Friday April 20 Ag News

Nebraska Leopold Conservation Award
Governor Dave Heineman

The recipient of the 2012 Nebraska Leopold Conservation Award is the Buell family of Bassett. The award is given annually to private landowners who practice responsible land stewardship and management.

Each year as we prepare to celebrate Earth Day, we acknowledge the conservation efforts of Nebraska landowners, including this year’s award recipients, the Buell family. More than ninety percent of Nebraska’s land is used for farming and ranching. It is being well cared for by those who take on the responsibility of leaving things better for future generations. Conservation on private land is something Nebraskans do very well. We all benefit from the work of private landowners who are preserving the natural beauty of our state.

The Leopold Conservation Award is named in honor of world-renowned conservationist Aldo Leopold. Sand County Foundation, Nebraska Cattlemen and Cargill present the award annually to agricultural families in Nebraska.

The Buell family is part of the fabric of the Nebraska Sandhills. For nearly 130 years, they have ranched in the region, while caring for the land, water and wildlife that each Buell generation passed on to the next.

The Buell family’s legacy in the Sandhills began when Benjamin Franklin Buell settled in the Sandhills in 1882 and began a ranch tradition that included the preservation and enhancement of the unique landscape of the Nebraska Sandhills. Today, the Buells’ Shovel Dot Ranch is owned and managed by brothers Larry and Homer Buell and their wives, Nickie and Darla, respectively, who carry on the commitment to conservation they inherited from their predecessors.

The Buells continue to maintain and expand upon an environment in which water quality and the region’s native plant life and animal habitat can flourish alongside livestock and crop production.

With the help of the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) the family installed high tensile electric cross fencing and over fifty miles of pipeline, watering close to one hundred pastures. This allows for more effective cattle distribution, giving pastures more rest between grazing periods, which leads to improved recovery, better ground cover, and increased production.

Many of the Buells’ management decisions are made to benefit wildlife habitat. Approximately fifty acres is fenced off around two lakes on their land to provide space for deer, turkey, swan, ducks, and geese. Abundant vegetation along two creeks on the ranch attracts several native wildlife species and trees are planted to provide windbreaks for cattle and habitat for turkey and deer.

Previous recipients of the Leopold Conservation Award in Nebraska include: the Mathewson family located in Cheyenne County in 2011; the Kalkowski Family Ranches located near Lynch in 2010; the Bluestem Valley Farms near Martell, owned and managed by the family of Lyle and Alice Sittler and Todd and Kristen Eggerling in 2009; A.B. Cox of Mullen in 2008; Rod and Amy Christen of Steinauer in 2007, and the Wilson Ranch in Lakeside in 2006.

In 2012, Sand County Foundation will present Leopold Conservation Awards in California, Colorado, Nebraska, South Dakota, Texas, Utah, Wisconsin and Wyoming. The awards are presented to accomplish four objectives: First, they recognize extraordinary achievement in voluntary conservation on the land of exemplary private landowners. Second, they inspire countless other landowners in their own communities through these examples. Third, they provide a visible forum where leaders from the agricultural community are recognized as conservation leaders to groups outside of agriculture. Finally, the award program brings representatives from agriculture, environmental organizations, government, industry and academia together to advance private land stewardship.

For more information, please visit: www.leopoldconservationaward.org or www.nebraskacattlemen.org.



MISSOURI RIVER FLOODPLAIN AG LANDOWNERS IN FIVE STATES ELIGIBLE FOR WETLAND RESTORATION ASSISTANCE

Nebraska landowners with farm ground affected by 2011 Missouri River flooding may be eligible for wetland restoration assistance from the Wetlands Reserve Enhancement Program (WREP) through a five-state project sponsored by the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and The Nature Conservancy, said Craig Derickson, state conservationist with NRCS in Lincoln, Neb.  Deadline to apply for this assistance is May 4.

Landowners in Boyd, Knox, Cedar, Dixon, Dakota, Thurston, Burt, Washington, Douglas, Sarpy, Cass, Otoe, Nemaha, and Richardson counties with areas that flooded during the 2011 Missouri River flood, and eligible land within 1,000 meters of the Missouri River, may apply to restore wetlands on their land through 30 year or permanent easements.  A map of eligible areas is available at www.ne.nrcs.usda.gov.

