Thursday March 1 Ag News

Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations Meeting Scheduled for March 13 in West Point, Neb.

EPA Region 7 representatives will host a public informational meeting for livestock producers about the Agency’s inspection program for concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs) on Tuesday, March 13, in West Point, Neb. EPA Region 7’s inspections are part of an increased national emphasis on ending harmful discharges of pollutants from CAFOs into rivers and streams.

“It is important for EPA Region 7 staff to be out in the countryside so we can educate communities about EPA's job and how inspections support the agency's duties," EPA Regional Administrator Karl Brooks said. “That’s why outreach efforts like this one are so important in obtaining the overall goal of protecting human health and water quality.”

Topics at the meeting include selection of CAFOs for inspection, aerial overflights to assess CAFOs, winter feeding areas, manure stockpiling and nutrient management plans. There will be an opportunity for attendees to interact with EPA officials during a question-and-answer session led by Larry Howard of the University of Nebraska Lincoln-Extension.

WHAT: Meeting about EPA’s inspection program for CAFOs
WHEN: 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 13, 2012
WHERE: Nielsen Community Center, 200 Anna Stalp Avenue, West Point, Neb., 68788          
WHO:  EPA Region 7 representatives attending this event will include Josh Svaty, senior adviser to the regional administrator; Stephen Pollard, CAFO compliance and enforcement coordinator; and Trevor Urban, senior CAFO inspector.



Nebraska Soybean Board Helps Third Graders Celebrate Ag Week in Full-Color

The Nebraska Soybean Board (NSB) will help third graders across the state celebrate National Ag Week in a big way again this year. For the second consecutive year, the NSB will be distributing their “ABCs of Farming” coloring books and soy crayons to every third grader in the state.

National Ag Week will be celebrated from March 4-10 across the country. The Nebraska Department of Agriculture has chosen the theme of “Nebraska Agriculture: Feed My Family” for this year’s celebration. The goal of this year’s theme is to remind us all that Nebraska farmers and ranchers work hard to put an abundance of safe and affordable food on our tables, while maintaining the utmost care and respect for the land and animals.

The project, which began last year as a way to help Nebraska elementary students gain a better understanding of the state’s number one industry—agriculture, is a part of NSB’s educational initiative. NSB wants to increase ag education in order to provide students across the state with facts and information about the importance of agriculture to our state, and the coloring books and soy crayons are back by popular demand.

The coloring books are filled with facts about soybeans, livestock and farm facts from A-Z. Each page features a letter of the alphabet with a corresponding fact beginning with that letter. For example, “I is for Ice Cream that tastes great and is good for us. The fat and calcium in ice cream and other dairy products help our bodies and minds develop and stay strong.” Each student is also provided with a package of soy crayons to fill in their book.

Mrs. Schultze, a third-grade teacher at Osmond Elementary had this to say about NSB’s sponsorship of the coloring books and crayons for Ag Week, “We would like to thank you for sharing the coloring books and crayons with us! We were pleased to receive them. It fills us with pride, as many of our families are involved with Farming in Nebraska!”

Mrs. Bunner, a third-grade teacher at Bridgeport Elementary said, “Thanks so much for the awesome coloring books and soy crayons. We loved them!”

Lisa Lunz, Nebraska Soybean Board director from Wakefield and Research Committee chairman, thinks the ABCs of Farming project provides an excellent opportunity to educate children and their parents on the link between farmers and where their food comes from. “With the average consumer being two or three generations removed from the farm, it is more important than ever to help them make the connection that their food is coming from a farm or a ranch,” Lunz said. “This project has twofold benefits— it provides students with a fun educational tool to learn about Nebraska agriculture, and it helps farmers share their stories about the vitality of a strong agricultural industry by starting conversations about food. 

The Nebraska Soybean Board encourages you to find ways that you can celebrate National Ag Week in your area. It can be as simple as thinking about where your food came from the next time you’re at the grocery store, or simply taking the time to thank a Nebraska farmer or rancher for providing you with the safest, most abundant food supply in the world.



New FSA Help for Beginning Farmers and Ranchers

The USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) is working harder than ever to assist new farmers and ranchers to succeed.  FSA Executive Director Dan Steinkruger recently unveiled a new Land Contract Guaranteed Program and several other tools designed to help farmers and ranchers build the foundation for a successful career in agriculture.

