Monday March 5 Ag News

Farm Bill, Crop Insurance, Trade Priorities Highlight 2012-13 ASA Policy Direction

Soybean producers from all U.S. soybean growing regions gathered in Nashville last week to review and revise the policy direction of the American Soybean Association (ASA). One hundred thirty three producers from ASA’s 26 state affiliates served as Voting Delegates in this annual process that guides the ASA as it pursues future initiatives to improve U.S. soybean farmer profitability.

The voting delegates session was held on Saturday, March 3, following conclusion of the annual Commodity Classic Convention and Trade Show that drew a record 6,014 attendees. What follows are some of the most significant additions and modifications covering a variety of important soybean issues.

Trade
ASA supports legislation that would graduate Russia from the provisions of the Jackson-Vanik amendment in order to establish permanent normal trade relations with Russia. 

ASA opposes any proposal to merge the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) with other trade agencies. ASA believes that USTR should remain an independent agency within the Executive Office of the President, focusing on trade negotiations, trade agreements and trade enforcement.

ASA strongly supports swift implementation of the Colombia, Panama and South Korea Free Trade Agreements.

ASA opposes currency legislation or any action by Congress to unilaterally regulate the value of foreign currencies. ASA believes that currency legislation would create retaliatory actions that would negatively affect soybean trade. Instead, ASA supports an approach by the U.S. that engages the international community in its efforts to address global foreign exchange polices.

Farm Bill
ASA supports the following provisions in the 2012 Farm Bill:

Commodities Title
ASA continues to strongly support programs in the 2012 Farm Bill that provide the greatest possible planting flexibility. Allowing and encouraging producers to respond to market signals rather than government programs has been a cornerstone of the last three farm bills, and enabled U.S. soybean plantings to increase by 15 million acres (nearly 25 percent) between 1995 and 2010.

ASA recognizes that budget constraints are likely to require restructuring farm programs in the 2012 Farm Bill. Agriculture should accept its fair share of any required spending reductions, provided they are proportionate with other federal programs and they do not require restructuring of the federal crop insurance program, which is the core safety net for producers of soybeans and other commodities.

ASA developed and supports risk management concepts for the 2012 Farm Bill as a means to partially offset revenue losses that exceed a specified threshold, while complementing crop insurance. Payments under a revenue-based program should be commodity-specific, and based on the difference between historical and current-year revenue at the farm level. While based on current-year production, this approach will have less of an impact on planting decisions and production than a fixed target price program, since any payments would be based on actual revenue losses rather than a decline in prices from fixed support levels. Production agriculture has inherent risks, and properly designed farm policy must not remove all risks.

ASA recognizes that a revenue-based program may not be appropriate for all commodities. ASA is open to supporting an alternative program, provided it does not interfere with the ability of producers to respond to the market or distort planting decisions. Additionally, programs should be in compliance with the United States’ existing World Trade Organization commitments. Existing conservation compliance provisions should continue as a condition of eligibility for receiving farm program payments.

Conservation Title
ASA supports maintaining and funding programs that encourage effective conservation practices on working lands. ASA supports reducing the cap on acres in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) as part of any requirement to reduce spending under the 2012 Farm Bill and to allow U.S. producers to respond to increasing world demand for agricultural commodities. As CRP contracts expire, we believe the CRP should be targeted to the most environmentally sensitive land and to meet water quality goals. Lands that can be returned to production in an environmentally friendly manner should be returned to productive agricultural use.

Energy Title
ASA supports reauthorization and funding of the Biodiesel Fuel Education Program, the Bioenergy Program for Advanced Biofuels, and the Biobased Market Program in the Energy Title of the 2012 Farm Bill. ASA recognizes that energy programs do not have baseline funding beyond 2012. However, the benefits provided by the Biodiesel Fuel Education Program and the Biobased Market Program have been worth their relatively low cost, and warrant their continuation with an increased level of mandatory funding.  

Research Title
ASA supports reauthorization of the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI) to expand competitive research at USDA, as well as reauthorization to maintain research capacity at our land-grant universities.

Trade Title 
ASA supports reauthorization of the Foreign Market Development (Cooperator) Program and the Market Access Program and continued annual funding of these export promotion programs at $34.5 million and $200 million, respectively.

Transportation
ASA supports an infrastructure funding framework that allows for public and private investment in the U.S. commercial transportation system to ensure U.S. soybeans and soybean products will be delivered to domestic and international markets in a timely and cost effective manner.

ASA supports legislation to require that all funds collected for the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund are used for the intended purposes of waterways dredging and port maintenance.

ASA supports expanding the truck weight limits on federal interstate highways to a minimum of 97,000 pounds, provided that there is a 6th axle.

