Monday July 16 Ag News

Irrigation-Private Well Interference
Workshop Wednesday night, Meeting Thursday night to discuss well interference problems

Well interference cases are widespread across the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD) this summer.

Well interference problems arise when groundwater withdrawals from one or more wells causes another well to be without water.  In our area, this typically happens in localized areas when hot, dry weather increases the need to irrigate crops.

The LENRD will hold a workshop this Wednesday night, July 18, to help the public understand the potential causes of and solutions to this problem as well as the laws and regulations that address well interference issues. The meeting will start at 7:00 p.m. and will be held in the Lifelong Learning Center on the campus of Northeast Community College in Norfolk.

Being without water is difficult, can damage pumps, and can be dangerous for people, pets and livestock. People experiencing well interference issues are encouraged to confirm that their well and pump are sound and function properly by contacting a water well professional.  In many cases, the pump in the affected well will need to be lowered or replaced to resolve this problem, but in some cases, a new deeper well must be installed.

The LENRD reminds everyone that groundwater is a shared resource, and that neighbors can help each other by working together.  Please attend the public workshop Wednesday night and the LENRD Subcommittee meetings Thursday night to learn more.  Both meetings will be held in Norfolk at the Lifelong Learning Center at 7 p.m.



Beef  Feedlot Schools

The University of  Nebraska-Lincoln will be offering a Beef  Feedlot School at three locations across the state in August.  The goal of  this program  is to assist with the training of  feedlot employees  in the areas of  animal health and feeding. The UNL Mobile Beef  Lab will be used to demonstrate the relationship between cattle and micro-organisms, and the impact of  feeding practices.  Extension Veterinarians from UNL will discuss physical examination of  feedlot cattle with an emphasis on lameness.   

Locations and dates of  the event are:
August 14 – Lincoln, UNL Animal Science Building
August 15 – Curtis, NCTA Livestock Teaching Center
August 16 – Mitchell, Scottsbluff  County Fairgrounds

For more  information or  to pre-register  for  any of   the  sites please  contact Matt Luebbe or Deidra McCarthy at the Panhandle Research and Extension Center. Contact Info - 308.632.1260 or dmccarthy2@unl.edu



Farm and Ranch Clinics

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture and Legal Aid of NE are hosting Farm and Ranch clinics several times in Norfolk including...
-- Thursday July 26th
-- Tuesday August 7th
-- Thursday August 23

This is your chance to sit down one on one with an ag law attorney or ag financial counselor.  Topics include estate planning, transition planning, financial planning, farm loan programs, beginning farmer programs, livestock issues, and more.  Call the Rural Response Hotline to set up an appointment at 800-464-0258. 



Blue-green Algae a Concern for Livestock

Already this summer there have been reports of blue-green algae blooms in Iowa ponds, prompting farmers to pay close attention to grazing and water resource location for their livestock.

Blue-green algae are commonly found in Iowa lakes, ponds, rivers and streams during summer and autumn, and can form dense algal blooms that resemble mats on the water surface. These blooms can be stimulated following storms or heavy rainfall when surface runoff containing phosphorus and nitrogen enters the water. The blooms can be quite bad when storm events are followed by prolonged periods of hot temperatures.

“Because blue-green algae can produce poisonous neurotoxins and hepatoxins, they also are a potential health concern to livestock, pets, wildlife and humans, and can be fatal if consumed,” said Steve Ensley, Iowa State veterinary diagnostic and production animal medicine clinician.

Ensley and Chris Filstrup of the Iowa State Limnology Laboratory, explain how to recognize blue-green algae in a one-page fact sheet they have written (http://www.iowabeefcenter.org/information/BluegreenAlgae.pdf). The fact sheet also describes potential toxic effects of the algae, proper sampling methods for testing and suggests ways to reduce the incidence of blooms in lakes and ponds.



Stretch Pastures in Drought Conditions

As the drought continues, cattle producers are asking how to stretch their pastures. Two major techniques may be pursued, according to Iowa State University Extension and Outreach beef program specialist Denise Schwab. One is to reduce the grazing pressure from the animal side, and the other is to supplement the amount of feed available.

