Wednesday March 7 Ag News

Johanns to Speak at American Agri-Women's Meeting

Sen. Mike Johanns from Nebraska joins other national agriculture experts at American Agri-Women's (AAW) annual mid-year meeting, set for March 29-April 1, at Lied Lodge, Nebraska City, Neb.

Johanns serves on the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry and served as Secretary for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. He joins other confirmed speakers, including Damien Schiff, senior staff attorney from the National Litigation Center, Gary Sides, PhD, cattle nutritionist with Pfizer Animal Health, and Melissa Keyes, UN-Lincoln student, who serves on the Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute.

"For more than 30 years, AAW has been promoting agriculture and educating consumers. One of the best ways we do that is by reaching consensus on political and legal challenges facing our members," says Karen Yost, president of American Agri-Women. Yost is from Billings, Mont. She and her husband, George, own Nutra-Lix, Inc., a livestock supplement company.

This year, the group will address such issues as:
-- Animal rights and animal agriculture
-- Agriculture advocacy efforts
-- Environmental Protection Agency regulations

AAW's strategic action response teams will also meet to discuss issues related to specific commodities and areas, such as ag business and economics, natural resources, education, and more. Agenda and speaker information is available at www.americanagriwomen.org/. Anyone interested in learning more about agriculture is invited to attend the meeting. Contact Yost at president@americanagriwomen.org or by calling her at 406-794-0888.

AAW is a national coalition of more than 50,000 farm, ranch and agri-business women. The organization will draft resolutions on the critical issues facing agriculture at this meeting. It will then present these positions to elected officials at its annual "Fly-In" in Washington, D.C., in early June.



UNL Food Processing Center Helps National Greek Yogurt Products Gain Success

A success story for Yasso, creator of the world's first frozen Greek yogurt novelty bars and now the first frozen Greek yogurt smoothies, is also a success for The Food Processing Center at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

When lifetime friends Amanda Klane and Drew Herrington founded the Apollo Food Group in Boston in 2009, with the goal to create a healthy, high protein frozen novelty product using Greek yogurt, they knew they needed outside assistance.

While Klane had extensive experience in the food distribution business through her family's ownership and operations of SM Klane Company, starting and operating a food manufacturing business presented a new challenge, said Laurie Keeler, FPC's senior manager of product development.

"They had the entrepreneurial idea, but it is a big process," Keeler said. "They weren't food scientists, so the FPC provided them with food science expertise and also labeling help."

Klane and Herrington contacted Keeler, who has a background in the dairy industry and wide-ranging experience with developing novel food products. Keeler and Julie Reiling worked together with Klane and Herrington to help them create their frozen dairy novelty using Greek yogurt.

The result was a high-protein product containing 70 calories per serving. The bars have 6 grams of protein, are all natural, kosher, fat-free, gluten free, made with rBST-free milk, are a good source of calcium and have no added artificial sugars or added sodium.

"We were able to tweak the right ingredients and get them to taste good," Keeler said.

Klane and Herrington were looking for a product for the active healthy lifestyle. They have a passion for sports and active living.

"The FPC enables people (across the United States) to do these things," Keeler said, noting that the FPC's assistance also is private and confidential.

"When we contacted the UNL Food Processing Center, we were two young entrepreneurs with an idea but no finished product," Herrington said in a testimonial. "We teamed up with The Food Processing Center with the goal of creating a high quality, great tasting frozen novelty. With the help of the UNL Food Processing Center, we have achieved that and more."

Herrington said FPC helped Yasso gain distribution throughout the United States, generating jobs for the company and its suppliers.

"To this day, the UNL Food Processing Center remains a key member of our team as we grow," he said. "With their competitive cost structure and invaluable resources, they are an organization that we trust and recommend."

Klane estimates the FPC resulted in the following economic impacts:
-- Cost savings of $100,000 in relation to product development and labeling work,
-- Investment of $30,000 in equipment,
-- Investment of $4,000 in computers,
-- Avoided $75,000 in investments, and
-- Created seven full-time jobs with two more coming online in the near future.

Yasso is a variation of the Greek word "yassou" which means "hello." Yasso Frozen Greek Yogurt bars hit grocery store shelves in March 2011. They are available nationwide in more than 30 retail chains such as Costco and Hy-Vee.

The bars are available in three flavors -- raspberry, blueberry and strawberry.

Yasso Smoothies are also all-natural and available in strawberry banana, mango pineapple and mixed berry. Each eight ounce serving is fat-free, low in sugar, has eight grams of protein and four grams of fiber.

Yasso Smoothies will be available in the freezer case near the original Yasso Frozen Greek Yogurt bars.

