Poll: Majority of Rural Nebraskans Want Pipeline but Only Away from Sandhills, Aquifer
A majority of rural Nebraskans support construction of the Keystone XL Pipeline but want it built on a route that avoids the Sandhills and the Ogallala aquifer, according to the Nebraska Rural Poll.
The 17th annual University of Nebraska-Lincoln poll was sent to 6,350 households in Nebraska's 84 nonmetropolitan counties in March and April. Results are based on 2,323 responses.
The poll included several questions related to recycling, land and natural resource priorities and the controversial Keystone pipeline, slated to be built to transport crude oil from Canada to Texas refineries.
Only 13 percent of respondents said they thought the pipeline should not be built because the environmental risks outweigh the economic benefits. Sixty-one percent disagreed with that position. Sixty-five percent, however, agreed the pipeline should be built along an alternative route that avoids the environmentally sensitive Sandhills and Ogallala aquifer; 15 percent disagreed.
The currently planned route does avoid the Sandhills but it would go through some still-sensitive terrain and over eastern reaches of the Ogallala.
Opinions were mixed on who should control the decision to build the pipeline. Forty-six percent of respondents disagreed with the statement that the decision should be between only the landowners and pipeline owners and should not involve the government. Thirty percent agreed with that statement, and almost one-fourth had no opinion.
Seventy-three percent of respondents agreed that if the government ultimately decides the fate of the proposed pipeline, the decision on location within the state should be controlled by state government, not federal government.
"Build it but build it responsibly" is how Brad Lubben, UNL public policy specialist, described rural Nebraskans' take on the pipeline.
And, added rural sociologist Randy Cantrell: "We trust our state government more than our federal government."
Differences among demographic groups were significant in some cases. For example, 22 percent of respondents making less than $20,000 a year said they believed the pipeline should not be built at all because of environmental concerns, while only 9 percent of those making $60,000 or more felt that way. That was surprising, Cantrell said, given the jobs the pipeline's construction is expected to bring to Nebraska.
As for age and gender, older respondents were more likely than younger ones to disagree with the statement that the pipeline should not be built at all; the same went for men compared to women. Sixty-eight percent of those 65 and older disagreed with that position, while 44 percent of those 19-29 disagreed. Seventy-two percent of men and 53 percent of women disagreed with that statement.
As for regional differences, 44 percent of Panhandle residents agreed that the decision on the pipeline should have been left to landowners and the pipeline owners, with no government involvement. Only 27 percent of residents of both the South Central and Northeast regions agreed. At the same time, Panhandle residents were more likely than residents of other regions to agree that the pipeline should not be built at all – 21 percent to just 11 percent in the Southeast.
Concern about where the pipeline is built is tied in part to Nebraskans' appreciation for the importance of land and natural resources, said Cheryl Burkhart-Kreisel, UNL Extension specialist in entrepreneurship and economic development based at the Panhandle Research and Extension Center. The poll asked questions related to what priority rural Nebraskans give to various uses of Nebraska's land or natural resources.
About 65 percent of respondents rated water protection and conservation as a high priority use of land or natural resources, and 55 percent rated production for community/local food systems as a high priority. However, only 27 percent rated recreational activity as a high priority for land or natural resource use, and 38 percent rated production for global food demand as a high priority.
In other findings, 38 percent of rural Nebraskans reported they recycle a lot. About 26 percent said there is no curbside program available where they live and 23 percent say it's too difficult to take materials to a drop-off site.
More than one-half of respondents say their community offers drop-off recycling for the following: plastic bottles, aluminum cans, newspaper, cardboard/cereal boxes/other paper and plastic bags. At least 20 percent reported their community offers curbside pickup for the following: plastic bottles, other plastic, milk cartons, newspaper and cardboard/cereal boxes/other paper.
Fifteen percent said their community doesn't offer recycling and 14 percent don't know of any drop-off sites.
The Rural Poll is the largest annual poll of rural Nebraskans' perceptions on quality of life and policy issues. This year's response rate was about 37 percent. The margin of error is plus or minus 2 percent. Complete results are available online at http://ruralpoll.unl.edu.
The university's Center for Applied Rural Innovation conducts the poll in cooperation with the Nebraska Rural Initiative with funding from UNL Extension and the Agricultural Research Division in the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.
Aphids Noted Damaging Summer Alfalfa
Michael Rethwisch, UNL Extension Educator, Butler County
Two species of aphids are being encountered in alfalfa this summer: spotted alfalfa aphid and cowpea aphid. While not usually major pests in Nebraska alfalfa, they are both favored by hot, dry conditions, and thus, their numbers may be higher this year.