"Animal grazing pressure can be reduced in two ways, reducing cow numbers through selective culling and weaning calves early,” Schwab said. “Consider culling any cows with structural, health, reproductive or attitude problems. Early pregnancy checking with ultrasound may be another tool to help tighten the calving period and cull very late cycling, open cows.”

Research has shown calves can be successfully weaned as young as 90 days or less, but consistently weaned at 100-120 days of age. Some of that success depends on giving one round of vaccinations to the calves prior to weaning, and creep feeding for 10-14 days prior to weaning. Weaning reduces the nutrient requirements of the cow 30-50 percent, allowing for energy intake to go toward cow maintenance rather than milk production. Creep feeding is another tool to reduce the feed requirements on the cow, but feed efficiency of creep feeding is extremely variable. Calves tend to be more efficient after weaning when fed directly.

“The second technique is to supplement the cow while on the pasture,” she said. “There are several considerations for this, including labor and equipment to feed, controlling feed waste, and the cost of the supplemental feed.”

Feed cost really needs to be the major consideration, followed by the issue of how to deliver and control wastes. Many producers will want to feed hay as the supplement, which seems like the logical solution, Schwab said. However, if feeding hay on pasture, producers need to be extremely conscientious about control waste and limiting intake. If allowed full-time access to hay, cows can easily consume far more than is needed. Remember, you want to supplement pasture, not completely replace grazing.

Also, as hay price approaches $150-200 per ton, this probably isn’t the most cost effective option, she said.

“For example, a mature 1,350-pound cow fed completely in dry lot could consume about 38 pounds of hay per day, which would cost $2.78 per cow per day if hay is priced at $150/ton,” she said. “Studies have shown that cows need about 0.5-1.0 percent of the cow’s bodyweight in supplemental feed per day, or 7-13 pounds of hay to substitute for available forage, which would cost $0.50-$1 per cow per day. Another option is to supplement 3-5 pounds of grain or co-product and 5 pounds of hay per day which would cost between $0.65-0.75 per cow per day in addition to the available forage.”

Another possibility is to supplement only the grain/co-product while on pasture at about 5 to 6 pounds per head per day. Depending on the current pasture situation, this may or may not have enough total feed available to meet all the cows’ needs. Doubling the quantity and offering it only every other day is also a supplementation strategy that has been proven to work.

“How do you know which feeds are the most cost effective? You really need to determine the price per pound of energy or protein in the feed to compare multiple feeds,” Schwab said. “A quick way to do that is to use the Iowa Beef Center's spreadsheet 'Feed Energy Index,' which is available as a free download from the IBC website. By simply typing in the various feeds available and their costs, you can get a quick comparison of which feeds provide the lowest cost energy.”

There are multiple strategies that can help stretch pasture in drought situations such as this year. However, they should be individualized to meet the specific needs of each producer and pasture. For more help on stretching pasture, contact an ISU Extension beef program specialist.



Strategies to Manage Cows in Dry Conditions

As dry conditions continue, cattle producers need to look at numerous management practices to help stretch their feed supply and maintain performance and reproduction in the cow herd. Iowa State University Extension beef program specialist Denise Schwab offers a few strategies that may help.

“First, develop a plan before the drought conditions get any worse,” Schwab said. “How do you plan to provide emergency feed in the short-term, as well as winter feed in the longer term? This requires an inventory of feed currently available and an inventory of the cow herd. You can often purchase hay less expensively during the growing season than in the winter, and you also have the option now to incorporate silage into your winter feed supply.”

Second, give your pasture some rest. Consider splitting your pasture into smaller paddocks and sacrificing one to use with supplemental feed, she said. Allowing the other paddocks to rest and regrow when rain occurs this fall will probably result in more fall forage available to the cow herd. Also, rotational grazing reduces selectivity in a cow’s grazing habit, enhances forage utilization rate and can improve pasture carrying capacity by 10 to 30 percent.

“You also can consider weaning calves early. This will reduce the demand on the pasture forage by 25 to 35 percent and will reduce the nutritional demands of the cow by 30 to 40 percent,” Schwab said. “Creep feeding calves can help reduce the demand on the pasture slightly and will help prepare the young calf for weaning.”

Another strategy is to cull all free-loader cows immediately. This includes late-calving cows, open cows, and cows with feet, leg, eye or udder problems that should be sold immediately. Don’t waste precious feed on cows that don’t perform.

