Monday December 12 Ag News

Gov. Heineman Announces Line-up for 24th Annual Governor’s Ag Conference

Gov. Dave Heineman Monday previewed the schedule for the 2012 Governor’s Ag Conference, being held Wednesday and Thursday, February 15-16 at the Holiday Inn Convention Center in Kearney. The theme for the 24th annual conference is “Nebraska Agriculture: Today’s Challenges, Tomorrow’s Opportunities.”

“This annual event allows agricultural producers and leaders to come together to learn more about their industry and to ensure the industry remains strong,” said Gov. Dave Heineman.

The conference begins at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, with a panel of opening speakers who will discuss connecting consumers with farmers and ranchers to share information about agricultural production.  The panel includes Willow Holoubek from the Alliance for the Future of Agriculture in Nebraska (A-FAN), Dawn Caldwell from Common Ground Nebraska and Pete McClymont with We Support Agriculture. The “Celebrate Nebraska Agriculture” reception follows, featuring a wide variety of Nebraska food products and entertainment.

Conference activities resume at 9 a.m. on Thursday.

The keynote presentation will be delivered by John Doggett, senior lecturer of International Entrepreneurship, Management and Sustainability as well as a senior research fellow at the University of Texas at Austin. He will discuss the role of Nebraska agriculture in the future global economy.

Featured speakers include Bruce Knight of Strategic Conservation Solutions, who will provide an update on the federal Farm Bill reauthorization. Dr. Archie Clutter with the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska will explain how the University is positioning itself to be a part of meeting the challenge of providing food to a growing world population. Bill Holbrook from The ProExporter Network will discuss the opportunities and challenges farmers will face in meeting that food production demand.

NDA Director Greg Ibach said, “It is a pivotal time for our industry, but I have great confidence in our farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses. Attendees can expect a wealth of information that will help them as the industry progresses.”

Those interested in agriculture issues are invited to attend. An $80 registration fee covers participation at activities on both Wednesday and Thursday. Registration is available online at www.agr.ne.gov, or by calling NDA toll-free at (800) 831-0550.



Nebraska Cattlemen Form Policy

Record numbers were reached as nearly 600 Nebraska Cattlemen members gathered last week in Kearney at the 2011 Annual Nebraska Cattlemen/Nebraska CattleWomen Convention. The annual convention is the primary policy making forum for Nebraska Cattlemen members.

Each Nebraska Cattlemen member’s beef operation is unique as is the association, as it works to address various issues that may affect its members. “Due to the diversity of cattle operations in Nebraska it is important to speak up and come to Nebraska Cattlemen meetings to help direct policy,” said Art Brownlee, Nebraska Cattlemen Brand & Property Rights Committee Chairman.

Each of the four Nebraska Cattlemen councils (Cow/Calf, Farmer/Stockman, Feedlot, and Seedstock) met as well as all six of the policy committees giving Nebraska Cattlemen members multiple opportunities for discussion and adoption of important policies. Members discussed and set policy on land easements, child labor law, brand, and educational programs. A major discussion was Nebraska Brand Law.

Nebraska Cattlemen hosted 16 meetings in 2011 to gather input about brand inspection as directed by the membership at the 2010 convention. Over 450 individuals attended these meetings, most with verbal comments that were recorded along with the 123 written input forms. Input from across the state varied but major points were discussed by members in several forums at convention.

“The membership vote proved that last year’s decision to “go to the country” was the right one,” said Art. “After stops across the state and analysis of how the industry utilizes brand inspection in defined ways, membership voted to work to modify brand inspection law to follow the priorities of cattle producers.”

The membership passed a resolution that Nebraska Cattlemen members will work with the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture and the participants of the 100 Beef Cow Ownership Advantage Program to provide resources for their herd. A conservation easement resolution was passed by the membership because Nebraska Cattlemen members support the right of landowners to determine if an easement fits their unique situation.

Another action taken by Nebraska Cattlemen membership is to join with the Nebraska CattleWomen to represent cattle producers across the state. The merger of the two associations will take place July 1, 2012 once all of the details of the merger have been confirmed.



