Monday August 6 Ag News

Fortenberry Town Hall Meeting Reminder

Now that Congress is in the August constituent work period, 1st District Congressman Jeff Fortenberry is back in Nebraska and holding town hall meetings in Lincoln, Fremont, Norfolk, Oakland, Blair, Plattsmouth and Nebraska City.  Please note that you are also invited to a special policy forum with General C. Robert Kehler, Commander of the U.S. Strategic Command at Offutt Air Force Base, and Dr. David Kay, Former UN Chief Weapons Inspector.  Fortenberry will co-host the forum on “America’s Role in Global Nuclear Security” with Congressman Lee Terry.

Tuesday, August 7
5:15 pm
Lincoln Town Hall Meeting
Lincoln Southwest High School
7001 South 14th Street
Lincoln

Wednesday, August 8
11:30 am
Fremont Town Hall Meeting
Christensen Field – Main Arena Meeting Room
1710 W 16th Street
Fremont

5:15 pm
Norfolk Town Hall Meeting            
Norfolk Area Chamber of Commerce Office
609 Norfolk Ave.
Norfolk
             
Thursday, August 9
11:30 am 
Oakland Town Hall Meeting
Oakland City Auditorium – Rosen Room
401 N Oakland Ave.
Oakland

5:15 pm
Blair Town Hall Meeting
Blair City Council Chambers
218 S 16th Street
Blair

Monday, August 13
11:30 am     
Plattsmouth Town Hall Meeting
Plattsmouth VFW
510 1st Ave
Plattsmouth

5:15 pm
Nebraska City Town Hall Meeting
UNL Kimmel Education and Research Center (Kimmel Orchard)
5985 G Road
Nebraska City

Tuesday, August 14
1:30 pm
Policy Forum - “America’s Role in Global Nuclear Security”
(featuring keynote address by Gen. C. Robert Kehler, Commander of USSTRATCOM, and remarks by Dr. David Kay, former UN Chief Weapons Inspector)
The Salvation Army Kroc Center
Joyce Mammel Assembly Hall
2825 Y Street
Omaha  



Smith Urges USTR Kirk to Push for Strong SPS Measures in Trans-Pacific Partnership

Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) led a bipartisan letter with Congressman Ron Kind (D-WI) urging U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk to ensure the strongest possible sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) to promote American agricultural exports across the Asia-Pacific region.
                                  
“America’s farmers and ranchers are among the most productive and efficient in the world, producing high quality agricultural products sought by consumers across the globe,” said Smith.  “However, time and again our producers are confronted with import barriers in foreign markets which are not science-based.

“I urge Ambassador Kirk to use the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations to establish more robust SPS measures which will strengthen the role of science in the international marketplace and protect U.S. agricultural exports from unfair restrictions.”

Background:
The TPP has been in the negotiating process since 2008 and includes the United States, along with Australia, Brunei, Chile, Malaysia, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam.  Recently, Mexico and Canada have joined the talks, and Japan has expressed interest as well.  The participating countries are continuing to make progress towards a final deal.  The next negotiating round of the TPP will take place in Leesburg, Virginia from September 6-15, 2012.

SPS measures seek to ensure consumers are being supplied with safe food, and strict health and safety regulations are not being used as an excuse for protecting domestic producers.



UNL Beef Webinar Tuesday, August 7 on Harvesting and Utilizing Drought-Stressed Crops for Forage

Given this summer’s drought, many producers are evaluating their options for utilizing drought-stressed crops as a forage resource. On Aug. 7, UNL Extension Beef Specialist Rick Rasby will discuss what producers need to consider and manage as they use drought-stressed forages for feed.  The program will be at 11:30 MT, 12:30 CT and is expected to last about 35 minutes.  To access this online UNL Beef Webinar, go to the following website a few minutes before the start time:  https://connect.unl.edu/extension/.  Enter the Webinar as a "Guest."  Access audio through your computer speaker system.  If you have any questions, please contact Program Host Aaron Berger, South Panhandle Extension Unit, Kimball, Nebraska



If Temperatures Return to Normal, Soybean Aphid Populations Could Surge
Tom Hunt, Extension Entomology Specialist, Haskell Ag Lab, Concord
Keith Jarvi, Extension Educator, Dakota, DIxon and Thurston Counties
Wayne Ohnesorg, Extension Educator, Madison County

Although it has been too hot for soybean aphids to thrive, we are beginning to see them in northeast Nebraska soybean fields. One could consider many fields to be “seeded” with soybean aphid. If, or should I say when, temperatures decline, soybean aphid populations could increase quickly, doubling in just two to three days. Growers should be scouting their soybean fields for aphids now.Last year we monitored a soybean field in Dixon County that was almost devoid of aphids on July 22, but by August 18 it had over 2,000 aphids per plant in areas that had not been treated.