“Much of the farmland along the Missouri River was damaged by scouring and sand deposition,” said Derickson.  “The Wetlands Reserve Enhancement Program provides economic options for flood-impacted agricultural landowners.  The resulting wetlands will also offset costs of future floods while providing valuable water quality and wildlife habitat benefits.”

Nearly $3 million is available for easements and restoration costs to landowners in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and South Dakota, said Derickson.  The Nature Conservancy is providing a five percent cash match of the restoration costs for key restoration practices.

“We’re very pleased to partner with the NRCS on this new easement program and think it’s a winning solution for farmers, wildlife habitat, and flood control. We hope landowners will respond favorably to this opportunity so that we can grow it in future years,” said Mace Hack, director of The Nature Conservancy in Nebraska.

In addition to the funding available from USDA and The Nature Conservancy, the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and the Nebraska Environmental Trust will also provide up to $100,000 for restoration projects in Nebraska through this WREP project.  This funding is available per year for the next three years.

“The Nebraska Game and Parks Commission is looking forward to working with landowners to provide cost share on wetland restorations with the help of the Nebraska Environmental Trust funding,” said Scott Luedtke, District Manager for the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission southeast district.

WREP is a voluntary program carried out through partnership agreements with state and local governments, non-governmental organizations and Indian tribes.  It is a component of the Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP).  Landowners participating in WREP retain ownership and access to the land, and may be able to generate income from grazing, haying or recreation approved by NRCS.

Landowners may apply at their local NRCS office (find your nearest NRCS service center at http://go.usa.gov/m2Y).



Senate Ag Committee Chair Stabenow Previews Markup of Farm Bill

The Committee Print of the 2012 Farm Bill reforms farm policy, consolidates and streamlines programs, and will reduce the deficit by $23 billion. This bill saves taxpayers money while strengthening initiatives that help farmers, ranchers and small business owners create American jobs.   The Committee will begin marking up the bill on Wednesday, April 25, 2012. 

Eliminates Direct Payments while Strengthening Risk Management
Farmers face unique risks unlike other businesses. Weather and market conditions outside a producer’s control can have devastating effects. A risk management system that helps producers stay in business through a few bad seasons ensures that Americans always have access to a safe and plentiful food supply. The proposal: 
-    Eliminates direct payments. Farmers will no longer be paid for crops they are not growing, will not be paid for acres that are not actually planted, and will not receive support absent a drop in price or yields.
-    Consolidates two remaining farm programs into one, and will give farmers the ability to tailor risk management coverage—meaning better protection against real risks beyond a farmer’s control.
-    Strengthens crop insurance and expands access so farmers are not wiped out by a few days of bad weather.

Consolidates and Streamlines Programs
By eliminating duplicative programs, funds are concentrated in the areas in which they will have the greatest impact, making them work better for producers.
-    By ending duplication and consolidating programs, the bill eliminates dozens of programs under the Agriculture Committee’s jurisdiction.
-    For example, the bill consolidates 23 existing conservation programs into 13 programs, while maintaining the existing tools farmers and landowners need to protect and conserve land, water and wildlife. 

Improves Program Integrity and Accountability
At a time when many out-of-work Americans are in need for the first time in their lives, it is critical that every taxpayer dollar be spent responsibly and serves those truly struggling. By closing loopholes, tightening standards, and requiring greater transparency, the proposal increases efficiency and improves effectiveness. 
-    Increases accountability in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by:
       + Stopping lottery winners from continuing to receive assistance.
       + Ending misuse by college students.
       + Cracking down on retailers and recipients engaged in benefit trafficking.
       + Increasing requirements to prevent liquor and tobacco stores from becoming retailers.
       + Eliminating gaps in standards that result in overpayment of benefits.
-    The proposal maintains benefits for families in need.

Grows America’s Agricultural Economy
The proposal increases efficiency and accountability, saving tens of billions of dollars overall, while strengthening agricultural jobs initiatives by:
-    Expanding export opportunities and helping farmers develop new markets for their goods.
-    Investing in research to help commercialize new agricultural innovations.
-    Growing bio-based manufacturing (businesses producing goods in America from raw agricultural products grown in America) by allowing bio-manufacturers to participate in existing U.S. Department of Agriculture loan programs, expanding the BioPreferred labeling initiative, and strengthening a procurement preference so the U.S. government will select bio-based products when purchasing needed goods.
-    Spurring advancements in bio-energy production, supporting advanced biomass energy production such as cellulosic ethanol and pellets from woody biomass for power.
-    Helping family farmers sell locally by increasing support for farmers’ markets and spurring the creation of food hubs to connect farmers to schools and other community-based consumers.
-    Extending rural development initiatives to help rural communities upgrade infrastructure and create an environment for small businesses to grow.