While both aphids can be found causing damage through the fall, especially under dry conditions, the vast majority of what we're seeing are the spotted alfalfa aphids. Both species give birth to live young — sometimes more than five aphids a day — hence their ability to cause damage in a short time. If aphid populations are present or developing, you should monitor populations
Spotted Alfalfa Aphid
The spotted alfalfa aphid is a fairly small (1/8 inch long), pale yellow colored aphid that derives its name from the rows of spots on the dorsal (back) area (Figure 1). It damages alfalfa by sucking out juices from the underside of leaves and injecting a toxin during feeding. Symptoms of feeding can range from puckered leaves to foliage and entire plants being killed by this aphid.
Alfalfa varieties differ in their resistance to this pest, and population thresholds that cause damage differ by both alfalfa variety resistance and amount of regrowth.
Seedling alfalfa stands can be devastated by populations of one to three spotted alfalfa aphids per stem. Thresholds for alfalfa are
- 1-3 spotted alfalfa aphids in seedling alfalfa stands,
- 10 aphids per stem if regrowth is less than 10 inches,
- 30 if alfalfa stems are more than 10 inches, and
- 100 if alfalfa is taller than 20 inches.
With today's higher alfalfa prices, some states have recommended a treatment threshold of 50 spotted alfalfa aphids per stem for alfalfa more than 20 inches tall. Research is necessary to determine if this threshold is accurate under very low moisture conditions such as Nebraska is currently experiencing.
Cowpea Aphid
Cowpea aphids also have been noted the past 10 days. This aphid is shiny black as an adult (Figure 2), has a dull grey color as nymphs, with light colored legs and dark "feet", and black cornicles. This aphid is small and similar to the spotted alfalfa aphid in size. Colonies prefer feeding on newly expanding leaves, unlike spotted alfalfa aphids which are found on leaf undersides.
Cowpea aphids also inject a toxin while they feed and can cause wilting and discoloration. High populations (more than 100 per stem) can cause severe stunting, dieback, or death. Thresholds for this species are not well established, but existing ones suggest treating when there are
- 5 cowpea aphids per seedling alfalfa stem,
- 40 per stem when alfalfa is less and 10 inches tall,
- 75 per stem when stems are 10-20 inches tall, and
- 100 per stem for alfalfa taller than 20 inches.
When mixed species of aphids are present as is the current situation, use the thresholds for the spotted alfalfa aphid.
Natural Predators
Ladybeetles (both adults and larvae) have been known to eat many aphids, and alfalfa field scouts need to include their populations relative to spotted alfalfa aphids to determine if insecticide treatments are necessary or if the aphids will be biologically controlled. Insecticide treatments are not considered necessary if there is more than one predator for every 10 aphids.
Combine Settings for Drought
Mark Hanna, Extension Ag Engineer, Iowa State University
Hot mid-summer field conditions are affecting upcoming harvest. Although soybeans are still developing, corn ear diameter has been established in most fields. Smaller ear diameter and, in some fields, weaker stalks at the base of the corn plant and at the ear shank will affect harvest operations.
General Harvesting
Crop conditions vary across regions, but also within fields in the same farming operation. Harvest won’t be business as usual. Pre-scouting fields and approaching harvest with the right attitude is an important first step. We know that faster combine travel speed helps load the combine and improve grain quality; however, with weak and/or lodged stalks and stems it may be necessary to travel slower to ensure the crop feeds into the combine as easily as possible. Finding the correct travel speed to balance machine field losses (reference PM 574, Profitable Corn Harvesting, to check field losses) with crop quality requires checking both losses behind the combine and grain quality in the tank. Be sure to check before harvest with your crop insurer if losses will be claimed. Warmer temperatures associated with an early harvest and dry field conditions increase fire potential. Review your combine and field fire prevention plans.
Corn
Ear sizes vary in fields. In many cases, ear diameter (cob and grain) is smaller than normal. On the cornhead, the gap between snapping plates above the stalk rolls should be adjusted so that the ear butt is held on the plates above the rolls but with is enough room for stalks to be pulled through without wedging. A gap of 1.25 inches used in normal years will likely need to be narrowed closer to just over an inch to avoid butt shelling of smaller diameter ears.
Smaller diameter stalks may be more easily pulled between narrowed snapping plates, but a weakened stalk base makes corn susceptible to lodging by late-season winds. Similarly, weakened ear shanks in some fields may cause ear droop, making it advantageous to scout individual fields for early harvest. Significant amounts of lodged corn may require slower travel speed and/or the use of a reel, cones or divider modifications on the corn head.
