Monday April 9 Ag News

Conference to Focus on Creating Bold Future for Nebraska, Great Plains

Globalization and other factors are rapidly changing the world. To create a successful future, people in rural America must anticipate and manage this ever-changing environment.

With that in mind, the University of Nebraska will host the inaugural Rural Futures Conference May 8-10 at The Cornhusker Hotel in Lincoln. The theme of the conference is "Connecting Innovation" -- a challenge to participants to interact and think boldly about the future of rural Nebraska and the Great Plains.

The conference is open to anyone, especially those interested in ensuring a strong future for rural areas for the benefit of all of Nebraska and the region. Registration for the conference is open until April 30. Cost is $120, which includes all conference events, materials and meals.

"The conference is designed to implant the seeds for a new culture of innovation around the role of higher education in supporting positive rural futures," said Ronnie Green, vice president for agriculture and natural resources at the University of Nebraska and Harlan vice chancellor for the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.

Frans Johansson, a New York entrepreneur and author of "The Medici Effect," will deliver the keynote address, titled "Creating Breakthrough Innovations." Encouraging conference participants to live and work at "the Intersection," where ideas from different fields and cultures meet and collide, Johansson's talk will emphasize the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in ensuring success in rural areas. Johansson has spoken to audiences around the world and his book is an international best seller.

Other speakers and panelists include: Joel Sartore, National Geographic photographer; Nebraska native Jay Keasling, CEO of the Joint BioEnergy Institute and professor of chemical and biomolecular engineering at the University of California at Berkeley; and Jim Cavaye, associate professor of rural development at the University of Queensland in Australia.

Green and Gov. Dave Heineman will make welcoming remarks for the conference, and NU President James B. Milliken, UNL Chancellor Harvey Perlman and University of Nebraska at Kearney Chancellor Doug Kristensen are among the other university leaders who will make remarks.

The third day of the conference, May 10, will be a working session that allows participants to interact and discuss topics related to the future of rural Nebraska, the Great Plains and the world. The day will include a moderated "open space session" so participants can learn from their peers and tackle questions related to the formation of a University of Nebraska Rural Futures Institute.

"This conference is truly designed to excite faculty, staff, students, partners and stakeholders to provide feedback and a setting to build robust partnerships to address potential objectives of an institute focused on positive rural futures," Green said.

Members of the media are welcome to attend any part of the conference at no charge. Speakers will be available for interviews upon request; please contact the conference planning team at ruralfutures@nebraska.edu to set up an interview.

More information is at http://ruralfutures.nebraska.edu.



USMEF Immerses Korean Bloggers in U.S. Beef

A group of 10 influential South Korean bloggers received a total immersion in U.S. beef last week, enjoying a four-part program that involved cooking with American beef, product tasting, a chef’s cooking demonstration and a beef sampling event for the bloggers’ visitors. Funding for the program was provided through the USDA Market Access Program (MAP) and the Beef Checkoff Program.

The blogger group, which is now in its third year of participation in U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF)-Korea beef and pork programs, kicked off the session with a cooking demonstration at the trendy Eatry restaurant in Seoul. Owner-chef Kim Wook-sung explained to the bloggers why he prefers to serve U.S. beef before preparing dishes using braised short rib, beef carpaccio and dry-aged New York strip steak.

Prior to the cooking demonstration, a visiting delegation from Nebraska met with the bloggers, and Greg Ibach, director of Nebraska’s Department of Agriculture, gave a presentation on beef production in his state.

“This event has been a great opportunity to share our commitment to the Korean market,” said Ibach. “We hope the bloggers will help to distribute the story of U.S. beef through their posting.”

“Since more and more consumers want to know the story behind the food they eat, it was a great opportunity for the bloggers to meet directly with producers and learn how they produce beef,” said Jihae Yang, USMEF-Korea director. “Considering that more than 98 percent of the ranches in Nebraska are family-owned, this is a powerful message to give the bloggers and their readers.”

The participating bloggers reach an average of 4,000 readers each day. Several bloggers have already posted stories about this event:
Blogger 1... http://blog.naver.com/ilyoon0325/140156270188
Blogger 2... http://chris1719.blog.me/50138148093

South Korea is a top-five market for U.S. beef exports. In 2011, exports jumped 37 percent in volume and 32 percent in value, reaching 154,019 metric tons (339.6 million pounds) valued at $686 million. Korea also is a top-five market for U.S. pork, purchasing 188,307 metric tons (415.1 million pounds) valued at $497.1 million last year, increases of 116 percent in volume and 162 percent in value over 2010.



