Courthouse Main Entrance closed for remodeling starting September 3rd until further notice - The public will need to use the door on the Southwest corner of the courthouse.
Snow Fence Program
How do I get more information on this program?
Please call 641-424-9037 or email cgcengineer@cgcounty.org and mention you want to talk about the snow fence program. You can stop out and see us at 17274 Lark Avenue in Mason City too.
How much would I get for stacked hay bales?
The county will pay $1/foot for stacked bales (2 high) running parallel and 200 feet from edge of road.
What about the ears of corn left all winter?
It is thought the corn will be harvested in the spring, but could be hand harvested in the fall - as long and stalks are not broken.
Will you compensate me for pushed up snow in the field?
The county is not applying any value to this method.
Who figures where and how long a fence is placed?
We work with our plow operators to pinpoint the areas which give us the most trouble for drifting. Then we negotiate with the landowner/tenant.
How will you figure bushels per acre yield?
The county will either use the Farm Service Agency (FSA) county yield numbers or use the certified yield monitor report for the parcel from the landowner/tenant.
What is an example of how much money I will get for standing corn?
24 rows of corn spaced about 30” apart and 500’ long would be 0.689 acres. Using the 2023 prices of $6.72/bushel and an example of 110 bushels per acre – the price paid would be $509.31.
What will County pay me for my standing corn?
The County will pay the tenant or landowner based on its FSA reported yield or monitored harvest yield. Price per bushel is determined using the county-wide average cash price on August 1st each year plus $2.00 per bushel for October new corn price. Agreements only go from fall to spring and can be renewed each year.
Would I have to plant in a special pattern?
In order for the standing corn ‘fence’ to work, the rows have to run parallel to the road. The first row of corn left standing should be abut 200-210’ from the edge of the road.
How much standing corn would I have to leave in the field?
Our program would like to have a minimum of 12 rows of corn left and a maximum of 24 rows.
On what roads will the fences be placed?
If we can make arrangements with the landowner/tenant, the county will first concentrate on paved roadways affecting a larger number of travelers where drifting is bad. Gravel roadways will be considered if there are especially bad areas of drifting or the number of travelers affected is high. Budget is always a limiting factor.
What type of snow fences does the County do?
- Standing corn
The program most desired by the County, leaving 12-24 rows up all winter:
- Pushed up snow
When the ground freezes solid and when enough snow as accumulated, the county, with consent, takes a road grader or snow plow and pushes snow up in a line to act as a fence. This may occur several times in the season.
- Stacked round hay bales
Ideally stacked 2 tiers high.
- Tall silage bags
- Living Plants and Trees:
- Plastic Fence
This is the most costly and labor intensive. Due to limited supplies and fund, this is low on the list to be done over other methods.
