Friday February 17 Ag News

Nebraska Manufacturer Receives Recognition by White House
Thurston Manufacturing Company recognized for business success

Thurston Manufacturing Company of Thurston, Nebraska was recognized today at a White House and U.S. Department of Agriculture event recognizing manufacturing success in rural America.  Ryan Jensen, owner of Thurston Manufacturing Company, participated in the event at the White House. Also attending were John Grose and Allen Hansen, representatives of First National Bank of Omaha, who provided the loan, guaranteed by USDA Rural Development, to Thurston Manufacturing Company.

Thurston Manufacturing Company was selected with other manufacturers from around the country for successfully establishing and growing a business in a rural region. Thurston is a Northeast Nebraska community of 125 rural residents.  Incorporated in 1971, Thurston Manufacturing Company is a leading manufacturer of farm equipment and side dump semi-trailers. Their products are sold in the United States and Canada.

USDA Rural Development’s Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan program provided a guarantee on a loan originated by First National Bank of Omaha.  The funds allowed Thurston Manufacturing Company to restructure their financial plan and expand their plant and purchase equipment.

The plant is currently in the construction phase of its 43,000 square feet expansion.  The Company’s work flow efficiencies will be improved, allowing the Company to continue to operate above capacity.  Seventy-seven jobs will be retained and 12 jobs created for Thurston Manufacturing Company.

Thurston Manufacturing Company manufactures and sells farm equipment such as fertilizer applicators, tillage and track systems under the trade name of BLU-JET.  In 1999 the Company purchased Circle R and began manufacturing and selling side dump semi-trailers.

Pender's Blue Ox recognized for business success
Automatic Equipment Manufacturing Co.dba Blue Ox of Pender, Nebraska was recognized today at a White House and U.S. Department of Agriculture event recognizing manufacturing success in rural America.  Jay Hesse, owner of Automatic Equipment Manufacturing Co. participated in the event at the White House.  Also attending were John Grose and Allen Hansen, representatives of First National Bank of Omaha, who provided the loan, guaranteed by USDA Rural Development, to Automatic Equipment.

Automatic Equipment Manufacturing Co. was selected with other manufacturers from around the country for successfully establishing and growing a business in a rural region. Pender is a Northeast Nebraska community of 1,146 rural residents.  Incorporated in 1968, Automatic Equipment Manufacturing Co.  produces products primarily for the recreational vehicle industry under the name of Blue Ox, which became its trade name in 1990.  The products are sold throughout the United States and Canada.

The Company diversified its focus and developed heavy duty tow bars for the defense industry and aggressive efforts are being made to establish additional growth opportunities in this area.  Blue Ox is also seeking international market growth by targeting Europe, Australia and South American recreational vehicle, commercial and agricultural markets and focusing sales efforts in those countries.

“It’s an honor to receive this recognition and on behalf of the employees, suppliers and professional partners of Blue Ox, we are proud to be an integral part of keeping our small town of Pender a viable community.   Our roots stem back to 1926 and we have been fortunate to have been able to work with strategic partners at First National Bank of Omaha and the USDA Rural Development to continue to build upon our success,” said President and CEO Jay Hesse.

USDA Rural Development’s Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan program provided a guarantee on a loan originated by First National Bank of Omaha.  The funds allowed Automatic Equipment Manufacturing Co. to restructure their financial plan for the Company and for the purchase of new equipment. With the restructure 110 jobs were retained.

MetalQuest Unlimited Inc. recognized for business success
MetalQuest Unlimited Inc. of Hebron, Nebraska was recognized today at a White House and U.S. Department of Agriculture event recognizing manufacturing success in rural America.  Scott Harms, owner of MetalQuest participated in the event at the White House.  Also present was Pat Kenner, President of Thayer County Bank in Hebron, the lender for USDA Rural Development loan guarantees to MetalQuest.  

MetalQuest Unlimited Inc. was selected with other manufacturers from around the country for successfully establishing and growing a business in a rural region. Hebron is a South Central Nebraska community with 1,565 rural residents.  Founded in 1995, MetalQuest is a leader in manufacturing precision parts with a reputation at the top of its industry.

