Friday December 9 Ag News

And the Cattlemen Award Goes To...      

The 2011 Nebraska Cattlemen/Nebraska CattleWomen Annual Convention Banquet began on eve of December 8th. The Master of Ceremonies, Polly Ruhland, CEO of the Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion and Research Board, entertained the audience with her charm and wit as she introduced industry leaders and speakers.

Governor Heineman addressed the audience and gave congratulations to the Mathewson Family for their outstanding service to conservation. The Mathewson Family won the 2011 Aldo Leopold Conservation Award.

Chef Jay McCarthy, Group 970’s Corporate Chef and the Beaver Creek Chophouse General Manager was the Keynote speaker for the evening. Along with his photos from his travels around the world promoting beef he left the audience with these words, “You never know when you plant the seed, just how far it will go.”

Judy Reece of Valentine is a member of the Cattlemen’s Beef Board and she was honored by the Nebraska CattleWomen as they announced her as the 2011 CattleWoman on the Year.

Nebraska Cattlemen had the honor of presenting two Industry Service Awards that honor individuals who have expressed exceptional dedication to the cattle industry while helping beef producers raise high quality beef. Clayton Yeutter, Senior Advisor for Hogan Lovell, LLP joined the banquet via Skype to accept his award as the 2011 Nebraska Cattlemen Industry Service Award recipient. “The beef industry has always been my favorite part of American agriculture,” Clayton stated. The second award went to Daryl Griepenstroh of Nebraska City. Daryl has cooked at the Nebraska Cattlemen Beef Pit at the Nebraska State Fair for 25 of the 28 years the pit has been in existence and has prepared over 345,000 beef meals.

The evening concluded with the Nebraska Cattlemen Hall of Fame honoree, Al Svajgr of Cozad. The Hall of Fame Award is Nebraska Cattlemen’s most prestigious award given to those individuals who have played a role in shaping, promoting and preserving the beef industry.



New Leadership for Nebraska Cattlemen    

The 2011 Nebraska Cattlemen/ Nebraska CattleWomen Convention concluded with Colin Woodall, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association staff who spoke at the Annual Membership Meeting where he reminded the audience of several significant wins for the beef industry in Washington D.C. this past year. Such efforts as those involved in diverting the Environmental Protection Agency from their attempts to regulate farm dust and the $300 per head that producers can now receive from the export market due to the passing of the Free Trade Agreements.

Colin also talked about the challenges beef producers will have to face this coming year including environmental regulations and the prohibition of antibiotics in animal production. “Things cattle producers can do to benefit the beef industry are be engaged,” stated Colin. “The world belongs to those who show up.”

Nebraska Cattlemen elected their 2011 leadership who are listed below:
·         Jim Ramm, President
·         Dale Spencer, President-Elect
·         Jeff Rudolph, Vice President

“Resources found in our state, along with the increased value in export markets provide cattlemen from Nebraska unique opportunities,” said Jim. “Nebraska Cattlemen members work hard to find progressive solutions to issues in the beef industry. I am proud to represent these members this year and look forward to working with all producers across the state to enhance the beef industry.”



New Weed Resistance Hits Nebraska
Stevan Knezevic, UNL Extension

A population of common waterhemp has developed resistance to postemergent application of HPPD-inhibiting herbicides (e.g., Callisto, Laudis, and Impact). This resistance occurred in a seed corn production system where these HPPD-inhibiting herbicides were repeatedly used over the last five years.

The good news is that the resistance was identified at only one location. The bad news is that this can easily happen in other fields, as HPPD-inhibiting herbicides are commonly used in Nebraska and the Midwest.

Resistance is a phenomenon that usually results from the repeated use of the same chemical. This can occur with herbicides and many other pesticides. In addition to the weeds already found in Nebraska to be resistant to glyphosate -- marestail, giant ragweed, kochia -- a new type of weed resistance has developed in the state.

Repeated use of the same herbicide can easily result in the evolution of weed resistance, regardless of the type of herbicide used. We have forgotten the time of atrazine and ALS resistance (15-30 years ago) and with the recent developments of glyphosate resistance, Mother Nature is reminding us that weeds can develop resistance to any type of chemical we develop.

Waterhemp seed was collected in fall 2010, and greenhouse bioassays were conducted during that winter and spring. An initial study was also conducted during the 2011 season to determine dose response for mesotrione at the field level.

