Tuesday July 3 Ag News

Roadside Haying Date Advanced in Drought Stricken Counties

Governor Dave Heineman announced Monday July 2, that the start date for roadside haying will be moved up to July 3rd in designated counties, as a replacement for the original date of July 15th. The change comes due to the current drought in most parts of the state.

Nebraska Cattlemen is very appreciative of the quick response to their request for flexibility on the haying start date.  Because of this change, landowners will now have the ability to harvest the grass before quantity and quality are diminished further. The July 3rd roadside haying date is effective in the following counties:

Adams, Arthur, Banner, Blaine, Boyd, Box Butte, Brown, Chase, Cherry, Cheyenne, Custer, Dawes, Dawson, Deuel, Dundy, Franklin, Furnas, Frontier, Gage, Garden, Garfield, Gosper, Grant, Greeley, Harlan, Hayes, Hitchcock, Holt, Hooker, Howard, Jefferson, Kearney, Keith, Keya Paha, Kimball, Lincoln, Logan, Loup, McPherson, Morrill, Nuckolls, Pawnee Perkins, Phelps, Red Willow, Richardson, Rock, Scotts Bluff, Sheridan, Sherman, Sioux, Thayer, Thomas, Valley, and Webster.



National ASA Crop Production Drought Webinar July 11

The impact of this year's drought on crop production will be the focus of Managing Through the Drought, a July 11 webinar being hosted by the American Society of Agronomy.  It will be held from noon to 1:30 p.m. CT  A panel of experts will discuss drought-related topics, including assessing crops and their condition, management recommendations for various situations, risk management, and insurance. A question and answer session will follow the panel discussion.

Confirmed panelists:
-    Shawn Conley, PhD, Soybean and Wheat Extension Specialist, University of Wisconsin-Madison,
-    Emerson Nafziger, PhD, Professor of Crop Sciences and Extension Agronomist, University of Illinois - Urbana-Champaign,
-    Chad Lee, PhD, Grain Crops Extension Agronomist, University of Kentucky,
-    Brian Fuchs, MS, Climatologist, National Drout Mitigation Center, University of Nebraska,
-    Tim Hoffmann, Director of Product Administration and Standards, USDA Risk Management Agency

The webinar is for certified crop advisers, certified professional agronomists, ASA members, and the broader agricultural community.  The webinar is free, but pre-registration is required. Once registered, the webinar system will send participants a confirmation email with instructions on how to connect.

CEU Credits and Registration
CCA and CPAg credits will be available in the following categories: 1.5 CEUs in Crop Management. CPSS and CPSC: 1.5 CEUs in Professioal Meetings.  Register online for the American Society of Agronomy webinar, Managing Through the Drought... https://www2.gotomeeting.com/register/899025114.  



Feeding Quality Forum dates set for August

When you’re feeding cattle, information can be worth more than the feed. That’s why many customer- and consumer-oriented feeders plan to take in the 7th annual Feeding Quality Forum in Grand Island, Neb., on August 28th, or Amarillo, Texas, on August 30th.

Each year those who attend rate the forum as one of the best among such programs. “Our goal is to deliver timely information critical to managing a successful feedlot business that is focused on the high-quality beef market,” says Mark McCully, Certified Angus Beef LLC (CAB) assistant vice president for production.

Registration is $50 if submitted by August 6th; after that, space permitting, it will be $75. Informational sessions begin after the sign-in at 9:30 a.m. and a quick welcome at 10. 

First on the agenda and back by popular demand, Dan Basse, AgResource Company, will discuss market outlooks from local to global for protein “foodstuffs” and feedstuffs.   “Dan Basse is a staple on the program,” says McCully. “He always provides a timely and insightful perspective into the ever-changing commodity markets.” 

Next up, Shawn Walter, Professional Cattle Consultants, will share what his industry-leading database is telling him about the impact of increasing carcass weights on feeders, fabricators and foodservice businesses.

After the 12:15 lunch featuring the Certified Angus Beef brand, the afternoon session will move on to three more sessions: breaking down cutability and carcass merit, dealing with declining inventories amid excess feeding and packing capacity, and a perspective look into the current meat issues.   

The seminar, sponsored by Pfizer Animal Health, Land O’ Lakes Purina Mills, FEEDLOT magazine and CAB, should adjourn at approximately 4:15 p.m.

To register, visit www.CABpartners.com/events, or contact Marilyn Conley by phone at 800-225-2333, or by email at mconley@certifiedangusbeef.com. 