Kenner said, “From a taxpayer’s perspective, programs like the USDA Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan program are excellent channels for our Government to support small business financing in America.  A guaranteed loan is excellent in that (1) it keeps the lender with skin in the game, (2) it leverages and protects the Government's interest in the project which ultimately lessens the cost to deliver economic stimulus for the economy, (3) it leverages our government’s staffing in the administration of programs through the use of privately funded independent community bank employees, and  (4) it allows small rural banks such as ours to grow with our customer as their expansion needs require, which ultimately deters our system risk of too big to fail with small banks out-growing their local independent banks.”

Through USDA Rural Development’s Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan program, MetalQuest has accessed five loans from Thayer County Bank of Hebron, secured by Rural Development loan guarantees.  MetalQuest is again expanding its business and Thayer County Bank is finalizing a new USDA Rural Development Guaranteed Business and Industry request. The loan will allow for building construction and working capital for a business expansion that will secure 54 jobs and will grow 12 jobs. MetalQuest has continued to grow and gain market share in the precision parts manufacturing sector.

MetalQuest Unlimited Inc. started by using a rented facility in Deshler, Nebraska. The business then moved to a Hebron facility where the expansion is occurring.

Allmand Brothers, Inc. recognized for business success
Allmand Brothers, Inc. of Holdrege, Nebraska was recognized today at a White House and U.S. Department of Agriculture event recognizing manufacturing success in rural America.  Matt Allmand, owner of Allmand Brothers, Inc., participated in the event at the White House. Also present was John Boehler of Bruning State Bank of Holdrege, the lender for the USDA Rural Development loan guarantee to Allmand Brothers, Inc.

Allmand Brothers, Inc. was selected with other manufacturers from around the country for successfully establishing and growing a business in a rural region, such as Holdrege that is home to 5,636 rural residents.  Established in 1938, Allmand Brothers, Inc. is a leading manufacturer of a wide variety of portable light towers, job site heaters, compact tractor loader backhoes, Port-A-LiteTM light stands and solar arrow boards.

The Company has 35-40 percent of its business in international sales.  The downturn in the economy in 2009 noticeably affected sales, following the trend for manufacturing companies nationwide.  Due to the downturn, staff was reduced to 120 employees.

USDA Rural Development’s Business and Industry Guaranteed Loan program, through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, provided a guarantee on a loan originated by Bruning State Bank of Holdrege.  The funds allowed the Company to restructure their financial plan for the company.

With the restructure, the Company has now hired 98 employees for a total of 218 jobs. The company continues to be one of the largest employers in Holdrege and offers competitive wages and full benefit packages to its employees.  The company also added new equipment to its production line, allowing it to bring back previously outsourced jobs and to increase its bottom line.  Domestic sales resumed to increase by using a similar sales model to that used for international sales.



PQA+ training set for Gage County

Pork producers in Southeast Nebraska and Northeast Kansas needing to update or qualify for their Pork Quality Assurance Plus (PQA+) can do so at the Gage County Extension Office Meeting Room on Thursday, March 1, 2012 starting at 1:00 PM, training takes about a hour.  The instructor will be Larry Germer, University of Nebraska Extension Educator Emeriti.  The fee for the program is being covered by Nebraska Pork Producers.  For more information e-mail Paul C Hay at phay1@unl.edu, call 402-223-1384, or visit the Gage County Nebraska Extension Website: gage.unl.edu. 



Nebraska Cattlemen Host Young Cattlemen's Conference

February 14-16, 2012, Nebraska Cattlemen (NC) hosted the Young Cattlemen’s Conference (YCC) which provides a learning opportunity for young leaders in the beef industry. Ten young producers nominated through their local NC affiliates had the opportunity to experience beef industry tours, presentations on NC programs and policies, media training and the Nebraska legislative process.

The first day together the YCC participants toured the Cargill Meat Solutions facility in Schuyler, and attended a beef seminar provided by the Animal Science Department at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL). UNL meat scientists presented beef grading, retail meat cutting, ground beef formulation, beef safety and beef product development. The participants concluded the day by touring and dining at Skeeter Barns restaurant in Lincoln.