ASA Applauds Senate Ag Committee on Farm Bill Draft, Looks Forward to Mark-Up

The American Soybean Association (ASA) welcomes Friday’s introduction of the draft of the 2012 Farm Bill by leadership of the Senate Agriculture Committee. ASA President Steve Wellman, a soybean farmer from Syracuse, Neb., praised the commitment of the Committee to passing a Farm Bill this year, a key priority for the soybean industry:

"ASA applauds the leadership and hard work on the Farm Bill displayed by Chairwoman Stabenow, Ranking Member Roberts and the entire Senate Agriculture Committee. We encourage the Committee to complete mark-up as quickly as possible in order to facilitate completion of a balanced and effective Farm Bill as quickly as possible this year. ASA leadership is reviewing the details and implications of the 900-page chair's mark, and we will be prepared to comment further early next week. At this point, we are very pleased to see that the proposal includes a revenue-based risk management program that will complement the federal crop insurance program. We also applaud leadership’s decision not to cut crop insurance funding to achieve the Committee's deficit reduction objectives. These are among ASA's top priorities and we commend Chairwoman Stabenow and Ranking Member Roberts for supporting them in a bipartisan bill. Finally, we look forward to working with the full Committee during next week's mark-up to ensure that the final product is one that serves American soybean farmers."



Statement From Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on the Senate Agriculture Committee 2012 Farm Bill Mark

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today made the following statement on the Senate Agriculture Committee 2012 farm bill mark released today:

"I commend Chairwoman Stabenow and Ranking Member Roberts for working together in a bipartisan fashion to write a farm, food and jobs bill this year. Farmers, ranchers, and the men and women who live in rural communities deserve to know what the rules will be moving forward. With the current law expiring, we cannot wait any longer to reauthorize this essential law for rural America.

While we still need to review all of the policies, reforms and investments proposed in this bill, I am optimistic that members of Congress will work to pass legislation that will support farmers, guarantee a safe, affordable, and nutritious food supply, support nutrition programs that help millions of families put food on the table, and help create jobs for the American people."



NMPF Welcomes Inclusion of Dairy Policy Reforms in Senate Agriculture Committee Farm Bill Draft

The draft farm bill language released this afternoon by the Senate Agriculture Committee includes the key components of the Foundation for the Future dairy policy reform developed by National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) nearly two years ago. The dairy legislation begins at Section 1401 (page 68) in Title 1 - Subtitle D and goes through Section 1481 (page 111).

In preparation for an Agriculture Committee markup next week, Committee Chairwoman Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), along with Ranking Member Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS), released the provisions Friday of the entire farm bill, including the dairy legislative language.

“The primary elements of NMPF’s comprehensive dairy reform package are included in this legislative draft, for which we are grateful,” said Jerry Kozak, President and CEO of NMPF. “The bill reflects the best-possible outcome for America’s dairy farmer community, which is in great need of a better federal safety net than what we have now.” The package of reforms is also supported by many other state and national farm groups.

“We look forward to working with Sens. Stabenow, Roberts, and the other committee members in building support in the Senate for this legislation.”

The Senate farm bill draft contains the major elements of the Dairy Security Act (DSA), introduced last autumn in the House by Reps. Collin Peterson (D-MN) and Mike Simpson (R-ID), and included in Sen. Richard Lugar’s (R-IN) farm bill plan. The core of the DSA is a margin insurance program that protects farmers from dire economic conditions caused by either low milk prices or high feed costs. The margin insurance program replaces existing dairy programs, including the MILC and Dairy Product Price Support programs. Farmers will have the option of signing up for the margin insurance program; if they choose to do so, they will then be enrolled in the Market Stabilization program through which they will be asked to manage their milk output when worst-case conditions appear.