Biology and Growth
The soybean aphid is soft-bodied, light green to pale yellow, less than 1/16th inch long, and has two black-tipped cornicles (cornicles look like tailpipes) on the rear of the abdomen. It feeds primarily on the undersides of leaves, but also on stems and pods, by removing plant sap with its needle-like mouthparts.

Soybean aphid populations can grow to extremely high levels under favorable environmental conditions. They favor temperatures of 70-85°F, do not do well in higher temperatures, and are reported to die when temperatures are maintained at 95°. Aphid development stops when temperatures drop below 48°.

Soybean Aphid Natural Enemies
Soybean aphids have many natural predators that can limit their populations.  The Asian lady beetle is most visible, but the tiny (1/10 inch) insidious flower bug (or Orius) is the most common and important predator. Other common predators include green lacewing, brown lacewing, damsel bugs or Nabids, and spined soldier bugs. These predators can significantly slow aphid population growth and should be considered when deciding whether to treat since most insecticides used for aphids will also kill their predators.

Other groups of natural enemies include parasitoids and pathogens. The presence of aphid “mummies” (light brown, swollen aphids) indicates the presence of parasitoids. These mummies harbor immature parasitoids, which will become adults, emerge from the mummy, and parasitize more aphids. The presence of “fuzzy” aphid carcasses indicates fungal pathogens are present, which occasionally can lead to dramatic reductions of aphid populations.

Scouting
There are two methods to scout for soybean aphids: conventional scouting and speed scouting.

Conventional Method. Begin scouting soybean fields once or twice a week in late June to early July. Check 20 to 30 randomly selected plants in various areas of each field. Aphids are most likely to concentrate at the top of the plant, although they will move onto stems and within the canopy as populations grow and/or the plant reaches mid to late reproductive stages. If a tree line or woodlot is adjacent to the soybean field, include a few sampling locations near these areas since soybean aphids are often found first in these areas.

Counting aphids is not as difficult as it may seem. First, walk to a random spot in the field. Pull a plant, turn it upside down, and give it a quick scan to see where the aphids are located. Get a feel for what 10-20 aphids look like and count by 10s or 20s. The current threshold for late vegetative through R5 stage soybean is 250 aphids per plant with 80% of the plants infested and populations increasing. Thresholds for early R6 have yet to be determined, but are likely in the range of 400-500 aphids per plant. Insecticide treatment during or after mid-late R6 has not been documented to increase yield.

Speed Scouting Method. This method uses a spreadsheet adapted from a sampling plan developed by the University of Minnesota. It is different from conventional scouting in that it relies on the number of “infested” plants. Plants are considered “infested” when there are 40 or more aphids on a plant. The scout does not have to count or estimate the number of aphids on a plant to determine whether it has reached the threshold of 250 aphids per plant. One simply determines if a plant is infested and enters this in the spreadsheet. The spreadsheet then recommends further scouting or treatment options based on the number of “infested” plants in a given area.

The soybean aphid speed scouting tool is available free as a downloadable spreadsheet on the Extension Publications website and as an iPad app in the iTunes store.

Soybean Aphid Management
The current recommended economic threshold for late vegetative through R5 stage soybeans is 250 aphids per plant with 80% of the plants infested and populations increasing. Depending on economic conditions, this gives you five to seven days to schedule treatment before populations reach economically damaging levels. If populations don’t increase during this period, you may be able to eliminate or delay treatment. Determining if the aphid population is actively increasing requires several visits to the field. Factors favorable for aphid increase are relatively cool temperatures, plant stress (particularly drought), and lack of natural enemies.

