings.html.
Nashua Soil Health/Cover Crop Field Day Promotes Ag Evolution
Article | Fri, 10/30/2015 - 11:14 | By Liz Juchems, Iowa Learning Farms, 515-294-5429
AMES, Iowa – The Soil Health Partnership, along with the Iowa Learning Farms and Bremer County farmer partner
Mark Mueller, will host a cover crop and soil health field day on Thurs., Nov. 19, from 10 a.m.–12:30 p.m. at the Borlaug
Learning Center, ISU Northeast Research and Demonstration Farm, near Nashua. The event is free, open to the public
and includes a complimentary meal. Please RSVP to Elyssa McFarland, [email protected]. Read more at
http://www.extension.iastate.edu/article/nashua-soil-health-and-cover-crop-field-day-promotes-agricultural-evolution.
Grain Storage: Core It, Cool It, Store It
Cooling grain for fall and winter storage Article | Tue, 10/27/2015 - By Greg Brenneman, Extension Ag Engineer, 319-337-2145, [email protected] AMES, Iowa – Grain is quickly coming out of the fields this fall, with 92 percent of soybeans and 73 percent of corn har-
vested in Iowa as of Oct. 26, according to the United States Department of Agriculture.
Since much of it has been harvested and put into the bin at 60 degrees and warmer, proper grain drying and cooling is
essential for storage life and grain quality. For safe grain storage during warmer conditions, Greg Brenneman, agricultural
and biosystems engineering specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach says you need to core it, cool it
and check it.
“With grain this warm, moisture migration within the grain mass and spoilage can occur very quickly, even with fairly
dry grain,” said Brenneman.
Core it - Fines and broken grain tend to accumulate near the center
of the bin and often cause aeration and storage problems. Bren-
neman recommends removing a few loads of grain from the center,
so the unloading sump will “core” the bin and remove most of
those fines. Then, remove grain until approximately half of that
center peak is gone.
After coring, the top of the grain should be visually inspected to
ensure an inverted cone has been created. If no cone is created,
bridging of the grain has taken place and a very unsafe condition
has been created. No one should enter the bin until situation has
been safely corrected.
Cool it - This week’s forecast shows cooler temperatures for Iowa, providing an ideal time to get stored grain cooled
down. However, farmers may still need to run fans later this fall to lower temperatures further.
“The sooner you can lower grain temperatures, the better,” said Brenneman. “Grain should be stored at 30 to 40 degrees
for winter storage, so you may still need to run fans a couple times during the fall to get grain down to wintertime storage
temperatures.”
The time required to completely cool a bin of grain depends on fan size. In general terms, a large drying fan will take 10-
20 hours to cool a bin of grain. However, a small aeration fan can take a week or more to completely cool a full bin.
In either case, it is best to measure the temperature of the air coming out of the grain to see if cooling is complete. It is
also much better to err on the side of running the fan too long rather than turning it off too soon.
Check it - If grain is dried down to the proper moisture and correctly cooled, it should store very well through the winter.
Even so, it is best to check stored grain at least every two weeks during the winter and once a week in warmer weather.
To do a good job checking grain, inspect and probe the grain for crusting, damp grain and warm spots. Also, run the fan
for just a few minutes and smell the exhaust air for any off odors.
For more details, order a copy of “Managing Dry Grain in Storage” AED-20 from Midwest Plan Service at https://www-
mwps.sws.iastate.edu/catalog/grain-handling-storage, or check out more grain drying and storage information at https://
www.ag.ndsu.edu/graindrying. Photo credit, Adam Sisson
Registration Open for Midwest Dairy Day
In-depth information on the use of genomic technology at annual workshop Article | Mon, 10/26/2015 - By Jenn Bentley, Extension Dairy Specialist, 563-382-2949, [email protected]
AMES, Iowa – Registration is open for the Midwest Dairy Day Genomics 101:
Putting Genomics to Work scheduled for Dec. 4, 2015. The workshop at Io-
wa’s Dairy Center located at 1527 Highway 150 S, Calmar, begins at 10 a.m.
and concludes at 2:30 p.m.
Midwest Dairy Day is free and generously supported by local businesses. The
day will include a presentation from Dan Weigel of Zoetis and Carla Stetzer
from Accelerated Genetics. The program will conclude with a panel of area
dairy producers. Lunch will be provided for all participants. To register, call
Northeast Iowa Community College at 800-728-2256, ext. 399. Registration
deadline is Wednesday, Nov. 25. Photo credit: NICC Calmar Dairy Facility
New Online Options for Certified Manure Applicators
Article | Thu, 10/22/2015 - By Daniel Andersen, Extension Agricultural and BioSystems Engineer, 515-294-4210, [email protected] DES MOINES, Iowa – New online options make training and fee payment easier than ever for more than 4,500 certified
Iowa manure applicators. Online training is available to anyone interested in manure application, but is specifically de-
signed to help manure applicators meet state requirements to become certified.
Applicators can take training with any device that has internet access, but may find a personal computer provides the
best performance. If using a public access computer, check with the provider – coffee shop, library or motel – to see how
secure the connection is, especially when sharing information about bank accounts.
Online training modules cover topics like biosecurity for human and animal safety, and managing nutrients to improve
water quality. Each module is followed by a short activity. Online is similar to in-person or video training, however it’s
self-paced and applicators may complete one topic at a time or all topics in one sitting. Online training is also limited to
one applicator per computer.
Find a link to online training at www.iowadnr.gov/manureapplicator. This is also where applicators and business manag-
ers can check their own records for renewals, expiration dates and fees.
Traditional training options include two-hour workshops for confinement site ap-
plicators with agricultural and biosystems engineering specialists, livestock spe-
cialists and field agronomists with ISU Extension and Outreach. Commercial ap-
plicators are offered a three-hour training via statewide showing in early January.
Videotaped sessions are also available by appointment throughout the year.
Check the Manure Applicator section of the Iowa Manure Management Action
Group’s website www.agronext.iastate.edu/immag/ for a list of training dates.
Wednesday, November 11, 2015 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM Ornamental & Turfgrass Pesticide Applicator Train-
ing Cerro Gordo Extension and Outreach, Mason City
Thursday, November 12, 2015
5:30 PM - 8:30 PM More Month Than Money Cerro Gordo Extension and Outreach, Mason City
Monday & Tuesday, November 16 & 17, 2015 8:30 AM - 4:30 PM Mason City Tax School NIACC, Muse-Norris Center,
Mason City
Tuesday, November 17, 2015 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM Fumigation Pesticide Applicator Training Cerro Gordo
Extension and Outreach, Mason City
Wednesday, November 18, 2015 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM Commercial Ag Weed, Insect, and Plant Disease Pesti-
cide Applicator Training Cerro Gordo Extension and Outreach, 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
Interim Regional Director Jerry Chizek 515-576-2119
Executive Director John Sjolinder 641-423-0844 [email protected]
County Youth Coordinator Bobbi Jo Wild 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]