Wed Jan 25 Ag News... Installment One...

Supplement Cows to Improve Calf Performance
Larry Howard, UNL Extension Educator, Cuming County

    As winter forage quality declines and cow nutrient demands increase, wise operators begin to feed protein supplements to assure healthy calves plus cows that will rebreed rapidly.  But protein supplements can be expensive, so we usually try to feed only as much as the cow needs to stay healthy.

   New research, though, suggests that this strategy of minimizing input costs may overlook the impact supplements have on the future performance of the calf.

   Recent research has shown that properly supplementing the cow can increase profitability of the calf she’s carrying.  In one study, steers from cows that received protein supplement while grazing winter range produced an extra 60 pounds of carcass weight per animal compared to steers from non-supplemented cows.

   In other studies, the pregnancy rate of heifers from cows that received protein supplements while grazing corn residue or winter range was higher than heifers from non-supplemented cows.  And steers from these supplemented cows graded choice more often.

   This outcome, where supplementing protein to the cow improves the performance of her calves later in life is called fetal programming.  It is thought to occur because fetal growth rate is highest during the last third of gestation so nutrient requirements of the cow and her calf are higher than earlier in her pregnancy.  Most winter grazing programs use low quality forages so adequate supplementing can pay big dividends.

   As cows approach calving time, don’t cut back on the protein.  Feed what is needed, both for the cow and her calf.  You may be money ahead.



Federal Bill Introduced to Improve Housing for Egg-Laying Hens and Provide Stable Future for Egg Farmers

The Humane Society of the United States and the United Egg Producers announced that they will make passage of H.R. 3798, the Egg Products Inspection Act Amendments of 2012, introduced today by Reps. Kurt Schrader, D-Ore., Jeff Denham, R-Calif., Elton Gallegly, R-Calif., and Sam Farr, D-Calif., a top legislative priority in Congress this year. All of these lawmakers are deeply committed to agriculture, and their federal legislation will lead to improvements in housing for 280 million hens involved in U.S. egg production, while providing a stable future for egg farmers.

The bill will require egg producers to essentially double the space allotted per hen and make other important animal welfare improvements during a tiered phase-in period that allows farmers time to make the investments in better housing, with the assurance that all will face the same requirements by the end of the phase-in period. The legislation is strongly supported by UEP, HSUS, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and other animal welfare groups, National Consumers League, the overwhelming majority of egg farmers, and state agricultural and egg producer groups, including the Association of California Egg Farmers, Colorado Egg Producers Association, Florida Poultry Association, Michigan Agri-Business Association, Michigan Allied Poultry Industries, North Carolina Egg Association and Ohio Egg Processors Association.

In recent years, a growing number of states approved often-conflicting standards for egg production, frequently applying those standards to all eggs sold in the state – including those produced out-of-state. As a result, egg farmers have said they foresee an unworkable patchwork of conflicting state laws that will make interstate commerce in eggs difficult, if not impossible. Egg farmers see a federal standard as the only solution that both enhances hen welfare and ensures a sustainable future for America's family-owned egg farms, according to the United Egg Producers, which represents egg farmers who produce 88 percent of the nation's eggs.

"Eggs are a national commodity, and egg producers should have a level playing field – not have different, costly rules in all 50 states," said Gene Gregory, president and CEO of United Egg Producers. "That's where we are heading if we don't pass this federal legislation. We need this legislation for our customers and consumers and the survival of egg farmers."

"The HSUS and UEP have been long-time adversaries, but have come together and identified a solution that balances animal welfare and the economic realities of the industry," said Wayne Pacelle, president and CEO of The Humane Society of the United States. "The nation needs this kind of problem solving, and the Congress should enthusiastically embrace an agreement between all of the key stakeholders."

"This agreement between the United Egg Producers and the Humane Society of the United States represents an important and necessary step in addressing the patchwork of state laws facing the industry and providing stability for farmers moving forward," said Rep. Schrader. "I take my hat off to both organizations for putting aside their historical differences and working together to reach a deal that provides certainty for our farmers while providing improved conditions for the hens."

"As an advocate for agriculture and animal welfare, I am pleased to join my colleagues in co-sponsoring this common-sense legislation that will help farmers, consumers and animals," said Rep. Farr, ranking member of the agriculture appropriations subcommittee. "Having consistent rules and a national standard will help egg producers meet the consumer demand for safe, wholesome food and will send a message that doing what's good for animal welfare and what's good for industry economics are not mutually exclusive."