“New farmers face many challenges, like obtaining land for example, “ said Steinkruger.  “FSA is going to provide new options to help them to work through this challenging start-up issue.”  Peak land values, tight commercial credit, minimal credit history and less collateral make it difficult for new and smaller farmers in Nebraska to get a commercial business loan right now.

The Land Contract Guarantee Program provides a new approach for landowners willing to sell and finance a land purchase to a beginning or socially disadvantaged farmer.  The national program offers two options, one that guarantees up to three annual installment payments on the contract and another that guarantees 90% of the unpaid principal of the contract.  Guarantees can be used in the purchase of land for up to $500,000.

“Nebraska farmers represent all walks of life, a wide variety of ethic backgrounds, and all different ages,” notes Steinkruger. “This new program will work well for beginning and minority growers in our state and we encourage producers to visit with us to see if they qualify and how it could fit their needs,” he said.  Find FSA loan information, disaster assistance programs and other helpful programs at www.fsa.usda.gov.

Another new change to the agency’s lending rules for new producers is to allow more flexibility in the minimum experience requirement.  Under the new rule, FSA loan officers are now allowed to consider all prior farming experience, including on-the-job training and formal education when determining eligibility for FSA Farm Operating and Ownership Loans.  To qualify for the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Loan Program, applicants must have a minimum level of agricultural experience, but not more than 10 years operating a farm or ranch.  Steinkruger also recommends that people considering a farming career should visit a new USDA website www.start2farm.gov to learn more about USDA and FSA programs for beginning farmers and ranchers.

Nebraska FSA’s support for Beginning and Socially Disadvantaged Farmers and Ranchers is evident in the high level of minority and new farmer participation generated through staff outreach into the community.  In 2011, 63.7% of all FSA farm loans in Nebraska were made to socially disadvantaged and beginning farmers and ranchers.

For more information about these and other USDA programs, you can always call or visit your nearest USDA Farm Service Agency office.



Nebraska Corn Board Vacancies

Notice is hereby given that the terms for three members of the Nebraska Corn Development, Utilization and Marketing Board will expire June 21, 2012.  The members represent Districts 6, 7, and 8.

District #6 - Includes the counties of Hayes, Frontier, Gosper, Phelps, Kearney, Hitchcock, Red Willow, Furnas, and Harlan (Note:  Dennis Gengenbach, the current District 6 director, has indicated that he will pursue reappointment.)

District #7 - Includes the counties of Boyd, Holt, Antelope, Garfield, Wheeler, Boone, Platte, Valley, Greeley, and Nance.  (Note: David Merrell, the current District 7 director, has indicated that he will pursue reappointment.)

District #8 - Includes the counties of Sioux, Dawes, Box Butte, Sheridan, Scotts Bluff, Banner, Kimball, Morrill, Cheyenne, Garden, Deuel, Cherry, Keya Paha, Brown, Rock, Grant, Hooker, Thomas, Blaine, Loup, Arthur, McPherson, Logan, Custer, Keith, Lincoln, Perkins, Chase, and Dundy.   (Note:  Jon Holzfaster, the current District 8 director, has indicated that he will pursue reappointment.)

Appointments to the board for Districts 6, 7 and 8 are made by the Governor.  Any candidate for appointment may place his or her name on the candidacy list by filing a petition with the Nebraska Corn Board.  Qualified candidates include those individuals who are citizens of Nebraska, are at least 21 years old, have been actively engaged in growing corn in Nebraska for a period of five years, and derive a substantial portion of their income from growing corn.  Board members who currently represent these districts are also eligible to re-petition.

Petitions may be obtained by writing the Nebraska Corn Board, P.O. Box 95107, Lincoln, NE 68509-5107 or by calling (800) 632-6761 or email janet.miller@nebraska.gov.  A candidacy petition must carry the signatures of at least 50 corn producers from that district.  All petitions must be received by the Corn Board no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 18, 2012.  Faxed copies do not qualify.



2011 U.S. Ethanol Production Exceeds 13.9 Billion Gallons

Monthly ethanol production data from the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) shows American ethanol producers supplied a record 13.948 billion gallons (332.11 million barrels) in calendar year 2011.  That is an increase from 13.231 billion gallons in 2010.