To learn more about Yasso, visit http://www.teamyasso.com.



Nebraska RC&Ds Plan Organic Growers' Meetings

Organic Grower's Meetings are being organized by the Resource Conservation and Development (RC&D) Councils of Nebraska. They have been scheduled throughout the month of March and throughout Nebraska. Goals of the meetings include; to encourage organic farmers to meet and discuss issues, plans, problems, and successes. This will include: crop varieties, livestock, markets, buyers, weeds, rotations and cover crops to mention a few.

Locations and times can be found below. Contact information for the project is also listed. Currently, the following meetings are scheduled:
-- March 15, 10 a.m. -- 3 p.m., UNL Ext., 444 Cherrycreek Rd., Lincoln
-- March 19, 10 a.m. -- 3 p.m., Presbyterian Comm. Center, 104 East 4th, Madison
-- March 20, 10 a.m. -- 3 p.m., Bloomfield Comm. Bldg., 101 So. Broadway, Bloomfield
-- March 21, 9:30 a.m. -- 3 p.m., CRA mtg. room, 145 Main St., Lyons
-- March 21, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., Central Platte NRD, 215 Kaufman Ave., Grand Island
-- March 22, 9 a.m. -- 4 p.m., Gering Civic Center, 1050 M St., Gering
-- March 22, 10 a.m. -- 3 p.m., Sutton Legion Hall, 103 E Forrest, Sutton
-- March 23, 10 a.m. -- 3 p.m., RC&D Office, 140 N. 4th St., Tecumseh
-- March 26, 10 a.m. -- 3 p.m., Ord Ag Complex, 801 S St., Ste#2, Ord
-- March 27, 10 a.m. -- 3 p.m., Dist. 22 Event Center 75905 Rd 431 (1 M West of Lexington Airport, 3 M. North) Lexington
-- March 28, 10 a.m. -- 3 p.m., South Platte NRD, 551 Parkland Dr., Sidney

For more information, contact local RC&D councils or one of these project technicians:
-- Dave & Deb Welsch, Milford, NE, 402-826-5361,(dwelsch@westbluefarm.com)
-- Ron Miller, ScottsBluff, NE, Ph. 308-632-6979, (rdmiller516@embarqmail.com)
-- Tom Schwarz, Bertand, NE, Ph 308-472-5309, (tlschwarz@charter.net)
-- Martin Kleinschmit, Hartington, NE, 402-254-6893, (martink@hartel.net)



ASA Celebrates National Agriculture Day

The American Soybean Association (ASA) is proud to join its colleagues and counterparts in the agriculture industry as it celebrates National Agriculture Day on Thursday, March 8. To bring a well-deserved spotlight on America’s farmers, ASA farmers and staff will participate in Ag Day roundtables, forums and other special events in Washington, D.C., St. Louis and other locations this week.

“Ag Day is a wonderful opportunity to pause and think about the noble work farmers do each day to ensure American families have the food, feed, fiber and fuel they need,” said ASA President Steve Wellman, a soybean farmer from Syracuse, Neb.

Wellman is a perfect example of the versatility in American agriculture celebrated by Ag Day. In addition to soybeans, Wellman raises corn, winter wheat and alfalfa, and manages a cow-calf herd.

“Every day, the men and women of the soybean industry find innovative ways to produce a reliable supply of high-quality soybeans using fewer natural resources to satisfy an ever-growing demand,” added Wellman. “We salute and thank them, on Ag Day and every day, for their continued dedication to American agriculture.”

As ASA works to protect and increase the market value and opportunities for soybean farmers with a primary focus on policy development and implementation, it is part of a U.S. agriculture industry that creates on- and off-farm jobs in rural and urban communities in America. In 2011, record production of biodiesel, made primarily from soybean oil, supported more than 50,000 American jobs, and a record year for agricultural exports supported more than 1.1 million American jobs.

“A few generations ago, most Americans were directly involved in – or had relatives or friends involved in – agriculture-related endeavors. Today, that is no longer the case,” Wellman said. “That’s why it’s so important we join together at the community and grower association level - our voices together carry our message further than any one of us can do alone.”



USDA Reminds Producers of Approaching CRP General Sign-up

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today reminded landowners, farmers and ranchers that the opportunity to enroll in the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) general sign-up 43 is approaching. Producers who want to offer eligible land for CRP's competitive general sign-up can enroll March 12 through April 6, 2012, at the Farm Service Agency (FSA) service center.

CRP is a voluntary program that assists farmers, ranchers and other agricultural producers to protect their environmentally sensitive land. Producers enrolling in CRP plant long-term, resource-conserving covers in exchange for rental payments, cost-share and technical assistance.