“Finally, get your winter feeds lined up soon,” she said. “Whether you need to locate a custom chopper or bagger to chop your silage, or you need to lay out fence for grazing standing corn, it is much easier to do now than at the last minute.”

More information on cow management strategies during a drought and on forage planning can be found on the Iowa Beef Center website at www.iowabeefcenter.org or by calling Schwab at 319-721-9624.



Insurance Coverage for Drought-damaged Crops

Nearly 90 percent of the corn and soybean acres in Iowa are covered by multiple peril crop insurance. Drought damage is an insurable loss under these policies. Producers should consult with their crop insurance agents before harvesting or destroying any drought-damaged crops, said William Edwards, an Iowa State University Extension and Outreach economist.

"The agent will notify a certified crop adjustor to appraise the insured crops," Edwards said. "Keep in mind that when damage is widespread, adjustors cannot be everywhere at once. The adjustor may declare the crop a complete loss. If it has significant yield potential, it can be left and harvested in the fall. If the producer elects to harvest it early, as silage, check strips can be left to verify the actual yield achieved. In any case, the acres must be released by the insurance company before the crop can be harvested early or destroyed."

Any insurance indemnity payments will be settled based on actual harvested production over the entire insurance unit, Edwards said. Fields declared a complete loss will be combined with any harvested acres in the same insurance unit to calculate the final yield. Yield losses are equal to the farm’s historical yield times the level of guarantee purchased, minus the actual yield.

Ninety percent of the insured acres in Iowa are covered by Revenue Protection insurance policies in 2012. Yield losses will be paid at a rate equal to the average CME futures price during the month of October, if it exceeds the average February price of $5.68 for corn (December contract) or $12.55 for soybeans (November contract). 

Following harvest, the usual evidence of actual production should be collected and submitted to the crop insurance agent as soon as possible if it appears that a payment is likely, but not later than 15 days after the end of the insurance period, which is Dec. 10 for corn and soybeans in Iowa. If a producer has a history of selling more than half the crop in the tax year following harvest, reporting of crop insurance proceeds can be deferred to the next tax year, Edwards said.

More information about crop insurance policies and procedures can be found on the Ag Decision Maker website at www.extension.iastate.edu/agdm/cdcostsreturns.html.



USDA Officials Stand with Farmers and Ranchers Affected by Extreme Weather and Natural Disasters

As serious drought conditions continue to creep across nearly two-thirds of the lower 48 states, U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) officials are fanning out to rural communities across the country to show support to farmers and ranchers affected by a string of extreme weather in 2012. Today, Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services Michael Scuse begins a tour of Michigan, Ohio and Indiana—three states affected by severe frost and freezes in the spring, with Indiana now experiencing increasing levels of drought. In the weeks ahead, additional USDA subcabinet leaders will travel to Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Arkansas, Missouri, Colorado, New Mexico, Texas, and others to augment ongoing assistance from state-level USDA staff. USDA officials will also provide guidance on the department’s existing disaster resources and remind producers to keep thorough records of losses as the department’s authority to operate the five disaster assistance programs authorized by the 2008 Farm Bill expired on Sept. 30, 2011, and Congress has not yet acted to restore these vital forms of assistance.

“Our hearts go out to all of those affected by this year’s disasters, from frost and freezes to fires and drought,” said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. “Without a robust package of disaster assistance programs available to struggling farmers and ranchers, it is important that USDA officials visit rural communities and talk with producers not only about their current options but also about the need for proper planning through these difficult times. And we remind Congress that as agriculture remains a bright spot in our nation’s economy, it is crucial that producers have a safety net in times of need, and that USDA has the tools to act quickly and deliver assistance when producers need it most.”

USDA agencies have been working for weeks with state and local officials, as well as individuals, businesses, farmers and ranchers, as they begin the process of helping to get people back on their feet. USDA offers a variety of resources for states and individuals affected by the recent disasters. Individuals can also apply for other types of federal disaster assistance at www.disasterassistance.gov.

In rural communities, USDA’s Rural Development works with existing individual and community borrowers that have been affected by a natural disaster to help them with their loans. With respect to loans guaranteed by Rural Development, borrowers should initially contact their lender for assistance.