Crop Insurance
ASA supports returning moving the Federal Crop Insurance premiums due date be returned to September 30 of each fiscal year.

ASA strongly urges the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture to make sure that one of the appointments to the board of the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation have a major financial interest in the production of commodity soybeans.

Biofuels
ASA supports the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2) that reflects the expansion of the renewable fuels industry for biodiesel and ethanol and opposes any changes that would reduce obligations or otherwise negatively impact the biodiesel industry.

Sustainability
ASA supports an aggregate approach to documenting the sustainability of U.S. soybean production. ASA believes U.S. federal and state conservation, environmental and labor laws, and existing U.S. farmer compliance with them, provide assurance that U.S. soybeans are sustainably produced.

Telecommunications
ASA opposes the use of adjacent bandwidth by any company that would compromise the effectiveness of GPS technology for farmers.

Research
ASA supports strategic increases in federal investment in USDA’s Agricultural Research Service National Institute of Food and Agriculture that will benefit soybean producers.



Iowa Corn Farmers Help Set National Corn Policy at Commodity Classic

Iowa corn farmers joined with other farmer members from twenty-six states representing the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) at the annual Commodity Classic meeting in Nashville, Tennessee last week to determine NCGA policies in 2012 and beyond.

NCGA delegates unanimously adopted policy revisions and additions that Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) members created during the policy making process that begins with local roundtables, moves to the Annual Policy Conference in August and onto the NCGA delegate body in March during the Corn Congress discussions.

"Many of our policy additions this year were in response to the horrible flooding on the Missouri last year," said Kevin Ross, a farmer from Minden, Iowa and the current president of the ICGA. "It was close to home for me and I can see first-hand how additional policy will help corn farmers in the future."

Additional NCGA policy addressed the reaffirmation of our commitment to the public/private partnership in crop insurance as a risk management tool, conversation compliance, and energy.

"It was record attendance from farmers, first-time attendees, and media," said Ross. "But, the current political and budget situation in D.C. will need our attention to keep strong agricultural policy so corn farmers can continue to feed their neighbors at home and across the globe.

The new NCGA policy document will be posted at www.iowacorn.org/policy when it becomes available.



Alfalfa Loves a Blanket
Bruce Anderson, UNL Extension Forage Specialist

February’s snow storms were good for alfalfa. In fact, alfalfa just loves snow. Nothing increases the chance of alfalfa surviving winter better than a thick blanket of snow.

Our moderate fall weather allowed alfalfa plants to harden well for winter, leaving them with a high concentration of nutrients and a low concentration of water in their roots. This winterized condition enables alfalfa crowns and roots to withstand temperatures as low as 5° above zero.

This may not sound that cold, but remember that the soil temperature isn’t as cold as the air temperature, and the snow provides a layer of insulation to protect the plant from bitter cold. The snow also reduces the rate that soils and alfalfa roots dry out. This is why winters with little snow cover can cause more injury to alfalfa stands, especially if soils are dry.

Of course, fall management practices influence the effect of snow on your alfalfa. Tall stubble provides some insulation value and will catch more snow. Also, avoiding alfalfa harvest from mid-September through mid-October helps alfalfa roots winterize well.

Five Steps to Successful Forage and Alfalfa Establishment
Field preparation and attention to planting details can help ensure the success of your new forage or alfalfa stand, and avoid costly losses associated with a failed stand. The cost of reseeding a stand and the lost production from high-valued land can add up quickly.  Before planting alfalfa, grass, or other forages this spring, make sure you take the steps needed to give you the best chance for a successful establishment.

Step 1.  Begin by making sure the field is suitable for whatever you intend to plant. Seeding alfalfa in an area that frequently gets flooded or has standing water is not likely to produce long-term success.

Step 2. Soil test and add recommended fertilizer and lime before planting.

Step 3. Prepare a firm seedbed. When walking across the field before planting, you shouldn't sink any deeper than the soles of your shoes or boots. You can also try bouncing a basketball on your seedbed. If the ball won’t bounce back up, your seedbed is too soft. Firm it some more with a flat harrow, a roller, or maybe even irrigate.

Step 4.  Most forage seeds are very small and should be planted no more than one-fourth to one-half inch deep on heavy or fine textured soils or one-half to one inch deep on sands or coarse-textured soils. One of the most common causes of poor forage stands is planting too deep.

Step 5. Control weeds. Options include tillage during seedbed preparation, burn-down herbicides before planting, pre-plant incorporated herbicides, post-emergence herbicides, and even mowing.

It’s tempting to take shortcuts with any one of these steps, but careful attention to each of them will provide the greatest opportunity for achieving a successful stand and help you avoid costly failures.