Strong production in the ending months of 2011 helped push domestic ethanol production to these record levels and outpace the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) requirement for renewable fuel of 13.2 billion gallons for 2011.  December production was a new monthly record of 29.772 million barrels. As the RFA previously reported, the U.S. exported a record 1.19 billion gallons of denatured and undenatured ethanol in 2011.

“Ethanol producers have clearly shown their ability to innovate and evolve to meet the renewable energy demands of the nation, and increasingly, the world,” said Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Bob Dinneen.  “With increasing volumes of ethanol expected to come from additional sources like grasses, ag wastes, and garbage, we must commit to opening American fuel markets to higher level ethanol blends and giving consumers a truer choice at the pump.  Blends like E15, as well as E20, E30, and E85 offer safe, cost-effective, and domestic opportunities to further reduce our reliance on imported oil.”



The Andersons to Purchase Iowa Ethanol Plant

Ohio-based The Andersons, Inc., announced the signing of an agreement to acquire an ethanol production facility in Denison, Iowa from its owners, the Amaizing Energy Denison LLC and Amaizing Energy Holding Company, LLC. The transaction, which remains subject to several contingencies, is anticipated to close in the second quarter.

If acquired, the plant would be owned by The Andersons Denison Ethanol LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Andersons, Inc.

"As our first ethanol plant west of the Mississippi, this facility provides us with geographic diversity into some of the best corn ground in the country," says Neill McKinstray, President, Ethanol Group. "This purchase enables us to expand our ethanol production, marketing and services into a new region providing arbitrage and risk management opportunities with the three existing plants we manage while leveraging existing administrative staff to a fourth plant. With much of the same technology in all four plants, we expect to bring additional efficiencies to drive down our cost per gallon, and maximize returns to shareholders as we have successfully demonstrated during the past five years."

CEO Mike Anderson adds, "This is a well-respected, well-run organization that brings with it a solid customer base in a geographic area that we are looking forward to serving. This ethanol facility enables us to offer our grain marketing expertise and the associated services to grain producers in Iowa and fits well with our existing presence as an investor in the Iowa Northern Railway Company and our merchandising relationship with Lansing Trade Group."

The operations consist of an ethanol facility with an adjacent 2.7 million bushel grain terminal, both with direct access to two Class 1 railroads in Iowa.

Sam Cogdill, chairman and CEO of Amaizing Energy, stated that the proposed sale will address the liquidity concerns of Amaizing Energy's membership, while retaining the economic benefits the Denison facility has in the local area.

"Our investors committed to Amaizing Energy to earn a good return on their investment and to further local economic development and we feel great about having met both of those goals," said Cogdill. "Placing Amaizing Energy on the market while it was a profitable operation has allowed it to reach a fair deal with a great company who we know will operate our plant properly."

The Andersons, Inc. is a diversified company with interests in the grain, ethanol and plant nutrient sectors of U.S. agriculture, as well as in railcar leasing and repair, turf products production, and general merchandise retailing. Founded in Maumee, Ohio, in 1947, the company now has operations across the United States, in Puerto Rico, and has rail equipment leasing interests in Canada and Mexico.

Amaizing Energy Denison, LLC is a wholly owned subsidiary of Amaizing Energy Holding Company, LLC. Amaizing Energy owns and operates a dry-mill ethanol plant in Denison, Iowa. The western Iowa facility was designed and constructed by Fagen, Inc. and commenced operations in September 2005. Amaizing Energy currently has 42 full time employees responsible for operating its facility and prides itself on providing quality jobs, quality products and consistent returns to its owners.



Illness due to E. coli O157:H7 down significantly
(from Cattlemens Beef Board)

Foodborne illnesses remain a significant burden on public health in the United States.

America’s beef community remains dedicated to producing the safest food supply in the world through improved science-based prevention interventions, especially in the case of E. coli O157:H7, for which reported cases of the infection continue to decline.

E. coli O157:H7 has declined significantly and is the only one of the nine infections tracked to reach the 2010 national health objective target of less than one case per 100,000 people. Overall, infections caused by key pathogens (including Campylobacter, Listeria, Shigella, Yersinia and E. coli) were 23 percent lower in 2010 compared with laboratory-confirmed infections from 1996-1998.

From 1994 through 2011, cattlemen have invested more than $30 million of their beef checkoff dollars to beef safety research and outreach efforts. In addition, the beef community as a whole invests an estimated $550 million yearly, to implement, maintain and validate safety controls and conduct product testing.