USDA’s Farm Service Agency provides emergency loans through the Emergency Loan Program to help producers recover from production and physical losses due to natural disasters. Producers will be eligible for these loans as soon as their county is declared a Presidential or Secretarial disaster county. Last week, Vilsack announced three significant improvements to USDA programs and processes related to Secretarial disaster designations: a final rule that simplifies the process for Secretarial disaster designations and will result in a 40 percent reduction in processing time for most counties affected by disasters; a reduced interest rate for emergency loans that effectively lowers the current rate from 3.75 percent to 2.25 percent; and a payment reduction on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) lands qualified for emergency haying and grazing in 2012, from 25 to 10 percent.

Hot, dry and drought conditions across states from California to Delaware have damaged some crops and slowed development of others. USDA’s Risk Management Agency reminds producers faced with questions on crop losses to contact their crop insurance companies and local USDA Farm Service Agency Service Centers, as applicable, to report damages to crops or livestock loss, and not to destroy or discontinue care for your crops. Farmers and ranchers who participate in the federal crop insurance program are reminded to please contact your agent or company as soon as you experience any failing crops. USDA assures producers that indemnity payments will be made to producers who submit claims for crops and livestock. In addition, USDA reminds livestock producers to keep thorough records of losses, including additional expenses for such things as food purchased due to lost supplies.

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) administers the Emergency Watershed Protection program, which provides assistance to areas that have been damaged by natural disasters, such as floods, windstorms, drought, and wildfires. In partnership and through local government sponsors, NRCS helps local communities recover from natural disasters.

The USDA Food and Nutrition Service provides food assistance to those in need in areas affected by a disaster. This Federal assistance is in addition to that provided by State and local governments. USDA provides disaster food assistance in three ways: provides foods to State agencies for distribution to shelters and other mass feeding sites; provides food to State agencies for distribution directly to households in need in certain limited situations; and authorizes State agencies to issue Disaster Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (D-SNAP) benefits.

For additional information and updates about USDA’s efforts, please visit www.usda.gov/disaster.



EPA Withdraws Farm Database Proposal

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today withdrew a proposed rule that would have required large livestock and poultry farmers to report information about their operations and undermined court decisions related to producer obligations under the Clean Water Act, a move applauded by the National Pork Producers Council.

EPA’s proposed Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation (CAFO) Reporting Rule sought to have CAFOs submit to the agency operational information so it could “more effectively carry out its CAFO permitting programs on a national level and ensure that CAFOs are implementing practices to protect water quality and human health.” The information includes facility facts, such as contact information, location of a CAFO’s production area, permit status, the number and type of animals confined and the number of acres available for land application of manure.

The proposed rule was prompted by a May 2010 settlement agreement EPA entered with the Natural Resources Defense Council, Waterkeeper Alliance – represented by current Humane Society of the United States attorney Hannah Conner, who this week filed 51 notices of intent to sue hog farmers for alleged environmental paperwork violations – and the Sierra Club as part of a lawsuit NPPC brought and ultimately won over EPA’s 2008 CAFO rule. The 2008 rule required, among other things, that large livestock operations that propose to or that might discharge into waterways obtain Clean Water Act (CWA) permits. On NPPC's suit, a federal court ruled that the CWA requires permits only for operations actually discharging.

“As we have consistently stated, the proposed rule was the result of a sweetheart settlement between EPA and environmentalists that would have provided no public health protections,” said R.C. Hunt, NPPC president and a pork producer from Wilson, N.C. “It would have been a duplicative and burdensome paperwork exercise for producers and clearly was an effort to undermine court decisions that said producers who don’t discharge into waterways don’t need a CWA permit.”



NCBA Commends EPA's Decision to Withdraw Proposed Livestock Reporting Rule

Late Friday afternoon, July 13, 2012, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) withdrew its proposed Clean Water Act (CWA) Section 308 CAFO (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations) Reporting Rule. The rule sparked controversy within the agricultural community due to what was referred to as a serious overreach of EPA’s authority. The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s (NCBA) primary concern was the likelihood the proposed rule could put the nation’s food system at risk of increased terrorist attacks. NCBA President J.D. Alexander said this move by EPA is a victory for cattlemen and women and illustrates the importance of the beef cattle community working together to educate government officials. 

