Recent Rains Have Been Welcomed, But More Rain Is Needed
(Le Mars) — The rains of this week and last, have not only turned around the crop conditions, but it has also changed the attitudes of many farmers.
However, as much as we needed those rains, and they will certainly benefit the crop that had been under stress, and now beginning the critical pollination stage, more rain is still needed. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Crops Specialist, Joel DeJong says Le Mars has received two and a half inches of rain since the beginning of July, but we still remain short
on our moisture levels.
DeJong says the recent rains have been widely varied and spotty with different measurements of rain throughout the county and region. He says on average we have been at least four to five inches short of normal rainfall amounts.
In terms of crop development with the growing degree days, DeJong says the extreme hot temperatures in June were more deter-mental to crop development than being beneficial.
The crops specialist suggests farmers scout their fields for any possible pest-related problems that may occur.
Locally Grown Sweet Corn Will Be Ready On Friday
(Le Mars) — Nearly everyone looks forward to the smell and taste of the first ears of locally-grown fresh sweet corn, and according to Lynn Buss, people won’t need to wait much longer. Buss is known for the past 30 plus years of his local roadside stands selling his sweetcorn to the public. He says the first ears of the season will probably be ready on Friday. Buss says due to the dry conditions, he was initially concerned whether or not he
would have a crop to sell this year, but recent rains of the past couple of weeks have turned around the condition of his sweet corn crop.
Buss says the most recent rains have been truly a blessing.
The sweet corn farmer says he usually plants around 20 acres of sweet corn, and he plants his sweet corn at different times to spread out the season from mid-July to Labor Day.
Buss tells of the condition of the early matured sweet corn that will be ready for harvest this weekend.
Buss markets his sweet corn at Le Mars, Sioux Center, Hawarden, and Akron.
Le Mars customers are accustomed to seeing Buss with his sweet corn located on the parking lot of Bob’s Drive-Inn.
The sweet corn grower says through email messages, phone calls, and personal visits customers are always inquiring as to when the sweet corn is ready for harvest.
Like any other farmer, Buss has many challenges when growing sweet corn. He has to contend with changing weather conditions such as strong winds and hail, predators such as raccoons and deer, and insects and other pests. However, he says he enjoys producing a crop that many people desire for the summer months. So, how much longer will Buss continue to grow sweet corn to sell for the public?
As mentioned, the first ears of sweet corn will go on sale on Friday and through the weekend.
Damage Surveys Underway Following At Least a Dozen Tornadoes in Iowa
(Des Moines, IA) — The National Weather Service says between 12 and 16 tornadoes touched down Thursday in Iowa. No injuries were reported, but there’s damage to homes, businesses, trees and power lines across central and eastern Iowa. Des Moines Meteorologist Brooke Hagenhoff says they’re sending survey crews to the worst-hit communities in Calhoun, Hamilton, Bremer and Butler counties. Survey teams will also likely swing through Tama County where Dysart got some damage. She says “based off of video and pictures that
we’ve seen, the Lake City tornado in Calhoun County appears to be the largest one.” Tom Philip is a meteorologist at the Davenport office of the National Weather Service, which covers Iowa’s eastern third. He says “we’ve got some crews going out to survey a couple of counties in different areas.” The list
includes Jones County, Delaware County, Benton and Linn counties.
Authorities Investigating Plane Crash in Muscatine County That Left 2 Dead
(Muscatine, IA) — Authorities are investigating a plane crash in southeast Iowa near Muscatine that left two people dead. The Muscatine County Sheriff’s Office says Quad City Air Traffic Control reported it lost contact with a private plane that was traveling from Missouri to Michigan Wednesday afternoon. The aircraft was located near Highway 38 in a rural field.
Several fire departments and law enforcement agencies assisted in the search for the plane. The F-A-A’s preliminary report shows the unnamed pilot crashed under unknown circumstances at 2:38 p-m Wednesday. The F-A-A is expected to identify the victim once the investigation is complete.
Travel Getting Close to Pre-Pandemic Levels in Iowa
(Des Moines, IA) — The numbers for planes, trains, and automobiles in Iowa continue to show a rebound in traffic following drops during the COVID pandemic. The Iowa Department of Transportation’s Stuart Anderson says, “we
are continuing to be really close to pre-pandemic levels. Our June numbers were at one percent below the June of 2019 levels.” Anderson says there is still some impact from workers telecommuting and cited the I-235 route through Des Moines as an example where numbers are lower as some businesses
haven’t returned to in-person work. He says the most recent air travel numbers reflect the recovery. Anderson said the May numbers grew pretty healthfully from April and “we are actually at about 70 percent of the May 2019 level.” He expects a lot more growth at commercial service airports in the June and July numbers.
UI Researchers Working On Nose Spray COVID-19 Vaccine
(Iowa City, IA) — Researchers at University of Iowa are working on a nose spray coronavirus vaccine. The University of Iowa and University of Georgia recently published research in which their COVID nose-spray vaccine was affective on mice. The Cedar Rapids Gazette reports the findings could lead to a clinical trial on humans.
