Tuesday June 5 Ag News

DINKEL’S JCB (OF NEBRASKA) JOINS JCB’S NORTH AMERICAN DEALER NETWORK

JCB’s North American dealer network continues to expand with the addition of Dinkel’s JCB. Formerly known as Dinkel Implement, Dinkel’s JCB’s two locations in Scribner and Norfolk, Neb. will provide JCB equipment to the northeastern part of the Cornhusker State.

 “As an innovative dealer, we’re focused on continually identifying and satisfying customer needs,” said Larry Dinkel, owner of Dinkel’s JCB. “That’s just one reason we’re very proud to partner with JCB to offer our customers the best construction, industrial and agricultural products available on the market today.”

Dinkel’s JCB will carry a wide range of JCB’s outstanding equipment, including the world’s most innovative skid steer with its patented PowerBoom and uniquely safe side-entry door. Other industry-leading JCB products to be found at Dinkel’s JCB are wheel loaders, industrial and compact backhoe loaders, loadall telescopic handlers, rough terrain forklifts, mini excavators, and utility tractors. Both Dinkel’s JCB locations also feature full-service maintenance facilities, well-trained, professional mechanics and fully-stocked parts departments.

“Dinkel’s JCB shares our mission of providing quality equipment and service,” said John Patterson, CEO and deputy chairman of JCB North America.  ”As a result, this new partnership is an excellent fit for both of us, and we look forward to a very bright future.”



Applications Being Sought for 2013 ASA/DuPont Young Leader Program

The Nebraska Soybean Association, the American Soybean Association, and Pioneer Hi- Bred a DuPont Business are currently accepting applications for the 2013 ASA/DuPont Young Leader program.  Interested participants should apply on-line at www.soygrowers.com/dyl.

2013 marks the 29th year of the program.  "The Young Leader Program is an exceptional leadership training program," said ASA President Steve Wellman from Syracuse, NE.  “The knowledge gained from this program can be put to use immediately–not only in business, but personally as well. Soybean producers who are looking to take on future leadership roles at the state and/or national level should pursue this training as the first step on their journey.”

The 2013 class of Young Leaders and their spouses will participate in a challenging and educational leadership experience Nov. 27-30, 2012 at Pioneer headquarters in  Johnston, Iowa, and Feb. 26-March 2, 2013 in Kissimmee, Fla., coinciding with the annual Commodity Classic Convention and Trade Show.  This program offers the opportunity for participants to enhance their leadership skills, as well as meet and learn from other young leaders from around the country.

Young Leaders become valuable, active members of agricultural organizations and volunteer groups at state and local levels.  Many graduates of the program go on to become officers of their State and/or National Soybean Association Board of Directors

“The Young Leader program provided us a great opportunity to network with other soybean leaders from across the U.S. as well as the opportunity to build upon our leadership skills for future roles both on and off the farm” said Nathan and Stacy Dorn of Hickman NE, 2012 Nebraska Young Leaders.

Applications will be accepted starting June 1 through September 15, 2012.  Interested applicants should apply online at www.soygrowers.com/dyl. One couple or individual will be selected to represent Nebraska in the program.



People from 38 countries will attend World Pork Expo

Nearly 20,000 pork producers and industry experts from throughout the world will be at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa, for the world’s largest pork-specific trade show June 6-8. Brought to you by the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), World Pork Expo offers the latest information about pork marketing and management, legislative updates, animal health, environmental topics, and other topics affecting pork production. 

“Ever since I first attended World Pork Expo 25 years ago, each June I look forward to rubbing shoulders with the very best pork producers and industry leaders,” says R.C. Hunt, NPPC president, Wilson, N.C. “They come from throughout the world to provide research updates and share experiences from their own operations … all in a fun, family-friendly environment that’s ideal for your entire team of employees.”

Attendees can experience all this and more at the annual Expo. From the more than 400 commercial exhibits to the business seminars and a new product tour, there’s plenty for busy pork producers, their employees and families to learn and do.

“The best advice I can share regarding World Pork Expo is to carve out more than just one day to take it all in,” says Hunt. “There’s so much to see — the world’s largest pork-specific trade show, the Junior National show, GRAMMY-nominated musical groups performing live at MusicFest and excellent seminars. Your family and employees will thoroughly enjoy every minute as they mingle with top pork producers from throughout the world.”

