Friday August 24 Ag News

Pro Farmer 2012 Corn, Soybean Crop Estimates

2012 U.S. corn crop at 10.478 billion bu.; avg. yield 120.25 bu. per acre
+/- 1% = 10.374 billion bu. to 10.583 billion bu.; 119.05 bu. to 121.45 bu. per acre

2012 U.S. soybean crop at 2.60 billion bu.; avg. yield of 34.8 bu. per acre
+/- 2% = 2.548 billion bu. to 2.652 billion bu.; 34.1 bu. to 35.5 bu. per acre

NOTE: We’ve made some adjustments to the acreage assumptions. Based on FSA certified acreage data we anticipate increases in planted acreage for both corn and soybeans. However, we are anticipating a harvested acreage percentage of 89.5% for corn and a slight downward adjustment in the harvested acreage percentage for soybeans.

CORN
Ohio: 124 bu. per acre. The Midwest drought started in northwest Ohio. South and east of there extreme moisture and heat stress will guarantee below-average corn yields.
Indiana: 101 bu. per acre. Eastern Indiana showed extreme drought stress. A lack of ears and grain length pulled yields down.
Illinois: 116 bu. per acre. The eastern half of Illinois was the epicenter of this summer’s drought — and it was proven by this year’s Tour. Corn yields were better in some western and northern areas of the state, but standability is a major issue.
Iowa: 139 bu. per acre. Corn yields in the western one-third of the state were down 11% from last year, but the real problem is in the eastern two thirds of the state. Iowa’s early start to the growing season turned into a mid-season nightmare for corn trying to pollinate and fill kernels.
Minnesota: 152 bu. per acre. Crop District 7 is the problem in Minnesota as is the western half of Crop District 8. Corn yield and plant health improved dramatically in the eastern half of the state where yield potential is very good.
Nebraska: 138 bu. per acre. Kernel size is the villain in Nebraska, and that is what makes the husker state a swing state on corn yields. Even irrigated yields were off about 10% from year-ago, while dryland corn yields will be determined by kernel size.
South Dakota: 85 bu. per acre. We hit South Dakota hard on harvested acres and yield. This was absolutely the worst corn crop we’ve sampled since 1998 when the Crop Tour started in the western Belt.

SOYBEANS
Ohio: 40 bu. per acre. In addition to low pod counts, heavy weed pressure in some of the state may hold down yields even more than indicated on the Tour.
Indiana: 36 bu. per acre. This is where we started to see the trend of pods not forming on the lower half of plants. The lack of production factory hurts yield potential.
Illinois: 36 bu. per acre. The crop must work to hold onto what yield potential is there, as the crop is done blooming. Extremely dry soils could lead to pod abortion and further reduction in yields.
Iowa: 41 bu. per acre. Iowa’s soybeans are the “least bad” of a disappointing western Corn Belt bean crop. A lack of soil moisture at Tour time nearly guarantees a smaller-than-normal bean size will weigh on average yields.
Minnesota: 36.5 bu. per acre. Crop Tour pod counts were even worse than expected. The growing season for northern Corn Belt beans seems to have put stress on yield potential from planting through Tour time.
Nebraska: 42 bu. per acre. Even in a drought year, Nebraska’s ability to give beans a drink when they need it will keep the state at the top of the nation’s soybean yields.
South Dakota: 28 bu. per acre. Soybeans haven’t earned a spot under pivots in South Dakota yet. As a result, we see serious sub-30 yield potential for beans.
General Observation: The bean crop from Ohio to Nebraska needs a drink right now to realize these yield estimates.




Secretary of Ag Panel to Kick off Heuermann Lectures

Four former U.S. secretaries of agriculture – two with Nebraska ties – are the lead-off speakers when the second season of Heuermann Lectures begins at 7:30 p.m. Friday, Sept. 28, at the Lied Center for Performing Arts, 12th and R.

The four former agricultural secretaries – U.S. Sen. Mike Johanns, Clayton Yeutter, John Block and Dan Glickman – will discuss "The Land-Grant Mission of 2012 – Transforming Agriculture for the 2050 World."