“Early on, we called for EPA to pull this rule. It turns out they listened. This really showcases the importance of cattlemen and women becoming engaged in the regulatory process and making sure their concerns are heard,” said Alexander. “We encourage the agency to redirect its focus to working with states and other partners to attain already publicly available information that would allow them to work toward their goal of improved water quality. This can be done in a way that does not put our food system at increased risk.”

The proposed rule required all cattle operations meeting the regulatory definition of a CAFO to report a long list of information about their operations to EPA, including latitude and longitude (or street address) of the production area, acres available for land application of manure, type and number of head and contact information for the owner or authorized representative. EPA stated it would place this information on the agency’s website in an easily searchable database, where NCBA feared extremists could access the information with the intent to do harm to cattle operations or the nation’s food system. Any non-compliance with the proposed rule would have been a violation of the CWA, which would have resulted in fines of up to $37,500 per day.

Alexander said NCBA worked with EPA to convey the privacy concerns on behalf of cattlemen and women. On Feb. 3, 2012, NCBA invited EPA to attend its annual convention in Nashville, Tenn., to discuss the proposed rule face-to-face with the beef cattle community. Ellen Gilinsky represented EPA at NCBA’s convention, where she acknowledged the industry’s biosecurity and privacy concerns. Alexander said cattlemen speaking directly with EPA officials makes a lot of difference.

“EPA resides in Washington, D.C., and seldom gets the opportunity to hear directly from the providers of food for this country,” said Alexander. “It is paramount that we continue being engaged in the regulatory process. They need to hear from us. We must not take this lightly. This recent announcement by EPA proves that we can make a difference.”



USDA Proposes to Increase Membership on United Soybean Board

USDA is proposing to increase membership on the United Soybean Board from 69 to 70 members to reflect changes in production levels that have occurred since the board was last reapportioned in 2009.

As required by the Soybean Promotion, Research, and Consumer Information Act (Act), membership on the board is reviewed every three years and adjustments are made accordingly. This proposed change would result in an increase in board membership for Mississippi, increasing the total number of board members from 69 to 70. These changes would be reflected in the Soybean Promotion and Research Order and would be effective for the 2013 appointment process.

The proposed rule was published in the July 10, Federal Register. Comments may be posted online at www.regulations.gov and must be received by Sept. 10.



PQA Plus Advisor Recertification Session Is Aug. 23

People who need to be recertified as Pork Quality Assurance Plus® advisors under the National Pork Board's PQA Plus program are invited to attend a session set for Aug. 23 in Ames. The Iowa Pork Industry Center at Iowa State University is hosting the morning session, which will run concurrently with an initial PQA Plus certification session.

James McKean, IPIC associate director and ISU Extension swine veterinarian, said the session will be taught by ISU animal science and veterinary medicine faculty members who are certified PQA Plus trainers.

“The session is limited to the first 30 participants who preregister and pay the recertification fee of $50 per person,” McKean said. “Preregistration is strongly encouraged to ensure the materials will be available for each participant, so no walk-ins will be accepted.”

Scheduled from 9 a.m. to noon with registration at 8:30 a.m., the session will be held at the Ensminger Room in Kildee Hall on the Iowa State campus. It will be filled on a first received, first accepted basis with a deadline of Aug. 9, or when the limit of 30 is reached, so people should submit their preregistration and payment as soon as possible. The preregistration form is available online at www.ipic.iastate.edu/PQAPRecert082312.docx. It also is available by fax by calling Sunny Hsu at IPIC at 515-294-4103.

PQA Plus was developed by the Pork Industry Animal Care Coalition to be a continuous improvement program. The coalition, made up of pork producers, packers/processors, restaurants and food retailers, dedicated itself to finding a food-industry solution that would give confidence to consumers that U.S. pork is produced in a way that respects animal well-being. PQA Plus merges the food safety and animal well-being concepts of the original PQA program into three steps: individual certification through education, farm site assessment, and the opportunity for project verification that gives customer credibility. For more information on PQA Plus contact the National Pork Board at 800-456-PORK or go to http://www.pork.org/certification/default.aspx.