Kirk: Factors Will Determine Japanese Trade Agreement Decision
U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk assured lawmakers on Wednesday that the United States would not sign off on Japan's entry into trans-Pacific trade talks until it is confident Tokyo is ready to meet high U.S. goals for the pact.

"We've been very honest (in talks with the Japanese) that they have to meet those standards," Kirk told the House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee at hearing on the Obama administration's trade agenda. "Frankly, it's in Japan's hand to demonstrate their willingness to address these issues."

According to Reuters, Japan announced its interest last year in joining negotiations with the United States, Australia, Vietnam and six other countries in the Asia Pacific region on the Trans-Pacific Partnership pact, known as TPP.

That has raised concern among Detroit-based automakers Ford, Chrylser and General Motors, who oppose Japan's entry because believe Tokyo is not prepared to tear down "non-tariff barriers" that they blame for low U.S. auto sales.

Other U.S. farm and business groups have welcomed Japan's potential participation, but worry Tokyo may not really be willing to open its market and could drag out the negotiations for years.

A free trade pact with Japan could require the United States to phase out its remaining low tariffs on Japanese automobiles as well as a 25 percent tariff on pickup trucks. Japan already has a zero percent tariff on U.S. cars, but imports few cars from the United States or other foreign automakers.



Corn Outlook Conference in Tokyo

The U.S. Grains Council hosted a Corn Outlook Conference in Tokyo on Feb. 28, attracting 125 attendees including buyers, feed processors of U.S. corn, traders and government officials. Event participants received detailed information on corn quality and global trends in logistics and grain transportation. This year, more focused discussions on systematic analysis of corn quality, compared to past Corn Outlook Conferences, received favorable feedback from attendees.

Japanese corn users are well aware of the impact of very wet weather in 2010 on harvested corn. One of the key messages in this year’s conference was the assurance by the well known and trusted grain analyst, Arvid Hawk, president of Global Agriculture Consulting LLC., of the current high quality corn being delivered to local elevators. The 2011/12 crop exhibits good test weight, low moisture level, low stress cracks and BCFM, high-crude protein levels and low incidence of mycotoxins. Since buyers and processors are always interested in the most updated information on corn quality, Hawk's presentation of the Council’s Corn Harvest Quality Report 2011/12 provided critial analysis for attendees. Conference participants expressed particular interest in reading such a well-organized, systematic, quality report on a regular basis in the future.

Later, David Howell, vice chairman of the Indiana Corn Marketing Council and leader of the Council's Asia Advisory team, provided a personal, detailed perspective about farming technology, budget and production costs.

Finally, Logistics & Global Grain Transportation, delivered by Amer Badawi, vice president of Columbia Grain, offered new insight on the dynamic system of the U.S. and global logistics infrastructure, including the expansion of the Panama Canal. Mr. Badawi further added analysis on major grain outlook in production supply and demand, commenting on current trends in the ethanol industry and Chinese demand.



USDA Announces Commodity Credit Corporation Lending Rates for March 2012

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) today announced interest rates for March 2012. The CCC borrowing rate-based charge for March 2012 is 0.125 percent, unchanged from 0.125 in February 2012. For 1996 and subsequent crop year commodity and marketing assistance loans, the interest rate for loans disbursed during March 2012 is 1.125 percent, unchanged from 1.125 in February 2012.

In accordance with the 2008 Farm Bill, interest rates for Farm Storage Facility Loans approved for March 2012 are as follows, 1.375 percent with seven-year loan terms, unchanged from 1.375 in February 2012; 2.000 percent with 10-year loan terms, unchanged from 2.000 in February 2012 and; 2.250 percent with 12-year loan terms, unchanged from 2.250 percent in February 2012.



Agriculture Secretary Vilsack Announces Trade Mission to China with 40 U.S. Companies to Strengthen Business Ties
Sales of U.S. food and agricultural products to China have grown by 80 percent in 3 years

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced today that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will lead an agricultural trade mission to China at the end of March to strengthen partnerships between U.S. and Chinese businesses and enhance job growth in the United States. The trade mission is expected to be USDA's largest to date, with more than 40 U.S. agribusinesses and representatives from six State Departments of Agriculture set to accompany Acting Under Secretary Michael Scuse to Chengdu and Shanghai, two of China's largest cities.