People from 38 countries have registered to attend World Pork Expo. While online registration has closed, attendees still can register at the gate. The $15-per-person admission price enables an individual to attend the Expo Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. Proceeds from World Pork Expo are used to develop and defend export markets, fight for reasonable legislation and regulation, and inform and educate legislators.

For the first time, Expo attendees can use a free mobile app for instant access to the latest schedule, a map to navigate the show and a list of exhibitors. The app enables attendees to plan their day by selecting business seminars and special events to place on their personalized calendars, and provides a place for users to take notes. To download the app, search for “World Pork” in the Apple Store, Android Market or Blackberry’s App World, or connect to an online dashboard at http://m.core-apps.com/wpx2012.

World Pork Expo takes place June 6-8 at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines. More than 400 commercial exhibits will be on display from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, June 6, and Thursday, June 7, as well as from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, June 8. The breeding stock sales will continue on Saturday, June 9, from 8 a.m. until they're completed at approximately noon. For more information, visit www.worldpork.org.

World Pork Expo, the world's largest pork-specific trade show, is brought to you by the National Pork Producers Council. On behalf of its members, NPPC develops and defends export markets, fights for reasonable legislation and regulation, and informs and educates legislators. For more information, visit www.nppc.org.



Kroger is Latest to Announce Ban on Gestation Crates

The Kroger Co. announced that it has begun informing suppliers of a new policy statement regarding gestation crates that are used to house pregnant sows.

Kroger has science-based standards for animal welfare and works diligently to ensure that its suppliers treat animals humanely. Over the past few months, the Company has reviewed the opinions of animal welfare experts and other experts regarding the use of gestation crates for pregnant sows and has concluded that there are many ways to humanely house sows.

Kroger believes that a gestation crate-free environment is more humane and that the pork industry should work toward gestation crate-free housing for pregnant sows.

The company is encouraging its suppliers to accelerate this already-occurring transition in the Kroger supply-chain. Kroger also wants customers to know that this is a transition that may take many years.

Kroger, the nation's largest traditional grocery retailer, employs more than 339,000 associates who serve customers in 2,435 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 31 states under two dozen local banner names including Kroger, City Market, Dillons, Jay C, Food 4 Less, Fred Meyer, Fry's, King Soopers, QFC, Ralphs and Smith's. The company also operates 791 convenience stores, 348 fine jewelry stores, 1,090 supermarket fuel centers and 39 food processing plants in the U.S.



Statement of The National Pork Producers Council On Food Companies' Decisions On Sow Housing

It is very disconcerting that retailers, in making decisions about sourcing pork products, continue to succumb to the pressure of activist groups such as the Humane Society of the United States without any consideration of the impact on American farm families, who produce the safe and affordable pork that they sell to consumers. These unilateral and impulsive announcements are made without any recognition that nearly all of the pork products produced in the United States today come from facilities built for the validated practice of gestation stalls.

Nowhere in the announcements is there any discussion on the willingness of these companies to pay for these requests. These are very complex issues that require interaction of the complete supply chain. Simply making an announcement without understanding the supply chain's ability to meet the requests or the costs associated with them are simply irresponsible. Our customers need to understand that these announcements come with severe and unintended consequences.

We believe there is a responsibility to ensure that there is transparency, and these food retailers have an obligation to assure their customers that the product they are purchasing is coming from verified sources.

These forced changes on our producers' choice of sow housing may very well put hog farmers out of business and will certainly increase the price of pork for consumers.

We are American farm families and take great pride in our track record of producing a safe, affordable and healthful food for the American consumer. We think we deserve to be part of these decisions that are being asked of us.



Women Marketing Grain Meetings Begin June 7

Women will learn how to market grain through volatile times when they attend a series of weekly meetings coordinated by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach and the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation. Women Marketing Grain: Understanding Strategies and Tools will be held on Thursday evenings over five weeks. Meetings will be held at the FFA Enrichment Center located at 1055 SW Prairie Trail Parkway on the Ankeny DMACC Campus.

The first meeting will be held from 7-9:30 p.m. on June 7. The registration fee is $30 per individual for all five weeks and can be paid at the first meeting. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Pre-register today by calling the Polk County Extension Office at 515-957-5760. This will allow organizers to coordinate training material, drinks and snacks.