Panel moderators are Jeff Raikes, chief executive officer of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and Ronnie Green, University of Nebraska vice president and Harlan vice chancellor, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

Heuermann Lectures in IANR at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln focus on providing and sustaining enough food, natural resources and renewable energy for the people of the world, and on securing the sustainability of rural communities where the vital work of producing food and renewable energy occurs.

Heuermann Lectures are free, but the Sept. 28 lecture requires tickets, which are available free from the Lied Center ticket office beginning Aug. 28 – 402-472-4747 in Lincoln; 1-800-432-3231 outside the Lincoln area.  Unclaimed tickets will be released at 7:15 p.m. that night.

The Sept. 28 Heuermann Lecture will be streamed live at http://heuermannlectures.unl.edu, and broadcast live nationally on RFD-TV and RURAL TV.

This lecture is the highlight of a week celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Morrill Act, which created land-grant universities. Events throughout the week are found at http://landgrant.unl.edu. 

Other Heuermann Lectures in the 2012-2013 season are:

*Thursday, Nov. 15 – "Where America Must Lead:  Ensuring the World Can Feed its People;"  3:30 p.m., Hardin Hall auditorium, 33rd and Holdrege.  A 3 p.m. reception in the Hardin Hall lobby precedes the lecture.    Catherine Bertini, 2003 World Food Prize Laureate and professor of public administration and international relations at Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University, and co-chair of the Global Agricultural Development Initiative, The Chicago Council on Global Affairs, is the Heuermann lecturer.

*Friday, Nov. 30 – "Recent and Prospective Developments in Agricultural Trade Policies;" 3:30 p.m., Hardin Hall.  A 3 p.m. reception precedes the lecture.  Kym Anderson is the lecturer.  He is George Gollin Professor of Economics, The University of Adelaide, and professor of economics at Australian National University, and a former researcher at the World Trade Organization and the World Bank, with expertise in global food and agricultural policies and market trends.  This lecture is jointly sponsored with the Clayton Yeutter International Trade Center Program funded by the U.S. Department of Commerce, International Trade Administration.

*Tuesday, Jan. 15 – "Improving Animal Welfare and Communication with the Public;" 7 p.m. Hardin Hall, reception following.  Temple Grandin, professor of animal sciences at Colorado State University and author of several books including "Livestock Handling and Transport" and "Thinking in Pictures," is the Heuermann lecturer.

*Tuesday, Feb. 12 – "Tomorrow's Table:  Organic Farming, Genetics, and the Future of Food;"  3:30 p.m., Hardin Hall; 3 p.m. reception.  Heuermann lecturers are Pamela Ronald and Raoul Adamchak.  Pamela Ronald is a professor in the Department of Plant Pathology and the Genome Center at the University of California, Davis, and director of grass genetics at the Joint BioEnergy Institute, while her husband Raoul Adamchak is market garden coordinator at the U.S. Davis Student Farm, where he teaches organic agriculture.  They are co-authors of the book "Tomorrow's Table:  Organic Farming, Genetics, and the Future of Food."

*Tuesday, April 9 –"The Global Food System and Related Policy Challenges;" 3:30 p.m., Hardin Hall; 3 p.m. reception.  Per Pinstrup-Andersen, 2001 World Food Prize Laureate, is the Heuermann lecturer.  He is H.E. Babcock Professor of Food, Nutrition and Public Policy, J. Thomas Clark Professor of Entrepreneurship and professor of Applied Economics at Cornell University.

Heuermann Lectures are made possible through a gift from B. Keith and Norma Heuermann of Phillips, long-time university supporters with a strong commitment to Nebraska's production agriculture, natural resources, rural areas and people.



Nebraska Farmers and Ranchers Challenge Gov. Heineman’s Claims about Agriculture and HSUS

A group of farmers and ranchers who are members of the Nebraska Agriculture Council of The Humane Society of the United States today sent a letter  to Gov. Dave Heineman challenging his repeated claims about agriculture and The HSUS. The group of Nebraska farmers and ranchers says that Gov. Heineman’s actions are hurting family farms, and he should cease his divisive rhetoric such as recently saying he wants to “kick [The HSUS’] butt.”