In 2011, China moved into the top spot as the number one market for U.S. agricultural goods, purchasing $20 billion in U.S. agricultural exports. U.S. farm exports to China supported more than 160,000 American jobs in 2011.

"This trade mission, USDA's largest to date, offers American businesses the opportunity to position themselves to enter or expand their presence in China, one of our strongest trading partners," said Vilsack. "China and the United States share a special relationship, and we embrace this opportunity to continue our in-depth dialogue on issues of mutual concern. At the same time, we want to ensure that our American farmers, ranchers and producers continue to be recognized across China and the Asia Pacific as reliable suppliers of the highest-quality food and agricultural products."

Last month, Vilsack hosted China's Vice President Xi Jinping and Agriculture Minister Han Changfu at the first U.S.-China Agricultural Symposium in Des Moines. The agriculture ministers signed a Plan of Strategic Cooperation that will guide the two countries' agricultural relationship for the next five years. The plan focuses on agricultural science, trade and education, and looks to deepen cooperation through technical exchanges and strengthen coordination in key priority areas, including food security and emerging technologies.

Scuse will lead the trade mission to China from March 23-28, beginning in Chengdu, one of the most important economic, transportation, and communication centers in western China and home of USDA's newest Agricultural Trade Office. Participants will then travel on to Shanghai, a hub of global commerce and the most populous city in the world. The goal of the mission is to provide U.S. participants with first-hand market information, access to government decision makers, and one-on-one meetings with business contacts, potential agents, distributers, and importers so they can position themselves to enter or expand their presence in China.

While in China, Scuse will meet with Chinese government and agricultural officials and U.S. agribusiness, and will visit agricultural production and development sites. Ambassador Islam Siddiqui, Chief Agricultural Negotiator for the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, will also join Scuse to open the USA Pavilion at the Food Ingredients China Trade Show in Shanghai on March 28.

The Obama Administration, with Agriculture Secretary Vilsack's leadership, has aggressively worked to expand export opportunities and reduce barriers to trade, helping to push agricultural exports to record levels in 2011 and beyond. U.S. agriculture is currently experiencing one of its best periods in history thanks to the productivity, resiliency, and resourcefulness of our producers and agribusinesses. Today, net farm income is at record levels while debt has been cut in half since the 1980s. Overall, American agriculture supports 1 in 12 jobs in the United States and provides American consumers with 83 percent of the food we consume, while maintaining affordability and choice. Strong agricultural exports contribute to a positive U.S. trade balance, create jobs, boost economic growth and support President Obama's National Export Initiative goal of doubling all U.S. exports by the end of 2014.



Commodity Classic Organizations Outline 2012 Farm Bill Priorities
The following statement on the 2012 farm bill was released today by National Corn Growers Association President Garry Niemeyer, a corn grower from Auburn, Ill.; National Association of Wheat Growers President Wayne Hurst, a wheat producer from Burley, Idaho; American Soybean Association President Steve Wellman, soybean farmer from Syracuse, Neb.; and National Sorghum Producers Chairman Terry Swanson, a sorghum grower from Walsh, Colo.

“Commodity Classic provides our organizations an opportunity to come together to discuss important policy issues facing our industry.  As Congress continues work on the next farm bill, our organizations agree that an affordable crop insurance program is our No. 1 priority.  We also stand ready to work with House and Senate Ag Committee leaders to create farm programs that provide risk-management tools to growers when they are facing a loss beyond their control.

“We urge Congress to pass a new farm bill this year to provide the level of certainty in America that a short-term extension cannot.The nation is currently facing record high federal deficits and this requires difficult decisions.  We stand ready to do our part to develop more efficient farm policy that will be responsive to taxpayers and effective in helping farms remain viable and productive.

“Our organizations represent more than 70 percent of all crop acres in the United States.  Agriculture is a bright spot in our nation’s economy, sustainably meeting the expanding demands to provide food, feed, fuel and fiber to the world.  We are pleased to see the Senate and House Agriculture Committees have produced such an aggressive schedule and we thank them for their efforts.”




Boswell: Let's Focus on the Farm Bill

During Wednesday's Agriculture Committee hearing, Congressman Leonard Boswell (IA-3) called on committee leaders to also focus on writing the 2012 Farm Bill as we continue to monitor Wall Street.

