Weekly Crop Progress and Condition Report — June 11, 2024

Jun 11, 2024 | Crop Report

From the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Mike Naig commented on the Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report released by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service. The report is released weekly April through November. Additionally, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship provides a weather summary each week during this time.

“Summer heat is arriving just in time to give crops a good boost,” Secretary Naig said. “Weather outlooks into the second half of June, when farmers are completing important field applications and baling hay, indicate warmer temperatures and better chances of showers and thunderstorms.”

The weekly report is also available on the USDA’s website at nass.usda.gov.

Crop report

Warm and drier weather throughout the State allowed Iowa farmers 4.8 days suitable for fieldwork during the week ending June 9, 2024, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Planting and replanting of corn and soybeans and spraying were limited due to wet field conditions.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 0 percent very short, 5 percent short, 78 percent adequate and 17 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 1 percent very short, 9 percent short, 77 percent adequate and 13 percent surplus. 

Corn planting is nearly complete with 89 percent emerged, 9 days behind last year and 2 days behind the 5-year average. Corn condition rated at 73 percent good to excellent. Ninety-two percent of the expected soybean crop has been planted, equal to the 5-year average. Seventy-five percent of the soybean crop has emerged, 9 days behind last year and 1 day behind the average. Soybean condition rated 73 percent good to excellent. Emergence of the oat crop is nearly complete with 59 percent headed, 8 days ahead of the average. Oat condition rated to 81 percent good to excellent.

Seventy percent of the State’s first cutting of alfalfa hay has been completed, 1 week behind last year. Hay condition rated 81 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition rated 76 percent good to excellent. 

Weather summary

Provided by Justin Glisan, Ph.D., State Climatologist, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship

The first full reporting period of June saw less thunderstorm activity with below-normal rainfall across most of Iowa; only pockets of central and northern Iowa received above-normal totals. Temperatures were up to three degrees above normal.

Sunday (2nd) morning showers in western Iowa dissipated as they moved east into drier air. Afternoon conditions were breezy with a southerly wind pushing temperatures through the upper 70s and low 80s. Isolated thunderstorms fired in northwestern Iowa just before midnight and spread over northern Iowa into Monday (3rd); Estherville (Emmet County) collected 2.10 inches with many northwest stations reporting 0.25 to 0.75 inch of rainfall. Additional thunderstorms formed in eastern Iowa into the afternoon hours with some sluggish cells producing localized flooding. Five stations in Dubuque County registered totals ranging from 2.00 inches in Dubuque to 2.83 inches at Asbury. Daytime temperatures were in the mid to upper 80s across the western two-thirds of Iowa and in the 70s in northeast Iowa under clouds. Skies cleared overnight into Tuesday (4th) with unseasonably warm morning lows in the upper 60s with isolated low 70s from central to eastern Iowa. A strong cold front produced several severe warned thunderstorms in the afternoon as a more consolidated line developed through the evening hours. The system cleared eastern Iowa by daybreak on Wednesday (5th). More than 50 stations reported at least an inch of rainfall with heavier amounts in central and north-central Iowa; Algona (Kossuth County) measured 2.52 inches with two Dallas County locations, Waukee and Clive, registering 2.88 inches and 3.44 inches, respectively. Most stations received at least 0.30 inch with a statewide average of 0.49 inch. Westerly winds built in behind the front along with temperatures in the upper 70s and low 80s under clear skies. Isolated thundershowers formed northwest and sped to the southeast into the evening with widespread totals under 0.10 inch.

Stars were visible Thursday (6th) morning with persisting westerly winds and lows in the upper 50s and low 60s. The daylight hours were pleasant with gusty northwesterly winds and spotty clouds here and there. Temperatures varied from the low 70s northeast to low 80s southwest. Calmer conditions developed overnight with variable winds and temperatures in the 50s west to low 60s east at 7:00 am on Friday (7th). Light showers pushed into northern Iowa as strong northwesterly flow produced a complex of fast-moving thunderstorms that grazed the southwest corner of Iowa. More showers formed farther east with the highest rain totals north; Osage (Mitchell County) and Stanley (Buchanan County) observed 0.40 inch with totals tapering off to the south. Heavier showers persisted in northeastern Iowa through Saturday (8th) morning with Waterloo Municipal Airport (Black Hawk County) reporting a 0.48-inch total. Winds shifted to a northerly direction with daytime highs in the mid 60s east to upper 70s west under mostly sunny skies. Spotty rain showers moved across western Iowa, though totals were generally light. Overnight lows into Sunday (9th) held in the 50s with calm to variable, light winds under mostly clear skies.

Weekly precipitation totals ranged from 0.01 inch at several stations to 3.45 inches in Clive (Dallas County). The statewide weekly average precipitation was 0.70 inch while the normal is 1.18 inches. Pocahontas (Pocahontas County) and Shenandoah (Page County) reported the week’s high temperature of 90 degrees on the 3rd and 8th, respectively, on average 10 degrees above normal. Stanley reported the week’s low temperature of 45 degrees on the 9th, 12 degrees below normal.

