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Robotic milking, ventilation and manure management all on the agenda

One of the most critical aspects of a productive dairy farm is the design and setup of the buildings. A good design saves energy, increases cow productivity, and provides comfort and ease of access for the farmer and the herd.

To help dairy farmers evaluate their design, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is offering two Dairy Design Workshops in August, with a focus on robotic milking setups, ventilation and manure handling facilities.

Both workshops are the same, but are held at different farms in northeast Iowa. The first will be held August 27, at Iowa’s Dairy Center, Room 115, located at 1527 State Highway 150, Calmar. The second will be held August 28, at Pattison Dairy, located at 22127 Highway 52, Garnavillo.

Both workshops are from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Participants will get an up-close look at pasture renovation, brush control and the overall economics of dairy grazing.

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and the Dairy Grazing Apprenticeship program will co-host a pasture walk August 21 near Garnavillo, from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., at the Andy Schaefer dairy farm.

Andy has been grazing and dairying for 31 years, and today he has 118 cross-bred cows on 160 acres.

ISU Extension and Outreach Dairy Field Specialists Dr. Larry Tranel and Jenn Bentley will provide information on economics of grazing and calf management in a pasture-based system.

Following lunch, Andy Schaefers will lead attendees on a walking tour with a focus on pasture renovation, brush control and sidewalk-style cattle lanes, along with ISU Extension Agronomist Brian Lang, who will provide information on soil fertility.

Saturday, July 6, Harpers Ferry Boosters, Inc. hosted the Firecracker 5K Run/Walk. Over 150 runners and walkers were up early that Saturday morning for the annual Fourth of July holiday event which draws participants not only from all over Iowa and neighboring states of Minnesota, Wisconsin and Illinois but also from California and Alabama. Just before the 8 a.m. start time, Harpers Ferry Mayor Bill Nation welcomed everyone and reminded them that the new splash pad right next to the finish line would be running when they reached the end.

Sheila Diggins, President of Harpers Ferry Boosters, Inc., thanked everyone for participating, all the sponsors for their support and wished everyone a great race. When Kaylee Bachman, one of the runners, finished her impressive singing of the National Anthem, the horn sounded and the runners were off.

Matching up for a fifth time this season with the fellow Upper Iowa Conference (UIC) squad, South Winneshiek, that had accounted for half of its losses during the regular season - including a trio of single-run defeats in each of their three latest battles on the ballfield, the Kee baseball team was looking to reverse that sweeping trend in its Class 1A District 6 semifinals contest with the Warriors Tuesday, July 16 at the home of that only team to defeat the Hawks in UIC play this season. Through five-and-a-half innings, the baseball Hawks looked to be on their way to finally reversing their Warrior fortune, holding a 2-0 lead over South Winn, but the Warriors managed a two-run rally in the bottom of the sixth inning to tie the game and then pulled off some extra-inning magic to, once again, escape from the Hawks by a fourth consecutive single-run result, ending Kee’s baseball season with a 3-2 defeat in eight innings.

If a loss could feel anything at all like a win, the Waukon baseball team may have experienced just that in its Class 2A District 4 semifinal match-up at Cascade Tuesday, July 16 - and for all but the first inning, it was a win. After gifting the host Cougars a 3-0 headstart in the bottom of the first inning, the Indians not only shut down Cascade’s offense for the game’s final five frames but also used half of their 6-4 hit advantage, along with a bit of Cougar help, to score a pair of third-inning runs and then further battle the host squad all the way to the very end, only to have their season ended by just a 3-2 final margin.

Patrick J. McCauley, age 78, of rural Waukon, passed away at Mercy Hospital in Cedar Rapids July 8, 2019 after a short battle with cancer. He was staying with his sister, Mary, during treatment. A graveside memorial is planned for Saturday, July 27 at 12 p.m. at St Mary’s Catholic Church, Lycurgus in rural Waukon.

Pat attended a one-room country school until eighth grade, and then went to St. Patrick’s School in Waukon until his graduation in 1958. Patrick went on to further his education, earning a Master’s Degree in English. He taught and farmed in Minnesota until he moved back to Waukon to farm the McCauley farm until his death. Pat loved teaching, farming and especially a good debate on any topic.

Robert C. Rush, 58, of Oelwein, formerly of Waukon, died Saturday, July 13, 2019 at St. Mary’s Hospital in Rochester, MN. Friends may call from 10-11 a.m. Saturday, July 27 at Martin Funeral Home in Waukon with graveside services to follow in Rossville Cemetery, Rossville, with Pastor Tim Rupert officiating. A private memorial will be held at the Rush Family Farm.

Special appreciation to the healthcare providers at St. Mary’s Hospital, MercyOne Air Ambulance, and all of those that helped and loved Bob over the years. Bob will be truly missed by his family and friends.

Robert “Bob” Creighton Rush was born October 17, 1960 at Veterans Memorial Hospital in Waukon to Elmer L. and Darlene (Bender) Rush. He was raised on the family farm near Rossville and was confirmed at Rossville Presbyterian Church. Bob attended Waukon schools and graduated from Waukon High School in 1978.

Patricia Emma Schwager, 88, of Vancouver, WA was called home to our Lord Saturday, June 22, 2019. Funeral and committal services were held Tuesday, July 9 at Skyline Memorial Gardens Funeral Home in Portland, OR with longtime friend and missionary Ron Holcomb officiating.

Patricia Emma (Palmer) Schwager was born July 17, 1930 in Waukon, the daughter of Charles and Cora (Henderson) Palmer. She graduated from Waukon High School in 1948. She earned a BA in teaching from Iowa State Teachers’ College and obtained an MA from a college in Oregon.

She worked as a teacher for 50 years.

Patricia was united in marriage to Dale Robert Schwager August 7, 1958 in Portland, OR. Together they raised two children, John and Ruth. She was an active member of University Park Baptist Church in Portland for many years teaching Sunday School and serving on the missionary board. Patricia was known for being faithful and having a servant’s heart.

Alice Luster, 88, of Lansing died Monday, July 15, 2019 at her home in Lansing. Mass of Christian Burial was held Friday, July 19 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, Lansing with Rev. John Moser as the Celebrant. Inurnment followed at Gethsemane Cemetery, Lansing.

The family of Alice Luster requests donations be given to: Lansing Emergency Medical Services, 51 South Front Street, Lansing, IA 52151 for new and updated equipment; Meehan Memorial Lansing Public Library, 515 Main Street, Lansing, IA 52151; or Immaculate Conception Church, 648 Main Street, Lansing, IA 52151.

Alice Dorothy was born December 17, 1930 to Benjamin and Mary (McNamara) Mullarkey in Lansing. She was baptized at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Wexford. Alice graduated from Immaculate Conception High School in 1948.

Eugene “Gene” Theodore Mork, 91, of Postville died Saturday, July 13, 2019. Funeral Service will be at 3 p.m. Sunday, July 28 at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Postville with Pastor Lynn Noel as the officiant. Burial and Military Rites will follow at Postville Cemetery, Postville. Visitation will be held prior to the service, from 1-3 p.m., Sunday at the church.

Gene was born March 26, 1928 to Enock Telmer and Selma Jeannette (Gjefle) Mork in Luana. He was baptized May 20, 1928 and confirmed August 2, 1942 at Marion Lutheran Church in Gunder. Gene attended school in Luana and also Postville. Following his schooling, Gene proudly joined and served in the United States Navy for two years. He received the Quilt of Valor in May 2017.