AMES, Iowa -- The drought conditions in west-central Iowa are causing major concerns for both crop and livestock producers. Compounding this situation, the derecho has caused significant damage to crops and infrastructure across the area. To help address those concerns, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will host a Virtual Ag Coffee Meeting Sept. 9 at 9 a.m. This event will be a live webinar presentation with 11 in-person viewing locations across west central Iowa.
The meeting will be split into two segments with Mike Witt, field agronomist with ISU Extension and Outreach, discussing the agronomic impacts of the drought and derecho. Agronomic topics will include strategies and expectations for harvesting downed corn, managing fields that are unharvestable, and considerations for residue and fall cover crops, as well as grain quality and storage issues.
Tim Christensen, farm management specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach, will discuss the financial impacts and strategies for fall 2020. Specific farm management topics will include crop insurance conversations, new United States Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency programs, considerations for handling drought and low yield crops with markets in addition to handling farm stress. The meeting will last approximately 90 minutes.
The event will feature both in-person and virtual discussions. If you do not have internet access or would like to attend the meeting in person rather than from home, there are seats available at 11 county extension offices listed below. The speakers will be live via Zoom and able to answer question during and after the presentation.
Each county office will be limited in their seating due to COVID-19 restrictions. Pre-registration is required for in-person attendance, and is on a first-come basis. Walk-ins will not be accepted unless confirmed by individual county offices the day of the meeting.
At home or virtual viewing of the meeting can be done by registering at the website www.aep.iastate.edu/coffee. This registration will provide a personal link to the meeting.
The following ISU Extension and Outreach county offices are holding the in-person option:
- Audubon County, 608 Market St., Audubon. Pre-register at 712-563-4239.
- Calhoun County, 325 Court St., Rockwell City. Pre-register at 712-297-8611.
- Carroll County, 1205 West U.S. Highway 30, Suite G., Carroll. Pre-register at 712-792-2364.
- Crawford County, 35 South Main St., Denison. Pre-register at 712-263-4697.
- Greene County, 104 W. Washington St., Jefferson. Pre-register at 515-386-2138.
- Guthrie County, 212 State St., Guthrie Center. Pre-register at 641-747-2276.
- Harrison County, 304 East 7th St., Logan. Pre-register at 712-644-2105.
- Ida County, 209 ½ Moorhead Ave., Ida Grove. Pre-register at 712-364-3003.
- Monona County, 119 Iowa Ave., Onawa. Pre-register at 712-423-2175.
- Sac County, 620 Park Ave., Sac City. Pre-register at 712-662-7131.
- Shelby County, 906 Sixth St., Harlan. Pre-register at 712-755-3104.
Due to COVID-19 and ISU Extension and Outreach’s commitment to doing its best to keep the community safe, certain restrictions and requests will be required to attend the in-person meetings. Please do not attend in person if you are sick or have been exposed to anyone in the past 14 days who has tested positive for COVID-19. Meetings will be held at indoor venues and social distancing requirements will apply. Seating will be limited and pre-registration for these seats is required. Pre-registration is requested at least one day prior to the meeting by contacting the county extension office preferred above, to allow staff to prepare the venue. Seating is on a first-come, first-served basis and walk-ins may not be accepted. Attendees are strongly encouraged to wear a face covering when in the presence of others if unable to maintain a six-foot physical distance.
For questions about the meetings, contact Mike Witt at 641-430-2600 or witt@iastate.edu, or Tim Christensen at 515-493-8232 or tsc@iastate.edu.
Original photo: Damaged soybeans.