Such a beautiful library 

Jun 11, 2024 | MJB LIBRARY NEWS

By Karen Kelly | Special to the TimesVedette

One comment I hear from people who come to the Mary J Barnett Library for the first time is that this is such a beautiful library. I have to agree. The committee who planned this facility had a great deal of foresight and anticipated that our community would “grow into” this space.  Each day that I have the privilege of coming to work here, I am grateful for this building and what it provides our community. Our community benefits immensely from the large library with meeting rooms, a children’s area, and places for workspaces, conversations, and to just sit and read.  

This library was built in 1998, and one of the architectural highlights of the building is the massive windows that make it feel so open and bring the outside in. While it is a beautiful building, it is more than 25 years old. As with any building, time and the elements take their toll, and regular maintenance is required to keep things looking and working well. Such is the case with the gorgeous windows.  

The wood surrounding the windows is deteriorating and in need of immediate replacement. This repair is expected to be costly and exceeds the budgeted amount. While the city has allocated funds for the project, additional financial assistance is required. We are actively pursuing grants to facilitate the complete replacement of the windows in a cost-effective manner. The Friends of the Library are diligently fundraising for this cause, and community members are encouraged to support the effort by making donations towards the window renovation project. Contributions can be made by sending checks to the Mary J Barnett Library with “windows” indicated in the memo. It is crucial to maintain the library as a cornerstone of our community, providing a safe and resourceful space for all ages.

Golf Tournament

Time is running out to sign up for the Friends of the Library Second Annual Golf Tournament. The four-person best ball tournament is Saturday, June 15 at the Guthrie Center Golf Course. The $60 per person registration fee includes lunch and a cart.  Businesses are encouraged to purchase a sponsorship for $100.  All proceeds go to the Guthrie Center Friends of the Library to benefit the Mary J. Barnett Library.  

Lunch and Learn

Remember Lunch and Learn is noon to 1 p.m. on Wednesday, June 12 in the Taylor Meeting Room. This month’s guest speaker is Karen Courtney, Iowa Homeschool Representative. A light lunch will be provided. 

Summer Reading Fun

Bif Ridgway and Bike World will be here Tuesday, June 11 at 12:30 for a bike clinic and bike rodeo. Kids are encouraged to bring their bikes and helmets and participate.  

The Guthrie County ISU Extension will be presenting Here and Now, a STEM workshop on Wednesday, June 12 at 12:30 p.m.  Friday morning at 11 a.m., Creation Stations will be set up for summer readers to unleash their creativity.  

Join us for a movie and popcorn on Monday, June 17 at 4 p.m. On Wednesday, June 19, the STEM program will be No Monkeys, No Chocolate. On Friday, June 21, Absolute Science will be sharing their Fantastic Foam Show.  

Summer Reading participants are reminded to log their reading time and turn in their completed reading logs for a chance to win some great prizes.  

Cribbage and Bridge

Card shark, remember that you can join the cribbage players from 9-11 a.m. each Monday morning for some competitive cribbage. Regardless of your skill level, new people are always welcome.  Bridge players, check out the Wednesday morning bridge class that takes place between 9-11 a.m.

Card Making Class

Card making class will be from 9-11 a.m. on Thursday, June 20. All supplies are provided, and everyone is welcome. The $5 fee covers the cost of supplies.  

Cookbook Club

The 20th Edition of the Iowa State Fair Cookbook is the featured cookbook for this month’s cookbook club. Stop in the library to choose a recipe from the prize-winning recipes collected in this book. Bring your chosen dish to the Cookbook Club meeting on Thursday, June 20 at 6:30 p.m. 

Rylee Nielsen selects books to check out before the summer reading program begins. The furniture and rug were purchased with the grant money from the ALA LTC round 2 (American Library Association Libraries Transforming Communities Grant).

This young patron has found a cozy spot to enjoy a book. This is part of the furnishing purchased with the ALA LTC Round 2 Grant that the library has been awarded.

For those who think the library is a dull and quiet place, this is the children’s area on Monday. Kids are playing board games, using computers, playing with toys, and adults get a minute to read.

Brooks and Kate Gordon enjoy the new reading space in the children’s area, which was purchased with the ALA LTC Round 2 Grant.

Donna Albright’s award-winning quilt entitled Midnight Garden is on display at the MJB Library through the month of June. Stop in and take a look; a photo doesn’t capture the intricate work of this piece.

Panorama FFA sends nine to officer training

Jun 11, 2024 | News

Front row: Evelyn Hummel and Ella Carico Back row: Cody Kastner, Bridget White, Kelsey Laabs, Maddy Carstens, Baylyn Herring, Sawyer Simmons and Zach Hayden

By Zach Hayden | Panorama FFA Reporter

On June 4, the Panorama FFA officers attended the Southwest Iowa District FFA COLT training at Atlantic High School. Officers joined more than 160 FFA officers from other schools where and rotated through various workshops based on leadership development and how to be better FFA officers within their own chapters.