Updated website provides complete soybean meal information

Individuals looking for information about soybean meal can conveniently find everything they need to know at the newly updated website, www.soymeal.org.

For 15 years, the online Soybean Meal INFOcenter has been of service to those interested in learning more about soybean meal; with its fresh new look, the information is more attractive, more user-friendly and easier to navigate.

The mission of the website is to provide technical information on soybean meal to the feed manufacturer, professional nutritionist, feed formulator, livestock and poultry producer and general public. The website is designed to be a "center" or primary source of key information regarding soybean meal as an important supplement protein for livestock, poultry and specialty markets.

The material for the renovated website was compiled by Keith Smith. With a Ph.D. in animal nutrition and nearly 50 years of experience in research administration, Dr. Smith is recognized as a leader in soybean utilization and production research.

Smith says, “The website is a fantastic resource with more than 200 abstracts of technical information for those wanting to learn about soybean research. Included, for instance, are two new review papers with the latest information on the use of soybean meal for swine.  With the swine industry using 25 percent of the soybean meal produced in the U.S., this information is especially valuable.”

The valuable online archive makes available:
·         most of the abstracts of technical articles published about soybean meal over the past 20 years;
·         reports of checkoff-funded research on soybean meal utilization, including all the checkoff-funded research that has been done by the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC);
·         copies of soybean meal fact sheets;
·         historical facts on soybean use;
·         back issues of the Soybean Meal INFOsource newsletter that is sent to 1,800 subscribers five times per year; and
·         an updated list of soybean processors.

The website is sponsored by the soybean checkoff, including the checkoff boards from, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota and South Dakota.




NOPA June Soybean Crush 134.156m/bu

The National Oilseed Processors Association reports soybean crush was 134.156 million bushels for June, down 4.110 million bushels from the previous month.

                              Jun 12    -   May 12     - Jun 11
Soybeans crushed 134,156    -   138,266    -   117,718
Soymeal produced 3,225,121 - 3,316,442   - 2,827,665
Soymeal yield        48.08       -   47.97       -  48.04
Soymeal exports    585,504   -  723,132     -  372,819
Soyoil produced 1,547,436    - 1,596,969    - 1,378,119
Soyoil yield          11.53        -   11.55        -    11.71
Soyoil stocks    2,306,128     - 2,312,358    - 2,587,568

Iowa
Crush                29,364     -    29,225         -    28,541
Oil Stocks        765,252     -  750,608        -    814,861

(Soybeans in thousand bushels, soymeal in short tons, soyoil in thousand pounds, yield in pounds per bushel.)



Mike Pearson to Take Over As Host of 'Market to Market' TV Show

Grinnell, Iowa, businessman and farmer Mike Pearson will follow in the footsteps of his father as the new host of Market to Market, the network's weekly national agribusiness series.

Representing the sixth generation of Pearsons rooted in Midwestern agriculture, Mike grew up on a family farm in Iowa. His family instilled in him a strong work ethic and, at the age of 12, he raised and exhibited the Grand Champion Market Hog at the Madison County Fair.

After graduating from Winterset High School in 2003, Pearson managed his family's diversified grain and livestock operation and provided market updates and news reports for WOI Radio in Ames, Iowa. Upon graduation from Simpson College, Pearson entered the banking industry in Grinnell, Iowa. His financial experience includes personal, commercial and agricultural lending.

Pearson and his wife, Heidi, live in Grinnell, Iowa, where they continue to build the Genuine Pearson Cattle Company brand.

Mike succeeds his father, Mark Pearson, who hosted the program for the past 20 years until his death last month. Market to Market's original host, Chet Randolph, hosted the series for its first 17 years.



Corn Growers Gather in Washington for Information, Action on Industry Issues

Corn farmers from across the country have gathered in Washington for a series of action team and committee meetings, Capitol Hill visits with lawmakers and the semi-annual Corn Congress, where grower-leaders from 28 states will elect five new members of the National Corn Growers Association Corn Board.

"While coming to our nation's capital to meet with our representatives in the federal government is always exciting, our work here comes at a critical period as the House considers the farm bill," NCGA President Garry Niemeyer said. "I look forward to a series of productive, engaging discussions that will help us develop a forward-facing, insightful policy that carries growers into the future."

