Thursday April 5 Ag News

Season Starting Early: Scout for Alfalfa and Clover Leaf Weevils in Alfalfa
Bob Wright, Extension Entomologist
Keith Jarvi, Extension Educator in Dakota, Dixon, and Thurston Counties
Michael Rethwisch, Extension Educator in Butler County
Producers growing high quality alfalfa hay should make time in the next one to two weeks to scout for damage from weevil feeding.  Insect development has been accelerated in Nebraska due to above average temperatures and UNL Extension Educator Paul Hay reports seeing alfalfa weevil larvae in southeast Nebraska. Areas further north will have slightly later development. It is time to begin scouting for alfalfa weevils and the accompanying feeding damage.

Alfalfa Weevil Life Cycle
Most alfalfa weevils overwinter as adults, become active as temperatures increase, and lay eggs. Some may lay eggs in the stem during fall and, if winter is not too severe, will successfully overwinter. These eggs will hatch earlier than those laid in spring. This is most likely to occur in southern counties.

The seasonal occurrence of alfalfa weevils does not fit this general pattern in some areas in Nebraska. In the Panhandle and in the northern tier of counties there may be two flushes of weevil larvae in the spring. In the last few years some areas of the state have received damage to regrowth after the first cutting due to a combination of late larval feeding and adult feeding. This is something to be aware of after the first cutting.

Two strains of alfalfa weevils exist in Nebraska — eastern and western. Larval numbers of the western strain peak one to three weeks after the eastern strain. Historically these two strains have overlapped in central Nebraska; however, recent data indicates a rapid eastern movement/detection of the western strain within the U.S. (as far east as Pennsylvania) and a potential displacement of the eastern strain.

While alfalfa weevil damage has been spotty in much of Nebraska over the past few years, the potential for damage always exists. Even with the pressure of planting row crops, producers growing high quality alfalfa hay should make time to monitor fields for weevils over the next few weeks.

Clover Leaf Weevils
Clover leaf weevils (CLW) are occasionally a problem, but are vulnerable to fungus disease. These pests haven’t been a problem since the late 80s to early 90s when spring rains were rare. Dry conditions over the past several years in western Nebraska may have helped populations increase, although recent rains may have knocked down populations.

To scout for clover leaf weevil, look in the debris around the crowns during day. Scratching in the soil around the crowns and counting the number of larvae found per crown will help give a better idea of clover leaf weevil infestation. Their brown heads will help distinguish them from the black-headed alfalfa weevil. (See Table 1 for more information distinguishing the alfalfa weevil and the clover leaf weevil.)

Both the alfalfa and clover leaf weevils feed on first cutting alfalfa as larvae, and regrowth after the first cutting as adults (and sometimes larvae). While research in northeast Nebraska has shown that clover leaf weevil larva feeding does not cause yield reduction to first cutting alfalfa, alfalfa weevil feeding can cause severe losses to yield and quality of the first cutting. This is why it’s important to correctly identify the type of weevil feeding causing damage.

Scouting
It is essential that fields be monitored for alfalfa weevil feeding now. Damage consists of small holes and interveinal feeding on the newest leaflets near the stem tips. The larvae are small (1/16 to 3/8 inch long) and pale yellowish green, becoming a darker green when larger. These legless worms have black heads and a white stripe the length of the back. The alfalfa weevil larvae spend nearly all their time on the plant. They curl into a C-shape when disturbed.

Once the alfalfa is about 4-6 inches or so in height, take a net sample to establish whether weevils are present. If they are, carefully cut some stems at ground level (30 to 50 per field, from various spots in the field) and shake the stems against the side of a 5-gallon bucket. This will dislodge the weevils and make it easy to average the number of weevil larvae per stem.

Scouting Tip
One way to quickly scout a field for alfalfa weevils is to use a sweep net. A 15-inch diameter net is useful and can be used for scouting other pests too. (A net is the only way to accurately scout for potato leafhoppers.)  Many ag suppliers, including Great Lakes IPM, Gemplers, Forestry Suppliers, Bioquip, and others, sell field sweep nets for $30-$50. Replacement nets also are available.



