Tuesday May 15 Ag News

44 Senators Send Letter Urging Floor Action on Farm Bill

Sens. Mike Johanns (R-Neb.), Max Baucus (D-Mont.), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), and Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.) today sent a letter, along with 40 of their colleagues, to Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) calling for a timely and open debate on the Senate farm bill.

“With our constant focus on job creation, we write to urge you to schedule floor consideration of the ‘Agriculture Reform, Food and Jobs Act of 2012’ as soon as possible,” the Senators wrote. “The bill takes steps to reduce the deficit and decrease government spending by $23 billion. It passed the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry on April 26 with a bipartisan vote of 16 to 5. This sets an example of how Senators can come together in a bipartisan way to craft meaningful, yet fiscally responsible, policy. We believe there is strong support in the full Senate to consider the bill in a fair and open manner that allows Senators the opportunity to offer amendments.”

As the letter states, the farm bill passed by the Senate Agriculture Committee would reduce the deficit and save taxpayers more than $23 billion while strengthening and preserving farm risk management programs. The bill also streamlines conservation programs and helps prevent fraud and abuse in nutrition programs.

The risk management, conservation, research, trade promotion and nutrition programs in the legislation impacts nearly every American. Many of these programs will expire at the end of the year if no action is taken to reauthorize the farm bill.

The letter was signed by these 44 Senators: John Barrasso (R-Wyo.), Max Baucus (D-Mont.), Michael Bennet (D-Colo.), Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), Scott Brown (R-Mass.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), Bob Casey (D-Pa.), Dan Coats (R-Ind.), Kent Conrad (D-N.D), Chris Coons (D-Del.), Mike Crapo (R-Idaho), Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), Al Franken (D-Minn.), Kristen Gillibrand (D-N.Y.), Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Kay Hagan (D-N.C.), Tom Harkin (D-Iowa), John Hoeven (R-N.D.), Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas), Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii), Mike Johanns (R-Neb.), Tim Johnson (D-S.D.), John Kerry (D-Mass.), Mark Kirk (R-Ill.) Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.), Herb Kohl (D-Wis.), Pat Leahy (D-Vt.), Dick Lugar (R-Ind.), Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), Jerry Moran (R-Kan.), Ben Nelson (D-Neb.), Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), Jim Risch (R-Idaho), Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.), Olympia Snowe (R-Maine), Jon Tester (D-Mont.), John Thune (R-S.D.), Mark Udall (D-Colo.), Tom Udall (D-N.M.), Ron Wyden (D-Ore.).



4-H Livestock Identification Deadline and ID Day
Larry F Howard, UNL Extension Educator, Cuming County

All Cuming County 4-H livestock members who will be exhibiting Sheep, Goats, Rabbits, Swine, Dairy Cattle, Breeding Beef, Cow/Calf, Feeder Calves or Bucket Calves must meet all of the identification deadlines in order to be eligible to exhibit this year in 4-H.  All completed identification forms must be turned into the Cuming County Extension office by Wednesday, June 15.

All 4-H members exhibiting market and breeding sheep, feeder calves and bucket calves, dairy goats, meat goats, and pygmy goats and rabbits will need to bring their project animals to the Identification Day that will be held on Wednesday, May 30 at the Cuming County fairgrounds in West Point.  The feeder calves and bucket calves will be processed from 10:00 a.m. to noon.  The sheep will be processed from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m.  The goats processed from 3:00 to 5:00 p.m., while the rabbits will be processed from 4:00 to 5:30 p.m.

Quality Assurance Certification
All 4-H livestock exhibitors of beef, dairy, cattle, goats, sheep, swine, poultry and rabbits must have received their Quality Assurance Certification prior to showing at any fairs or shows this year.  The Cuming County training session for youth ages 8 – 11 will be May 31 beginning at 1:00 p.m. at the Cuming County Fairgrounds in West Point.

For youth ages 12 (4-H age) and over, the following options apply: An intermediate level test will be available for youth ages 12-14.  If a youth takes this test at age 12 and passes, they are finished with training until age 15.  An advanced level test will be offered for youth ages 15 and over.  If they take this and pass, they are finished with training.  Or, all youth ages 12 and over may choose to attend training or help present a program.  If they choose this option, it is a yearly requirement. Tests will be given in the Extension Office on May 29 from 9:00-noon and 1:00-5:00 p.m. youth may come in anytime between these hours and take the test.  We strongly encourage exhibitors to go to the web site and take the practice test at http://assuringquality.unl.edu.  You can also get to this site from the Cuming County web page:  www.cuming.unl.edu at the 4-H tab.  This will be very helpful to web access you can use the computer at the Cuming County Extension office during office hours.  All youth must be certified by June 15, 2012.

For more information, please contact the Cuming County Extension office in West Point.



Weather Camp 2012 to Introduce Students to Weather-related Careers

Weather Camp 2012, June 11-15 in Lincoln, will keep middle school-aged students busy with a combination of classroom, lab and field trip learning experiences that will introduce them to careers in meteorology, climatology and related sciences.

The camp, 9 a.m.-5 p.m. each day, is sponsored by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, by its School of Natural Resources, and by the National Weather Service's CAREERS Weather Camps. It costs $150 for the week and is for students 11-14 years old. The camp fee covers the cost of morning and afternoon snacks, daily lunches, a Friday evening picnic with families and daily transportation for field trips.

Activities throughout the week will include using instruments to make weather observations, meeting National Weather Service forecasters, seeing TV meteorologists in action in the studio, learning about Nebraska's weather, from tornadoes to blizzards, touring the severe weather emergency operations command post, learning about storm preparedness, learning about weather and climate-related careers, meeting a researcher who flies remote-control aircraft into storms, meeting weather and climate scientists, visiting the State Museum to learn about climate through the ages, seeing the full-dome movie presentation "Nature's Fury" at the planetarium, and playing the Weather Jeopardy game with a warning coordination meteorologist.