Several insecticides are labeled for the soybean aphid. A list of registered insecticides, rates, preharvest intervals, etc. can be found on the UNL Department of Entomology website at http://entomology.unl.edu/instabls/soyaphid.shtml Pyrethroids have a relatively long residual, and work best at temperatures below 90º F. Organophosphates have a fuming action, and may work well in heavy canopies or high temperatures. Dimethoate is least effective.



Ethanol Industry Touts Lower Gas Prices at the Pump with New “Open Road” Ads

Following on the success of its long-running “Right Here, Right Now” ads, the Renewable Fuels Association is debuting a new ad which focuses on ethanol’s ability to lower gas prices at the pump and offer consumers relief in a difficult economy.

The “Open Road” campaign is the first of its kind, focusing on ethanol saving consumers money at the pump and improving overall engine performance.  In 2011, the ad points out, the use of ethanol helped reduce the average price of gas by $1.09, saving American families $1,200 over the year.  Additionally, as a high octane additive, ethanol helps car engines run cleaner and reduces engine knock and pinging.

The increasing use of ethanol fuel has a positive impact on our nation’s economy, providing jobs; our environment, reducing greenhouse gas emissions; and our national security, reducing foreign oil dependence dramatically.  It is important that consumers are aware of these benefits and that know that America’s energy future starts here at home.

Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company (CVEC) and the Minnesota Bio-fuels Association are featuring the ad at the Riverview Theater in Minneapolis, MN and the Woodbury 10 theater in Woodbury, MN, where the ad will reach anticipated annual impressions of 150,000 and 400,000 respectively.

“Ethanol is a major contributor to the economy in the state of Minnesota,” said Mike Jerke, General Manager of Chippewa Valley Ethanol Company. “These theater ads are a great way to show customers that this domestic fuel is a safe, clean-burning fuel that is reducing gas prices and saving American’s money.”

“We are excited to have the "Open Road" ad run in our local theaters to educate the public on fuel that is being produced in our state,” said Tim Rudnicki, Executive Director of the Minnesota Bio-fuels Association, Inc. “As the industry continues to grow, it is important that consumers are educated on ethanol’s benefits and know that America’s energy future starts here at home.”

Minnesota is the fourth leading ethanol producer state in the U.S., producing nearly 1.13 billion gallons of ethanol annually at 22 biorefineries.  A large contributor to the state’s economy, the ethanol industry helps support over 70,000 jobs in Minnesota and has helped reduce wholesale gas prices in the Midwest by an average of $1.69 per gallon.

Sponsored by Golden Grain Energy, Homeland Energy Solutions, Absolute Energy, and Big River Resources, the ad will play in selected movie theaters in Mason City, Burlington, Waterloo, Cedar Falls, Coralville, Iowa City, Johnston, and Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Rochester, MN.  Across 112 screens, 74,000 new movie-goers will be educated on America’s fuel weekly.

“Iowa produces nearly 30% of our nation’s supply of ethanol,” said Walt Wendland, President and CEO of Golden Grain Energy and Homeland Energy Solutions. “These ads are a great reminder to our consumers that this fuel grown in their backyard is providing relief at the pump and an alternative to foreign oil.”

Iowa is the number one ethanol producer in the U.S., with 41 ethanol biorefineries producing nearly 3.7 billion gallons of ethanol annually. For comparison, Iowa only uses 1.4 billion gallons of gasoline every year.  Ethanol production is a powerful stimulant for Iowa’s economy, generating $2.4 billion in household income and supporting nearly 48,000 jobs throughout the Iowa economy.



Farmers with CRP, WRP Land Can List on Hay & Straw Directory

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey announced that farmers that have Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) or Wetlands Reserve Program (WRP) lands available for harvesting, can now be included in the Iowa hay and straw directory. The change is in response to the USDA announcement that both of these programs can now be used for haying and grazing in response to the drought conditions.

"The drought has severely impacted the amount of forage available, so it is good news that USDA has made CRP and WRP lands available for emergency haying and grazing. We hope the directory helps connect farmers that have CRP or WRP lands with those that have livestock and need the feed," Northey said. "It is important that any farmer interested in the emergency haying program should contact their local FSA or NRCS office before proceeding."

The authorization for haying and grazing of CRP and WRP became effective Aug. 2 and haying activities must be completed by Aug. 31. For more information on haying CRP land farmers can contact their local USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) office or visit FSA online at www.fsa.usda.gov/. For information on haying WRP land farmers can contact their local USDA National Resource Conservation Service (NRCS) office or visit http://www.ia.nrcs.usda.gov/.