Comparisons of dose response curves clearly showed mesotrione resistance level at a minimum of four times the normal rate (shown as 4X). For example, 90% control of a susceptible population was achieved with 3 oz/ac of Callisto applied POST (1X rate), while the resistant populations needed a minimum of 12 oz/acre (4X rate), and in some cases as much as 18 oz (6X).

HPPD-inhibiting herbicides can still be useful components of the crop production system, but obviously their use pattern should be carefully managed. HPPD-inhibiting herbicides are pigment inhibitors (carotenoid biosyntesis inhibitors). Carotenoid is a red pigment that protects the green pigment (chlorophyll) from harmful UV lights. By stopping the production of carotenoids, the green pigment (chlorophyll) is destroyed by UV light, the plant tissue turns white, and eventually dies.

That's why HPPD herbicides are commonly called "bleachers." Besides Callisto (mesotrione), this mode of action includes: Laudis (tembotrione), Balance Flexx (isoxaflutole), Huskie (pyrasulfutole), and Impact (topramezone) and some premixes: Capreno (thiencarbazone-ethyl+tembotrione) and Corvus (thiencarbazone-ethyl + isoxaflutole).

It is easy to fall into a trap of overusing the same herbicide, or the group of herbicides with the same mode of action, when those products provide good weed control. However, the fact that some herbicides provide good weed control in the first few years of use does not mean they will provide the same level of weed control in future years. Repeated use of the same herbicide can put tremendous pressure on weed species to either develop resistance, or to shift from those easily controlled by the label rate to those more tolerant to it.

One example of this is the increase in glyphosate resistance. Almost 20 weed species worldwide -- 11 in the U.S. -- have developed resistance, due to repeated use of glyphosate. Therefore, proper use of any herbicide as a component of an integrated weed management program, is the key for preserving the long-term benefits of such technology while avoiding many of the concerns about its use, or misuse.

Simply put, rotating herbicides with different modes of actions will make all herbicides last much longer for future generations.

For more details about weed resistance in Nebraska contact the author (sknezevic2@unl.edu) or attend one of the Crop Production Clinics behind held across the state in January 2012.



CONSERVATION STEWARDSHIP PROGRAM SIGN-UP CURRENTLY UNDERWAY

Nebraska landowners and operators have until Jan. 13, 2012, to sign up for the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP) at their local Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office.  CSP is a voluntary program that offers payments to producers who maintain a high-level of conservation on their land and agree to adopt additional conservation measures to their operations.

CSP applications are accepted on a continuous basis.  However, only applications received by the Jan. 13 cutoff date will be considered for the current ranking and funding period.

Craig Derickson, NRCS state conservationist in Nebraska, encourages Nebraska farmers and ranchers to not miss out on this opportunity.

“The Conservation Stewardship Program is unique in how NRCS provides conservation program payments.  CSP participants will receive an annual land use payment for the environmental benefits they produce on their operation.  Under CSP, participants are paid for conservation performance - the higher the operational performance, the higher their payment,” Derickson said.

According to Derickson, CSP has been a very successful program for Nebraska’s farmers and ranchers.  In the last two years, over 1,600 contracts in 91 counties have been enrolled into CSP. 

CSP is available statewide to individual landowners, legal entities, and Indian tribes.  Eligible land includes cropland, grassland, prairie, improved pastureland, non-industrial private forestland, and agricultural land under the jurisdiction of an Indian tribe.  Contracts are set at five years and include all the land controlled by an operator.

For more information about CSP, including eligibility requirements, producers can visit http://www.nrcs.usda.gov/wps/portal/nrcs/main/national/programs/financial/csp or stop by their local NRCS field office.




Pork, Beef Exports Set New Annual Value Records with Two Months to Spare

October was another excellent month for U.S. pork and beef exports, according to statistics released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Pork exports set a new all-time monthly value record at $573.9 million (up 41 percent from last year), which pushed the cumulative value through October to a new annual record of $4.93 billion – breaking the previous high of $4.88 billion in 2008 – with two months to spare.

Beef export value for October was $452 million, pushing the 2011 total to a new annual record of $4.49 billion. This is 37 percent ahead of the then-record pace established in the first 10 months of 2010.