U.S. Grains Council corn mission told to expect strong Chinese demand

Tell your children to stay in agriculture because demand for U.S. farm products will continue. That was the overriding message members of the 2011 U.S. Grains Council’s Corn Leadership mission heard while visiting China, Japan and Vietnam earlier this month.

“Discussions with the U.S. Agricultural Trade Office in Guangzhou, China, led us to the conclusion that strong demand for a number of U.S. farm products will continue,” said Kelly Brunkhorst, director of research for the Nebraska Corn Board and a member of the Corn Mission.

“In addition, the general consultant went on to describe United States agriculture trade opportunities with China as ‘immense,’” he said. “Such opportunities for trade provide a great outlook for U.S. farmers.”

During the 10-day mission to Southeast Asia, the group visited the southern China city of Guangzhou. Located in the Pearl River Basin on the South China Sea, Guangzhou is the largest feed manufacturing center in China. With a population estimated at nearly 15 million and average income of $16,800, its rapidly growing middle class consumes the most meat protein in China.

“China is very sensitive to food security issues and stability is job one for the government,” said Jorge Sanchez, director of the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agriculture Trade Office in Guangzhou. “The government wants to keep farmland producing food and China has the ‘invisible boot’ that pushes farmers to produce, but the government also knows there never will be nearly enough land to meet demand and I don’t see yields growing or more farmers going into production.”

In the past, China supplied corn to other Southeast Asian countries but that changed in 2010 when the country became a net corn importer. For the coming marketing year, China is expected to import nearly 3 million metric tons of U.S. corn, making it the fastest growing, and second largest, U.S. corn customer. Sanchez said Chinese corn imports could grow to between 4 million and 10 million metric tons annually. However, policy and infrastructure issues pose potential threats to this business.

For example, inconsistent biotechnology policy and a lack of asynchronous approval for new U.S. biotech events is a potential issue U.S. corn growers are watching in China. Sanchez stressed the importance of relationship building on the issue to avert cargo rejections. His office is working through social media in China to proactively build consumer confidence in biotechnology.

Those on the mission also spent time in Japan and Vietnam, assessing corn markets first hand and meeting with grain buyers, end users and government officials.

While in Japan, the team met with officials at the Kushiro Port in Hokkaido. Port officials detailed plans to expand the port’s capacity to accommodate larger vessels. Kushiro is the largest port facility in the heart of Japan’s major dairy producing area.

“This construction ensures Japan will be able to take advantage of larger ships that will be able to move through the Panama Canal, which is being expanded,” Brunkhorst said. “It shows that our foreign buyers are investing in grain handling infrastructure, and the importance of infrastructure in general.”

Brunkhorst said those they met with in Vietnam made it clear the country is working to be more self-sufficient in terms of meat protein. “They are expanding their livestock operations as a result,” he said, “and that provides opportunities for feed grains and related co-products.”



Mark Your Calendar for January 2012 Crop Production Clinics
Lowell Sandell, UNL Extension Weed Science Educator

Pesticide resistance, crop production updates, and what's new in pest management will be among the topics presented at this year's Crop Production Clinics. The clinics, which will be held at nine sites across the state in January, also include provisions for pesticide applicator recertification.
2012 Schedule of Crop Production Clinics

Jan. 4 - Beatrice - Classic's (Beatrice Country Club)
Jan. 5 - York - The Auditorium
Jan. 6 - Kearney - Younes Conference Center
Jan. 10 - Hastings - Adam's County Fairgrounds
Jan. 11 - North Platte - West Central R & E Center
Jan. 12 - Gering - Gering Civic Center
Jan. 17 - Ainsworth - Community Center
Jan. 18 - Norfolk - Lifelong Learning Center, NECC
Jan. 19 - Fremont - Midland University Event Center

Other topics being presented by Extension specialists and educators include:
    soil fertility
    soil water and irrigation management,
    ag business management & policy
    pesticide safety
    and disease, insect and weed pest management.

Program topics are tailored to meet the needs of cropping systems in different parts of the state, and vary by location.

Pesticide Applicator Recertification
Representatives from the Nebraska Department of Agriculture will be present to verify attendance.  For commercial and noncommercial pesticide applicator, this will be the primary venue for you to renew your license in any of the following categories:
    Ag Plant (01)
    Regulatory (REG)
    Demonstration/Research (D/R)

For private pesticide applicators the Crop Production Clinics will serve as a venue for you to renew your license.

