Thursday February 2 Ag News

NCBA Calls Estate Tax Top Priority, Pushes Back on Regulation

A recording-breaking crowd of nearly 7,000 cattlemen and women from across the country jockeyed for a seat at the second general session of the 2012 Cattle Industry Convention and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Trade Show in Nashville, Tenn. NCBA President-Elect J.D. Alexander from Pilger, NE, painted a picture of regulatory chaos in Washington, D.C., but pointed to grassroots advocacy as the primary reason the cattle industry was able to “weather the storm.”

“Because of the partnership between our state affiliates and your national organization, we managed to prevent ourselves from being the main course at the big government café,” said Alexander, who is also a cattleman from Nebraska. “This partnership – this grassroots policy process – is the shining star of this industry. You have a voice and it is being heard loud and clear.”

Alexander used the slew of regulations from the Environmental Protection Agency; the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyard Administration’s proposed rule on livestock marketing; and the Department of Transportation’s proposed rule, which would have required cattlemen to acquire commercial driver’s licenses, as examples of cattlemen’s successful pushback of burdensome regulations. Alexander said NCBA will continue pushing for practical legislation and a commonsense approach to regulations. He called the estate tax his top policy priority as the 2012 NCBA president.

 “I pledge to you that my top priority as your president is to do all I can to build beef demand and producer profitability. This can only be accomplished if we are allowed to operate without government intervention and, most importantly, if decisions are made to ensure future generations are able to take over our family businesses,” Alexander said. “The death tax is the biggest deterrent to young people returning to the cattle business. What we need now are jobs, a stable economy and food for a growing global population. Leaving the next generation to choose between a life they love or the inability to pay the estate tax is not something we will tolerate.”



Griffin Receives National BQA Award

Dee Griffin received the 2012 Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Educator of the Year at the 2012 Cattle Industry Convention. Nebraska Cattlemen recognized Dee’s dedication to the beef industry and nominated him for this prestigious award. The BQA Educator of the Year Award recognizes individuals in the beef industry who embrace the BQA philosophy and strive to spread the word on how to produce a high quality beef product.

Dee has been a BQA Certified Trainer for the Nebraska BQA program since its inception in 1987. He currently serves on the Nebraska and National BQA Advisory Board. Dee has trained educated and certified thousands of beef producers over the course of his career.

His initiation with the BQA program began in the 1970’s while he was the veterinarian for Hitch Feeders. Dee then began working with the Texas Cattle Feeders Association to design a program to prevent antibiotic residue and this was the initial framework for today’s BQA program. He continues to be an instrumental part of the BQA program and he is appreciated by many for his contributions.

 “When we decided to reformat the producer manual to make it easier to use and more condensed, if it were not for Dee, this manual would not be as productive as it has become,” Steve Reynolds, DVM stated. “This manual and his efforts are being used and recognized by many states throughout the USA.”

“He has a God given talent to not just teach, but to inspire all that will listen to him that the reason we all should follow the guidelines put forth is because it is the “right thing to do”,’ states Jo Bek, Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture Professor. “He has always worked with my students’ schedules to make sure he can be available to tour with them and give them the benefit of his knowledge. Dee makes them all feel as if they are the most important person in the room at that point in time.”



National Cattlemen’s Foundation Awards Scholarship 

A prestigious cattle industry award and 10 scholarships to deserving students were presented by the National Cattlemen’s Foundation (NCF) during the 2012 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show, Feb. 2, 2012, in Nashville, Tenn.

Developed in honor of Max Deets, who served as the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) president in 1997, the Max Deets Scholarship Award was established through contributions from the Kansas Livestock Association and NCBA. The award is presented each year to the chairman of NCBA’s Young Cattlemen’s Conference on the basis of outstanding leadership.

The 2012 Max Deets Scholarship Award was presented to Levi Berry of Happy, Texas.  Berry is manager of Smith Cattle Co. Ltd, headquartered in Amarillo, Texas. He grew up on a stocker cattle and farming operation in Texas and attended Texas A&M University, where he majored in animal science and was a member of the livestock judging team.