Early Planted Acres May Lose Replant Insurance
Unusually warm and dry weather has allowed crop producers to start spring field work earlier than can be remembered by most people. “Getting an early start on tillage and planting reduces the risk of getting behind schedule later if an extended period of rainy weather occurs, but it also has its risks,” said William Edwards, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach farm business economist.

The Risk Management Agency (USDA) has some specific rules about early planted crops with regard to crop insurance coverage. For each insurable crop, RMA has set an “early planting date.” The earliest planting dates allowed for counties in the state of Iowa are April 11 for corn and April 21 for soybeans. Dates will vary in other states, and by county within a state. 

“Acres planted before these dates are no longer eligible for replant coverage payments should it be necessary to replant them,” said Edwards. “The maximum replant payments each year are equal to 8 bushels of corn and 3 bushels of soybeans, times the RMA projected price for that year, which is the price used to establish the value of the insurance guarantees that the producer  purchases.” For 2012 the projected prices are $5.68 per bushel for corn and $12.55 for soybeans, so the maximum replant payments are $45.44 and $37.65 per acre, respectively.

Any acres that are planted before the earliest planting dates lose replant coverage, even if the entire farm or insurance unit has not been planted. However, early planting does not affect a producer’s normal yield or revenue insurance guarantee. That guarantee is still in effect, and any indemnity payments will depend on the final harvested yield. Normal good management practices must still be followed, included replanting of crops if the potential yield increase is enough to offset the costs of replanting.

Records should be kept of when all acres are planted. Check with local crop insurance agents for questions.

Editors Note:  Early Planting dates on corn in Nebraska are April 10th for the southeast 2/3, April 15 for the Northwest 1/3; and April 25 for soybeans. 



New Blender Pump Opens up in Aurora

A new blender pump is now open in Aurora at Aurora Cooperative’s Aurora West  A-Stop 24.

The grand opening of the blender pump will be held Wednesday, April 11 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm.  The new blender pump is located at 2530 Harvest Road just west of Aurora.  Discounts of $0.85 on E85, $0.30 on E30, and $0.10 on E10 will be given during the grand opening.  These discounts are applied to vehicles only.  They will not be applied to fuel trailers.

This E85/blender pump is one of approximately 60 in Nebraska to offer a variety of renewable ethanol fuel blends.  This station will offer unleaded, E10, E30, and E85.  To find a list of retailers that offer E85 and other mid-level ethanol blends, visit the Nebraska Ethanol Board website at www.ne-ethanol.org or check the Nebraska Corn Board website at www.nebraskacorn.org.

Over 117,000 Nebraska motorists currently own a flexible fuel vehicle which can run on any blend of ethanol and gasoline, up to E85.  To confirm if a vehicle is flex fuel, drivers can check their owner’s manual, their gas cap, look for the flex fuel emblem on their vehicle or visit the website www.ne-ethanol.org/e85.

“Gas prices keep increasing.  With ethanol being about a $1.00 per gallon cheaper than gasoline, flex fuel vehicle owners can save even more when fueling up with E85 and other mid-level ethanol blends at blender pumps,” said Kim Clark, Ag Program Manager with the Nebraska Corn Board.

“Consumer choice and ethanol fuel availability are a high priority with today’s gas prices,” said Todd Sneller, Nebraska Ethanol Board’s Administrator.  “When flex fuel drivers fill up on E85, they’re strengthening Nebraska’s economy, making our country more energy independent and going easier on the environment,” Sneller said.

New Blender Pump Opens up in Broken Bow
A new blender pump is now open in Broken Bow at Trotter Whoa and Go.

The grand opening of the blender pump will be held Monday, April 9 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm.  The new blender pump is located on west Highway 2 in Broken Bow.  During this time, you can register to win one of five $50 ethanol fuel gift cards.  There will be additional promotions during this time also.

