All hay producers in the region are invited to attend the 41st annual Eastern Iowa Hay Producers Association (EIHPA) Annual Meeting and Conference on Thursday, March 19, at Buzzy’s in Welton. Registration begins at 10 a.m. and the program starts at 10:30 a.m.

T his year’s program will feature four Iowa State University Extension faculty and staff: Dr. Shelby Gruss, assistant professor and forage extension specialist; Dr. Aimee Lutz, Iowa Beef Center director and extension feedlot specialist; Joseph Lensing, ISU extension farm management specialist in northeast Iowa and Virgil Schmitt, ISU extension field agronomist.

Gruss will discuss managing alfalfa diseases and will also bring the grazing trailer that displays fencing and water systems.
Lutz will discuss ration balancing based on 2025 forage quality.
Lensing will discuss Livestock Gross Margin (LGM) and Livestock Risk Protection (LRP), cost of large round bales, and the economics of silage versus balage.
Virgil Schmitt, ISU extension field agronomist, will discuss fertilizer decisions with high input costs and low commodity prices.

Following lunch there will be a brief annual meeting to elect officers and directors. A drawing for prizes will be held at the end of the day.

Registration for the conference is $30 and includes a meal and EIHPA membership. Tickets can be purchased at the door. Certified crop advisor credits are also available. This conference is sponsored by EIHPA, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, and the Iowa Beef Center.

The EIHPA provides educational workshops and field days for forage producers in Jackson, Jones, Clinton, Cedar, Scott and Muscatine counties. Forage producers from other counties are also welcome to participate. For more information contact Kevin Brown at brownfarm10@gmail.com or 563-872-4475.

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4-H Omelet Brunch to be Held March 8

The annual Clayton County 4-H Omelet Brunch & Silent Auction will be held on Sunday, March 8, at Johnson’s Reception Hall in Elkader. Serving will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

This popular community event is sponsored by the Clayton County 4-H County Council and the Extension 4-H & Youth Development Committee. Members of the 4-H County Council will prepare made-to-order omelets, featuring your choice of ham, sausage, cheese, mushrooms, green peppers, or onions.

In addition to omelets, guests can enjoy pancakes, applesauce, juice, milk, and coffee.

The event will also feature a silent auction with items generously donated by local 4-H clubs, families, and individuals. Proceeds from the auction help cover the county’s share of the 4-H Development Fee and offset costs associated with county 4-H programs.

Ticket prices are $10 for ages 10 and up, $5 for children ages 5–9, and free for children age 4 and under. Tickets will be available at the door.

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.Additional Stories Published Online

The following news releases have been published on the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach website.

2/4/2026 Junior State Science and Technology Fair of Iowa Receives Governor’s STEM Seal of Approval

The Junior State Science and Technology Fair of Iowa has received the Governor’s STEM Seal of Approval from the Iowa Governor’s STEM Council, recognizing the program’s excellence in advancing high-quality STEM learning opportunities for elementary students across Iowa.

2/4/2026 Community Insights Website Offers New Ways to Explore Community Data

Community leaders across Iowa often rely on data to guide decisions about housing, workforce, health and local investment, but finding clear, usable information can be a challenge. A new website from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is designed to make that work easier.

2/3/2026 Webinar Series for Iowa Food Businesses Begins in March

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach’s Food Innovation and Business Hub, a resource that helps Iowa entrepreneurs develop successful food businesses, will host a monthly “Lunch and Learn” webinar series in 2026 to support current and aspiring Iowa food entrepreneurs. The webinars are offered at no cost and open to all.

2/2/2026 Eastern Iowa Hay Producers Association Annual Meeting and Conference to Be Held March 19

Regional hay producers are invited to attend the 41st annual Eastern Iowa Hay Producers Association Annual Meeting and Conference on Thursday, March 19, at Buzzy’s in Welton. Registration will begin at 10 a.m., with the program scheduled to begin at 10:30 a.m.

2/2/2026 Be Aware of New Tax Issues as Filing Season Approaches

Tax filers have several new issues to be aware of as the filing season approaches. As always, being prepared prior to filing your return is the best way to ensure that your tax return is processed speedily and you receive the maximum refund possible in your situation, says Barb Wollan, a health and human sciences educator with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

1/29/2026 Advanced Cattle Feeders Clinic to Focus on Feed Efficiency, Animal Health and Profitability

Experienced cattle feeders are invited to take part in an Advanced Cattle Feeders Clinic on March 3 in New Vienna. The hands-on program is designed to address some of the most pressing challenges facing Iowa feedyards today.

1/29/2026 New Resource Offers Landowner Guide to Oxbow Restoration

Landowners interested in restoring oxbows on their property can consult guidance from a new publication from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. “Oxbow Restoration: A Guide for Landowners” is available for download at no cost from the ISU Extension Store and provides practical guidance on the benefits of oxbow restoration, the restoration process and timeline, costs and funding opportunities, as well as additional resources available to help landowners get started.

Clayton County Extension and Outreach Media for February 5th.

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