Day two included a tour of the Cargill Value Added Meats facility in Nebraska City and Sysco in Lincoln. Both places provided a chance for the YCC participants to see how beef from their ranches and feedlots makes its way to the consumer’s plate. Finally, media training provided skills to help the participants become advocates of the beef industry.

On Thursday the participants visited with Nebraska Lieutenant Governor Sheehy, Nebraska State Veterinarian Dennis Hughes, Chief Administrator of the Department of Agriculture Thomas Jensen and their state senator. While at the Nebraska State Capitol the YCC participants saw firsthand how the legislature works by sitting in on the floor debate and hearings.

“YCC exceeded my expectations,” said Nick Fowler. “What a great opportunity to get to know other producers and see other parts of the beef industry that help supply beef to consumers.”

“We really got to see all aspects of the beef community,” stated Crystal Klug. “From processors to meat scientists to restaurant promoters and policy makers, it really does take a community to raise beef!”

YCC participants included: Crystal Klug, Columbus; Nick Fowler, Imperial; Dave French, Carroll; Jay Kreikemeier, West Point; Naomi Loomis, Alliance; Brock Olson, Newport; Kory Ostrand, Mason City; Shannon Peterson, Gothenburg; Travis Sinn, Hubbell; and Clint Taylor, Tryon.

“We are very proud of our young leaders for taking time out of their busy schedules to spend three days with us learning more about the beef industry,” said Jim Ramm, Nebraska Cattlemen President. “We are all one family in the beef industry and we are happy to provide a program that brings young people from across all segments of the beef industry together to become industry leaders.”



FARM NUMBERS SHOW SMALL DECLINE

Nebraska's number of farms and ranches declined less than 1 percent during 2011, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Nebraska Field Office.  The number of farms and ranches in the State, at 46,800, were down  400 farms from 2010.  Numbers of farms and ranches in Nebraska with less than $100,000 in agricultural sales declined 800 farms, while operations with more than $100,000 were up  400 farms.  The decline in smaller farms was in part the result of existing farms moving into higher sales categories.  

Land in farms and ranches in Nebraska totaled 45.5 million acres, a decline of  100,000 acres from last year.  The average size of operation, at 972 acres, increased by 6 acres from 2010.

Iowa ..........: 92,300 farms, 30,700,000 acres, 333 acres average - unch

USDA:  2011 Number of Farms and Land in Farms Highlights
The number of farms in the United States in 2011 is estimated at 2.2 million, down slightly from 2010. Total land in farms, at 917 million acres, decreased 1.85 million acres from 2010. The average farm size is 420 acres, up 1 acre from the previous year. 

Farm numbers and land in farms are broken down into five economic sales classes. Farms and ranches are classified into these "sales classes" by summing their sales of agricultural products and government program payments. Sales class breaks occur at $10,000, $100,000, $250,000, and $500,000.

Farm numbers increased slightly in the $10,000-$99,999, $250,000-$499,999,  and $500,000 and over sales classes. Higher commodity prices and larger value of sales contributed to changes in the number of farms within these sales classes. Farm numbers increased 1.3 percent, to slightly over 600,000 farms in the $10,000 - $99,999 sales class and 1.9 percent in the $250,000 - $499,999 sales class to over 100,000 farms. Meanwhile, the number of farms in the $500,000 and over sales class increased by 5.9 percent, to 133,570 farms.

Land in farms increased in the largest sales class while decreasing in all other sales classes. Land operated by farms in the $500,000 & over in sales class increased 2.5 percent, to 305.7 million acres. Land operated by farms in both $1,000-$9,999 and $100,000-$249,999 sales classes decreased by 3.5 percent, to 100.7 million acres and 138.7 million acres respectively.

The average farm size increased 1 acre in 2011 to 420 acres per farm. However, average farm sizes declined in some of the sales classes partially due to smaller farms moving up to higher sales classes.