This E85/blender pump is one of approximately 60 in Nebraska to offer the renewable fuel, ethanol.  This station will offer unleaded, E10, E30, and E85.  To find a list of retailers that offer E85 and other mid-level ethanol blends visit the Nebraska Ethanol Board website at www.ne-ethanol.org or check the Nebraska Corn Board website at www.nebraskacorn.org.

Over 117,000 Nebraska motorists currently own a flexible fuel vehicle which can run on any blend of ethanol and gasoline, up to E85.  To confirm if a vehicle is flex fuel, drivers can check their owner’s manual, their gas cap, look for the flex fuel emblem on their vehicle or visit the website www.ne-ethanol.org/e85.

“We are pleased to see another blender pump available to flex fuel vehicle owners,” said Kim Clark, Ag Program Manager with the Nebraska Corn Board. “Blender pumps give consumers flexibility and with gas prices hitting $4 per gallon ethanol fuel provides a cheaper alternative,” said Clark.



Feed Yard Foodie Finds Continued Success Online

Anne Burkholder, a.k.a. Feed Yard Foodie, Nebraska feedyard owner and past checkoff-funded Beef Quality Assurance award winner, continues to communicate with consumers via her blog site and now has ventured into contributing content to BlogHer, a site reaching millions of women who likely make food decisions for their families. Having been an active blogger for nearly a year, Burkholder says she has blog readers who now ask where they can buy “Burkholder beef”.

Burkholder says,  “And that trust that we build is something that is invaluable to the sustainability of our business going into the future. If we can do that on a large scale, I think that’s a tremendous tool for us. Proactive is all about establishing trust and establishing a relationship. I’ve had so many readers say, ‘Anne, where can I buy your beef?’ and I think that that’s a testament to what people are looking for. You know, I use antibiotics when my animals get sick; I use growth promotants so that I can reduce my environmental footprint and have efficiently producing animals. I use all of those things and yet people still want to buy my beef because it’s my beef and they know me. Can you imagine what would happen to demand for beef if everybody would reach out and start to tell their personal story?”

Burkholder’s blog site, Feed Yard Foodie, launched just 11 short months ago and since, she’s had 45,800 hits/reads with 12,000 of those coming just in the last month because of her “Hard work, trust and faith” entry that addresses the media frenzy and misinformation about Lean, Finely Textured Beef.  She says,  “I think that it’s been a very successful year – it’s been a year that I’ve enjoyed. The blog itself is certainly a labor of love but I do enjoy reaching out to consumers and I enjoy the conversations that I have with my readers and I find that really very rewarding in terms of trying to share the message how I care for animals and how I raise beef. I also have a philosophy that I need to be proactive and I need to be positive…that blogging is a way for me to share my story which is not always maybe the happiest story in the world, but I’m going to share it in a positive way.”

Burkholder is also active on the BlogHer site and, with 18 blog entries, has more than 7,000 reads. As a contributing blogger, her “Hard work, trust and faith” blog post and another called “Wow the Cow” were featured in the ‘food’ and ‘green’ sections of BlogHer, two of the most highly regarded and read sections of the site.  “I’ve seen that there’s very much a vegetarian presence that permeates there within BlogHer, as well, and so I think it’s very important for me as a beef farmer and an omnivore to put some information up there out there for those 37 million women, hopefully some of which are interested in serving beef to themselves and to their family.”



April 20th Governor Heineman will Reveal 2012 Leopold Conservation Award Recipient

Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman will announce the recipient of the 2012 Leopold Conservation Award on April 20th during a press conference at the Nebraska State Capitol as part of the Leopold Conservation Award Earth Day Celebration.

The day’s events include: Governor Heineman’s 10:00 a.m. announcement of the 2012 award recipient at the Governors Press Room; an 11:30 a.m. Luncheon honoring the 2012 award recipient in room 1023 at the Nebraska State Capitol and a 1:00 p.m. roundtable discussion of private lands conservation issues, involving leaders from a variety of agricultural and environmental sectors. Members of the media are welcome, and the events are open to the public.