How Alfalfa Responds to Frost
Bruce Anderson, UNL Extension Forage Specialist

With the potential for frosts across western and northern areas of the state this weekend, alfalfa growers will want to be alert to potential damage.

A "light" frost/freeze where temperatures don't go below 28°F for very long is likely to singe alfalfa tops a bit and set back growth rates, but plants will grow out of it. There's no need to cut this alfalfa, although some growers seeking high quality alfalfa may if standing yield is high enough to justify harvest. In this case, the plants will be weakened by early cutting and should be allowed extra time to recover before the next cutting.

An extreme freeze around 20°F or less, as occurred in 2007, likely will freeze plants all the way to the ground and they will collapse soon afterward. Harvest is warranted if yield is sufficient but must be done immediately.  Once plants collapse, much of the biomass will be unattainable and leaves will shatter quickly from those stems that can still be cut. Experience from 2007 showed little or no benefit to regrowth by cutting or shredding damaged tissue since the freeze was so thorough that plants reacted to the killed tops just as they would if tops were killed by cutting instead of freezing.

A freeze that penetrates about halfway down into the alfalfa canopy makes decisions more difficult. Cutting will weaken plants that weren’t ready to be cut. Uncut plants will be confused, some continuing to grow, others creating new shoots from aboveground stems, and others with new shoots coming from the crown. Much of that regrowth will be slow to initiate. If yield is high enough to justify harvest, this alfalfa probably should be cut, knowing that extra time will be needed for recovery before the next cutting. If yield of standing crop is low, it's probably best to just wait out the delay in regrowth. It will be hard to justify the time and expense of cutting/shredding with no immediate harvestable crop.

After a freeze that causes visible damage to alfalfa tissue, be extra observant of how the plants respond. In 2007, some regions experienced significantly higher than usual damage from foliar diseases and sometimes, insects, on regrowth following the freeze. At that time it was speculated that weakened plants may have been less able to resist these pests or that the abundant amount of dead alfalfa plant tissue on the ground or surrounding the regrowth provides a more desirable environment for pests to develop.

Preparing CRP for Pasture and Hay Use
CRP acres to be used as pasture or hay often need some special care before they meet growers’ needs. These include removing old litter, thickening stands, and developing fence and water.

The fastest and most effective way to remove dead litter and to thicken grass stands is with prescribed burning in the spring. Obviously, only use fire where it can be handled safely and legally, and where it won't cause other problems like wind erosion. Local extension and NRCS offices have information and can help with this.

Another way to reduce dead litter is by haying. This can be challenging if the terrain is rough, the amount of dead growth is great, or if pocket gophers have built mounds that plug equipment. Hay removed with much litter will have low forage quality and will need protein and energy supplements to feed it to livestock.

Better yet might be a technique called "flog grazing." Much like mob grazing, flog grazing involves placing a large number of cows on a small area for a brief time, usually one to seven days. However, its primary purpose is to use high stock density to trample dead litter into the ground and open the soil for new seedlings and tillers.

You can get a similar result by using your CRP as a calving pasture.  You'll get the trampling, the nutrient recycling, and excellent bedding all at the same time.

If hay or pasture use is planned for your CRP after the contract expires, get it in shape ahead of time.



Pea Aphids Reported in Alfalfa
Bob Wright, UNL Extension Entomologist

We have received several reports of pea aphids in alfalfa in southeastern Nebraska. These aphids are often the first to appear each spring in alfalfa.  Pea aphids are comparatively large (3/16 inch long), bright green aphids, with long legs, antennae, and cornicles (paired "tails" near the end of the body). These aphids over-winter as eggs. After hatching in the early spring, the nymphs feed on the first growth, and are usually found on the growing tips of the plants. High populations may cause wilting or death of the plant. Dry, cool conditions (55-60°F) favor the development of dense populations. Infestations are most likely to occur during spring or late summer.



ICA sale at Dunlap continues series of record ‘average sale price’

For the third sale in a row, the bulls that are selling through the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association Bull Evaluation Program have set a new record on average sale prices, says Kellie Carolan, ICA’s seedstock manager. In May of 2011, at the final sale for the year, the average price of a bull sold at the Tama Livestock Auction was $2,416, at the first ICA sale of 2012, the bulls averaged $2,726 at the Bloomfield Livestock Market; and at the most recent sale at Dunlap Livestock Auction, the 33 bulls sold there averaged $3,339.