In additional to listing farmers with CRP or WRP lands available, the Iowa Hay and Straw Directory lists producers with hay and straw for sale, as well as organizations and businesses associated with promoting and marketing quality hay and straw.

Farmers interested in listing should visit the Department's website at www.IowaAgriculture.gov. An application form can be found by going to the "Home Page" and then clicking on the Marketing tab on the top of the page" and then selecting Hay and Straw in the right hand column. This will take you directly to the Hay & Straw Directory.

For those without internet access, please call the Hay/Straw Hotline at 800-383-5079. The Department will fax or send a printed copy of the application to be filled out.



Antibiotics and Biotechnology Take Center Stage at Food Dialogues Event

More than ever, Americans want information on how their food is grown and raised. The U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) was created to lead the dialogue and answer questions consumers have about food production through events, social media, access to farmers and ranchers, and content on its website, www.fooddialogues.com. To continue the conversation on some of today's most pressing issues concerning food, the USFRA today announced plans to hold the next Food Dialogues event in New York on Thursday, November 15.

"Since being formed in 2010, USFRA has demonstrated a willingness to bring farmers, ranchers, experts and academics together for robust conversations about how food is grown and raised," said Bob Stallman, chairman of USFRA and president of the American Farm Bureau Federation. "USFRA is continuing its mission of answering Americans' questions about food production by focusing our next Food Dialogues event on issues that are making national headlines, specifically antibiotic use in farm animals and biotechnology."

While USFRA is currently working to finalize the agenda and panelists for The Food Dialogues: New York, the event will feature three distinct panel discussions focused on antibiotics, biotechnology and media, marketing and food. Additional details, including event moderators and other speakers will be announced in the next several weeks. In the interim, USFRA has created a section of its website where individuals can sign up for more information and receive updates as they become available.

Recently, USFRA hosted The Food Dialogues: Los Angeles, a two-day event that brought together 28 panelists and four moderators, including entertainment decision-makers, chefs, academics, farmers and ranchers for in-depth conversations about food. The event's four panel discussions addressed questions including:
-    As more Americans turn to entertainment to influence their food-purchasing and consumption decisions, are they getting the full story?
-    What role do urban farms play in feeding Americans? What can larger, conventional farms learn about best practices from urban farms – and vice versa?
-    What technologies are farmers and ranchers using to produce food while protecting the environment?
-    How are chefs, farmers and ranchers adapting their practices as Americans' appetites for more information and preferences about food sourcing grow?

Answers to these questions, in the form of video content from The Food Dialogues: Los Angeles, is available at www.fooddialogues.com. 



NASS Releases Public Comments on Key Statistical Reports

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today released public comments submitted in response to a June 8, 2012, Federal Register Notice announcing an opportunity to comment on the public release time of several major USDA statistical reports.

Due to recent changes in market hours by major commodity exchanges, the National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) and World Agricultural Outlook Board (WAOB)—the USDA entities responsible for the reports—are reviewing times and procedures of the following statistical releases: World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates, Acreage, Cattle, Cattle on Feed, Crop Production, Grain Stocks, Prospective Plantings, Quarterly Hogs and Pigs, and Small Grain Summary.  Stakeholders submitted 147 comments through the NASS online response site and via letter and e-mail. The comments received may be viewed on the NASS website at http://bit.ly/FedRegComments.

USDA will consider all comments in reaching a final decision on the time to release key statistical reports. Under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) and Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Statistical Policy Directives 3 and 4, rules are in place to regulate the public's access to federally generated statistics. The 2012 official published schedule for all NASS reports is available online at www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/index.asp. The World Agricultural Outlook Board (WAOB) report schedule is available at www.usda.gov/oce/commodity/wasde. Current USDA schedules and release times of 8:30 a.m. and 3:00 p.m. ET remain in effect until further notice.



NCGA Seeks Growers for Action Teams, Committees

The National Corn Growers Association is seeking applications from members interested in working on an NCGA action team or committee in the 2013 fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1. This service provides growers an opportunity to play an active role in shaping the future of their industry and to become a part of the national agricultural leadership community.