Half of the full committee hearings this Congress have been dedicated to Commodity Futures Trading Commission issues surrounding the Wall Street Reform Act. The same topic has been the reigning issue for more than half of the hearings before the General Farm Commodities and Risk Management subcommittee.

"I understand and support the need for Congressional oversight, but I believe that we must also get to business and tend to our responsibility to craft a 2012 Farm Bill before this October," Boswell said.

"Farmers, ranchers and producers in all of our states and districts expect a farm bill to provide foresight for the upcoming planting seasons and overall business operations. We must work to maintain a stable farm economy as well as affordable food for the American public"

To date, the full House Committee on Agriculture has not held a single hearing that would start the process to begin writing a Farm Bill. The Senate is already wrapping up meetings so they may soon begin markup of a Farm Bill.



Agriculture Committee Field Hearing in Dodge City

House Agriculture Committee member Congressman Tim Huelskamp (KS-1) announced today that the Committee will host a field hearing in Dodge City, Kan. on April 20, 2012. Additional field hearings will be held in New York, Illinois, and Arkansas.

“I am honored to have the opportunity to host my Agriculture Committee colleagues for a field hearing in the heart of Kansas’ Big First District,” Congressman Huelskamp said. “This field hearing will provide Committee members with an opportunity to hear firsthand from the farmers and ranchers directly impacted by the farm bill. And, I look forward to providing Kansans an opportunity to have their voices heard.”

“Agriculture is the backbone not only of the Kansas economy, but the American economy as well. However, due to overregulation, it is becoming increasingly more difficult for farmers and ranchers to carry on their family traditions. We need to unleash our farmers and ranchers from the bounds of red tape and regulation so that they can fully participate in this important sector of our economy.”

During the Dodge City hearing, Committee members will hear from two separate panels who have been tasked to talk about the impact of federal policy on America’s farms. The event is open to the public. For more information, please contact Congressman Huelskamp’s Washington, D.C. office at 202-225-2715.

Details: House Agriculture Committee Field Hearing
Friday, April 20, 2012 – 9:00 a.m. CDT
Magouirk Conference Center
4100 W. Comanche
Dodge City, KS 67801



Chairwoman Stabenow Announces Farm Bill Hearing Schedule for February, March

Senator Debbie Stabenow, Chairwoman of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, has updated the Committee’s Farm Bill hearing schedule for March, noting that the Committee will continue examining Farm Bill principles and evaluating policy solutions to develop a 2012 Farm Bill. (dates and topics are subject to change).

Previous Hearings:
Wednesday, February 15;  Energy and Economic Growth for Rural America
Tuesday, February 28;  Strengthening Conservation through the 2012 Farm Bill

Updated Futures Hearings:
Wednesday, March 7 (was scheduled for March 14th)
Title: Healthy Food Initiatives, Local Production and Nutrition;  A hearing to explore innovative opportunities in agriculture through policies that assist the development of local markets for farmers – connecting them to the growing consumer demand for locally-produced, healthy food options.

Wednesday, March 14 (was scheduled for March 21st)
Title: Risk Management and Commodities in the 2012 Farm Bill;  A hearing to evaluate the need for and cost effectiveness of risk management tools available to farmers who continue to face increasingly volatile crop prices, input costs and the threat of natural disasters; and how the federal government can provide appropriate risk-management tools while making the best use of limited resources.  Witnesses, times and other specific hearing details to be announced. Senate Agriculture Committee hearings are available for viewing on the Committee website at http://ag.senate.gov.



DuPont Drives Innovation with 154 New Corn Products for 2012 Planting

DuPont significantly increased its new corn product offerings compared to last year with the release of 154 new Pioneer® brand hybrids and integrated refuge products, featuring 36 new genetic families, to better serve growers across North America for the 2012 planting season.

“Our dedication to market-based innovations continues to maximize grower productivity by using our Right Product for the Right Acre strategy,” said Paul E. Schickler, president of Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont seed business.  “This year’s genetic and technology options will address many of the local challenges growers will face by providing industry-leading, drought-tolerant and integrated refuge management products.”

The new genetic families and hybrids show Pioneer’s continued commitment to localized testing through the IMPACT™ (Intensively Managed Product Advancement, Characterization and Training) trial program.  Through this testing, the company advances products that perform well on growers’ own farms on a field-by-field basis.  These new products feature strong yields and agronomic characteristics to meet the local environmental conditions growers face.