2011 Livestock Operations Highlights
The number of operations with cattle totaled 922,000 for 2011, down 1 percent from 2010.  Beef cow operations in 2011, at 734,000, were also down 1 percent from last year. The number of milk cow operations for 2011 totaled 60,000, down 4 percent from 2010.

The three operation classes:  cattle, beef cows, and milk cows, are classified into size groups independently. Therefore, it is possible to have more beef cow operations in a particular size group than cattle operations. As an example, an operator with 75 cattle and 40 beef cows would be classified in the 50-99 size group for cattle and 1-49 size group for beef cows.

The number of operations with hogs totaled 69,100 for 2011, unchanged from 2010. Places with 2,000 or more head accounted for 87 percent of the inventory.   

The number of operations with sheep totaled 80,000 for 2011, down 1 percent from 2010. Of all sheep operations that include breeding sheep, 93.5 percent were comprised of 1-99 head, 5.4 percent had 100-499 head, and the remaining 1.1 percent were operations with 500 head or more. Operations with 1-99 head account for 35.9 percent of the inventory, 100-499 head account for 21.1 percent of the inventory, and 500+ head account for 43.0 percent of the inventory.

The number of operations with goats totaled 151,000 for 2011, down 1 percent from a year earlier. Angora goat operations totaled 5,500, down 8 percent from 2010. Milk goat operations totaled 31,000, unchanged from 2010. Meat goat operations totaled 124,000, down 3 percent from a year earlier. Total goat operations will be equal to or less than the sum of angora, milk and meat goat operations since places which own more than one goat type count as only one operation.



Agriculture Conference Highlights Opportunities
Governor Dave Heineman

This week I joined farmers, ranchers, agribusiness leaders, and policymakers to celebrate the accomplishments and future outlook for Nebraska agriculture. The Governor’s Ag Conference is one of my favorite annual agriculture events because it serves as a venue for frank discussion and dialogue about how our state’s number one industry has fared in the past year and what we can look forward to in the coming year.

The focus of this year’s conference was “Nebraska Agriculture: Today’s Challenges, Tomorrow’s Opportunities.” This annual event is an annual opportunity for agricultural producers and leaders to learn more about their industry.

This year’s keynote speaker was John Doggett who is the Senior Lecturer of International Entrepreneurship, Management and Sustainability, and a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Texas at Austin. Mr. Doggett discussed Nebraska’s agriculture role in the global economy of the future.

Bruce Knight, the Principal and Founder of Strategic Conservation Solutions, gave an update on the federal Farm Bill reauthorization. Mr. Knight is a former USDA Under Secretary and he also shared insight on the farm policy picture and its potential impact on Nebraska. He stressed the importance of Nebraska agriculture because of our productive advantage, irrigation advantage, grains and livestock, food processing capabilities, food handling and merchandising, renewable investments, and finally our advancements in transportation and infrastructure.

To feed an ever growing world population, farmers will likely need to double agriculture output by the year 2050. Two speakers addressed how Nebraska agriculture can respond to this challenge - Dr. Archie Clutter and Mr. Bill Holbrook.

Dr. Clutter is with the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska and he explained how the University is positioning itself to be a part of meeting the challenge to provide food to a growing world population. Mr. Holbrook works for The ProExporter Network, an agribusiness economic research and analysis provider. He discussed opportunities and challenges farmers will face in meeting food production demand.

A panel of Nebraskans joined us to discuss their organizations and how they connect consumers with farmers and ranchers. These panelists included Willow Holoubek from A-FAN, Dawn Caldwell from Common Ground Nebraska, and Pete McClymont with We Support Agriculture.

Overall, the farm economy is doing well. Farmers and ranchers generally reinvest profits in their industry in order to improve their production capabilities for the future. They are making needed investments and improvements. They are putting additional conservation practices in place that improve the land and protect the environment. They are putting up new machine shops and bins, and they are paying down debt.

The 24th Governor’s Ag Conference was informative and productive. I was pleased to have the opportunity to visit with our farmers and ranchers who play a critical role in supporting our Nebraska economy. Agriculture is the backbone of the Nebraska economy and by working together we can continue to grow our great state.



