Tuesday January 17 Ag News

2011 Field Research Shows Little Yield Effect from Soybean Seed Treatments
Loren Giesler, UNL Extension Plant Pathologist

A seed treatment trial was conducted at four locations in Nebraska in 2011 to determine its effect on stand, disease control, and yield. The sites, part of the Soybean Management Field Days, were near Bancroft (northeast Nebraska), Clay Center (south central), Cortland (southeast), and Elba (central).  Researchers found that seed treatments did not cause any yield differences at any of the sites. There were differences in stand counts at Clay Center and Elba in the spring, and at Clay Center in the fall; however these differences did not influence yield.

How the Trial was Conducted
The study included 10 treatments and an untreated control.
-    Plot size: 4 rows wide by 17 feet long.
-    Planting: 140,000 seeds/ac at a depth of 2.5 inches to promote disease development. Syngenta NK S25-T8 soybean seed was used for all sites.
-    Weed control: Warrant (acetochlor) and Round up (glyphosate).
-    Treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design and were replicated four times at each site.

Seed treatments were applied using a slurry sufficient for 2 lb of seed for each treatment. Uniform coverage to the seed was accomplished in a resealable plastic bag. Stand counts were taken twice in the spring and once in the fall prior to harvest. Plant populations were determined by counting plants between two flags placed 10 ft apart in the center two rows of each plot. The stand count flags remained in place for the entire season so that the same area was counted at each stand count assessment. Stand count data was converted into plants per acre. Prior to harvest, the ends of each plot were cut to minimize edge effects on yield. All yields were adjusted to 13% moisture. Additional site details are given in the table headers below.

Findings
Weather conditions from planting until mid-June were cool and wet across much of the state. These conditions combined with deep seed placement resulted in slow and uneven emergence. In some cases soybeans were still emerging 21 to 35 days after planting (DAP).  Seed treatments did not cause any yield differences at any of the sites. There were differences in stand counts at Clay Center and Elba in the spring.. In the fall, Clay Center had differences in stand counts but none of the treatments were different from the untreated control. These differences did not influence yield.



Effect of Foliar Fungicides and Insecticides on Soybean Disease Severity and Yield
Loren Giesler, UNL Extension Plant Pathologist

Foliar fungicide trials were conducted at four locations in Nebraska to determine the effects on disease control and yield. The sites, part of the the Soybean Management Field Days, were near Bancroft (northeast), Clay Center (south central), Cortland (southeast), and Elba (central).  Two of the sites, Bancroft and Cortland, showed yield differences from fungicide treatments. Adding insecticide to the fungicide showed an increased yield compared to fungicide alone for each company’s products.

How the Trial was Conducted
The study included 9 treatments and an untreated control.
-    Planting population at all sites was 150,000 seeds/ac.
-    Weed control was accomplished through a preemergence application of Warrant (acetochlor) and post applications of Roundup (glyphosate).
-    Additional site details are listed in Tables 1-4.

Plots were 4 rows wide (10 feet) by 25 feet long. Treatments were applied with a CO2 pressurized backpack sprayer and arranged in a randomized complete block design. The spray boom was 10 ft wide with 20-inch nozzle spacings and was pressurized to 40 psi. Fifteen gallons per acre of spray volume from Teejet XR11002 nozzles provided adequate canopy penetration and coverage of soybean leaves.

All applications were made at the R3 (beginning pod development) growth stage. Disease was assessed at approximately 11-22 days after treatment and again later in the growing season. Leaf retention was assessed shortly before harvest when less than 50% of the leaves were remaining in non-treated control plots. Prior to harvest, the ends of each plot were cut to minimize edge effects in yield data. All yields were adjusted to 13% moisture content.

Findings
-    Septoria brown spot was reduced in fungicide-treated plots at Bancroft and Elba. A different soybean variety was planted at these sites than at Clay Center and Cortland, where there was no difference in disease severity. The difference in varieties needs to be taken into account when looking at these results. Each variety can have different susceptibility levels to brown spot and respond differently to fungicides.
-    At Clay Center and Cortland, fungicide-treated plots tended to have lower disease severity than the control plots, but the differences were not significant.
-    Generally, all fungicides in this trial at all locations increased leaf greenness and leaf retention over the control.
-    Only the Bancroft and Cortland sites showed statistical yield differences from applying fungicide.  All treatments at these sites yielded more than the control. The Stratego YLD + Leverage 360 and Quilt Xcel + Warrior II treatments had the highest yields at Bancroft and Cortland, respectively.
-    There was no significant bean leaf beetle or soybean aphid feeding observed at these locations. Adding an insecticide to each fungicide increased yield in most cases as compared to applying the fungicide alone for each company’s products.