Thurston County FSA 2012 County Committee Election Nominations

The Thurston Farm Service Agency (FSA) county committee election nomination period began June 15, 2012.  County committee members provide input and make important decisions on the local administration of USDA disaster and conservation programs.  I encourage you to nominate farmer and rancher candidates to serve on the local FSA county committee by the August 1, 2012 deadline.  Additionally, I ask that you please post or publicize/distribute the attached news release and nomination form at your earliest convenience.  

To be eligible to serve on the FSA county committee, a person must participate or cooperate in a program administered by FSA, be eligible to vote in a county committee election, and reside in the local administrative area in which the person is a candidate.  Local Administrative Area #3 is up for election in 2012 and consists of Omaha, Blackbird, Dawes, and Anderson townships.

Producers may nominate themselves or others, and organizations representing minorities and women may also nominate candidates.  To become a candidate, an eligible individual must sign the nomination form FSA-669A.  The form and additional information about FSA county committee elections are available online at http://www.fsa.usda.gov/elections.  I have also attached a blank nomination form for your review.  Nomination forms for the 2012 election must be postmarked or received in the local FSA office by close of business on August 1.

FSA county committee members are reimbursed for their time and travel to participate in meetings at the Thurston County FSA Office.  Elected county committee members serve a three-year term and are responsible for making decisions on FSA disaster, conservation, commodity, and price support programs, as well as other important federal farm program issues.

Election ballots will be mailed to producers beginning November 5, 2012.  The voted ballots are due back to the local county office via mail or in person by December 3, 2012.

For more information about county committees, please contact the Thurston County FSA Office at (402) 846-5655 or visit www.fsa.usda.gov.



Iowa Cattlemen’s Association names winners of Carcass Challenge 

High quality at a moderate cost of production. That was the general measure used by the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association in its Carcass Challenge that wrapped up with awards on Monday,
July 2nd.

In its inaugural year, the top Carcass Challenge award with its $2000 cash prize was earned by a Cass County cattleman. Doug Steele of Steele Land & Livestock in Anita entered a steer in the contest that graded high select and had a ribeye area of more than 18 sq. inches. The calculated value for determining the placements is called Retail Value per Days on Feed or RVDoF. We’ll explain more of that later.

Other cash prize winners were Kenneth Blomme, Ladora, who won 2nd place and $1500; and Dianne Witt of Witt Cattle Co. in Arcadia, who placed 3rd and received $1000.  

Those placing in the top ten were: 4th – Mosher Angus-Hibbs Farms, Conrad; 5th- Triple U Ranch, Correctionville; 6th - Holz Brothers, Grand Junction and Greene County Cattlemen; 7th –Dunlap Livestock Auction, Dunlap; 8th- Nichols Farms, Bridgewater; 9th- Nodaway Valley Feeders, Nodaway, and 10th – Sterling Cattle Partners, Northwood. All top ten finishers received a Carcass Challenge Top Ten jacket.

The ICA Carcass Challenge was the first time in 25 years that any statewide carcass contest for cattle producers has been held in Iowa. It was organized by ICA’s Young Cattlemen’s Leadership Program (YCLP) as “an educational effort to stress that each step in the value-chain affects the end product,” said Kellie Carolan, ICA’s Seedstock Manager.

The RVDoF formula that determined the final ranking of the steers entered in the contest by selecting the cattle with the highest quality meat which produced the most pounds of beef in the days allowed. The value for the group averaged $5.44, with the top three entries producing values of $6.82, $6.79 and $6.71.

Carolan, who oversaw the contest, noted that “Genetics, feed regimen and technology all played a part in taking this set of 49 steers from an average delivery weight of 642 pounds to 1,390 pounds over a 6-month feeding period.”

Plans are underway for ICA’s next Carcass Challenge contest. The deadline for registering a spring 2012 steer for the contest is Oct. 1. Details and entry requirements can be found on the ICA website www.IAcattlemen.org under the ICA Programs tab. The 2012 YCLP class has reviewed the rules and is also seeking participants for the contest.



Iowa 4-H’ers Raise $27,000 in Annual Campaign

The largest and longest-running fundraising campaign conducted by Iowa 4-H members for 4-H members had another successful year.

“This year, 427 clubs representing 85 counties raised $27,115.67 to support Iowa youth,” said Kris Fish Kuhlmann, executive director of the Iowa 4-H Foundation.