Concave clearance should be adjusted for ear size and material flow. Smaller diameter ears and less plant material suggest narrower concave clearance than normal. Don’t use faster rotor or cylinder speed than necessary for adequate threshing. Check the amount of seed coat cracking to fine-tune concave clearance and rotor speed. Smaller kernel sizes may require smaller than normal sieve openings in the cleaning shoe. Be careful not to adjust so small that significant amounts of grain are recirculated in the tailings return. Air drag is slightly greater on smaller kernels but, unless test weight is low, fan speed should be similar to normal. Kernel size may be larger on ears with significantly fewer kernels requiring larger sieve openings.
Soybeans
Crop and field conditions still have the potential to change before harvest. Plant heights, however, appear shorter in a number of fields. Some grain platforms allow the cross-auger position to be moved forward. This may be considered to help pull shorter plants away from the cutterbar and into the feederhouse. The reel can be adjusted downward but be careful that reel fingers are not clipped by the cutterbar when it flexes upward to its highest position.
If biomass amounts are smaller, concave clearance may need to be decreased to allow adequate traction to pull material though the threshing area. Check the grain tank for splits and seed coat cracks. Use only enough rotor speed and only narrow enough concave clearance as required for grain quality and throughput. Low yield areas in some fields may keep plant stems green when beans and pods are mature and ready for combine harvest. These conditions require more attention to adjust aggressiveness of threshing (speed, clearance) for adequate threshing and throughput without causing green discoloration to soybeans.
Smaller soybeans require slightly narrower sieve openings in the cleaning shoe. Fan speed may be reduced if soybeans are blown out the back. Extremely small soybeans may be brittle during threshing and challenging to clean.
Summary
Don’t assume crop conditions. Inspect fields for variability. Schedule field harvest based on factors of yield and preharvest loss potential, as well as optimizing adjustments required on the combine. Make it a safe harvest. Unscheduled downtime due to accident or fire is more costly than a few extra bushels of preharvest loss.
Flame Weeding Offers Alternative Weed Control Method
Weed control is the number one problem for organic farmers, who cannot use the chemical herbicides that conventional farmers can. Instead, organic producers must rely on alternative methods, including hand weeding and cultivation.
Increasing interest in organic food production has led to renewed interest in an alternative method for weed control, flame weeding. Flame weeding, which uses direct heat from a flame to kill weeds, has been used in agriculture since the 1950s, said Stevan Knezevic, extension weeds specialist at UNL’s Haskell Agricultural Laboratory near Concord. Knezevic has been researching flame weeding since 2006.
How Flame Weeding Works
In flame weeding, a propane-fueled torch shoots a flame at the targeted weeds. The flame can reach a temperature of up to 2500°F — much hotter than is required to denature plant proteins, Knezevic said. At 212° F water in the plant boils, expands, and breaks cell walls. As moisture leaks out from the plant, it wilts and eventually dies.
Flame weeding equipment varies in size. It can be as small as a handheld torch with a propane supply tank that a person straps on like a backpack, or as big as a commercial eight-row, tractor-pulled apparatus. In 2008, Knezevic teamed up with UNL mechanical engineering professor George Gogos to research and design better flame-weeding machinery. After building and testing a four-row prototype flamer, Knezevic and Gogos now hold a patent.
Pros and Cons of Flame Weeding
For organic producers, propane-fueled flame weeding is a useful addition to their weed control arsenal because it is cleared for organic use. Propane is clean burning, non-toxic, and will not contaminate groundwater. Also, the cost of flaming is relatively cheap compared to the cost of hand weeding. Propane for the flamer will range from $8 to $15 per acre.
Flame weeding, also known as flaming, can be used with conventional crops, organic crops, and in urban settings where herbicide use is undesirable, such as in parks. Some conventional farmers are considering flame weeding because heavy use of herbicides can lead to herbicide-resistant weeds, whereas flaming doesn’t, he added.
One drawback to flame weeding is that commercial flaming machinery is limited in size, Knezevic said, and not meant to be used as a standalone method for weed control.
Randy Fendrich, who farms organically near Abie and David City, has been involved in Knezevic and Gogos’s research. Fendrich said flaming has helped him control certain weeds more effectively by killing entire plants instead of just what’s above ground.
“With the flamer we can get a total kill. With the rotary hoe and harrow, we’ll miss some of them and we won’t get a total kill,” he said.
Fendrich also uses hand weeding and a rotary hoe, harrow, and cultivator to control weeds in addition to flaming because different methods work better for different weeds. For example, he said he could use a rotary hoe to pull out grass that a flamer would burn but not kill.
Weed control also involves balancing the soil nutrients and getting the crop rotation right, said Mike Ostry, an organic farmer near Bruno. He has hosted test plots where Knezevic and Gogos conducted flaming research.
Research Helps Determine Flame Weeding Best Practices
The duration of heat applied to kill weeds varies with the kind of weed and crop. Crops are sensitive to heat and improper flaming could result in severe yield losses.
