Monday March 19 Ag News

Date Change:  Irrigation systems CCPPD re-energizing project moved up a week 

Attention irrigators in the Cuming County Public Power District...  All irrigation systems with electric service within the Cuming County Public Power District are scheduled to be re-energized the week of March 19, 2012.  This was originally scheduled for next week, the week of March 26.  However, because of the spring-like weather this month, crews were able to move this project up one week.  CCPPD appreciates your patience and cooperation as the linemen go through each area.  If you have any questions, please call the office in West Point at 402-372-2463.  



USDA Warns of Fraudulent Letters

USDA officials learned late Friday afternoon, March 16th, 2012, that fraudulent letters are being sent by FAX to individuals and businesses in at least four states. The letters purportedly come from a USDA procurement officer and seek personal information. These letters are false and in no case should a recipient respond with personal and financial information. The fraudulent letters bear USDA's logo and seal and are signed by an individual identified as "Frank Rutenberg" using a title of "Senior Procurement Officer". Letters have been received by FAX in Alabama, Nebraska, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, but may have also been sent to other states. Recipients should not respond and should not supply the requested information. USDA is investigating this matter through the Office of the Inspector General.

If you suspect you have received such a letter or have questions please contact USDA at: procurement.policy@dm.usda.gov or call 202-720-9448.

Editors Note:  Nebraska Cattlemen has also been involved in getting the word out about this letter.  They have been in contact with Senator Mike Johanns' office in Lincoln and Washington DC.  One of the letters was send to a feedlot in Nebraska.  You may also call their office at 402-475-2333 to get more information. 



Western Corn Belt May be Shy of Moisture until Late Summer
Winter Temperatures Average 8 Degrees Above Normal
Al Dutcher, UNL Extension State Climatologist

It has certainly been an interesting fall and winter across most of the continental United States. As La Nina conditions developed for a second consecutive fall across the Equatorial Pacific, dry conditions were firmly established across the northern Plains. This promoted excellent harvest conditions, but resulted in sub-par soil moisture recharge before frost set in the ground.

Last fall’s climate pattern was typical of a La Nina, but it was unusual in that the dryness continued through winter across the northern Plains. During a La Nina, this region usually experiences normal to above normal moisture and below normal temperatures. This winter the dominant jet stream split, with the polar jet remaining in the northern region and upper air lows moving through the southern Plains, bringing abundant moisture to the southern third of the U.S. with a major system moving through every 7-10 days.

With the split flow pattern, snowfall has been well below normal across the northern Plains and temperatures averaged at least 8 degrees (Fahrenheit) above normal for much of the northern Corn Belt this past winter. The only remaining frost lies in areas adjacent to the Canadian border and will likely be a non-issue within the next week to 10 days. With the lack of snow cover, there is a below average flood risk within the Platte and Missouri watersheds this spring.

Mountain snowpack is below normal across most of the southern Sierra and Rocky mountain ranges. Across the northern Rockies, snowpack conditions are running slightly below normal to slightly above normal, with early snow melt predicted. There is a distinct possibility that the snowpack could be completely gone before mid-June. This scenario developed in 2000, 2002, and 2004 and helped reinforce drought development across the central and northern High Plains during the growing season.

The above normal temperatures are promoting rapid wheat growth across the southern and central Plains. Wheat growth is running about two weeks ahead of the 2007 cropping season and much of the crop has reached the jointing stage or is beyond. With high temperatures projected to be 10-20°F above normal for the next two weeks, the crop will be vulnerable to a hard freeze (<28°F) that would rival or exceed the damage incurred from the April 8, 2007 freeze.

La Nina Moving Directly to an El Nino
It is readily apparent that the Equatorial Pacific La Nina event is rapidly decaying and an El Nino event is in its early formation. There have been 10 back to back La Nina events since 1900. Four of them immediately transitioned to El Nino conditions, while the remaining 6 returned for a third consecutive year. Since 1950, there have been 3 La Nina multi-year events that shifted into an El Nino; 1951, 1957, and 1972.

It is possible that a combination of La Nina and El Nino impacts will be experienced for the next couple of months before El Nino conditions dominate the summer growing season. Therefore, the split flow pattern will likely continue with an occasional polar jet trough rolling through the northern Plains. If one of these troughs digs far enough south, freezing conditions could be pulled into the southern and central Plains jeopardizing wheat and alfalfa production.