In the past 27 years, Iowa 4-H members have contributed more than $700,000 to support Iowa 4-H programs and activities, Kuhlmann said. Iowa 4-H Youth Development is the youth program of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

“People and businesses invest money and resources in 4-H, because they see the positive things 4-H does for Iowa families and communities,” added Scott Mortimer, president of the Iowa 4-H Foundation.

Funds raised in the campaign help families involved in 4-H by providing financial assistance for program fees. The funds also help youth attend camps, conferences and other leadership activities.

The top fundraising counties for this year’s campaign were Webster, Johnson and Polk counties.

“This year’s campaign totals truly show the passion and dedication Iowa 4-H members have for this great program. I congratulate every person who was involved in this campaign,” Kuhlmann said.



NCGA Set New Membership Record in June

The National Corn Growers Association reached a new record high number of members - 37,447- at the end of June. The previous record of 37,231 was set in March 2012.

"The support for our work that this record demonstrates is inspiring," said NCGA President Garry Niemeyer, who farms near Auburn, Ill. "Increased membership makes it obvious that farmers value the activities and programs run by NCGA leadership and staff.  Now, we need to turn that membership into grassroots action that gets us to where we want to be as an industry."

NCGA membership offers many benefits, including leadership opportunities, academic scholarships and discounts.  Members play an active role in organizational leadership by shaping the direction of activities and influencing public policy that affects all farmers.  Additionally, membership provides valuable discounts with companies such as Office Depot, Dell, Cabela's, Ford and Enterprise, and special access to official NASCAR information, including discounted tickets and merchandise.

In addition to representing individual members, NCGA is part of a federation in cooperation with many state-level grower associations and checkoff boards.  More than 300,000 growers contribute to state and national organizations through corn checkoff funds in their states.

"As we face challenges in both maintaining support for renewable fuels and passing the farm bill legislation growers need to manage risk, the roll NCGA members play becomes vital to its effectiveness as an organization," Niemeyer said.  "To ensure that our legislators continue to value the critical role corn farmers play in our society, growers must work together through NCGA and state associations to leverage the industry's collective strength.  Together, growers' voices are magnified in Washington to ensure agricultural interests are not unceremoniously pushed to the wayside."



High Corn Prices Minimize the Impact of Indirect Land Use from Biofuels

A new study conducted by researchers at North Carolina State University and the University of Illinois at Chicago found a statistical correlation showing that as prices increase, farmers make changes that result in higher per acre yields. Farmers also react to lower prices. The study’s findings support the use of yield-price elasticity in indirect land use models, but found that commonly used models currently use factors at the low end of the actual range which underestimates real yield performance.

The study assessed two dimensions of this correlation known as yield-price elasticity: first, the extent to which realized yields tend to be influenced by planting-time futures prices; and second, the potential for in-season changes responding to significant price swings. The study found that not only do farmers respond to price from season to season, they also respond to price during the season in order to optimize productivity.  “Based on these findings there is no question that price has an effect on yields,” stated Jay Lynch, a farmer from Humboldt, Iowa and board director for the Iowa Corn Growers Association. “And given the factors involved in achieving higher yields, such as investment in new equipment, it is likely that new, higher yields resulting from high prices are sustained even after prices drop.”

The study adds to the growing body of evidence that actual indirect land use effects are lower than current models indicate and assumptions that high corn prices do not positively affect yields and productivity are not supported by research.

“It is a logical conclusion that when economic opportunity through greater efficiency is identified, investment occurs and results in the efficiencies that are targeted,” stated Dr. Barry K. Goodwin, study co-lead and distinguished professor, Departments of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Economics “In row crop production higher prices trigger positive changes to operations such as investments in better equipment and technology, better navigation and information systems, and so forth. The investment and changes triggered by the higher prices accelerate yield growth so that farms produce more per acre to fully capitalize on the market opportunity of higher prices. It’s a logic stream that holds up on the farm as well as other industries.”

The study results show statistically significant response to yield occurs when prices strengthen or fall early (February – April) in the growing season. The results were consistent with qualitative research indicating that seeding rates, farm equipment upgrades and field inputs are influenced during the season by early price swings. Farmers noted that seed selection, investment in equipment purchases, information and navigation systems and other capital investments were considered on a multi-year timeframe.

Dr. Steffen Mueller, study co-lead and principal economist for the Energy Resources Center at the University of Illinois at Chicago added, "This research is a positive step forward in understanding with higher certainty the land use effects of biofuels production and should be instructive to the research community and government."