Producers are encouraged to contact their local FSA service center or visit FSA’s website at http://www.fsa.usda.gov/crp for additional information regarding CRP.



MARCH 15, 2012 DEADLINE TO PURCHASE RISK COVERAGE

The deadline to purchase risk management coverage on spring seeded crops is March 15, 2012.  This includes coverage available through FSA’s Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program (NAP) and also crop insurance coverage available from private companies.  Producers can utilize both NAP and crop insurance coverage to comprehensively manage their potential risk in their operation.  NAP coverage fees may be waived for Limited Resource Producers.

The NAP program compensates producers for production losses during times of disaster.  To be eligible for NAP assistance, crops must be non-insurable, meaning they are not eligible for at least the catastrophic risk protection level of Federal crop insurance.  Spring seeded crops eligible for NAP coverage may include barley, oats, vegetables, alfalfa, etc. where crop insurance is not available.

FSA’s Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program provides financial assistance to producers of non-insurable crops when low yields, loss of inventory, or prevented planting occur due to natural disasters.  Currently Nebraska is listed in a D1 Drought for portions of the state according to the USDA Drought monitor (http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/monitor.html).

Historically, NAP and Federal crop insurance coverage (where available) of at least the catastrophic (CAT) level have been required to remain eligible for potential benefits under FSA disaster assistance programs.  Although provisions for disaster assistance under the new farm bill are yet to be determined, the current application period provides producers an opportunity to protect against potential yield and/or revenue losses for 2012.

To apply for NAP by the March 15, 2012 deadline, eligible producers must file an Application of Coverage and pay the applicable service fees at their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) Office.  The service fee is $250 per crop up to $750 per producer per administrative county.  There is a limit of $1,875 per producer with farming interest in multiple counties.  Contact your local FSA office for more information.



2012 Commodity Classic Records Stack Up
The 2012 Commodity Classic surpassed all previous turnout records with a total of 6,014 attendees. This represents a 25 percent increase from last year’s record of 4,826 attendees. Once again, farm families represented over half of the participants, with 3,505 growers, spouses and children attending.

“We broke records in every category,” said Commodity Classic Co-chair Martin Barbre. “However, the most exciting number was beating last year’s record of first-time attendees by 48 percent. It’s very gratifying to see that Commodity Classic’s appeal continues to grow.”

This year’s show also experienced the highest number of exhibitor and media attendees. The 963-booth trade show was sold out with a waiting list of interested parties ready to take advantage of cancelations.

The only national agricultural convention and trade show put on by farmers for farmers, Commodity Classic is presented annually by the National Corn Growers Association, the American Soybean Association, the National Association of Wheat Growers and the National Sorghum Producers.

In his third appearance before General Session attendees, Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack discussed the importance of an adequate crop insurance program and creating a greater understanding in government of the real world impact of regulations on farming operations. He spoke ardently about passing the Farm Bill this year.

“It’s important for all of you to get engaged in this opportunity to support the leaders of the commodity groups as they express on your behalf the need for a Farm Bill now,” said Vilsack, “and not to accept from members of Congress or the Senate how hard this is going to be and how difficult it is to get consensus in Washington.”

The General Session also included discussions with commodity group presidents and an entertaining performance by comedy duo Brinnon and Marks. The Evening of Entertainment featured an exclusive performance at the Grand Ole Opry by country music artists Darryl Worley, Mike Snider, Joey+Rory, John Conlee and Sarah Darling. Other events included association banquets, education sessions and numerous networking opportunities.

Next year, Commodity Classic will be held February 28 to March 2 in Kissimmee, Fla.



US Ethanol Stocks at 22.07M Barrels, Production Climbs for the Week
Domestic ethanol inventories posted a build of 68,000 barrels (bbl), or 0.3%, to a fresh record high of 22.07 million bbl for the week-ended March 2, putting total supply 11% higher than the level seen a year ago, according to data released Wednesday by the Energy Information Administration.

Total U.S. ethanol stocks have now risen by 5.01 million bbl, or about 29.4%, since Dec. 9, 2011, when the string of builds began.

Meantime, the EIA data showed ethanol production from domestic plants rose 10,000 barrels per day (bpd), or 1.1%, to 906,000 bpd last week while up 2.7% from a year ago.

Implied demand, measured by refiner and blender net inputs, slipped 23,000, or 2.8%, to 823,000 bpd from the prior week and was up 0.6% from a year-ago level. Refiner and blender net inputs represent a major portion of implied demand for ethanol.