Enrolling in the Women Marketing Grain meetings will include participation in the 2012 Pre-Harvest Iowa Commodity Challenge, an online market simulation game. Challenge registration takes place at the first meeting and trading continues until harvest. Challenge participants get first-hand knowledge about the use of futures and options contracts as risk management tools. They will be given virtual bushels (75,000 bushels of corn and 25,000 bushels of soybeans) and can use futures or options contracts for December corn or November soybean futures contracts.

Weekly meetings will include various crop marketing discussions led by Steve Johnson, farm management specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach; Ed Kordick, commodity services manager with Iowa Farm Bureau Federation; Ellen Batchhelder, Cargill Grain Merchandising; Craig Solberg, Freese-Notis Weather; and Jayme Kohake, Paragon Investments.

For more information about the program, visit the Polk County Extension farm management Web page at www.extension.iastate.edu/polk/news/women-marketing-grain.



Nominations Due for Cattlemen's Beef Board

The Iowa Cattlemen's Association and other Iowa ag groups are accepting names for nomination to the Cattlemen's Beef Board (CBB). Nominations must be forwarded to USDA by July 2.

The CBB is a national board that oversees the collection of the checkoff, or the $1-per-head on all cattle sold in the U.S., and $1-per-head equivalent on imported cattle, beef and beef products. Additionally, CBB contracts with established national, non-profit, industry-governed organizations to implement programs of promotion, research, consumer information, industry information, foreign marketing and producer communications.

Iowa has four positions on the CBB. Currently serving are Dean Black, Somers; Will Frazee, Emerson; and Kent Pruismann, Rock Valley. Jeff Clausen, Carson, had served until his death (see item on the right). The term for Frazee is expiring, and Clausen's position will be replaced. The Iowa nominees sent to and selected by USDA, will fill the open spots beginning in 2013. Members of the 106-member CBB serve 3-year terms, and are eligible to serve two terms.

To learn more about the CBB positions for Iowa, contact Nancy Degner at the Iowa Beef Industry Council, 515-296-2305.



Culinary Institute Event Inspires Chef Creativity and Understanding of Beef Cuts

The beef checkoff once again recently hosted a beef immersion and educational event at the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone in St. Helena, Calif., to help educate more than 30 major U.S. foodservice (restaurant) operators on the power and versatility of beef and why it is important to keep it on their menus. Foodservice operators are being inundated with negative press on rising prices and shorter protein supplies, and many of them are rethinking their menu options for 2012-13 to combat higher prices.

The group consisted of restaurants such as Applebee’s, Chili’s, Qdoba, Whole Foods, TGI Fridays and Sizzler. Today, Scott McGregor, chair of the checkoff’s foodservice committee and producer from Nashua, Iowa, tells us more about why the foodservice channel is an important audience for producers to reach through checkoff-funded events and educational outreach.  McGregor says,  “I think the producers need to understand that 50 percent of the beef that we produce runs through the foodservice channel. It’s just a huge market and we need to make sure that all aspects are covered and they know all the different products available and different production methods and what-not that can be used.”

The foodservice operators in attendance had misconceptions about the beef industry and why prices are where they are. McGregor says this event not only helped them understand new beef cuts and create new recipes, but they got a bigger picture view of the beef marketplace and economics.  McGregor says, “We don’t want them to start taking beef entrees off their menu – we want beef to be the centerpiece of all these restaurant’s menus. And if we can give them new options with these steak cuts that we worked on here at the Greystone CIA event, I think just having more options is a big plus.”

The group was able to take a base recipe and turn it into a lunch entrée item on day one and a slider menu item on day two. They worked with top sirloin filet steaks, top sirloin cap (Coulette steak), chuck eye steak (Delmonico steak), boneless country style chuck eye ribs and the Denver cut, and McGregor says there wasn’t a cut that didn’t shine and the chefs’ creativity was just amazing. That in itself showed the group that the product was very versatile.

McGregor concludes,  “They were very excited about the cuts they got to work with. I think they were a little hesitant at first when they learned about the cuts – they said, ‘Oh wow – we can’t think that these would be available yet.’ But once they saw the cutting demonstration, they really learned that wow, these are probably something we can throw on our menu and they would work good, and they would work in every different aspect of foodservice, whether it be a buffet or a menued item.”

In addition to funding from the national Beef Checkoff Program, checkoff dollars from Texas, California, Kansas, Florida, Iowa and South Dakota made this session possible.



