AMES, Iowa – Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will host two meetings on Aug. 9 to discuss drought conditions that are causing concerns for both crop and livestock producers.
The first meeting will take place in Van Buren County at 1:30 p.m. at the Roberts Memorial Building (20497 Highway 1) in Keosauqua. The second will be held in Appanoose County at 6:30 p.m. at the Rathbun Regional Water Association Treatment Plant (16166 Highway J29) in Centerville.
The meetings will be hosted by ISU Extension and Outreach specialists Josh Michel, field agronomist, Joe Sellers, beef specialist, Patrick Wall, beef specialist, and Charles Brown, farm management specialist. Topics to be discussed during the meetings include crop growth and development under drought conditions, feeding drought damaged crops, silage and crop insurance considerations.
Weather patterns and drought monitor considerations will also be discussed. Representatives from the USDA Farm Service Agency and Natural Resources Conservation Service also may be present to share information on assistance available through their offices.
The meetings are free and open to the public and are expected to last approximately 90 minutes. Starting 45 minutes before the meeting, producers may bring five representative corn stalk samples for a quick nitrate assessment to be conducted either before or after the meeting, depending on time available.