“Establishing new annual value records just 10 months into the year is an extraordinary accomplishment, and one that the U.S. pork and beef industries should be very proud of,” said USMEF President and CEO Philip Seng. “Sustaining an aggressive export pace is critical for maintaining and creating American jobs and a positive balance of trade.”

October pork export volume second-highest ever, led by China, Japan, Canada
In addition to setting a new value record, pork export volume for October was also very strong at 200,725 metric tons – 24 percent higher than last year and the second-largest volume total ever. Through October, 2011 export volume is 17 percent ahead of last year’s pace at 1.8 million metric tons. October exports equated to 24 percent of pork muscle cut production and 27 percent when including both muscle cuts and variety meat. For January through October, these ratios were 23 percent and 27 percent, respectively, compared to 19 percent and 24 percent last year. October exports equated to $58.42 per hog slaughtered, bringing the 2011 total to $54.68. This compares to $42.26 in October 2010 and $43.72 for all of last year.

China was the largest volume market for U.S. pork in October at 48,678 metric tons, more than double the year-ago volume and setting another monthly record. Through October, exports to the China/Hong Kong region were up 60 percent to 361,690 metric tons, valued at $654.4 million (up 82 percent).

Strong October exports to Japan further solidified its position as the leading value market for U.S. pork. Through October, export volume to Japan reached 410,057 metric tons (up 14 percent over last year) valued at a remarkable $1.62 billion. This value total is 19 percent higher than last year’s pace and rapidly approaching a new all-time value record ($1.65 billion set in 2010).

Mexico is the top volume destination for U.S. pork, with October exports up slightly in volume over last year but 15 percent higher in value. This pushed the 2011 export totals to 429,926 metric tons (down 2 percent) valued at $830.6 million (up 4 percent). With a strong finish to the year, the all-time value record for Mexico ($986 million, set last year) could be within reach.

The volume and value records for Canada (in 2010, 183,068 metric tons valued at $618 million) are also likely to fall as strong October exports pushed its total to 168,828 metric tons valued $604.8 million – up 13 percent and 18 percent, respectively, from last year.

Exports to South Korea, which had already broken their previous records, remained strong in October reaching 161,118 metric tons (up 133 percent) valued at $418.1 million (up 182 percent). Exports to Korea have been bolstered this year by duty-free access for some imported pork cuts and a severe shortage of domestic product. Once the Korea-U.S. FTA is implemented, duties of 25 percent on the most commonly traded U.S. cuts will be reduced to 16 percent.

“The free trade agreement with South Korea, which should take effect in the first half of 2012, will expand our opportunities with this key trading partner,” said Seng. “It is important to keep in mind, however, that the business climate for imported pork in Korea has been exceptional this year due to FMD-related shortages and some degree of duty-free access. So the benefits of the FTA may not be reflected immediately, but will certainly help us over the long term.”

Another market topping its previous volume and value records was Australia, as 2011 exports reached 53,850 metric tons valued at $173 million – up 18 percent and 37 percent, respectively, over last year’s then-record pace.

Led by surging exports to Chile, the Central and South America region also topped last year’s record totals by reaching 58,050 metric tons (up 23 percent) valued at nearly $150 million (up 33 percent). The outlook for this region was also bolstered by ratification of the free trade agreements with Colombia and Panama, which hold great promise for U.S. pork.

Beef exports soaring to nearly every region; per-head value exceeds $200
October beef export volume was 105,912 metric tons. This was 10 percent higher than October 2010 and pushed the 2011 volume total (1.073 million metric tons) 24 percent ahead of last year’s pace. October beef exports equated to 11 percent of beef muscle cut production and 13.9 percent of total production when including variety meat, which was consistent with the year-to-date ratio. This compares to 9 percent of beef muscle cut production and 11.7 percent of beef plus beef variety meat production exported last year. Exports equated to nearly $210 per head of fed slaughter in October, pushing the 2011 total to $202.82 per head. This is nearly $50 per head higher than last year’s average of $153.09.

Despite being down slightly in October, Mexico remains this year’s leading volume destination for U.S. beef at 213,004 (up 6 percent over the first 10 months of 2010). Mexico was the export value leader in October at $85.3 million, pushing the 2011 total 25 percent higher than last year at $818.2 million.

Canada held its position as the top value market for U.S. beef in the first 10 months of 2011 at $861.9 million (a new annual record), up 46 percent over the 2010 pace. Volume for the year is up nearly 30 percent to 159,396 metric tons, also a new record. October results were impressive, with a volume of 14,175 metric tons valued at just under $74 million.

