Lake Delhi seeing environmental problems
DES MOINES — Environmental problems are growing at Lake Delhi, where a flood-related dam failure drained the lake in northeast Iowa in July.
Department of Natural Resources Director Richard Leopold says the Maquoketa River is washing away 80 years of silt on the bottom of the lake.
Leopold said that a stop-gap solution would be to spread a cover crop, such as oats, on the lake bed to help stabilize the sediment.
Leopold also says there are divisions within the agency over whether the lake should be restored. Last week, the Federal Emergency Management Agency said the privately owned dam is not eligible for federal public assistance money.
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Penford loses lawsuit over flood insurance
CEDAR RAPIDS, Iowa — A judge has thrown out a lawsuit filed by a Cedar Rapids corn milling company that accused two insurance companies of acting in bad faith for refusing to pay millions of dollars in claims from the devastating 2008 flood.
At the request of the insurance companies, Chief U.S District Judge Linda Reade dismissed Penford Products Corp.'s lawsuit before it went to jury. Reade also ruled that Penford must pay the insurers' legal costs.
Penford is "very disappointed" with the ruling and intends to appeal, said Christopher L. Lawlor, the company's general counsel. He declined further comment.
Penford, which manufactures ethanol and starch products, had to temporarily close its Cedar Rapids plant after the plant was inundated by floodwaters two years ago. The company expected damages to exceed $56 million.
National Union Fire Insurance Co. of Pittsburgh and Ace American Insurance Co. paid $20 million on Penford's policies, but denied many of the company's claims. The insurers claimed their obligations were capped by two $10 million "sublimits" applicable to flooding in two zones at the Cedar Rapids plant.
4-H Record Book Workshop in Northwood Sept. 15
NORTHWOOD, Iowa — The Worth County 4-H Record Book Workshop will be held Sept. 15 in the Extension office in Northwood.
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The workshop will run from 3:30 p.m.-7:30 p.m.
Th event is a good opportunity for 4-H'ers to get some assistance in completing their record books by the Sept. 27 deadline. For more information, call (641) 324-1531.
ISU receives grant for green chemicals
AMES, Iowa — Iowa State University has received a grant to develop green chemicals for oil spill cleanups.
The grant was awarded to two ISU faculty members who are collaborating with scientists and engineers from Modular Genetics, Columbia University and Louisiana State University. The grant will fund the production and testing of bio-dispersants that may replace petrochemical dispersants currently used for oil spill management.
"The project will use engineered micro-organisms to convert bio-based media into bio-dispersants using fermentation,'' said Buddhi Lamsal, assistant ISU professor of food science and human nutrition. "These bio-dispersants could be used to clean up oil spills such as the Gulf oil spill.
ISU will produce bio-dispersants using Bacillus strains engineered by Modular genetics. The products will then be evaluated by Columbia University.
Whole Foods supports Practical Farmers of Iowa
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OMAHA, Iowa — Whole Foods Market of Omaha will donate 5 percent of net sales on Tuesday, September 7th, 2010 to Practical Farmers of Iowa. Practical Farmers of Iowa is a non-profit organization whose farmer and non-farmer members help promote healthy food, diverse farms, and vibrant communities. Money donated will go to the Savings Incentive Program to help beginning farmers get the business and life skills they need to be successful.
Store hours are 8 a.m. to 10 p.m. The store is located at 10020 Regency Circle, Omaha, NE, just southeast of I-680 and Highway 6 intersection.
Czech firm will build ag tire plant in Charles City
CHARLES CITY, Iowa — A company based in the Czech Republic plans to build a new agricultural tire plant in Iowa.
Gov. Chet Culver and CGS Tyres made the announcement at the Farm Progress Show. The plant would be built in Charles City, in northern Iowa. Company officials plan to invest $43 million to build the plant.
The company says the plant would create 159 new jobs. Production is expected to begin in 2012.
Culver says the Iowa Department of Economic Development has spent six years working with the company to come to Iowa.
Extension offering new leasing books
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AMES, Iowa — Extension offices have leasing books available.
The 75-page books include Iowa State Unviersity survey information on 2010 cash rental rates, 1994-2009 farmland rental rate trends, 2010 custom rates and 2010 farm building rental rates.
Information involving improving your farm lease contract is also included.
The books cost $10 each and are available at Extension offices.
Mallarino, Timms receive new ISU award
AMES, Iowa — Two Iowa State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences professors are the first recipients of a new award named for a former college dean.
The Dean Lee R. Kolmer Award for Excellence in Applied Research has been presented to Antonio Mallarino, professor soil fertility professor and Extension specialist in the agronomy department, and Leo Timms, animal science professor and Extension dairy specialist in the animal science department.
The award, made possible by a gift from Lee and Jean Kolmer, recognizes faculty and staff within the college who have made signigicant contributions to improving the welfare of Iowans through applied research. Lee Kolmer was a former ISU dean of agriculture. He started his tenure in 1972 and continued through the farm crisis of the 1980s.
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Mallarino's applied research efforts have had a positive impact on farmers' productivity and profitability. Timms has established a national and internationally recognized research program in dairy.