CEU Credits
Certified Crop Advisors may earn CEUs in the following categories:
    Integrated Pest Management (6 CEUs)
    Soil and Water (2 CEUs),
    Nutrient Management (1 CEU), and
    Crop Production (3 CEUs).

Attendees can earn a maximum of 6 CEUs at a location. Certified Crop Advisors are required to bring their CCA number to apply for CEU credits.



Dec. 14 Webinar Explores Government Resources to Aid Flood Recovery

“Farming after the Flood – Farmer Perspectives and Agency Resources” will be the focus of a December 14, multi-state webinar for those affected by the 2011 Missouri River flood.  The webinar will feature two producers in the process of repairing their farmland and representatives from key USDA agencies and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers who are working with producers whose farmland sustained flood damage.

“Many farmers and landowners may be facing several inches of sediment and sand, scour holes and ponds, and wondering what resources are available to help them proactively address these problems and prepare for the 2012 crop season,” said Craig Derickson, Nebraska State Conservationist with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service. “We have assembled a lot of important information to help farmers affected by the 2011 flood move forward.”

The webinar will be from 1:30 to 4:00 Wednesday, December 14, at more than 20 sites in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska, and South Dakota. Second in a series, it is being sponsored by University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension and Iowa State Extension in cooperation with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Farm Service Agency (FSA), Risk Management Agency (RMA), and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

Presentations will include a farmer panel and information from speakers on government resources and programs, points to consider when planning for the 2012 cropping season, and how to remain in compliance with farm bill programs while bringing flooded acres back to productivity. The sessions will be followed by a question and answer period. In addition, fact sheets and resources for further information will be distributed to participants at each site.

For farmers with crop insurance and risk management questions, two representatives from the USDA RMA will discuss current programs.

“Planning will be particularly important this year,” said Rebecca Davis, director of the USDA Risk Management Agency regional office in Topeka, Kan. Crop insurance topics to be discussed will include prevented planting requirements, 2012 premium rates, breached levees, and exclusion options for high risk lands. Davis advised that growers in flooded areas contact their crop insurance agent in advance of the March 15 Sales Closing Date so they can develop a plan best suited to their situation.

The webinar also will include:
    A farmer panel with Scott Olson of Tekamah, Nebr., and Lyle McIntosh of Missouri Valley, Iowa, on how they are repairing fields physically and biologically
    An overview of flood recovery programs, including levee repair, land clearing, and soil restoration assistance available from NRCS, FSA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
    Long-term land retirement programs available from NRCS, FSA and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
    Flooding impacts on crop insurance
    How to remain in compliance with Farm Bill programs
    Additional resources

“This information should help producers make the best choices for their land,” said John Wilson, extension educator with the University of Nebraska–Lincoln working on flood recovery.
Viewing Sites

For more information on this webinar and additional host sites as they become available, as well as links to archived segments and fact sheets from the first webinar, visit:
    http://flood.unl.edu/crops, a University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension website, and
    http://www.extension.iastate.edu/topic/recovering-disasters, an Iowa State University Extension website.

Nebraska
    Auburn at Educational Service Unit #4, 919 16th St., contact Gary Lesoing, 402-274-4755, glesoing2@unl.edu
    Beatrice at the UNL Extension Office in Gage County, 1115 W. Scott St., contact Paul Hay, 402-239-1341, phay1@unl.edu
    Blair at the Blair City Hall Council Chambers, 218 S. 16th St., contact Steve Tonn, 402-426-9455, stonn2@unl.edu
    Center at Knox County Courthouse Annex, 308 Bridge St., contact: Ruth Vonderohe, 402-288-5611, rvonderohe2@unl.edu
    Dakota City at the USDA Service Center, 1505 Broadway, contact Keith Jarvi or Carol Larvick, 402-987-2140, kjarvi1@unl.edu or clarvick1@unl.edu
    Falls City at the Richardson County Courthouse, 1700 Stone St., Lower Level, contact Lindsay Chichester, 402-254-4324, lchichester2@unl.edu
    Hartington at the Cedar County Courthouse Annex Meeting Room, 101 E. Centre, contact Jackie Steffen, 402-254-6821, jsteffen2@unl.edu
    Omaha at the Douglas/Sarpy Extension Office, 8015 W. Center Road, contact Monte Stauffer, 402-444-7804, mstauffer1@unl.edu
    Syracuse at the UNL Extension Office in Otoe County, 180 Chestnut St., contact Sarah Purcell, 402-269-2301, spurcell2@unl.edu
    Tekamah at the Tekamah City Auditorium, 1315 K St., contact: John Wilson, 402-374-2929, jwilson3@unl.edu