Iowa sports, recreation and fitness leaders inspired by visit to grain, turkey farms

University of Iowa Athletics Director Gary Barta listened with interest as a conversation unfolded focusing on the importance of teamwork, dedication and balancing a budget.

That sounds commonplace for a person who attends his share of Big 10 Conference coaches and athletic director meetings.  But this wasn’t one of them.

Instead, the Minneapolis native, who’s entering his sixth year as director of the Hawkeye athletics program, was standing alongside a Hamilton County farmer surrounded by a flock of nearly 18,000 turkeys and a tapestry of corn and soybean fields.

“Simply amazing,” said Barta as Paul Hill, a 45-year farming veteran, explained the intricacies of feed rations for poultry, aerobic fermentation and environmental sustainability.

“I love our state and enjoy learning about different businesses from start to finish,” said Barta as Hill discussed how baby turkeys – also called poults – grow from 60 grams to 45 pounds in less than five months. “And that certainly includes farming.”

Barta’s interest in farming was shared by nearly 30 board members and staff of the Iowa Sports Foundation (ISF). The tour followed the organization’s May 31 board meeting held at the Iowa Soybean Association in Ankeny. It included stops at farms operated by Noel and Faye Thompson, Paul and Mary Hill and Nathan and Betsy Hill and a presentation by Iowa Ag Secretary Bill Northey.

The Iowa Food & Family Project, presenting sponsor of the Iowa Games, and the Iowa Turkey Federation (ITF), co-sponsored the farm visits.

“We love what we do and want to share our passion for food production with others,” said Noel Thompson, an ITF board member who has raised turkeys for more than 30 years. “People are increasingly interested about where their food comes from and what we as farmers do to provide it.

“It’s important that we provide that information and a farm tour like this offers the perfect opportunity.”

Mike Dick, director of the Iowa Girls High School Athletic Union and an ISF board member, was impressed by what he saw.

“You go to the store and buy food and enjoy it,” he says, “but rarely do you give much thought to what it takes to provide it. Today’s experience makes you very comfortable and secure about the farmers behind the food. They’re wonderful people.”

Turkey and grain production go hand in hand, powering Iowa agriculture that accounts for 17 percent of the state’s employment and 26 percent of its economic activity.

Farm families in Iowa raise more than 11 million turkeys annually, with nearly one-quarter of them located near Ellsworth and Story City. Each turkey consumes a bushel of corn and half-bushel of soybeans. Most turkeys are raised indoors where they are kept dry to prevent disease, have continuous access to water and feed and are protected from predators like skunks, raccoons and coyotes.

“We often say that if you keep a turkey healthy, it will treat your family well,” says Paul Hill, past chair of the National Turkey Federation and part-owner of West Liberty Foods, a farmer-owned cooperative that provides a turkey, ham and beef to a variety of customers. including Subway and Jimmie Johns.

Doug Reichardt, chair of the Iowa Sports Foundation, says the Iowa Food & Family Project’s presenting sponsorship of the Iowa Games and commitment to bringing Iowans closer to farming is a perfect fit.

“Topics like food, nutrition, health and economic development all intersect to positively impact the quality of life for all Iowans,” he said. “The partnership between the Iowa Games, Live Healthy Iowa and the Iowa Food and Family Project is improving the health and well-being of every Iowan, rural and urban.”

Barta agreed.  “The economics of farming are very compelling and I find it fascinating to learn what farmers do to be successful,” he said. “There are many parallels between success in farming and athletics. You need teamwork, great people and a commitment to excellence.

“That was certainly evident at the farms we visited and the farmers we met.”



Biodiesel Producers to Meet With Lawmakers, Administration Officials

More than 120 biodiesel leaders are visiting Washington this week to call on Congress to extend the expired biodiesel tax incentive and to urge the Obama Administration to quickly finalize the EPA's proposal to grow biodiesel volumes under the Renewable Fuel Standard next year.

"Washington's failure to act on these two issues has effectively halted the momentum our industry built last year in producing a record of nearly 1.1 billion gallons," said Anne Steckel, vice president of federal affairs at the National Biodiesel Board. "It is locking up millions of dollars in investments that could be creating jobs, purchasing equipment and feedstock, and driving economic growth."