“It’s a very safe method if you know what you’re doing, but you can hurt your crop pretty badly too if you don’t know what you’re doing,” Knezevic said.
Knezevic, Gogos, and their team have conducted research on 20 weed species among seven agronomic crops: field corn, popcorn, sweet corn, sorghum, soybean, sunflower, and winter wheat. The researchers studied flaming of weeds at different stages of crop emergence, noting where growing points were on both crops and weeds.
Together with the Propane Education and Research Council, Knezevic, Gogos, and their research assistants are compiling their research results into a how-to manual on flaming equipment and best practices.
“We haven’t really used anybody else’s data. This is all home-grown,” Knezevic said.
The manual contains detailed instructions on setting and using flaming equipment, including calibrating propane pressure and speed to achieve the correct flame dosage, tolerance of weed species at different growth stages, and recommended growth stages for flame weeding in various crops.
Practice Makes Perfect
A manual like that would be very useful to producers, Ostry said. “We get so many different weeds that we need to control, and they need different timing and temperatures to kill them,” he said.
But gaining knowledge is not enough. Mastering proper flame weeding techniques, such as knowing how quickly to go so that the weeds are exposed to a specific duration of heat, requires practice. “You can go to seminars and see pictures but actually it’s a hands-on experience,” Ostry said.
Practice is also necessary so that flaming machinery can be operated safely. “I was scared of it at first because you have all this fire behind you roaring,” Fendrich said. “But after I ran the system a few days, I realized you just have to be careful when you run it and it’ll be OK.”
New Beef Specialist Excited to Work with Industry
Although the current concern for area cattle producers is the drought, the new Iowa State University Extension and Outreach beef program specialist in southwest Iowa said his background and experience will help him build a program that's beneficial to all facets of the industry.
"I'll strive to develop and deliver extension and outreach programs to educate members of the beef industry with the latest research-based information whatever the focus," Chris Clark said. "The goal is to improve food quality and safety, producer profitability, animal quality, animal productivity and animal welfare."
He recognizes that producer concerns, weather patterns, market issues and disease outbreaks will tend to dictate his attention to some extent, but said he wants to take a big picture view and look at management, animal health, minimizing animal stress and maximizing animal production.
"I learned a tremendous amount in veterinary school at Iowa State and after receiving my DVM, I was able to build on that education while practicing for several years. I also have college teaching experience and that has allowed me to become more comfortable with public speaking and instructing," Clark said. "I feel this job is a great opportunity to combine my love of beef cattle with my teaching ability."
As a native Iowan, Clark credits his upbringing with helping guide his professional path, starting with livestock production at an early age.
"We lived on a farm near Albia until I was in my mid-teens and though my father got out of farming then, we lived on a small acreage and I continued to show livestock in 4-H," he said. "I really liked showing beef cattle. I didn't have anything fancy, but I really enjoyed it and learned a lot. I dreamed of developing my own herd and raising show cattle and seed stock. Hopefully someday I can make that happen."
Clark said livestock, 4-H and ISU are "in his blood."
"My grandfather farmed for years, a couple uncles still farm in Monroe County and another uncle works in sales in the animal health industry. Both my parents were in 4-H as they grew up and actually met at 4-H camp. My father and his siblings all attended Iowa State," he said. "After exploring several career options I graduated from ISU's College of Veterinary Medicine in 2004."
Clark's first few weeks on the job have provided several opportunities to learn more about his new position and the beef industry.
"I attended the three-state bus tour with Joe Sellers and a group of producers and agribusiness people in July; we have some drought meetings set up; and are setting up a study at the Lewis farm," he said. "There are several other things on the horizon including the four state beef conference, some outlook meetings and a meeting with EPA representatives.
"My appointment is 75 percent extension and 25 percent applied research, and my office is at the Lewis research farm," he said. "I am extremely excited about this new position and the chance to help Iowa beef producers. I look forward to meeting and working with them."
IOWA GOVERNOR’S CHARITY STEER SHOW RAISES $150,360
Records were broken as the 30th annual Governor’s Charity Steer Show raised $150,360, the highest selling auction to date, for the Ronald McDonald Houses of Iowa. During the sale, the $2 million was eclipsed along with the record of the highest selling steer at $29,500 purchased by Linda Juckette along with a donation of $1,000 by Ticknor Cattle. The money raised through the auction will benefit the Ronald McDonald Houses of Des Moines, Iowa City, and Sioux City. All of the houses are located near hospitals and provide a “home away from home” for families of seriously ill children. The Iowa Beef Industry Council and the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association sponsor the annual steer show and auction. Governor Terry Branstad hosted the 2012 event held on August 11, 2012 in the Pioneer Livestock Pavilion at the Iowa State Fair.
