All of west central Iowa is currently under a moderate to extreme drought. The drought conditions are causing major concerns for both crop and livestock producers. To compound this situation the Derecho weather event has caused significant damage to crops and infrastructure across the area.
To help address those concerns, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will host a virtual Ag Coffee meeting Wednesday, Sept. 9, at 9 am. This event will be a live webinar presentation and have 11 in-person viewing locations across west central Iowa.
The meeting will be split into two segments with Mike Witt, ISU field agronomist, discussing the agronomic impacts of the drought and the Derecho. Specific agronomic topics that will be discussed are: harvesting downed corn strategies and expectations; managing fields that are unharvestable; ideas for residue and fall cover crop; grain quality and grain storage issues.
Tim Christensen, ISU farm management specialist, will discuss the financial impacts and strategies for fall 2020. Specific farm management topics to be discussed are crop insurance conversations; new USDA/FSA programs; considerations for handling drougt and low yield crops with markets; and handling farm stress.The meetings will last approximately 90 minutes.
The virtual Farmers Coffee will be a meeting that features both in-person and virtual discussions. Persons who do not have internet access or would like to attend the meeting in person rather than home can attend at any of 11 county extension offices. The speakers will be live via Zoom and able to answer question during and after the presentation.
Each county office will be limited in their seating due to Covid-19 restrictions. Pre-registration is required to attend the meetings in person and is on a first come, first serve basis. Walk-ins will not be accepted unless confirmed by individual county offices the day of the meeting. At home or virtual viewing of the meeting can be done by registering at the website www.aep.iastate.edu/coffee. This registration will provide registrants with a personal link to the meeting.
ISU County Extension office meeting host locations
- Audubon County Extension (608 Market St., Audubon). Pre-register for in person attendance at 712-563-4239.
- Calhoun County Extension (325 Court St., Rockwell City) Pre-register for in person attendance at 712-297-8611.
- Carroll County Extension (1205 West US Hwy 30 Ste G., Carroll). Pre-register for in person attendance at 712-792-2364.
- Crawford County Extension (35 South Main St., Denison) Pre-register for in person attendance at 712-263-4697.
- Greene County Extension (104 W. Washington St., Jefferson). Pre-register for in person attendance at 515-386-2138.
- Guthrie County Extension (212 State St., Guthrie Center). Pre-register for in person attendance at 641-747-2276.
- Harrison County Extension (304 East 7th St., Logan) Pre-register for in person attendance at 712-644-2105.
- Ida County Extension (209 ½ Moorhead Ave., Ida Grove) Pre-register for in person attendance at 712-364-3003.
- Monona County Extension (119 Iowa Ave., Onawa) Pre-register for in person attendance at 712-423-2175.
- Sac County Extension (620 Park Ave., Sac City). Pre-register for in person attendance at 712-662-7131.
- Shelby County Extension (906 Sixth St., Harlan) Pre-register for in person attendance at 712-755-3104.
Due to Covid-19 and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach’s commitment to doing its best to keep the community safe, certain restrictions and requests will be required to attend the meetings. Persons who are sick or have been exposed to anyone in the past 14 days who has tested positive for Covid-19 are asked not to attend the meeting in person. Meetings will be held at indoor venues and social distancing requirements will apply. Seating will be limited and pre-registration for these seats is required.
Pre-registration is requested at least one day prior to the meeting by contacting the local county extension office to allow staff to prepare the venue. Seating is on a first come first serve basis and walk ins may not be accepted. Attendees are strongly encouraged to wear face covering when in the presence of others and unable to maintain a six-foot physical distance.
Persons who want more information about the meetings can contact Mike Witt at 641-430-2600 or witt@iastate.edu or Tim Christensen at 515-493-8232 tsc@iastate.edu.
Meeting sponsors include the Iowa Corn Growers Association.