Workshops were led by past and current district and state FFA officers. Activities included “Collaboration Nation,” where they learned about what different chapters did and the importance of collaborating and sharing ideas. “In The Know” was an activity that explained some of the issues in agriculture and why it is an officer’s job to make sure others know the truth. “Be a Pro” taught officers how to be professional and what not to do. Finally, “Live to Serve” showed people how to be good leaders and how to inspire others to be leaders.  After finishing the leadership workshops, officers attended workshops specific to their duties. 

“COLT conference provides a chance for FFA members to learn more about their responsibility as a local leader and is a conference for members to meet and connect with state, district and other chapter officers,” Iowa FFA President Collin Bauer stated.

Do you have a tattoo?

Jun 11, 2024 | News

I am often the odd man out. It’s not a big deal. I am used to it. But on a recent trip to a swimming pool, I noticed I was the only person there — male or female — who didn’t have a tattoo. I felt a bit out of place. So when I went to other places, I started asking around, “Do you have a tattoo?” Surprisingly — at least to me — a large number of people said, “Yes.” I decided to do a little research to see if my sample study was an anomaly.

Maybe not surprisingly, more than one-third (36%) of U.S. citizens between the ages of 18-29 have at least one tattoo. And, also maybe not surprisingly, nearly three-fourths (72%) of tattooed adults have tattoos that are hidden by their clothing, according to data at comparecamp.com

Here are a few numbers that may raise eyebrows. Nearly one-third (30%) of U.S. college graduates have tattoos. Not many more men (15%) than women (13%) in the U.S. have tattoos. And only one-third (36%) of the U.S. Armed Forces, including military veterans, have tattoos.

Clearly, tattoos are big business, generating an estimated $1.6 billion in annual revenue. Over the next 10 years, the tattoo industry is expected to grow by about 8% annually in the 21,000-plus U.S. tattoo parlors. Americans spend $1.65 billion yearly on tattoos with 27% paying up to $100 and 6% willing to invest $2,500 or more.

Meanwhile, tattoos aren’t all roses. Well, some may be, but you know what I mean. Three out of four individuals who have tattoos regret it. What’s more, there’s a larger percentage of men than women who regret their tattoos. Meanwhile, only 5% of people who hate their tattoos have them removed. Instead, they have them covered with another tattoo. This may explain how 32% of individuals with tattoos claim that they are obsessed with ink.

My friends with tattoos often tell me I should get one. At 55 years old, I am not sure that is a good idea. Meanwhile, 11% of people with tattoos in the United States are in my age range of 50-64 years old. Even so, my response to my tattooed friends has been incredibly consistent and uncomfortably honest. I tell them that I am at the age where I am more concerned about the things I should have taken off my skin rather than adding anything to it. Sigh.

Have a terrific Tuesday, and thanks for reading. 

Shane Goodman
Editor and Publisher
Times Vedette digital editions
shane@dmcityview.com
641-755-2115

Warren Cultural to host Ice Cream Social June 22 

Jun 11, 2024 | News

Special to the Times Vedette

The Warren Cultural Center in Greenfield will play host to the inaugural Ice Cream Social on Saturday, June 22. The evening of entertainment will feature local art vendors, live music and a live podcast recording. The event’s name is derived from Ice Cream Sunday, a weekly podcast hosted by former Greenfield natives Austin Buckner and Trebor Holder.

“We wanted to host an event that showcased as many aspects of the podcast as possible,” Buckner said. “We’re very excited to bring local artists, local musicians and local storytellers to our hometown.”

The Ice Cream Social will serve as a fundraiser for the Greater Greenfield Community Foundation’s tornado relief fund. 

 “We were heartbroken by the devastation left behind by the tornado that swept through Greenfield last month,” Buckner said. “We just want to provide a fun, carefree event for the community while raising money for a great cause.”

Doors will open at 5 p.m. with art vendors in the second-floor lobby. Featured artists include Electrocutie Beauty (Des Moines); Lyric Clay Creations (Greenfield); Facepaints by Kate (Des Moines); Skald Stone Productions (Urbandale); Green Unicorn Art (Des Moines); Rude Katana (Minneapolis, Minnesota); You’re Not Alone (Omaha, Nebraska); and Spotted Dot Photography & Design (Boone).

Live entertainment begins at 7 p.m. with a live podcast by Ice Cream Sunday. Their guest for the evening is Wendi Lane, a fellow Greenfield native and acclaimed multimedia journalist. Lane is an EMMY award-winning journalist with more than 10 years of experience as a reporter. She’s also a winner of the 2021 Multimedia Journalist Florida Broadcasting Association Award for large market television. In her career, Lane has covered wildfires, floods, mudslides, tornados, tropical storms and hurricanes. In recent weeks, Lane has provided expert documentation of Greenfield’s recovery efforts following the May 21 tornado.

Live music will begin at 8 p.m. with a performance by Night Like This, a four-piece alternative rock band from Des Moines. Night Like This started out in 2017 as two friends writing music together on the weekends in their college apartments. Today, the band has 28 original tracks, a six-song EP, two full-length albums and several music videos under its belt. Night Like This covers a wide variety of genres including alternative, pop, country and rock, but their bread and butter is 1990s and early 2000s alternative.

Tickets for this event are $10 per adult and can be purchased online at warrenculturalcenter.com/events. Admission is free for attendees younger than 18.