Iowa
    Council Bluffs at the West Pottawattamie Extension Office, 3501 Harry Langdon Blvd., Ste. 100, contact Cheri Boyer, 712-366-7070, cmboyer@iastate.edu
    Logan at the Harrison County Extension Office, 304 E. 7th St., contact Rich Pope, 712-644-2105, ropope@iastate.edu
    Malvern at the Mills County Extension Office, 415 Main St., contact Sherry Ford, 712-624-8616, slford@iastate.edu
    Onawa at the Monona County Extension Office, 119 Iowa Ave., contact Melanie Holt, 712-423-2175, mlholt@iastate.edu, or Cheri Hardison, chardi@iastate.edu
    Sidney at the Fremont County Extension Office, 610 Clay St., contact Anne Chambers, 712-374-2351, amorr@iastate.edu
    Sioux City at the Woodbury County Extension Office, 4301 Sergeant Road, contact Adrienne Jansen, 712-276-2157, jansena@iastate.edu, or Kristi Van Zanten at kvanzan@iastate.edu

South Dakota
    Aberdeen at the SDSU Extension Aberdeen Regional Center, 13 2nd Ave. SE., contact Mark Rosenberg, 605-626-2870, mark.rosenberg@sdstate.edu
    Mitchell at the SDSU Extension Mitchell Regional Center, 821 N. Capital St., contact Heather Larson, 605-995-7378, heather.larson@sdstate.edu
    Pierre at the SDSU Extension Pierre Regional Center, 412 W. Missouri, contact Ruth Beck, 605-773-8120, ruth.beck@sdstate.edu

Kansas
    Atchison at the Atchison Board of Education, 626 Commercial St., contact Carl “Ray” Ladd, 913-833-5450, cladd@ksu.edu
    Wathena at the Wathena City Hall Meeting Room, 206 St. Joseph St., contact Mindy Young, 785-985-3623, myoung5@ksu.edu

Missouri
    Rockport at the Atchison County Extension Center, 201 Hwy 136 East, contact Jim Crawford, 660-744-6213, crawfordj@missouri.edu
    St. Joseph at the Buchanan County Extension Center, 4125 Mitchell Avenue, contact Bob Kelly, 816-279-1691, kellyr@missouri.edu
    Oregon at the Holt County Extension Center, 101 E. Missouri, contact Wayne Flanary, 660-446-3724, flanaryw@missouri.edu



Nebraska Farm Bureau Delegates Revise Policy on Interbasin Transfers, Support Adequate Resources for Checkoffs

In addition to electing Steve Nelson of Axtell as the new president of Nebraska Farm Bureau, delegates to the annual meeting of the state’s largest farm organization adopted policy resolutions on state and national issues when they met in Kearney this week (Dec. 5 and 6). The policies adopted guide Farm Bureau’s public policy advocacy.

In a change from their previous opposition to interbasin transfers of surface water allowed in state law, the delegates said such transfers may be appropriate in certain limited circumstances.

“In times of flooding and excessive flows, the delegates said Farm Bureau should be willing to look at an expedited process to move water from one basin to another to meet water management goals, whether it’s for groundwater recharge or compact compliance or a similar goal,” Jay Rempe, Farm Bureau vice president/governmental relations, said Thursday (Dec. 8).

Rempe emphasized, however, that such transfers should be done in a way that assured existing surface water users aren’t harmed.

The delegates reiterated their support for commodity check-offs for research, education and market development, and their opposition to using checkoff funds for lobbying or political purposes, Rempe said. They also supported creating state checkoff programs if corresponding national checkoffs are ended.

“They support providing adequate resources to the checkoff boards and setting checkoff rates that provide those resources, and believe commodity boards should have some flexibility in setting the checkoff rates, perhaps by being authorized to set the rate per bushel or head, within a given range.”