Industry leaders will be meeting with White House officials and members of Congress Tuesday. They will specifically be calling for the Obama Administration to follow through with the EPA's proposal to increase the biodiesel volume requirement under the RFS to 1.28 billion gallons in 2013 - up from 1 billion gallons this year. Late last year, the Obama Administration delayed the decision.

"This is a proposal that has strong support from the EPA and USDA, and yet it has been caught up in a bureaucratic delay for nearly a year, without any explanation or justification," Steckel said. "It is blocking significant investment and hiring, so we are pleading with the Obama Administration to follow through with its 'all of the above' energy rhetoric by finalizing this proposal. It is something the Administration can do tomorrow, without waiting on Congress."

The Administration's delay on the RFS rule has come as Congress allowed the biodiesel tax incentive to expire on Dec. 31. The tax incentive has broad bipartisan support, and biodiesel leaders will be urging lawmakers on Capitol Hill to pass an extension as soon as possible.

"There is no magic bullet for fighting high gas prices, but we can chip away at the problem by diversifying our supplies through strong domestic energy policies like these," Steckel said. "We know these policies work."



Fertilizer Prices Stall Again

Now the spring rush is over, fertilizer prices are settling into a holding pattern, according to retail fertilizer prices tracked by DTN for the first week of June 2012. Retailers report prices could be steady for awhile as the spring application ends and demand lessens.

Five of the eight major fertilizers were higher compared to a month earlier, but none were up with any consequence. Urea had an average price of $767 per ton, 10-34-0 $777/ton, anhydrous $771/ton, UAN28 $431/ton and UAN32 $487/ton.

Three fertilizers had lower retail prices compared to the first week of May, but again these price moves lower were fairly slight. DAP had an average price of $634/ton, MAP $690/ton, and potash $662/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 $0.76/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 52% higher compared to last year while UAN28 is 15% more expensive, UAN32 has jumped to 14% and potash is now 10% more expensive compared to the first week of June 2011.  One fertilizer has seen just slight price increases compared to a year earlier. Anhydrous is now 4% more expensive.

The three remaining fertilizers are now actually lower compared to one year ago. DAP is now 7% lower, 10-34-0 is 6% less expensive and MAP has decreased 2% in price.



New Studies Unlock Diversity, History of Maize Genome
The research journal Nature Genetics published two manuscripts this week offering an unprecedented glimpse into the diversity of modern corn in their online edition. Gathered through the U.S. Maize Diversity Project, the information in these studies provides important data that will aid breeders and geneticists in efforts to develop improved traits.

"The information in these studies has very exciting implications for corn farmers," said National Corn Growers Association Research and Business Development Action Team Chair DeVonna Zeug. "As research and development facilities across the country, such as the proposed National Agricultural Genotyping Center, apply this information to the development of new corn hybrids, farmers will see a wider selection of improved traits at a much more rapid pace. These developments in the lab will yield real-world results in the field."

The first study will allow scientists to identify variations that have allowed corn to adapt to a wide array of environmental stresses, including drought, heat, and pathogens. Through the identification of more than 55 million genetic markers, this study shows that the maize genome is in constant flux, and that maize genomes vary significantly in size. The data presented here will help scientists, over the next decade, expedite the genetic location of valuable traits and use this information in the improvement of corn hybrids.

The second study identified more than 1,000 genes critical to the domestication of corn, which will allow geneticists to better focus research on the understanding and improvement of these specific genes. This comparative look at maize evolution during domestication and subsequent breeding shows the striking transformation that maize has undergone to reach its modern state from its wild progenitor. Remarkably, the data revealed the strong selection process applied by ancient farmers thousands of years ago to bring about this change. Scientists can use this data to more precisely and swiftly develop tools to address growing global demand, either by genetic manipulation or the use of rare natural variation.

The U.S. Maize Diversity Project, which involves collaborators from around the world, has sequenced and analyzed more than 100 genomes of wild and domesticated corn. In doing so, it has revealed the remarkable diversity present in the world's top production crop. This project is funded through a partnership between the National Science Foundation and the U.S. Department of Agriculture.



POET now producing Voilà corn oil at 14 plants

Fourteen plants in the POET network have now installed POET’s patent-pending corn oil technology, bringing total annual production capacity to approximately 235 million pounds per year, enough to provide feedstock for approximately 31 million gallons of biodiesel.

POET has been selling Voilà corn oil into biodiesel and feed markets since January 2011, and strong demand for the product has prompted plans to upgrade the majority of the plants in the POET network.

POET Biorefining – Hudson (S.D.) was the first to produce Voilà on a commercial scale. Since then, the technology has been installed in 13 additional plants, with more on the way throughout 2012. Plants that are producing corn oil today are:

Iowa: POET Biorefining – Ashton, Coon Rapids, Corning, Emmetsburg, Gowrie, Jewell and Hanlontown
South Dakota:  POET Biorefining – Big Stone, Hudson and Groton as well as the POET Research Center in Scotland
Missouri:  POET Biorefining – Laddonia
Minnesota:  POET Biorefining – Lake Crystal and Glenville

“We’ve had a great response from Voilà customers, and I’m excited to be able to expand production to meet more of the demand,” POET CEO Jeff Lautt said.

Voilà is just one item on POET's growing list of products created at its plants. In addition to ethanol, POET produces quality products for animal feed including Dakota Gold distillers dried grains. POET also captures carbon dioxide at five of its plants for sale to beverage producers and other users.

“At POET, we’re focused on getting the most value from corn as we possibly can,” Lautt said. “Ethanol is obviously a big part of that, but the many other products we produce are also very important to our business. We’re also working hard to develop even more biorefined products.”



FDA Ordered to Rethink Petitions to Restrict Farm Antibiotics

A federal judge Monday ordered the Food and Drug Administration to reconsider two denials of petitions to restrict the use of medically important antibiotics on farm animals, marking the second time in recent months the agency has lost a court battle on its refusals to ban some uses of the drugs on livestock.

Judge Theodore Katz in New York rejected the FDA's explanations that it was too time consuming and costly to revoke the approval of antibiotics on livestock and that asking industry to voluntarily reduce the use of the drugs was a preferable option.

Judge Katz ordered the FDA in March to restart the process of considering a ban on the use of penicillin and tetracyclines on livestock for nonmedical reasons.

In a separate ruling Monday, the judge told the FDA it unlawfully dismissed two petitions -- one filed in 1999 and the other in 2005 -- that asked the agency to consider banning farmers from using antibiotics on livestock for non-therapeutic uses, such as growth promotion and disease prevention.

The FDA announced voluntary guidelines in April for livestock producers and drug companies to reduce the use of antibiotics on farm animals, but that shouldn't prevent the FDA from separately mandating restrictions if they are needed, Judge Katz said.

"The Court ruled that it was unlawful for FDA to deny the petitions on grounds that are not outlined in the law--things other than the safety and effectiveness of the antibiotic uses covered by the Petitions," said Avinash Kar, an attorney for the Natural Resources Defense Council, one of the plaintiffs.

The FDA, the judge said in the new ruling, "must evaluate the safety risks of the petitioned drugs and either make the finding that the drugs are not shown to be safe or provide a reasoned explanation as to why the Agency is refusing to make such a finding."

Groups such as the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Union of Concerned Scientists and the American Academy of Pediatrics have long argued that the widespread use of low doses of antibiotics in animal feed lead to bacteria becoming resistant to antibiotics, creating a threat to humans exposed to the germs.

Antibiotics help animals grow faster because they make them digest feed more efficiently. The FDA estimates farm animals consumed 29.1 million pounds of antibiotics in 2010, up from 28.7 million pounds a year earlier.

"The rise of antibiotic resistance is a public health crisis," said Robert Lawrence, director of the Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future. "With this decision, a federal judge ruled that public health matters more than FDA's excuses."



CWT Assists with 1.8 Million Pounds of Cheese Export Sales

Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) has accepted eight requests for export assistance from Bongards, Darigold, Foremost Farms and United Dairymen of Arizona to sell a total of 879 metric tons (1.938 pounds) of Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese to customers in Asia, North Africa and the Middle East. The product will be delivered June through November 2012.

In 2012, CWT has assisted member cooperatives in making export sales of Cheddar, Monterey Jack and Gouda cheese totaling 56.6 million pounds, and butter and anhydrous milk fat totaling 44.3 million pounds to 27 countries on four continents. The butter total has been adjusted due to cancellations. On a butterfat basis, the milk equivalent of these exports is 1.488 billion pounds, or the same as the annual milk production of 70,850 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.



National FFA Organization’s Washington Leadership Conference inspires students to lead, give back

The National FFA Organization’s annual Washington Leadership Conference is underway, focusing on leadership development, personal growth and community service. More than 2,200 students – up to 340 a week – from throughout the U.S. who are FFA members will attend one of the conference’s seven week-long sessions in June and July.

“Students come to the Washington Leadership Conference wanting to make a difference. They leave knowing they can – and will,” said Dwight Armstrong, CEO of the National FFA Organization. “I believe students are generally aware of global problems like hunger and poverty but many are sheltered and disconnected from what’s happening in the world. During their time in Washington, FFA members experience real-world problems and take critical steps toward personal growth and developing leadership skills they’ll need to make a difference in people’s lives, starting in their own communities.”

Created in 1969 and held annually in Washington, D.C., the conference helps students develop leadership skills, identify personal strengths, develop awareness of societal differences and human needs and strategize how they can help others through community service. Throughout the week, each student develops a community-service initiative for their local community, with the intention of students returning home and implementing their plans.

The 2012 National FFA Organization's Washington Leadership Conference is sponsored through the National FFA Foundation by Timberland PRO, Monsanto, CSX, TransCanada, Crop Production Services, Farm Credit and CHS.

“For 10 consecutive years, Timberland PRO is honored to sponsor the 2012 Washington Leadership Conference. We have worked closely with FFA to transfer our model of service to an organization whose focus is on living to serve,” said James O’Connor, vice president of Timberland PRO. “We look forward to participating with FFA members in various civic engagement activities in and around the D.C. area that will be focused on leadership and service learning.”

The conclusion of each weekly session of the Washington Leadership Conference is a Day of Service, where students work together on a real, hands-on community-service project. Last year, through each week’s Day of Service, students contributed a total of $85,283 worth of volunteer labor. Students packed, sorted and distributed more than 29.5 tons of produce and shipped more than 100,000 meals overseas.

This year, students will volunteer more than 9,500 hours to pack and ship thousands of meals to Nicaragua to help the third-world country battle hunger.

“Monsanto's support of the Washington Leadership Conference reflects our sole focus on agriculture and commitment to American farm families,” said John Raines, lead of customer advocacy at Monsanto. “Monsanto has a long tradition of supporting agriculture youth through scholarships, education and leadership development programs. We are enthused to support FFA members dedicated to developing the leadership skills they'll need to achieve success and personal fulfillment.”



Brazil Government Says Corn Crop Bigger Than Soy

Brazil's Agriculture Ministry hiked its 2011-12 corn forecast by nearly 2 million metric tons (mmt) Tuesday, thus announcing output will beat that of soybeans for the first time in decades.  Corn production is now pegged at 67.8 mmt, up 18% on the year before, driven by a 53% jump in projected second crop output of 33.0 mmt.  According to the report, issued Tuesday by the Ministry's National Supply Corp. (CONAB), excellent planting conditions followed by ample rains up till the end of May means a bumper crop is more-or-less guaranteed.

Soybean output was trimmed by 310,000 tons to 66.4 mmt, reflecting dry weather in the northeast of the country. A harsh drought in the south was the principal reason for a 12% slide in output this season, despite a 3.5% increase in planted area.



GEOSYS Provides New In-Season Satellite Technology for Precision Ag Professionals

The latest satellite images of specific fields—combined with pertinent agronomic data—are now available to farmers and their retail partners to optimize the in-season decisions they make. The images are powered by new, exclusive technology from GEOSYS that arms retailers with the latest data to make decisions, such as determining appropriate crop protection and nutrient application, as focused and efficient as possible.

“This new, exclusive technology is really targeted at making every decision as profitable as possible for the farmer. Our technology helps retailers and agronomists better identify areas of a field that require immediate attention to protect yields for their farmers,” says Norm Davy, senior vice president GEOSYS, Inc. “The remote field scouting tool uses the latest innovative GEOSYS technology to deliver these current satellite images throughout the growing season, and automatically distributes email alerts when new field images are added.”

Available through a secure website, the up-to-date images can be converted into application maps using   the most advanced agronomic models and geographic information systems to help farmers manage variations within their specific fields. During the 2012 crop year, the service is available exclusively through WinField Solutions.

“GEOSYS helps ag professionals around the world manage spatial and temporal variability within farmers’ fields to optimize yields, profitability and sound environmental practices,” says Davy.