Ten $1,500 scholarships were also awarded by NCF to students pursuing careers in the beef industry. These scholarships are sponsored by CME Group. The top winner was Malorie Bankhead, a student at California Polytechnic State University, who also received a trip to the 2012 Cattle Industry Convention.

Also receiving scholarships were Megan Webb, Texas A&M University; Meghan Blythe, Kansas State University; Maci Lienemann, Norris High School (Nebraska); Trenton Blythe, White City High School (Kansas); Matthew McQuagge, Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College (Florida); Valene Lickley, Valley High School (Idaho); Katie Ochsner, Casper College (Wyoming); Reagan Kays, Kansas State University; and Cade Sallee, Fowler High School (Colorado).



Achieving Higher Yields  Featured Topic at Corn and Soybean Clinic on February 16
Steve Tonn, UNL Extension Educator, Washington County

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension in Washington County will provide farmers, landowners, and crop consultants with updated research based information on achieving the full potential from current genetics and growing situations in a profitable and environmentally protective manner at the 2012 Washington County Corn and Soybean Production Clinic.  The clinic is from 1:00 p.m. - 3:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 16 at the Washington County Extension Office, 597 Grant Street in Blair.

Current trends indicate that global production must increase by 50% by 2030 and double by 2100.  Growing more on each acre of land will be a challenge for farmers locally and nationally.  This year the clinic will look at high yield research and what is needed to achieve those yields.  Clinic participants will learn about practices for producing high yielding corn and soybeans, fungicides and seed treatments for high yielding soybeans, managing weed resistance problems and weed control practices in the future.  Featured speakers are University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension weed specialist, Lowell Sandell, Dr. Loren Giesler, UNL Extension Plant Pathologist, and Dr. Charles Wortmann, UNL Extension nutrient management specialist. 

The free clinic is sponsored by the University of Nebraska –Lincoln Extension in Washington County.  For more information contact the UNL Extension Office in Washington County at 402-426-9455 or email stonn2@unl.edu.



Marketing in a New Era Workshop to be in West Point

University of Nebraska Lincoln Extension Farm Management Educator Tim Lemmons and "Soy Roy" Smith of Plattsmouth will be leading a program called "Marketing in a New Era" February 17th in West Point.  Lemmons and Smith will answer the question whether or not the nature of the market has changed significantly over the last five years.  Other topics to be covered include new crop insurance terminology, new crop insurance options, and writing and following a pre-harvest marketing plan.  The workshop will be held on Friday, February 17th, 2012, 11am at the Pizza Ranch in West Point.  F & M Bank of West Point is sponsoring the workshop.  Call F & M to reserve a spot at 402-372-5331 or to get more information. 



Crop Scout Training for Pest Managers to be Held near Mead

This session is ideal for new employees preparing to take the CCA exam and serves as an excellent refresher course for experienced personnel. Courses are taught by University and industry specialists. This educational training provides current, detailed instruction and is specifically designed to furnish employees with the necessary knowledge, expertise and confidence to fulfill the requirements of their employment.

Wednesday, March 14, 2012, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Registration begins at 8:30 at the UNL Agricultural Research & Development Center August. N. Christenson Research & Education Building Near Mead, Nebraska

Topics and Presenters:
How Corn & Soybean Plants Grow & Develop - Keith Glewen, UNL Extension Educator 
Soybean & Corn Insect Management, Michael Rethwisch, UNL Extension Educator 
Nutrient Deficiencies - Keith Glewen, UNL Extension Educator
Identifying Weeds - Plant Morphology, Using a Key to Identify Weed Seedlings - Lowell Sandell, UNL Extension Educator 
Crop Diseases & Quiz - Tamra Jackson, UNL Extension Plant Pathologist

Fee for this workshop is $125. Pre-register to reserve your seat and to ensure workshop materials are available the day of the training session.   Fees include lunch, refreshment breaks, and all workshop materials. Also included in the registration fee is a course instruction manual which is yours to take home with you. The reference materials are an excellent resource for use in your profession. Registration fees do not include the cost of your lodging. 

For more information, contact UNL Extension at (402)624-8000 or via e-mail at kglewen1@unl.edu.  


