WASHINGTON – On February 9, 2012, First Lady Michelle Obama will kick off a three day, nation-wide tour celebrating the second anniversary of Let’s Move!, her initiative to solve the problem of childhood obesity within a generation. Since launching Let’s Move! on February 9, 2010, significant progress has been made to solve the problem of childhood obesity. The First Lady’s Let’s Move! tour schedule is below:

 THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 2012

First Lady Michelle Obama will kick off her three day national tour in Des Moines, Iowa, to highlight Iowa’s Healthiest State Initiative, a private-public partnership launched in August by Governor Terry Branstad and other government and business leaders to make Iowa the healthiest state in the nation by 2016. More than 10,000 children grades 6 - 9 from Iowa schools will fill Wells Fargo Arena in downtown Des Moines to participate in a high-energy, interactive celebration of the Let’s Move! anniversary, hosted by Iowa’s Healthiest State Initiative.

 Mrs. Obama will be joined by former Iowa Governor and current Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack and Iowa Governor Branstad, as well as NASCAR racing champion and member of the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition Carl Edwards, Olympic figure skating champion and member of the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports and Nutrition Michelle Kwan (who was recently inducted into the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame), Olympic champion gymnast Shawn Johnson, 2011 WNBA MVP Tamika Catchings, Health and Fitness Expert Bob Harper, Iowa State University Basketball coach and former NBA player Fred Hoiberg – who are all committed to helping kids embrace good health, nutrition and physical fitness.  Governor Branstad will sign a proclamation establishing February 9 as “Let’s Move! Day in Iowa” to celebrate the second anniversary.

DES MOINES – Crude oil prices fell slightly with the West Texas Intermediate down $.22 to $98.48 per barrel.  However, unleaded gasoline increased $.10 in Iowa to $3.29 and the mid-grade blend with 10 percent ethanol also increased $.10 as well to $3.21.  A summary of the report follows, the full report is attached:

 Crude Oil Summary

The price of global crude oil went down slightly this week with West Texas Intermediate (WTI) $.22 lower per barrel over last week, closing at $98.48.

 Brent crude oil rose this week, finishing at $110.26 per barrel on Tuesday’s close, up $1.88 from the previous week.

 One year ago WTI crude sold for $90.77 and Brent crude was at $100.40.

 Motor Fuels

As of Tuesday, January 31st, the price of regular unleaded gasoline averaged $3.29 across Iowa according to AAA.  This is up $.10 as compared to last week and up $.18 from one year ago.  The national average on Tuesday was $3.45, up $.07 from last week’s price. 

 Retail diesel fuel prices in Iowa went down a penny on the Tuesday report with a statewide average of $3.75.   One year ago diesel prices averaged $3.41 in Iowa.   The current Iowa diesel average is $.13 per gallon lower than the national average of $3.88.

 Wholesale ethanol prices were down $.01 from last week, closing at $2.17.  The price of Mid-Grade Blend in Iowa (10% ethanol) closed at $3.21 per gallon, up ten cents from last week’s price and down $.06 from one year ago.

 Heating Fuels

This week propane was down a penny with a statewide average of $1.85 per gallon.  Home heating oil rose $.04, ending with a statewide average of $3.40 per gallon.  Natural Gas prices in Iowa dropped $.10 ending the week at $2.50 / MMbtu.

Stop by and see our NEW WHO…Big Show Traveling Trailer at the Iowa Power Farming Show!  The Big Show is ready to travel to your location, whether in the field or in the office…stop by and take a look…..Many thanks to our friends at Titan Tire for making the Big Show roll!

 The BIG SHOW will be LIVE Tuesday and Wednesday from the  Brokaw Supply Booth #2204 in Hy Vee Hall from 11:30 a - 1 p.

The BIG SHOW will be LIVE on Tuesday and Wednesday from the  Brokaw Supply Booth #2204 in Hy Vee Hall from 11:30 a - 1 p at the Iowa Power Farming Show.

Mark Pearson will be conducting interviews  and would love to have you stop over to visit.  We will have lots of goodies for People to stop by and pick up….If you need a 2012 Tractor Ride application we will have them and we will also take applications and money.  Stop and look at our NEW….WHO Big Show Trailer…ready to travel the state to give you the best coverage on all  Agricultural news.

 See you at the SHOW!

Total Cattle and Calves  -               98% (98.4% expected)
Cows/Heifers that have calves  -    98 % (98% expected)
Beef cows                           -           97 % (97.5% expected)
Calf Crop 2010                 -             99 % (99% expected)