06/29/23: Area Happenings & Accomplishments

Named to spring dean’s list at UNI

The University of Northern Iowa in Cedar Falls has announced the 2023 spring semester dean’s list. To be included, a student must have earned a grade point of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale, while taking at least 12 hours of graded course work.

The following area students are included on the list.

Everly: Jorgan Rustad.

Hartley: Wesley Peters.

Albert named to President’s List

A total of 324 Mitchell Technical College students earned recognition on the Spring 2023 President’s List.

To be named to the list, students must earn a term grade point average of at least 3.5 on a 4.0 scale and be registered for at least 12 credit hours of academic work during the semester.

Included on the list was Jackson Albert, of Hartley.

Hartley students graduate at UNI

Two Hartley students were among the 1,359 spring graduates at the University of Northern Iowa at Cedar Falls.

Wesley Peters received a Bachelor of Arts Degree in History, and Emilee Vander Veen received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology.

Youth invited to test livestock knowledge at fairs

Youth in grades 4-12 are invited to test their beef and swine knowledge in a quiz bowl at the local Sioux, Lyon, Osceola and O’Brien county fairs.

Participants will be challenged on their knowledge of animal breeds, meat cuts, feedstuffs, livestock equipment and more.

“County fairs are all about showcasing the hard work and knowledge of our 4-H and FFA members,” said Cheryl Heronemus, Extension regional director in a news release. “This quiz bowl, or skill-a-thon, is just one more way youth can learn and share their knowledge.”

The quiz bowl will cover beef and swine this year, with plans to focus on other species next year. The event is free and open to all youth that have completed grades 4-12. 4-H or FFA membership is not required.

Scheduled times for the quiz bowl at each county fair are: Sioux County, July 11, 1:30-3:30 p.m .; Lyon County, July 19, 3-5 p.m .; Osceola County, July 20, 1:30-3:30 p.m .; and O’Brien County, July 26, 1-3 p.m.

Youth can register online at https://form.jotform.com/4Hregion1/county-fair-quiz-bowls or outside the 4-H office on the first day of their respective county fair.

For more information, contact Heronemus at (712) 240-2472 or [email protected].

Iowa crop report

A much needed shot of water helped fields in northwest Iowa, according to the latest crop update report compiled by the USDA.

Above average temperatures and below normal precipitation for the week led to 6.0 days suitable for fieldwork in Iowa during the week ending June 25. Field activities included cutting hay and spraying crops. The persistent dryness has led to many reports of visible crop stress; however, north central and northeast Iowa received some much-needed rain.

Topsoil moisture condition rated 22 percent very short, 45 percent short, 32 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture condition rated 24 percent very short, 44 percent short, 31 percent adequate and 1 percent surplus.

Some reports of corn starting to silk were received last week. Corn condition continued to decline, rating 56 percent good to excellent. Ten percent of soybeans were blooming, six days ahead of last year and two days ahead of the five-year average. Soybean condition dropped to 48 percent good to excellent. Ninety-five percent of the oat crop has headed, roughly two weeks ahead of last year and the average. Twenty-five percent of oats were turning color, roughly one week ahead of last year and normal. Oat condition declined to 47 percent good to excellent.

Iowa’s first cutting of alfalfa hay is virtually complete, and the second cutting reached 18 percent complete, six days ahead of both last year and the average. Hay condition declined to 32 percent good to excellent. Pasture condition rated just 23 percent good to excellent. Livestock producers continued to supplement with hay as pasture conditions deteriorated and reports were received about water supply concerns as some ponds and creeks continued to dry out.

• Weather Summary

Showers and strong to severe thunderstorms brought much-needed rainfall at the end of an unseasonably warm and dry reporting period. Many northern Iowa stations observed above-average totals while southern Iowa remained below average. Temperatures were up to six degrees above normal northwest with a statewide average temperature of 74.1 degrees, 2.1 degrees above normal.

NWI fishing report

Recent rains slowed the rate of warming in many area lakes; water temperatures are in the middle to upper 70s. Most area water levels are a few inches over crest. The bite has been good across most areas. Most panfish have finished with spawning and are moving out deeper, making fishing from shore harder. Fishing weed lines and off points has shown the most success.

East Okoboji Lake: The water temperature was in the upper 70s last Thursday.

Black crappie, fair. Bluegill, fair. Bluegill have moved deeper; spawning has finished. Use a small hook and piece of worm. Walleye, fair. Yellow perch, fair. Sorting will be needed.

Ingham Lake: Walleye, fair. Anglers have been successful morning and evening.

Lost Island Lake: Black crappie, good. Walleye, good. Try trolling with spinners over weeds.

Minnewashta Lake: Black crappie, fair. Bluegill, fair. Pumpkinseed, good.

Silver Lake (Dickinson): Black bullhead, good. Walleye, fair. Try trolling with spinners over or off weed lines.

Spirit Lake: Water temperatures were in the mid-70s last Thursday.

Black bullhead, good. Anglers have been very successful fishing the north grade. Black crappie, fair. Many nice-sized fish have been seen lately. Bluegill, good. Bluegill are still on beds near shore. Try a small hook with a small piece of worm. Walleye, fair. Leeches and minnows work well. Anglers have been successful with slip bobbers off points and pulling spinners over vegetation. Yellow perch, fair.

West Okoboji Lake: Water temperatures were in the low 70s last Thursday. Black crappie, fair. Try small jigs tipped with a minnow. Bluegill, good. Bluegill are moving off beds to deeper water post-spawn. Walleye, fair. Leeches and minnows work well. Yellow perch, fair. Sorting may be needed.

Clay County lands funds for bridges

Clay County was one of nine Iowa counties that were recently picked to receive federal funds for infrastructure improvements.

The U.S. Department of Transportation last week announced the funding as part of the $35 million RAISE Grant program. Clay, Lucas, Crawford, Lee, Pottawattamie, Wright, Page, Henry and Mitchell counties will receive $24,760,000 to replace approximately nine bridges in poor condition. Additionally, infrastructure improvement projects in both Clear Lake and Cedar Falls were selected.

The funding was made possible by the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which was passed by Congress in 2021.