Weather Camp 2012 will be based in Hardin Hall, on the northeast corner of 33rd and Holdrege streets.

See photos from Weather Camp 2011, find more information and download an application for Weather Camp 2012 at http://snr.unl.edu/lincolnweather/weathercamp/index.asp . 



Record Broken Again at ICA Evaluation Program Bull Sale

At the final sale of the season for the Iowa Cattlemen's Association Bull Evaluation Program, the average price of the bulls broke a record for the fourth sale in a row. The run began May 2011 at the Tama Livestock Auction when the average price was $2,416. In March 2012, at the first ICA sale of the year, the bulls averaged $2,726 at the Bloomfield Livestock Market; and at the next sale at Dunlap Livestock Auction that same month, bulls averaged $3,339. The result of the May 4 sale at Tama of 61 bulls was $3,420.

The price of open heifers at the Tama sale also increased for the third year in a row. The 58 heifers averaged $1,600. In 2011, the price was $1,378; and in 2010, $1,252. The program for ICA's performance evaluated heifers was established in 1999; the heifers are sold only during the Tama Livestock auction.

"There are three reasons these average prices keep increasing," says Kellie Carolan, ICA's seedstock manager Carolan says. "First, our consignors are putting good cattle in a program with 27 years of history. Second, the buyers are looking for the kind of bulls and heifers 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 Tama. The sale included Angus, Simmental, Charolais and Simmental Composite bulls which had been assessed through the bull evaluation program (BEP), and met the criteria established by ICA members on the Performance Evaluation Committee.

The top seller for the Tama sale and for the 2012 sales was an Angus bull, a son of 'Sitz Upward 307,' which sold for $10,000. That is the second highest price paid for a bull in the 27-year-old program. In 1987, Ed Benson of Irwin sold an Angus bull for $10,600. The 2012 bull was Lot 262 owned by Steve Wical of Grundy Center. The bull caught the attention of many cattle producers, and was sold to Noelck Farms, Hampton.

The top selling Simmental bull was consigned by Craig Utesch of Correctionville. Lot 283, a son of 'CNS Dream On L186,' was purchase by Lee and Lois Kovar of Kovar Farms in Victor. The purchase price to take home this bull was $4,900.

Of the Simmental Composites, Lot 294, a son of 'Triple U Bull U43' was the top-seller at $4,300. This blaze-faced black bull from Cody and Jessica Wilson of Pierson went home with a long-time buyer of ICA's BEP bulls, Lee Faris of Mount Ayr.

The top selling Charolais bull was consigned by Daniel Wakefield of New Richland, MN. Lot 266 was the top-gaining Charolais in this sale at 5.14 pounds of average daily gain. Pat Ryan, Decorah, took him home with a bid of $3,400.

"These bulls represented the top cut of our Tama 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 4.5 pounds per day of gain on-test."

The top-selling heifers at the Tama sale were Lots 433 and 435, both consigned by Butch and Patsy Neumeyer of Walker. The Angus heifers both sold for $2,700 and went home with Gary Kellogg of Colo, who selected several other open heifers at the sale.

The next highest selling heifer was Lot, #363, a Simmental owned by Craig Utesch and Jessica Wilson, both of Correctionville. This heifer sold for $2,600 to Chris Nelson of Stanton.

To see the caliber of cattle sold at all three 2012 auctions, you can find catalogs and videos of these lots at www.iacattlemen.org, under the ICA Programs tab.

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, contact Kellie Carolan at the ICA office at 515-296-2266.



Art's Way Closes Acquisition of Universal Harvesting

Art's Way Manufacturing Co., Inc. announced that it has completed its acquisition of assets from Universal Harvester Co., Inc. of Ames, Iowa, a leader in the fabrication of reels for combines and swathers. The consideration paid in the transaction consisted of approximately $3 million in cash and 5,000 shares of Art's Way common stock.

Art's Way has formed a wholly-owned subsidiary, Universal Harvester by Art's Way Manufacturing Co. This new subsidiary will be consolidated with Art's Way Manufacturing for financial reporting purposed and is expected to continue to operate out of the former UHC plant.

Ardis Heidebrink, formerly the President of UHC, has been hired as the General Manager of the new subsidiary and will report to Art's Way Manufacturing Co., Inc. Chief Executive Officer, Carrie Majeski. All former UHC employees have been retained.

J. Ward McConnell Jr., Chairman of the Board of Directors said the acquisition is both strategic and highly complementary to their existing operations and product lines.

Last year, UHC had revenue of approximately $4 million and anticipate the acquisition will be immediately accretive.



Registration Open for Lauren Christian Pork Chop Open

Sponsorships and golf registrations are now being accepted for the 2012 Lauren Christian Pork Chop Open. The annual event, set for July 24 at Veenker Memorial Golf Course in Ames, benefits the Lauren L. Christian Endowment which provides financial support for students and continued swine and pork educational opportunities through Iowa State University (ISU).

Iowa Pork Industry Center (IPIC) director John Mabry said hole sponsorship and golf registration prices are the same as the past several years, and that's drawing a lot of attention.

"Already we have close to a half dozen teams registered and we encourage people to register soon because there's a limit of 32 teams for the tournament," he said. "Cost is $85 per person which includes golf, refreshments, noon lunch, and post-tournament reception and meal."

Hole sponsorships also are in demand at $250, with other sponsorship options available. Those who want to attend only the post-tournament activities may register for $25 per person.

The event brochure includes sponsor information and registration forms and is available on the IPIC Web site. Golf registration deadline is July 10 or when the field of 32 teams is reached.