Dutcher to examine weather scenarios at Mid-America Alfalfa Expo & Conference

Nebraska state climatologist Dr. Al Dutcher, who specializes in climate data analysis, soil moisture analysis, weather forecasting, crop/weather relationships and drought monitoring, will provide insight and analysis on how weather conditions may impact alfalfa production this year at the Mid-America Alfalfa Expo & Conference.

Dutcher will address attendees on the second day of the two-day conference, which is being held at the Buffalo County Fairgrounds in Kearney, Nebraska, February 7 and 8.

“We’re keenly watching what will happen here in terms of precipitation, because we’re more concerned with fall and spring recharge in the western portion of the Corn Belt,” he said. “We’re highly dependent on that period to give us good starting moisture in the spring for green-up of wheat and alfalfa.”

Dutcher will provide a risk assessment focusing on the dry conditions in the Southern Plains and the potential expansion of this drought northward. He’ll include information on the La Niña weather pattern and how it may play a role in what growers see this spring and summer.

Dutcher has been with the University of Nebraska since 1989 and is a member of the university’s School of Natural Resource Sciences. He holds a B.S. in Meteorology and an M.S. in Climatology from Iowa State University. He is a past president and current member of the American Association of State Climatologists, serves on the Governor’s Climate Assessment Response Committee and chairs the state’s Water Availability Outlook Committee. He’s also a contributing editor/writer for CropWatch.

Sponsored by the Nebraska Alfalfa Marketing Association (N.A.M.A.), the Mid-America Alfalfa Expo & Conference is designed especially for alfalfa producers, livestock/dairy producers and others who are involved in alfalfa production, purchasing, hay feeding or processing.

Other speakers include Dr. Ron Hansen, ag economics professor at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, who will provide a session on multi-generational family farm ownership; Dr. Rick Rasby, University of Nebraska–Lincoln cattle feeding expert, who will focus on nutritional information for cow-calf producers; and Trent Loos, well-known commentator, columnist and ag advocate.

Registration includes admission to all presentations and programs, a Tuesday afternoon reception, dinner Tuesday evening, admission to the large alfalfa industry trade show and the opportunity to bid in the fundraising auction that takes place Tuesday afternoon. The auction features a wide range of items including seed, harvesting equipment, supplies and other valuable products and services.

Registration is $10 per person in advance (tickets must be purchased by noon, February 3, 2012) and $20 at the door. Participants under the age of 18 are admitted at no charge. Registration is available online at www.AlfalfaExpo.com.



New Blender Pump Opens up in Arcadia

A new blender pump is now open in Arcadia at Trotter Service.   This E85/blender pump is one of approximately 60 in Nebraska to offer the renewable fuel, ethanol.  This station will offer unleaded, E10 and other mid-level ethanol blends including E85 and diesel.  Trotter Service in Arcadia is a full service station.  To find a list of retailers that offer E85 and other mid-level ethanol blends visit the Nebraska Ethanol Board website at www.ne-ethanol.org or check the Nebraska Corn Board website at www.nebraskacorn.org.

Over 117,000 Nebraska motorists currently own a flexible fuel vehicle which can run on any blend of ethanol and gasoline, up to E85.  To confirm if a vehicle is flex fuel, drivers can check their owner’s manual, their gas cap, look for the flex fuel emblem on their vehicle or visit the website www.ne-ethanol.org/e85.

“E85 is cleaner than gas, it’s produced right here in Nebraska and more and more vehicles can use it every day,” said Todd Sneller, Nebraska Ethanol Board’s Administrator.  “When flex fuel drivers fill up on E85, they’re strengthening Nebraska’s economy, making our country more energy independent and going easier on the environment,” Sneller said.