What Does this Indicate for the Crop Season?
The open winter has allowed producers across much of the northern and western Corn Belt to complete typical spring activities more than a month ahead of schedule. If warm, dry conditions continue, producers could begin planting corn two or more weeks ahead of normal. If corn emerges by mid-April, a freeze in early to mid-May could cause significant damage.

Weather models point toward the split flow pattern continuing into the foreseeable future. This should promote moisture for the southern Plains wheat, but continued dry conditions across the northern Plains, below normal snowfall across the southern Rockies. and an early melt of the current snowpack.

The Climate Prediction Center has put together a risk analysis of precipitation and temperature trends during El Nino and La Nina events. From March to May, La Nina conditions support drier than normal conditions across the western Corn Belt, while El Nino supports dryness across the northern Corn Belt. If we are in an El Nino pattern by June, we’re likely to see drier than normal conditions in the central and eastern Corn Belt. Moisture is generally normal to above normal across the western Corn Belt, with the best moisture chances in late summer.

Because snowpack levels in the central and southern Rockies are generally below normal, above normal spring temperatures would promote early melt. If the snowpack disappears before mid-June, the upper atmosphere could warm rapidly, shutting off thunderstorm development along the front range of the Rocky Mountains. These thunderstorms provide moisture that the western Corn Belt needs to bridge the gap until monsoon moisture lifts from the southwestern U.S. into the region by early August.

Is it possible that the United States can produce record corn yields in 2012?  Yes, but it will take near perfect weather and a significant change in the jet stream pattern to focus moisture across the northern and western Corn Belt. Otherwise, drought conditions will rapidly materialize in the northern Plains. In Nebraska this would affect northeast counties, which have had below normal moisture since August 2011.

Coupled with an El Nino that favors drier than normal summer conditions from Iowa east through Ohio, we will be hard pressed to hit the national trend line for corn yields this year. The additional acres projected to be planted into corn could easily replace some lost production, but only if drought conditions do not intensify and expand into the central and eastern Corn Belt as the summer progresses.



Nebraska Poultry Industries Elects Officers, Presents Awards

The Nebraska Poultry Industries announced several awards, elected officers and presented scholarships at its annual convention last month.

The organization named Harold Dykstra, Canton, S.D., its Person of the Year; Gary Lorimor, Omaha, to its Hall of Fame; and gave Elbert Dickey, Lincoln, its Good Egg Award.

Dykstra was involved in his family's egg and poultry business from childhood, taking over the Canton Business in 1956, supplying eggs to A&P Food stores in the eastern United States. He sold the business to the M.G. Waldbaum Co. of Wakefield and has continued for 48 years to work for the firm, now known as the Michael Foods Egg Products Co.

Lorimor began his career with Henningsen Foods in 1974 as a project engineer and since 2012 has been president and chief executive officer. He's traveled internationally, installing dryers in Holland, Japan, France, Italy, China, Australia and the Philippines.

Dickey has been dean and director of University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension since 1999; he's retiring June 30. He was honored for his long-time support for the Nebraska Poultry Industries organization, among other things helping to get office space for the organization on UNL's East Campus.

UNL scholarship awards:
Ruth Keller Memorial Scholarship -- Brett A. Kreifels, Springfield.
Victor W. Henningsen Sr. Graduate Student Fellowship in Food Sciences -- Benjamin Remington, Grinnell, Iowa
Mussehl Graduate Animal Science Scholarship -- Dana L. Didde, Lincoln
Mussehl Graduate Animal Science Scholarship -- Pamela Eliana Eusebio-Balcazar, Lima, Peru.
Mussehl Undergraduate Scholarship -- Boone W. McAfee, Leigh.
Parr Family Scholarship -- Brett A. Kreifels, Springfield.
Coca Cola Scholarship -- Jessica A. Einspahr, McCook; and Bailey M. Kobs, Blair.

Youth awards:
2011 AK-SAR-BEN Champion Pen Broilers -- Jared McKeveers, Wymore.
2011 4-H Poultry Judging Team -- Jared Brockman, Deweese; Calvin DeVries, Fairfield; Trevor DeVries, Fairfield; Ryan Pavelka, Glenvil; coaches Elizabeth Maricle, Hastings, and Holli Weber, Clay Center.