“We believe the approach the Senate Agriculture Committee is taking will generate broad, bipartisan support for the farm bill. This bill allows dairy farmers to better manage their risks, in a deliberate approach that offers a superior safety net, reduces government involvement in our industry, and positions our entire industry to compete in a global marketplace. It saves money compared to existing programs, and will be affordable and convenient for farmers to use. Critically, it treats all farmers equally, and doesn’t produce regional or size-based outcomes that are inherently discriminatory.”



Lawmakers Urge Vilsack to Back LFTB

A group of 30 lawmakers this week threw their support behind lean finely textured beef, a product that has suffered criticism with a recent rise in public awareness that it's widely used as a filler in the U.S. ground beef supply.

Supermarket chains have shunned the filler, known popularly as "pink slime," and the U.S. Agriculture Department announced that schools will be able to opt out of receiving it in the food it gets as part of the federal school lunch program.

Representatives Tom Latham (R., Iowa), Mike Ross (D., Ark.) and 28 others signed onto a letter to Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack, urging him to better inform the public about the filler's good qualities.

Beef Products Inc., a major producer of the product, has suspended production at plants in Amarillo, Texas; Garden City, Kan.; and Waterloo, Iowa.

"No company should be forced to close its doors due to a smear campaign by a few overzealous individuals in the media," they wrote in the letter dated April 18.

Lean finely textured beef, the lawmakers said, "is a safe product and should be promoted as such."

Vilsack, though, has already publicly defended the beef product despite the agency's decision to allow schools to decline it.

The restaurant chain Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc., recently hired a firm to conduct a survey of consumers that showed that 76% of the people polled were "at least somewhat concerned" and 30% were "extremely concerned" about eating the product.  "Red Robin has had to repeatedly assure our guests that we have never purchased or served beef containing the so-called 'pink slime,'" said Steve Carley, the company's chief executive.



Science Must Guide Ag Policy
Nebraska District 3 Representative Adrian Smith

Policymaking should be grounded in sound science. When politics becomes the primary consideration, the end result is almost always harmful. We have seen this phenomenon play out in many areas with detrimental results for our economy and security.

The recent manufactured controversy over lean, finely textured beef, for example, began with a baseless media scare which has been devastating to the beef production industry. Even while this beef has an impeccable safety record, it has been reported more than 650 workers in three states have been temporarily laid off and, according to the National Meat Association, as many as 3,000 American jobs have been affected by the misinformation and manufactured hysteria.

Legislation introduced earlier this year to give the federal government control over on-farm production practices is another example of politics trumping sound science. I would argue, you the producer, along with veterinarians and animal care experts, know more about the needs of your operation than bureaucrats in Washington. Representing cattle country, I fully appreciate your commitment to product safety and humane practices. It’s simple, really: producing high quality products depends on comfortable, healthy animals.

Beef production supports more than 1.4 million jobs in the U.S. and is the number one industry in my home state of Nebraska. Cattle are produced in all 50 states and their economic impact contributes to virtually every locale in the country, driving the economies of rural communities like those in Nebraska’s Third District.

In order to further my commitment to science-based agriculture policy, I currently serve as chairman of the bipartisan Modern Agriculture Caucus. Recently, the caucus hosted a briefing along with NCBA and your President, J.D. Alexander, to educate congressional staff about how farmers and ranchers care for their livestock and poultry. Ensuring policymakers have the right information is critical if we are to preserve America’s vibrant agricultural sector.

Pursuing strong, science-based standards also has been a top priority for me on the House Ways and Means Committee where I have been working on a bipartisan basis to open new export markets for producers, while removing barriers with our existing trade partners.

All too often, foreign governments have unfairly blocked U.S beef products based on arbitrary guidelines.  It is vital science determines the import standards for U.S. producers. As the Ways and Means Committee continues to work on new and stronger trade relationships like the Trans-Pacific Partnership, I will continue to ensure our farmers and ranchers are not put at a competitive disadvantage by non-tariff and unscientific trade barriers.

America’s beef producers continue to demonstrate they are dedicated to providing the highest quality, safest, and most affordable food in the world.  Ultimately we must together ensure agriculture policy is driven by facts and not political ideology.  The continued success of agriculture, and in turn the long term safety and security of our nation’s food supply, depends on our unwavering commitment to science.