“Giving consumers a choice is also another benefit.  This new blender pump will offer flex fuel vehicle owners a fuel choice based on price, performance, and availability,” said Kim Clark, Ag Program Manager with the Nebraska Corn Board.



Beef and Basketball Event Combines Information and Entertainment

Beef producers can get their fill of timely beef information and ISU men's basketball at the second "Beef and Basketball" event in Ames on Jan. 28. Sponsored by Pfizer Animal Health, Iowa Beef Center (IBC), Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach and Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, the event includes three educational presentations, lunch from Hickory Park and attendance at the ISU men’s basketball game versus University of Kansas.

Stephanie Hansen of ISU’s animal science department will talk about managing high sulfur diets, and J.P. Pollreisz from Pfizer Animal Health Technical Services will present two topics, “Challenging BRD Treatment Paradigm” and “Winning by a Nose.”

ISU Extension beef program specialist Joe Sellers said the cost is just $15 per person, but those interested should act quickly because of limited availability.

“Depending on registration numbers, there may be a limit of two tickets per operation,” he said.

People can RSVP with their local Pfizer representative or through IBC. They also can call Sellers at 641-203-1270 or Dan Loy with IBC at 515-294-1058.

The program brochure is available on the IBC website, www.iowabeefcenter.org.



Heifer Development Series Focuses on Reproductive Technologies

With the cow herd at its lowest level since 1973, drought in the southern range states and optimism for increased export demand, the stage is set for heifer retention increases into the next few years. To aid in this process, Iowa Beef Center (IBC), Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach and the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association are working together to host a series of heifer clinics over the next few weeks.

The series focuses on currently available technologies and management to increase productivity and longevity of heifers. Specific topics include health protocols, ration recommendations, heifer development budgets, AI practices and synchronization recommendations, and reducing calving difficulties. Ultrasound demonstration and Q&A also are part of each session.

Cost is $15 per person which includes resource materials and meal. Contact and registration information is included for each location. Preregister by date shown for the desired location to ensure adequate material and meal count.

Session dates, times, locations
    Jan. 25, Rockwell City, Expo Building at Calhoun County Fairgrounds, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Register by Jan. 18 by calling 712-297-8611 (snow date Feb. 1).
    Jan. 26, Iowa Falls, Ellsworth College Equestrian Center, 6 p.m. Register by Jan. 18 by calling 641-923-2856.
    Feb. 6, Spencer, Clay County Regional Events Center at Clay County Fairgrounds, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Register by Jan. 30 by calling 712-262-2264 (snow date Feb. 8).
    Feb. 7, Postville, Postville Vet Clinic, noon to 4 p.m. Register by Feb. 1 by calling 319-472-7939.
    Feb. 7, Richland, Keokuk County (formerly Richland) Veterinary Clinic, 6 p.m. Register by Feb. 1 by calling 641-472-4166.
    Feb. 7, Stuart, Stuart Vet Clinic, 6 p.m. Register by Feb. 1 by calling 641-203-1270.
    Feb. 9, Chariton, ISU McNay farm, 6 p.m. Register by Feb. 1 by calling 641-203-1270.
    Feb. 9, Maquoketa, Jackson County Extension office, noon to 4 p.m. Register by Feb. 1 by calling 319-472-7939.
    Feb. 9, Bloomfield, Bloomfield Livestock Auction, 6 p.m. Register by Feb. 1 by calling 641-472-4166.

Additional series sponsors are ABS Global, Accelerated Genetics, Elanco Animal Health, Genex, Hawkeye Breeders Service, Innovative Ag Services, Land O'Lakes-Purina, Nichols Cryo-Genetics, Pfizer Animal Health, Quality Liquid Feeds, Select Sires and Stuart Veterinary Clinic-Ultrasound Services.  Site specific sponsors are Collison Embryo, Collison Veterinary Services, Innovative Ag Services, Maquoketa Embryos, Novartis Animal Health, Postville Vet Clinic, Spencer Ag Center LLC, Spencer Livestock Sales, and Valley Veterinary Center, PLC.



Iowa Corn to Sponsor June 23rd Iowa Corn Indy 250
6th Annual Race to Showcase E85 Under the Lights

Officials from the Iowa Speedway announced today that the Iowa Corn Growers Association and the Iowa Corn Promotion Board will continue their title sponsorship of the annual Iowa Corn Indy 250 event at the 7/8-mile tri-oval on Saturday, June 23.