Officers elected for 2012:

Nebraska Poultry Industries -- John Black, David City, president; Brent Nelson, Manhattan, Kan., first vice president; Lowell Ostrand, Wakefield, second vice president; Kendall Potter, Rising City, secretary-treasurer; Susan Joy, Lincoln, general manager.

Nebraska Egg Council -- John Black, David City, president; Lowell Ostrand, Wakefield, vice president; Scott Kumm, McLean, secretary; Brent Nelson, Manhattan, Kan., treasurer; Susan Joy, Lincoln, executive secretary.

Nebraska Turkey Federation -- Jim Meuret, Brunswick, president; Brian Bevans, Waverly, first vice president; Mike Shinn, Gibbon, second vice president; Susan Joy, Lincoln, secretary-treasurer.

Nebraska Poultry Improvement Association -- Tom Schomer, Lincoln, president; William Bevans, Waverly, first vice president; John Black, David City, second vice president; Joline Gordon, Lincoln, secretary-treasurer.

Nebraska Allied Poultry Industries -- Cathy Beacom, Elkhorn, president; Jan Johnson, Willmar, Minn., first vice president; Brent Nelson, Manhattan, Kan., second vice president; Jesus Lopez, Omaha, secretary-treasurer; Susan Joy, Lincoln, executive secretary.



USMEF Market Education Program Features Stops in Korea, China, Hong Kong

Fifteen representatives of U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) member organizations received an in-depth look at the red meat industry in South Korea, China and Hong Kong last week as part of the 2012 USMEF Market Education Program. Participants came from the United Soybean Board, the National Pork Board and pork, beef, corn and soybean producer organizations from Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, and Nebraska.

In Korea, these pork, beef, corn and soybean producers got a firsthand look at USMEF marketing efforts in the retail, foodservice, processing and distribution sectors. They also had an opportunity to learn more about the benefits of the Korea-U.S. Free Trade Agreement, which took effect March 15.

Roger Knoblock, a hog producer and cattle feeder from Lester, Iowa, participated on behalf of the Iowa Corn Promotion Board. He was pleased with the level of success U.S. pork and beef have achieved in Korea, but recognizes that competition in the market is formidable. According to the Global Trade Atlas, the U.S. is one of 19 countries exporting pork to South Korea so far this year.

“Right now this market is performing very well, even with all the competition we face here,” Knoblock said. “But the promotional work that’s being done in retail stores and restaurants – I’m very impressed. The USMEF-Korea staff has done an excellent job, and I don’t know what we would do without them.”

Chris Abbott, a cattle rancher from Cherry County, Neb., and a member of the Nebraska Beef Council board of directors, echoed these sentiments.

“We need to hustle just to keep up with our competitors when it comes to marketing and promotion,” Abbott said. “And to come over here and see the work that USMEF is doing, that’s been a real eye-opener for me.”

The group ended its time in Korea with a dinner at Goo STK Itaewon, a popular restaurant in Seoul that features dry-aged U.S. steaks.

“I started using dry-aged U.S. beef at a time when everyone in Korea was against that idea,” said restaurant owner Ian Kim. “Now, interest in dry-aging is really taking off and I’m very happy to share my experience with others here in Korea.”

From Korea, team members flew to Guangzhou, China, a major commercial center in southern China, where they visited a local wet market and saw U.S. pork featured in the city’s retail and restaurant sectors.

“The restaurants and vendors who feature U.S. pork appear to be doing a great job with the product,” said Roy Henry, a pork producer from Longford, Kan., and member of the National Pork Board. “Even though China is the world’s biggest pork producer, there are still great opportunities here because of the tremendous number of consumers. This is a particularly good market for some of our underutilized cuts and variety meats that aren’t needed at home, and that makes for a great partnership if we can make it work.”

“It’s pretty obvious down here (in southern China), that pork is king,” added Dave Harrington, a pork producer from St. Paul, Neb., and past president of the Nebraska pork Producers Association. “There’s a tremendous amount of pork consumed in this area, and as the consumers’ lifestyle improves I think it will open up opportunities for higher-quality cuts in addition to the items we’ve traditionally exported here.”