 
Nebraska Ethanol Board meeting is February 14

The Nebraska Ethanol Board will meet on Tuesday, February 14 at 8:30 a.m. The meeting will be held at the Holiday Inn Downtown, 141 North 9th St, Lincoln.  Highlights of the agenda include:
-  EPIC Fund Report
-  Research Projects Update 
-  Ethanol Marketing Programs
-  State and Federal Legislation
-  Ethanol Plants Update
-  Special Presentation – John Pieper, Pioneer Hi-Bred
-  Special Presentation -- Steve Petersen, Monsanto
-  Special Presentation – Doug Durante, Clean Fuels Development Coalition
-  Election of Officers



Nebraska Farm Women Travel to S.C. to Find CommonGround

Five Nebraska farm women will travel to Charleston, S.C. this week to attend the national CommonGround Shared Voices Conference. The goal of the conference is bring volunteers from participating states together annually.  Sessions are geared for learning how to reach more consumers with the truth about farming and food.

The CommonGround movement started over a year ago as a partnership between the United Soybean Board (USB) and National Corn Growers Association (NCGA). The movement started as a pilot program set up in the five original states of Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Nebraska and South Dakota. Since then, 10 states have been added including of Colorado, Delaware, Kansas, Maryland, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania and South Carolina.

The three-day conference, which will begin on Thursday, February 2 and conclude on Saturday, February 4, will include sessions on collaboration between states, guest speakers, media training and social media.

Five volunteers from Nebraska will join the 27 other registered participants at the conference. Nebraska volunteers include Shana Beattie, Sumner; Diane Becker, Madison; Leslie Boswell, Shickley; Joan Ruskamp, Dodge; and Linda Schwarz, Bertrand.

Diane Becker, who farms corn and soybeans with her husband near Madison, says she’s excited to share her experiences with other CommonGround volunteers. “I’m excited to see everyone. There are so many amazing women in this program and I love listening to their stories and what they do on their farms. By bringing volunteers together from a variety of states, we are able to learn about types of farming not native to our respective areas as well as brainstorm new ways to reach consumers and address their concerns more fully.”

Joan Ruskamp, who owns and operates a feedlot with her husband near Dodge, says she is also excited for the conference. “The conference is a great resource for us because it provides an opportunity to come together and talk about the issues that consumers are bringing to us about food and how it’s produced. By pooling our knowledge, we can do a much better job of answering consumers’ questions.” Ruskamp said that she is often asked about animal care practices, including why they give their livestock implants. “It’s not about pumping up their muscles so they can look like Mr. Universe, she said. We do it so we can increase feed efficiency. Using implants, we are able to produce the same amount of meat using fewer resources. Once we explain that, it’s easier for them to understand why we do what we do.”

At the end of the day, although they may live and work on opposite sides of the spectrum, farm women and urban women share the same concerns about how they feed their families. CommonGround volunteers are passionate about agriculture and want consumers to understand how American farmers and ranchers work to provide a safe, abundant, affordable food supply and are dedicated to ensuring the best conservation and care for our land and animals.




2012 Iowa Pork Regional Conferences slated for March 6-9

The Iowa Pork Producers Association has teamed up with the Iowa Pork Industry Center and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach swine specialists to host regional conferences at four Iowa locations March 6-9.

“IPPA works hard to offer educational sessions that can assist producers in their day-to-day decision making,” said Tyler Bettin, IPPA producer education director. “We encourage anyone with a genuine interest in pork production to attend these conferences.”

All sessions are hosted from 1 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. Conference dates and locations are as follows:
● Tuesday, March 6 – Carroll, Carroll County Extension Office
● Wednesday, March 7 – Sheldon, Northwest Iowa Community College, Building A, room 119
● Thursday, March 8 – Nashua, Borlaug Learning Center
● Friday, March 9 – Iowa City, Johnson County Extension Office

Conferences are free for those who pre-register or $5 at the door. Individuals can pre-register by calling IPPA at (800) 372-7675 or sending an e-mail to schristensen@iowapork.org.

With the regulatory realm for agriculture constantly changing, it is critical for pork producers to stay well informed of compliance issues. Eldon McAfee, attorney for IPPA, will discuss practical aspects of compliance with state and federal regulations, provide an update of resent livestock nuisance cases and preface current regulatory rumblings at the state and federal level.