However, they want to see solid support from the people who pay the checkoff before the rates are increased, perhaps through a referendum, electronic survey or meetings, he said. Many commodity checkoffs have not been increased in several years and some remain at their original rates.

The delegates also:
•    Expressed support for reinstating horse slaughter and said they would support location of a horse slaughter facility in Nebraska, if one desired to locate here.
•    Opposed laws or regulations that limit consumers’ food choices and health taxes on certain foods to discourage people from eating them. “The delegates believe that consumers can make up their own minds on how to use their food dollars,” Rempe said.
•    Continued their opposition to use of public funds directly or through nonprofits to acquire conservation easements, and said conservation easements shouldn’t be perpetual. 

On the national level, the Farm Bureau delegates expressed strong support for crop insurance as the basis of a farm safety net and said they’re willing to look at new revenue-protection programs. They did not include continuation of direct payments or the ACRE (Average Crop Revenue Election) program as priorities for the next farm bill, Rempe said
.
“They were clear that they don’t want anything that guarantees a profit because they feel farmers need to absorb some of the risk associated with farming,” he said. Some of the proposals floated during the Super Committee deficit reduction process came close to trying to guarantee too much, he said, such as those addressing “shallow losses.”

 “It’s those catastrophic-type of occurrences they want help with, not the smaller losses you know are going to happen from time to time.”
On other national issues, the delegates:
•    Expressed support for a constitutional amendment to balance the federal budget; and
•    Opposed early termination of Conservation Reserve contracts and defeated proposals to limit CRP enrollment in counties, set minimum rental rates and allow early opt-out to assist beginning farmers.



IFB Members Announced Award Winners

More than 1,000 Iowa Farm Bureau Federation members from across the state gathered at the Polk County Convention Center in Des Moines this week to recognize achievements in agriculture, explore their role in producing food for a hungry world and discuss the 2012 Farm Bill during the organization's 93rd annual meeting.

A number of farmers were recognized for their accomplishments on their operations and within their communities and industry. Distinguished Service to Agriculture awards were given to central Iowa cattle and grain farmers Bill and Nancy Couser, agricultural engineer Stewart Melvin and recently-retired legislator and farmer Dolores Mertz.

-- Young farmers Justin and Jennifer Dammann, who raise cattle, corn, soybeans, alfalfa and rye on their Century Farm near Essex, won the IFBF Young Farmer Achievement Award and were recognized for their entrepreneurial spirit and dedication to Farm Bureau and their community.

-- Jamie Busch-Upah, a farmer from Tama County, won the Young Farmer Discussion Meet contest. The discussion meet encourages dialogue about issues and challenges that affect agriculture. It tests young farmers' knowledge of ag-related issues and their ability to express their opinions.

The Dammanns and Busch-Upah will compete in these contests at the national level next month during the American Farm Bureau annual meeting.

Keynote speaker Walter Bond, a former NBA player, offered a "slam dunk" presentation; encouraging farmers to reach out beyond their comfort zones to understand their customers and how others perceive them and their work. "You have success right now, but don't you dare rest of your laurels. Don't you dare relax," he said. "You've had a great year, but your job is to get bigger, stronger and faster."



Remember Conservation Compliance When Preparing for 2012 Growing Season

As farmers plan for next year, Josie Waterbury of the Thurston County Farm Service Agency reminds them that it’s critical to remain compliant with Highly Erodible Land (HELC) and Wetland Conservation (WC) provisions.  HELC and WC compliance must be maintained to remain eligible for multiple farm program benefits.  An approved conservation system must be followed on all highly erodible land planted to an annual crop.  Producers must file an AD-1026 form before they break new ground to plant in 2012 or manipulate wetlands by creating new drainage systems, improving existing systems, or clearing trees.

Waterbury emphasizes that producers who already have conservation plans in place with the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) should review those plans prior to tillage operations and ensure the residue or groundcover requirements will be met.  Additionally, producers need to review all highly erodible and wetland determinations on any newly purchased or leased land.  Violations of HELC/WC rules can result in costly payment reductions or a complete loss of program benefits from USDA.  This includes benefits from the Direct and Counter-cyclical Program (DCP), the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP), the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments Program (SURE), and Farm Loan Programs, as well as NRCS conservation programs such as the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) or the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP).