The 18-hole best ball tournament will begin with a shotgun start at 10 a.m. Following the tournament, players and others are invited to attend a reception, meal and awards program. Winners of the 2012 Lauren Christian undergraduate and graduate scholarships also will be honored during the program.

According to John Mabry, IPIC director and former student of Christian, this event is a way to bring together those who knew and admired Christian.

"Lauren was a great teacher and mentor, and the Lauren Christian Pork Chop Open provides a social occasion for people to remember him and help increase the Lauren Christian endowment fund at ISU," Mabry said.



Farmland Values Continue Surge

U.S. farmland values in the heart of central and southern Plains continued to surge in the first quarter, driven by high crop prices and easing drought conditions, the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City said Tuesday.

The value of non-irrigated farmland in the Kansas City Fed district jumped 25% in the first three months of the year versus a year ago, the bank said. That increase follows a more-than-20%-increase in the first quarter of 2011.

Irrigated cropland values climbed even more sharply, by 30% in the first quarter, as much of the Plains remain dry despite improved rains in recent months. Ranchland values climbed 16%.

The Kansas City Fed district includes Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Colorado, Wyoming and parts of Missouri and New Mexico.

Farmland prices have jumped across the nation's midsection in the past couple of years due largely to surging crop prices that have boosted farmers' profits.

While the gains have prompted some concern about a farmland bubble, many economists say the gains are largely sustainable, noting the increase in crop prices and the fact that most buyers are not taking on excessive debt.

The Kansas City Fed said farm credit conditions strengthened in the first quarter, as demand for farm loans dwindled, farmers and ranchers paid down debt, and bankers said ample funds were available at lower interest rates.

The Fed's report added that farmland prices have remained resilient even as more farmers have decided to sell thanks to the high prices. About a third of bankers in the district expected farmland values would climb further, while the rest expected them to hold at peak levels.

"Despite larger supplies, buyers remained willing to pay record prices at land auctions," the report said. "Furthermore, survey respondents did not expect the farmland market to cool in the near future."

Most of the buyers during the recent boom have been farmers, economists say, but outside investors have become increasingly active in the sector recently. TIAA-CREF on Monday announced it had raised $2 billion to invest in farmland in the U.S., Brazil and Australia.

US CORN BELT FARMLAND VALUES JUMP 19% VERSUS PRIOR YEAR
Farmland values in the heart of the U.S. Corn Belt continued to surge in the first quarter, but backed off from last year's "torrid" pace, the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago said.

Prices for farmland in the district, which includes highly fertile soils in Iowa, Illinois and Indiana, were up 19% in the quarter versus a year ago, the Chicago Fed said. The gains were led by Iowa, which saw a 27% increase versus the prior year.

Across the district, farmland values were up 5% from the last quarter of 2011.

"Bidding among farmers was common at farmland auctions, driving up winning bids," the Chicago Fed's report said.

The Chicago Fed said that one-third of the bankers surveyed expected farmland prices to increase in the second quarter, with only 1% expecting them to decline.



New University Study: Ethanol Reduced Gas Prices by More than $1 in 2011

America’s growing use of domestically-produced ethanol reduced wholesale gasoline prices by an average of $1.09 per gallon in 2011, according to updated research conducted by economics professors at the University of Wisconsin and Iowa State University.  The 2011 results, which are up from an average impact of $0.89 per gallon in 2010, were released today by the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development (CARD).

The new analysis, an update to a 2009 peer-reviewed paper published in Energy Policy by professors Dermot Hayes and Xiaodong Du,  also found gasoline prices have been reduced by an average of $0.29 per gallon, or 17%, from 2000-2011 thanks to  the growing use of ethanol.

“Growth in US ethanol production has added significantly to the volume of fuel available in the US,” said Professor Hayes. “It is as if the US oil refining industry had found a way to extract 10% more gasoline from a barrel of oil. This additional fuel supply has alleviated periodic gasoline shortages that had been caused by limited refinery capacity.  It has also changed the relative prices of gasoline and diesel and allowed the US to switch from being a net importer of gasoline to a net exporter. As a result of these changes, US gasoline prices are measurably lower than would otherwise have been the case. This gasoline price impact has been documented in a peer reviewed academic journal and the price dampening effect has increased as ethanol production has grown. This impact is greatest in the regions of the country where ethanol penetration is greatest.”

Three primary factors are responsible for ethanol’s more robust price benefit at the pump in 2011:  higher oil and gasoline prices, higher ethanol inclusion, and ethanol being priced at a larger-than-normal discount to gasoline.

As the economists noted, “Average crude oil price increased from about $80/barrel in 2010 to about $95/barrel in 2011. Correspondingly, average U.S. wholesale gasoline prices have risen 30% from 2010-2011.  A wider than normal price differential between ethanol and gasoline prices provides further economic incentives for ethanol production and consumption…”

Based on data from the Census Bureau and Energy Information Administration, 116.7 million U.S. households consumed 131.2 billion gallons of gasoline in 2011, for an average of 1,124 gallons per household. That means ethanol reduced the average American household’s spending on gasoline by more than $1,200 in 2011.  Since 2000, the $0.29-per-gallon price dampening impact of greater domestic ethanol use has saved the American economy an average of nearly $40 billion per year. As a result, ethanol has helped the average American household reduce its spending on gasoline by an average of more than $340 per year since 2000.

“While it’s hard to imagine that gas prices could be even higher than they are now, this study clearly underscores that the current pain at the pump would be far worse without ethanol,” said Bob Dinneen, President and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association, which helped fund the research.  “Because ethanol makes up 10% of our gasoline pool today, it significantly reduces demand for oil and puts downward pressure on gas prices. From coast to coast and border to border, ethanol is helping save consumers money.  In these times of high unemployment and sky-high gas prices, ethanol is one America-made solution that is providing some respite for battered American families trying to make ends meet.”