It is critical for all in pork production to have a good understanding of contracts and liens to provide protection of their business. McAfee also will review contract terms, focusing on practical implication for both feeders and hog owners. He will discuss recent and pending court decisions and the implications these decisions pose for feed dealers, lenders, veterinarians and pork producers. Finally, he will explain the federal livestock contract requirements and what is required for compliance to prevent penalties against hog owners for failing to have required disclosures in contracts with contract feeders. If you missed Eldon’s highly rated sessions at the 2012 Iowa Pork Congress, then this is your chance to catch up.

Swine dysentery is an expensive and damaging disease that has re-emerged in the Midwest. Dr. Eric Burrough and Dr. Rodger Main will split duties at this year’s regional conferences to talk about the history and impact of the disease. They will provide information to help producers identify signs of dysentery and highlight strategies for prevention and elimination.

Detailed production records are increasingly important in today’s pork industry to benchmark performance, improve efficiencies and modify practices. ISU Extension swine specialists will review how to keep adequate wean-to-finish records, show where errors typically occur and provide actual examples of good records, gone bad. 

ISU swine specialists also will offer free PQA Plus training prior to each conference. Training will be hosted from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at each conference location. Contact Tyler Bettin at (800) 372-7675 or tbettin@iowapork.org for more information or to pre-register.



Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy, LLC to Pay $10,150 for Risk Management Plan Violations at Council Bluffs Ethanol Plant

Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy, LLC has agreed to pay a $10,150 civil penalty and spend at least $38,729 on a supplemental environmental project for failing to file a risk management plan and implement risk management regulations at its dry-mill ethanol plant in Council Bluffs, Iowa.

According to an administrative consent agreement and final order filed by EPA Region 7 in Kansas City, Kan., an inspection of the ethanol plant in January 2010 found that the company had not filed a risk management plan for the facility, as required by the federal Clean Air Act.

Under the Clean Air Act, the Council Bluffs facility was required to file a risk management plan because it had exceeded the 10,000-pound threshold for anhydrous ammonia, an extremely hazardous chemical. Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy was storing approximately 28,000 pounds of anhydrous ammonia at the time of the EPA inspection.

As part of its settlement with EPA, Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy has agreed to perform a supplemental environmental project, through which it will spend at least $38,729 to purchase emergency response equipment for the Council Bluffs and Lewis Township fire departments.

By agreeing to the settlement, the company has certified that the Council Bluffs ethanol plant is now in compliance with federal Risk Management Program regulations.



Monthly ethanol production data for November 2011

According to the Energy Information Administration, daily average ethanol production in November 2011 was 945,000 b/d - a monthly record.  That was an increase of 29,000 b/d over October 2011.  Through November, 2011 ethanol production was 12.7 billion gallons.  Stocks of ethanol in November were 19.3 million barrels.  The Renewable Fuels Association is projecting 13.9 billion gallons for calendar year 2011. 



Iowa Soybean Association to award up to $15,000 in scholarships

The Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) is looking for qualified candidates to apply for its agriculture scholarships. ISA will award up to $15,000 this year through the ISA Ag Scholarship Program; it will be presented in as many as ten $1,500 scholarships to capable high school seniors pursuing a degree in agriculture or an agriculture-related field.

“Being able to provide graduating high school students with these scholarships shows the Iowa Soybean Association is looking at providing agriculture a continuing pool of young leaders,” says Dean Coleman, president of ISA.  “This is a great time to be involved in agriculture, and we are pleased to be able to support the future of Iowa agriculture.”

High school seniors interested in applying for an ISA scholarship must be Iowa residents and attend any ag-related college or university. Other criteria include: an accumulated GPA of at least 3.0, community involvement, leadership, future plans in agriculture, a short essay regarding the student’s role in the future of agriculture and three letters of recommendation. Preference will be given to those applicants whose parents or grandparents are or become policy dues-paying members of ISA.

Those students who would like to apply should contact their guidance counselors for more information or log on to ISA’s website at www.iasoybeans.com for a downloadable scholarship application and complete list of criteria.