Included with the letter was a copy of the Nebraska Agriculture Council of The HSUS’ video demonstrating the collaborative efforts of the council to restore sustainable, more humane agriculture to the state. The group of Nebraska farmers and ranchers has also requested a meeting with Gov. Heineman to discuss their work of promoting sustainable agriculture.

“We are deeply committed to opening markets for humane, sustainable family farmers and ranchers,” the group of Nebraska farmers and ranchers wrote in the letter to the governor. “Our effort will help put the farmers and ranchers and their animals back on the land right here at home, and restore our rural communities to prosperity.”

The Nebraska Farmers Union, one of the oldest farm organizations in the state, joined with The HSUS to form the Nebraska Agriculture Council with the goal of bringing local livestock producers and humane-minded consumers to the table to discuss ways to increase access to products from family farms that promote animal welfare and do not use industrial methods such as extreme confinement in crates and cages. The council aims to open markets for family farmers and help to grow healthy rural economies.

Members of the Nebraska Agriculture Council of The HSUS include:
-    Kevin Fulton, operator of Fulton Farms, a 2,800-acre organic grazing operation where he produces and markets grass-fed beef and does custom grazing.
-    Jim Knopik, founder and manager of North Star Neighbors which sells beef, pork, lamb, chicken, turkey and duck.
-    Doug Dittman, co-owner and operator of Branched Oak Farm, a certified organic dairy with an on-farm creamery.
-    Martin Kleinschmidt, a Nebraska cattle rancher with 40 years of experience as a sustainable farmer.
-    Jon Yoachim, owner and operator of Open Sky Farm, which uses sustainable practices to raise cattle, sheep, pigs, chickens, ducks, and turkeys, as well as fruits and vegetables.

The values espoused by the Nebraska Agriculture Council of The HSUS are in line with consumer preferences evidenced by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's rural poll in July of 2011. The poll showed that 69 percent of rural respondents believe that animal welfare includes adequate exercise, space and activities, as well as food, water and shelter. In fact, since February of this year, dozens of corporations, such as McDonald’s and Cracker Barrel, have recognized this demand for more humane products and are requiring that their supply chains end the use of gestation crates for sows.



NDA HOSTS 2nd ANNUAL DRY BEAN SEMINAR IN CHINA

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture, along with representatives of the Nebraska Dry Bean Commission and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, today hosted the second annual seminar on the usage of dry edible beans in food manufacturing in China.  The event, held in Beijing, was attended by over 100 participants representing major Chinese food manufacturers and Chinese food and nutrition researchers.

"This year's event is a follow up to the initial conference held last year in Beijing," said Agriculture Director Greg Ibach.  "There is great interest in China in adding nutritional value to their foods, and Nebraska's dry edible beans hold great promise to assist Chinese food companies with that effort.  The Chinese market is huge, so collaborative efforts such as this event hold great potential for our agriculture industry.

"I feel like this really is a game-changer for Nebraska dry beans," Ibach said.

The Nebraska Dry Bean Commission and the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, through its specialty crop block grant program, have provided research funding to University of Nebraska‑Lincoln researchers to study ways to incorporate more dry edible beans in food products and to understand all the positive health effects of dry edible beans.  The results of this ongoing research were presented at the event.

"By working collaboratively with appropriate officials in China, and our UNL partners, we hope to increase marketing opportunities for Nebraska dry edible beans," said Cindi Allen, producer from Ogallala and a member of the Nebraska Dry Bean Commission.  "I am excited that the attendance at this year's conference doubled from last year."

Other sponsors of the Beijing conference include the Chinese Institute of Food Science and Technology, the Agricultural Trade Office of the U.S. Embassy in China, and the United States Department of Agriculture.

Nebraska presenters at the conference included: Dr. Wajira Ratnayake, research assistant professor at The Food Processing Center at UNL; Dr. Devin Rose, assistant professor, Food Science and Technology at UNL; and Dr. Beth Arndt, director of research and development for ConAgra Foods, and adjunct professor, Food Science and Technology at UNL.