Iowa Soybean Association sponsors significant soy-based food packaging event at state FFA leadership conference April 22-23 in Ames

Iowa Ag Secretary Bill Northey will help lead more than 1,200 Iowa FFA members as they package nearly 250,000 Meals from the Heartland April 22-23 in conjunction with the state FFA leadership conference at Hilton Coliseum in Ames.

The event, sponsored by the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) with the support of Cargill – Iowa Region, is among the largest, one-time food packaging efforts ever organized by Meals from the Heartland.

The soy-based meals will be provided to Haitians as part of “Special Delivery. Homes. Help. Hope. For Haiti.” The campaign, co-chaired by Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds and Sec. Northey, was launched last December by the Iowa Food & Family Project (www.iowafoodandfamily.com)  with the support of the ISA and Laurens-based Global Compassion Network (GCN). It seeks to raise donations to the GCN by June 1 for the purchase of 48 SafeTHomes manufactured by Sukup Manufacturing Co. of Sheffield. More than 33 homes have been donated.

In addition to the homes, ISA has donated up to $48,000 ($1,000 per SafeTHome) for the purchase of Meals from the Heartland to help the people of Haiti struggling to recover from the devastating earthquake that struck the island in January 2010.



Vilsack Visits Iowa Company to Promote Job Creation Through the Manufacturing of Biobased Products

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today toured a Midwest facility that is using plant-based materials to manufacture ingredients used in dietary supplements and in personal care products for Americans, as well as in agriculture. Kemin is working to add six new manufacturing facilities, three new research facilities and a new corporate headquarters building, creating nearly 100 new jobs. This is an example of how manufacturing products from biobased materials is creating jobs across the country and—coupled with a broader Obama administration effort to promote an "all-of-the-above" energy strategy"—is reducing our reliance on foreign oil.

"Promoting production of biofuels and embracing biobased products have helped reduce dependence on foreign oil to less than 50 percent and will continue to help reduce our reliance for years to come," said Vilsack. "Innovative companies like Kemin are part of a broader biobased economy that supports hundreds of thousands of American jobs producing the energy and goods that the world needs from renewable resources grown here at home. If we are able to produce more energy here at home and build a manufacturing economy producing biobased goods, we'll generate middle-class jobs and strengthen our economy in the long run."



Midwest Dairy Elects Corporate, Division Officers
New Board Members Also Seated

Dairy producer board members of Midwest Dairy Association have elected officers at the corporate level and in the organization’s eight divisions.  Jerry Messer, Richardton, N.D., will continue to lead the organization as corporate chairman.  Allen Merrill, Parker, S.D., and Bill Siebenborn, Trenton, Mo., will extend their service as vice chairman and first vice chairman, respectively.  The executive team is rounded out by secretary Ken Herbranson of Clitherall, Minn., and treasurer Dan Grunhovd of Gary, Minn.

Elections took place at the Midwest Dairy Annual Meeting held in conjunction with a national dairy promotion forum in Scottsdale, Ariz.

New members elected to the Midwest Dairy Corporate Board include:
    Kristine Spadgenske, Menagha, Minn.;
    Gerrit Davelaar, Inwood, Iowa;
    Doug Nuttelman, Stromsburg, Neb.; and
    Byron Lehman, Newton, Kan.

Division officers and new members are as follows:

Nebraska Division
    Chairman – Lowell Mueller, Hooper;
    Vice Chairman – Deb Eschliman, Ericson; and
    Secretary/Treasurer – Dean Engelman, Jansen.
New members on the Nebraska Division Board include:
    Joyce Racicky, Mason City; and
    Mary Temme, Wayne.

Iowa Division
    Chairman – G. Joe Lyon, Toledo;
    Vice Chairman – Norbert Schmidt, Readlyn;
    Secretary – Dan Hotvedt, Decorah; and
    Treasurer – Larry Shover, Delhi.
New members on the Iowa Division Board include:
    Harvey VanEss, Sanborn;
    Paul Bodensteiner; West Union;
    Gary Kregel, Guttenberg; and
    Lee Maassen, Maurice.

South Dakota Division
    Chairman – Jim Neugebauer, Dimock;
    Vice Chairman – Susan Sybesma, Platte;
    Secretary – Allen Merrill, Parker; and
    Treasurer – Gary Jarding, Alexandria.
New members on the South Dakota Division Board include:
    Dan Thyen, Waverly; and
    Arlen Harvey, Ree Heights.

