Business and Risk Management Class for Farm Women Offered
(Posted on 1/13/2012)
Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach in Cass County is excited to offer Annie's Project in Atlantic in February and March. Annie's Project empowers farm women to be better business partners through networks and by managing and organizing critical information.

First Frost/Freeze of Fall Raises Forage Questions
(Posted on 9/12/2011)
The first frost of the autumn generally brings a flurry of forage related questions. These questions usually center on three general topics: toxic prussic acid potential and management of frosted sudangrass and sorghum sudangrass hybrids; suspected toxic of frosted alfalfa to grazing animals; and now that we've had frost, should I harvest the last alfalfa cutting?

Reduce Risk of Mycotoxin Contamination by Scouting Fields for Ear Rot
(Posted on 8/29/2011)
Hail storms damaged several corn and soybean fields in parts of Iowa last week. In some areas, the corn and beans are completely lodged as a result of the storm. In other areas, leaves are significantly stripped, but the grain seems relatively undamaged. During the 2009 growing season, approximately one million acres of crops from Sac to Grundy Counties were damaged by a single hail storm. Most of the corn crop was at growth stage R2. We conducted a survey to assess the impact of hail damage on grain quality (Robertson et al., 2010). We found that hail damage to kernels increased the risk of ear rot and mycotoxin contamination.

Current Hay Prices
(Posted on 3/29/2011)
These are hay prices paid at auction in the recent past weeks. Much of the price information is obtained from USDA Hay Market News. Personal contacts of local Iowa hay auctions secured price information for these market outlets. Auctions were chosen to reflect prices across Iowa. Other nearby auctions may exist. No endorsement of the listed auctions is intended.