ISA Ag Scholarship Program applications must be postmarked no later than March 15, 2012. Scholarship winners will be notified by April 30, 2012.  Completed applications can be mailed to Mary Whitcomb, Iowa Soybean Association, 1255 SW Prairie Trail Parkway, Ankeny, IA  50023.  For more information about the Iowa Soybean Association Ag Scholarship Program, please call Mary Whitcomb at the ISA office at 800-383-1423.



Northey Encourages Century, Heritage Farms to Apply

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey Wednesday encouraged eligible farm owners to apply for the 2012 Century and Heritage Farm Program. The program is sponsored by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the Iowa Farm Bureau and recognizes families that have owned their farm for 100 years in the case of Century Farms and 150 years for Heritage Farms.

"These awards are an opportunity to recognize the hard work and commitment by these families that is necessary to keep a farm in the same family for 100 or 150 years," Northey said. "If you consider all the challenges and unexpected obstacles each of them would have had to overcome during their life on the farm, it gives you a greater appreciation of the dedication and perseverance of these families."

Applications are available on the Department's website at www.IowaAgriculture.gov by clicking on the Century Farm or Heritage Farm link under "Hot Topics."

Applications may also be requested from Becky Lorenz, Coordinator of the Century and Heritage Farm Program via phone at 515-281-3645, email at Becky.Lorenz@IowaAgriculture.gov or by writing to Century or Heritage Farms Program, Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Henry A. Wallace Building, 502 E. 9th St., Des Moines, IA 50319.

Farm families seeking to qualify for the Century or Heritage Farms Program must submit an application to the Department no later than June 1, 2012.

The ceremony to recognize the 2012 Century and Heritage Farms will be held at the Iowa State Fair and is scheduled for Tuesday, August 14th.

The Century Farm program began in 1976 as part of the Nation's Bicentennial Celebration and over 17,000 farms from across the state have received this recognition. The Heritage Farm program was started in 2006, on the 30th anniversary of the Century Farm program, and more than 500 farms have been recognized.

Last year 341 Century Farms and 56 Heritage Farms were recognized.

"Century and Heritage Farm recognitions at the Iowa State Fair are a great celebration of Iowa agriculture and the families that care for the land and produce our food," Northey said. "I hope eligible families will take the time to apply and then come down to the State Fair to be recognized."



Commodity Group Release: Statement Following Joint Meeting

The following statement is sent on behalf of these organizations in reference to joint meetings held Tuesday and Wednesday in Washington, D.C.:
-    American Farm Bureau Federation
-    American Soybean Association
-    National Association of Wheat Growers
-    National Barley Growers Association
-    National Corn Growers Association
-    National Cotton Council
-    National Farmers Union
-    National Sorghum Producers
-    National Sunflower Association
-    Southern Peanut Farmers Federation
-    US Canola Association
-    USA Dry Pea & Lentil Council
-    USA Rice Federation

"Over the past two days, producer leaders have met to discuss policy priorities, to hear the perspectives of key policymakers and to work toward consensus on the future of U.S. farm policy. What was confirmed in our meeting is that we are committed to work together to come up with a viable farm policy.

"Also confirmed is our common belief that Congress should pass and the President should sign a strong new farm bill into law this year.  The law expires at the end of this year and producers – like all job creators – need certainty from Washington.  

"American agriculture has a solid record that we are proud of.

"The people we represent ensure that American consumers spend less of their paycheck at the grocery than anyone else in the world.

"American agriculture stands out as one of the few sectors of the economy that has, throughout the economic downturn, still contributed positively to our nation’s balance of trade while helping to create jobs and put this country back on its economic feet.

"And we have accomplished these things with a farm policy that also stands out as consistently under budget over the past 10 years and for leading the way on deficit reduction, contributing disproportionately and in some cases even alone in the effort to get our nation’s fiscal house in order.

"The economy is fragile, unemployment is high, and Americans are worried. Given the need for economic growth and deficit reduction, for our part we have offered to do more with less. If Washington provides America’s farmers and ranchers with some certainty, we can continue to help lead our nation’s economic recovery."