Minnesota Division
    Chairman – Ken Herbranson, Clitherall;
    Vice Chairman – Dan Grunhovd, Gary;
    Secretary -  Suzanne Vold, Glenwood; and
    Treasurer – Ron Rinkel, Hillman.
The Minnesota Dairy Promotion Council, a quasi-governmental group with the same board members, elected the following:
    Chairman – Kathleen Skiba, North Branch;
    Vice Chairman – Charles Krause, Buffalo;
    Secretary – Judy Hoffman, Waseca;
    Treasurer – Christine Sukalski, LeRoy; and
    Executive member at-large – Ron Rinkel, Hillman.

Mo-Kan Division
    Chairman – Byron Lehman, Newton, Kan.;
    Vice Chairman – Steve Strickler, Iola, Kan.;
    Secretary – Donna Telle, Uniontown, Mo.; and
    Treasurer – Curtis Steenbock, Longford, Kan.

Illinois Division
    Chairman – Warren Pollard, Rockford;
    Vice Chairman – Bill Deutsch, Sycamore;
    Secretary – Ardath DeWall, Shannon; and
    Treasurer – Don Ellingson, Poplar Grove.

North Dakota Division
    Chairman – Jerry Messer, Richardton;
    Vice Chairman – Terry Entzminger, Jamestown;
    Secretary – Rita Mosset, Linton; and
    Treasurer – Lilah Krebs, Gladstone.
New ex-officio members on the North Dakota Division Board include:
    Doug Hanson, representing Dean Foods; and
    Paul Morlock, representing Cass-Clay.

Ozarks Division
    Chairman – John Howerton, Berryville, Ark.;
    Vice Chairman – Marilyn Calvin, Mt. Vernon, Mo.;
    Secretary – Nathan Roth, Mountain Grove, Mo.; and
    Treasurer – Tim Crawley, Gravette, Ark.
Alfred Million, Tahlequah, Okla., is a new member on the Ozarks Division Board.



USGC Japan’s Sector-Specific Promotional Programs Pay Off
Tommy Hamamoto, USGC Director in Japan

The U.S. Grains Council's distiller's dried grains with solubles (DDGS) promotion program in Japan has made significant strides using sector-specific marketing strategies to promote the feed ingredient across the Japanese livestock and feed industries.

Annual seminars have continuously provided information from animal nutrition experts and research scientists that recognize WFG Japan Layer Sectorthe concerns and needs of each sector of Japan's DDGS market. For Japan's layer sector, Council-hosted workshops have demonstrated how concentrated xanthophylls, found in DDGS, can deepen egg yolk from its natural yellow color to an orange pigment. Although this preference is unique to the layer sector, it currently accounts for almost 60 percent of total DDGS imports, which translates into almost 20,000 metric tons per month.

Sector-specific promotional programs, like the Japanese layer sector, have led the Council to maximize niche marketing opportunities and innovatively develop industries to their potential.



Less Argentina Soy, Corn

Argentina Agriculture Ministry on Thursday lowered its 2011-12 soybean and corn forecasts as the true extent of summer drought damage emerges.  In a monthly report, the ministry lowered its soybean crop figure to 42.9 million metric tons (mmt) from 44 million mmt following reports from harvesting areas that yields are coming in much lower than originally expected.

The official Argentina estimate is now well below the U.S. Department of Agriculture number of 45 mmt, under the Buenos Aires Cereals Exchange figure of 44 mmt, and even a little down from the Rosario Grain Exchange's forecast of 43.1 mmt.

Soybean output is seen dropping 12.5% from last year, when the crop also suffered from a lack of rain, and 21% from 2009-10.  Corn output is seen sliding 10% from the year before.



ASA Unveils Comprehensive Production, Use and Export Data in 2012 Soy Stats

The U.S. soybean industry planted crops on 75 million acres in 2011, producing nearly 3.1 billion bushels and totaling $35.7 billion in value according to the latest issue of the American Soybean Association’s (ASA) Soy Stats®, released last week.

The annual publication, now in its 19th year, is a comprehensive resource for statistical information about the U.S. soybean industry and its relationship to world oilseed production. Soy Stats is available at www.SoyStats.com.