The group visited other foodservice and retail outlets in Guangzhou before moving on to Shenzhen City and Hong Kong.

With nearly 50 countries battling for market share, Hong Kong is one of the most fiercely competitive beef and pork markets in the world. So what makes this enclave of 7 million people such an attractive destination for red meat from around the globe?

“The biggest factor is that Hong Kong does not have the burdensome duties we face in some other markets, and there are very few restrictive sanitary and phytosanitary barriers,” said Joel Haggard, USMEF senior vice-president for the Asia-Pacific region. “There’s not much livestock production in Hong Kong, so meat from all countries is allowed access at zero duty.”

On a supermarket visit in Hong Kong, participants were able to observe a sampling demonstration of all-natural U.S. pork. The importer cooperating with USMEF on the in-store demonstration explained why U.S. pork and beef perform very well in this market.

“Product stability is really important to our clients, and the quality of U.S. meat is very stable and consistent,” said Shyrell Hui, marketing manager for Million Gourmet Limited. “USMEF’s marketing efforts in Hong Kong have also had a very positive effect. Because of this marketing, the marbling, flavor and texture of U.S. meat are well-known and the products have an excellent reputation.”

While in Hong Kong, producers had several opportunities to see how U.S. beef and pork are marketed in the wholesale, retail and foodservice sectors and toured a terminal at the Hong Kong seaport, which is one of the world’s busiest. They also received a market overview from Erich Kuss, director of the Agricultural Trade Office for the U.S. Consulate General in Hong Kong. Kuss provided insights on the favorable regulatory and business climate enjoyed by U.S. products in this market, but noted that U.S. beef imports are still limited to boneless muscle cuts from cattle less than 30 months of age. He offered encouraging comments with regard to change in this policy in the near future, however, now that the Korea-U.S. FTA is in effect and U.S. negotiators have made progress on other obstacles that have hampered U.S. beef trade in Asia.

The soybean industry was especially well-represented in this year’s USMEF Market Education Program, with representatives of the United Soybean Board and several state soybean organizations participating.

“Every time I look in a meat case here that offers U.S. pork and beef, I see my soybeans,” said Ron Pavelka, a soybean and corn farmer from Glenvil, Neb., who also manages a cow-calf herd and serves on the Nebraska Soybean Board. “Virtually all of our soybean meal goes to feed livestock, so we’re all really in the same business. It’s great to see all the behind-the-scenes efforts that go on here on the producers’ behalf.”

Bill Raben, a soybean and corn grower from Ridgway, Ill., who serves on the Illinois Soybean Association board of directors, agreed.

“It’s been an exceptionally educational trip for me - one that’s truly opened my eyes,” he said. “Although I don’t raise livestock, I grow the grain that’s fed to hogs and cattle and a healthy animal agriculture sector is essential to the success of the soybean industry. I’m pleased to see that we are making great strides with U.S. pork in both Hong Kong and China, and with the beef we ship to Hong Kong. If we can just get past the beef restrictions in China, we’ll have even more opportunities in this region.”

“Hong Kong is such a laboratory for free and open meat trade,” Haggard said. “It’s great to bring producers here to observe that, and to see how our products stack up in this very competitive environment.”



America’s Advanced Biofuel reduces exposure to oil price spikes

When Rudolph Diesel developed the first diesel engine it ran on peanut oil. Now, a century later as oil prices continue disrupting our economy, renewable fuel is back. Biodiesel is supporting jobs and breaking records as we recognize Diesel's foresight and celebrate Biodiesel Day.

"Diesel's engines and clean burning, renewable biodiesel are at work right now all over the country," said Gary Haer, National Biodiesel Board Chairman. "Biodiesel supports American jobs and energy security. Biodiesel's success reflects the bigger picture reality: strong energy policy can work to stimulate clean, American-made energy."

National Biodiesel Day is celebrated, March 18, the date of Rudolf Diesel’s birthday to honor him for recognizing the valuable role of oil-based fuel from renewable resources. In a 1912 speech Diesel said, “...the use of vegetable oils for engine fuels may seem insignificant today, but such oils may become, in the course of time, as important as petroleum and the coal tar products of the present time.”