Key conclusions derived from the report include:
-    In 2011, ethanol reduced wholesale gasoline prices by an average of $1.09 per gallon.
-    Regular grade gasoline prices averaged $3.52 per gallon in 2011, but would have been closer to $4.60 per gallon without the inclusion of more than 13 billion gallons of lower-priced ethanol.
-    The average American household consumed 1,124 gallons of gasoline in 2011, meaning ethanol reduced average household spending at the pump by more than $1,200.
-    Since 2000, ethanol has kept gasoline prices an average of $0.29 per gallon cheaper than they otherwise would have been.
-    Based on the $0.29-per-gallon average annual savings, ethanol has helped save American drivers and the economy more than $477 billion in gasoline expenditures since 2000 – an average of $39.8 billion a year.



Crop Insurance Remains Number One Priority for Ag Groups

As the House Agriculture Committee continues farm bill hearings this week, the National Corn Growers Association and several other agriculture groups today sent a letter to House Ag Chairman Frank Lucas and Ranking Member Collin Peterson on the importance of crop insurance.

"Federal crop insurance provides an effective risk management tool to farmers and ranchers when they are facing losses beyond their control," the letter stated. "It reduces taxpayer risk exposure; it makes hedging possible to help mitigate market volatility; and it provides lenders with greater certainty that loans made to producers will be repaid."

NCGA has previously stated that crop insurance remains the number one priority in the new farm bill as well as a market oriented, risk management tool to cover multi-year price declines. Chip Bowling, a member of the Corn Board and liaison to the Public Policy Action Team, during a hearing on Wednesday before the Subcommittee on General Farm Commodities and Risk Management.



Statement from Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack on the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack made the following statement about the U.S-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement, or Colombia TPA, which enters into force today.

"Beginning today, U.S. agricultural exporters receive duty-free access on more than half of the products we currently export to Colombia, and virtually all remaining tariffs will be eliminated within 15 years. Estimates show that the tariff reductions in the U.S.-Colombia Trade Promotion Agreement will expand total U.S. exports by more than $1.1 billion, supporting thousands of additional American jobs while increasing U.S. GDP by $2.5 billion. For agriculture, the agreement with South America's third-largest economy achieves two key trade objectives for the United States: it immediately provides vastly improved access to Colombia's market, and it levels the playing field with respect to third-country competitors.

"Last year, the United States exported $1.1 billion of agricultural products to Colombia. Under the agreement, American farmers and ranchers can expect to see their exports grow by more than $370 million, or more than one-third of the current total. Colombia will immediately eliminate duties on wheat, barley, soybeans, soybean meal and flour, high-quality beef, bacon, almost all fruit and vegetable products, wheat, peanuts, whey, cotton, and the vast majority of processed products. The Colombia TPA also provides duty free tariff rate quotas (TRQ) on standard beef, chicken leg quarters, dairy products, corn, sorghum, animal feeds, rice, and soybean oil. Over the next few years, as additional barriers fall and more U.S. businesses market products to Colombia's expanding economy, American agricultural exports will create new opportunities for our businesses, workers, farmers and ranchers, thereby supporting more and better jobs for Americans.

"For America's farmers, ranchers, and agricultural businesses, the timing could not be better. U.S. agriculture is currently experiencing one of its best periods in history thanks to the productivity and resourcefulness of American farmers and agribusinesses. Much of the record growth these past few years is related to President Obama's leadership on trade. Last year, the President insisted that we get this agreement with Colombia right—alongside pacts with South Korea and Panama—that led to strong bipartisan support in both houses of Congress. In 2010, the President committed to double U.S. exports in five years. Two years later, we are on pace to meet that goal.

"Strengthening our partnership with growing markets in South America is integral to the strength of the U.S. economy in the decades ahead. Increased exports mean higher incomes for farmers and ranchers, more opportunities for small businesses owners, and jobs for people in rural communities and port cities—the people who grow, package, ship and market American agricultural products."



ASA Welcomes Launch of U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement

With a proclamation from President Barack Obama yesterday, the United States entered into the U.S.-Colombia Free Trade Agreement. ASA congratulates the governments of both countries for their collaboration and cooperation in the interest of trade expansion.

“The free trade agreement with Colombia holds a great deal of potential for America’s soybean farmers,” said ASA President Steve Wellman, a soybean farmer from Syracuse, Neb. “The pact expands a valuable and growing export market for American soybeans, meal, oil and products that require soy inputs like dairy, meat and poultry. The agreement also helps us regain lost market share in Central and South America’s third largest economy.”

The agreement ensures that more than half of all U.S. farm exports to Colombia—including soybeans and soybean meal and flour—will become duty-free, with virtually all of the remaining tariffs to be eliminated over the next 15 years. The agreement also provides duty free tariff rate quotas (TRQ) on soybean oil, as well as livestock and dairy exports that utilize soybean inputs. To commemorate the event, ASA staff will join Colombian Ambassador Gabriel Silva for a reception at the Colombian Embassy in Washington today.

Soybeans and soybean products are the largest U.S. agricultural export commodity, totaling nearly 1.5 billion bushels in 2011, with a value of more than $22 billion. Last year, the U.S. exported more than $182 million in soybeans and soybean products to Colombia, as part of $832 million in agricultural products. The International Trade Commission (ITC) estimates that the agreement will expand overall exports to Colombia by more than $1.1 billion and support thousands of additional American jobs.



U.S. Wheat Industry Hails U.S.-Colombia FTA Implementation

In a huge victory for U.S. wheat farmers, the United States and Colombia officially implemented on Tuesday a free trade agreement (FTA) first signed in 2006.

The pact immediately eliminates all tariffs on U.S. wheat imports to Colombia and ends a significant tariff disadvantage U.S. farmers have faced compared to Canadian and Argentine wheat imports there.