Red Meat Production Up from Last Year

Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 3.94 billion pounds in July, up 4 percent from the 3.79 billion pounds produced in July 2011.

Beef production, at 2.20 billion pounds, was 3 percent above the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.79 million head, up 1 percent from July 2011. The average live weight was up 23 pounds from the previous year, at 1,295 pounds.

Veal production totaled 9.5 million pounds, 6 percent below July a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 67,500 head, down 8 percent from July 2011. The average live weight was down 4 pounds from last year, at 241 pounds.

Pork production totaled 1.72 billion pounds, up 5 percent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 8.57 million head, up 5 percent from July 2011. The average live weight was up 1 pound from the previous year, at 269 pounds.

Lamb and mutton production, at 12.5 million pounds, was up 14 percent from July 2011. Sheep slaughter totaled 178,600 head, 9 percent above last year. The average live weight was 140 pounds, up 7 pounds from July a year ago.

January to July 2012 commercial red meat production was 28.2 billion pounds, up 1 percent from 2011. Accumulated beef production was down 1 percent from last year, veal was down 8 percent, pork was up 3 percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was up 3 percent.



USGC Provides Global Corn Market Overview

With the U.S. corn crop expected to be short following the drought this year, global grain buyers are looking for options to help contain costs. At the same time, farmers in exporting countries around the globe are looking to take advantage of current prices by growing and shipping more corn and coarse grains to willing buyers.

Argentina is the world's second-largest corn exporter, and some farmers there are looking to plant their 2012-13 crop early in hopes of taking advantage of recent rains and the run-up in prices due to the drought in the United States.

A U.S. Grains Council consultant said corn exports for the country's marketing year are approximately 13.5 million tons. However, traders in the region are expecting the government to approve export licenses for another 1.5 million to 2.0 million tons in September. That would bring exports from the country close to the 16.0 million in exports projected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture in its August global supply and demand report.

The consultant said Argentina corn exports are ahead of last year and about half of cthe ountry's exports go to Colombia, South Korea, Malaysia and Peru. While USDA lowered its estimate of Chinese corn imports for the year, the former director of the China's State Administration of Grain said China could look to buy some of its corn needs from Argentina or other exporters, as U.S. corn is priced out of the local market. USDA estimates 2012-13 average U.S. corn prices to be in the $7.50-8.90 per bushel ($295-350 per ton) range.

USDA estimates China's corn production at 200 million tons for the year, although officials in the country are saying the crop may be around 197 million tons. The U.S. Grains Council's Beijing office conducted a north China crop tour in July and found a large crop, but the Council will conduct its fall China harvest tour in September to help global grain traders get a better understanding of the country's 2012-13 crop.

Corn production in and exports from the Former Soviet Union (FSU) and Ukraine were lowered this month, as were total coarse grains in the two Black Sea exporting regions, due to warm and dry conditions. Wheat exports were lowered by 4 million tons to 8 million tons in Russia but were increased by 2 million tons to 6 million tons in exports for Ukraine. Wheat's importance grows as a feed source as corn prices rise.

As for corn, Ukraine's exports were lowered 1.5 million tons to 12.5 million, while FSU exports were lowered 1.5 million tons to 14.4 million.

Bill Tierney, chief economist with Chicago-based AgResource Co., told a news service that buyers will not be taken by surprise should Russia and Ukraine move to curtail exports as they did in 2010. While governments of both countries have moved to assure buyers there will be no export ban – or de facto ban – the concern still exists. Some traders said they expect exports in the region to end late this year.

Russia enters the World Trade Organization this week, but analysts have said that would not prevent the country from imposing quotes, taxes or embargoes to protect its own supply.

"Whether Ukraine or Russia moves to halt or slow exports remains to be seen. Certainly buyers are leery, which makes an important point that is difficult to rebuild trust and reliability once you shut the door," said Cary Sifferath, who operates the U.S. Grains Council's office in Tunis, Tunisia.