“Nebraska’s private landowners play a vital role in caring for the land, water and wildlife in our state,” said Governor Dave Heineman. “This award is an excellent way to recognize the hard work and commitment of families that, for generations, have made conservation of Nebraska’s beautiful landscapes a priority.”

The Leopold Conservation Award in Nebraska is presented by the Nebraska Cattlemen, Cargill and the Wisconsin-based Sand County Foundation. The award, which recognizes agricultural families in Nebraska who practice exemplary conservation on their land, is comprised of $10,000 and a Leopold crystal.

“Governor Heineman understands that Nebraska’s farmers and ranchers are integral to the health of the state’s natural resources,” said Dr. Brent Haglund, Sand County Foundation President. “We appreciate the Governor’s continued participation in this important celebration of sustainable agriculture on private lands.”

"This is a prestigious award given to a Nebraska livestock producer for their commitment to the care and preservation of the land,” said Jim Ramm, Nebraska Cattlemen President. “Nebraska Cattlemen are proud to support these conservation minded individuals as we are only short time tenants on this earth and it is our responsibility to protect and preserve the land for future generations."

The Leopold Conservation Award in Nebraska is sponsored by The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, Cargill, BNSF Railway, Farm Credit Services of America, Nebraska Cattlemen Research and Education Foundation, Nebraska Land Trust, Rainwater Basin Joint Venture, Sandhills Task Force, The Nature Conservancy and Union Pacific.

For more information, please contact Kristen Hassebrook at khassebrook@necattlemen.org or 402.475.2333. More information about the award can be found at www.nebraskacattlemen.org or www.leopoldconservationaward.org.



Agricultural Safety:  2009 Injuries to Youth on Farms

In 2009, there were an estimated 2,200,010 farms in the United States, an increase of 2 percent from 2001. Agriculture-related injuries to youth under 20 years of age on United States farms have decreased from 13.5 injuries per 1,000 farms in 2001 to 7.2 injuries per 1,000 farms in 2009. In 2009, there were 15,876 injuries to youth who lived on, worked on, or visited a farm in the United States compared to 29,277 in 2001, 27,591 in 2004, and 22,894 injuries in 2006. These findings are based on a series of telephone surveys of farms conducted by the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Farm operators were asked questions about injuries to youth less than 20 years of age that occurred on their farms in four separate surveys covering the years 2001, 2004, 2006, and 2009. An injury was defined as any condition occurring on the farm operation resulting in at least 4 hours of restricted activity or requiring professional medical attention.

For all four survey years, male youth incurred most of these injuries: 57 percent in 2001, 52 percent in 2004, 67 percent in 2006, and 58 percent in 2009. Youth 10 to 15 years old incurred the highest number of injuries in all four years: 13,368 injuries in 2001, 10,480 injuries in 2004, 10,158 injuries in 2006, and 6,912 injuries in 2009. Youth less than 10 years of age were injured in 9,698 events in 2001, 9,060 events in 2004, 6,435 events in 2006, and 4,111 events in 2009. Youth aged 16 to 19 years incurred 5,976 injuries in 2001, 7,722 injuries in 2004, 6,048 injuries in 2006, and 4,148 in 2009.

Youth living on the farm operation (household youth) incurred 22,144 injuries in 2001, 18,000 injuries in 2004, 16,654 injuries in 2006, and 7,715 injuries in 2009. Injuries to males accounted for 54 percent of all household youth injuries in 2001, 53 percent in 2004, 66 percent in 2006, and 58 percent in 2009. Most injured household youth were 10 to 15 years of age. Youth in this age range incurred 10,836 injuries (49 percent) in 2001, 7,723 injuries (43 percent) in 2004, 5,790 injuries (35 percent) in 2006, and 3,594 (47 percent) in 2009. In 2001, 6,644 injuries (30 percent) to youth living on the farm were work-related, while 6,384 injuries (35 percent) were work-related in 2004, 3,601 injuries (22 percent) were work-related in 2006, and 2,585 injuries (34 percent) were work-related in 2009.
   