“This is a very good day for wheat farmers,” said Randy Suess, a wheat farmer from Colfax, Wash., and chairman of U.S. Wheat Associates (USW). “The tariff situation has basically forced our largest customer, historically, in South America to buy more wheat from Canada and Argentina. Now our customers in Colombia will not have to pay the tariff, and we can compete equally on the basis of quality, supply and service.”

Implementing this FTA is particularly important to U.S. wheat farmers, who rely on exports to market about half of their crops each year. In marketing year 2010/2011, Colombia imported from Gulf and Pacific Northwest tributaries about 800,000 metric tons of U.S. wheat from five of six classes. However, U.S. wheat sales for this marketing year are down about 45 percent year on year, mainly due to the Canada-Colombia FTA that went into effect on Aug. 15, 2011. Wheat imported from Argentina has also enjoyed duty-free status under the South American Mercosur trade agreement.

“A lot of people have joined us in working hard to get the U.S.-Colombia agreement approved by Congress, signed by the President and now implemented,” said Erik Younggren, a wheat farmer from Hallock, Minn., and president of the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG). “While the process of removing our trade barriers with Colombia has been a long one, we are eager to get this market back on track.”

The U.S. wheat industry believes this agreement, along with the recently implemented FTA with South Korea and a pending FTA with Panama, will help the United States rebuild and expand markets, grow our economy at home and maintain the status of the United States as the most reliable supplier of wheat in the world.

The industry appreciates the hard work and support of Colombian flour millers and government officials throughout the process, as well as the efforts of trade supporters in Congress and the Bush and Obama Administrations.



Fertilizer Price Hikes Stabilizing

After several weeks of consistently higher prices, it appears UAN and urea prices are finally cooling, according to retail fertilizer prices tracked by DTN for the second week of May 2012. While fertilizer prices remain strong, the rate of increase is considerably less than in past weeks.

Six of the eight major fertilizers were higher compared to a month earlier but only one was up any significance. Urea was 6% higher compared to the second week of April, which is modest compared to recent weeks. The nitrogen fertilizer had an average price of $760 per ton.

Other fertilizers with recent higher prices were the UAN solutions. These fertilizers also featured higher prices over the last month but this week prices are up just slightly. UAN28 had an average price of $429/ton and UAN32 was at $482/ton.

Anhydrous, potash and DAP were also slightly higher. Anhydrous had an average price of $769/ton, potash $662/ton and DAP $639/ton.

The remaining two fertilizers were lower compared to a month ago but really not significantly. MAP had an average price of $695/ton and 10-34-0 was at $782/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.83/lb.N, anhydrous $0.47/lb.N, UAN28 $0.77/lb.N and UAN32 $0.75/lb.N.

Half of the eight major fertilizers are still showing double-digit increases in price compared to one year earlier. Leading the way higher is urea. The nitrogen fertilizer is 55% higher compared to last year while UAN28 has jumped 14%, UAN32 13% and potash 10% compared to the second week of May 2011.

One fertilizer has seen just slight price increases compared to a year earlier. Anhydrous is now 3% more expensive.

The three remaining fertilizers are now actually lower compared to one year ago. DAP is now 6% lower, 10-34-0 is 4% less expensive and MAP has decreased 1% in price.



CWT Assists with 4.1 Million Pounds of Cheese, Butter and AMF Export Sales

Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) has accepted 28 requests for export assistance from Dairy Farmers of America, Darigold, Foremost Farms, Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative and United Dairymen of Arizona to sell a total of 1,187 metric tons (2.617 million pounds) of Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese and 663 metric tons (1.461 million pounds) of butter and anhydrous milk fat (AMF) to customers in Asia, Central America, North Africa 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 50.3 million pounds and butter and AMF totaling 42.8 million pounds to 27 countries on four continents. On a butterfat basis, the milk equivalent of these exports is 1.396 billion pounds, or the same as the annual milk production of 66,400 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.



Global Fertilizer Industry Launches New Online Campaign Ahead of G8 Summit

The global fertilizer industry has launched a new online campaign called “Roots for Growth”, highlighting the important role which fertilizers play in addressing global food security responsibly, efficiently and sustainably.

As Group of Eight (G8) leaders prepare to meet in Camp David on May 18 and 19, the topics of agriculture and nutrition security are expected to feature high on their agenda. Back in 2009, G8 leaders pledged to spend US $22 billion on agriculture and rural development at the L’Aquila G8 summit. With funding due to expire this year, there is an urgent need for leaders to agree a new and improved commitment.

The campaign includes an array of new online materials, aimed at informing policy debates and encouraging dialogue.  These include:
-    Introductory “Roots for Growth” video
-    Interactive infographics on food/nutrition security, soil health, environmental stewardship and sustainable agriculture
-    Links to key industry news, external policy papers, multimedia and key industry spokespeople

The “Roots for Growth” campaign website and materials are available at: www.rootsforgrowth.org. Ford West, President of The Fertilizer Institute says, “This campaign aims to raise awareness and dialogue around fertilizer’s role in supporting global food security and sustainable agricultural production.” Jacob Hansen, Director General of Fertilizers Europe says, “Fertilizers are essential in boosting crop productivity and maintaining soil fertility whilst also improving rural livelihoods, protecting natural habitats and making agriculture more carbon-efficient.”

Roger Larson, President of the Canadian Fertilizer Institute says, “G8 leaders are right to prioritise food and nutrition security, but they must focus more energy on enabling farmers in every corner of the world to share in the benefits of modern, intensive agriculture. Farmers must be at the centre of these discussions if we are to meet the world’s most pressing sustainable development challenges.”