Since its inception in 1983, the Governor’s Charity Steer Show has raised $2,087,588 for the Ronald McDonald Houses of Iowa. The auction, which began when 25 steers paraded into the livestock pavilion, was led by Governor Branstad and other celebrity showpersons competing for the title of “Judge’s Choice.”
The official steer show judge for this year’s show was Steve Radakovich of Earlham, who judged the first and twenty-fifth Governor’s Charity Steer Shows. The judge selected the steer “The Big Show,” shown by Mike Pearson and Betsy Pearson, for overall grand champion honors. The Iowa Bankers Association sponsored the steer. Linda Juckette purchased the steer at the auction for $29,500, along with a donation of $1,000 by Ticknor Cattle, making it the highest selling steer to date. Walker McDermott of Atlantic owned the steer.
“O.M.G,” a steer shown by Representative Steve King, earned reserve champion honors. The steer was sponsored by Liberty Ready Mix and Voss Supporters and purchased by Cookies Food Products & Westside State Bank for $4,000. Bryton Voss of Dexter raised the steer.
The Aaron & Jaime Burdorf family was selected by the crowd for the title of “People’s Choice.” Burdorf’s steer, “Thanks A Million,” was sponsored by the Volunteer Boards of Iowa Ronald McDonald Houses and purchased by James Oil Co and James Simmental Farms for $4,500. Hunter Wilkening of State Center raised the steer.
Darren Heldt, Director of Racing at Prairie Meadows Race Track and Casino earned the Showmanship Award. Heldt was selected by two key organizers of the first event; Bruce Berven and Mark Fischer served as the event’s Showmanship Judges. Berven retired two years ago as ICA’s executive director, and Fisher now works at the Iowa Economic Development Authority in the agricultural trade promotions program. Heldt’s steer, “Iowa Classic,” was sponsored by Prairie Meadows Race Track and Casino. The steer was raised by Collin Cory of Altoona and purchased by Prairie Meadows Race Track & Casino for $8,000.
Vilsack to be LIVE on RFD TV and RURAL TV to Discuss Drought Assistance for America's Farmers and Ranchers
THIS Thursday, August 16, U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will join RURAL TV and RFD-TV live at the Iowa State Fair to discuss the U.S. Department of Agriculture's continuing efforts to assist farmers and ranchers impacted by drought.
As part of continuing steps by the Obama Administration to assist livestock producers in response to the historic drought, USDA will utilize nearly $16 million in financial and technical assistance to immediately help crop and livestock producers in 19 states cope with the adverse impacts of the historic drought. In addition, USDA will initiate a transfer of $14 million in unobligated program funds into the Emergency Conservation Program. These funds can be used to assist in moving water to livestock in need, providing emergency forage for livestock, and rehabilitating lands severely impacted by the drought. Together these efforts should provide nearly $30 million to producers struggling with drought conditions.
Most recently, Secretary Vilsack signed disaster designations for an additional 44 counties in 12 states as primary natural disaster areas due to damage and losses caused by drought and excessive heat. Counties designated today are in the states of Arkansas, Iowa, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Minnesota, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Mexico, Ohio, Oklahoma and South Dakota. During the 2012 crop year, USDA has designated 1,628 unduplicated counties across 33 states as disaster areas-1,496 due to drought-making all qualified farm operators in the areas eligible for low-interest emergency loans.
Secretary Vilsack will be taking questions from Twitter on USDA drought assistance efforts. Questions may be submitted in advance by using the hashtags #askUSDA and #Iowastatefair.
Hoppes joins Iowa Soybean Association as director of member services
Rex Hoppes has been named director of member services for the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA). Hoppes will begin his duties with ISA on Tuesday, Aug.21.
In this newly-created position, Hoppes will direct the work of a four-member producer services team charged with involving the association's nearly 11,000 members in issues and activities important to soybean production and profitability.
“We look forward to having Rex join the ISA team,” says ISA COO Karey Claghorn. “His breadth of experience will be a great addition to our staff as we grow the association's membership and implement programs and services that expand opportunities and deliver results for Iowa's soybean growers and their customers.”
Hoppes is actively engaged in livestock and row crop production and has directly assisted Iowa's farmers in a variety of professional roles. Most recently, he has served as a regional manager for the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation. Previously, he served five years as organization director for the Coalition to Support Iowa's Farmers, an initiative launched in 2004 with the support of the ISA that's dedicated to helping Iowa livestock farmers grow their farms successfully and responsibly.
Hoppes and his wife, Joyce, and sons, Reid and Grant, live on a grain and livestock farm near Van Meter.
