The recent cold winds that have been blowing and snow that will soon be flying might get you thinking about the need for a windbreak. Windbreaks not only help to reduce wind speed, but can control snow drifting, provide wildlife habitat and create an aesthetic appeal. Reduced wind speeds can provide monetary benefits by reducing heating costs for homes or confinement buildings.
REAP cost-share is often available through the Soil and Water Conservation District office and will pay 75% cost-share up to $1,500. However, funds are available on a first-come, first-serve basis, so you may not receive funds the same year you apply. Keep in mind that the maintenance length for cost-shared windbreaks is 20 years.
With fungicide application to any crop, it is important to select opportunities where the probability of economic return is greatest. Iowa State University has conducted six years (2012-2017) of research looking at the economic and yield impact of fungicide application to alfalfa. Harvest schedules followed a four-cut system. On average, first crop provided a higher percent yield response to a foliar fungicide application than for later crops. This is because spring usually favors alfalfa diseases due to higher rainfall and there is higher yield potential for first crop than for later crops. In dry years, disease incidence was low and application of fungicide provided little yield response and often resulted in an economic loss.
Agricultural lenders and suppliers, producers and policymakers grow nervous when commodity prices, input costs, farmland values and lease rates become volatile says Melissa O’Rourke, Farm and Agribusiness Management Specialist for Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach. “Add in weather variables and there is plenty of excitement to manage for the 2018 farming year.”
That’s why O’Rourke recommends that all producers and ag professionals in the region attend a Pro-Ag Outlook Forum December 8 in Decorah.
“Iowa State University agricultural economists cautioned farmers to be prepared for a downturn in commodity values and land,” notes O’Rourke. “Especially in light of these continuing conditions, we’re offering opportunities for producers and ag business professionals to get updated information to help make decisions that need to be made during the post-harvest period,” says O’Rourke.
Dry needling an option for pain management ... When it comes to pain management, most Americans would rather use a drug-free approach. They also choose physical therapy as the safest option in treating pain. Pictured above is Amy Robinson, Physical Therapist and Director of Rehabilitation at Veterans Memorial Hospital, demonstrating dry needling treament on a patient. This is a new pain management procedure, similar to acupuncture, and treats painful muscle regions quite effectively. Submitted photo.
Those who would try just about anything before taking prescription opioids to treat their physical pain are not alone. According to a new report, most Americans would rather use a drug-free approach.
Earlier this year, data was collected from nearly 63,000 American adults. Of note, 78% prefer to find another option to treat pain rather than taking medication prescribed by their doctors. The use of narcotics is now being viewed as a “crisis” or a very serious problem, and most people do not want to get caught up in it.
This study could mean that in the future, patients and health-care professionals alike will try drug-free treatment options before relying on opioids. Instead of using pain medications, those surveyed in this recent study chose physical therapy as the safest option in treating pain.
Veterans Memorial Hospital, in cooperation with Northeast Iowa Community College Business and Community Solutions, will be offering an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) course in Waukon through video conferencing being broadcast from Calmar. This 138-hour course will begin Thursday, January 4 at the NICC Waukon Center, located at 1220 Third Avenue NW.
Areas of study include an introduction to emergency medical services systems, roles and responsibilities of EMTs, anatomy and physiology, medical emergencies, trauma, special considerations for working in the pre-hospital setting, and providing patient transportation.
The Iowa Insurance Division’s Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) is reminding Iowans of the Medicare Open Enrollment period which is currently underway and ends December 7.
“It’s important for Iowans eligible for Medicare to carefully review their options each year,” Iowa Insurance Commissioner Doug Ommen said. “There is still time during this open enrollment to have trained members of our SHIIP team help Iowans sort through the many different options to make sure they are getting the right coverage for them and the best bang for their buck.”
Four things for Iowans to focus on during open enrollment are:
Veterans Memorial Hospital will not be offering a CPR course in December. The next class available will be offered in January.
The cost all CPR classes, for certification or recertification, at Veterans Memorial Hospital is the same and all registrants should bring along their own pocket mask. The card received with the course does certify attendants in CPR for a two-year period.
Pre-registration plus a minimum of three participants is required to hold the class. For more information and to register for the CPR Course, call Veterans Memorial Hospital at 563-568-3411.
Veterans Memorial Hospital Community and Home Care continues to offer flu shots every Wednesday afternoon during regular immunization clinics. The next flu shot clinics will be held Wednesday, November 29 from 1-4 p.m. and then again Wednesday, December 6 from 1-6 p.m. and each Wednesday afternoon thereafter. The Community and Home Care Immunization Clinic is located on the upper level of Veterans Memorial Hospital.
Immunization clinics are held from 1-6 p.m. the first and third Wednesdays of the month, and from 1-4 p.m. all other Wednesdays. Flu vaccine, pneumonia vaccine, and a combination of flu and pneumonia vaccine will all be available. Tetanus shots are always offered as well.
Medicare does cover the cost. Billing for Medicare will be completed by the Community and Home Care staff, but participants will need to bring their physician’s name and their Medicare number with them. Pneumonia shots and Tdap shots are also available.
The next LifeServe Blood Center blood drive will be held Monday, December 11 from 12-5 p.m. at the First Baptist Church in south Waukon. The LifeServe Blood Center supplies Veterans Memorial Hospital with its blood and blood products.
Here are some interesting blood facts from the Blood Center of Iowa:
