Monday May 7 Ag News

UNL Extension Offers Mid-Plains BEEF Practicum

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension's Mid-Plains BEEF Educational Series begins in June at the UNL Agricultural Research and Development Center near Mead.  The series will draw on the expertise of extension educators and specialists from across Nebraska to share their beef cattle expertise with participants.

The program is designed for producers, veterinarians, college students or others involved in the beef industry. Participants will learn more about the systems approach to beef cattle production through these multi-session, hands-on learning experiences in beef production, economics and forage management.

The multi-session program begins June 13 and continues Nov. 29 and Jan. 31, 2013. Participants may choose to attend one or all three sessions.

The theme for the 2012-2013 year is cattle herd health. Participants will learn about the management of diseases, insect control, pesticide toxicity, low stress weaning, pre-conditioning and vaccination protocols, pregnancy checking, ultrasound, body condition scoring and how it relates to production and economics, preparation for calving and dealing with calving difficulty and more.

Additionally, Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) principles will be taught and demonstrated at each session. Producers can become BQA certified if they attend all three sessions. All of these components are part of a systems approach with a connection between production, economics and forage management, and its important relationship to the production system.

Registration for the June 13 program is requested by June 6, registration for the Nov. 29 program is requested by Nov. 21 and registration for the Jan. 31, 2013 program is requested Jan. 24.

Registration is $60 per session or $160 for all three sessions, which covers educational materials, noon meals and breaks. Producers interested in BQA certification will incur a $20 certification fee.

The Mid-Plains BEEF Educational Series is an effort by a team of southeastern Nebraska Extension educators.

To register or obtain more information, contact them at:
Steve Tonn, Washington County, 402-426-9455
Sara Ellicott, Saunders County, 402-624-8030
Jessica Jones, Johnson County, 402-335-3669
Monte Stauffer, Douglas/Sarpy counties, 402-444-7804
Lindsay Chichester, Richardson County, 402-245-4324
Darci McGee, Nuckolls/Thayer Counties, 402-768-7212 or 402-225-2381 



By the Numbers, 2012 Temperatures are Setting Records
Al Dutcher, Nebraska State Climatologist

It's not a surprise, but a review of temperatures for April, as well as the first four months of 2012, show just how unusual this warm spell has been.  Average temperatures across Nebraska for April ranged from 49°F in the northwest to 59°F in the extreme southeast. For most of the state, these temperatures were 4-6°F above normal. The highest temperature recorded for the month was 97°F at McCook on April 25. (Note: Since this station takes morning observations, the high temperature likely occurred during the afternoon hours of the April 24.)
    
Of the 181 stations with valid temperature data, 151 reached 90°F. Thirty stations, most of which were in the Panhandle, did not hit 90°F during April.
    
The lowest minimum temperature recorded in April was 15°F at the Harrison reporting station on April 24.
    
Nebraska has experienced unusually warm conditions through the first four months of 2012. Using Lincoln data as a reference, there were 30 days where the maximum temperature reached at least 70°F, 14 days at or above 80°F, and 3 days of 90°F or higher temperatures. Using historical climate data from 1895 to the presen for the same period, we usually have 14.5 days of 70°F, 4.1 days of 80°F, and 0.5 days of 90°F.
    
Looking through the climate records from 1895 to the present, Lincoln has only exceeded this year's count of thirty 70°F days twice, in 1910 (39 days) and in 1946 (32 days). The number of 80°F days this year ties the historical record of 14 set in 1910, with the second closest year being 1987 with 11 days. The greatest number of 90°F days experienced at Lincoln during the first four months of the year occurred in 1989 with six. This year ranks second in all time, tying 1987 and 1990.
    
It should be pointed out that the remainder of Nebraska has experienced similar conditions when comparing the number of days when air temperatures have reached or exceeded 70°F, 80°F, or 90°F. Cursory examination of other large cities within the state mirror the trend experienced in Lincoln. That is, the number of 70°F, 80°F, and 90°F days through the end of April ranks in the top five since 1895, with most locations ranking between first and third.



Scout Emerged Corn for Early Season Insects
Keith Jarvi, UNL Extension Educator in Dakota, Dixon, and Thurston Counties

As corn begins to emerge, be alert to the potential damage that may be caused by early season insects.

Most early season insect damage would be caused by cutworms, wireworms, or white grubs. Wireworms and white grubs are most often associated with fields that have been in pasture or CRP where the grasses were allowed to grow for more than one year. It is rare to see these problems in continuous corn, but exceptions happen.

Since wireworms and white grubs feed underground and cutworms feed on or below the soil surface, scout for plant damage and then dig in soil around the plant to identify the insect causing the damage.

Cutworms
Cutworms and other insects may hinder emerging corn plants this spring, even if seed was treated with insecticide or Bt corn hybrids were used. High populations of insects can overwhelm the protection method, regardless of whether it was an insecticide applied at planting (liquid, granular, or seed treatment) or a Bt corn hybrid.

In some cases products are not labeled for the full spectrum of Nebraska insects. For example, Herculex I Bt corn hybrids list black cutworm on the label, but not other soil cutworm species.

Cutworms can cause serious damage to corn in the first couple weeks after emergence so it is important to scout fields early for damage. Several species of cutworms attack corn. The severity and the area affected will vary greatly, depending on species involved, previous crop history, and weather conditions.

We have had questions about the potential for army cutworms to damage to corn, based on the high numbers of moths already being seen in parts of Nebraska. These moths do not lay eggs in the spring, but rather, in the fall. The fact that moths are being seen now indicates that the immature stages have pupated or emerged as adults, so no further feeding is expected this summer.

The black cutworm does not overwinter in Nebraska, and infestations depend on moths moving up in southerly spring winds. They are most commonly found in the eastern one-fourth of the state. Fields with winter annual weeds, or abundant crop residue are more attractive to the egg-laying black cutworm moths in the spring. Other cutworm species (dingy, claybacked, army, Sandhills) overwinter as partly grown caterpillars. Remember that early detection of a problem is essential because most of the cutting occurs within seven days of plant emergence.

Treatment. Generally, a postemergence "rescue" treatment should be considered if cutting is observed on 3-5% or more of plants and the worms are one inch or less in length. Rescue treatments are effective in controlling soil cutworms.

Ambush 2E, Asana XL, Baythroid, Cobalt, Hero, Lorsban 4E, Mustang Max EC, Warrior, Proaxis, Pounce 3.2EC, Stallion, Steed, or other insecticides with similar active ingredients (generics) will give satisfactory control as postemergence sprays. If soil is dry or crusted, rotary hoeing immediately before or after a Lorsban (chlorpyrifos) application may enhance control. The other insecticides are pyrethroids and should not be incorporated.

Wireworms
Wireworms are the larvae of click beetles. The adult beetles prefer to lay eggs in grass and the larvae can remain in that stage for up to six years, depending on the species. Wireworms are our earliest corn pests each season, as they can feed on the seed before germination, causing reduced plant emergence. Later feeding may kill or stunt small emerged plants.

All wireworm feeding is done underground. Wireworms are white, yellow, orange, or brown with hard shells. They tend to be more numerous in fields that have been in grass or pasture or fields that have had grassy weed problems. Wireworms prefer cooler soil temperatures, under 70°F, so fields that were planted early or have heavy surface residue may be at higher risk than tilled fields.

Treatment. There is no rescue treatment for wireworms, so the main decision at this time is whether there is sufficient stand reduction to warrant replanting. The development of seed treatments like Cruiser and Poncho has really reduced the incidence of wireworm damage. They are excellent early season stand protectors.

White Grubs
White grubs are the larvae of May (or June) beetles. They also prefer to feed on grasses and rarely affect crops other than corn. There are two basic types of grubs.  Annual grubs complete their development in one year and are not considered serious pests.  Three-year grubs, however, can damage corn severely in the last two years of their larval stage. The larvae overwinter deep in the soil. As the soil warms they begin feeding on plant roots. Damage to corn may not occur until the corn is in the 2- to 6-leaf stage. This is difficult because up to the time of feeding, the stand may look fine. Often three-year grub damage is near shelter belts where the adults may congregate to feed and mate.

Like wireworms, there is no rescue treatment for white grubs. Again, high risk areas need to be treated at planting. Products for white grub control are similar to wireworm control.

Replanting
If wireworm or white grub damage is serious enough to warrant replanting, use planting time treatments, although the odds for damage diminish with the warming of the soil.



Nebraska Corn at Elevated Risk for Stewart's Wilt and Flea Beetle Damage
Tamra Jackson, UNL Extension Plant Pathologist

Stewart's bacterial wilt, caused by Pantoea stewartii (formerly known as Erwinia stewartii), has been a problem in parts of Nebraska since the mid 1990s. In 1999 and 2000, Stewart's wilt was identified in at least 27 Nebraska counties scattered across the eastern two-thirds of the state.

This disease can cause severe yield losses in susceptible inbreds and popcorn and sweet corn hybrids. The bacterium also can be seed-borne and exportation to at least 50 countries is restricted when the disease is confirmed in seed.

The pathogen is most commonly spread by the corn flea beetle (Chaetocnema pulicaria) and incidence of this disease has been related to the overwintering survival of the flea beetle.

Disease Life Cycle
Stewart's wilt appears in two phases: systemically infected seedlings and leaf blight. The seedling phase is less common than the leaf blight phase, except in sweet corn and some inbreds that tend to be more susceptible. Severely infected plants may develop decaying cavities inside the stalk near the soil line. The leaf blight phase typically develops after tasseling and lesions are usually long, wavy, and may be associated with flea beetle feeding injury.

Corn flea beetles overwinter as adults in protected areas near corn fields. They have been reported throughout Nebraska, but typically are most common in the southern half of the state. They become active in April and feed on a variety of grasses before corn emerges. Corn flea beetles can directly injure corn by feeding on seedling plants. In rare cases economic damage may occur from flea beetle feeding injury alone; however, more damage is probably caused by the bacterium they vector that causes Stewart's wilt.

Disease Forecasting
Disease forecasting systems for Stewart's wilt have been under development for more than 50 years. Currently, there are at least two predictive models for the leaf blight phase of Stewart's wilt that are based on the likelihood for flea beetle survival during the previous winter. Both models base their predictions on the average temperatures during December, January, and February.

Stevens-Boewe Model - In the 1940s, G.H. Boewe of Illinois modified an earlier model for predicting Stewart's wilt. The predictions for flea beetle survival and Stewart's wilt development in this model are based on the sum of the average temperatures of each of the three winter months. When that temperature index exceeds 90°F, the risk of developing Stewart's wilt is high.

Iowa State University Model - Within the last 10 years, the Stevens-Boewe Index was modified by Iowa scientists to improve disease predictions. The new Iowa State Model is based on the average temperature during each month. According to this model, the risk for Stewart's wilt development increases according to the number of months (December through February) with an average temperature that exceeds 24°F.

Both of these models make disease predictions based on the potential for flea beetle survival. It is important to keep in mind that, historically, flea beetles have not been evenly distributed across Nebraska, and that not all flea beetles will carry the bacterium that causes Stewart's wilt. These maps are not an indication of flea beetle or disease distribution, but, based on these models, if flea beetles were present in 2011 and carrying the pathogen, then most of the state is at elevated risk for flea beetle damage and disease losses due to Stewart's wilt this season.

Controlling Potential Damage
To minimize damage from flea beetles:
-    Avoid hybrids or inbreds known to be more susceptible to Stewart's wilt. (See seed catalogue or local seed company representative.)
-    Avoid early planting dates if susceptible inbreds or hybrids are planted.
-    Seed treatments containing clothianidin (Poncho) or thiamethoxam (Cruiser) are systemic and provide protection from feeding by flea beetles and other early season soil insects.
-    Scout for corn flea beetles on seedling corn.

Postemergence treatment may be warranted on dent corn if 50% of plants show severe flea beetle injury (plants look silvery or whitish, or leaves begin to die), and five or more flea beetles are found per plant. If susceptible inbreds or hybrids are grown, an insecticide may be needed when two to three flea beetles per plant are present and 10% of the plants show severe flea beetle injury. Pay particular attention to corn not treated with a neonicotinoid seed treatment such as clothianidin or thiamethoxam, as flea beetle injury is more likely to be seen in these fields.



Delay Planting Summer Annuals Until Warmer Temperatures are the Norm
Bruce Anderson, UNL Extension Forage Specialist

Forage producers who just planted their corn and soybeans may be eager and rush to plant their summer annual forage grasses next. With these grasses, too early is too bad.

Summer annual forage crops — like sudangrass, millets, cane, teff, and sorghum-sudan hybrids — are hot weather crops. Not only do they grow best in hot weather, they can be injured or even permanently stunted by cool weather.

Always wait to plant any summer annual forage grasses until soil temperature is permanently above 60°F and 65°F to 70°F for the millets and teff. This means planting in late May at the earliest, or early June in many cases.

These plants also need for air temperature to remain warm, even at night. If either soil or air temperature gets too cold, some summer annual grasses can be stunted permanently, no matter how nice the growing conditions are later on.

True sudangrass might tolerate cool temperatures best of all the summer grasses. I don't know the exact limits, but if soil stays above 55°F and air temperature doesn’t drop below 40°F, sudangrass eventually will recover from the cold stress. On the other hand, millets and some forage sorghums may never snap out of the stress caused by a 45°F, or even a 50°F night.

Even if they don't get stunted, the few days you gain for earlier grazing is pretty small compared to the risk of losing much of their growth potential.



Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation Announces 2012-2013 Scholarship Recipients

The Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation (NCF) is pleased to announce the following students as recipients of NCF scholarships for the 2012-2013 academic year.