For example, in sub-Saharan Africa, smallholder farmers face a variety of constraints in their ability to increase productivity.  These include increasingly degraded soils (75% of which is already classified as such), low crop productivity (yields are less than 10% of global averages) and lack of access to input and output markets. According to the World Bank, sub-Saharan Africa represents 10% of the world’s population but only uses 0.8% of the world’s fertilizer. David Roquetti Filho, Executive Director of ANDA says, “Many poor farmers are left with little choice to prevent further soil nutrient depletion, as they lack sufficient access to inputs such as fertilizers. To combat this we need continued commitments to improve farmers’ ability to support their own livelihoods, as well as feed a growing population.”

As the “Roots for Growth” campaign highlights, food grown with fertilizers is already nourishing billions of people and helping to improve their diets every year, but there is still more work to do. Luc Maene, Director General of the International Fertilizer Industry Association says, “Moving forwards, the fertilizer industry wants to partner even more with farmers, environmental leaders, agronomists, scientists, and governments to share knowledge, develop further innovations and improve farmers’ access to markets, both locally and globally.”

A global initiative, “Roots for Growth” is led by a coalition of the world’s leading fertilizer associations, namely the Brazilian industry association (called ANDA), Canadian Fertilizer Institute (CFI), Fertilizers Europe, International Fertilizer Industry Association (IFA), and The Fertilizer Institute (TFI).



KANSAS RANCHER IS AMERICA’S FARMERS MOM OF THE YEAR 2012

            Debbie Lyons-Blythe, White City, Kansas, is Monsanto’s America’s Farmers Mom of the Year 2012.

            Lyons-Blythe was nominated by her children (Meghan, Allie, Trenton, Tyler and Eric), and also by her aunt, Mary Ferguson, who she describes as “more of a friend than an aunt.” Both nominations summarized in 300 words what makes Lyons-Blythe so special to her family, farm, community and the agricultural industry. She was selected as the Southwest Region’s Farm Mom of the Year by a panel of judges from American Agri-Women and Monsanto. Her nomination was then posted to www.AmericasFarmers.com, along with those of the four other regional winners. Online voting determined Lyons-Blythe the national winner, just in time for Mother’s Day.

            “What an honor that my children and my aunt, who is also a busy rancher, would nominate me for America’s Farmers Mom of the Year, especially this time of year when we are often working until 9:30 at night and focused full-time on getting cattle bred, fences fixes and cows to grass,” says Lyons-Blythe. “I’m flying high with the support I’ve been given from people who matter the most to me. I love to say I raise kids and cows – and I really love both.”

            Lyons-Blythe says she is proud to accept the award in recognition of farm moms everywhere who work long hours for little recognition. “I’m humbled to be singled out, because there are so many farm moms who work each day to build a legacy for their children,” she says. “I am thankful for everyone who supports farm wives and moms in general.”

            Debbie and her family run Blythe Angus, near White City, Kansas, where her husband Duane’s family homesteaded in 1890. They raise 250 registered Angus cows and sell registered bulls, along with a commercial heifer development program. They also have a diversified cropping operation, including hay, for the cowherd. Although all five of her children help on the ranch, it is Debbie who provides the daily labor. Duane works in town and she said she is “blessed” to have a husband supportive of her passion for ranching. A graduate of Kansas State University, Debbie serves on the board of directors for the Kansas Livestock Association and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and is an active member of the American Angus Association. She authors an online blog, “Life on a Kansas Cattle Ranch,” with which she strives to give consumers a glimpse of life on a family farm.

            “It doesn’t take long to figure out what is in her heart,” her children wrote in their nomination. “Her love for agriculture is evident when reading her blog, hearing her speeches and seeing her work. Not only did mom give us her eye color and smile, she shared with us her values and love of agriculture. She raised us five kids alongside her in the truck checking pastures, sorting cattle and selling bulls.” Her nomination is posted in its entirety at AmericasFarmers.com.

            All five regional winners won a $5,000 cash prize from Monsanto. Lyons-Blythe will receive an additional $5,000 in prize money from the company for winning the national title, to be awarded at an upcoming ceremony being planned by Monsanto to take place at a Kansas Beef Council event.

            “Debbie Lyons-Blythe has a work ethic and a passion for agriculture that is truly inspirational,” says Consuelo Madere, America’s Farmers Mom of the Year spokesperson. “She devotes time and energy to teaching consumers the source of their food, and she does it while raising five children, participating in key industry organizations and running a successful business. I don’t know how she finds enough hours in the day to accomplish all that she does. ”

            The other four regional winners were Danni Beer, Keldron, S.D., Sherri Lynn Kannmacher, Martinsville, Ill., Sarah Peterson, Niles, Mich., and Delores “Dee Dee” Clements Darden, Smithfield, Va.

             Monsanto’s America’s Farmers Mom of the Year is an extension of the America’s Farmers program, which celebrates the contributions of America’s farmers, who provide food, energy and clothing for a growing planet. Visit AmericasFarmers.com throughout the year to read about other ways Monsanto will recognize the hard work and contributions of American farmers.



American Royal Announces National Barbecue Hall of Fame Class of 2012

The American Royal Association has named the 2012 inductees of the newly acquired National Barbecue Hall of Fame at the American Royal. A formal induction ceremony will take place on the main stage of the World Series of Barbecue® on October 6th. The American Royal also announced the return of Bayer HealthCare LLC, Animal Health Division as the presenting sponsor of the 2012 American Royal Season.

This year's National Barbecue Hall of Fame inductees have demonstrated a crowning achievement in barbecue excellence. The Business/Industry category inductee is Henry Ford for his role in creating the charcoal briquette. The Pitmaster category inductee is Johnny Trigg, one of the featured personalities on TLC's hit barbecue show the BBQ Pitmasters. The Celebrity category inductee is Guy Fieri, host of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives on the Food Network.