H.R. 3798, the Egg Products Inspection Act Amendments of 2012, would:
-    require conventional cages to be replaced during an ample phase-in period with new, enriched colony housing systems that provide all egg-laying hens nearly double the amount of current space;
-    require that, after a phase-in period, all egg-laying hens be provided with environmental enrichments, such as perches, nesting boxes, and scratching areas, that will allow hens to express natural behaviors;
-    require labeling on all egg cartons nationwide to inform consumers of the method used to produce the eggs – "eggs from caged hens," "eggs from hens in enriched cages," "eggs from cage-free hens," and "eggs from free-range hens";
-    prohibit feed- or water-withdrawal molting to extend the laying cycle, a practice already prohibited by the United Egg Producers Certified program;
-    require standards approved by the American Veterinary Medical Association for euthanasia of egg-laying hens;
-    prohibit excessive ammonia levels in henhouses; and
-    prohibit the transport and sale of eggs and egg products nationwide that don't meet these requirements.

If enacted, the proposal would require egg producers to increase space per hen in a tiered phase-in, with the amount of space hens are given increasing, in intervals, over the next 15 to 18 years. (Phase-in schedules are more rapid in California, consistent with a ballot initiative approved earlier by that state's voters.)  Currently, the majority of hens are each provided 67 square inches of space, with up to 50 million receiving just 48 square inches. The proposed phase-in would culminate with a minimum of 124 square inches of space for white hens and 144 for brown hens nationwide.

Farmers have begun to invest in enrichable cage housing systems in hopes that this legislation will pass and provide clarity for what is acceptable hen housing in all states in the future.



NPPC Opposes Federal ‘Farm Takeover Bill’

The National Pork Producers Council criticized congressional legislation introduced today that would prescribe cage sizes for egg-laying hens, saying it would set a “dangerous precedent” for allowing the federal government to regulate on-farm production practices, including animal housing.

The legislation seeks to codify an agreement the Humane Society of the United States came to with the egg industry. HSUS agreed to forego trying to pass state ballot initiatives that would dictate egg production practices and to stop 10 years of litigation against and undercover investigations of the egg industry in exchange for egg producers nearly doubling the size of their cages for laying hens. In addition to cage sizes, the bill, H.R. 3798, includes labeling requirements for eggs and new air-quality standards for hen houses.

“This HSUS-backed legislation would set a dangerous precedent that could let Washington bureaucrats dictate how livestock and poultry producers raise and care for their animals,” said NPPC President Doug Wolf, a hog farmer from Lancaster, Wis. “We don’t need or want the federal government and HSUS telling us how to do our jobs.”

“This one-size-fits-all farm takeover bill is government intrusion on family farms at its worst and is unnecessary,” he added. “If enacted, it would open Pandora’s Box for special interest groups to pursue similar federal laws on pig farmers, dairy farmers and other family farming operations.”

NPPC says the legislation would take away producers’ freedom to operate in ways that are best for their animals, make it difficult to respond to consumer demands, raise retail food prices and take away consumer choice, devastate small and niche producers and, at a time of constrained budgets for agriculture, redirect valuable resources from enhancing food safety and maintaining the competitiveness of U.S. agriculture to regulating on-farm production practices for reasons other than public and animal health.

“Treating farm animals humanely is an age-old principle for American farmers, and it’s a standard that doesn’t require an act of Congress,” said Wolf. “Unnecessary legislative mandates will only add financial burdens on American consumers and family-owned small businesses that are struggling in a fragile economy.”

NPPC is urging congressional lawmakers to oppose the “Farm Takeover Bill.”



NCBA Responds to Legislation to Mandate On-Farm Production Practices

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) President Bill Donald today criticized legislation introduced by Rep. Kurt Schrader (D-Ore.) that would codify an agreement between the Humane Society of the United States and the United Egg Producers establishing federally mandated egg production practices. Donald said the legislation would set a dangerous precedent for allowing the federal government to dictate on-farm production practices and disregards decades of work the cattle industry has undertaken to develop science-based, voluntary animal care programs. Donald issued the following statement:

“America’s farm and ranch families are committed to raising healthy animals, which are the foundation of a safe, wholesome food supply. Decades ago, our farmers and ranchers voluntarily took it upon themselves to work with veterinarians, animal health specialists, university researchers and with each other to develop animal care practices and guidelines. That is why the programs have been so successful, certainly not because politicians in Washington, D.C., mandated them.