"As a grassroots organization, NCGA relies on its members to step forward and take an active role in developing the policies that will lead our industry forward," said NCGA First Vice President Pam Johnson. "This year, we have opportunities in all of the areas the organization touches, thus allowing members to take their involvement to the next level while exploring in great depth the areas which interest them the most."

Positions are available on all teams and committees: Production and Stewardship Action Team, Research and Business Development Action Team, Public Policy Action Team, Grower Services Action Team, Ethanol Committee, Trade Policy and Biotechnology Action Team and CornPAC.

Action team and committee applications are available online at the NCGA Insider Website. Deadline for receipt of applications in each applicant's state corn association office is Tuesday, Sept. 4. All applications must first be submitted to the applicant's state association. Interested parties can contact Kathy Baker at the NCGA office with questions, at (636) 733-9004.



CWT Assists with 2.6 Million Pounds of Cheese and Butter Export Sales

Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) has accepted seven requests for export assistance from Dairy Farmers of America and Darigold to sell two million pounds (907 metric tons) of Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese, and 597,453 pounds (271 metric tons) of butter, to customers in Asia, Central America and the Middle East. The product will be delivered August 2012 through January 2013.

In 2012, CWT has assisted member cooperatives in making export sales of Cheddar, Monterey Jack and Gouda cheese totaling 73.5 million pounds, and butter and anhydrous milk fat totaling 56.0 million pounds, to 33 countries on four continents. On a butterfat basis, the milk equivalent of these exports is 1.899 billion pounds, or the same as the annual milk production of 90,400 cows.

Assisting CWT members through the Export Assistance program positively impacts producer milk prices in the short-term by reducing inventories that overhang the market and depress cheese and butter prices. In the long-term, CWT’s Export Assistance program helps member cooperatives gain and maintain market share, thus expanding the demand for U.S. dairy products and the farm milk that produces them.

CWT will pay export bonuses to the bidders only when delivery of the product is verified by the submission of the required documentation.



NMPF Asks Members of Congress to Meet with Dairy Farmers During August Recess to Discuss Need to Pass New Farm Bill

The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) is asking members of Congress, as they return home for the August congressional recess, to meet with struggling dairy farmers in their districts to discuss the perilous economic conditions affecting farmers, and the urgent need for Congress to pass a new farm bill yet in 2012.

“NMPF believes this type of one-on-one dialogue will enable members in both the House and the Senate to see firsthand the need for passing a five-year farm bill, including the vital reforms to the nation’s dairy policy in the form of the Dairy Security Act (DSA),” said NMPF President and CEO Jerry Kozak.

“We hope that Members of Congress will take time to visit local dairy farms to experience up-close the challenges dairy farmers are facing and understand why it is so imperative to pass a five-year farm bill which includes a better safety net for farmers,” Kozak said. “We are approaching a crisis comparable to or worse than that of 2009, when dairy farmers lost $20 billion in equity and thousands of farmers went out of business.”

“When you factor in additional operating costs, such as labor and energy costs, on top of the sky-high price of feed caused by the ongoing drought, dairy farmers are currently selling their milk for far less than the cost of production,” said Kozak. “The Dairy Security Act would give producers and their bankers the assurances they need to continue their operations through these tough times.”

Kozak said that farmers themselves should take this message to their elected officials during the next four weeks, with the hope that Congress can be spurred to action after Labor Day.

“We applaud the pledge from Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman Debbie Stabenow (D-MI) and House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas (R-OK), and Ranking Members Pat Roberts (R-KS) and Collin Peterson (D-MN), to continue their push for full passage of a comprehensive, five-year farm bill after the August recess. NMPF will continue to stand behind our agricultural leaders in this effort to pass a five-year farm bill this year.”



Brazil May See Record Soy, Corn in '13

Brazil can expect a record soybean crop next year, as high international prices for the oilseed are likely to drive a rapid expansion in planted acreage, the consulting firm Celeres said Monday.

Brazilian farmers in the months ahead will likely plant soybeans on 27.14 million hectares (67.06 million acres), up 8.1% from a year earlier, Celeres said in a weekly bulletin. Given a baseline scenario in which farmers manage to harvest 2,877 kilograms (6,343 pounds) of soybeans per hectare, the South American country's 2012-13 production of the oilseed will rise 18% year-over-year to a record 78.1 million metric tons.

