(Undated) -- Some welcome rain fell this week, but the state remains well below rainfall totals this year, raising concerns for farmers. Iowa State University Extension will hold two drought meetings for farmers next week. The first, August 23rd is on line. The second meeting, August 24th will be at the Marion County Extension Office at 210 N. Iowa Street, Knoxville.
Speakers will discuss drought impacts on crops and forages, how to manage livestock and drought-stressed forages, prepare for use of alternative forages, and crop insurance and marketing decisions.
Speakers include Aaron Saeugling, Clarabell Probasco and Rebecca Vittetoe, field agronomists with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach; Chris Clark and Patrick Wall, beef specialists with ISU Extension and Outreach; Patrick Hatting, farm management specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach; and representatives from the Farm Service Agency.
No pre-registration is required, and the meetings are expected to last about 90 minutes. Starting approximately 45 minutes before the in-person meeting on Aug. 24, producers will have the opportunity to bring five representative corn stock samples for a quick nitrate assessment conducted on site prior to the start of the meeting or after the meeting, depending upon time.