In each survey year, work-related injuries to hired and working household youth contributed to approximately a quarter of childhood injuries occurring on these farm operations. In 2001, 8,588 injuries (29 percent) were work-related while 6,965 injuries (25 percent) were work-related in 2004, 4,964 injuries (22 percent) were work-related in 2006, and 3,191 injuries (20 percent) were work-related in 2009. In 2006 and 2009, over 70 percent of these work-related injuries occurred to male youth, compared to 62 percent in 2001 and 59 percent in 2004. In 2001, 2004, and 2006, most work-related injuries were to youth 16 to 19 years of age; 49 percent in 2001, 50 percent in 2004, and 54 percent in 2006. In 2009, approximately 42 percent of work-related injuries were to youth 10 to 15 years of age and 42 percent were to youth 16 to 19 years of age.



Iowa Poll: Challenges to Increasing Cover Crops on Farmland

Getting more cover crops on Iowa farmland faces substantial challenges, despite the potential environmental and agronomic benefits, according to the Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll.

Cover crops protect soils between the harvest and establishment of crops such as corn and soybeans, said J. Gordon Arbuckle Jr., a sociologist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Arbuckle co-directs the annual Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll with Paul Lasley, another ISU Extension and Outreach sociologist.

Iowa State has worked for many years with partner agencies and organizations to conduct research on and promote cover crops as a means to maintain and increase soil productivity, while reducing agriculture's environmental impacts, Arbuckle said. He has published a new report based on data from the 2010 Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll. Attitudes Toward Cover Crops in Iowa: Benefits and Barriers (PMR 1010) is now available for free download from the ISU Extension and Outreach Online Store.

"Our research and on-farm experience has shown that cover crops can play an important part in maintaining and improving soil productivity and water quality by reducing soil erosion, limiting nitrogen leaching, suppressing weeds and increasing organic matter," Arbuckle said. "However, despite these potential benefits, few Iowa farmers use cover crops."

To learn more about their opinions regarding cover crops, the 2010 Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll asked farmers about the potential environmental and agronomic benefits of cover crops, barriers to and facilitators of cover crop use and interest in learning more about them. The new report presents the results of the data analysis.

Arbuckle said 1,360 farmers participated in the 2010 Farm Poll. On average, they were 64 years old and 48 percent earned more than half of their income from farming. An additional 19 percent earned between 26 and 50 percent of their household income from the farm operation.

"Most farmers understand that cover crops can have important agronomic and environmental benefits," Arbuckle said, "But they also view climatic factors such as a short window between harvest and winter as major barriers to their use. Many farmers also report that they lack the knowledge and equipment to use cover crops.

"Larger-scale farmers cultivate the majority of Iowa's cropland, and corn and soybean farmers and farmers who plant crops on highly erodible land are precisely the groups whose land could benefit the most from using cover crops. Yet, farmers with these characteristics are less likely to agree that cover crops can lead to agronomic and environmental benefits. In addition, they are more likely to view climatic conditions, lack of appropriate equipment, and lack of cover crop knowledge as barriers to cover crop use."

On the other hand, farmers who were more confident in their knowledge of cover crops and those who actually had used cover crops at some point in the previous five years tended to rate agronomic and environmental benefits more highly, Arbuckle said. "They also appear to be less concerned about barriers. These results indicate, as would be expected, that knowledge and experience are important predictors of attitudes toward cover crops. Nevertheless, it is important to note that substantial numbers of farmers who reported having used cover crops still perceive climatic, equipment and knowledge barriers to their use."

Arbuckle noted several strategies for increasing the use of cover crops in Iowa. Cover crop research and outreach efforts should address climate and equipment barriers, developing innovative solutions to these impediments; increase knowledge and confidence of both farmers and the agribusiness networks that provide them with inputs and technical assistance; and continue to share information and resources, both here in Iowa and across the United States.

Many Iowa State faculty and staff work on cover crops research and promotion activities in partnership with diverse groups such as the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Iowa Learning Farms, the National Laboratory for Agriculture and the Environment, the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture and Practical Farmers of Iowa, Arbuckle said.

