Tuesday November 15 Ag News

Cuming County Extension Board to Meet

Members of the Cuming County Extension board will meet on Monday, November 28 in the Courthouse Meeting Room beginning at 7:30 p.m.   Topics of discussion will include nominations of individuals interested in serving a three year term on the Extension Board, NACEB Award nominations, and filling the open 4-H Extension Assistant position.  Current Extension board members include Paul Knobbe, Kayla Consbruck, Del Heftie, Sandy Rasmus, Matt Peters, Tom Black, Lori Urwiler, Nancy Glaubius and Mike Reeson.



EPA Region 7 Fact Sheet: Pesticide General Permit

On October 31, 2011, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Pesticide General Permit for point source discharges from the application of pesticides to waters of the United States.  This was in response to a decision by the federal court in the case of National Cotton Council, et al. v EPA.  EPA’s general permit covers operators who apply pesticides that result in discharges into waters of the U.S. from mosquito and other flying insect pest control; aquatic weed control, such as cattails and algae control; aquatic animal pest control, such as zebra mussels; and forest canopy pest control.  Most farmers in Region 7, which consists of Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and nine tribal nations, are not involved in these types of pesticide applications.

EPA has taken the initiative to develop a general permit to provide permit coverage for this broad group of applicators rather than have each applicator apply for an individual permit.  EPA will use this permit for tribes in Region 7 where EPA implements the NPDES program.

As a result of the court’s decision, NPDES permits are generally required for these types of discharges beginning on October 31, 2011.  However, EPA Region 7 will provide compliance assistance until January 12, 2012.  After January 12, 2012, pesticide operators on tribal lands within Region 7 must notify EPA. They should contact Kimberly Hill, 913-551-7841, hill.kimberly@epa.gov who will provide the procedure to continue permit coverage.

Farmers planting row crops will not likely notice a change in their practices or need for permit coverage when applying pesticides, as long as they follow the pesticide label instructions.  These instructions typically advise turning off spray jets and/or avoiding spray drift when over water. Farming activities most likely affected would be those in which pesticides are applied to crops immersed in water, such as rice. It is more likely that the state general permits will affect agricultural districts, irrigation districts, homeowner associations, or larger municipalities that conduct the covered pesticide applications.

Activities outside the scope of the permit:
·    Permit coverage is not required for pesticide applications that do not result in point source discharge to waters of the U.S., such as land applications for the purpose of controlling pests on agricultural crops, forest floors, or range lands. 
·    Agricultural runoff, irrigation return flows, and spray drift continue to be exempt from permitting under the CWA.  The pesticide label remains the law in these situations.
Operators will not be required to submit notifications to EPA unless they exceed the following cumulative, annual thresholds:
·    Mosquito control areas and forest canopies, 6,400 acres.
·    Waterbodies, 20 linear miles or 80 acres.
   
For more information on the NPDES requirements for discharges from pesticide applications, EPA’s final federal permit and an interactive tool to help potential permittees determine their permitting requirements under the federal permit, go to: www.epa.gov/npdes/pesticides.

Region 7 states have issued their own pesticide general permits.  For more information on R7 state specific requirements:
Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality: Steve Goans, 402-471-2580, steve.goans@nebraska.gov
www.deq.state.ne.us/Publica.nsf/pages/11-007

Iowa Department of Natural Resources: Courtney Cswercko, 515-281-7206, cswercko@dnr.iowa.gov,  www.iowadnr.gov/InsideDNR/RegulatoryWater/NPDESWastewaterPermitting/NPDESGeneralPermits/GP7Pesticides.aspx

Kansas Department of Health and Environment: Don Carlson, 785-296-5547, dcarlson@kdheks.gov
www.kdheks.gov/indust/npdes.htm

Missouri Department of Natural Resources: Charles Harwood, 573-751-9155, charles.harwood@dnr.mo.gov
http://dnr.mo.gov/env/wpp/permits/issued/G870000.pdf