New Water for Food Institute Director is Heuermann Speaker Monday

"Water for Food: Think globally, act locally" is the topic for the Heuermann Lecture at 3:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 20, in Hardin Hall auditorium, 33rd and Holdrege on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln East Campus.  A 3 p.m. reception in the Hardin Hall lobby precedes the lecture.

Professor Roberto Lenton, internationally known water management and development expert, will present the lecture.  He will analyze important trends, emerging challenges and looming threats in his lecture as he discusses both the world's growing food needs and the growing competition for scarce water resources.  Lenton, who has over 40 years of international experience in water resources and sustainable development, also will discuss contributions the Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Institute can make in addressing both Nebraska's and the world's global water and food issues.

Founding director of the Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Institute at the University of Nebraska as of Feb. 1, Lenton comes to the university after serving as chairman of the Independent World Bank Inspection Panel since 2009.

Heuermann Lectures in the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at UNL focus on meeting the world's growing food and renewable energy needs while sustaining natural resources and rural communities. They are made possible through a gift from B. Keith and Norma Heuermann of Phillips, long-time university supporters with a strong commitment to Nebraska's production agriculture, natural resources, rural areas and people.

The lectures are streamed live at http://heuermannlectures.unl.edu; past lectures are archived at that website.



American Agri-Women Midyear Meeting in Nebraska

The 2012 American Agri-Women (AAW) Midyear Meeting will be in Nebraska City, Neb., March 29 through April 1, at Lied Lodge. The AAW Midyear meeting focus will be to discuss current policies and positions under the direction of Anna Morrison, AAW StART (Strategic Action Response Team) coordinator.

Speakers, who will present in-depth focus on vital issues facing the agricultural industry, include Dr. Gary E. Sides, Cattle Nutritionist, Pfizer Animal Health, and Melissa Keyes, Nebraska Agricultural Youth Council, University of Nebraska-Lincoln. There will be a panel discussion on animal rights, moderated by Mindy Paterson, AAW Horse Welfare chairwoman.

A welcome reception and wine tasting event will be hosted by Nebraska Agri-Women at 5 p.m. Thursday, following StART Committee meetings and the AAW Executive Board meeting earlier that day. Registration begins Friday morning at 7:30 a.m. The AAW Board of Directors and AAW Resource Center meetings will convene on Friday. All AAW members are welcome to attend all meetings.

The registration fee is $150. Everyone who is interested in attending is welcome to register. To register, visit www.americanagriwomen.org or contact Peggy Clark at (937) 604-2026 or at treasurer@americanagriwomen.org.



ASA Touts Biodiesel, Biobased Successes in Comments to Senate Agriculture Committee

In comments submitted Wednesday, the American Soybean Association (ASA) pointed to the record-setting production of biodiesel from American soy, as well as the success of biobased products before a Senate Agriculture Committee hearing on the energy component of the upcoming Farm Bill. The hearing, “Energy & Economic Growth for Rural America," is the first of four convened by Committee Chairman Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) in an effort to make progress on the legislation in the last months of the 112th Congress.

ASA President Steve Wellman, a soybean farmer from Syracuse, Neb., pointed to Farm Bill energy programs that have a direct and tangible impact on the soybean industry—namely the Biodiesel Fuel Education Program and the Biobased Market Program.

“The Biodiesel Education Program plays a vital role in helping expand marketplace acceptance and use of biodiesel as a low-carbon, renewable diesel replacement fuel,” stated Wellman. “It supports technical outreach efforts to engine manufacturers, truckers, and fuel marketers that will eventually allow the use of higher biodiesel blends in conventional diesel applications. The education program serves to expand and increase market penetration, thus promoting growth for the entire industry.  This translates into higher production, more jobs, and more economic value, especially in rural communities.”