Key advancements in the 2012 corn hybrid lineup include Optimum® AQUAmax™ hybrids, designed for water-stressed environments, featuring 17 new hybrids in the 96 to 115 comparative relative maturity (CRM) range.  Following a water-stressed 2011 growing season, the first class of Optimum® AQUAmax™ hybrids provided strong yields and stable agronomics – growers can expect similar results from this class of hybrid advancements.

Pioneer’s new class includes an expanded Optimum® AcreMax® family of products.  This new class contains 16 Optimum® AcreMax® products, the single-bag integrated refuge product targeting above-ground insects.  In addition, Pioneer is introducing seven Optimum® AcreMax® Xtra products, which provide growers a single-bag integrated refuge product targeting above- and below-ground insects.
The new class for 2012 also features 16 Optimum® AcreMax® 1 products, the first integrated refuge product for corn rootworm, and five Optimum® AcreMax® RW products.

In 2012, Pioneer is offering 14 new Optimum® Intrasect™ hybrids featuring industry-leading insect protection technologies and traits.  This new lineup offers above-ground insect protection with a combination of Herculex® I insect protection and YieldGard® Corn Borer technology.
In addition, 12 new Optimum® Intrasect™ Xtra hybrids provide above- and below-ground insect protection with a combination of Herculex® XTRA insect protection combined with YieldGard® Corn Borer technology.  This entire class continues to provide genetic diversity and top-end yield potential combined with industry-leading test weight and grain quality.

“Optimum® AQUAmax™ and the Optimum® AcreMax® family of products offers growers flexibility and risk management while maximizing yield and productivity,” said Schickler.  “Growers expect drought products to perform well in adverse conditions and to offer top-end yield potential when conditions are favorable.  Technologies that provide reduced refuge, such as the Optimum® AcreMax® family of products, help increase convenience and meet technology compliance requirements.”

Additional Pioneer hybrid product offerings for 2012 planting include 10 new waxy hybrids from 102 to 116 CRM, 32 double-stack hybrids, 17 triple-stack hybrids and 18 hybrids with the Roundup Ready® Corn 2 trait.



NEW ROUNDUP READY XTEND CROP SYSTEM TO EXTEND WEED CONTROL AND MAXIMIZE YIELD
Monsanto Company today unveiled its new Roundup Ready® Xtend Crop System, which is designed to provide farmers with more consistent, flexible control of weeds, especially tough-to-manage and glyphosate-resistant weeds to maximize crop yield potential.

            Pending regulatory approvals, this advanced system is expected to be available to U.S. farmers for the 2014 growing season, consisting of an innovative new soybean trait solution and a next-generation herbicide formulation.

    Roundup Ready® 2 Xtend is Monsanto’s newest Genuity® soybean trait that includes tolerance to dicamba.  This trait will also be stacked with the current Genuity® Roundup Ready 2 Yield® soybean trait technology, which offers farmers the highest yield opportunity with more beans per pod and more bushels per acre.  Roundup Ready 2 Xtend will be the industry’s first biotech-stacked traits in soybeans, offering tolerance to both glyphosate and dicamba herbicides, once approved. 

    Roundup® Xtend is an enhanced dicamba and glyphosate herbicide premix that will enable farmers to manage weeds before planting and as an over-the-top-option during the season in conjunction with Roundup Ready Xtend crops.  With dual modes of action, this low-volatility formulation will give farmers additional choice for broad control of glyphosate-resistant and tough-to-control broadleaf weeds and extend application and planting flexibility, as well as the window for post-emergence applications.

           The Roundup Ready Xtend Crop System will be an integral component of Monsanto’s Roundup Ready PLUSTM Weed Management Solutions platform.  Roundup Ready PLUS offers weed management recommendations that are developed in conjunction with leading academics, agronomists and other industry partners for control of tough weeds.  The recommendations focus on multiple modes of action, including the use of pre-emergence applied residual herbicides in combinations with Roundup® agricultural herbicides.  Roundup Ready PLUS also offers financial incentives to help farmers offset the cost of using qualifying residual herbicides.