According to the publication, which comprises data from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, ASA, and the United Soybean Board, soybeans represented 56 percent of world oilseed production in 2011, 33 percent of which was produced in the United States. Additionally, the U.S. exported almost 1.3 billion bushels, accounting for 37 percent of the world's soybean trade.

In terms of exports, U.S. soybean and soy product exports exceeded $21.5 billion in 2011, nearly half of which—$10.4 billion—went to China. Canada was the largest customer for U.S. soybean meal at $375 million, while Morocco was the largest customer for U.S. soybean oil with purchases of $336 million.

Domestically, soybeans provided 66 percent of the edible consumption of fats and oils. Domestic crushers accounted for 1.6 billion bushels, with U.S. ending stocks of soybeans at 275 million bushels.

Major funding for the 2012 edition of Soy Stats was provided by the United Soybean Board, with additional financial support from the Illinois Soybean Association, Iowa Soybean Association, Indiana Soybean Alliance, South Dakota Soybean Research & Promotion Council, North Dakota Soybean Council, Maryland Soybean Board, U.S. Soybean Export Council, Kentucky Soybean Board, Ohio Soybean Council, Minnesota Soybean Research and Promotion Council, Tennessee Soybean Promotion Council, North Carolina Soybean Producers Association, Kansas Soybean Commission, and Oklahoma Soybean Board.



CropLife America Highlights Continued Agricultural Advancements in Honor of Earth Day

On Earth Day 2012, the crop protection industry reflects on the many advancements made in environmental sustainability and food production, and looks forward to a future of research and development opportunities and the creation of innovative modern agricultural tools. CropLife America (CLA) and its members understand the positive effects these changes have had on the crop protection industry, and the central role sustainability has played in shaping agricultural policy. Today’s farmers and ranchers recognize the importance of sound environmental stewardship and by employing modern farming products and techniques, growers are able to produce more crops on less land with fewer inputs, all while conserving water, soil and energy.

“The celebration of Earth Day marks an important reminder of the continued evolution of modern agriculture,” said Jay Vroom, president and CEO of CLA. “From creating safer, more effective products, to fostering an open dialogue between industry, growers and policymakers, CropLife America and our members hold a responsibility to furthering sustainability and conservation in modern agriculture.”

Today’s modern agriculture products and techniques protect more crops, optimize natural resources for future generations of farmers and consumers, and protect wildlife habitats. With the use of new technologies and practices, such as drought- and disease-resistant seeds, biotechnology, innovative crop protection chemicals, drip irrigation, and conservation tillage systems, farmers have been able to provide sufficient food without increasing the amount of land used for farming. 

-    With the use of agricultural herbicides, crop yields are increased by 20 percent or more, and growers are able to manage weeds without added tillage, reducing erosion from tillage by up to 90 percent.
-    The use of herbicides and conservation tillage has also drastically reduced the amount of energy used to grow the nation’s food; agriculture accounted for 5 percent of energy used in 1970 and today only accounts for 1 percent of national energy use.
-    Modern agriculture products and techniques result in annual savings of 337 million gallons of fuel that tilling would require, and prevents an estimated 356 billion pounds of disturbed soil from eroding into rivers and streams.

In recognition of Earth Day, CLA also recognizes 2012 as the 50th anniversary of Rachel Carson’s Silent Spring. Often credited as an environmental hero of the twentieth century, Carson effectively launched the modern environmental movement and inspired the creation of Earth Day. Silent Spring spurred many changes, but the most prominent landmarks include the creation of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and revisions to the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide, and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).

Farmers and ranchers understand that a healthy environment is the first step in the successful production of food, fiber and renewable fuel, and the use of modern agriculture technologies and tools will continue to help farmers grow sufficient food for a growing population and conserve resources for future generations. As part of CLA’s “Year of Silent Spring Remembered,” visit www.croplifeamerica.org/silent-spring to see the many ways that agriculture has kept pace with a growing population and increasing food production needs.

“Spring is the time of year when many Americans, gardeners and farmers alike, get back into the environment and are planting new crops, flowers, shrubs, and tending to our lawns,” noted Vroom. “As such, this is also a perfect time to remind everyone who is going to use an important pest control product: please read and follow the label directions. This is the first and best step to ensure responsible pesticide application.”