Iowa Corn and Soybean Forecast
Iowa’s corn planted and harvested for grain acreage is estimated at 14.0 million and 13.6 million acres, respectively, according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service –Crop Production report. As of August 1, Iowa’s corn crop is forecast to yield 141 bushels per acre. Production is forecast at 1.92 billion bushels, 19 percent below the 2011 production.
Forecasted corn yields are down from 2011 in all districts. The largest decreases are forecasted in the Northeast, West Central, and East Central districts, where yields are expected to be down more than 20 percent. Yields in the remaining districts are expected to be down 10 to 18 percent.
Iowa farmers planted 9.50 million acres of soybeans and plan to harvest 9.44 million acres. The August 1 yield forecast of 43.0 bushels per acre is down 7.5 bushels from 2011. Soybean production would be 406 million bushels, down from last year’s production of 466 million bushels.
Forecasted soybean acres to be harvested decreased from 2011 in the South Central and Southeast districts, but increased in the remaining seven districts. Yields and production are forecasted lower in all districts. (The forecasted yield in the East Central district is 27 percent lower than 2011. In the Northwest district, the forecasted yield is down just 6 percent.)
Reminder: All crop forecasts in this report are based on conditions on August 1 and do not reflect weather effects since that time. The next district corn and soybean production forecasts, based on conditions as of September 1, will be released on September 12.
Expeced 2012 corn yield, bu/acre (2011 yield)
NW 156 (177.7)
WC 136 (176.3)
SW 136 (157.5)
Expected 2012 soybean yield, bu/acre (2011 yield)
NW 47.5 (50.8)
WC 43 (49.6)
SW 38.5 (46)
Webinar Looks at Grain Quality, Marketing During Drought
Iowa crop and livestock producers are invited to attend an Iowa State University Extension and Outreach webinar Tuesday, Aug. 21 to learn about grain quality issues and marketing options related to drought. County extension offices will be hosting the webinar, which begins at 1 p.m. There is no charge to attend the webinar.
"As we near harvest, the attention has shifted to grain quality issues," said John Lawrence, extension program director for Agriculture and Natural Resources. "ISU Extension and Outreach specialists will talk about the quality issues farmers can expect, including potential prevalence and severity of aflatoxin."
Extension specialists will discuss marketing options for poor quality grain and how crop insurance will address reduced value. They'll also examine potential feeding challenges of off-quality grain that livestock producers may face.
In addition, ISU Extension and Outreach specialists will look to the future and provide the outlook for crop and livestock prices. They will discuss planning for the 2013 crop, including the impact of drought on fall fertility decisions for the 2013 crop, Lawrence said.
Combine adjustments and harvest safety considerations during drought also will be covered.
The webinar is scheduled from 1 to 3 p.m., with formal presentations followed by a question and answer session. The extension specialists will remain online after 3 p.m. as needed to continue to answer questions from participants submitted through the webinar's online chat feature.
County extension offices and other locations hosting the Aug. 21 webinar include: Audubon; Benton; Black Hawk; Boone; Borlaug Learning Center, Nashua; Bremer; Buena Vista; Butler; Calhoun; Carroll; Cerro Gordo; Cherokee; Crawford; Delaware; Dubuque; Durant Community Center, 606 5th Ave., Durant; Franklin County -- at Godfather's Pizza, 805 Central Ave. West, Hampton; Greene; Guthrie; Hamilton; Hardin; Harrison; Howard; Humboldt; Ida; Iowa; Jefferson; Johnson; Jones; Keokuk; Kossuth; Lucas; Madison; Mills; Monona; Monroe; Northwest Iowa Community College, Building A, Rooms 116-119, Sheldon; Plymouth; Pocahontas; Ringgold; Sac; Wapello; Washington; Wayne; Webster; Winneshiek; Worth ; and Wright.
More counties may be added to the list of hosting sites prior to Aug. 21. Contact a local county extension office for nearest location.
Extension agriculture and program specialists will facilitate the program at each site. The webinar will be recorded and made available on the ISU Extension and Outreach website www.extension.iastate.edu/. Questions and answers from the webinar will be available as well.
US Grains Council Commentary of USDA’s August WASDE Report
In its monthly agricultural supply/demand update the U.S. Department of Agriculture on August 10 again lowered the outlook for U.S. corn production, reflecting the continued deterioration of this year's crop due to the once-in-a-lifetime drought that affects most of the U.S. corn belt.
The latest USDA projection lowers U.S. corn production to 274 million metric tons (10.8 billion bushels), down almost 40 million tons (1.6 billion bushels) from last year, and the lowest since 2006. World corn production is estimated at 849 million tons (33.4 billion bushels), down 27 million tons (1.1 billion bushels) from last year, but 19 million tons (748 million bushels) higher than 2010/2011 due to higher production from China, Brazil and Argentina.