Elsewhere, the EIA reported that implied demand for motor gasoline fell again, down 101,000 bpd to 8.363 million bpd for the week-ended March 2 while four-week average demand at 8.4 million bpd was down 7.8% from the level seen a year ago.

Record-High US Ethanol Exports in 2011
U.S. ethanol exports reached a record high in 2011, partly due to Brazil's need to import more ethanol after a poor sugarcane harvest, according to a report posted online Tuesday by the Energy Information Administration.

Brazil uses sugar for its feedstock for ethanol, and the poor harvest sharply decreased the nation's ethanol production.

U.S. ethanol exports were 133,000 barrels per day (bpd) at the end of 2011 compared with 10,000 bpd in early 2010.

The United States boosted its exports of ethanol, made primarily from corn, to an average of nearly 78,000 bpd in 2011, up 200% from the previous year.

Ethanol export volumes averaged less than 10% of U.S. ethanol production, which was 910,000 bpd in 2011.

Most of the export shipments went to Brazil, normally a major U.S. competitor in biofuels trade.

"However, Brazil faced high world sugar prices and a lower sugarcane harvest that reduced the country's ethanol production by an estimated 20% last year," EIA said.

Brazil's government lowered the ethanol blend requirements of the volume in gasoline from 25% to 20% to help moderate demand for ethanol. Brazil's sugarcane industry association estimates the country's ethanol production will decline further in 2012.



US to Surpass Aussie Beef Exports

The United States may become the world's top beef exporter in 2012 as a drought forces farmers to slaughter more cattle, passing Australia where a strong currency is making the country's meat more expensive, an Australian industry official said.

Australia's exports of the meat are estimated to rise marginally to 1.44 million tonnes in 2012 from 1.4 million tonnes shipped last year, said Scott Hansen, managing director of Meat and Livestock Australia, the marketing arm of Australia's livestock industry.

"With a weaker exchange rate, the U.S. have increased their exports to such an extent that they will become the top exporter this year," he said on the sidelines of an agriculture industry conference in Canberra. He did not give any estimate for U.S. exports.

The Aussie fell to a six-week low against the U.S. dollar on Wednesday after disappointing Australian GDP data, but it was just some 3 U.S. cents away from a seven-month high set last week.

Hansen's projection outstrips estimates in an October 2011 report by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).  USDA expects Australian beef exports to come in at 1.38 million tonnes in 2012, up from 1.35 million tonnes in 2011.  According to the USDA report, Australia was the biggest exporter of beef in 2011, followed by Brazil which shipped 1.325 million tonnes and the United States at 1.241 million tonnes.

The report pegs 2012 U.S. beef exports at 1.25 million tonnes.



Big Crop to Lift Australia Wheat Stocks

Australia's record wheat harvest is forecast to leave the country with 10 million tonnes in closing stocks at the end of the marketing season in September, up 25 percent year-on-year, providing stiff competition to U.S. and Black Sea exporters.

With estimates of another large crop in 2012/13 (July-June), the nations' grain storage capacity and infrastructure is likely to come under pressure, industry officials and analysts said on the sidelines of an agriculture conference in Canberra on Wednesday.

"There will be exports going into the next financial year when the next harvest comes in," said Jammie Penm, chief commodity analyst with Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES).

Australia, the world's fourth-largest wheat exporter, is expected to produce an above-average crop even though farmers will reduce wheat plantings in the year to the end of June 2013 due to lower prices, the ABARES said.

Australia's wheat output is estimated to have hit an all-time high of 29.5 million tonnes in 2011/12.



American Dairy Returns to RFD-TV

RFD-TV announces the return of American Dairy, the popular show produced from Fort Worth, Texas will begin airing Tuesday, March 6, 2012 at 7:00 p.m. (EST) and repeats on Wednesday at 9:00 a.m. (EST).     

The American Dairy is the first program dedicated solely to telling the story of America’s dairy farmers, the dairy industry and the journey of milk, from farm to fridge.  The producers of the program work with dairy producers from across the country to share stories and educate America on the importance of dairy.

The United States is home to over 60,000 dairy farm families producing almost 177 billion pounds of milk annually. The American Dairy show features small farms and families that have been in the dairy business for generations and new dairy facilities that are utilizing modernized milking techniques.

With less than 2 percent of the U.S. population involved in farming today, many people don’t have the opportunity to visit a dairy farm and most are three to four generations removed from the farm. “American Dairy’s goal is to bridge the communication gap and sort the fact from fiction,” said Joe Lichtie, president of Superior Productions.  “The industry is more than just milk and viewers will see hard-working producers bringing wholesome dairy products to the table.” The American Dairy will cover topics from consumer nutrition to the environment and technology.