"We are pleased to make both of these announcements at the same time. Many people in Kansas City think of the American Royal as mainly a barbecue contest, but we are actually a full season of events, presented by Bayer, that all contribute to our purpose as a 501(c)3 charity for children. The World Series of Barbecue is presented by UMB and is the nation's largest and K.C.'s most-attended annual barbecue event. We are expecting Guy Fieri and Johnny Trigg to attend this year's Barbecue for the Hall of Fame awards ceremony. We are the World Series of Barbecue® so having the Hall of Fame and induction ceremony here is a natural fit," says Bob Petersen, American Royal President & CEO.

All past inductees are also invited to come and celebrate the new home of the National Barbecue Hall of Fame at the American Royal. The National Barbecue Hall of Fame currently has seven members. The additional inductees this year will bring the total to 10 honorees. The past recipients are industry greats and include Rich Davis, Fred Gould, Speed Herrig, Mike Mills, Carolyn Wells, Gary Wells and John Willingham.

"The American Royal's commitment to agricultural education and values is at the heart of the Kansas City community. Bayer values giving back to its community and working with the American Royal is a great way to make that happen. Bayer has been a proud supporter of the American Royal for nearly two decades and we are honored to return for the second consecutive year as the Presenting Sponsor," said Ian Spinks, President and General Manager, Bayer Animal Health - North America.

The American Royal World Series of Barbecue will be returning for the 33rd year to the historic West Bottoms during October 4-7. This year promises to be another success with great food, musical entertainment, fireworks and plenty of family fun Saturday in the Kid's Korral. Check www.americanroyal.com for the latest barbecue event news and announcements.



Vilsack Celebrates USDA's 150th Year of Service, Highlights Ways the Every Day, Every Way' Department Works for American People

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today marked the 150th anniversary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and highlighted the positive impact that USDA has on the life of Americans each day.

"For 150 years, USDA has supported our nation's economic prosperity and touched the lives of generations of Americans," said Vilsack. "I'm proud of the USDA employees who carry out President Lincoln's legacy throughout the country and around the world, making USDA a truly 'Every Day, Every Way' department. Whether improving domestic and international access to food, promoting nutrition and safety of our food supply, conserving our natural resources, advancing agricultural exports, or developing the rural economy, USDA helps Americans to lead better lives."

President Lincoln created USDA in 1862 and in his last address before Congress, called it the "People's Department." President Lincoln established USDA because he understood the importance of agriculture to America's success – and under the Obama Administration USDA has focused on advancing Lincoln's legacy. The Department has delivered record amounts of loan assistance; enrolled a record number of acres in conservation programs; provided food assistance to 1 in 4 Americans and helped to upgrade infrastructure, such as electric and broadband Internet service, for millions of people.

Throughout 2012, USDA will continue to recognize important events such as President Lincoln's signing of the Act to establish the Department of Agriculture on May, 15, 1862 and the July 2, 1862 signing of the Morrill Act to establish public land grant universities. Learn more about President Lincoln's agricultural legacy here.



IBACH NOTES USDA’s 150th ANNIVERSARY

Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) Director Greg Ibach today offered his congratulations to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) on its 150th anniversary. On May 15, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed into law an act of Congress establishing the department.

“Nebraska is an agricultural state, and as such our farmers and ranchers are touched by USDA in many important ways," Ibach said.  "However USDA also plays a tremendous role in the everyday lives of all Nebraskans, from food safety to economic development, energy development and natural resource conservation.  The Department has been, and will continue to be, important to this state."

Ibach said that while USDA is important to Nebraska, the state has been important to USDA. Four past Secretaries of Agriculture have Nebraska ties.  They are: Julius Sterling Morton, Clifford Hardin, Clayton Yeutter, and Mike Johanns.

"We are proud to work alongside our counterparts at the USDA, and I look forward to continuing to work with them far into the future," Ibach said.  Visit www.usda.gov/usda150 to learn more about USDA’s history and plans for the future.



USDA: 150 of Progress and Innovation
Roger Johnson, National Farmers Union President

This week marks a milestone in the history of our country and a legacy of President Abraham Lincoln. While he is known for many accomplishments, a little-known fact is that he established the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) 150 years ago.

On May 15, 1862, Lincoln signed into law a bill establishing a new department of agriculture, which was specifically directed to acquire information through “practical and scientific experiments” and to collect and propagate “new and valuable seeds and plants” and distribute these to the nation‘s agriculturists. This was the first in a series of acts of Congress that set American agriculture on a progressive course.

Five days later, Lincoln signed the Homestead Act, granting land to people who would settle on frontier land and improve it. On July 2, 1862, the president signed the Morrill Act, which granted huge tracts of land to the states to endow colleges dedicated to teaching “such branches of learning as are related to agriculture and the mechanic arts … to promote the liberal and practical education of the industrial classes … ” This was the beginning of today’s vast and flourishing land grant university system. In later years, agricultural experiment stations were created to "conduct original and other research, investigations and experiments” in support of “a permanent and effective agricultural industry. ” Extension services were set up to share knowledge with farmers.

Agriculture has been a major part of our economy the last 150 years and is poised to continue that role in the future. As we look at current conditions, there is no denying that there has been a shift in the global climate.

President Lincoln would have recognized the science about climate change, and likely would have asked two important questions: How do we mitigate the effects and how do we adapt to them at the same time? The answers lie in good stewardship of our natural resources. In creating USDA, President Lincoln knew that agriculture provided for a stable and secure society—hence the moniker “The People’s Department.”

In addition to producing an abundance of goods, agriculture also provides services that are environmentally beneficial. Agricultural practices that conserve soil, protect water quality and quantity, and provide wildlife habitat can both address the causes and consequences of problems like climate change. Conservation tillage, buffer strips, grazing management and sustainable forestry all help to reduce and sequester greenhouse gas emissions that contribute to climate change. Those same practices help agriculture mitigate effects of climate change such as extreme flooding and drought by building healthy soil structure, cleansing and conserving water and reducing economic risk.