The U.S. biodiesel industry produced more than 1 billion gallons of fuel in 2011. The record breaking production demonstrates opportunities to diversify American fuel supplies and reduce exposure to the global petroleum markets.  Production also easily exceeded the 800 million gallon target called for under the federal Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and the previous annual record of 690 million gallons set in 2008.

Biodiesel is the first and only commercial-scale fuel used across the U.S. to meet the Environmental Protection Agency's definition as an Advanced Biofuel. It is a renewable, clean-burning diesel replacement that can be used in existing diesel engines and meets a strict ASTM fuel specification. Made from an increasingly diverse mix of resources such as agricultural oils, recycled cooking oil and animal fats, it is produced in nearly every state in the country. The biodiesel industry supports 39,000 American jobs.



February Milk Production up 8.3 Percent
                       
Milk production in the 23 major States during February totaled 15.2 billion pounds, up 8.3 percent from February 2011. However, adjusting production for the additional day due to leap year causes February milk production to be up 4.6 percent on a per day basis. January revised production at 15.8 billion pounds, was up 3.9 percent from January 2011. The January revision represented an increase of 24 million pounds or 0.2 percent from last month's preliminary production estimate.Production per cow in the 23 major States averaged 1,782 pounds for February, 117 pounds above February 2011.  The number of milk cows on farms in the 23 major States was 8.51 million head, 102,000 head more than February 2011, and 8,000 head more than January 2012.

Iowa:
Milk production in Iowa during February 2012 totaled 359 million pounds, up 6 percent from February 2011, according to  the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Milk Production  report.   The average number of milk cows, at 205,000 head, was down 1 percent from February 2011.   Production per cow averaged 1,750 pounds, up 7 percent from February  2011.  The monthly  rate  per  cow  is  the  highest  on  record  for February  and  the  production  is  the  largest  for February since 1970.



CWT Assists with 5.3 Million Pounds of Butter and Cheese Export Sales

Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) has accepted 15 requests for export assistance from Dairy Farmers of America, Darigold, Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative, Michigan Milk Producers Association and United Dairymen of Arizona to sell a total of 1,710 metric tons (3.770 million pounds) of Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese and 678 metric tons (1.495 million pounds) of butter to customers in Asia, the Middle East and Africa. The product will be delivered March through September 2012.

In 2012, CWT has assisted member cooperatives in making export sales of Cheddar, Monterey Jack and Gouda cheese totaling 34.2 million pounds and butter totaling 30.3 million pounds to 18 countries on four continents. On a butterfat basis, the milk equivalent of these exports is 977 million pounds, or the annual production of approximately 46,520 cows.

Assisting CWT members through the Export Assistance program positively impacts producer milk prices in the short-term by reducing inventories that overhang the market and depress cheese and butter prices. In the long-term, CWT’s Export Assistance program helps member cooperatives gain and maintain market share, thus expanding the demand for U.S. dairy products and the farm milk that produces them.

CWT will pay export bonuses to the bidders only when delivery of the product is verified by the submission of the required documentation.

 

Dairy cooperative members will review cooperative performance

Using cutting-edge information drawn from both research and experience with agricultural lenders around the world, leading agriculture economist Dr. David Kohl willfocus on the future of the dairy industry during an opening session presentation at the Associated Milk Producers Inc. (AMPI) annual delegate meeting. Some 450 cooperative members, industry leaders and guests are expected to attend the event at the Doubletree by Hilton Hotel, Bloomington, Minn., on March 26-27.

“Dr. Kohl’s unique perspective on trends in the agricultural industry are important to those working at every level of AMPI’s business,” says Ed Welch, AMPI president and chief executive officer.“Understanding what’s driving domestic and global economics helps us prepare for challenges, as well as seizing new opportunities critical for sustainedsuccess.”

AMPI delegates will also hear from Gary Vanic, president and CEO of Great Lakes Cheese Company Inc., the nation’s largest supplier of store brand cheese. He will detail the company’s successful partnership with AMPI. Minnesota Commissioner of Agriculture Dave Frederickson will also address those in attendance.

During the annual business meeting, delegates will review the cooperative’s financial statements and management reports. Welch and AMPI Chairman of the Board Steve Schlangen, a dairy farmer from Albany, Minn., will present 2011 highlights.