“This legislation, while currently only affecting egg producers, could set a dangerous precedent to allow government bureaucrats in Washington to mandate how farmers and ranchers across the nation raise and care for their animals. This ill-conceived legislation could set the model for a one-size-fits-all approach to cattle production. Unfortunately, one-size-fits all doesn’t work with cattle producers, who are in diverse settings in all 50 states. This legislation won’t improve animal health or care and will result in further costly and burdensome regulations being placed on America’s food producers.
“America’s cattle producers work day in and day out, in extreme weather and at all hours of the day and night to ensure your family and families around the world have a safe, wholesome and consistent supply of beef. Instead of mandating production practices and increasing regulatory burdens on America’s farmers and ranchers, we urge members of Congress to reject this legislation and to work with food producers to empower and enable them to continue raising the healthiest, safest and most wholesome food supply in the world.”



NBB Remarks on State of the Union
Urges Administration to Finalize EPA Rule for Increased Biodiesel Use
The National Biodiesel Board (NBB), the trade association for the U.S. biodiesel industry, released the following statement regarding early reports from administration officials and others regarding President Obama's State of the Union Address to be delivered Tuesday:

"The U.S. biodiesel industry is proving that we can accomplish the president's goals of creating jobs while building a clean-energy economy," said Anne Steckel, NBB's vice president of federal affairs. "With the help of strong domestic energy policy, we had a record year of production last year and supported nearly 40,000 jobs across the country."

"We know we can build on that success, and we couldn't agree more with the president that it should be a top priority," Steckel added. "That's why we're calling on the Administration to quickly finalize the delayed EPA rule for boosting biodiesel use under the Renewable Fuel Standard in 2013. This is a decision that the Administration can make singlehandedly and that would support more than 10,000 new jobs."

Biodiesel was a bright spot under the RFS in 2011. The industry produced a record volume of 1 billion gallons, easily exceeding the 800-million-gallon requirement for Biomass-based Diesel. The EPA last year proposed increasing the volume requirement from 1 billion gallons in 2012 to 1.28 billion gallons in 2013. But the agency announced in December that it was delaying a final decision to conduct further review.

Along with advocating for the final RFS rule, the biodiesel industry also is urging Congress to reinstate the $1-per-gallon biodiesel tax incentive that expired on Dec. 31, 2011.

"The tax incentive and the RFS are clearly working as Congress envisioned," Steckel said. "These policies are creating jobs. They're displacing imported diesel fuel with clean, American-made biodiesel. And they're significantly cutting tailpipe pollution and greenhouse gas emissions."



Corn Growers Ready to Help Provide Energy Independence

National Corn Growers Association Chairman Bart Schott released the following statement in response to President Obama’s State of the Union address:

“The National Corn Growers Association is pleased to hear President Obama’s continued commitment to the nation’s energy independence during his State of the Union address.  The American ethanol industry answered the call nearly 30 years ago to provide feedstock for a domestically produced renewable energy source.  Today, that same feedstock constitutes more than 10% of the nation’s fuel and continues to provide a bountiful supply of corn to our long term customers.

“The corn ethanol industry has proven that good government policy sends signals to the market place for producers to increase production and efficiencies.  As family corn farmers have risen to the challenge to meet our nation’s energy needs, we are hopeful the direction the President outlined tonight offers similar opportunities for others to expand our energy independence.”



2011 Indemnity Payments Already Surpass Historic Record, Still Climbing

With claims still streaming in — only an estimated 81 percent of expected claims have been finalized — crop insurance companies have already paid out a record $9.1 billion in indemnity payments to America’s farmers in 2011. This has already surpassed the former record of $8.67 billion in indemnities paid in 2008, according to USDA’s Risk Management Agency (RMA).

“Working as designed since 2008, more than $27 billion in private-backed crop insurance payouts over the past four years have helped farmers pick up the pieces after natural disasters or market drops,” said Keith Collins, former USDA Chief Economist. “Without crop insurance in place, those billions in damages would have fallen onto the laps of lenders, input suppliers, marketers, land owners and farm families, just as the economy was spiraling downward and unemployment was soaring,” he said.