          “Today, Roundup Ready PLUSTM provides farmers with solutions for effective weed control.  The Roundup Ready® Xtend Crop System is designed to offer future solutions and choice within Roundup Ready PLUS. It represents another step forward in empowering farmers to optimize yield through effective and economical weed control,” said Matt Helms, Monsanto’s U.S. Roundup Ready Xtend Crop System Launch Lead.

          “Monsanto’s introduction of this new crop system will be another tool for a farmer’s weed control program, both for those dealing with glyphosate-resistant weeds and those who are trying to minimize the risk of developing resistant weeds,” said Johnny Dodson, a Halls, Tenn., farmer who is past president of the American Soybean Association.  “Dicamba is a mode of action that has not been available to soybean producers as an in-crop herbicide.  The Roundup Ready Xtend Crop System will give them additional choice to help grow high-quality, clean, high-yielding crops.” 

            Once approved, the Roundup Ready Xtend Crop System will be available in all Monsanto soybean brands, and broadly licensed to independent seed companies.  Although soybean farmers will have first access to Roundup Ready Xtend crops and Roundup Xtend herbicide, Monsanto also plans to have a follow-up introduction for cotton with Bollgard II® RR® Xtend with LibertyLink®. In addition to glyphosate tolerance, this Genuity® cotton product would provide growers with dicamba and glufosinate tolerance, pending regulatory approvals.  

            Monsanto Company and BASF have been collaborating on the advancement of next generation low-volatility herbicide technology to be used in the Roundup Ready Xtend Crop Systems.



SEARCH FOR 2012 AMERICA’S FARMERS MOM OF THE YEAR NOW UNDER WAY

Monsanto’s search for America’s Farmers Mom of the Year is back for 2012, along with a $10,000 grand prize.

Anyone can nominate their favorite farm mom by visiting AmericasFarmers.com by April 23 and submitting a 300-word essay explaining how she contributes to her family, farm, community and agriculture. Five regional winners will be selected by a panel of judges from American Agri-Women and Monsanto.  Profiles of the regional winners will be posted to AmericasFarmers.com, where online voting will determine the national winner to be announced on Mother’s Day. All regional winners will receive a $5,000 cash prize from Monsanto; the national winner will receive an additional $5,000.

“Monsanto is thrilled to recognize the nearly 1 million female farmers in the U.S. who help provide food and fiber for our growing global population while raising the next generation of American farmers,” said Consuelo Madere, America’s Farmers Mom of the Year spokesperson and Vice President, Monsanto Vegetable Seeds and Asia Business. “Mother’s Day is the ideal time to reflect on all farm moms do to enhance our lives at home, in our schools, on our farms, in our rural communities and beyond. It’s an honor to pay tribute to these amazing American women.”

Nominations were received from 47 states in 2011. Last year’s national winner, Bette Lu Lerwick (with husband, Ron, and in partnership with son, Monte, and his wife, Megan) raises wheat, corn, dry beans, hay, sunflowers and beef cattle on the high plains of Wyoming. “I don’t view the America’s Farmers Mom of the Year title as recognition for me in particular, but as an honor for all farm women, past and present, who could win this hands down,” Lerwick said.

A highlight of the experience for her was accepting the cash prize and receiving a standing ovation from an audience that included Wyoming Gov. Matt Mead and Sen. John Barrasso.

Last year’s regional winners were as diverse as the farms they operate, from a California dairy operation to a Maryland vineyard. These women used the America’s Farmers Mom of the Year title to extend their mutual passion for agriculture beyond their respective communities. This included speaking at national industry conferences, launching blogs and participating in webisodes to give consumers a peek into daily life on the farm. They have been featured in national print publications and have been recognized by their state associations—and even on the floor of their state House of Representatives.

“The incredible contributions that America’s farm families make to their communities, our economy and to society is easily overlooked these days, when so few of us have the opportunity to spend time on a farm. Who better to bring these stories front and center than farm moms?” Madere said. “If your life has been touched by a farm mom, I encourage you to nominate her.”

Complete eligibility requirements and official rules for America’s Farmers Mom of the Year can be obtained online at www.AmericasFarmers.com or by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to America’s Farmers Mom of the Year, 914 Spruce Street, St. Louis, MO 63102.

America’s Farmers Mom of the Year is an element of Monsanto’s America’s Farmers program, an advocacy effort promoting, recognizing and supporting U.S. farmers through communications, awards and special programs that highlight the importance of agriculture.