Other grain producers of interest
-    USDA estimated Brazil's corn exports at 14.0 million tons for 2012-13, on par with last year.
-    South Africa lowered corn production forecast marginally to 10.8 million tons. This may tighten the country's balance sheet for 2012-13. The country has exported more than 290,000 tons of white corn to Mexico this year.
-    Dry conditions are impacting crops in several regions of India and will likely reduce production figures. USDA, however, still anticipates the country will still export wheat, rice, cotton and soybean meal this year.




Texas Governor Joins Coalition in Requesting Ethanol Waiver

The request for Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Lisa Jackson to waive the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) mandate is gaining even more traction across the country, with Gov. Rick Perry (R-Texas) announcing that his state is joining the coalition. Texas joins more than 180 members of Congress, the governors of Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia, Maryland, New Mexico and North Carolina, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and other livestock groups in requesting that relief from high corn prices be brought to the thousands of producers who are struggling to feed their animals amid the worst drought in roughly 50 years.

“Texas is the largest beef cattle state in the country. By Gov. Perry announcing that his state is joining this coalition and expressing their support for waiving the RFS, it’s evident that cattlemen and women nationwide are continuing to experience the negative effects of this drought,” said Bob McCan, NBCA Vice President and cattleman from Victoria, Texas. “The coalition’s request is simple — EPA must waive the RFS. The mandate creates an uneven playing field for farmers and ranchers, and has directly affected the cost of feed in agricultural parts of the country, which could lead to an increase in food prices for consumers.”

Under the RFS requirements, 13.2 billion gallons of corn-based ethanol must be produced in 2012 and 13.8 billion gallons in 2013, amounts that will use about 40 percent of the nation’s corn crop. Due to this year’s crippling drought, some agricultural forecasters now are estimating that just 11.8 billion bushels of corn will be harvested this year, meaning corn-ethanol production will use about four of every 10 bushels.

As of August 2012, more than 70 percent of cattle country was reported by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to be in drought conditions. The center of the drought is in the Midwest and southern Great Plains, where months of record breaking heat starting in March and below average spring precipitation helped create the now record drought conditions. Much of the country’s crop production has been hindered by the drought, and crop prices are reaching near all-time highs. Jim Peters, Chairman of the Texas Cattle Feeders Association (TCFA) said the organization appreciates Gov. Perry’s support and leadership on this issue.

"I'm not sure how anyone could still believe that the RFS isn’t a market distorting government policy that props up the ethanol industry at the expense of livestock producers and consumers,” Peters said. “I'm pleased that a growing number of bipartisan governors and members of Congress from around the country agree with Gov. Perry and are requesting a common sense waiver that will provide livestock producers and consumers with some relief from this ill-conceived, economically harmful federal policy.”



New Japanese Biotech Regulators Get Firsthand View of US Corn from Production to Port

Japanese government biotechnology regulatory officials, like other Japanese central government officers, rotate every two to four years. Keeping new officials fully informed of the latest issues in biotech is a constant challenge. Last week, in cooperation with the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, the U.S. Grains Council hosted a team of Japanese regulators, who visited the United States to learn about the scientific risk assessment of U.S. agricultural biotech products and the production and trade of such products.

The team first travelled to a grain export terminal in New Orleans, where they met with scientists who conduct tests for biotechnology varieties in grain shipments. They then travelled to Iowa to visit member companies and a farmer cooperative. While in Iowa, they visited Gordon Wassenaar's farm and saw firsthand that biodiversity exists in and around fields where biotech crops are cultivated. To close the week, the team met with representatives from the life science companies and U.S. government regulators in Washington, D.C.

The trip was successful in educating the Japanese regulators on the structure of the bulk grain system, the pipeline for upcoming biotech products, and the benefits of biotechnology for growers. These team visits are critical to ensuring the continued free flow of U.S. biotech corn to Japan and minimizing the risk of trade disruption by unnecessary regulatory actions.



Russia Enters WTO; U.S. PNTR Still Pending
(from NAWG newsletter)
Russia officially joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) this week, ending the longest negotiations in the history of the trade body, having first submitted an application for membership in 1993. Despite this achievement, the United States has yet to grant the country permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) status, which the WTO mandates all countries do for other members. Russia has been granted normal trading relations status by the U.S. on an annual basis since the early 1990s, but this designation must be made permanent for the U.S. to fully enjoy the benefits of Russia’s WTO membership. Committees in both the House and Senate have approved measures to grant PNTR to Russia and Moldova but action has yet to happen in either full chamber.