Japan is the third-largest individual market in terms of both volume (133,870 metric tons) and value ($726.9 million). These totals exceed last year’s pace by 30 percent and 38 percent, respectively. October export volume was down slightly from last year at 12,631 metric tons, but value was 13 percent higher at $73.7 million.

Beef exports to South Korea maintained a very strong pace, pushing the 2011 volume to 129,810 metric tons (up 43 percent from last year) valued at nearly $575 million up (36 percent).

“The continued rebuilding of consumer confidence in U.S. beef in both Japan and Korea is essential as these key markets recover sales volume and value that was lost in the post-BSE years,” said Seng. “The ‘We Care’ campaign in Japan and the ‘To Trust’ campaign in Korea have sown seeds that continue to yield positive results for the U.S. industry.”

Strong exports to Egypt helped push the Middle East to an impressive 2011 volume of 145,457 metric tons, valued at $287.7 million – increases of 39 percent and 44 percent, respectively, over last year’s pace and setting new annuals records for both volume and value.

Exports to Russia set a new value record at $222.3 million, which exceeds last year’s pace by 66 percent. Strong export performance in Russia has allowed the United States to already fill its 2011 tariff rate quota for beef muscle cuts of 42,700 metric tons.

Exports to the Central and South America region have also set new annual volume and value records of 21,418 metric tons valued at $66.3 million, led by strong growth to Chile, Peru and Guatemala. >

Lamb exports top record volume, challenge 2006 value record
U.S. lamb exports were also very solid in October, with volume (1,487 metric tons) more than doubling last year’s total and value up 77 percent to $2.3 million. Export volume through the first 10 months of the year was a record 15,788 metric tons. Export value of $25.8 million has not yet topped the 2006 record total ($27.8 million), but is on pace to do so by year’s end. For the year, export volume is 79 percent higher than in 2010 while export value is up 48 percent. Strong performance in Mexico, Canada, the Middle East and the southeastern Caribbean islands accounted for much of this growth.

“Seeing all three species perform so well in the international marketplace is very gratifying,” Seng said. “It’s a testament to our continued commitment to meeting consumer demands in a very diverse range of global markets, and educating our customers about the positive attributes of U.S. pork, beef and lamb.”



USMEF Unveils Animated Beef Cutting Guide

An animated cutting guide that provides detailed directions on preparing beef cuts to match different international cuisines is now available through the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) website (www.usmef.org) as well as in five different languages through USMEF websites around the world.

Developed in collaboration with National Cattlemen’s Beef Association with support from the Beef Checkoff, the animated guides are designed to help meat buyers, processors and chefs better understand how different beef muscles can be separated and sliced so that they are perfect for dishes ranging from Chinese hot pot and Mexican milanesa to Korean barbecue and Japanese sukiyaki.

The guide, which can be viewed online or downloaded, also provides information on the culinary attributes of individual beef muscles and answers frequently asked questions.

“This animated cutting guide goes hand-in-hand with our goal of greater carcass utilization,” said Paul Clayton, USMEF senior vice president of technical services. “It is an excellent educational tool to help those in the meat trade in key export markets better understand how to maximize their return on investment on U.S. beef and how to utilize it effectively in local cuisine.”

The animated guide originally was developed for use domestically, but USMEF worked with NCBA to adapt and extend it to address international cuisine. USMEF’s international staff members have translated the English-language version into Chinese, Japanese, Korean and Spanish. USMEF websites in Taiwan, Japan, South Korea and Mexico provide links to the cutting guide, while the USMEF-U.S. website offers all four translations plus English. The guides can be viewed at: http://www.usmef.org/downloads/flash/beef-cut-animations/usmef_selectlanguage/.



2012 Has Potential to Be Good for Hog Producers

After several years of struggling to earn a profit, pork producers could find themselves back in the black in 2012, says a Purdue Extension agricultural economist.

Profits in 2012 are forecast at about $17 per head, which would be the highest since 2006, Chris Hurt said. In 2006, corn prices were $2.30 per bushel, compared with the $6-$7 per bushel this year, and hogs were bringing a profit of $27 per head.

According to Hurt, while a return to profitability is welcome news, it seems there are more broad implications.