With this large reduction in U.S. corn supplies, higher prices are expected to ration demand during the coming year. USDA projects that total world corn use will decline about 7 million tons (275.6 million bushels) from last year, while U.S. total use will drop 25 million tons (984.2 million bushels) — feed use down 12 million tons (472.4 million bushels), corn use for ethanol down 12.7 million tons (500 million bushels), and exports down 6.3 million tons (248 million bushels). USDA expects world corn imports to decline by almost 7 million tons (275.6 million bushels), while non-U.S. feed use will continue to grow, up 13 million tons (511.8 million bushels) from last year to 405 million tons (15.9 billion bushels).
From a broader perspective, world coarse grain feed use (including mainly corn, sorghum and barley) will be essentially unchanged from last year at 660 million tons, compared with 658.5 million tons in 2011/12.
Countries will respond to the tight corn supplies and higher prices in the coming year in different ways according the USDA estimate. For example, Japan and South Korea imports are projected be unchanged from 2011 to 2012. China's corn imports likely will decrease by 3 million tons (118.1 million bushels) due partly to a record domestic corn harvest of 200 million tons (7.9 million bushels), which is up 7 million tons (275.6 million bushels) from last year.
Globally, all corn users will face the challenge of higher prices and the need for increased efficiency, careful risk management and creative marketing strategies during the coming year. As the projections for U.S. corn use demonstrate, the high prices will ration demand in all markets and in all sectors (feed, food and fuel). Also, the relatively smaller decline in U.S. exports compared to domestic use reflects the resilience of global feed demand.
Despite the decreases projected for U.S. corn production, the United States remains open to trade. In the coming year it will be vital that all exporting countries follow the U.S. example: Open markets, transparent market information and careful planning can help us all work through the coming year.
Agricultural production depends each year on weather factors beyond the control of governments or farmers. But agriculture and food production are basically optimistic lines of work. Each year U.S. farmers plant with hope, and do their best with what nature provides at harvest. U.S. farmers use the best genetics, technology and management practices to grow grains for the world market. As they prepare to harvest this year's disappointing crop, they look forward to normal weather and a record harvest in 2013.
NOPA July Crush Increases
The National Oilseed Processors Association says soybean crush was 137.380 million bushels for July, up 3.224 million bushels from the previous month.
Jul 12 Jun 12 Jul 11
Soybeans crushed - 137,380 134,156 122,952
Soymeal produced - 3,300,592 3,225,121 2,936,330
Soymeal yield - 48.05 48.08 47.76
Soymeal exports - 653,260 585,504 386,812
Soyoil produced - 1,594,052 1,547,436 1,436,571
Soyoil yield - 11.60 11.53 11.68
Soyoil stocks - 2,345,227 2,306,128 2,530,010
Iowa
Crush - 27,242 29,364 27,361
Oil Stocks - 772,652 765,252 819,625
Soybeans in thousand bushels, soymeal in short tons, soyoil in thousand pounds, yield in pounds per bushel.
Retail Fertilizer Trends
As the fall fertilizer season draws closer, there are signs anhydrous prices could be rising, according to retail fertilizer prices tracked by DTN for the first week of August. Most fertilizer prices are continuing to decline, but anhydrous was slightly higher when compared to the first week of July, with an average price of $798/ton.
Among the others, leading the way lower as it has many times in recent weeks is urea. The dry, nitrogen fertilizer was 11% lower and now has an average price of $619/ton. Urea's price has dropped $147/ton since Memorial Day. Also lower were 10-34-0 and the UAN solutions. The starter fertilizer declined 9% while both UAN28 and UAN32 were 7% lower compared to a month earlier. 10-34-0 had an average price of $654/ton, while UAN28 was at $387/ton and UAN32 was at $425/ton.
Three other fertilizers were also less expensive, but just slightly so. DAP had an average price of $634/ton, MAP $665/ton and potash $626/ton.
On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.67/lb.N, anhydrous $0.49/lb.N, UAN28 $0.69/lb.N and UAN32 $0.66/lb.N.
Only one of the eight major fertilizers is still showing a price increase compared to one year earlier. That fertilizer is urea. The nitrogen fertilizer is now 5% higher compared to last year. Seven fertilizers are all now lower compared to July 2011. MAP is 9% lower, DAP is 8% less expensive, anhydrous and UAN32 are now 4% lower, potash is 2% lower and UAN28 is 1% lower compared to last year. The remaining fertilizer, 10-34-0, is now down double digits from a year ago. The starter fertilizer is now 19% less expensive from a year earlier.