The cooperative’s grassroots policy-making process culminates with delegates considering proposed resolutions. The resolutionsprocess gives members an opportunity to determine AMPI positions on issues and policies that affect the cooperative.



NCGA Agri-Industry Council Cultivates Understanding, Cooperation

Last week, 22 representatives of 13 agribusinesses gathered with National Corn Growers Association leadership in Washington for NCGA's Agri-Industry Council's biannual meeting.  Over the course of two days, attendees received updates on key NCGA programs.  Additionally, they discussed topics of special importance to the entire agricultural community right now, including the importance of ag policy in meeting future demand, ways in which to include climate change projections into agricultural forecasts more accurately and how the coming election year will affect the corn sector.

"The work done in AIC meetings is crucial to helping NCGA fulfill its mission of creating and maintaining opportunities for corn growers," said NCGA Chairman and AIC Co-Chair Bart Schott. "Only through unified position throughout the industry will we make our voices loud enough to reach the best possible outcomes for growers as we face the challenging political landscape."

Political analyst and commentator Paul Begala, whose work appears on CNN, Newsweek and The Daily Beast, provided attendees with his insight into the current political climate.  Begala, an influential liberal, provided insight into the 2012 election cycle and elucidated on how this might play out in the foreseeable future.

One major topic of conversation was how many acres of corn U.S. farmers would plant this season. During the a session looking ahead at the 2012 crop year, NCGA Vice President of Production and Utilization Paul Bertels presented several possible trends and the probable outcomes should each be realized.

The group will meet again, August 14-16, 2012 in Charleston, South Carolina.

NCGA's AIC works to ensure that stakeholders throughout the industry exchange information on key issues and work collectively to ensure fair and equitable policies that foster continued growth.



Case IH Steiger Tractors Set New Industry Records for Fuel Efficiency

The latest results from the Nebraska Tractor Test Lab show that Case IH Steiger® tractors with Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) technology have set new industry records for fuel-efficient power.

The Steiger 600, Steiger 500, Steiger 450 and Steiger 350 all showed significant fuel efficiency and drawbar horsepower advantages over the competition, according to test lab reports.

“Steiger tractors are built with Case IH Efficient Power to pull the largest implements available, while reducing fuel costs,” says Mitch Kaiser, Case IH Steiger Tractor Marketing Manager. “These test results prove Steiger tractors perform and deliver in the field and in the lab.”

For example, the Steiger 600 set the record for drawbar horsepower and fuel efficiency versus the competitions’ biggest tractor. Measured at maximum power in horsepower-hours-per-gallon, the Steiger 600 tested 8.4 percent more fuel efficient than the Deere 9630 at maximum drawbar pull, and 10.5 percent more fuel efficient at 75 percent drawbar pull maximum power.

Mike Daigh of Taylorville, Ill., says he’ll take his Steiger over any other tractor.  “We have a 24-row planter and we haven’t had any issue with the Steiger when it comes to power - not pulling down, not hesitating, even going over hilly ground,” Daigh says. “You can do just about anything with this tractor. I’ll take Steiger over anything.”

Engine Research and Meeting Tier 4 Standards
Several years ago, Case IH began to focus engine development efforts on SCR technology in order to meet Tier 4 standards. Case IH will meet the 2014 Tier 4B (Tier 4 Final) engine emissions standards using exclusively SCR technology found in the Steiger models.

Cool-running and quiet, SCR is an engine exhaust after-treatment system. Rather than interfere with engine performance, it actually improves it. Case IH Tier 4B technology will not require regeneration of particulate filters or any Cooled Exhaust Gas Recirculation (CEGR) technology for high horsepower equipment.

For Case IH customers who have purchased Tier 4A equipment, there will be no additional requirements in 2014. Filling the Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) tank is all it takes to reduce fuel consumption and extend service intervals.

Case IH and Fiat Powertrain Technologies (FPT) have been working together on engine innovations that meet Tier 4 regulations for Case IH tractors and combines since 2004. The FPT U.S. Research & Development Center is in Burr Ridge, Illinois, in the same facility as Case IH Engineering. Together, FPT and Case IH engineers work to design and test high-horsepower engines. Before these engines even enter the market, they go through several thousand hours of rigorous testing. Today, there are more than 10,000 Case IH tractors powered by Case IH SCR technology already performing in farmers’ fields across North America.