"The pork industry, like most other animal industries, has made the adjustments necessary to live in a world of high-priced feed," he said. "It also looks like the pork industry has probably 'turned the corner' on high feed prices heading into 2012."

Some factors contributing to lower feed costs in 2012 include abundant and cheap feed wheat, potential moderation in the rate of growth in corn use for ethanol, prospect of a larger South American soybean crop and hope for a return to higher U.S. corn and soybean yields in 2012.

The pork industry has struggled to adapt to higher feed prices in recent years due, in part, to the recession. But hog producers took another hit when the H1N1 virus was initially called "swine flu," even though it was a human virus spread by people. At the start of the recession in 2008 hog producers lost an estimated $17 per head, and in 2009 the losses increased to $24 per head.

"These large financial losses resulted in some downsizing of the industry through discouragement and bankruptcy," Hurt said.

Between the industry downsizing and exports increasing, the amount of pork available to U.S. consumers has dropped from about 51 pounds per person in 2007 to an estimated 46 pounds per person in 2012. According to Hurt, the 9 percent reduction has helped retail pork prices climb from $2.87 per pound in 2007 to $3.43 per pound in 2011 - a 20 percent increase.

Pork producers initially began returning to profitability in 2010, with an average profit of $10 per head. In 2011, that number increased to $14 per head.

But those numbers don't tell the whole story.

Because so much was lost in 2008 and 2009, it will take the combined profits from 2010, 2011 and 2012 to allow farmers catch up financially.

"It has taken three years just to get back the money lost in the two bad years when feed prices surged," Hurt said. "Another way to look at this is to say that the pork industry adjusted to $7 a bushel corn, such that they can now break even if cash corn prices stay at that level and can make money if prices are below $7. Current prospects for cash corn prices to be in the lower $6 area is a primary reason for the profit opportunity in 2012."

Even with corn prices down and seemingly more abundant prospects for affordable feed, Hurt was cautious about suggesting the peak in feed prices is over.

"Are feed prices now moving into their post-peak period? No one can know the answer with much confidence," he said. "With the declining prices of corn and soybean meal since August, many will be debating the issue."

Hurt said he would expect the post-peak price feed period to not only come with lower feed prices but also with less volatility - both conditions that could favor animal production expansion.

He said that doesn't mean pork producers should throw caution to the wind.

"Of course, pork producers do not quickly forget $7-$8 corn prices and should be cautious in quickly expanding herds," Hurt said. "Perhaps the best and most logical advice is for pork producers to use the expected profitability in coming months to enhance their financial positions and to wait and see how the 2012 U.S. crops evolve before moving toward expansion in late 2012."



NASS to Reinstate Several Agricultural Estimates Programs

NASS leadership recently concluded a deliberate review of all programs against mission- and user-based criteria, aimed at finding cost savings and forward-thinking business efficiencies so that timely, accurate and useful data remains available in service to agriculture. In 2011, NASS made several enhancements within its programs and operations to deliver improved results for the American people, including opening a new national operations center in St. Louis that will centralize data collection and service to people who provide and use NASS products and services. These efforts and more over the last year have allowed NASS leadership the flexibility within its budget to retain and reinstate several key reports. 

The reinstated programs are:
    January Sheep and Goat Report (data collection begins Dec. 23; report date is Jan. 27)
    July Cattle Report
    Annual Reports on Farm Numbers, Land in Farms Reports and Farm Income
    Catfish and Trout Reports (data collection begins Dec. 9; report released Dec. 20)
    Annual Floriculture Report
    Annual Bee and Honey Report (data collection begins Jan. 23; report date is March 30)
    Annual Hops Production Report (data collection begins Dec. 9; report date is Dec. 21)
    Annual Mink Report
    Fruit and Vegetable in season forecast and estimates
    Rice Stocks June Report

Recognizing the importance of NASS’s data products and services to U.S. agriculture, NASS will make available any data that falls outside of the scope of the agricultural estimates programs in the 5-year Census of Agriculture. The next census will be conducted beginning January 2013 to reflect activities in the 2012 calendar year.

NASS will publish Federal Register notices reflecting these program changes in the near future.



Confinement Site Manure Applicator Workshops Set

Confinement site manure applicators and anyone interested in learning about manure issues should plan to attend a two-hour workshop offered by Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach in January or February 2012. These workshops are offered in cooperation with the Iowa Department of Natural Resources. There is no fee to attend the workshops, but applicators will need to pay certification fees to complete certification requirements.