Farmers and landowners who want to review their plans or those with questions regarding HELC and WC compliance should contact their local FSA or NRCS office.



CME to Change Ag Settlement Rules
Settlement Prices to Be Based on Both Pit, Globex Trade

The CME Group, parent of the Chicago Board of Trade, on Monday said it will modify settlement procedures for agricultural futures in 2012 to include input from its electronic Globex trading platform as well as the open-outcry pits.

Daily settlement prices for most CBOT and CME agricultural futures are currently based on activity in the pits, although CBOT wheat and rough rice futures are settled on Globex-based trade.

The changes will apply to CBOT corn, soybeans, soyoil, soymeal, oats, wheat and rough rice futures as well as CME live cattle, feeder cattle and lean hog futures.

"The basic approach of the new methodologies will be to include additional information in the settlement calculation by incorporating both floor and Globex activity in the determination of settlement prices," CME Group said in a statement.

The exchange said it would release details of the new rules and timelines for the roll-out early in 2012.

The transition to the new rules will occur in March and April, subject to review by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

Roughly 85 to 90 percent of the volume in CBOT corn and soybean futures is traded electronically.



CHS Board Selects St. Hilaire, Minn., Farmer as New Chairman

Jerry Hasnedl, a St. Hilaire, Minn., farmer and long-time director, has been elected chairman of the board of CHS Inc. (NASDAQ: CHSCP), the nation's leading farmer-owned cooperative.

Hasnedl was selected during the 17-member board's yearly reorganization meeting which followed the company's 2011 annual meeting on Dec. 8.  He succeeds Michael Toelle, a Browns Valley, Minn., farmer who held the post for nine years.

"I look forward to leading the board as CHS continues to implement its long-term strategy of adding value for its producer and member cooperative owners in the energy, grains and foods businesses," Hasnedl said.

Hasnedl has served on the board since 1995.  During 2011, he was its secretary-treasurer and also chaired the board's Capital Committee.  He is a member and past director of Northwest Grain, a locally governed CHS retail business, and serves on the board of the Cooperative Network.  He raises wheat, barley, corn, soybeans, sunflowers, canola and alfalfa on a family farm near St. Hilaire.  Hasnedl holds an associate's degree in agricultural economics and a certification in advanced farm business management from Northland College, Thief River Falls, Minn.

Also elected to one-year board leadership terms were:
    First vice chairman, Dan Schurr, LeClaire, Iowa, who has served on the board since 2006
    Secretary-treasurer, Steve Fritel, Rugby, N.D., first elected to the board in 2003
    Second vice chairman, Dennis Carlson, Mandan, N.D., who joined the board in 2001.
    Assistant secretary-treasurer, David Bielenberg, Silverton, Ore., has served on the board from 2002-2006 and from 2009 to the present.

During the annual meeting, delegates elected two new directors and re-elected five others to three-year terms on the CHS Board.

Edward Malesich, 59, of Dillon, Mont., will represent members in Montana and Wyoming. He succeeds Richard Owen of Geraldine, Mont., who served since 1999. Malesich has served 12 years on the board of Rocky Mountain Supply Inc., Belgrade, Mont., and currently is vice chairman.  He also has served for 13 years on the board of Northwest Farm Credit Services, Spokane, Wash., an $8 billion financial operation.  He raises Angus cattle, wheat, malt barley and hay on nearly 19,000 acres. Malesich holds a bachelor's degree in agricultural production from Montana State University

Jon Erickson of Minot, N.D., will represent members in that state.  He succeeds Bruce Anderson of Glenburn, N.D., who retired after 16 years. Erickson is past chairman of Enerbase, a Minot energy and agricultural supply cooperative, and is active in a wide range of agricultural and community organizations.  He raises small grains, oilseeds and operates a commercial Hereford/Angus cow-calf business.  Erickson, 51, holds a bachelor's degree in agricultural economics from North Dakota State University.

Re-elected were Hasnedl, Schurr, C.J. Blew of Moundridge, Kan., who was elected in 2010; Curt Eischens of Minneota, Minn., who has served since 1990; and Greg Kruger of Eleva, Wis., who joined the board in 2008.