Wellman pointed to the industry’s record production in 2011 as evidence of biodiesel’s impact on and pertinence to the nation’s energy discussion. Last year, the biodiesel industry produced a record 1.1 billion gallons, which supported more than 39,000 jobs, generated income over $1.7 billion, and created more than $3 billion in GDP. Wellman also highlighted the significant contribution of biodiesel to rural economic development, citing that all but a handful of the approximately 170 biodiesel production facilities in the U.S. are located in rural areas; approximately half of the annual biodiesel production is from soybean oil and nearly all of the feedstock used to produce biodiesel is grown or originates in rural areas.

Wellman also spoke to the importance of biobased products as successful market vehicles for soybeans, highlighting the contribution of the Biobased Markets Program to the overall development of the market segment.

“The Biobased Market Program continues and expands the federal biobased procurement program and voluntary labeling program,” stated Wellman. “This is an effective and important program for promoting the emerging biobased industry, which has significant potential to enhance agricultural markets, displace foreign petroleum and fossil fuels, and contribute new “green” jobs to the economy.”

In his statement to the committee during the hearing, Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack shared Wellman’s assessment of the importance of the burgeoning biobased products market, saying "A bioproducts sector marries two of the most important economic engines for rural America: agriculture and manufacturing. Today, there are more than 3,100 companies across the country producing more than 25,000 biobased products.”



Herbicide Resistance Meetings Set for March in Iowa

In response to rapidly expanding problems associated with herbicide resistant weeds, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will conduct a series of meetings in March to address the issue. The meetings will provide information about the causes of herbicide-resistant weed populations, objectively evaluate weed management programs currently used in Iowa and support the development of durable weed management programs. The meetings will begin at 9 a.m. and conclude with a noon meal.

There is no cost to attend this program due to funding provided by several partners; however, advance registration is appreciated for meeting logistics and lunch counts. Additional information regarding the program and online registration is available at http://www.aep.iastate.edu/weeds/.

March 12 – Spencer, Clay County Regional Events Center
March 13 – Independence, Heartland Acres Agribition Center
March 14 – Atlantic, Cass County Community Center
March 15 – Ames, Quality Inn/Starlight Village
March 16 – Iowa City, Clarion Inn/Highlander Conference Center



Popular Heifer Development Series adds Southwest Iowa Location

Providers of a popular series of workshops on assisting cattle producers with heifer development have added a southwest Iowa location. Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach beef specialist Clint McDonald said producers and private business representatives recognize the need for the type of information presented in these workshops and worked to arrange a location near Lenox in early March.

“The session focuses on currently available technologies and management to increase productivity and longevity of heifers and includes topics ranging from health protocols to ration recommendations,” he said. “Drs Heidsieck and Hensley from the Tri-County Veterinary Clinic of Lenox and Clearfield will be conducting on site ultra-sound evaluations of fall bred heifers to demonstrate the advantages of early pregnancy detection.”

This session will be held at the Mike Standley farm north of Lenox on March 8 beginning at 6 p.m. Cost is $15 per person and preregistration is requested to ensure adequate meal and materials count. For more information, contact McDonald at 712-355-1034 or Joe Sellers at 641-203-1270. Preregister by calling ISU Extension and Outreach - Harrison County at 712-644-2105.



Southern Iowa Biomass Crop Workshop

There is increasing interest in biomass crops for energy in Iowa. Initially, it was thought that strong commodity prices would limit the interest of growers in planting perennials for bioenergy, but that doesn’t seem to be the case. A Biomass Crop Production workshop being held Thursday, March 8, at Southwestern Community College in Creston, Iowa, will explore why interest is increasing. The program will start at 8:45 a.m. and conclude at 2:15 p.m.

Workshop participants will learn about opportunities to grow and market profitable biomass crops that are adapted to southern Iowa soils and climate. The Southern Iowa Resource Conservation and Development Area has been working with Iowa State University and the Iowa Farm Energy Working Group to evaluate biomass crops, including giant Miscanthus and warm season grasses that can be used to produce renewable energy feedstocks. Two companies are cooperating in this joint venture, with plans to create businesses that convert biomass to anhydrous ammonia and energy pellets. Collectively, these renewable energy enterprises would consume 54,000 acres of energy crops and create more than 50 new jobs.