Dormant Spray Alfalfa for Early Season Weed Control
In alfalfa early March is a good time to initiate spring weed control measures.

Weeds like pennycress, downy brome, mustards, cheatgrass, and shepherd's purse are common in first cut alfalfa. They lower yields, reduce quality, lessen palatability, and slow hay drydown. If you walk over your fields during the next few weeks, you’ll see their small, green, over-wintering growth.

Once alfalfa starts growing, you can't control these weeds well without hurting your alfalfa. However, if you treat your alfalfa as soon as the weather allows, you can have cleaner, healthier alfalfa at first cutting. Several herbicides can help control winter annual grasses and weeds in alfalfa, including Sencor, Velpar, Sinbar, Pursuit, Raptor, Karmex, Roundup, and Gramoxone. They all control mustards and pennycress, but Karmex and Pursuit do not control downy brome very well.

If you delay treatment until alfalfa shoots are green, your alfalfa growth might be set back a couple weeks. With a late treatment, use Pursuit or Raptor because they tend to cause less injury to your alfalfa.



FERTILIZER INDUSTRY HONORS 4R ADVOCATES

The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) has named five American farm operations as 4R Advocates for 2012. The national winners represent farmers and fertilizer retailers across the nation dedicated to the 4Rs of nutrient stewardship — utilizing the right nutrient source at the right rate, the right time and in the right place.

The 2012 4R Grower Advocates, along with the retailers that nominated them, are:

-   Bruce Favinger, Minden, Neb., 1,800-acre corn and soybean producer nominated by Cooperative Producers, Inc., Nebraska. Ranking both stewardship and productivity as priority goals, Favinger takes advantage of enhanced fertilizers and correlates precision agriculture data to develop site-specific fertilizer prescriptions.
    
-    Paul Loyer, Loyer Farms, Marion, Ohio, 3,000-acre corn, soybean and wheat producer nominated by Morral Companies, Morral, Ohio. Specific placement of nutrients at rates determined by GPS-linked information helps the Loyer family boost fertilizer efficiency while protecting the environment.
    
-    Temple Rhodes, Chestnut Manor Farm, Centreville, Md., 2,200-acre corn, soybean and beef producer nominated by Willard Agri-Service, Maryland. On the eastern shore of Chesapeake Bay, the Rhodes family takes a proactive approach to nutrient management. A strip-till system applies all fertilizer beneath the soil surface, tissue sampling assesses crop need and rates reflect site-specific data.
    
-    Barry and Dan Turner, Turner Brothers Farm, Mer Rouge, La., 5,600-acre corn, soybean, rice and grain sorghum producers nominated by Crop Production Services, Louisiana. The Turner brothers utilize grid sampling and soil management zones to enhance fertilizer efficiency and three split applications for corn production to ensure they’re meeting the crop’s nutritional needs and optimum yield potential.
    
-    Todd Welch, Lafayette, Ind., 2,300-acre corn, soybean, wheat and pork producer nominated by Crop Production Services, Indiana. Manure from Welch’s swine finishing facility is balanced with commercial fertilizer through the use of soil management zones, tissue sampling, enhanced fertilizers and split applications.

The winners and the retailers who nominated them were awarded an expense-paid trip to the 2012 Commodity Classic in Nashville, Tenn., where they were honored at an awards banquet hosted by TFI. The 4R Grower Advocates will also be part of TFI’s outreach efforts to promote nutrient management practices that benefit farmers and their communities as well as the environment.

The 4R Advocate program is just one facet of a high-priority campaign to raise awareness and adoption of 4R nutrient stewardship practices.  Learn more about the 4Rs at www.nutrientstewardship.com.



Investing in America Through Ag Education
Brett Begemann, Monsanto

We live in a truly global food and agriculture system, and the U.S. -- particularly the Midwest -- is a major driver of that market. At a time when many American industries are redefining what it means to be innovative and competitive on a global scale, those of us involved in agriculture see tremendous opportunity. There has never been a more critical time to cultivate the next generation of leaders in agriculture.

Here in Iowa, agriculture is one of the most significant economic drivers. With 30 million acres of farmland and over 90,000 farms, Iowa is helping to lead our nation's agricultural economy. Just last week, Gov. Terry Branstad asserted that "The Iowa economy is diverse, but the agriculture and bio-sciences industries are vital to our present success and future growth."

The coming National Ag Day on March 8, hosted by the Agriculture Council of America, is an opportunity to spark broader discussions about how we can bolster agricultural education for youth. While we celebrate what agriculture is doing today, it's critical that we focus attention on educating the next generation to take up the mantle tomorrow. The time is now to encourage youth to consider a career in agriculture, and ultimately prepare them for the challenges of feeding a growing population.