The 2012 Iowa Corn Indy 250 will be one of the most anticipated races on this year’s INDYCAR schedule. Last year’s event at the Rusty Wallace designed track was a highlight with one of the best open-wheeled race finishes as Marco Andretti and Tony Kanaan kept spectators standing until the spectacular finish.

Craig Floss, CEO of Iowa Corn, expressed his excitement for the sponsorship and for the continued support of the IZOD INDYCAR series as a promoter of ethanol. “Iowa Corn looks forward to our sixth year as the title sponsor of the Iowa Corn Indy 250 powered by ethanol. This year will be exciting as INDYCAR moves to E85. Consumers can fill up their flex fuel vehicles with E85, and drive just like the pros, except with a speed limit of course.”

In 2006, the INDY Racing league switched to ethanol. Since then, the league has saved an estimated 20,000 gallons of fuel per season. In 2012, the league will use E85-an ethanol blended fuel with up to 85% ethanol and 15% gasoline to be closer to products consumers can find at the pump. E85 can be found at more than 160 stations throughout Iowa and can be used in 1 in 10 Iowa vehicles designated as Flexible Fuel vehicles. 

Iowa Speedway President Stan Clement shared his feelings about one of the best partnerships in all of motorsports.

“Iowa Corn has been sponsoring this race since our inaugural season, a sponsorship which is now entering its sixth year,” Clement said. “It’s been a tremendous relationship, and we value their partnership, both with us and our race fans.”

One of four ovals on the 2012 IZOD INDYCAR Series schedule, the Iowa Corn Indy 250 will be the headlining race of an open-wheel weekend on Friday, June 22 and Saturday, June 23. Tickets to the race weekend can be purchased by calling 1-866-RUSTY-GO or by going to www.iowaspeedway.com. To find E85 in your area or for questions about Flexible Fuel vehicles, visit www.iowacorn.org.



Dec NOPA Soybean Crush Pegged at 145.42 Million Bushels

The National Oilseed Processors Association reports soybean crush was 145.420 million bushels for December, up 4.143 million bushels from the previous month.

(Dec 11, Nov 11, Dec 10)
Soybeans crushed - 145,420,000 bu; 141,277,000 bu;  145,537,000 bu
Soymeal produced - 3,479,736 short tons; 3,377,543;  3,509,696
Soymeal yield (pounds per bushel) - 47.86;  47.81;  48.23
Soymeal exports - 608,159 short tons;  673,304;  599,145
Soyoil produced - 1,651,919,000 pounds;  1,598,032,000;  1,678,070,000
Soyoil yield (pounds per bushel) - 11.36;  11.31;  11.53
Soyoil stocks - 1,938,031,000 pounds;  1,855,291,000;  3,020,307,000



Record 2011 Farm Profits Could Spill into 2012

Against a backdrop of economic uncertainty, U.S. agriculture last year stood as a shining example of growth. The year 2011 set records, with net farm income topping $100 billion for the first time ever.

"Prices are up across the board for all the major crops, and while we've seen cost of production increases overall, they haven't increased as rapidly as the prices of crops people are selling," said Pat Westhoff, director of the University of Missouri Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute. "Even corrected for inflation, farm profits are at or near the highest levels since the 1970s. That is indeed a very good outcome overall."

U.S. farm income rose 28 percent in 2011 compared to the previous year, according to USDA reports. Record agricultural exports topped $137 billion, while crop receipts rose 16 percent and livestock sales receipts averaged 17 percent more than in 2010.

For livestock producers, this year offers welcome relief from some tough times. When the economic recession hit, prices dropped sharply as demand for meat slumped, and high feed prices meant many livestock producers lost money. In response, some producers stopped raising livestock and others scaled back expansion plans. Westhoff said we're seeing a turnaround.

"We've seen higher prices for both hogs and cattle this year in a pretty sharp way after really tough years in 2008-2009," he said. "Now we're seeing a bit stronger demand for our meat overseas and at the same time we've got less supply. Events like the drought in Texas have reduced cattle numbers, so there will be less beef to be sold in 2012. That will help keep cattle prices high ahead of us for the next several years."