"Owing to frustration with the U.S. soy harvest and its direct consequence for prices of the oilseed, Brazilian producers have additional incentive to plant the greatest crop of soy in the country's history," Celeres said. "Beyond the price of soy itself, the recent depreciation of the real against the U.S. dollar has brought an extra stimulus."

In nominal terms, the states of Mato Grosso, Parana and Rio Grande do Sul should see the biggest increases in soybean planting compared with last year, Celeres added.

BRAZIL SEEN PRODUCING RECORD CORN CROP FOR SECOND STRAIGHT YEAR
More planted acreage and steady growth in productivity should allow Brazil to enjoy a bumper corn crop in 2013 for the second straight year, local grains consultants Celeres said Monday.

Celeres forecast Brazil's 2012-13 corn production at 76.45 million metric tons, up from this year's estimated output of 69.01 million metric tons.

Though Brazilian farmers will likely plant fewer acres of corn for the summer crop harvested early in the year--opting instead for soybeans--rising productivity should more than offset the reduction. But it is Brazil's second corn crop harvested during the Southern Hemisphere winter that Celeres sees providing the real boost to production.

Combining both seasons, Celeres expects Brazil's total corn acreage to rise 2.8% in 2012-13 to 16.15 million hectares. Productivity is seen increasing 7.7% to 4,732 kilograms per hectare.

"With the crop failure in the U.S. and weather problems in Europe, Russia, Ukraine, Kazakhstan and India, the global corn balance will be very tight in 2013, with Brazil being one of the few countries capable of supplying the grain to the world," Celeres said.




China Soy Imports Likely to Slow Down

China's soybean imports are expected to fall to 4.5 million metric tons in August and below 4 million tons in September and October, the state-backed China National Grain & Oils Information Center said Monday.

Imports in August, September and October are likely to be lower than the monthly average of 4.84 million tons in the first half, CNGOIC said.

In June, China imported 5.62 million tons of soybeans. The government will release July soybean import data Friday.

The amount is also lower than China's monthly crushing demand for imported soybeans, which stands around 4.7 million tons.

Analysts said earlier that China's soybean demand is being curbed by high soybean prices on the Chicago Board of Trade due to a drought in the U.S.

CNGOIC said China will offer 400,000 tons of soybeans from state reserves every two weeks in the near term to increase domestic supply.

Despite the expected decline in imports, supply won't be tight on the domestic market as local crops will hit the market in October and the government may release more reserves, it said.



Philippine Marketing Team Tours U.S. Wheat Industry

Four milling and food industry marketing executives from the Philippines will visit North Dakota, Minnesota, Montana and Oregon August 5 to 17 to learn more about the U.S. wheat industry and discuss activities and programs that promote wheat consumption in the United States.

“Per capita wheat growth has increased steadily in other South Asian countries, but has remained flat in the Philippines, the fifth largest market for U.S. wheat. These executives are members of a marketing committee formed to help Philippine millers and bakers increase demand for their products,” said Joe Sowers, USW assistant regional director for South Asia in the USW Manila Office, who will accompany the team. “The team will use what it learns on this trip to help design new marketing campaigns to promote wheat foods consumption as a healthy part of the Filipino diet.”

USW is sponsoring this trade team with support from the North Dakota Wheat Commission, Minnesota Research & Promotion Council, Montana Wheat & Barley Committee and Oregon Wheat Commission. The team will meet with university researchers, farmers and industry officials in those states to discuss a range of topics from the current wheat crop to childhood nutrition. The team hopes to see the hard red spring (HRS) and soft white (SW) harvest while visiting farmers in Montana and Oregon in addition to touring grain elevators and port facilities.

USW first opened its Manila office in 1961 and celebrated the 50th anniversary of its partnership with the Filipino milling and baking industries last February. The Philippines imported nearly 2.1 million metric tons of U.S. wheat in 2011/12, the highest sales in a decade, and exceeded a 97 percent U.S. market share. The Philippines is the second largest importer of U.S. SW and HRS wheat in the world and imports more wheat than any other U.S. agricultural product.



 MONSANTO COMPANY ANNOUNCES NEW, EXPANDED PRE-EMERGENCE LABEL FOR WARRANT® HERBICIDE

Cotton and soybean farmers have a new pre-emerge tool for residual weed control. Warrant® Herbicide is now labeled for pre-emergence use. The new, expanded label for Warrant Herbicide will now help to provide farmers the flexibility to manage small seeded grasses and broadleaf weeds, as well as tough-to-control weeds like Palmer amaranth and tall waterhemp in either a pre- or post-emergence application.