Collins noted that despite the fact that the two largest indemnity payments in the history of crop insurance have taken place in the last four years, Congress has reduced the federal investment in the crop insurance by more than $12 billion during the same time frame. “We’re doing more with fewer resources while our exposure continues to rise as crop values stand at historically high levels,” Collins said.

Collins pointed out that while these cuts have been taking place, many farmers are planting corner to corner, hoping to meet the needs of growing domestic and world demand for food, feed and fuel, which has caused a continued spike in commodity prices and land values. Increased planting will likely yield an increased demand for crop insurance.

“Crop insurance has never been more important, and today it is leaner and more efficient than ever,” he said. “But any erosion to the crop insurance infrastructure in the next Farm Bill could be a big problem for producers and the industry, especially with crop prices – hence the value of the insured product – remaining elevated and creating a high exposure to risk,” he added.



Judge Denies California Attempt to Reimplement LCFS

Today, Judge Lawrence J. O'Neill denied the California Air Resources Board's (CARB) motion to stay the decision he issued on December 29, 2011 that had halted the enforcement of the California's Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) regulation because that regulation is unconstitutional. 

On Friday, January 20, 2012, CARB filed papers asking the Court to reverse its decision and allow the state to continue implementing the LCFS in 2012.  Judge O'Neill ruled that CARB "improperly seeks to relitigate issues this Court resolved in its order granting the preliminary injunction and orders on the summary judgment motions."  He further noted that CARB sought not to preserve the "status quo" but rather to "allow enforcement that imposes higher restrictions than had been imposed previously" without citing any authority to show why the Court would have jurisdiction to grant that type of relief.

"Judge O'Neill's decision demonstrates the strength of our claims against the LCFS," said Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Bob Dinneen and Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis.  "The California LCFS seeks to regulate conduct outside its borders and is blatantly discriminatory and unconstitutional.  American ethanol advocates will continue to oppose CARB's effort to reinstate this punitive policy that illegally seeks to dictate the production and transportion of ethanol and other fuels outside its border."

CARB has appealed Judge O'Neill's finding that the LCFS violates the Commerce Clause of the Constitution.  That litigation is in the 9th Circuit Federal Court of Appeals.



UN FAO Director General Comments on Biofuels Misguided: GRFA

As the Global Forum for Food and Agriculture draws to a close in Berlin, The Global Renewable Fuels Alliance has challenged new FAO Director General, Jose Graziano Da Silva on his simplistic and misinformed critique of biofuels and their alleged impact on commodity prices.

“Mr. Da Silva has failed to recognize that the rising price of energy is the primary driver in the rising cost of all commodities including corn and sugar,” said GRFA spokesperson, Bliss Baker.

Many international organizations have back tracked on their criticism of biofuels based on research which has found biofuels to have played a very minor role in the escalation of food prices globally. In fact, David Hallam, the FAO’s own Deputy Director has said that “unexpected oil price spikes could further exacerbate an already precarious situation in food markets.”

“Mr. Da Silva would do well to listen to the International Energy Agency’s dire warnings about our energy security future when commenting on biofuels,” said Mr. Baker.  “The IEA concluded that biofuels could provide 27% of total transport fuel by 2050 and avoid around 2.1 gigatonnes of CO2 emissions per year when produced sustainably without jeopardizing food security,” said Mr. Baker

The GRFA has repeatedly called for an increase in the use of biofuels to help reduce the world’s crippling reliance on crude oil.

“I would urge the new FAO Director General to focus on the real cause of high food prices - the rising cost of energy,” concluded Baker.

The Global Renewable Fuels Alliance is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting biofuel friendly policies internationally. Alliance members represent over 65% of the global biofuels production from 44 countries. Through the development of new technologies and best practices, the Alliance members are committed to producing renewable fuels with the smallest possible footprint.



In Washington, Growers Get Taste of Leadership
LeadershipAcademyDCGrowers are gathering this week in Washington for the second session of the National Corn Growers Association's Leadership Academy, sponsored by Syngenta. Upon completion, the participants will join more than 500 colleagues who have graduated from this program in the past 25 years.

At the meeting, participants got an up-close look at NCGA from Chairman Bart Schott, also a Leadership Academy alumnus. NCGA staff in Washington also provided briefings on current issues facing corn farmers on Capitol Hill.

The training also includes panels designed to explain how lobbying works and the role lobbyists play in the federal government. Finally, the group will have a chance to implement their knowledge, along with the skills honed during the first session in August, as they visit with their representatives in Congress.