Recharge Lake Sees Increased Traffic After Upgrade Project

The Upper Big Blue NRD has seen a remarkable increase in visitors coming and going through the Recharge Lake Recreational Area since the re-opening of the park on June 24 and the subsequent ceremonial ribbon cutting on July 21, 2011 in dedication of the “Recharge Lake Upgrade Project”.  During those first 28 days, over 2,400 cars came through the park.  When you compare traffic figures during an 8-day period during the first weeks of July in both 2010 and 2011, the results are even more staggering.  Between July 2-9, 2010, (pre-recreational area upgrade) 426 cars came through the east entrance of the park.  During July 1-8, 2011, (post-upgrade) 933 cars crossed over the east entrance traffic counter for a gain of 507 cars.  This culminates into a 46% increase in traffic during the first week of July compared to 2010.  Overall, between June 24 and October 11, 2011, 8,492 cars have entered Recharge Lake.

In regard to the overnight stays on the new RV camping pads, 120 nights have been paid, and in the north tent camping area, fees for 24 nights have been collected.  Coincidently, these fees help to underwrite the cost of maintaining the campgrounds, picnic shelters and restrooms at Recharge Lake.  The new amphitheater was also used this summer for a wedding and other ceremonies.  Campers that have recorded their license plate numbers on the NRD registration forms have come from nine states:  Arizona, Colorado, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Washington, and Wyoming.  The Nebraska counties from which campers came from include Adams, Clay, Fillmore, Hamilton, Lancaster, Madison, Merrick, Platte, Polk, Sarpy, Seward, and York.  Currently, the RV pads and dedicated tent camping areas are closed for the winter months and will re-open in mid-April.  The rest of the park, continues to remain open all year long.   

The completed Upgrade Project at Recharge Lake included 12 concrete RV Camping Pads with electrical hook-ups, RV Dump Station, a refurbished Day Use Area, Dedicated Tent Camping Area, Outdoor Amphitheater with tiered-seating, three new restrooms, two new Picnic Shelters with Picnic Tables, Cooking Grills, and Fire Rings, plus additional landscaping and planting of new trees. These upgrades and new amenities complement the already established Hiking and Biking Trails, Playground Equipment, Boat Dock, and Boat Ramp.

Recharge Lake is part of the overall Bruce L. Anderson Recreation Area which is named for longtime Natural Resources Board Director and conservation advocate.  Originally constructed in 1990 as a joint, five-year research project between the Upper Big Blue Natural Resources District and the U.S Bureau of Reclamation, Recharge Lake’s purpose was and continues to be that of groundwater recharge, water storage, and recreation.  Recharge lake is located on a tributary of Beaver Creek.

The Upper Big Blue Natural Resources District (NRD) protects lives, property and the future of this area through a wide-range of stewardship, management and education programs—from flood control to groundwater quality and quantity monitoring, from irrigation management to outdoor recreation and more.  Activities and projects of the Upper Big Blue NRD are reviewed and approved by a locally elected board of directors.  The Upper Big Blue NRD is one of 23 Natural Resources Districts across the state.  For more information, visit www.upperbigblue.org or call (402) 362-6601.    



USFRA, Discovery Networks Partner on Video Series

The U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance is partnering with Discovery Networks to continue to help Americans learn more about how food is grown and raised. Discovery will air short videos featuring real farmers and ranchers answering real consumers' questions about the role farmers and ranchers play in providing healthy choices for people everywhere.

"This is a terrific partnership with a high-profile media network to visibly demonstrate our public commitment to continuous improvement," said NCGA Chairman Bart Schott, who serves as vice chairman of the alliance. "Dozens of organizations representing our nation's farmers and ranchers have collaborated in ways never seen before, to focus on building a real dialogue with American families about the food we produce and they consume."

The videos reinforce farmers' and ranchers' commitments to having a conversation with consumers and answering questions about food production. They are meant to reinforce these important messages and stress the themes launched during the USFRA Food Dialogues in September.

The documentary-style videos will begin airing this week on major Discovery channels (TLC, Discovery, Discovery Science, Discovery Fit & Health, Identification Discovery, Planet Green and Animal Planet). The videos also will be available online at www.FoodDialogues.com.



