There was a multiple vehicle accident in Louisa County on the 9^th of November.

Sharon Jennings, age 74 of Mt. Union, was traveling southbound on M Avenue and failed to obey the stop sign at Highway 78. Upon entering, Sharon’s vehicle collided with a second vehicle, driven by Zane Veach of Wapello.

Both vehicles came to rest in the southeast ditch. Veach, 14 years old, was transported by a private vehicle to Great River Medical Center. Sharon Jennings was transported by Med Force Air to the University of Iowa Hospital.

This accident remains under investigation by the Iowa State Patrol.

The Iowa State Patrol was assisted by Louisa County Sheriff’s Office, Wapello Rescue and First Responders, Morning Sun Fire, Wapello Ambulance, and Med Force.

Data from the 2023 Iowa Ag Stats, compiled by Iowa’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) and released by Iowa Farm Bureau, reveals record-high farm production costs, offset by elevated grain prices.

Production prices and land values continue to climb

In 2022, Iowa farms faced record-high production costs exceeding $420,000, while soybean and corn prices rose to $13.40 and $6.10 per bushel in the 2021-2022 marketing year, up $2.30 and $1.46, respectively, from 2020-2021. “Strong grain prices softened the blow of high crop production input expenditures,” says Dr. Christopher Pudenz, Iowa Farm Bureau economist. “However, national net farm income is estimated to fall by 23% in 2023, in part because grain prices have weakened, and input prices have been slower to react to market changes.”

Cropland values hit record levels, averaging $10,100 per acre in 2023, up from $9,350 in 2022. “Although high land values improve farm balance sheets,” adds Pudenz. “It’s definitely a concern for farmers wanting to expand their family farms and why we see younger generations tapping into more direct-to-consumer, niche markets that can be successful on smaller parcels of land.”

Livestock industry fluctuates amid disease and drought

NASS data reflects the impact high pathogenic avian influenza had on Iowa’s egg and poultry farms in 2022 with the lowest flock numbers recorded since the 2015 outbreak. Between March and April of 2022, egg production decreased from more than 1.04 billion eggs to 853 million before resurging to 1.03 billion by October. Despite the return to normal levels, Iowa poultry and turkey farmers remain diligent in their biosecurity efforts as migratory birds continue to increase disease risk.

The number of cattle on feed in Iowa was the same on Jan. 1, 2022, as in 2021, but it was the smallest inventory since 2005. Drought depleting feed resources across the country caused many cow-calf producers to reduce their herds, resulting in fewer calves and feeder cattle available for Iowa farmers to purchase. Pudenz says these numbers also reflect the natural cattle cycle. “Cattle inventories follow supply and demand,” he says. “We have been in a cattle cycle trough, so inventories are low. But strong cattle prices are yielding positive returns for Iowa farmers with cattle on feed.”

Hog numbers remained relatively stable in 2022, with Iowa farmers raising 32% of the nation’s pigs. However, high input prices and lackluster domestic pork demand created negative hog returns toward the end of 2022, says Pudenz, with wean-to-finish pig operations in Iowa losing an estimated average of $40 per animal for pigs purchased in November 2022 and sold in May 2023.

Iowa farmers remain resilient, seek sustainable solutions

“Despite the many challenges farmers faced in 2022, these men and women continue to find ways to keep the family farm moving forward,” says Brent Johnson, Iowa Farm Bureau president. “They’re using data, technology and innovation at rates never seen before to reduce inputs, implement practices that help create resilient soils for crops and find niche markets that add value to their bottom line.”

Additionally, NASS data indicates growth in specialty markets. From 2022 to 2023, the state saw 5,000 more meat goats, 2,000 more sheep and lambs and 35,800 more pounds of honey.

The $12 stats book can be ordered from the Marketing and Communications Division, Iowa Farm Bureau, 5400 University Avenue, West Des Moines, Iowa 50266 with checks payable to Iowa Farm Bureau.

The Iowa Department of Corrections (IDOC) reports that the three-year recidivism rate for FY2023 is 34.3%; or 2.7% lower than the recidivism rate observed in FY2022. These numbers show three consecutive years of reduction in the systems overall recidivism rate.