USDA Issues Vet Loan Repayment for Underserved Areas

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced Wednesday 80 awards to American veterinarians to help repay a portion of their veterinary school loans in return for serving areas lacking sufficient veterinary resources. The awards, totaling more than $7.7 million, were made by USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) through the Veterinary Medicine Loan Repayment Program (VMLRP) and will benefit 34 states, Puerto Rico, and other federal lands.

"With the assistance awarded today, USDA is helping to overcome two major challenges in rural veterinarian medicine," said Dr. Chavonda Jacobs-Young, acting NIFA director. "First, many rural areas already face a critical shortage of access to veterinary services. And second, many veterinarians, when faced with student debt, choose to work in locations that offer higher pay than rural America, denying their talents to those most in need. When taken together, this is a distressing trend. But these awards will help. With this assistance, veterinarians will be able to return to rural America--to their hometowns or regions--where they can provide needed services to our rural communities, improve the health of livestock, and help ensure a safe food supply."

Veterinarians are critical to America's food safety and food security, and to the health and well-being of both animals and humans. Major studies indicate significant and growing shortages of food supply veterinarians and veterinarians serving in certain other high-priority specialty areas. A leading cause for this shortage is the heavy cost of four years of professional veterinary medical training, which can average between $100,000 and $140,000.

Recipients are required to commit to three years of veterinary service in a designated veterinary shortage area. Loan repayment benefits are limited to payments of the principal and interest on government and commercial loans received for attendance at an American Veterinary Medical Association-accredited college of veterinary medicine resulting in a degree of Doctor of Veterinary Medicine or the equivalent. Loan repayments made by the VMLRP are taxable income to participants. Also included in the award is a federal tax payment equal to 39 percent of the loan payment made directly to the award recipient's IRS tax account to offset the increase in income tax liability.

In fiscal year 2011, NIFA received 159 applications, a success rate of 50.3 percent. Below is a breakdown of the fiscal year 2011 awards:
-- 80 awards totaling $7,707,840 (includes loan and tax payments)
-- Average award: $96,348 (includes loan and tax payments)
-- Average eligible debt for repayment: $106,742
-- 74 percent of recipients received the maximum payment of $25,000 per year (plus taxes)
-- 63 percent of awards went to those who obtained their Doctor of Veterinary Medicine within the last three years

-- 34 states, Puerto Rico, and other federal lands will fill at least one shortage area through VMLRP
-- Montana will fill six shortage areas
-- Nebraska and Texas will fill five shortage areas
-- Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, New Mexico and New York will fill four shortage areas
-- Shortage type breakdown
-- Type 1 (at least 80 percent private practice): 18 awards
-- Type 2 (at least 30 percent private practice): 51 awards
-- Type 3: (at least 49 percent public practice): 11 awards

Participants are required to serve in one of three types of shortage situations. Type 1 shortage areas are private practices dedicated to food animal medicine at least 80 percent of the award recipient's time. Type 2 shortages are private practices in rural areas dedicated to food animal medicine up to 30 percent of the time. Type 3 shortage areas are dedicated to public practice up to 49 percent of the time.

The National Institutes of Health Division of Loan Repayment provided their expertise in service to NIFA during the applicant review process by reviewing loan documents submitted by the applicants.

Through federal funding and leadership for research, education and extension programs, NIFA focuses on investing in science and solving critical issues impacting people's daily lives and the nation's future. For more information, visit www.nifa.usda.gov.



Dallas-Fort Worth Emerge From Drought

(AP) -- For millions of residents in the Dallas area, one of the most severe droughts in Texas history is no longer a concern -- for now.

The weekly U.S. Drought Monitor map posted online Thursday classifies the Dallas-Fort Worth area as officially out of drought for the first time since July, making it Texas' first major metropolitan area to emerge from the most severe one-year drought in state history. It will likely trigger a lifting of water restrictions for the more than 3 million people who live in the recovering area, which extends north and northeast to Texas' border with Oklahoma and Arkansas.

But meteorologists and climatologists warn the situation remains precarious. Nearly 60 percent of the state remains in severe or exceptional stages of drought and a drier-than-normal spring or hotter-than-usual summer could quickly tip wetter areas back into drought.

"It's still a very tenuous situation," said National Weather Service meteorologist Victor Murphy. "Water concerns are a high priority. If we have a dry spring and a hot summer it will be very perilous situation."

