AMES, Iowa — With much of western Iowa currently under a moderate to severe drought, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach has announced 10 free drought meetings around the area.
About 80% of Dallas County is in a condition of severe drought, according to a U.S. Drought Monitor report released Thursday. Under a severe drought, dryland corn has extremely low yields and commodity shortages are noted; livestock is stressed; fire danger is high; fewer mosquitoes are observed; surface water levels are low; algae blooms increase; and voluntary water conservation is requested
The severe drought is causing major concern for both crop and livestock producers, and the in-person ISU meetings will help to address those concerns at the following times and places:
- Aug. 3, 9:30 a.m. Adair County Fairgrounds (900 N.E. Elm St., Greenfield). Contact the ISU Extension and Outreach Adair County office to pre-register at 641-743-8412.
- Aug. 3, 5:30 p.m. Cass County Fairgrounds (1000 Fair Ave., Atlantic). Contact the ISU Extension and Outreach Cass County office to pre-register at 712-243-1132.
- Aug. 4, 9:30 a.m. Audubon County Fairgrounds (400 N. Division St. W., Audubon). Contact the ISU Extension and Outreach Audubon County office to pre-register at 712-563-4239.
- Aug. 4, 5:30 p.m. Swan Lake State Park (22676 Swan Lake Trail, Carroll). Contact the ISU Extension and Outreach Carroll County office to pre-register at 712-792-2364.
- Aug. 5, 9:30 a.m. Dallas County Fairgrounds (28057 Fairground Road, Adel). Contact the ISU Extension and Outreach Dallas County office to pre-register at 515-993-4281.
- Aug. 5, 5:30 p.m. Boone County Fairgrounds (1601 Industrial Park Road, Boone). Contact the ISU Extension and Outreach Boone County office to pre-register at 515-432-3882.
- Aug. 6, 10 a.m. Sac County Fairgrounds 4-H Building (416 Park Ave., Sac City). Contact the ISU Extension and Outreach Sac County office to pre-register at 712-662-7131.
- Aug. 6, 1 p.m. Pocahontas Expo Center (310 N.E. First St., Pocahontas). Contact the ISU Extension and Outreach Pocahontas County office to pre-register at 712-335-3103.
- Aug. 7, 9:30 a.m. Greene County Fairgrounds (601 E. Lincoln Way, Jefferson). Contact the ISU Extension and Outreach Greene County office to pre-register at 515-386-2138.
- Aug. 7, 5:30 p.m. Guthrie County Fairgrounds (408 W. State St., Guthrie Center). Contact the ISU Extension and Outreach Guthrie County office to pre-register at 641-747-2276.
Topics at the meeting will include:
- crop growth and development under drought conditions, presented by Mike Witt, Paul Kassel or Aaron Saeugling, field agronomists with ISU Extension and Outreach
- feeding drought damaged crops, including issues with drought silage, and other cattle management considerations by Erika Lundy, Beth Doran or Chris Clark, ISU Extension and Outreach beef specialists
- and crop insurance considerations covered by Steve Johnson, Gary Wright, Patrick Hatting or Tim Christensen, farm management specialists with ISU Extension and Outreach, or local Farm Service Agency office staff
Meetings will last about 90 minutes, with producers also given the opportunity to bring five corn stalk samples for a quick nitrate assessment conducted on site either prior to the start of the meeting or after the meeting. Producers are encouraged to sample corn stalks from multiple, representative areas of the field to accurately estimate conditions.
Due to COVID-19 and ISU Extension and Outreach’s commitment to keeping the community safe, certain restrictions and requests will be required of attendees at the meetings. Do not attend if you are sick or have been exposed to anyone in the past 14 days who has tested positive for COVID-19.
Most meetings will be held at outdoor venues, and social distancing requirements will apply. Attendees should bring their own chairs because seating might be limited and in order to maintain social distance. Attendees are strongly encouraged to wear face coverings when in the presence of others and when unable to maintain a six-foot physical distance.
Pre-registration is requested at least two days prior to each meeting by contacting the county extension office hosting the meeting to allow staff to prepare the venue. If pre-registration is not completed, walk-in attendees will be required to provide contact tracing information at the meeting or will be unable to attend.
Those not comfortable with attending the in-person meetings are welcome to join the statewide webinar series. Additional drought resources can be found at the ISU website.
Meeting sponsors include the Iowa Corn Growers Association. For more information, contact Mike Witt at 641-430-2600 or witt@iastate.edu.
