Iowa State University Extension and Outreach- Union County

05/22/2026

The Extension Office will be closed on Monday, May 25 in observance of Memorial Day.

05/20/2026

Tick Surveillance

Grant Dewell, Extension Veterinarian
Katy Martin, ISU Department of Veterinary Pathology
Iowa State University

There was a lot of news, discussion, and concern last year when the Asian longhorned tick (ALT) was identified in southeastern Iowa and subsequently was found in several southeastern and southcentral Iowa counties. In some cases, severe death loss occurred from anemia due to heavy tick infestations along with the transmission of Theileria orientalis Ikeda, a protozoan blood parasite carried by the tick. There is no treatment available for Theileria, so control of tick populations is important for limiting disease occurrence. Tick control focuses on strategic acaricide treatments and pasture management to reduce cattle exposure to brushy areas.

Treatment and prevention strategies are most effective when performed in a targeted manner. Due to limited information regarding the extent of the distribution of this tick in the state, producers and veterinarians are limited in their ability to make informed prevention and treatment decisions. The Diagnostic Parasitology Lab at ISU College of Veterinary Medicine is working to determine the distribution of the ALT in Iowa. Understanding where this tick occurs in the state is critical for implementing effective, risk-based control strategies.

The goal of our project is to better define the current distribution of ALT in Iowa. We are asking cattle producers to submit ticks they find on livestock and/or allow our team to perform tick surveillance in and around their pastures. Our surveillance efforts are focused on southeast Iowa, where the ALT has already been confirmed, but we welcome submissions from all Iowa counties.

If you notice ticks on your cattle or around your premises, collect samples and submit them to the ISU Parasitology Lab. Tick identification will be performed at no charge. We are particularly interested in ticks collected from animals with heavy burdens, as the ALT typically causes heavy infestations with thousands of ticks possible on a single animal. Collected ticks can be stored in a leak-proof container with 70% ethanol as a preservative (no formalin, please). We can provide sample collection and shipping materials at no cost. When collecting ticks, be careful to remove the entire tick as the mouthparts are important for identification.

Additionally, you can contact the Parasitology Lab and arrange for them to perform tick dragging (collect ticks by walking pasture with large cloth drags) on your property to identify ticks in the environment in addition to those found on cattle. This project is funded by IVMA Bovine Preconditioning Program funding. If you have questions or want to request some sampling supplies contact the lab at [email protected]. Samples can be sent to:

ATTN: Katy Martin
ISU Clin Path Lab
1798 Lloyd Medical
1809 S. Riverside Dr.
Ames, IA 50011-3619

05/20/2026

Looking for a new ag-focused podcast? We've got a new one for you! Tim Christensen, ISU Extension Farm Management Specialist, and Kristiana Coutu, Beginning Farmer Center Director, recently launched County Roads. Its focus is topics important to farmers at all stages, from beginning to mid-career, to retiring. Topics include production, financing, land access, labor, and taxes. The first episode covers farm succession planning. Today's features SW Iowa's very own Extension Field Agronomist Aaron Saeugling discussing soil sampling, interpreting results and using those results to make informed management decisions. Look for County Roads on your favorite platforms or at this link: https://countyroads.podbean.com/

05/19/2026

05/19/2026

05/18/2026

Are you a new goat, sheep, swine, or poultry exhibitor? This workshop is for you! Pick your species-specific track and learn from experienced speakers about showmanship and animal husbandry while gaining hands-on experience. June 13 from 9 am to 11 am at the Taylor County Fairgrounds in Bedford. Register here https://iastate.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0vzAazRrPIfbmNo

05/13/2026

Reminder: All animals exhibited at the Union County Fairgrounds or Iowa State Fair must be entered in 4-H Online by May 15. Contact the office with any questions!

‼️LIVESTOCK EXHIBITORS‼️

4-H Livestock IDs are due in 4-H Online by 11:59PM on May 15th! ⏰⏳🍀

📌 All animals being exhibited at the Iowa State Fair or county fairs MUST be identified in 4-H Online by May 15! No late entries are allowed!

➡ https://www.extension.iastate.edu/4h/4-h-online

05/13/2026

Ready for an outdoor adventure? Spend a full day outside learning to fish, exploring nature, and building real outdoor skills alongside local experts! Youth will connect with Iowa DNR and County Conservation professionals while discovering career pathways in natural resources and outdoor recreation. 🎣

Open to all youth in grades 4–12 (4-H membership is NOT required)
Registration is $25

What to expect:
🐟 Hands-on fishing
🧭 Orienteering & team-building challenge
🌿 Explore Iowa ecosystems & natural resources
🔥 Outdoor skills like campfire cooking, survival basics, fish ID, and stream study (topics vary by location)
👩‍🌾 Learn alongside Iowa Department of Natural Resources & County Conservation professionals

📍 Date & Location Options:
- May 27, 9 AM – 3 PM | Lake Belva Deer, Sigourney, IA
- June 10, 9 AM – 3 PM | Swiss Valley Nature Center, Peosta, IA
- June 29, 9 AM – 2 PM | Lost Island Nature Center, Ruthven, IA
- June 30, 9 AM – 3 PM | North Cedar Park, Plainfield, IA
- July 16, 9 AM – 3 PM | Glissman Conservation Area, Adel, IA

What to bring:
🥪 Sack lunch
💧 Water bottle
🧥 Dress for the outdoors & be prepared for weather — rain or shine!

Register through 4-H Online: v2.4honline.com
⏰ Registration deadline is 1 week before each event.

More information ➡️ https://www.extension.iastate.edu/news/registration-opens-new-iowa-4-h-outdoor-skills-days-across-iowa-spring-and-summer

05/13/2026

Attention Farmers' Market Vendors! Do you need help pricing your items for market this summer? Check out the Food Innovation and Business Hub and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach webinar "Know Your Costs, Keep Your Profit" on May 28 from 11 am to noon. No cost for the webinar but must register to receive the link. More information and the registration link are on the webpage:

AMES, Iowa – The Food Innovation and Business Hub with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will host a new webinar, “Know Your Costs, Keep Your Profit,” on May 28 from 11:00 am to noon.

05/12/2026