Based on feedback from the 2011 workshop, this year’s event has been structured with more time for participants to interact with speakers.  The morning session will feature three speakers.  Steve Flick of ShowMe Energy with an update on his company’s activities since they received funding from the Biomass Crop Assistance Program (BCAP) in Missouri.  John Caveny , the second speaker, will focus on Miscanthus production.  He has been growing  Miscanthus longer than any farmer in the United States and will share his experiences and offer advice on growing Miscanthus as an energy crop.  The final speaker, Allen Powell of the Farm Service Agency in Columbia, Mo., will tell how BCAP is working on the ground. 

Guided small group discussions and networking opportunities will make up the afternoon activities. Discussion will focus on identifying strengths and needs in developing a strong supply chain in Southern Iowa.

Pre-registration is $20 until midnight, March 2. After that registration is $30. Registration can be completed online with a credit card (MasterCard or VISA only) at www.aep.iastate.edu/biomass. Registrations may also be faxed with a credit card to 515-294-1311 or be mailed along with a check or credit card information to: ANR Program Services, 2101 Agronomy Hall, Ames, Iowa, 50011-1010. Registration includes refreshments, lunch and class materials. A student discount is available.

Registrations will be accepted the day of the workshop with registration opening at 8 a.m. on March 8. For more information, call (515) 294-6429 or email anr@iastate.edu.

This program is sponsored by ISU Extension, USDA-NRCS, Southern Iowa Resource Conservation and Development Area and SynGest.



What’s in a Name? 2011 Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll Shows Most Farmers Prefer to Be Called Farmers

Many terms are used to refer to people who farm. But how do the people who farm describe themselves? The 2011 Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll sought an answer to that question.

“The agricultural press, agribusiness professionals, university scientists, extension professionals and others commonly use descriptive words such as grower, producer and farmer interchangeably,” said J. Gordon Arbuckle Jr., a sociologist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Arbuckle co-directs the annual Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll with Paul Lasley, another ISU Extension and Outreach sociologist.

J. Gordon Arbuckle Jr.“I had often wondered what farmers thought about these terms, so this year we decided to ask the people who produce food, fiber and energy what they prefer to be called,” Arbuckle explained.

Farmers were asked to review a short list of commonly used terms that refer to people who farm and select the term they thought best described them, Arbuckle said.

“Sixty percent of the participants selected the term ‘farmer’ to describe themselves,” Arbuckle said. “The proportion who preferred the term farmer was triple the number who selected two other commonly used labels: 18 percent chose the term ‘producer’ and another 18 percent selected ‘farm operator.’

“I work with a lot of agricultural scientists who seem to favor the term ‘grower,’” Arbuckle noted. “It turned out that only 3 percent of Iowa farmers preferred that word. Just 1 percent of Farm Poll participants chose ‘rancher.’

“People who preferred the terms farmer, producer, and farm operator were very similar in terms of farm sales and acreage cropped,” Arbuckle said. “Farmers who preferred producer were slightly younger and more educated than the other two categories.”

Growers tended to be smaller in scale. “Growers had an average of 160 acres in row crops, compared to an average of 375 acres across the other three groups,” noted Arbuckle. “Ranchers, as you might expect, were much more likely to raise livestock, and had significantly more land in pasture and hay.”

Arbuckle said 1,276 farmers participated in the poll. On average, the participating farmers were 65 years old, and 51 percent earned more than half of their income from farming.



January Milk Production up 3.7 Percent
                       
Milk production in the 23 major States during January totaled 15.8 billion pounds, up 3.7 percent from January 2011. December revised production at 15.4 billion pounds, was up 2.7 percent from December 2010. The December revision represented an increase of 1 million pounds or less than 0.1 percent from last month's preliminary production estimate.  Production per cow in the 23 major States averaged 1,857 pounds for January, 46 pounds above January 2011.  The number of milk cows on farms in the 23 major States was 8.50 million head, 93,000 head more than January 2011, and 13,000 head more than December 2011.