Levi McPhillips, Columbus     $1,000 Robert E. Lute II Memorial Scholarship
Bradley Wetovick, Fullerton   $1,000 Frank & Shirley Sibert Scholarship
Johnathan Ference, Ord        $1,000 Bill Heller Memorial Scholarship
Kyra Baldwin, Mitchell            $1,000 Donavan Yoachim Memorial Scholarship
Maci Lienemann, Princeton    $1,000 Cattlemen’s Open Scholarship
Bailey Hartway, Lincoln          $1,000 Nebraska Cattlemen Beef Pit Scholarship
Joseph Christen, Anselmo      $1,000 Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship
Jayla Hall, Minatare                $1,000 Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship
Jamie Hanson, Comfrey, MN $1,000 Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship
Sage Henderson, Alliance      $1,000 Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship
Alix Mashino, Spencer            $1,000 Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship
Valerie Matulka, Thedford      $1,000 Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship
Justin McCullough, Berwyn    $1,000 Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship
Kara Ostrand, Mason City      $1,000 Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship
Grant Potadle, Herman          $1,000 Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship
Mara Seifer, Paxton               $1,000 Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship
Wade Walters, Shickley         $1,000 Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship
Brianna Young, Whitman        $1,000 Retail Value Steer Challenge Scholarship

The Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation strongly believes in the importance of a sound education for tomorrow’s industry leaders and is pleased to be able to offer these scholarships which are provided through contributions received by NCF.

“Over 55 applications from many well-qualified youth were reviewed and the Foundation is extremely pleased to be able to award these 18 scholarships to help these students with their educational goals,” says Loretta Hamilton, Thedford, NE, president of the Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation. “Thanks to the generosity of donors to the Retail Value Steer Challenge, the primary fundraiser for the Foundation, we have been able to almost double the number of scholarships awarded from just a few years ago.”

Scholarship recipients will be recognized during the Nebraska Cattlemen Midyear Meeting in Atkinson, Friday, June 8th, at the Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation Luncheon.



PrairieLand RC&D Meeting Set for May 9

The PrairieLand Resource Conservation & Development Council will hold its monthly meeting on May 9 at the Madison County Fairgrounds at 3:30 p.m. A tour of the historic one room school house and the octagonal barn building is scheduled. The council will continue their discussion regarding the future of the RC&D program, current Shell Creek and No-till projects and recycling grant opportunities.

The public is always invited and encouraged to attend all PrairieLand RC&D meetings. PrairieLand RC&D is a non-profit organization helping concerned citizens complete vital rural development projects in Nance, Boone, Colfax, Madison, Stanton and Platte Counties. Everyone is encouraged to participate in active projects, propose new projects and attend meetings. Please join to find out what you can do to get involved in helping your rural community.

Contact the RC&D office at 402-454-2026 for more information.



Water for Food Conference Features Global Perspectives

More than 40 speakers from around the world will offer diverse perspectives on water and food security at the fourth global Water for Food Conference, May 30-June 1, in Lincoln, Neb.

People from more than 20 countries are expected to participate in the conference, hosted by the Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Institute at the University of Nebraska and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation at The Cornhusker Hotel in Lincoln.

Designed to foster international dialogue, the conference draws experts from Nebraska and from around the world to discuss how advances in science, technology and policy will help rainfed and irrigated agriculture sustainably feed an increasingly hungry and thirsty world.

Registration is $250. Schedule, registration and speaker information are available at the 2012 Water for Food Conference website: waterforfood.nebraska.edu/wff2012.

This year's theme is "Blue Water, Green Water and the Future of Agriculture." Speakers range from industry executives and scientists to farmers and international water experts, including:
– Malin Falkenmark, senior scientific adviser, Stockholm International Water Institute, Sweden.
– Colin Chartres, director general, International Water Management Institute, Sri Lanka, which won this year's World Water Prize.
– Benedito Braga, vice president, World Water Council, Brazil.
– Ruth Meinzen-Dick, senior research fellow, International Food Policy Research Institute.
– Roberto Lenton, executive director, University of Nebraska's Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Institute.

Three panel discussions will provide diverse perspectives on water and food security:
– The Industry Leaders Panel, moderated by Jeff Raikes, CEO of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, will feature representatives from Elanco, IBM, John Deere, Monsanto and Pioneer Hi-Bred. The panel is presented by the Global Harvest Initiative.
– The Women, Water and Food Panel, moderated by Simi Kamal, chair and CEO of the Hisaar Foundation in Pakistan, will explore women's vital role in water, agriculture and food with panelists from Nepal, the Netherlands, South Africa and the U.S.
– The Agricultural Producers Panel – A View from the Field, moderated by Mark Gustafson, founding director of the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Engler Agricultural Entrepreneurship Program, will provide perspectives of farmers from Argentina, India and the U.S.