I believe the private sector has an opportunity, and a responsibility, to make a meaningful contribution to agricultural education. By sharing resources, professional insight and monetary support for community programs, we can help make professional development and education programs more widely accessible to, and impactful for, youth across the country. Monsanto's longstanding support for organizations like FFA, as well as 4-H, is a key example of this.

The agriculture industry needs talented and enthusiastic youth willing to make a commitment to the field. In turn, youth need understanding of, and access to, the viable and vibrant career path before them. For this reason, Monsanto has sponsored a breath of initiatives such as the FFA Chapter Challenge which encourages youth to connect with the local farming community, and Washington Leadership Conference and the Agriscience Plant Systems Proficiency Award, which develop leadership skills and seek creative solutions to challenges in agriculture.

Why should agricultural literacy be a priority for both the private sector and the public at large? In spite of the U.S.'s strength as an agricultural exporter, we like the rest of the world are facing significant challenges to increase yields and adapt to a changing environment. Resting on our laurels will not be enough.

While there is a strong need for agricultural education, a disconnect exists between many people's perception of life on a farm and the real possibilities of a career in the field. Youth today are increasingly unaware of how their food is produced or why agriculture is relevant to their lives. Contrary to the general public's understanding, agriculture is embedded in most aspects of the professional world. In fact, the Department of Agriculture found that one in 12 jobs are agriculture-related.

There are a number of regional efforts to address this misunderstanding. For example, lawmakers in Nebraska are working to create an agriculture literacy task force, while advocates in Kansas developed and executed education programs to familiarize elementary school students with agriculture. Efforts like these must be expanded beyond the Midwest, so that they occur on a national scale.

Having grown up on a farm myself, I knew that I wanted to give back to the agricultural community in a way that best suited my passions. I want youth to know that agriculture is more than just sowing seeds; it's about science, business and technological innovation. I feel lucky to have found a career path that provided a great intersection between these focus areas.

The trends are encouraging: one-tenth of the FFA is comprised of urban and suburban youth, now the fastest growing segment of this organization.

Although this is positive, we are not done yet.

With increasing production challenges and unpredictable climate changes, there must be a sense of urgency in developing the future of the agriculture sector. It is our responsibility -- urbanites, farmers and government leaders alike -- to prepare the youth to address these challenges.



DEKALB® To Partner With Iowa Corn in Sponsorship of Iowa Corn Indy 250 VIP Tent

The Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) is proud to announce that they have partnered with DEKALB® to sponsor the Iowa Corn VIP Tent.  The tent is the best seat in the house to watch the power and performance of 85% ethanol at the Iowa Corn Indy 250 on June 23, 2012 at the Iowa Speedway in Newton.

 “We are excited to partner with DEKALB on the sponsorship of the Iowa Corn VIP Tent at the 6th annual Iowa Corn Indy 250," said Kevin Ross, a farmer from Minden and President of the Iowa Corn Growers Association. “This partnership will allow both of our organizations to show our appreciation to ICGA members and DEKALB customers who support corn-ethanol. This year we expect over 2500 members to participate in the VIP experience."

The Iowa Corn VIP Tent is a special member benefit for ICGA members and their guests at the race.  All ICGA members attending the Iowa Corn Indy 250 will receive a limited edition t-shirt as their ticket into the tent.

“DEKALB is honored to sponsor the Iowa Corn VIP tent at the Iowa Corn Indy 250 and to show our commitment and gratitude to Iowa corn producers who are dedicated to advancing the corn-ethanol industry,” says Gwyn Schramm, Monsanto Regional Business Director for Iowa. “It’s an exciting event showcasing the promise and future that the corn industry holds, and DEKALB is proud to take part in the action.”



Iowa Pork Producers donate to ‘Homes for Haiti” project, issue challenge

Hog farmers from Butler County, Iowa, are challenging the pork industry to come to the aid of the people of Haiti.

A massive 2010 earthquake left 1.6 million Haitians homeless and the “Special Delivery. Homes. Help. Hope. For Haiti” campaign is trying to raise the funds to provide Iowa-built homes for many of the 600,000 people still living under tarps and in tent cities. Iowa Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds and Agriculture Secretary Bill Northey are campaign co-chairs.

Coordinated by the Iowa Soybean Association’s Iowa Food & Family Project and the Iowa-based Global Compassion Network, the campaign seeks to raise funds to deliver 48 SafeTHomes to the Village of Hope in Les Cayes, Haiti, by June 1. Manufactured by Sukup Manufacturing of Sheffield, the grain bin-like structures cost $5,700 each.