"As a Leadership Academy graduate, I have a deep appreciation for the expertise attendees develop in such a short time, and of the ability of Syngenta and other presenters to hone in on what is most needed," Schott said. "I am proud that so many promising leaders choose to get involved and attend the program. When these volunteers come together, you can feel their passion for the industry. It is heartening to know that such strong leaders will carry on our mission well into the future."

This year's class includes Darren Armstrong (N.C.), Cathy Arthur (Ind.), Ryan Buck (Minn.), Dan Cole (Ill.), Steve Duwe (Wis.), Chris Erlandson (N.D.), Lori Feltis (Minn.), Larry Hasheider (Ill.), Gary Hudson (Ill.), Carson Klosterman (N.D.), Travis Mockler (S.D.), Mike Moreland (Mo.), Bruce Peterson (Minn.), Jim Reed (Ill.), Jason Reiners (Neb.), Kevin Rempp (Iowa), Michael Reskovac (Pa.), Bruce Rohwer (Iowa), Kevin Ross (Iowa), Tim Scheer (Neb.), and Greg Schneider (Mo.).

In addition to Leadership Academy, NCGA continues its more personalized advanced leadership training program in September, also sponsored by Syngenta. Advanced Leadership Academy, a two-part program with classes in September and March, provides intensive leadership training to a handful of well-qualified applicants.



South Dakota Dairy Princess Candidates Sought
The Midwest Dairy Association South Dakota Division is seeking candidates to participate in the State Dairy Princess contest March 27-28, 2012, at the Sioux Falls Convention Center and Sheraton Hotel in Sioux Falls.  The event is held in conjunction with the Central Plains Dairy Expo and Convention.

The South Dakota Dairy Princess reigns for one year as the official goodwill ambassador for the state’s dairy industry, making a variety of public appearances to help consumers understand dairy products and the responsible practices used by dairy producers.  The new princess will be South Dakota’s 57th State Dairy Princess.

The entry deadline is March 1, 2012.

Candidates must be 17 to 23 years old, a high school graduate, unmarried and have parents or guardians who are actively engaged in the production of milk for sale to a licensed plant.  A candidate also qualifies if she, her parents or guardian is employed on a dairy farm.  Candidates are judged on their communication skills, personality, general knowledge of the dairy industry and enthusiasm for dairy promotion.

The 2012 South Dakota Dairy Princess will receive a $1,000 scholarship from Midwest Dairy Association.  A $500 scholarship from the Central Plains Dairy Expo will be awarded to the first runner-up.

For complete rules and an application form, visit midwestdairycheckoff.com or contact Seena Glessing, Midwest Dairy Association – Dairy Princess Consultant, 8554 Grover Ave. SW, Waverly, MN 55390 or (320) 282-6337, or email seena.glessing@gmail.com.



USDA Invites Applications for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Projects

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced that USDA is seeking applications to provide assistance to agricultural producers and rural small businesses to complete a variety of energy efficiency and renewable energy projects. Funding is available from USDA’s Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) authorized by the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 (Farm Bill).

"Renewable energy development presents an enormous economic opportunity for rural America,” said Vilsack. “This funding will assist rural farmers, ranchers and business owners to build renewable energy projects, providing opportunities for new technologies, create green jobs and help America become more energy self-sufficient."

The Rural Energy for America Program (REAP) is designed to help agricultural producers and rural small businesses reduce energy costs and consumption and help meet the Nation’s critical energy needs.  For 2012, USDA has approximately $25.4 million budget authority available to fund REAP activities, which will support at least $12.5 million in grant and approximately $48.5 million in guaranteed loan program level awards.  USDA is accepting the following applications:
§  renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement grant applications and combination grant and guaranteed loan applications until March 30, 2012;
§  renewable energy system and energy efficiency improvement guaranteed loan only applications on a continuous basis up to June 29, 2012;
§  renewable energy system feasibility study applications through March 30, 2012; and
§  energy audits and renewable energy development assistance applications through February 21, 2012.


More information on how to apply for funding is available in the January 20, 2012 Federal Register, pages 2948 through 2954.

This funding is an example of the many ways that USDA is helping revitalize rural economies to create opportunities for growth and prosperity, support innovative technologies, identify new markets for agricultural producers, and better utilize our nation's natural resources.