All CHS directors are agribusiness professionals elected by the cooperative's member-owners.  They represent diverse agricultural, financial and cooperative experiences.  Each CHS director, including the newly elected officer slate, completes comprehensive director professionalism training and certification from the National Association of Corporate Directors.



Pilot Program to Boost U.S. & Canada Trade Relations

A new pilot program to conduct inspections in plants in-country will help facilitate trade between the U.S. and Canada and prevent delays at the border, according to the American Meat Institute.

The effort was unveiled last week in Washington by President Obama and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper. The pilot encompasses many different industries, but the U.S. meat and poultry industry is particularly well-suited to it and stands to benefit greatly from it, as will consumers.

"We commend the U.S. and Canadian governments for this common sense pilot program," said AMI President J. Patrick Boyle. "Our US and Canadian meat and poultry processing systems are nearly identical, as are our federal meat inspection regulations. Our nations are uniquely suited to this kind of collaborate effort and it stands to benefit both of our countries and our citizens."

In April 2011, AMI joined the Canadian Meat Council in filing joint comments with the Department of Commerce in support of efforts to increase regulatory cooperation among NAFTA nations that would facilitate trade and reduce unnecessary paperwork.



AgRural Trims Brazil Soy Forecast

Brazil soy crop will turn out 73.1 million tonnes of soy in the 2011/12 season, consultancy AgRural said on Monday, half a million tonnes less than its November view due to the smaller area it now expects to be planted.

The consultancy maintained its November forecast for average productivity at 2.94 tonnes per hectare, down from 3.12 tonnes per hectare in last year's record season. AgRural has one of the lowest estimate among local analysts for the soy crop.

AgRural now expects 24.8 million hectares of soy to be planted for the next season compared with 25 million in its prior forecast. It trimmed its outlook for planted area mostly in the southern state of Parana and Maranhao in the north.

Soy planting in the world's No. 2 producer of the oilseed is now close to finished, with 97 percent of the expected planted area for the season now sown.

Some key soy states have been much drier than usual of late and the weather outlook remains uncertain. A shortage of water is a key threat to soy after sowing as seeds can wither after germinating if the soil is too dry.



CASE IH BECOMES OFFICIAL FARM EQUIPMENT BRAND OF THE NATIONAL TRACTOR PULLERS ASSOCIATION

Case IH, long recognized as a high horsepower leader in the field, will be putting some of that horsepower on display at the pulling track as the National Tractor Pullers Association’s (NTPA) official farm equipment brand. The announcement was made at the National Tractor Pullers Association 41st Annual Convention & Awards Banquet, in Columbus, Ohio on Saturday, December 3.

“Horsepower is never more prominently displayed than at a tractor pull and pullers strive to find every last bit of it in their tractors,” says Kyle Russell, Senior Director of Marketing for Case IH North America. “Providing more horsepower is Case IH's specialty and a primary focus for developing the world’s most powerful, productive and efficient tractors and equipment. This sponsorship is a great opportunity to connect tractor pullers and their fans with the Case IH brand.”

As the official farm equipment brand, Case IH will become a noticeable feature at NTPA Grand and Super National tractor pulling events. Case IH equipment will be working most of these events and all competing vehicles will display two Case IH decals on their pulling trucks and tractors. In addition to the visibility on the track, Case IH will be the presenting sponsor of the “NTPA Championship Pulling Series” shown three times weekly on RFD-TV. 

Case IH will also contribute to the NTPA Grand National Points Fund, which awards the top five point leaders for each NTPA Grand National division, including Unlimiteds, Modifieds, Super Stock Diesel, Super Stock Open, Pro Stock, Super Farm, Light Super Stock, Two Wheel Drive Trucks, Four Wheel Drive Trucks, Super Modified Four Wheel Drive Trucks, Modified Minis and Super Semis.

The National Tractor Pullers Association was established in 1969 to institute safety and competition rules for pulling events. It is now the premier sanctioning body of truck and tractor pulling.

“Case IH, a common name among the tractor pulling community, already has a strong presence on the track at NTPA events,” explains Gregg Randall, NTPA's General Manager. “We are elated to have Case IH join the NTPA family and serve as our official farm equipment brand.”