Technical sessions and case studies will focus on: "Groundwater Resource Assessment in Water-Stressed Regions: Past, Present and Future," "Emerging Crop Technologies for Improving Performance in Tough Environments" and "Innovative Water Governance in Nebraska and Brazil."

Selected sessions will be webcast. Webcast information will be available on the conference website when the conference begins. For the latest information on the conference, follow the Daugherty Institute on Twitter at twitter.com/waterforfood (hashtag: #water2012) or Facebook at facebook.com/waterforfoodinstitute.

The conference is the preeminent event of the Daugherty Institute, a research, policy and education institute committed to efficiently using the world's limited freshwater resources to ensure a reliable food supply.



Statement Of NPPC President R.C. Hunt On Safeway’s Decision On Sow Housing
America’s hog farmers are committed to producing safe, affordable and healthful foods for consumers, using industry practices that have been designed with input from veterinarians and other animal-care experts. Providing humane and compassionate care for their pigs at every stage of life is one of the ethical principles to which U.S. hog farmers adhere.

With regard to Safeway’s decision to give preference to pork suppliers who phase out individual sow housing, the National Pork Producers Council is concerned that similar actions taken by governments – or other restaurant or grocery chains – have increased production costs and consumer prices. These actions have forced some hog farmers out of business or caused them to reduce operations, with no demonstrable health benefits to sows. (A study on the United Kingdom’s ban on individual sow housing found that the pork supply in the UK has dropped 40 percent since the ban took effect in 1999, with a rise in pork production costs that were running 12 percent above the European Union average in 2009 and a rise in the price of pork by 25 percent between 1999 and 2004. See “Consumer and Food Safety Costs of Offshoring Animal Agriculture,” a report prepared for the United Soybean Board, Sept. 29, 2011.) In this country, when hog farmers have gone out of business or scaled back operations in the past, it has led to consolidation.

NPPC supports the position taken by the American Veterinary Medical Association and the American Association of Swine Veterinarians, which recognize gestation stalls and group housing systems as appropriate for providing for the well-being of sows during pregnancy. In fact, the key factor that most affects animal well-being is husbandry skills – that is, the care given to each animal. There is no scientific consensus on the best way to house gestating sows because each type of housing system has inherent advantages and disadvantages, so no standard should be imposed on the industry by activist organizations.

While NPPC respects the right of companies to make business decisions that are in their best interests, it seems that Safeway was intimidated by an animal rights group whose ultimate goal is the elimination of food-animal production. The Humane Society of United States, which has filed shareholder lawsuits against food companies, has no concern for the hog farmers who care for their pigs every day, for families struggling to purchase food or for the hog farms that struggle to stay in business or may go out of business – costing rural America thousands of jobs – because of its campaign against America’s farmers.



IFB Supports Property Tax Growth Limitations

The Iowa Farm Bureau, Iowa's largest grassroots farm organization with over 153,000 family members, applauds House Study Bill 676, which improves the property tax picture for all Iowans, whether they are businesses owners, homeowners, or farmers.

"House Study Bill 676, in today's economy, would reduce business taxes, which would be good for jobs and good for Main Street," says Don Petersen, Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) Director of Government Relations. "This measure would also tie the rate of government growth to Iowans' ability to pay, so it's more practical than other proposed tax reform measures. Clearly, the Devil is in the details on these property tax proposals. We support House Study Bill 676 because there is more solid protection for all."

This bill not only offers tax credits to business owners, but relief to homeowners and farmers, too.

These growth limitations will help align local government growth with the local economy, and slow the rate of property tax increases for all taxpayers.

Over the past decade, property taxes have continued to outpace economic growth and family wages. Property taxes have increased by 75 percent, over $2 billion, since 2000. IFBF believes lawmakers must consider measures which limit the growth of property taxes on all Iowans.



Greenhorn Grazing Series Begins 2012 Season

Beef producers interested in learning how to optimize forage and livestock production while conserving natural resources will want to consider attending the popular southern Iowa Greenhorn Grazing series. Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach beef program specialist Joe Sellers is organizing this series, which consists of five day-long modules set for May through November. The program brochure is available on the IBC website.

"This five-part series is valuable for beginning graziers and producers interested in upgrading their pasture management," Sellers said. "Presenters will include experts in grazing systems, animal performance, fencing and watering systems, and weed management."

Sellers and Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) area grasslands specialist Rick Sprague are coordinating the program that has drawn upwards of 140 participants over the past four years.

"This series was developed by ISU Extension and Outreach, NRCS and industry staff to deliver timely materials and hands-on workshops for producers interested in improving their forage management system," Sellers said. "Producers will learn how to improve the productivity and use of their land."