The Butler County Pork Producers are donating $1,000 to the “Special Delivery” campaign and have issued a challenge to Iowa pork producers and others across the U.S. to contribute to the effort.

“This is a good program and a way to help needy people,” said Butler County Pork Producers President Kent Debner, a producer from Greene. We’re a compassionate people and when we see a need, we like to pitch in and help. We’d like to see some or all of the other counties match our donation.”

Each SafeTHome can provide shelter for up to 10 people. The circular units are 18-feet in diameter, 100 percent termite, fire and waterproof, can withstand 130 mph winds and be assembled on-site with simple hand tools. SafeTHomes are built with a double heat shield roof to deflect heat and with screened-in lockable windows and door.

The Village of Hope was established last year to offer transitional housing to families displaced by the earthquake. The five-acre village can accommodate up to 50 SafeTHomes and 10 homes have already been built. Donations also are being accepted to cover costs of transporting the homes and concrete to secure each unit.

“Special Delivery” was launched in December and about 30 SafeTHomes have been pledged to date. Donations can be made to the Global Compassion Network online at iowafoodandfamily.com or by sending checks payable to “Global Compassion Network” to: GCN, Attn: Special Delivery, 1066 440th St., Linn Grove, IA 50133.

The U.S. pork industry, including the Iowa Pork Producers Association, has a long history of coming to the aid of victims of local and international natural disasters, most recently donating several hundred thousand dollars to last year’s earthquake and tsunami relief effort in Japan.

The Iowa Pork Producers Association is a participating sponsor in the Iowa Food & Family Project and supports the “Special Delivery” campaign.



FAPRI: Record Corn Crop to Cool Prices
Plantings of Eight Major Crops Seen Up 2% in 2012

U.S. farmers will harvest a record corn crop this year, which will rebuild stockpiles and bring down prices, a University of Missouri think tank projected in a report on Monday that came in 2.5 percent lower than the most recent U.S. government projection.

The Food and Agricultural Policy Research Center, or FAPRI, projected a corn crop of 13.916 billion bushels, 6 percent larger than the record set in 2009, based on the second-largest plantings since World War Two.

The U.S. Agriculture Department projected a crop of 14.27 billion bushels on Feb. 24 at its annual outlook conference.

Like USDA, FAPRI estimated a soybean crop of 3.243 billion bushels. The think tank pegged U.S. wheat at 2.239 billion bushels and upland cotton at 18.09 million bales.

"The rapid growth in corn ethanol production has slowed," said FAPRI in a briefing book. It estimated corn-for-ethanol would grow to 5.07 billion bushels in the marketing year that ends 2013, compared with 4.994 billion bushels this marketing year.

U.S. corn yields were below normal in 2010 and 2011. With a return to trend-line yields, "the resulting large increase in production should allow some stock rebuilding that would moderate prices," said the briefing book.

Corn prices would average $4.81 a bushel at the farm gate under FAPRI's projection, compared to $5.96 a bushel for the 2011 crop.

FAPRI projected slightly smaller corn plantings and a smaller crop than USDA, which projected plantings at 94 million acres (38 million hectares), and a farm-gate price of $5 a bushel. FAPRI projected 2012/13 end stocks of 1.346 billion bushels while USDA projects 1.616 billion bushels. USDA says 801 million bushels will be on hand when 2012/13 begins.

USDA and FAPRI have nearly the same figure for the soybean crop -- USDA says 3.25 billion bushels compared with FAPRI's 3.243 billion bushels. But they differ on 2012/13 end stocks. USDA projected 205 million bushels and FAPRI 301 million bushels, due to smaller exports.

"Price volatility will continue," said FAPRI in discussing the outlook for U.S. crops in coming years. It said corn prices could range from under $3.50 a bushel to more than $6 a bushel in any given year.

Like USDA, FAPRI expects plantings of the eight major crops to increase by about 5 million acres, or 2 percent, this year. It would be the largest total since 1998 according to USDA data.



NPPC Elects New Officers, Board Members

The National Pork Producers Council at its annual business meeting – the National Pork Industry Forum – held in Denver March 1-3 elected new officers and members to its board of directors.

Taking over as president of the organization is R.C. Hunt, a producer from Wilson, N.C. Randy Spronk, a producer from Edgerton, Minn., was elevated to president-elect; Dr. Howard Hill, a producer and veterinarian from Cambridge, Iowa, was elected to the vice president’s position. Each was elected for a one-year term.

Re-elected to the board for three-year terms in the producer category were Hill; James Heimerl, from Johnstown, Ohio; Bill Kessler, from Mexico, Mo.; and E. Ray Summerlin, from Dunn, N.C.

