08/17/23: Area Happenings & Accomplishments

Hartley farmers to host Iowa Hereford Tour

The 2023 edition of the Iowa Hereford Breeders Association annual tour will feature several diverse stops that should provide something of interest to all attendees regardless of their connection with the breed or the cattle industry. The event is scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 27, in northwest Iowa.

Visitors will gather at 9 a.m. at Johnson Hereford Farms, 2165 240th Street, Milford, where Jack and Lynne Johnson carry on the operation that was started by his grandfather in 1918. Their breeding program emphasizes quality, size, good hair, easy calving and very efficient cattle. Their goal has always been for their customers' calves to reach finish weight very economically.

From there the group will travel to Weeping Fox Ranch, 3780 100th Avenue, Hartley, arriving at approximately 10:15 a.m. Todd and Kris Vogel and family's cow-calf operation focuses on breeding Hereford show heifers, both fall- and spring-born. They sell private treaty year-round and have two online sales a year of live lots and frozen genetics. Featured at this stop will be their 11-year-old main donor cow, MAV Cottons Blessing 221Z, and her 1-year-old clone.

Crazy Bob's, 240 North 8th Avenue East, Hartley, will be the site of the lunch stop and the association's annual meeting, during which four new board members will be elected. Attendees will enjoy a build your own burger bar at a cost of $15 per person. Reservations and payment are required by Monday, Aug. 21. Make checks payable to "IHBA" and send to Becky Simpson, administrative secretary, at 13359 280th Street, Redfield, IA 50233.

After lunch, the tour will reconvene at approximately 2 p.m. at Kooiker Feedlot, 3702 Indian Avenue, Orange City. The feedlot is owned by Rich Kooiker and son, along with two brothers and their sons. They have locations in Sioux Center and Sheldon as well as a ranch in Draper, S.D. that serves as a background and stocker operation. In addition, they have leased stocker operations in Brooking County, S.D., and in northern Minnesota. They market 2,000-2,500 head annually through the Certified Hereford Beef program.

Final stop of the day, at approximately 3:30 p.m., will be TransOva Genetics, 3483 U.S. 75 Avenue, Hull. TransOva is the industry leader in advanced reproductive technologies, including embryo transfer, in vitro fertilization and sex-sorted semen, as well as genetic preservation and cloning services. Forty years of experience, coupled with their dedication to client satisfaction, results in positive experience and creates longstanding relationships to "multiply success" for their customers' herds.

Anyone interested is invited to join for the whole day or at any of the individual stops.

Sydney Vanderhoff earns degree at UNL

Sydney Tress Kenobbie Vanderhoff, of Greenville, was among 583 graduates who received degrees from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The combined graduate and undergraduate commencement ceremony was held Aug. 12 at Pinnacle Bank Arena.

Vanderhoff earned a Master of Science degree from the Office of Graduate Studies.

Disaster assistance available for livestock losses

The USDA Farm Service Agency administers a Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) for livestock owners who have livestock deaths exceeding normal mortality caused by eligible adverse weather, such as extreme heat stress.

"Producers who lost animals due to recent high temperatures are encouraged to contact their Local Farm Service Agency (FSA) to see if LIP has been approved for the county and if their loss qualifies for reimbursement," said Beth Doran, beef specialist for Iowa State University and Outreach, in a news release.

The livestock owner must provide evidence acceptable to FSA that an eligible loss occurred and was directly caused by extreme heat. Notice of this loss must be filed within 30 days of when the loss of livestock was first apparent to the producer.

For details on eligibility and the documentation process, producers should check with their county FSA office immediately.

NCC Foundation to offer American Legion scholarships

The Northwest Iowa Community College Foundation recently received a grant from the American Legion of Iowa Foundation for two $1,000 scholarships. These funds are to be awarded this fall to NCC students who are also veterans.

Charles Brunsting, of the American Legion of Iowa, presented the check to Morgan Granstra from the NCC Foundation. The purpose of the American Legion Foundation is to provide financial assistance to promote Americanism, youth programs, veterans' rehabilitation and community service in the state of Iowa.

For more information on the American Legion of Iowa Foundation Scholarship offered through the NCC Foundation, contact the Foundation Office at (800) 352-4907.

NWI fishing report

Area water temperatures are in the low to mid-80s, but should start to slowly drop while we experience cooler nights. Most area water levels are slightly below crest. Anglers have found the most success fishing off rock points and the edges of weed lines. Many lakes are experiencing algae blooms as water temperatures increase and become more stagnant.

East Okoboji Lake: Black crappie, fair. Bluegill, fair. Most bluegill have moved deeper; you can still be successful fishing from a dock or shore. 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, fair. Walleye, fair. Try trolling with spinners over weeds.

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

Silver Lake (Dickinson): The lake is experiencing a large algae bloom.

Black bullhead, good. Walleye, fair. Try trolling with spinners over or off weed lines.

Spirit Lake: You may have to move out deeper to find the edge of weed lines. Anglers Bay has large stands of native vegetation growing across large portions of the area, making navigation more difficult.

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. Try a small hook with a small piece of worm from the docks. 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: Black crappie, fair. Try small jigs tipped with a minnow. Bluegill, good. Bluegill are moving off beds to deeper water post-spawn. Pumpkinseed, good. Walleye, fair .: Leeches and minnows work well. Yellow perch, fair. Sorting may be needed.

Spencer Hospital announces internal candidate for president role

The Spencer Hospital Board of Trustees this week announced plans to formally interview the hospital's Senior Vice President of Patient Care and Operations Brenda Tiefenthaler for the position of hospital president.

The hospital is hiring a new president following an announcement by current hospital president Bill Bumgarner in February that he will be retiring at the end of the year.

Tiefenthaler, who has been employed by Spencer Hospital for 23 years, will interview on Aug. 21 in a closed session of the hospital board of trustees. She will also be meeting with other groups on that day including the hospital's medical staff and members of the leadership team.

The hospital engaged WittKieffer, a nationally recognized healthcare executive search firm to coordinate the search process. According to a news release, 35 candidates from around the country applied for the job. The search committee narrowed that group to 12 for further consideration, then conducted preliminary interviews with five candidates identified as having experience that aligned well with the needs of Spencer Hospital. Two other candidates, in addition to Tiefenthaler, remain in consideration for the position.

Photo contest at Clay County Fair

It's a great time to begin sifting through all the photos you have taken this year and enter them in one of the many photography competitions at the 2023 Clay County Fair powered by SMU, Sept. 9-17.

This exciting exhibitor event lets photographers enter up to 12 photographs with one entry per class. Divisions include color photographs or black and white photographs of people, places, landscape, objects, plants or animals/insects world.

A separate division for creative photography allows photographers to use different techniques to alter the photograph, including computer manipulation, multi-images into one photo, camera filters and trick lenses. A separate class, other than above, is available for people who have altered an image other than the three categories.

Exhibitors entering sponsored divisions have the opportunity to win increased cash prizes. All divisions include a youth class for those under age 18 and an adult class.

Check out the exhibitor handbook online at http://www.claycountyfair.com or pick one up at the Fair Administrative Offices to find the rules and guidelines to enter your work at the fair. Pre-registration for all exhibits is encouraged and can be completed online, by mail, or in person by Aug. 21.

For those who choose not to pre-register, registration entries are accepted at the Photography Center, located just south of the Commercial Events Building, on Friday, Sept. 1 (12-7 p.m.) or on Saturday, Sept. 2 (9 a.m.-3 p.m.).