Soybean testing ... Chad Arnold and Bill Fjelland of the Iowa Crop Improvement Association survey a field of soybeans. (Christopher Gannon/Iowa State University).
The Iowa Crop Improvement Association, an Iowa State University affiliated nonprofit, is marking the 50th anniversary of its Iowa Crop Performance Tests for Soybeans, which offers Iowa farmers independent information to help select the best soybeans for their needs.
Founded in 1902, the Iowa Crop Improvement Association is a nonprofit organization affiliated with Iowa State University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and designated as the official seed-certifying agency in Iowa.
“The soybean test is a tool to help Iowa farmers make decisions, but seed companies also participate so they can promote their products to farmers,” said Jim Rouse, executive director of ICIA, who holds a staff appointment in Iowa State’s Department of Agronomy.
Practical Farmers of Iowa is now accepting applications for the Savings Incentive Program Class of 2019. The two-year program for beginning farmers was launched in 2010, and has since served 127 individuals on their path to establishing a successful farm business.
The program aims to help beginning farmers succeed through mentorship from an experienced farmer; business plan support; the chance to save money and receive matching funds; the opportunity to attend a range of targeted learning events; and access to a network of supportive farmers.
To help haul in this year’s harvest, Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds signed into effect a proclamation granting a temporary 60-day weight limit exemption for trucks on Iowa roads. The 2017 Harvest Weight Proclamation specifically increases the weight allowable for shipment of corn, soybeans, hay, straw and stover, by 12.5 percent per axle (up to a maximum of 90,000 pounds) without the need for an oversize/overweight permit.
The 2017 proclamation again applies to loads transported on all highways within Iowa, excluding the federal interstate system. Trucks cannot exceed the truck’s regular maximum by more than 12.5 percent per axle and must obey the posted limits on all roads and bridges.
“We sincerely thank Governor Reynolds for this proclamation,” said Iowa Corn Growers Association President Mark Recker, a farmer from Arlington. “With the extremely dry conditions across Iowa, it is important that farmers can get their crops out of the field and to market efficiently.”
13th Annual Women’s Health Day pendant winner ... Pictured, left to right, during the jewelry presentation, Lorraine Gallagher, winner of the Ladies’ antique style pendant compliments of Elliott Jewelers of Waukon, Auxiliary President Nona Sawyer and Shelly Elliott of Elliott Jewelers. Submitted photo.
The Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital and Elliott Jewelers of Waukon hosted a huge crowd for the 13th Annual Women’s Health Day Luncheon Tuesday, September 26 at the Waukon Banquet Center. Over 200 ladies attended the delicious salad luncheon hosted by the Auxiliary members, plus many free health and wellness tests were available.
The theme for this year’s event was “Hats Off to Good Health.” Featured speakers included Antoinette “Toni” Thompson, N.P., Veterans Memorial Hospital Emergency Room Provider, who is also a former fire fighter and professional body builder, and who presented on “Aches, Pains and Movement.” Amy Robinson, P.T, Rehab Director at the hospital demonstrated “Exercises You Can Do Anywhere,” and Steven Breitenfield, the hospital’s Speech Therapist, presented “Improving Memory Through Diet and Exercise.” Amanda Leiran, R.T., Radiology Supervisor also presented the advantages of the hospital’s new 3D Mammography machine.
The Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital will be holding its annual Pillow Perk Monday, October 23 from 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. in the Lower Level of Veterans Memorial Hospital. Kraft Pillow Service will be on site to make old pillows look like new.
Everyone is encouraged to bring in their feather pillows to the Pillow Perk to be cleaned, sanitized and given new ticking. Foam and Dacron pillows may also be renovated by this process. People are also encouraged to bring in their feather beds and have them made into new pillows.
Veterans Memorial Hospital will sponsor a Babysitting Seminar Saturday, October 21 from 8:30 a.m. to 12 p.m. The class will be held in the Large Conference Room located on the lower level of Veterans Memorial Hospital.
Intended participants are individuals 10 years of age and older who are responsible for their own care after school until their parents come home from work, and individuals who care for other children in or outside of their own home. Girls are not the sole baby-sitters in this society. Boys are also welcome and encouraged to attend.
Topics to be covered include fire and personal safety, accident prevention and emergency actions, nutritious snacks and basic care of children.
The next local LifeServe Blood Center blood drive will be held Monday, October 9 from 12-5 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in south Waukon. Blood drives are held every month in Waukon, to allow for more donors to give. LifeServe Blood Center supplies Veterans Memorial Hospital with its blood and blood products.
Anyone who lives to the age of 72 will have a 95% probability of needing blood or blood products at sometime in their life, so blood donors are greatly needed.
Regular blood donors may donate blood as often as every 56 days. First-time donors will find that donating blood is a safe and easy way to save lives and make a difference in the community. One single blood donation can save the lives of up to three sick or injured hospital patients. Nearly 90% of first-time donors give at blood drives in their community. This is a great opportunity for first-time donors to see how easy the blood donation process is.
The Veterans Memorial Hospital Diabetes Support Group will hold its next meeting Thursday, October 19 at 10 a.m. The meeting will be held at Veterans Memorial Hospital in the Large Conference Room, located on the lower level of the hospital.
This diabetes class is open to everyone who has diabetes or has a friend or loved one with diabetes. For more information on the Diabetes Support Group, call Teresa Myers, RN, C.D.E., Diabetes Educator, or Angie Mettille, RN, at Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411.
The Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital will be holding its monthly Euchre Marathon for all individuals of the community interested Thursday, October 19. Men and women are welcome to attend, even if not an Auxiliary member. The Euchre marathons are held the third Thursday of each month at the Senior Citizens Room at the Waukon Wellness Center.
The Auxiliary’s Euchre Marathons begin at 11:30 a.m. with dinner, if chosen. Call Northland Agency on Aging at 877-838-8077 if choosing to eat dinner. Card playing will follow at 12:30 p.m. until approximately 2:30 p.m. Anyone wishing to stay and play cards following the Senior Citizens meal is welcome to do so. The cost is $3 per person with all proceeds going towards the Auxiliary of Veterans Memorial Hospital. Prizes will be awarded.
Anyone interested in attending but preferring to play Bridge is also welcome to join in. It is asked that they come with their own table of four players, however.