"Results from on farm trials over the last three years have been extremely positive, with excellent crop safety and strong residual weed control when applied pre-emerge," says Tyler Hackstadt, selective chemistry marketing lead for Monsanto. “This label expansion for Warrant Herbicide will offer farmers and retailers increased flexibility with pre-emerge and post-emerge applications. Warrant can be applied at 1.25-4 quarts per acre (2.5-4 pints) pre-plant, at-planting or pre-emerge up to R2 in soybeans and through first flower in cotton. The formulation is the same. The only change is a newly expanded label that will include pre- and post-emergence use.”

Dr. Stanley Culpepper, Professor and Extension Agronomist at the University of Georgia, has conducted pre-emergence trials with Warrant Herbicide. “If you’re a cotton producer, you’re well aware of a herbicide called Warrant Herbicide – you’re using it post-emergence,” Culpepper says. “But when we come to talk with you this winter, we’ll tell you to use it pre-emergence. In fact, I think it’s the safest pre-emergence material we can use.

“We won’t use Warrant Herbicide by itself. We’ll still need to tank-mix it with another chemistry to help protect it. But it will reduce our input costs a little bit, and it also will reduce our herbicide injury slightly,” he says.

Warrant Herbicide provides residual control of grasses and small seeded broadleaf weeds, including foxtails, lambsquarters, Palmer pigweed, and waterhemp. Warrant Herbicide can be tank mixed with Roundup® brand agricultural herbicides and applied to cotton and soybean products that include Roundup Ready® technology. The encapsulation technology helps provide improved crop safety and up to 30 days of residual weed control. Farmers can earn cash back incentives using Warrant with Soybeans and Cotton through Roundup Ready PLUS™ Weed Management Solutions, visit www.RoundupReadyPLUS.com to learn more.



Weak Demand Hurts Tyson Profits

Tyson Foods Inc., hurt by weaker demand for meat products, reported a 61% drop in third-quarter profit and said earnings in the coming quarters will be pressured by higher feed costs.

Tyson Chief Executive Donnie Smith said the company's beef and pork segments face "very difficult market conditions" that will result in lower profits this fiscal year than Tyson had previously projected. But he said its chicken business should remain profitable, even as the cost of animal feed such as corn has surged amid a record-setting U.S. drought.

Tyson, the world's largest chicken producer, said net income dropped to $76 million, or 21 cents a share, in the quarter ended June 30. That was down from $196 million, or 51 cents a share, a year earlier.

The drop-off in earnings included a 29-cents-a-share charge to extinguish $167 million in debt.

The Springfield, Ark.-based company said profits within its beef and pork divisions both fell by nearly half during the latest quarter compared with year-ago levels. Demand for both types of meat is weak, translating to lower revenues and narrower operating margins.

Demand has softened because U.S. consumers face record-high retail costs for meat, especially pork and beef, even as a sluggish economy has limited budgets for grocery shopping and dining at restaurants.

"Considering the challenges beef and pork faced in the third quarter, I'm pleased they were able to produce as well as they did," Mr. Smith said on a conference call with analysts.

Revenues and margins in Tyson's chicken division rebounded from a loss in the same quarter a year ago as tighter supplies helped lift prices for cuts like wings and boneless breasts.

For the current fiscal year, Tyson lowered its revenue estimate by $1 billion to $33 billion. Although the company expects revenues in 2013 to rise to $35 billion as it tries to pass on its higher costs, Mr. Smith said continued soft demand will pressure profits. "However, we still anticipate solid earnings for" 2013, he said.

Unlike some other meat companies, Tyson has been willing to lower its meat production to fit current demand, even at the expense of the company's overall share of market sales. The company sold 13.9% fewer beef products compared with a year ago as it sought to limit its costs for cattle, which have risen over the past couple years as drought conditions have forced ranchers to shrink their herds.

Profits within Tyson's beef division fell by 49% to $71 million, while its pork business's profits fell 44% to $69 million.

The company's operating margins rose to 4% from 3.8% due mostly to a rebound in Tyson's chicken division, where profits rose more than fivefold to $153 million.