The workshops are scheduled for May 24, June 14, Aug. 23, Sept. 13 and Nov. 15. All sessions will run from 10 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. beginning with morning classroom discussions at the Adair County Extension office in Greenfield. Following a working lunch, the afternoon portion will feature activities at local farms.

Grants from the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, the Iowa Beef Center, the Southern Iowa Forage and Livestock Committee, and NRCS help keep the series cost low at $75. Participants are urged to attend all sessions, but fees for individual sessions are available. The fee includes a meal and educational materials for each session.

Producers are asked to register by May 21 by contacting Kathy Rohrig at the Adams County Extension Office by phone at 641-322-3184 or by email at krohrig@iastate.edu. Registration fees can be mailed to the office at 154 Public Square, Suite C, Greenfield, IA 50849.

For more information on the series, contact Sellers by phone at 641-203-1270 or by email at sellers@iastate.edu, or Sprague by phone at 641-782-4218 or by email at Richard.Sprague@ia.usda.gov.



Farmland Rental Rates Show Continued Strength in 2012

Anyone who is involved with the rental market for Iowa farmland knows that rental rates have been pushed significantly higher by the favorable corn and soybean prices farmers have enjoyed since 2010. This trend continued in 2012.

Results from the most recent Iowa State University Extension and Outreach rental rate survey estimated the 2012 average cash rent for Iowa corn and soybean land at $252 per acre, an increase of $38 per acre or 18 percent from last year. “This is the largest one-year increase since the statewide survey was started in 1994,” said William Edwards, ISU Extension economist. “Average rents were higher in all nine crop reporting districts, with increases ranging from $57 per acre in north central Iowa to $16 per acre in south central Iowa.” The $57 per acre increase in the north central district represents a 26 percent increase; the south central $16 per acre increase, a 9 percent increase.

The 2012 increase tops the 2011 $30 per acre increase which now stands as the second largest increase recorded.

High quality land showed the largest increase in rents. Estimated rents for land in the high third of each county increased by an average of 20 percent, but estimated rents on low third quality row crop land increased by only 15 percent. “In many counties, respondents indicated that typical rents were $400 to $500 per acre or more for the higher quality land,” Edwards said.

Typical rental rates for land growing oats and hay also were reported, as well as rental rates for grazing pasture and corn stalks. This year rental rates for allowing hunters on farmland also were included.

The intent of the Iowa State survey is to report typical rents in force, not the highest nor the lowest values heard through informal sources. Rental values were estimated by asking more than 3,000 people familiar with the land market what they thought typical rates were in their county. The number of responses received this year was 1,419. Of the total responses, 37 percent came from farmers, 28 percent from landowners, 16 percent from professional farm managers, 16 percent from lenders and 3 percent from other professionals.

The Cash Rental Rates for Iowa 2012 Survey is available online as a downloadable document; from the Ag Decision Maker website, http://www.extension.iastate.edu/agdm, and from the ISU Extension online store at https://store.extension.iastate.edu/.



Virginia Veterinarian, Beef Producer Takes Reins as NCBA Chief Veterinarian

After spending 27 years practicing veterinary medicine, one year as a congressional fellow and more than 11 years managing her family’s cow-calf operation, Kathy Simmons, D.V.M., started a new role today, May 7, 2012, as chief veterinarian for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA). Simmons will focus on animal care and health regulatory issues both domestically and internationally.

Simmons studied biology and biochemistry at Virginia Tech University before earning a doctor of veterinary medicine degree from the Virginia-Maryland Regional College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech in 1984. Simmons practiced veterinary medicine at the Herndon-Reston Animal Hospital in Herndon, Va., for 27 years and also has an active role managing her family’s farm, S&S Farms, in West Virginia, where they raise registered black Angus cattle.

Most recently, Simmons spent one year as a policy fellow on Capitol Hill for the American Association for the Advancement of Science and the American Veterinary Medical Association. She served in the office of U.S. Senator Olympia Snowe (R-Maine) focusing on health policy issues. Simmons said her new role as NCBA chief veterinarian will allow her to bring together her practical veterinary and policy experiences with her vast knowledge of the U.S. beef cattle industry.

“As I learned many years ago working with my family on our farm, cattlemen and women must have the ability to work with their veterinarians to implement science-based, comprehensive herd health plans and provide the utmost care for their animals. Regulations and policies affecting animal health should not stifle their ability and must be science-based,” Simmons said. “Cattlemen and women work each day to raise healthy cattle and provide your families with the safest beef supply in the world. This is a one-of-a-kind opportunity that will enable me to use my practical veterinary and policy experiences to ensure cattlemen and women have all the cattle health resources and tools they need while also maintaining an active role on my family’s farm and working alongside America’s cattle farmers and ranchers.”



Oil Drops to Lowest Price of 2012

The price of oil dropped Monday to its lowest level of the year after elections in Europe created uncertainty over the region's plan for recovery.