“We have excellent leadership in R.C., Randy and Howard and quality, dedicated industry representatives in the new board members who were elected,” said NPPC CEO Neil Dierks. “I know that all of them will work diligently and tirelessly on behalf of America’s pork producers.”

In addition to the newly elected and re-elected officers and board members, continuing as NPPC directors are: Gary Asay, from Osco, Ill.; Mark Legan, from Coatesville, Ind.; Larry Liepold, from Okabena, Minn.; Bill Luckey, from Columbus, Neb.; Dr. Ron Prestage, from Camden, S.C.; and John Weber, from Dysart, Iowa. Al Deutsch, who works for Automated Production Systems, remains as the allied industry representative, and Pat Schwab, with Hormel Foods, remains as the packer representative. Doug Wolf, owner of Wolf L & G Farms LLC in Lancaster, Wis., will serve on the board as immediate past president.

Producers Dave Moody, from Nevada, Iowa, and Kraig Westerbeek, from Warsaw, N.C., were elected for two-year terms to NPPC’s Nominating Committee, which reviews the credentials of candidates for the organization’s board of directors.



North Carolina’s Hunt New NPPC President

R.C. Hunt, a producer from Wilson, N.C., was elevated to the post of president for the National Pork Producers Council. He was elected to the post for a one-year term at NPPC’s annual business meeting – the National Pork Industry Forum – held in Denver March 1-3.

Hunt is the president and co-owner of Andrews Hunt Farms, which consists of swine, cattle and fish operations and which has 1,000 acres of cropland in the North Carolina counties of Franklin, Nash and Wilson. The Bailey-based farm currently produces 75,000 feeder pigs a year while finishing 40,000 market hogs. The farm contracts for Premium Standard Farms.

In addition to his position on NPPC’s board of directors, Hunt serves on the board of directors and the executive committee of the North Carolina Pork Council (NCPC), the board of directors of the North Carolina Agribusiness Council, the board of trustees for Louisburg College in Louisburg, N.C., and as vice chairman for the United States Aquaculture Cooperative. He is a past president of NCPC’s board of directors, past chairman of the board of the Rocky Mount-Wilson Regional Airport Authority and past president of Wilson Wide-A-Wake Kiwanis.

Hunt received an associate’s degree from Louisburg College and a bachelor’s degree in animal science from North Carolina State University.

“R.C. has extensive experience in various aspects of agriculture and with the U.S. pork industry, and he has great leadership skills and knowledge of pork industry issues,” said NPPC CEO Neil Dierks. “I’m confident he’ll be a great president for NPPC and a valuable asset and leader to U.S. pork producers.”



Spronk Elected NPPC President-Elect

Randy Spronk, a pork producer from Edgerton, Minn., was elevated to the post of president-elect for the National Pork Producers Council. He was elected for a one-year term at NPPC’s annual business meeting – the National Pork Industry Forum – held in Denver March 1-3.

Spronk is the managing partner for two family farm enterprises: Spronk Brothers III LLP is involved in pork production, and Ranger Farms LLP is involved in crop production. The pork production enterprise markets 120,000 head annually. Spronk and his partners also raise corn and soybeans on 2,000 acres.

Spronk has served on the NPPC board of directors for the past five years; he is chairman of the organization’s Environmental Policy Committee. He has been involved with the Minnesota Pork Producers Association, serving as president in 1999, and with the Minnesota Soybean Association. He holds a degree in animal science from South Dakota State University.

“Randy has been a strong leader in the U.S. pork industry and brings that leadership and knowledge of pork industry issues, particularly environmental ones, to his new position as president-elect of NPPC,” said NPPC CEO Neil Dierks. “He is a valuable asset to U.S. pork producers.”


Hill Elected NPPC Vice President

Dr. Howard Hill, a pork producer and veterinarian from Cambridge, Iowa, today was elected to the post of vice president for the National Pork Producers Council. He was elected for a one-year term at NPPC’s annual business meeting – the National Pork Industry Forum – held in Denver March 1-3.

Hill is the director of animal well-being for Iowa Select Farms, an Iowa-based pork production company. He has been with Iowa Select since 2000, when he joined the company as director of production. In 2001, he was promoted to chief operating officer, continuing in that role until 2009.

His pork production business, H&K Enterprises, includes hogs and cattle, and Hill and his son farm 2,600 acres of corn, soybeans and alfalfa.

A native of southern California, Hill earned his bachelor’s and doctorate of veterinary medicine (DVM) degrees from the University of California-Davis. After graduation, he was a mixed animal practitioner in southern California for a year and a half. Hill received his Master’s degree and PhD. in veterinary microbiology from Iowa State University.