"Iowa law requires confinement site manure applicators to attend two hours of continuing education each year of their three-year certification period, or take and pass an exam once every three years," said Angela Rieck-Hinz, ISU Extension program specialist and coordinator of the manure applicator certification program.

A total of 54 confinement site manure applicator workshops will be held in 60 different counties. In addition, a series of seven dry/solid manure applicator certification meetings will be held in February. ISU Extension county offices have a complete list of workshop dates and locations, or view a list at: www.agronext.iastate.edu/immag/certification/confdates.html. 

The workshops serve as initial certification for those applicators that are not currently certified, recertification for those renewing licenses and continuing education for those applicators in their second or third year of their license. The certification fee is $100 for a three-year certificate. Confinement site applicators must also pay the $25 annual education fee. All fees are submitted to Iowa DNR.

Due to uniform certification deadlines, applicators are encouraged to attend workshops prior to March 1 to avoid being assessed a late fee of $12.50. Those unable to attend one of the workshops need to schedule time with their ISU Extension county office to watch the training DVD. Due to scheduling conflicts, many extension offices will no longer accept walk-in appointments to watch these DVDs, but do offer scheduled dates and times to provide this training. If you can't attend training during one of the scheduled reshow dates at your county extension office, you will be charged a $10 fee to view the training at your convenience. There will not be a fee charged for scheduled training dates and workshops. If attending the workshops or watching the two-hour training DVD is not convenient, confinement site manure applicators may contact their local DNR field office to schedule an appointment to take the certification exam to meet certification requirements.

Contact your ISU Extension county office for more information about the Manure Applicator Certification Program or visit: www.agronext.iastate.edu/immag/mac.html.



Commercial Manure Applicator Training Jan. 5

Commercial manure applicators can attend three hours of annual training to meet commercial manure applicator certification requirements on Jan. 5. Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach and the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will conduct Commercial Manure Applicator training from 9 a.m. to noon at 76 locations in Iowa, and four locations in surrounding states. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. There is no fee for the workshop but applicators must register by Dec. 29 with the ISU Extension county office where they plan to attend. A complete list of workshop locations can be found in the PDF download of the brochure.

Commercial manure applicators needing to recertify and those wanting to certify for the first time should attend. All currently certified commercial manure applicator licenses will expire on March 1, 2012. Those wanting to renew must complete training requirements and submit forms and fees to the DNR prior to March 1, to avoid paying late fees.

Those unable to attend the program on Jan. 5 need to schedule time with their ISU Extension county office to watch the training DVD. Due to scheduling conflicts, many extension offices will no longer accept walk-in appointments to watch these DVDs, but do offer scheduled dates and times to provide this training. If you can't attend training during one of the scheduled reshow dates at your county extension office, you will be charged a $10 fee to view the training at your convenience. There will not be a fee charged for scheduled training dates. If attending the workshops or watching the three-hour DVD is not convenient, commercial applicators may contact their local DNR field office to schedule an appointment to take the certification exam.

In addition to the commercial manure applicator training offered on Jan. 5, ISU Extension will also offer seven dry/solid manure workshops for commercial manure applicators in February 2012. Information regarding these workshops and locations is also contained in the link to the brochure.

If you have questions about the commercial manure applicator certification program, contact your ISU Extension county office or on the Web at: www.agronext.iastate.edu/immag/mac.html.



Judge OKs $2.2B to MF Global Customers

(AP) -- The judge overseeing the bankruptcy of MF Global has approved releasing $2.2 billion more in frozen funds to customers of the firm.

U.S. Bankruptcy Judge Martin Glenn issued an order Friday that clears the way for customers to regain some of their money.

It's the third transfer of funds to MF Global customers since the firm filed for bankruptcy protection on Oct. 31. The transfer will bring the total distributed to customers so far to about $4.1 billion.

The transfer, which a bankruptcy trustee requested Nov. 29, is expected to take two to four weeks. Once completed, MF Global commodities customers will have recovered about 72 percent of their money, according to the trustee for the liquidation of the brokerage firm.

The frozen funds are separate from the $1.2 billion or more that is estimated to be missing from MF Global customer accounts.

The transfer approved Friday comes atop earlier distributions of $1.5 billion in collateral for customers' trading accounts and $520 million in cash.