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Report shows need for diversity in soybean cyst nematode resistant varieties

A report analyzing nearly 20 years of field data collected by Iowa State University on soybean cyst nematodes shows the tiny, parasitic roundworm has continued to adapt to the industry’s most popular resistant variety. The analysis looked at PI 88788, a type of soybean cyst nematode resistance in seed varieties, and found the ability for the nematodes to reproduce on PI 88788 soybeans increased approximately 2%, annually, from 2001 through 2023. If the trend continues, varieties with PI 88788 resistance would have just 40% control of soybean cyst nematode by 2030. This could lead ...

Iowa Master Woodland Steward Program helpslandowners build healthy, resilient forests

Iowa woodland owners and others interested in forest stewardship are invited to participate in the Iowa Master Woodland Steward Program (MWSP), a comprehensive educational program designed to help participants better understand, manage, and protect Iowa's woodland resources. The Iowa Master Woodland Steward Program is offered through Iowa State University Extension and Outreach in partnership with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, often in cooperation with County Conservation Boards. While the program is primarily intended for woodland owners, stewards, and land managers, it ...

Saving lives focus of WCFD training

Fair weather and milder temperatures provided a perfect evening Monday for the Webster City Fire Department to practice a proven life-saving technique on an abandoned, city-owned house at 615 Bank Street. According to the website firefighter nation, VEIS – Ventilate – Enter – Isolate and Search, was developed, and first used somewhere on the east coast of the United States. It is now considered the standard, state-of-the-art practice and in use by fire departments nationwide. VEIS is especially valuable when a targeted search is required on an upper floor of a building. WCFD ...

It’s back to school and the buses are here

The first day of school brings many things, including new teachers, new classrooms, new friends, new school supplies and clothing. But it also brings the return of the bus scramble, the return of children on bicycles, walking on sidewalks and learning how to navigate the transportation ...

Homer Threshing Bee takes a step back in time

HOMER — Jazmine Meeks, of Duncombe, was sitting in the seat of a restored 1950 John Deere A Saturday morning at the 25th West Central Region Cockshutt & CO-OP Club Threshing Bee with her little sister Jennie Phipps, of Wolf. Jennie got to pretend she was driving. Meeks got to experience some memories on the bright shiny green machine. “There’s a lot of memories with my great-grandfather,” Meeks said. “We used to ride on them; we used to rebuild tractors together.” While her great-grandfather, Rollie Stevens, is gone, the family still has one of his ...

Where were you on Sept. 11, 2001

Where were you? What did you do, the day the world stopped Tell us your story for a special edition for September 11, 2026 It’s been 25 years since the tragedy of 9/11, a day remembered as the day the United States was attacked on its mainland. Memories of that day are being sought ...