Three Fertilizers Continue Move Lower

Retail fertilizer prices are basically steady with just three types reporting lower values of any statistical significance, according to data gathered by DTN for the fourth week of June 2012.  As has been the case the last couple of weeks, 10-34-0 and urea led the way to the low side. The starter fertilizer was 9% lower compared to a month earlier and had an average price of $709 per ton while urea was 6% less expensive and was at $724/ton.  Also lower was UAN32, which was 5% lower compared to the fourth week of May. The liquid fertilizer had an average price of $463/ton.

Three other fertilizers were also lower but none of them were down an amount of any consequence. MAP had an average price of $680/ton, potash $655/ton and UAN28 $416/ton.

Two fertilizers were up just slightly in price compared to a month earlier. DAP had an average price of $634/ton while anhydrous was at $772/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.79/lb.N, anhydrous $0.47/lb.N, UAN28 $0.74/lb.N and UAN32 $0.72/lb.N.

Only one of the eight major fertilizers is still showing double-digit increases in price compared to one year earlier. That fertilizer is urea. The nitrogen fertilizer is now 28% higher compared to last year.  Three fertilizers have seen just slight price increases compared to a year earlier. Potash is now 6% higher while UAN32 is 5% more expensive and UAN28 is 1% higher.  The remaining four fertilizers are now actually lower compared to June 2011. 10-34-0 is now 13% lower, DAP is 8% less expensive, MAP has decreased 4% and anhydrous is now 1% lower compared to last year.



No Fueling Freedom for Independence Day

It's been about three weeks since the "final hurdle" to sales of 15% ethanol blended fuel was overcome, but as we celebrate our nation's independence this week it will still be without the freedom to choose that fuel at the pump.

The independent Linn Co-op Oil Company in Marion, Iowa was all set to be the first in the nation to sell 15% ethanol blended gasoline to customers, but they can't get the fuel to sell it. "We just on June 15 got the approval from EPA that we could sell E15 to 2001 and newer vehicles," said said Jim Becthold, service manager of Linn Co-op Oil Company. "We can't get the blend stocks to blend with the alcohol to be able to sell E15 in the summer months, from June 1 to September 15. We can sell it through the winter but we can't sell it in the summer."

According to federal fuel regulations, the gasoline blendstock needed to blend E15 during the summer is different from the gasoline blendstock for E10. The refiners who control what products go into pipelines that feed the fuel terminal for the Cedar Rapids area have refused to provide E15 blendstock anywhere in Iowa.

E15 "What we should be celebrating on the Independence Day holiday is the nation's first E15 retailer," said Iowa Renewable Fuels Association Executive Director Monte Shaw. "Instead, what we're expressing frustration that the oil companies can use their monopoly over the pipelines to limit fuel choices."

Shaw says they looked into having the correct fuel trucked in from Kansas City, but that would cost 17.5 cents per gallon in transportation costs. "E15 is going to sell 5-10 cents a gallon cheaper, but if you're adding 17.5 cents in transportation costs, all of the sudden you're upside down and it doesn't make any sense."

The same problem applies to any retailer in Iowa or anywhere not near a source for low Reid Vapor Pressure, or RVP, gasoline. "We have asked the EPA to consider granting a one pound waiver to E15 similar to what E10 gets or take the waiver away," said Shaw. "So far, EPA has said it will take Congressional action to this."

However, Shaw says refiners can actually make the decision themselves to serve the market. "Iowa has retailers that want to sell E15, it's got consumers that want to buy E15, so the demand is there," he said.



Canadian, US biofuel leaders praise partnership between nations

The Canadian Renewable Fuels Association (CRFA) and the U.S. Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) today sent a letter to leaders in both governments praising the United States - Canada Clean Energy Dialogue Action Plan II released in Rio de Janeiro on June 21.  The Action Plan focuses on developing clean energy technologies, including biofuels,  that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and foster collaboration between countries.

“On behalf of the biofuels industry in both the United States and Canada, we commend you for continuing the vital partnership between our nations in developing and deploying clean energy technologies,” wrote CRFA President W. Scott Thurlow and RFA President and CEO Bob Dinneen.  “These technologies will be critical in solving the energy and environmental challenges of the future while creating exciting new career opportunities for hundreds of thousands of our citizens.”

In the letter sent to Canadian Ministers Peter Kent of Environment Canada and Joe Oliver of Natural Resources Canada and their American counterparts Energy Secretary Steven Chu and Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lisa Jackson, the groups underscored the significant contributions biofuels are already making to each nation’s energy, environmental, and economic goals.