Going into 2012, chicken producers won't be as lucky. Demand for chicken has not kept pace with the appetite for red meat, and there is an expectation that chicken production will consolidate soon.

"That’s causing talk of lower chicken production in 2012, and that's something that doesn't happen very often," Westhoff said.

Crop exports likely will fall short of last year. With less droughts and floods affecting foreign yields, competition will ramp up once again.

Less soybeans, less corn, less wheat almost certainly will be exported in the current marketing year than last year, Westhoff predicts.

He adds that it's hard to guess whether 2012 will bring another round of high prices, but higher yields, weaker exports and even the European debt crisis could hinder a repeat.



NPPC Comments on Canada, Japan & Mexico Joining TPP

The National Pork Producers Council has submitted comments on three Federal Register notices requesting input on Japan, Mexico and Canada joining the ongoing Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations.

TPP is an Asia-Pacific trade pact currently including nine nations: Australia, Brunei, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the United States and Vietnam.

NPPC supports Mexico’s and Japan’s entry into TPP, which would provide an opportunity for U.S. pork producers to increase exports to those top U.S. markets. Japan is the top value market for the U.S. pork industry, which shipped $1.65 billion of pork there in 2010. Mexico is the industry's largest volume market and number two value market, with exports in 2010 of 545,000 metric tons, valued at $986 million. The Mexican market represents 20 percent of U.S. pork exports and 4 percent of U.S. pork production.

NPPC opposes inclusion of Canada in the TPP because of that country’s large subsidies to the Canadian pork industry. The subsidies, NPPC points out, violate a U.S. countervailing duty law and World Trade Organization rules and have a negative impact on employment in the U.S. pork industry. The subsidies continue to cause significant distortions to the North American hog market, said NPPC in its comments.

According to Iowa State University economist Dermot Hayes, the newly implemented Ontario Risk Management Program, which provides income stabilization to Canadian pork producers, will cause the U.S. pork industry losses of $162 million in production value and cost nearly 1,300 U.S. jobs within 10 years after implementation.

Because subsidies currently are not being discussed in the TPP negotiations, NPPC will remain in opposition to Canada’s inclusion in the TPP until the country eliminates its pork industry subsidies.



Study Sheds New Light on Antibiotics and Pig Feeds
Antibiotics in pig feed increased the number of antibiotic resistant genes in gastrointestinal microbes in pigs, according to a study conducted by Michigan State University and the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Service.

Published in the current edition of the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, the comprehensive study focused on understanding the effects of conventional, in-feed antibiotics in U.S. farms.

For decades, many producers of pigs, chickens and other farm animals have used antibiotics not only to protect their livestock from disease, but also to boost growth rates and enhance feed efficiency, a measure of how well animals convert feed into weight gains.

Scientists don't know precisely how antibiotics enhance growth rates and feed efficiency, but they are concerned that on-farm use of these medications may contribute to the development of strains of microbes resistant to conventional antibiotics, which are potentially harmful to humans and animals, said James Tiedje, MSU University Distinguished Professor of microbiology and molecular genetics and of crop and soil sciences.

"The growth of antibiotic resistance in pathogens is a huge challenge for society around the world," said Tiedje, an MSU AgBioResearch scientist. "Studies to understand what contributes to the spread and what interventions can help control the problem are vital."

Additional findings include:
-- Both diversity and abundance of antibiotic resistance genes increased in the intestinal microbial communities of the pigs treated with antibiotics. Longer term studies are needed.
-- Some of the genes found in the treated pigs were unexpected and usually linked to antibiotics not used in the study.
-- Microbial genes associated with production and use of energy by microbes increased in abundance in the antibiotic-fed pigs, which may shed light on how antibiotics increase livestock growth and feed efficiency.
-- E. coli populations increased in the intestines of the treated pigs. Further study is needed to clarify this observation.

"To our knowledge, this study is the first of its kind to look at the collateral impacts of in-feed antibiotic use in farm animals, using a comprehensive approach to detect shifts in the function and the makeup or membership of the microbial community in the model animal's gastrointestinal tract," said Torey Looft, USDA researcher.

