Pork Producers Learn A Build Up Of Methane Gas In Hog Buildings Can Be Dangerous
(Le Mars) — Pork producers are learning that a build up of foam from methane gas inside their manure pits can be both dangerous and deadly. Iowa State University Extension Swine Specialist Dave Stender recently informed pork producers during a manure application certification meeting held in Le Mars that fires can easily occur when there is a build up of methane gas and very little ventilation. During the past few years, the Le Mars Fire and Rescue Department along with other fire departments within Plymouth County have responded to at least seven different hog barn fires when methane gas had ignited and caused a flash fire. Stender says most of the time it is
not a problem for producers.
According to Stender, it is that “goo” that creates problems for pork producers.
The Iowa State University swine specialist says the problem may often occur after a producer has used a power washer to clean his barn.
Stender says research shows producers who use distilled dried grains, a by-product from ethanol, as part of the pig’s diet sometimes can create a build up of foaming pits with the flammable methane gas.
Stender says producers can somewhat modify a hog’s diet, and that will change the conditions with his manure pits, thus reducing the likelihood of flash fires from occurring.
Stender reminds pork producers to sufficiently ventilate their barns particularly after cleaning, so to remove the methane gas from the building.
Coronavirus Interrupting Business
(Omaha) — Fears about coronavirus slowed Iowa’s economy during February, along with the overall economy across the Midwest, according to a Creighton University survey of business leaders and supply managers in nine states.
Creighton economist Ernie Goss says the impact on commerce is critical, as the virus has infected tens of thousands of people around the world, with more than three-thousand dead.
The illness originated in China and that’s where tens of millions of people are quarantined, with factories of all sorts temporarily closed. Goss says that’s gumming up the gears that would ordinarily keep manufacturing moving.
On the plus side, Goss says some of those supply managers who said they’re switching vendors are switching to -domestic- vendors. The stock market tumbled last week over fears about the virus and Goss says it’s brought about a quick response.
Goss says hiring across the region is down as businesses continue to struggle to find qualified workers. The monthly Creighton survey covers Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota.
Senator Joni Ernst Files Nomination Papers With Iowa Secretary of State
DES MOINES, IA – Surrounded by energized Team Joni supporters, U.S. Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), today submitted nearly 24,000 signatures with the Iowa Secretary of State’s office to gain ballot access, more than seven times the
amount required. The Secretary of State, Paul Pate, noted it’s “believed to be a record.” Additionally, Joni submitted signatures from all 99 counties, exceeding the Secretary of State’s required minimum of 10 counties.
Ernst says, “I am honored, thrilled and energized to have this grassroots momentum and enthusiasm across Iowa. Our fight is just getting started from leading efforts to lower the cost of prescription drugs, standing up for our farmers, increasing access to child care, and more. I will continue traveling our state and visiting with folks so I can work relentlessly for Iowans in Washington.”
Buena Vista University Conducting Environmental Study On Beaches
(Storm Lake) — Researchers say tiny pieces of plastic are polluting the shores of some northwest Iowa beaches. Students at Buena Vista University teamed up with Storm Lake High School students to collect baggies of sand along three of the city’s beaches. They found small chunks of tires, fleece threads and parking lot paint mixed in the sand. B-V-U senior Mel
Graf says their findings really bring home the environmental issue.
B-V-U environmental science professor Ben Maas says this is just the first in a series of planned studies of microplastics pollution.
One big concern about microplastics is that they can harm marine life that ingest them. Researchers hope to look more into how far this pollution goes, by studying more beaches and even the water itself.
Oklahoma Man Charged After Harboring Missing Teen
JOHNSTON, Iowa (AP) – An Oklahoma man has been charged in Iowa with harboring a runaway teenager from Mississippi. Court documents say the 15- year-old and 21-year-old Jared Wright were found Sunday in his car at a high school parking lot in Johnston, Iowa. Authorities say she was unharmed. The
court documents don’t list an attorney for Wright. He lives in Lawton, Oklahoma. The documents say police from Tishomingo County, Mississippi, contacted the Iowa department Sunday to say the girl was thought be in Iowa at a store in Grimes. She wasn’t, but she and Wright were found not far away later at the parking lot.