Russia’s WTO accession will provide the U.S. and other WTO members improved trade access to that market and stronger mechanisms to enforce the country’s commitments to domestic supports, export subsidies and state trading enterprise disciplines. The Joint International Trade Policy Committee between NAWG and U.S. Wheat Associates, which recommends trade policy to both wheat organizations’ boards of directors, has approved a resolution supporting giving Russia PNTR status.



ASA and NCGA Team Up to Host Biotech Forum

The American Soybean Association (ASA) and the National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) hosted a Biotech Forum on Aug. 22, in St. Louis, which brought together stakeholders representing various sectors of the biotech industry. ASA President Steve Wellman and NCGA Chairman Bart Schott moderated the meeting. The group took an in-depth look at the biotech regulatory landscapes in China and the European Union, as well as in the U.S., the establishment of both domestic and international low-level presence policies, and opportunities and challenges the U.S. agriculture industry faces in foreign markets for pre-commercialization approvals. A panel moderated by ASA CEO Steve Censky discussed ways for all stakeholders to ensure that new technology can become commercially available to farmers while not disrupting grain trade and market access worldwide.

"The groups gathered here today are united in our effort to establish a better and moreconsistent system of communication on issues that affect commercialization and trade in biotech soybeans and corn," said Wellman in his comments to open the Forum. "In addition to the farmers that rely on these tools to remain competitive in the face of ever-growing global demand and competition, those processors, technology providers, seed companies, grain elevators, exporters and countless other partners down the supply chain are equally invested in the system’s efficiency. Just as farmers are eager for new biotech traits, our grain industry partners are eager to ensure that the trade in biotech commodities is protected.

"In this sense, we all share a common interest in ensuring a seamless flow from field to market, both domestically and abroad. The better we can communicate on potential problem areas at all points in the supply chain, the less likely that chain is to be broken."

Farmer leaders from ASA’s Biotech Working Group participated in the Forum, as well as representatives of the following organizations: NCGA Biotech Group Members, United Soybean Board, U.S. Soybean Export Council, Cargill, Monsanto, U.S. Grains Council, Biotechnology Industry Organization, Corn Refiners Association, DuPont Pioneer, Bunge North America, National Grain and Feed Association, North American Export Grain Association, National Oilseed Processors Association, Bayer Crop Science, American Seed Trade Association, Louis Dreyfus, Syngenta, Snack Foods Association, Dow AgroSciences, Consolidated Grain and Barge, BASF, Archer Daniels Midland Co., and Global Alliance for Ag Biotech Trade.



USFRA Continues Search for the Face of Farming and Ranching

USFRA Faces of Farming The deadline is approaching for the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance's "Faces of Farming and Ranching" to help put a real face on agriculture and show its true spirit. A proud affiliate and board member of USFRA, NCGA urges interested farmers to consider this opportunity.

"I've met a lot of corn growers with inspiring stories to share about what they do and the passion that helps make their stories more meaningful," said NCGA Chairman Bart Schott, a grower from North Dakota who also serves as USFRA vice-chair.  "This is a terrific opportunity to help them share their personal story with new, larger audiences while helping highlight agriculture's continuous commitment to improvement. Now is the time to raise our voices and tell our real story."

USFRA is looking for standout farmers and ranchers, farming-ranching couples and/or families who are proud of what they do, eager to share their stories of continuous improvement with others and are actively involved today in telling those stories. As USFRA is committed to showing the incredible diversity within American agriculture, farmers and ranchers from different commodity groups, production practices, sizes and geographies are encouraged to apply.

Next week at the popular Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa, USFRA will staff a booth in the Livestock Industries Tent, and farmers are encouraged to stop by and shoot a short three-minute-or-less video and fill out a brief application.