Hill, who serves on a number of NPPC committees, last year was one of nine veterinarians appointed to serve on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Advisory Committee on Animal Health. He also is a member of the Story (Iowa) County Pork Producers, is on the board of directors of the Iowa Pork Producers Association and is past president of the American Association of Swine Veterinarians. Hill also is involved with the Iowa Veterinary Medical Association and the American Veterinary Medical Association.

“Howard has been a strong leader in the U.S. pork industry and brings that leadership and knowledge of pork industry issues, particularly ones related to animal health and well-being, to his new position as vice president of NPPC,” said NPPC CEO Neil Dierks. “He is a valuable asset to U.S. pork producers.”



Iowa Weather Summary for February

Although  Iowa  saw  snow  in February,  it  did not  stick  around  long  in most  areas.   Lack  of  deep  frost  has made  it  possible  for  the moisture from  the  melting  snow  and  occasional  rain  to  soak  into  the  ground.  With the continued mild winter, tilers are still laying tile.

As February comes to a close, snow cover is minimal.  Northwest Iowa reports the most snow cover with an average of 2 inches.  South central and southeast Iowa report very little snow cover resulting in an average of  0  inches.    Statewide  the  snow  cover  average  is  1  inch.    Topsoil moisture levels rated 19 percent very short, 34 percent short, 46 percent adequate, and 1 percent surplus.  The driest area of  the State continues to be the northwest with 86 percent short to very short.

Grain  movement  rated  34  percent  none,  42  percent  light,  20  percent moderate and 4 percent heavy.  While these numbers show a third of the State with no grain movement from farm to elevator, several Crops and Weather  respondents  report  above  normal  movement  from  farm  to elevator due to favorable weather conditions and good prices.

Availability  of  hay  and  roughage  supplies  was  20  percent  short, 72 percent adequate and 8 percent surplus with 12 percent of the supply in  poor  condition.   Hog  and  pig  losses  in  February  were  reported  at 40 percent  light,  59  percent  average  and  1  percent  heavy.   Cattle  and calf  losses were  similar with 43 percent  light, 54 percent  average  and 3 percent heavy.   Muddy conditions have made  it difficult  for some  to feed  cattle  and may have  an  effect on  the  calf  crop which  is  reported underway for a few producers.
 
IOWA PRELIMINARY WEATHER SUMMARY
Provided by Harry Hillaker, State Climatologist, Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship

General  Summary.   
Temperatures  averaged  28.9  degrees  or  4.9 degrees  above  normal  while  precipitation  totaled  1.74  inches  or  0.69 inch above normal.     This  ranks as  the 23rd warmest and 17th wettest February among 140 years of records.

Temperatures.   
As  has  been  the  case  all  winter,  above  normal temperatures  were  the  rule  for  most  of  February.      Temperatures averaged below normal on only seven days during the month (8th, 10th-12th, 24th-25th and 27th) and only on the 15th did temperatures average more than ten degrees below normal.   The warmest weather came at the beginning and end of  the month with Shenandoah reaching 61 degrees on  the 1st  and Keokuk  and Keosauqua  climbing  to 62 degrees on  the 26th.   Subzero temperatures were recorded on only three dates (11th, 12th and 25th) with Atlantic the cold spot at -13 degrees on the morning of the 12th.

Heating Degree Days.  
Home  heating  requirements,  as  estimated by heating degree day  totals,  averaged 13 percent  less  than  last February and 9 percent  less  than normal.     Degree day  totals so  far  this heating season  (since  July 1, 2011)  are  running 15 percent  less  than one  year ago and 13 percent less than normal.   This has been the mildest heating season-to-date in ten years.

Precipitation.  
A series of five storm systems brought most of the past month’s precipitation.   The first event on the 3rd-4th affected only the southern one-half of Iowa with rain changing  to snow.     Greatest snow amounts  fell over west  central and  southwest  Iowa where  five  to nine inches  fell.      The  other  storms were  all  focused more  upon  northern Iowa and brought welcome relief from severe drought conditions in the northwest.     The  storm  of  the  13th-14th  brought  snow  statewide with greatest  amounts  over  the  northwest  where  3  to  5  inch  totals  were common.     The  next  event  on  the  20th-21st  brought mostly  rain with amounts to nearly an inch at a few northwest Iowa locations.   Another storm  system  on  the  23rd-24th  began  as  rain  but  turned  to  snow statewide with a few northwest and northeast locations seeing more than six inches of snow.   Finally, the largest event of February came on the 28th-29th with rain falling statewide.   Some freezing rain accumulated over the north on the 28th with an inch or two of wind blown snow over the far north on the 29th.   Rain totals between one and two inches were reported across the northwest.   Monthly precipitation totals varied from 0.64 inch at Ionia in Chickasaw County to 3.26 inches at Bedford.   This was the wettest February since 1951 over the northwest climate district.