2011 Annual Milk Production up 1.8 Percent from 2010
The annual production of milk for the United States during 2011 was 196 billion pounds, 1.8 percent above 2010. Revisions to 2010 production increased the annual total 29 million pounds. Revised 2011 production was up 29 million pounds from last month's publication.  Production per cow in the United States averaged 21,345 pounds for 2011, 197 pounds above 2010. The average annual rate of milk production per cow has increased 14.7 percent from 2002.  The average number of milk cows on farms in the United States during 2011 was 9.19 million head, up 0.8 percent from 2010. The average number of milk cows was revised up 2,000 head for 2010.

State Production, 2011
Iowa ............: 4,347,000,000 pounds, -0.1%
Nebraska .....: 1,173,000,000 pounds, +0.4%

Licensed Dairy Herds (2010 - 2011)
Iowa ..............:  1,790 - 1,670   
Nebraska .......:  260   -   245   
United States .:  53,132 - 51,481   



EPA Advanced E15 Availability

E15 ethanol fuels took one step closer to commercial availability today.  The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) approved  health effects testing on E15 fuel submitted by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) and Growth Energy.

Health effects testing is a required step in the approval of any new fuel or fuel additive.  With EPA’s acceptance of the results of the testing submitted by the ethanol groups, suppliers of ethanol and E15 are now able to register with EPA to offer the fuel.  This is not the green light for E15 sales yet, but the health effects testing is a significant milestone to have passed.

EPA concluded, "Our evaluation therefore concludes that RFA/Growth Energy has submitted data and analysis that would satisfy the Tier 1 and Tier 2 testing requirements for registration."

“EPA’s action today puts E15 on the precipice of commercialization and means that consumers may be able to choose a more affordable E15 option in time for the expensive summer driving season,” RFA President and CEO Bob Dinneen.  “Increasing America’s use of homegrown ethanol will create jobs, reduce harmful tailpipe emissions, and make this nation more energy secure.  This is huge step toward meaningful market expansion for domestically-produced ethanol.”

The acceptance of the health effects testing clears the way for the final steps in registering E15 as a fuel and offering it in the marketplace.  One step is to have ethanol and fuel companies register with EPA.  The RFA expects that to begin happening as early as this afternoon.

The other step is the formulation of a misfueling mitigation plan.  As the E15 waiver extends only to MY2001 and newer vehicles, and excludes a number of non-road, marine, and vehicle engines, helping ensure consumers are legally and appropriately using E15 is critical.  The RFA has submitted a misfueling mitigation plan to EPA that would serve as a model plan that fuel retailers must follow to be in compliance with EPA regulations.  Once this plan is completed, and companies register with EPA, E15 can be sold to the EPA-approved vehicles in states and at stations that are prepared to do so.

The RFA is leading an effort to ensure state fuel regulations allow for the sale of E15 and that retailers and consumers are properly using the fuel.



Magellan TX Terminal to Blend Ethanol

Magellan Midstream Partners, L.P. on Friday announced it is adding ethanol storage and distribution services at its Mt. Pleasant, Texas, facility to meet increasing demand for renewable fuels.

The project is in the final phases of construction and will be operational in early March. According to the release, the $2 million project includes the conversion of a 17,000 barrel (bbl) tank and a new state-of-the-art sequential blending system. The terminal will receive ethanol via truck.

"We are pleased to increase our renewable fuel-related service options for our customers in northeast Texas," said Jeff Selvidge, Magellan's senior vice president of transportation and terminals. "We now offer ethanol storage and blending services at 71 of our terminals throughout 22 states."

The Mt. Pleasant terminal offers storage and distribution services for regular and premium gasoline along with diesel fuel. Magellan's Texas terminals in East Houston, Southlake, Dallas, Frost, West Fort Worth, Odessa and El Paso also offer services for a variety of refined petroleum products and ethanol storage and blending services.

Magellan Midstream Partners, L.P. primarily transports, stores and distributes petroleum products. The partnership owns the longest refined petroleum products pipeline system in the country, with access to more than 40% of the nation's refining capacity and can store 80 million bbl of petroleum products such as gasoline, diesel fuel and crude oil.