Free Webinar to Provide 'Deeper Dive' into Social Media

Ten times this year, NCGA has provided free online training seminars to its members and others to help them learn more about social media and build their skills and impact as public advocates for today's agriculture. This series continues Thursday, Nov. 17, with an hour-long program that provides a "deeper dive" into using social media to truly engage with a variety of audiences.

"The media landscape has changed dramatically in just a few short years, and the Internet has helped individuals transform from media consumers to 'citizen journalists' who themselves can have a lot of influence on their peers and others," said Brandon Hunnicutt, chairman of NCGA's Grower Services Action Team and an active social media user from Nebraska. "These sessions, now nearing an end, have worked well to provide our growers with knowledge and confidence to speak out on the issues that impact their farms and their industry."

Past online seminars, or "webinars," have talked about the basics of listening and becoming part of conversations. This webinar will get into specific tactics and rules for getting engaged at the next level. Presenters will cover how to use Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn to engage in different ways, and give examples of do's and don'ts from farmers and others. For those wanting to learn how to connect with friends and followers to become an influencer, this is the perfect opportunity.

This series is co-sponsored by Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont Business, and Thursday's episode begins at 10:30 a.m. CST. Click here to register. For more information and to view October's webinar, "What's New in Social Media," visit www.ncga.com/socialmedia.

Previous episodes are archived in NCGA's private Facebook group, Corn Conversations. On Facebook, just search for "Corn Conversations" to watch the videos and join the discussion. The final webinar in the series is scheduled for Thursday, Dec. 15.



Trade Mission Aims to Create Ag Opportunities in Panama, Colombia

The U.S. Department of Agriculture is leading a mission with 26 U.S. businesses to promote trade with Panama and Colombia this week. This is the largest delegation of U.S. companies ever to participate in a USDA agricultural trade mission. The companies represent a wide range of agricultural products including feed, poultry, dairy products, wood and forestry products, seafood, rice, agricultural equipment and more.

USDA's goal is to provide participants with firsthand market information, access to government decision makers and one-on-one meetings with business contacts, potential agents, distributers and importers so they can position themselves to enter or expand their presence in the Colombian and Panamanian markets.

This trade mission is particularly important in the wake of trade promotion agreements with both countries that were recently ratified by Congress. Colombia and Panama are already important agricultural trade partners for the United States, and upon implementation of these agreements, these partnerships will only grow stronger.

In 2010, U.S. farm exports to Colombia totaled $851 million. When the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement is fully implemented, it's estimated that U.S. agricultural exports will increase by $371 million annually. The United States exported $463 million worth of agricultural products to Panama last year, which only stands to rise once the U.S.-Panama Trade Promotion Agreement is in place and more than half of current U.S. farm exports to Panama become duty free.

U.S. agricultural exports in fiscal year 2011 reached $137.4 billion, supporting more than 1.1 million jobs in the United States, while the U.S. agricuitlural trade surplus hit $42.9 billion. Strong export performance means higher incomes for farmers and ranchers, more opportunities for small business owners, and jobs for folks who package, ship, and market agricultural products.



Iowa Farm Bureau Seminar Focuses on Tax Planning

As farming price levels and costs continue to climb, farmers can learn more about tax planning at the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation's (IFBF) tax seminar. The 2011 Iowa Farm Tax Seminar will be held Nov. 22 from 7 to 9 p.m. It will be carried on the Iowa Telecommunications Network (ICN) and is free to the public.

"This annual seminar is a proven way for farmers and others interested in farm tax planning to get up-to-date information that is valuable for tax season preparation," said Ed Kordick, IFBF commodity services manager.

The seminar will feature Roger McEowen from the Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation at Iowa State University and Charles Brown of AgriFinancial Services, LLC. During the webinar, participants will have the opportunity to ask questions and view visuals.

The seminar can be viewed at these ICN locations: Ames High School, Ames; South Winneshiek High School, Calmar; Kirkwood Community College, Room 104 in Washington Hall, Cedar Rapids; North Iowa Area Community College, Buettner Careers Building, Room 118, Mason City; and Northwest Iowa Community College, Building D, Room #402; Sheldon.