“As you are well aware, no clean energy technology has had more of an impact in helping reduce oil dependence, improve environmental conditions, and create jobs than the growth of biofuel production,” the leaders wrote.  “All told, the production of over 15 billion gallons (56 billion litres) of renewable fuel in North America is directly responsible for more than 100,000 jobs, hundreds of millions of barrels of oil displacement, and fewer greenhouse gas emissions from the transportation sector.”

The groups also noted that simple actions taken by each nation in conjunction with the other would speed the use of higher level ethanol and other biofuel blends and bring new technologies to the market.

“Simple actions, such as more collaboration between our nations’ fuel standards bodies, ASTM and CGSB, to approve higher ethanol and renewable fuel blends for public use more rapidly and the adoption of sound, scientifically-justified greenhouse gas accounting would dramatically improve the prospects for more immediate growth and innovation in clean energy production,” Thurlow and Dinneen wrote.  “Likewise, continued support for stable and forward-looking public policy encouraging the production and use of renewable fuels will be critical as these new technologies emerge. All of these actions are consistent with the pledge by Prime Minister Harper and President Obama to pursue regulatory integration where it is appropriate and will effectively safeguard the environment and health of our citizens.”

The leaders concluded, “As representatives of our nations’ biofuel industry, we commend you for your leadership on these important issues,” the leaders wrote.  “We also make available any and all resources we have at our disposal to assist in helping make the Action Plan II a success.  To that end, we hope you will consider including both the Renewable Fuels Association and the Canadian Renewable Fuels Association in the working group on these issues, and particularly the working group studying the swift adoption of advanced biofuels.  The expertise and experience of the members and staffs of our associations are unparalleled and would add valuable insight into this important and ongoing effort.”



Australia Bureau: Pacific Climate Indicators Point to El Nino

Climate indicators in the Pacific continue to show a shift towards an El Nino climate event in the coming months, the Australia Bureau of Meteorology reported Tuesday.

Eastern and central tropical Pacific Ocean temperatures have continued to rise over the past two weeks, trade winds have remained weaker than normal and the Southern Oscillation Index has become more strongly negative over the past month--all indicators that point to an El Nino developing, the bureau reported.

"Tropical Pacific Ocean observations are consistent with previous and current climate model forecasts, which have indicated that the tropical Pacific may approach or exceed El Nino thresholds sometime between mid-winter and spring," it said in a two-weekly review.



Grange Recognizes 150th Anniversary of Morrill Act

The National Grange today is celebrating the 150th anniversary of the creation of the Public Land-Grant University System, established under the Morrill Act of 1862.

The legislation, better known as the Morrill Land Grant Act, named after its sponsor, Justin Morrill, founded the system of federal funding for public institutions that agreed to "teach such branches of learning as are related to agriculture and the mechanic arts ... in order to promote the liberal and practical education of the industrial classes..." 

"Tens of millions of Americans, many of whom are or have been Grange members, have benefited from the educational opportunities extended as a result of the Morrill Act," National Grange President Ed Luttrell said. "As we look forward to our own 150th anniversary in 2017, we understand the importance of celebrating roots, heritage, success and impact over a century and a half."

Under the Morrill Act, each state received 30,000 acres of federal land for every member of Congress representing their state. Total, the Act allocated 17,400,000 acres of land that provided an endowment of $7.55 million in 1862.

The Act helped spark the establishment and growth of numerous universities, including the University of California, Kansas State University, and Rutgers University. Today, more than 100 Land-Grant colleges and universities are in operation.

The state of Iowa was the first to accept funds provided by the Act, which helped to grow Ames College, now known as Iowa State University, still in the top ten agricultural schools in the United States.

 "Many top institutions of higher education are Land-Grant colleges and universities that continue to advance knowledge and research in the field of agriculture," Luttrell said. "Without the foresight of Congress in 1862, American agriculture could not have grown and prospered so much in the past 150 years, today providing food, fiber and fuel for our nation and much of the world."

Although provision six of the Morrill Act originally stated; "No State while in a condition of rebellion or insurrection against the government of the United States shall be entitled to the benefit of this act," the Act was eventually extended to all Southern states as well.

As part of the celebration, the National Grange is asking any Grange member who is a graduate of a Public Land-Grant University to submit their information for recognition. Specifically, members should submit their information using the form on the National Grange website under News called "Land-Grant Alumni Members" by Oct. 2. Information for deceased members may be submitted as well.