The week begins today with action team and committee meetings running through the day Tuesday. NCGA's action teams and committees, small groups of growers charged with defining and implementing programs under their jurisdiction, work in a variety of subject areas to further the mission of NCGA in creating and increasing opportunities for corn growers. The major areas of focus include: ethanol; public policy; production and stewardship; trade policy and biotechnology; research and business development; and grower services.

On Wednesday morning, the Corn Congress holds its first session with a vote on the ratification of Martin Barbre of Illinois as first vice president for the 2013 fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1. The Congress will also elect five new board members. Time is set aside on Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning for Capitol Hill visits to senators, representatives and key staff.

"It's great to be able to get in and spend time with the lawmakers and their staff so they can hear our voices and see how important these issues are to us," Niemeyer said. "They always want to hear from the farmers personally and directly."

Corn Congress reconvenes after lunch Thursday with reports from the chairs of the action teams and committees and farewell remarks from outgoing board members.



CWT Assists with 10 Million Pounds of Butter and Cheese Export Sales

Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) has accepted seven requests for export assistance from Dairy Farmers of America, Darigold, Land O'Lakes and United Dairymen of Arizona to sell a total of 10.018 million pounds (4,544 metric tons) of butter and Cheddar cheese to customers in Asia, North Africa and the Middle East. The product will be delivered July through December 2012.

In 2012, CWT has assisted member cooperatives in making export sales of Cheddar, Monterey Jack and Gouda cheese totaling 66.6 million pounds, and butter and anhydrous milk fat totaling 54.8 million pounds, to 32 countries on four continents. On a butterfat basis, the milk equivalent of these exports is 1.812 billion pounds, or the same as the annual milk production of 86,200 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.



Foreign-born labor in agriculture focus of symposium

The future of foreign-born labor in U.S. agriculture was the subject of a two-day national symposium last week in Chicago.

A collaboration of AGree and Farm Foundation, NFP, the symposium was organized to increase understanding of the challenges and opportunities associated with foreign-born labor in U.S. agriculture; identify options for policies and programs to address these issues; and provide a forum for continuing conversations among key stakeholders.

In 2011, there were 40.3 million foreign-born immigrants in the United States, of which 37% were naturalized citizens, 31% had legal permanent resident status, and 11.1 million were unauthorized, according to Jeffrey S. Passel of the Pew Hispanic Center. Among the unauthorized migrants, about half are adults with children, some of whom are U.S. citizens.

About 75% of the hired workers in U.S. agriculture are foreign-born, and about half are unauthorized immigrants, according to Phil Martin of the University of California, Davis. Unauthorized workers are employed in fruit and vegetable production, livestock production and in the food processing sectors.

The 50 participants in last week's symposium included agricultural growers, leaders of farm worker organizations, and representatives of other organizations working on agricultural labor issues.

"We invited thought leaders in agriculture and labor to come together to have open and frank discussions about this very critical issue," said Deb Atwood, executive director of AGree. "The common goal of symposium participants was to identify ways to achieve a stable and legal workforce for U.S. agriculture."

"As we address the challenge of how to double food production by 2050, it is imperative that we fully understand the role of labor and the long-term implications of our reliance on a foreign-born workforce," said Neil Conklin, president of Farm Foundation, NFP.

Several themes emerged from the two-day discussion:
    The immigration system in the United States is broken, profoundly affecting agriculture and other key economic sectors.
    While agricultural labor issues are most commonly associated with fresh fruits and vegetables, foreign-born labor has a significant role in livestock production, grain production, and food processing.
    Agriculture has unique labor supply and demand challenges due, in part, to short harvest windows for crops, difficult working conditions and specialized skill requirements.
    A clear legal framework is needed that provides certainty to employers, as well as a secure work environment for workers and their families.
    Many employers and workers expressed interest in working together on this issue to find solutions.
    Policy reforms will be difficult to achieve unless workers and farmers speak with a single voice.
    The agriculture work force and the demand for food are global in nature.
    Education is needed to help the general public, as well as public and private decision makers, understand the issues and make informed public policy decisions.

A summary of the symposium discussions will be available in the next few weeks on the AGree website (www.foodandagpolicy.org) and the Farm Foundation website (www.farmfoundation.org).