Entries will be accepted until September 8, at www.FoodDialogues.com. Ten to 15 finalists will be announced at the November Food Dialogues event in New York City. This national announcement will open a public online voting period where visitors will be invited to vote for their favorite candidates. Those votes will be factored into the decision to determine "The Faces of Farming and Ranching."

Winners will be announced in early January 2013 based on votes and the recommendation of a panel of judges. Those winners will serve in multiple high-visibility roles on behalf of USFRA, participating in a number of activities including national media interviews, advertising and public appearances. For their time, they will receive a $10,000 stipend as well as a $5,000 donation to their preferred agriculture-related or local charity in their name (charities must be pre-approved by USFRA). They will also receive professional speaker/media training.



Drought Conditions Strain Nebraska Agriculture
Congressman Jeff Fortenberry

Last week I crossed the Platte River south of Columbus and overlooked a river of sand.  You could walk from bank to bank without getting your feet wet. From areas surrounding Norfolk and Oakland in northeast Nebraska to Lincoln and Nebraska City in the southeast, the landscape vividly displayed the devastating effects of this summer’s drought.  Brown and shriveled corn plants withered in their rows.  Several fields had already been chopped for silage for livestock feed. One elderly farmer told me he had seen things this bad only one other time in his life. While the town hall meetings I held this month centered mostly on America’s fiscal situation, Nebraskans know very well how important a vibrant agricultural sector is to our nation’s well-being.

The numbers tell the story of the seriousness of this drought - not only across our state but also across the nation.  More than 60 percent of land in the lower 48 states is in some stage of drought.  In Nebraska, nearly 25 percent of the state is in what is considered “exceptional drought,” the most severe classification under the U.S. Drought Monitor.  Almost all of the rest of the state falls into the “extreme drought” category.  The relentless heat, with consecutive strings of 100 degree days in July, broke records throughout the state.  The impacts of the extreme heat and lack of rain are now becoming clear: like other farm states across the Midwest, Nebraska crop yield estimates are down dramatically – 14 percent lower for corn and 30 percent lower for soybeans.

Some options for emergency relief have become available to ag producers.  All counties in Nebraska were made eligible for grazing and haying on Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres.  Natural disaster designations, which allow farmers to apply for emergency loan assistance, are also available in counties across the state.  To learn more about these resources and others at the state and federal level, please visit the state website, http://www.droughtcentral.nebraska.gov/

In the town hall meeting discussions, I was asked about the Farm Bill and its prospects of passage this year.  The bill, which sets agricultural policy for the nation and is typically reformed and reauthorized every five years, is set to expire September 30.  It directs policies and administers programs relating to crop management, conservation, energy, and nutrition assistance.  In fact, 80 percent of the bill’s spending is now directed to nutrition programs.  It also helps farmers plan for ways to mitigate risk during natural disasters, such as this year’s drought.

Congress needs to pass a new Farm Bill.  In June, the Senate approved its version of the Farm Bill on a vote of 64–35. The House Agriculture Committee, on which I serve, approved its version of the legislation on July 12.  I voted for the measure, which was approved on a bipartisan vote of 35-11.  But the Farm Bill has not yet been scheduled for a vote before the entire House of Representatives.

While the proposal passed by the House Ag Committee is not perfect, it provides adequate stabilization policies for farmers and ranchers, supports young and beginning farmers and ranchers, and embraces new market opportunities domestically and internationally while still reducing spending.  The proposal charts a new way forward for America's farmers and ranchers while respecting the federal government's severe budgetary constraints with program reductions.

Not many Americans fully understand the importance of agriculture to our country.  However, this year’s incredible drought conditions are helping increase awareness of where our nation’s food supply comes from.  It is important that all Americans understand that agriculture's benefits to our nation go far beyond food security; it stabilizes and strengthens our economy, increases our energy independence, and builds new opportunities in rural America.

The effects of the drought of 2012 are potentially far-reaching and much deeper than we now know.  In a bipartisan and collaborative fashion, Congress should move quickly to meet its obligation and pass new farm legislation.  Time is running short.  When Congress reconvenes, I am hopeful the House of Representatives as a whole will act on this important policy on behalf of farmers, rural America, and all Americans who benefit from the reliability and affordability of our nation’s food supply.