If you have questions on the webinar, contact Kordick at ekordick@ifbf.org or 515-225-5433. The seminar will be recorded and available at the IFBF website, www.iowafarmbureau.com, the next day for members only to view the information on their farm/home computer.



Soybean association invites nominations for new awards

The Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) is now accepting nominations for several awards being offered for the first time in 2012 to recognize those who have demonstrated commitment and leadership in the field of agriculture.  “We are pleased to introduce ISA’s new awards program,” says ISA President Dean Coleman, a farmer from Humboldt. “These awards provide an opportunity for ISA to recognize farmer leaders in all stages of their careers, as well as partners who have supported Iowa soybean farmers.”

Awards will be presented in five categories: Legacy of Leadership, Rising Star, Environmental Stewardship, New Leader and Friend of the Iowa Soybean Association.

The Legacy of Leadership award, presented by Stine Seed, will be given to an Iowa soybean farmer who has demonstrated a passionate and relentless commitment to growing the soybean industry in Iowa.

The Rising Star award, presented by Farm Credit Services of America, will recognize an ISA member’s son or daughter who is actively involved in promoting agriculture through involvement in local, state and national activities and organizations and who is preparing to continue ag studies in college. Eligible nominees are 14-18 years of age (high school students or students who have just graduated from high school).

The Environmental Stewardship award, presented by Iowa Select Farms, will be given to an ISA member and soybean farmer who has demonstrated a commitment to installing and maintaining practices that improve environmental sustainability. The farmer who receives this honor will be nominated for the American Soybean Association Conservation Legacy Award.

The New Leader Award, presented by Pioneer Hi-Bred International, will be awarded to a district soybean leader who has been involved in his/her district soybean association for two years or less, has shown outstanding involvement and possesses the skills and talents to do great things for the soybean industry and agriculture.

The Friend of the Iowa Soybean Farmer award will be awarded to an elected leader, media representative or other ISA partner who has supported Iowa Soybean farmers through his/her actions and efforts.

All nominations must be in writing and received no later than Friday, Dec. 16, 2011. No nominations will be accepted via telephone, and no self nominations will be accepted.  Find the form at www.iasoybeans.com/awards/ or call 800-383-1423 for a print copy.  Nominations can be submitted by mail to Karen Simon, ISA director of communications, 1255 SW Prairie Trail Pkwy, Ankeny, Iowa 50023, or by email to ksimon@iasoybeans.com. 

Award recipients will be selected by a taskforce of the ISA board of directors, and the awards will be presented during the ISA board meeting on January 26, 2012.



All Fertilizers Remain Steady Again

Following the pattern of the last several months, fertilizer prices continue to hold steady, according to values tracked by DTN for the second week of November 2011.

Six of the eight major fertilizer prices were higher compared to month earlier, but none rose a significant amount. MAP had an average price of $744/ton, potash $660/ton, urea $622/ton, anhydrous $819/ton, UAN28 $407/ton and UAN32 $460/ton.

Two fertilizers were slightly lower compared to one month earlier. DAP had an average price of $710/ton while 10-34-0 was at $820/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.68/lb.N, anhydrous $0.50/lb.N, UAN28 $0.73/lb.N and UAN32 $0.72/lb.N.

Six of the eight major fertilizers are continuing to show double-digit price increases compared to one year earlier. Leading the way higher is 10-34-0. The starter fertilizer had skyrocketed earlier this year, but has fallen back some in recent months and is now 56% higher compared to the second week of November 2010.

Urea jumped 32% higher while UAN32 climbed 28% higher and potash increased 25% from a year ago. UAN28 and anhydrous have both climbed 17% higher compared to year earlier.

The two phosphorus fertilizers continue to bring up the rear. MAP is 9% more expensive while DAP is 7% higher compared to November of 2010.



Ranchers Warn US Forest Policies Threaten Livestock Grazing

On behalf of the Public Lands Council (PLC) and the American Sheep Industry Association (ASI), Margaret Soulen Hinson told lawmakers during a hearing of the House Subcommittee on National Parks, Forests and Public Lands if the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s U.S. Forest Service’s proposed forest planning rule goes into effect, thousands of ranching families could be forced off the land. While Soulen Hinson, an Idaho cattle and sheep producer and president of ASI, discussed multiple concerns PLC and ASI have with the proposed planning rule, which could be finalized this winter, she spent the bulk of her testimony detailing the negative effect a provision calling for management for “species viability” would have on federal lands ranching.