The Drought Monitor is a map that is compiled by the University of Nebraska's National Drought Mitigation Center in cooperation with the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and several other agencies. Meteorologists and climate experts look at everything from rainfall to soil saturation to create the map, and sometimes look at trends dating back months and years, said Brian Fuchs, a climatologist with the center who helps author the Drought Monitor.

The current trend is encouraging, he said, but still not ideal.

"Does it help? Yes, it does. But does it mean conditions are where they were pre drought? No," Fuchs said.

Drought descended on Texas, parts of Oklahoma, Arkansas, New Mexico and Louisiana about a year ago. Since then, the region has seen rainfall decline in some places to half the norm, or even less.

For Texas, the situation has been especially dire because of its size. The state makes up nearly 7 percent of the continental United States and the severity of the drought has an effect on the entire country, affecting everything from cattle numbers to bird migration and the health of the Gulf of Mexico.

Texas ranchers have culled their herds, causing a significant drop in the nation's cattle population that will likely cause beef prices to rise in the coming years. Meanwhile, hay prices have spiked because it is nearly nonexistent in the south and farmers and ranchers in these regions are willing to pay a high price to bring it in from elsewhere.



USDA to Survey Farmers' Planting Intentions

How will the uncertain economy affect U.S. farmer's planting intentions in 2012?  How many acres of corn or soybeans do farmers intend to plant this growing season? The March Agricultural Survey conducted by the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will survey 82,000 U.S. farmers in March 2012 to ask such questions about farmers' plans for the 2012 season.

NASS will mail the survey questionnaire in late February, asking producers to provide information about the types of crops they intend to plant in 2012, how many acres they intend to plant, and the amounts of grain and oilseed they store on their farms. NASS encourages producers to respond via the Internet but also welcomes mail or fax responses and offers non-responding producers the opportunity for a telephone or personal interview.

NASS will compile and analyze the survey information and publish the results in a series of USDA reports, including the annual Prospective Plantings report and quarterly Grain Stocks report, both to be released on March 30, 2012.  As with all NASS surveys, information provided by respondents is confidential by law.



Land ownership, commodity speculation, crop insurance key policy positions at National Farmers annual business meeting

Delegates at National Farmers National Convention, meeting in West Des Moines, Iowa, passed four key policy positions this week addressing crop insurance funding levels, commodity speculation reform, a national grain reserve, and estate tax relief connected to land ownership.

National Farmers members voted yes on a policy position supporting current funding levels for the federal crop insurance program. The position notes the effectiveness of crop insurance in protecting farm incomes, and its importance for growers in securing operation loans.

Belonging to National Farmers, which provides ag marketing and risk management, members voted to support legislation adding transparency to futures markets, and close the door to excessive speculation by tightening key investment laws. The resolution also calls for clarifying the oversight mission of the Commodities Futures Trading Commission.

National Farmers also supports establishing a National Grain Reserve Program as advocated by National Farmers Union, and proposed by the Agricultural Policy Analysis Center, University of Tennessee Institute of Agriculture.

“Each of these three measures would all work to help producers manage volatility or supply, or protect against disaster – weather and financial – as they navigate their farm businesses through today’s economic landscape,” said National Farmers Ag Policy Analyst Gene Paul.

In another policy resolution, National Farmers members expressed increasing concern over foreign investors, insurance companies, lenders and commodity buyers, gaining advantage in farmland purchases, with concentration of capital. Members voted in favor of eliminating the 1031 tax exchange.

Part of the same policy position, National Farmers members also voted to support estate tax relief for independent family owned farms, ranches and small businesses to facilitate the transfer of those enterprises to the next generation. Members said yes to making the 2010 tax package permanent, which sets the exemption of $5 million per individual and $10 million per couple. Estates worth more are taxed at a 35 percent rate.

National Farmers members also supported indexing the exemption levels that reflect increases in asset values due to inflation, the step-up basis.

“Estate taxes are of great concern as farmland moves from one generation into the hands of the next,” says Paul. “Handling this major concern more fairly today, will provide for better opportunities for a new generation of producers, an issue of critical importance in American agriculture.”