In afternoon trading, benchmark U.S. crude lost $1.10 to $97.39 per barrel in New York. It fell as low as $95.34 per barrel earlier in the day, 10 cents below the previous low set on Feb. 2.  It settled the day at $97.94. 

Oil prices declined after voters in France and Greece rejected incumbent leaders who supported austerity measures to fix the region's struggling economy. French voters elected a new president, socialist Francois Hollande, who promised to boost spending. Greek voters ousted numerous pro-austerity candidates and left their parliament without a controlling party.

Analysts warned that the election results could derail the eurozone's plan for recovery. That could further disrupt an economy that consumes 18 percent of the world's oil.

"This is not just a European problem," independent analyst and trader Stephen Schork said. An economic slowdown in Europe could drag down other major economies, including the U.S. and China, that rely on European consumers to buy their manufactured goods.

"There's just much more uncertainty in Europe right now," Schork said. "And that's scaring off some capital" from commodities markets.

In the U.S., retail gasoline fell 2.5 cents over the weekend to a national average of $3.777 per gallon on Monday, according to AAA, Wright Express and Oil Price Information Service. A gallon of regular has dropped by nearly 16 cents since peaking in early April at $3.936. It's 20 cents cheaper than the same time last year.



CWT Assists with 1.3 Million Pounds of Cheese and Butter Export Sales

Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) has accepted 10 requests for export assistance from Dairy Farmers of America, Darigold, Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative and United Dairymen of Arizona to sell a total of 340 metric tons (749,572 pounds) of Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese and 235 metric tons (518,086 pounds) of butter to customers in North Africa, Asia and the Middle East. The product will be delivered May through July 2012.

In 2012, CWT has assisted member cooperatives in making export sales of Cheddar, Monterey Jack and Gouda cheese totaling 47.6 million pounds and butter totaling 41.3 million pounds to 26 countries on four continents. On a butterfat basis, the milk equivalent of these exports is 1.340 billion pounds, or the same as the annual milk production of 63,800 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.



California Prop Would Require GM Labeling

A proposal that would require labels on foods containing genetically modified ingredients is on track to go before California voters, and the biotechnology industry is already pushing back.

Last week, a group called California Right to Know delivered nearly 1 million signatures to state officials, well in excess of the roughly half-million required for a statewide referendum. If the signatures are verified, the measure will go before voters in November, reports the St. Louis Post-Dispatch.

"Today we celebrate that almost a million people have spoken up in California," said Albert Straus CQ, who runs an organic dairy in northern California. "I believe people have the right to know where their food comes from, and if this initiative succeeds in November, we'll take a big step toward that."

But the grocery and biotechnology industries have started a formal campaign to push against the measure, saying labels would drive up food prices and open the door for lawsuits against farmers.

Last week, a group backed by the biotechnology and grocery industries, called Stop the Costly Food Labeling Proposition, formed in anticipation of the labeling initiative. Monsanto, the world's largest producer of genetically modified seed, said it supports the group, calling potential labels misleading and expensive.

Earlier this year, the Washington-based Center for Food Safety submitted a petition with 1.1 million signatures to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, calling for mandatory nationwide labeling. The agency is reviewing the petition and has so far counted 900,000 signatures, according to Gary Hirshberg, chairman of Stonyfield Farms, and co-founder of the national Just Label It! Campaign.

Proposals in 19 states have also called for similar requirements, but those have yet to gain much traction with lawmakers. Lawmakers in Vermont, where a labeling measure was voted out of committee, said the measure could only pass if California voters approved their own labeling law first.



Tyson Foods 2Q Profit Rises 4.4% Despite Beef Woes

Tyson Foods Inc.'s fiscal second-quarter earnings rose 4.4% as the meat-processing company reported a modest loss in its beef operations that was offset by growth at its other businesses.

The company has benefited from price increases and strong demand abroad for pork and beef as it faces challenges from high ingredient costs. Last year's surge in exports helped drive U.S. beef and pork prices to a series of record highs. However, in the latest quarter the beef industry has been hurt by concerns over safety, including a controversy over an additive that has been dubbed pink slime by some critics.

Tyson President and Chief Executive Donnie Smith said the company's chicken, pork and prepared foods segments all were in or above their normalized operating margin ranges, while beef essentially broke even despite extremely challenging market conditions.

Tyson anticipates gaining momentum in its fiscal third and fourth quarters--with the potential to achieve its prior guidance for per-share earnings of $2 for the year, Smith said.

For the quarter ended March 31, Tyson reported a profit of $166 million, or 44 cents a share, up from $159 million, or 42 cents a share, a year earlier.

Revenue increased 3.4% to 8.3 billion.