Severe Weather.  
The primary severe weather event of the month was the  late winter  storm  of  the  28th-29th.      This  storm  brought  the  first widespread  thunderstorms of  the new year  to  Iowa on  the night of  the 28th and was followed by widespread high winds on the 29th.   Carroll Airport  reported  the  highest  official  wind  speed  at  58  mph  on  the morning  of  the  29th with  gusts  of  40  to  50 mph  common  across  the state.

Winter  Summary.     
Temperatures  for  the  three  winter  months  of December, January and February averaged 28.2 degrees or 6.6 degrees above  normal  while  precipitation  totaled  4.51  inches  or  1.17  inches above normal.     This ranks as  the 9th warmest and 20th wettest winter among 139 years of  records.     The  last warmer winter  came  in 2001-2002.      Snowfall  for  these  three  months  averaged  16.1  inches  or 6.8 inches below normal.     This  ranks  as  the 28th  lowest  total  among 125 years of  records.     This winter has been a huge contrast  to  recent ones  in  Iowa  as  it  was  preceded  by  five  consecutive  snowier  than normal winters and four consecutive colder than usual ones.



CWT Assists with 6.8 Million Pounds of Butter and Cheese Export Sales

Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) has accepted 24 requests for export assistance from Dairy Farmers of America, Darigold, Foremost Farms, Land O’Lakes, Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative, Michigan Milk Producers Association and United Dairymen of Arizona to sell a total of 811 metric tons (1.788 million pounds) of Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese and 2,282 metric tons (5.030 million pounds) of butter to customers in Asia, Central America, the Middle East and North Africa. The product will be delivered March through July 2012.

In 2012, CWT has assisted member cooperatives in making export sales of Cheddar, Monterey Jack and Gouda cheese totaling 28.7 million pounds and butter totaling 28.0 million pounds to 17 countries on four continents. On a butterfat basis, the milk equivalent of these exports is 876 million pounds, or the annual production of approximately 41,000 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.



New CME Settlement Procedures in June

CME Group Inc. said Monday it will start incorporating electronic trades into settlement procedures for corn and soybean futures in June, a couple months later than first planned.

CME said the new settlement procedures will use volume-weighted prices both from the open-outcry trade and trading on the exchange's electronic trading platform, Globex.

The exchange first revealed its intent to make the changes in December. At the time, CME said it planned to implement the changes in March or April, and that the changes would include live cattle and lean hogs.

CME said implementation was delayed due to "significant market feedback" following its initial announcement, along with discussions with the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the need to give the market ample notification of the changes.

CME added that it has not reached a final decision on changes to the livestock futures settlements, and that it is still discussing the matter with the CFTC.

Electronic traders argue that it makes more sense to base settlements on Globex activity since electronic trade volume dwarfs pit trading activity.

Floor traders say pit settlements have played an important role in keeping some traders on the trading floor even as Globex has increasingly dominated trading volume. Some traders are worried the settlement changes will chase more traders off the floor in Chicago, although others say that the floor will remain the best option for traders who want to execute complex options trades.



3M Adhesive Remover Uses Citrus, Soy and Corn

3M introduced a new liquid cleaner/degreaser made from environmentally friendly, bio-based raw materials: 3M Adhesive Remover- Renew. Made with 60 percent renewable materials, 3M Adhesive Remover- Renew provides a new option for effective adhesive removal.

3M Adhesive Remover- Renew is made with citrus, soy and corn based materials, and can be used to dissolve and remove dirt, grease, tar and many non-curing type adhesives. It can also be used in place of many chlorinated or petroleum-based solvents to degrease substrates prior to adhesive bonding. The product is FDA compliant for indirect food contact, and is packaged in an aerosol can for easy use.

3M Adhesive Remover- Renew complements 3M's existing line of adhesive removers, which includes 3M Adhesive Remover an FDA compliant citrus-based adhesive remover; and 3M Adhesive Remover- Low VOC <20%, a petroleum-based solvent with less than 20 percent Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs).

Also in 3M's line of maintenance aerosols, 3M Silicone Spray- Low VOC 60% is designed to lubricate machinery and moving parts, eliminate squeaks, prevent sticking and freezing, and protect against rust. Like 3M Adhesive Remover- Renew and 3M Adhesive Remover- Low VOC <20%, this product gives users a more environmentally-friendly option in maintenance aerosols, that can be used in food and beverage facilities.