“There are three reasons these average prices keep increasing,” Carolan says. “First, our consignors are putting good bulls in a program with 27 years of history. Second, the buyers are looking for the kind of bulls that will help us grow the cow-calf segment, and these bulls will definitely improve the commercial cow herd. The third reason is that there are record cattle prices across the industry.”

Several commercial cattlemen selected their new herd sires at the ICA bull sale held in Dunlap on March 30. The sale included Angus, Simmental, Charolais and Sim-Angus bulls that had been assessed through the bull evaluation program, and met the criteria established by ICA members on the Performance Evaluation Committee.

The top seller for the Dunlap sale was an Angus bull, a son of ‘Meredith Alliance 37.’ This Lot 129 bull was a consignment from Witt Cattle Co. of Arcadia, and was a crowd favorite. He drew attention not only for his big gain and large ribeye, but for his calving-ease traits as well. When Colonel Jon Schaben dropped the gavel, Terry Shever of Correctionville had the high bid, and took this bull home for $6,000.

The top selling Simmental bull was consigned by Craig Utesch of Correctionville. Lot 141 was the top-gaining, top-indexing Simmental and is a son ‘SVF/NJC Mo Better M217.’ This baldy bull was the selection of Robert Klein of Dunlap. Klein is a repeat customer, and purchased the Simmental bull for $4,800.

The top selling Charolais bull was consigned by Kyle Wakefield of New Richland, MN. Lot 133 was a big, “soggy,” powerful son of ‘LT Rio Bravo 3181 P.’ He caught the attention of many bidders, but Kyle Baldwin of Correctionville took him home with a bid of $5,300.

In the Sim-Angus division, Lot 151, a son of ‘Triple U Bull U43’ was the top-seller at $2,200. He was a super lean, homozygous black bull from Cody and Jessica Wilson of Pierson. This performance-oriented bull was purchased by Curt and Chad Havick of Mapleton.

“These bulls represented the top cut of our Dunlap test bulls based on growth, carcass traits,
yearling weights, disposition and scrotal circumference,” says Carolan. The bulls carried some of the breed’s best pedigrees for calving ease, performance and carcass merit and their test data showed it with more than 4.2 pounds per day of gain on-test.” The following is a breakdown of the number of bulls by breed or type and the sale average for that category.

                 # Head          -      Average $
Angus             19                  $3,205
Simmental       10                  $3,460
Charolais          3                  $4,167
Sim-Angus       1                  $2,200
Total               33                  $3,339

To see the caliber of bulls sold at the Dunlap auction, a catalog of the bulls can be found at www.iacattlemen.org, under the ICA Programs tab. Catalogs and videos of bulls for the upcoming sale at Tama Livestock Auction, which will be May 4, will be added to the site the week before the sale.

The Tama sale will be the last of the season, and will be preceded by a sale of open heifers that have been on-test through the program, too.

This year, ICA has implemented a promotional program for buyers at the sales. As bidders buy an animal, the bidder’s name is placed into a drawing for certificates that can be applied to their purchase at the sale, or to future 2012 or 2013 sales. At Tama, one $500 certificate and two $200 certificates will be given during the heifer sale and the bull sale.

The ICA Bull Evaluation Program has been in place since 1985. The goal of the program is to provide bulls that meet the program’s two basic objectives: 1) evaluate high-quality bulls in a common environment to benefit seedstock producers and; 2) identify and merchandise a select group of bulls, which excel in traits that have a high economic value.

For more information about the ICA Bull Evaluation Program or to receive a sale catalog, contact the ICA office at 515-296-2266.



Iowans double their use of biodiesel, Dept. of Revenue report shows     
A new report from the Iowa Department of Revenue shows biodiesel sales and use nearly doubled in the state in 2011. The Iowa Biodiesel Board applauded the results, crediting smart energy policy for the growth.

The report shows that the total number of pure biodiesel (B100) gallons sold by fuel retailers increased from 7.4 million in 2010 to 13.9 million in 2011. This does not include off-road or farm use.

“These numbers show the energy policy put into place at the state and federal levels is moving us in the right direction,” said Randy Olson, executive director of the Iowa Biodiesel Board. “That’s almost 14 million gallons of fuel that we didn’t have to make from foreign oil, and translates to millions of dollars that pumped up Iowa jobs instead of going overseas.”