“By 2013, my family and I will be forced to remove 60 percent of our sheep from our allotments on the Payette National Forest, which may well mark the end of our family’s 80-year-old sheep operation altogether,” Soulen Hinson said. “This has come to pass because of a very specific wildlife provision of the current planning rule, which calls for management for ‘species viability.’ The term ‘viability’ is a vague, ill-defined term which appears nowhere in statute and has been the source of endless litigation and economic destruction over the years. We recommend the Forest Service remove entirely the term ‘viability’ and leave wildlife management to the states, as required by statute.”

According to Soulen Hinson, while the Forest Service claims the viability provision in the proposed rule is an improvement because it only applies to populations of “species of conservation concern,” there is no science-based definition for “species of conservation concern,” which could result in a limitless list of species to manage. Notably, she said the viability provision goes beyond the current vertebrate standard and applies to all types of species, even moss and fungus. She said the most important fact for lawmakers to realize is that under the National Forest Management Act and the Multiple-Use Sustained Yield Act, the Forest Service does not have statutory authority to manage for species viability.

Subcommittee Chairman Rob Bishop (R-Utah) agrees that the proposed planning rule could have devastating impacts on the federal lands grazing industry.

“I remain concerned that the U.S. Forest Service’s proposed planning rule will have a devastating impact on access within our nation’s 155 national forests and 20 grasslands, especially for ranchers who utilize these areas for grazing.  Secondly, I am very interested in addressing rising concerns that the Forest Service is attempting to leverage access to public lands in exchange for privately held water rights,” Bishop added, addressing another topic raised in the hearing regarding the Forest Service’s policy on water rights and permitted activities. “It is my hope that these concerns can be brought to light and put to rest with final resolution.  Privately-held water rights should not be a factor associated with the permitting process.”

Citing growing demands by the U.S. Forest Service to amass water rights in the west in return for permitted activities such range improvement maintenance, Demar Dahl, a Nevada Cattle rancher and member of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and PLC, testified on the policy’s potential impact on the ranching industry. He said the policy threatens the continuation of activities such as grazing that have existed on national forests for over a century—predating the agency’s existence.

“The Forest Service’s demand flies in the face of federalism and the prior appropriation doctrine for water rights which exists in much of the west,” Dahl said. “For the benefit of the resource, which ranchers are striving every day to improve, and which the Forest Service is mandated to care for, the current Forest Service policy of delaying maintenance and establishment of stockwater resources [in return for water rights] needs to be reevaluated and discarded.”



Nebraska Farmers’ Last Chance to Win $2,500 for their Communities

4-H clubs provide valuable learning experiences for youth interested in the agriculture industry. Through involvement in 4-H, kids develop the skills to become leaders in their communities. Simply put, today’s 4-H members are the future of the industry.

Farmers have the opportunity to help grow their local 4-H chapters. Through America’s Farmers Grow Communities, sponsored by the Monsanto Fund, farmers can win $2,500 for their favorite community nonprofit. Last year, winning farmers directed $402,500 to 161 4-H chapters across the country.  The program is part of a broad commitment by the Monsanto Fund to invest in farm communities, in order to highlight the important contributions farmers make every day to our society. Farmers can apply online at www.growcommunities.com, or call 1.877.267.3332 to apply by phone.

Farmers, age 21 and over, who are actively engaged in farming a minimum of 250 acres of corn, cotton, or soybeans, or 40 acres of open field vegetables, or at least 10 acres of tomatoes, peppers and/or cucumbers grown in protected culture are eligible. Farmers can enter now through Nov. 30, 2011. The program is open to all qualifying farmers, and no purchase is necessary in order to enter or win. Farmers who meet the eligibility requirements may enter regardless of previous participation. One winner will be drawn from each of the participating counties, and the Monsanto Fund will announce winning farmers and recipient organizations in January 2012.