Recidivism can be defined in a multitude of ways. Generally, recidivism is defined as the likelihood that an individual “relapse[s] into criminal behavior, often after the person receives sanctions or undergoes intervention from a previous crime.”  In layman terms, recidivism is an individual who is released from an Iowa prison and then re-incarcerated for any reason, within three years.

Iowa’s rate of 34.3% is currently just under the national average of 37%. It has a long way to go to beat number one South Carolina, which has 21% but is much lower than New Mexico, which is less than a point shy of 50%.

“Three consecutive years of reducing Iowa’s recidivism rate is a clear indicator that what we’re doing in our correctional system is working,” said Gov. Kim Reynolds. “And now that community-based corrections have been placed under the purview of the IDOC, I’m confident our alignment efforts will produce even greater results. I’d like to thank IDOC staff for all they do to keep Iowa safe, and I have no doubt they will continue to meet their mission of creating opportunities for safer communities.”

“Our state’s recidivism rate is a key indicator in determining if what we’re doing is having the intended impact,” IDOC Director Beth Skinner said. “Not only have we lowered our recidivism rate for three consecutive years, in FY23 we saw our biggest reduction yet. This is a department-wide effort and these efforts are producing outcomes that positively impact public safety. I couldn’t be more proud of the hard work and dedication of our staff in keeping Iowa communities safe.”

There are a number of department wide strategies that contributed to reducing the recidivism rate, which includes but are not limited to:

• Prioritizing institutional and community-based treatment programs for high-risk individuals
• Providing institutional and community-based treatment programs that are evidence-based
• Improved and aligned reentry practices
• Increased access to education opportunities
• Increased access to apprenticeship programs and job skills training

Recidivism Rate by State

Salem Road (J-20), 1 ¼ mile east of Lowell will have a one-lane road closure until Tuesday, November 14th.

Portable traffic lights will be in place, expect delays and use caution.

On November 8^th, 2023, the Henry County Sheriff’s Office received a report of a violation of a No Contact Order.

An investigation determined a violation of an active No Contact Order did occur. The victim, a juvenile, was contacted via a third party. The offender was identified as Mandola Pope, 18 of New London. On November 9, 2023, Mandola Pope was located and arrested for violation of a No Contact Order, a simple misdemeanor.

A Mt. Pleasant native has announced his candidacy for the 3rd Congressional District. Lanon Baccam is a veteran, public servant, and native of rural Iowa.

In a statement from Baccam, he mentions why he decided to run.

“As a veteran, public servant and father, I’ll go to Washington to get things done for Iowa – to build a stronger economy and deliver real results to the third district,” said Lanon Baccam. “I know that our politics is more divided than ever – and we need leaders to focus on finding solutions, not sowing division. In Congress, I’ll fight to lower costs for families, expand access to good paying jobs right here in Iowa, and ensure seniors can retire with dignity. As a veteran who fought to protect our freedoms abroad, I will stand up here at home to protect women’s reproductive freedoms. Every day, I will put Iowa first.”

Lanon Baccam is challenging current Congressman, Zach Nunn, who was elected to his position this year. Baccam has powerful voices behind his candidacy, with former Iowa Governor Tom Vilsack and First Lady Christie Vilsack endorsing him.

“Lanon is the type of public servant this state needs in Congress, and we are honored to support him in this race.”

Lanon was born and raised in Mt. Pleasant, and age 17, enlisted in the Iowa National Guard. In the wake of 9/11, Lanon left community college and answered the call to serve his country. He deployed to Afghanistan in 2004 as a combat engineer, focusing on explosive demolitions and force protection in and around Kandahar.

This is Baccam’s first time running for elected office, although he has been involved with campaigns before. In 2020, he was appointed as the deputy state director for President Joe Biden’s campaign in Iowa.

Baccam was previously appointed as the deputy state director for President Joe Biden’s campaign in Iowa in 2020. This is his first time running for public office, at the age of 42.

The 2024 Election will be held on Tuesday, November 5^th, 2024.