Conducted every year since its establishment in 1982, the Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll is the longest-running survey of its kind in the nation, Arbuckle said. ISU Extension and Outreach, the Iowa Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and the Iowa Agricultural Statistics Service are all partners in the Farm Poll effort.

Attitudes Toward Cover Crops in Iowa: Benefits and Barriers (PMR 1010), the 2011 Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll summary report (PM 3016) and previous Iowa Farm and Rural Life Poll summary and topical reports are available to download from the ISU Extension and Outreach Online Store (store.extension.iastate.edu) and Extension Sociology.



Congressman Introduces Bill to Ban Atrazine

Rep. Keith Ellison (D-Minn.) has reintroduced legislation (H.R.4318) to ban the herbicide atrazine. Atrazine is used nationwide to kill broadleaf and grassy weeds, primarily in corn crops. But Ellison says a U.S. Geological Survey show that it has found atrazine in approximately 75 percent of stream waters and 40 percent of ground waters sampled near agricultural areas.

"No one should ever have to worry if the water they drink is making them sick or affecting fertility," said Rep. Ellison. "Germany and Italy banned atrazine use in 1991 and Euro zone health officials banned its use in 2003. Yet, almost 10 years later the United States is still using it."

The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service acknowledges that the chemical may also harm the reproductive and endocrine systems in fish species.

Opponents of the proposal say atrazine is the second most commonly applied herbicide in the U.S., and according to many agronomist, there are no comparable replacements for what it can do.



Oil Prices Drop as U.S. Stockpiles Increase

U.S. government data showed crude stockpiles in the world's top consumer jumped last week to a nine-month high. A surge in imports following fog-related delays in key Texas oil-shipping channels in March pushed crude inventories up more than 16 million barrels in the two weeks to March 30, the biggest two-week increase since March 2001, data from the Energy Information Administration showed.

The gains sent stockpiles to the highest level since June 2011 and helped counter concerns about how EU and U.S. sanctions on Iran might affect supplies, which have already been cut by disruptions from Yemen, Syria, South Sudan and the North Sea.

Supply worries have raised the price of international benchmark Brent crude by 15 percent this year, prompting concern about the impact of pricier fuel on the global economy.



Soy Checkoff Sponsors Tractor Pulls to Showcase Biodiesel

U.S. biodiesel production reached an all-time record in 2011, and the United Soybean Board (USB) and soy checkoff want to help it repeat that feat in 2012.

As part of a larger strategy to promote soy biodiesel's benefits among diesel users, the checkoff will once again co-sponsor the National Tractor Pullers Association (NTPA) season of approximately 80 tractor pulls across the United States. The checkoff partners with the NTPA to increase biodiesel availability and use among pulling fans, many of whom work in the agricultural and trucking sectors.

"Pulling tractors perform so well on biodiesel, it's a perfect way to show farmers biodiesel's benefits," says USB Communications Chair Jimmy Sneed, a soybean farmer from Hernando, Miss. "It's important to remind farmers that using soybean oil for biodiesel is one of the components that determines the value of each bushel we grow. It makes sense for soybean farmers to use their own products and promote biodiesel."

Under the co-sponsorship, tractors in the NTPA's Light Pro Stock division will run on biodiesel. So these pullers will put biodiesel to the test all season long.

According to millions of miles of checkoff-funded testing, biodiesel can stand up to those tests. It offers excellent horsepower, mileage, cetane and lubricity. And, since it can be made from U.S. soybean oil, it's the only diesel fuel that can help declare freedom from foreign oil.

Check the NTPA schedule to find out if Light Pro Stock "Powered by Biodiesel" hooks will be in your area.

The soy checkoff also established other partnerships to promote biodiesel. Later this year, the checkoff will sponsor the National Truck Driving Championships, a trucking competition that attracts tens of thousands of representatives from that industry. Additionally, the checkoff partners with Clean Cities coalitions; assorted state, county and regional fairs; and the tractor pulls at the National Farm Machinery Show to promote the use of biodiesel, Bioheat and other soy-based products.