Operating margin fell to 3.7% from 3.8%.

The beef segment--the largest top-line contributor--swung to a loss of $1 million as volume slid 11%. Revenue was up 1.1% thanks to higher prices.

The chicken business's profit soared as sales improved by 6.3% thanks to higher prices.



Pioneer Hi-Bred Launches Replant Calculator

          Pioneer Hi-Bred, a DuPont business, now offers a replant calculator to help corn growers faced with that difficult decision. The tool helps producers decide whether to keep their current stand or replant where their crops have been impacted by weather, pests or other issues.

          The calculator is available on Mobile Pioneer.com via the tools section, which can be accessed through the main navigation menu. It takes into account the original date for planting, original stand target and resulting plant population, and the possible replanting date. Growers are asked to consider their own likely replanting seed and input costs. The calculator presents both scenarios, current stand and replant stand, and provides estimates associated with each choice.

          "We want growers to get the best yields possible with our products," says Chuck Bremer, Pioneer agronomy e-business information manager. "Although every grower tries to target the best planting date and stand, things happen that can negatively impact the crop early in the season. The replant calculator helps growers address the tough question of whether to keep their current stand or replant to achieve a new stand that more closely meets their original yield target."

          The timing of a replant decision means growers could evaluate different aspects of crop production. Early decisions often are based on plant stand and plant distribution. As the season moves on, the calendar becomes the key factor because yields decline with delayed planting. That said, replanting might not necessarily guarantee a grower will achieve the expected yield if the date is delayed enough.

          "The new replant tool is just that - a tool," Bremer says. "To a great extent, it relies on the grower having a realistic yield expectation and taking the time to enter critical data, from optimum stand to grain price."

          The replant calculator is based on a long-standing chart developed by Dr. Emerson Nafziger of the University of Illinois and widely used across the Corn Belt, which illustrates the effects of planting date and plant population of grain yield for the central Corn Belt. The new calculator also takes into account the current shift to higher populations, as suggested by Pioneer research and data.

          The calculator is part of a suite of tools available to growers on pioneer.com and Mobile pioneer.com. Pioneer also offers a Planting Rate Estimator and Plantability Tool that can help growers make additional planting decisions about which population to target and how to set the planter for the Pioneer® brand product and the actual seed they have received. In addition, as the crop grows through the season, growers can access a Growing Degree Unit Calculator, PrecipEstimator, Growth Stage Estimator, Corn Yield Estimator and more.

          Mobile Pioneer.com is optimized for iPhone, iPod Touch, Android, Blackberry and feature phones. It uses technology that provides geography-specific content, reducing the steps required to reach useful information.



Thoughts from an Iowa Cattle Farmer
Elaine Utesch, Iowa Beef Industry Council

Fewer than 2% of Americans have chosen to make production agriculture their way of life. Like other farm families throughout America, we at Triple U Ranch are committed to staying on the land and raising safe, healthy cattle to provide food for the remaining 98% of the U.S. population, and countless others around the world. Our family consists of four generations--great-grandfather, grandfather, father, children, and we're now awaiting the fifth generation. We take great pride in knowing that we are stewards of the land and the livestock we tend every day.

Our cattle are our livelihood, and caring for them throughout the year is our responsibility. Providing adequate feed, water, shelter and care is our priority and we do not take it lightly. As stewards of both livestock and land, we are concerned about providing safe, healthy, nutritious food for consumers. As consumers ourselves, we know that you have high standards regarding what you feed your family each day. Those same high standards are what motivates all of us here at Triple U Ranch to assure consumers that we are doing all that we can to make sure that the beef we are growing is safe, healthy, and nutritious. We feed this beef to our families, and we wouldn't want anything less for anyone else's family.

Like other farm families throughout the U.S., we're committed to staying on the land and making that option available to our children. Among the three brothers who make up Triple U Ranch, plus a sister who lives nearby, there are ten children who represent the next generation of Utesches. All of these children have had an opportunity to know how their families make a living on the farm. Some have chosen different fields of work, some have chosen to return home after college and join us in farming, and some are still making those decisions. All of the children know that by respecting the land and the livestock and the opportunity to farm, they will always have the option to come back to the farm and join in the farming business.

As a personal note, I know of no better way to raise our children and be a family than by being on the farm. Being close to the land and the animals has made our children more knowledgeable about where their food comes from and the amount of hard work it takes to get it there. They know that having cattle is a responsibility every day--not only on days when the sun is shining and the temperatures are moderate, or when prices are high and consumers are purchasing record amounts of beef. Cattle still need care when it's raining or snowing, or when prices are low.

We are proud to be involved in American agriculture, which produces the most reasonably priced, safest, most nutritious food in the world.