Olson credited a combination of the federal biodiesel tax incentive, the federal renewable fuel standard, and state legislation providing infrastructure and incentives to retailers.

Biodiesel blends comprised about 42 percent of all on-road diesel sold at the retail level in the state, a sign that the retailer incentive is working as intended, while still leaving room for growth.

Iowa is home to 13 biodiesel plants. In 2011, the state produced about 175 million gallons of biodiesel, an impressive 17 percent of the nation’s total production.



Collaborative State Water Quality Plan Meetings Set

A new state water quality plan -- the result of a major collaborative effort between Iowa's local, state and federal government organizations, universities and a diverse set of stakeholder groups -- will be the focus of five public meetings across the state in April.

The plan, developed over 15 months, looks at the current state of water quality in Iowa and outlines ideas for improvement. Highlights include steps to develop a more consistent public outreach message, improving technical assistance, and fostering new partnerships for improved water quality.

"The only way to realize significant changes in water quality is through steadfast collaboration between water quality professionals and the citizens of this state," said DNR Director Roger Lande. "This plan exemplifies the kind of transparent, cooperative approach that is necessary to advance the good work already being done."

Iowans interested in the plan have a chance to learn more by attending one of five meetings. All meetings will be held from 6 to 8 p.m.
-- Council Bluffs: April 18, Council Bluffs Public Library, 400 Willow Ave.
-- Storm Lake: April 19, Prairie Lakes AEA, 824 Flindt Dr., Suite 105
-- Iowa City: April 23, Iowa City Public Library, 123 South Linn St.
-- Cedar Falls: April 24, Auditorium at the University of Northern Iowa Center for Energy and Environmental Education, southeast corner of Jennings Drive and Campus Street
-- Windsor Heights: April 26, Windsor Heights Community Center - Colby Park, 6900 School St.

The plan is accessible on the DNR website at: http://watershed.iowadnr.gov.

The DNR will accept comments on the plan, from both those that attend a meeting and those who do not, through May 21 via email at jeff.berckes@dnr.iowa.gov or mail at Jeff Berckes, care of Iowa DNR, Wallace State Office Building, 502 E. Ninth St., Des Moines, Iowa 50319.

After gathering comments from Iowans, the DNR will submit the plan to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. The Clean Water Act requires that each state update and maintain a water quality plan, also called a "Nonpoint Source Management Plan," in order to be eligible for federal program support.



Biofuel groups support RFS, EPA in federal lawsuit

Six biofuel trade associations have filed a motion in the U.S. District Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit to intervene in support of the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2) 2012 final rule being challenged by the American Petroleum Institute (API).  The filing was made on Friday, April 6.

Specifically, the groups are standing with EPA in its implementation of the requirements under the RFS, including the cellulosic biofuels volumes.  The trade associations seeking intervenor status are the Advanced Biofuels Association (ABFA), the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE), the Advanced Ethanol Council (AEC), the Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO), Growth Energy, and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA).

In their joint filing, the groups noted that their “members have investments in equipment, research and development, to supply the necessary renewable fuel.”  API’s challenge would reduce the standards set by Congress and EPA and deprive members of the benefit of the investments made in reliance on Congress’ policy choices.

The case is D.C. Circuit case no. 12-1139, American Petroleum Institute v. United States Environmental Protection Agency.



CWT Assists with 7.8 Million Pounds of Butter and Cheese Export Sales

Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) has accepted 14 requests for export assistance from Dairy Farmers of America, Darigold, Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative and Michigan Milk Producers Association to sell a total of 1,697 metric tons (3.741 million pounds) of Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese and 1,843 metric tons (4.063 million pounds) of butter to customers in Asia, the Caribbean, the Middle East and North Africa. The product will be delivered April through October 2012.

CWT announced last week that it will begin assisting sales of whole milk powder beginning April 16. An economic analysis done by CWT determined that adding whole milk powder to the list of eligible products will help boost both butterfat and nonfat solids in world commerce.

In 2012, CWT has assisted member cooperatives in making export sales of Cheddar, Monterey Jack and Gouda cheese totaling 41.6 million pounds and butter totaling 37.4 million pounds to 25 countries on four continents. On a butterfat basis, the milk equivalent of these exports is 1.199 billion pounds, or the same as the annual milk production of 57,100 cows.

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

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



USDA Announces No Marketing Quota for 2013 Wheat Crop

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced that no marketing quota will be in effect for the 2013 wheat crop.

The Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 authorizes a commodity program for only the 2008 through 2012 crops of wheat. Unless new farm legislation is enacted (or the current farm bill extended), any actions taken pertaining to the 2013 wheat crop must be done in accordance with “permanent law” provisions of the Agricultural Adjustment Act of 1938, as amended (the 1938 Act), and the Agricultural Act of 1949, as amended, which are suspended through the 2012 crops. These permanent law provisions would authorize the imposition of marketing quotas, acreage allotments, marketing certificates and parity price support programs for wheat. Since the 2008 farm bill only covers through the 2012 crop, the Secretary is required by the 1938 Act to announce whether or not a marketing quota will be in effect for the 2013 wheat crop prior to April 15, 2012.

The 1938 Act would require a marketing quota for the 2013 wheat crop if the total supply of the crop would likely be excessive without the quota, and would require the Secretary to decide not later than April 15, 2012, whether a quota is needed. Based on projected supply and demand, no quota is required.



Brazil's Second-Crop Beginnings Point to Record Crop

Brazilian farmers have planted record amounts of second-crop corn this season and early indications point to a bumper crop.

With planting all but complete across the country's vast grain belt, crops are generally developing well as they enter the reproductive stages. The exception is Parana, the No. 2 winter corn state, but heavy rains are forecast to resolve the moisture deficit there during the next week.

Brazil's government and a number of international forecasters peg the winter crop at around 26 million metric tons (mmt), up 20% on the year before. But these forecasts underestimate the intensity of planting this season. A better number is around 28 mmt, according to respected local consultants Agroconsult and Safras e Mercado.

With summer-crop corn output pegged at 36 mmt to 36.5 mmt, there is a real possibility that Brazil's corn output will be greater than its drought-ravaged soybean crop this season. This is the first time that has happened since 1989.

If output does jump as expected, Brazil will look to export at least the 9.2 mmt tons it shipped in 2011, and maybe as much as 11 mmt.



DuPont Opens $40 Million Agriculture Research Facility

DuPont opened a $40 million plant genetics research facility in Johnston today to further support its commitment to increasing agricultural productivity and food security worldwide.  Approximately 400 new jobs will be created through the increased research and development capabilities housed in the 200,000 square foot state-of-the-art building.

“Beaver Creek will take DuPont’s research and development efforts in seed and plant genetics to the next level and ensure we are consistently providing new solutions and products to farmers and communities around the world,” said Paul E. Schickler, president of Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business.  “Pioneer is dedicated to providing the right product for the right acre, and this new facility in Johnston will advance that mission.”

Experts in plant physiology, molecular biology and bioinformatics at the research facility will focus on plant breeding and the development of new transgenic products.  Together, these groups discover, develop and test the newest products and traits in Pioneer’s research and development pipeline.

Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, State Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey and U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley joined Schickler at the opening ceremony today to celebrate the new facility.

“On behalf of the State of Iowa, I join Pioneer and its employees in celebrating this exciting new research facility and the jobs it brings to the state,” said Governor Branstad.  “DuPont is a global company and their growth in Iowa affirms its dedication to creating opportunities right here at home.  This is an example of the growth that will keep Iowa youth in the state to be a part of a global company that is working with farmers and scientists to feed the world.”

In Iowa, Pioneer has increased its workforce by 1,400 positions during the last five years. DuPont also will expand Pioneer’s office and laboratory facilities in the state by 425,000 square feet with the addition of Beaver Creek and the doubling of its greenhouse and research offices in Johnston.

DuPont will invest $10 billion globally in research and development dedicated to the food, agriculture and nutrition sectors by the end of 2020 as part of its targeted food security goals announced earlier this year.  The opening of the Beaver Creek research facility is another example of DuPont’s commitment to feeding the world through innovation.



Michelin North America to Increase Ag Tire Prices

Effective May 1, Michelin North America is increasing prices up to 6 percent on MICHELIN Compact and Agricultural tires sold in the U.S. and Canada.

Dedicated to the improvement of sustainable mobility, Michelin designs, manufactures and sells tires for every type of vehicle, including airplanes, automobiles, bicycles, earthmovers, farm equipment, heavy-duty trucks and motorcycles.

The company also publishes travel guides, hotel and restaurant guides, maps and road atlases.

Headquartered in Greenville, S.C., Michelin North America employs 22,300 and operates 18 major manufacturing plants in 16 locations.