The benefits of natural resource conservation are fundamental to both agricultural production and to environmental improvement. In helping farmers and ranchers be good stewards of the land, USDA sustains President Lincoln’s vision today by “commending itself to the great and vital interest it was created to advance.”

Agriculture will also continue to play a valuable role in mitigating the effects of climate change by expanding the development of renewable energy. America’s farms and ranches are rich in natural resources that can produce renewable fuel for the transportation sector, and heat and power for America’s industrial, commercial and residential sectors. Renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, biomass and biofuels have the potential to offset a significant amount of greenhouse gas emissions by reducing the need for traditional fossil fuels. 

America’s farmers, ranchers and research scientists can again lead the way to a 21st century Green Revolution if we follow the vision of Abraham Lincoln as laid out in 1862 by establishing the USDA. So as we celebrate this week, we should reflect on all that the Department of Agriculture has helped us achieve and all that in can help us achieve going forward. Happy 150th birthday to USDA!



NCGA Celebrates USDA’s 150th Anniversary

The National Corn Growers Association celebrates and congratulates the United States Department of Agriculture today on its 150th Anniversary.  President Abraham Lincoln signed into law an Act of Congress establishing the department on this day in 1862.

“When President Lincoln established the USDA, I doubt he could have envisioned what agriculture has become today,” said NCGA President Garry Niemeyer.  “We have evolved from a time when corn planting used mule-drawn plows to an era of technically sophisticated tractors, multi-row planters and GPS systems.  Over the past 150 years, the USDA has helped advance American agriculture, spur economic growth, conserve natural resources and build stronger communities.”

Nicknamed “The People’s Department” by President Lincoln, the USDA has become an outstanding example of innovation and technology.  Created during a time when nearly half of all Americans lived on farms, the USDA today touches the lives of every American through their work on food technology, natural resource conservation and economic development, even though less than 2 percent of our population resides on farms.

The USDA has planned several months of celebration as they commemorate their achievements thus far.  To learn more about the USDA’s history and plans for the future, visit www.usda.gov/usda150.

“NCGA applauds the work the USDA has done over the last 150 years to support advancement and success of our industry,” Niemeyer said.  “We look forward to continued efforts to progress as the demands from American agriculture change both here and throughout the world.”



ASA Congratulates USDA on 150 Years

In honor of today’s milestone 150th anniversary of the founding of the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the American Soybean Association (ASA) offers its congratulations and best wishes, and will participate in events commemorating the occasion in Washington, D.C.

“USDA has worked alongside soybean farmers for decades in the best interest of agriculture, developing international markets , fostering rural development, encouraging conservation, alleviating hunger, improving nutrition and enhancing food safety,” said ASA President Steve Wellman. “We at ASA salute USDA for 150 wonderful years of cooperation and service.”

In addition to attending today’s celebrations at USDA headquarters in Washington, ASA joined with the National Cotton Council, National Association of Wheat Growers, National Sorghum Producers, Southern Peanut Farmers Federation, National Corn Growers Association and USA Rice in congratulating USDA in U.S. Agriculture 150’s commemorative publication The People’s Department: 150th Anniversary of the USDA, 1862-2012. ASA also added its name to a list of stakeholders from across industry in a letter to House and Senate leadership urging those in both chambers to recognize the contributions of the agricultural sector to the American way of life.

“For more than 90 years, the American Soybean Association has worked closely with USDA both in Washington and in the communities where our members live and farm to provide soybean farmers with the resources, solutions and services they need to be successful,” said Steve Censky, ASA CEO and former administrator of USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service. “USDA was formed during a time of great national struggle out of a recognition of the vital role agriculture plays to feeding people and strengthening America’s economy. USDA keeps that focus still today, and ASA offers its warmest congratulations on 150 successful years.  We look forward to continuing our successful partnership with USDA for many more years.”



Wheat Growers Celebrate USDA’s 150th Anniversary

The U.S. wheat industry congratulates the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) as it celebrates its 150th anniversary on Tuesday.

On May 15, 1862, President Abraham Lincoln signed an act establishing the Department of Agriculture. Five days later, he signed the Homestead Act, which opened up western lands to settlement, including much of today’s wheat production region. Later that summer, Lincoln signed the Morrill Act, establishing the system of “land grant” universities that are still vital to wheat and other agricultural research.

Today, USDA handles a diverse portfolio, administering nutrition, risk management, conservation and trade promotion programs as well as food inspection and safety services and vital public research on crops including wheat.

“The original vision for USDA, the Homestead Act and the Morrill Act was to help America’s farmers and ranchers provide a safe, ample food supply for our nation and the world,” said Erik Younggren, a wheat farmer from Hallock, Minn., and president of the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG). “Agriculture has changed a lot since the 1800s, and yet USDA remains vital to our farms, our nation’s lands, our nation’s food security and safety and our economy.”

Since 1860, the percentage of the population working in agriculture has declined from about 48 percent to just seven-tenths of a percent of all Americans. This makes the farmers who remain on the land — and the innovations they have incorporated into their operations to make them more efficient — vitally important to the nation and the world.

“From its support for research and export market development to inspecting our food and helping maintain a safety net for farmers, USDA has had a positive and lasting impact on the wheat industry, American agriculture and the lives of every American,” said Randy Suess, a wheat farmer from Colfax, Wash., and chairman of U.S. Wheat Associates.

In this anniversary year, the wheat industry encourages farmers and consumers to learn more about USDA’s contributions to the strength of our nation and to see how the agency can continue to partner with Americans working to provide better lives for their families.