Additional MSU researchers included Tim Johnson, doctoral student; Robert Stedtfeld, civil and environmental engineering research associate; Woo Jun Sul, doctoral student; Tiffany Stedtfeld, civil and environmental engineering technical aide; Benli Chai, information technologist, Center for Microbial Ecology; James Cole, assistant professor at the Center for Microbial Ecology; and Syed Hashsham, civil and environmental engineering professor.

Funding was provided by MSU's Environmental Science and Policy Program initiative on Pharmaceuticals in the Environment, ARS and the National Institutes of Health and through the Alliance for the Prudent Use of Antibiotics program on Reservoirs of Antibiotic Resistance.



Little Rain for Parched Argentina Corn

Argentina's drought will worsen this week, local meteorologists said Monday, dashing hopes that rain in the days ahead might be strong enough to revive parched corn and soy fields.

Weeks of unforgiving Southern Hemisphere summer sun have toasted grains fields in the world's No. 2 corn-exporting country, killing expectations that Argentina might replenish global corn supplies depleted by a lackluster U.S. harvest.

"We expect some rain in the days ahead, but it will not be enough to improve soil moisture conditions," said Liliana Nunez, a forecaster at the National Meteorological Service.

The drought prompted the Rosario grains exchange to slash its 2011/12 corn production outlook by nearly 18 percent to 21.4 million tonnes. Soy crops, which are planted a bit later than corn, could also be at risk if the sun does not soon give way to rain clouds, the exchange said.

As of Monday, there were few signs of that happening in powerhouse grains-producing province Buenos Aires.



Statement by Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on the Appointment of U.S. Ambassador Ertharin Cousin to the UN World Food Programme as Executive Director

Today, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack issued the following statement on the appointment of U.S. Ambassador Ertharin Cousin to the United Nations World Food Programme as Executive Director:

"I am delighted that U.S. Ambassador Ertharin Cousin has been appointed Executive Director of the World Food Programme by United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. The United States is deeply committed to the WFP and its mission to feed the world's hungry.

"Ambassador Cousin is uniquely qualified to assume this prominent position. She has served as the U.S. Representative to the UN Agencies for Food and Agriculture in Rome for more than two years, helping to carry out President Obama's global food security policy and other matters related to the production of food and agriculture. We greatly appreciate Ambassador Cousin's support in fulfilling the United States' strategic objectives with FAO. We know she will bring the same level of dedication to her new role.

"The WFP is an important organization to the United States and a significant partner of USDA in fighting hunger around the world. In fact, WFP is the single largest implementer of USDA's McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program and USDA's Local and Regional Pilot Procurement Program. For instance, in Bangladesh, 350,000 children in more than 1,800 schools are being fed by WFP with help from the McGovern-Dole Program.

"Having worked closely with Ambassador Cousin on significant global issues over the past few years, I am confident the WFP will thrive under her leadership. I wish her all the best."



'Demand USA Beef' Billboard Erected in Kansas

Passing by the pastures of the flint hills, drivers will now get a stunning look at the red, white and blue "Demand USA Beef" Billboard that Kansas cattleman Mason Greene proudly displays on his property just one mile south of Cassoday along the Kansas Turnpike. This is the first billboard erected on behalf of the Kansas Cattlemen's Association. Over the weekend, Mason, his father Stan Greene, and his nephew Tehl Lynn spent the day re-canvassing an old sign that had been on the property for a number of years and replaced it with the huge 10 foot by 36 foot billboard.

"I hope this will provoke some thought. This is a high traffic area, and consumers from Kansas City to Wichita pass by here every day and maybe this will get them thinking about where their food comes from," Greene stated.

"We are so excited to have such a positive advertisement supporting USA cattle producers. Many people do not realize that some beef is imported into our country and that consumers have the opportunity to ask for beef that is born, raised, and processed right here in the USA. I think this will bring attention to that, and we are so grateful for the generosity of the Greene family for working so hard on this.

The billboard can be seen on the east side of the road and will not be missed by drivers headed northbound on the Turnpike. The sign was donated by Mason Greene who resides in El Dorado and Aaron Winter from Dodge City. The cattlemen had a local firm, GCI Graphic Concepts Inc. from El Dorado create the sign.