Use of U.S. Crude Oil Going Down
Total consumption of U.S. crude oil fell by 340 thousand bbl/d (1.8 percent) last year. Motor gasoline consumption accounted for the bulk of that decline, shrinking by 260 thousand bbl/d (2.9 percent). In 2012, total consumption falls by a further 170 thousand bbl/d (0.9 percent). The year-over-year decline in total consumption narrowed from 680 thousand bbl/d in the first quarter of 2012 to 110 thousand bbl/d in the second quarter. In the third and fourth quarters of 2012 EIA expects a turnaround in total liquid fuels consumption with a smaller year-over-year decline of 30 thousand bbl/d (0.2 percent) in the third quarter and a projected year-over-year increase of 120 thousand bbl/d (0.6 percent). Most of the recovery comes from natural gas liquids, which rise because of continued growth in industrial use and the assumption of near-normal weather this coming winter.
In 2013, total liquid fuels consumption grows by 60 thousand bbl/d (0.3 percent), led by a 50-thousand-bbl/d (1.2-percent) increase in distillate consumption and 30 thousand bbl/d growth in liquefied petroleum gas consumption. Despite an assumed increase in the growth rate of U.S. real disposable income from 1.1 percent in 2012 to 1.7 percent in 2013 and projected declines in retail pump prices of almost 6 percent in 2013, forecast motor gasoline consumption declines by 30 thousand bbl/d (0.4 percent). Gasoline consumption continues to fall because of slow growth in the driving-age population, the acceleration of improvements in the average fuel economy of new vehicles, and increased rates of retirement of older, less-fuel-efficient vehicles.
Domestic crude oil production increased by an estimated 210 thousand bbl/d (3.9 percent) to 5.7 million bbl/d in 2011. Forecast U.S. total crude oil production increases to 6.3 million bbl/d in 2012, the highest annual level of production since 1997. Forecast lower-48 onshore crude oil production grows by a robust 670 thousand bbl/d in 2012 and output in the Gulf of Mexico stabilizes after having fallen last year, but Alaskan output continues to decline by 30 thousand bbl/d. In 2013, total crude oil output rises a further 390 thousand bbl/d, most of which is accounted for by increases in lower-48 onshore production.
Drought Destroys 7.3% of Russian Grain
Russia's drought has destroyed 7.3% of the country's grain harvest with damages estimated to be around 36.5 billion rubles ($1.1 billion), the country's agriculture ministry said Tuesday.
In total, more than 5.56 million hectares of farm land has been ruined by the drought, according to data collected from 21 regions around the country, the ministry said in a statement on its website.
As of August 13, a state of emergency had been declared in 17 regions in Russia.
The size of the Russian harvest has been closely watched as severe drought conditions in the U.S. have deeply affected the global grain market.
The ministry recently lowered its estimate for the country's grain harvest this year to 80 million metric tons to 85 million tons due to severe winter frosts and the ongoing drought through much of Russia's south. Last year's harvest yielded 94.2 million tons.
The ministry didn't say if the reported losses would lead to a further downsizing of the grain harvest.
Russia's domestic grain consumption is estimated at 72.7 million tons and, and including the grain left over from the previous year, the country's grain export potential is expected to be 16 million tons.
Mycogen Seeds Introduces 15 New Soybean Lines for 2013
Mycogen Seeds is offering 15 new soybean lines with the Roundup Ready 2 Yield® trait for the 2013 growing season. The new products will provide growers with innovative technology combined with strong genetic performance.
“Growers can count on Mycogen Seeds to provide top-performing soybeans with the added benefit of experienced on-farm support,” says John Kalthoff, Mycogen Seeds portfolio marketing leader for oil seeds. “Our commitment to technological advances has led to MYCOGEN brand soybean lines that can help growers reach their farm’s maximum potential.”
Featured new soybean lines
5H009R2 is a tall plant with very good standability and tolerance to white mold. This 00 maturity line works well in all row widths and planting practices, especially where soybean cyst nematode is a problem.
5B012R2 offers good stress tolerance and is adapted east to west. This Early Group 0 plant provides tolerance to iron deficiency chlorosis and has ideal height and standability to work across a range of planting conditions.
5B040R2 has agronomics to handle tough Red River Valley soils and from east to west or north to south. This Group 0 plant has excellent emergence and can be planted with confidence on high-pH soils.
5B112R2 provides protection against Phytophthora with rps1k. It is an Early Group 1 line with a bushy plant type that excels in wider row widths and has great yield potential. 5B112R2 is broadly adapted east to west and north to south.
5N143R2 has very good tolerance to white mold, brown stem rot and iron deficiency chlorosis. This Group 1 line performs well in all row widths and planting practices. 5N143R2 has outstanding yield potential with great agronomics.
5N206R2 is an Early Group 2 line with soybean cyst nematode resistance and very good disease ratings for sudden death syndrome, Phtyophthora and brown stem rot. It performs well across all row widths and planting practices, and offers excellent yield potential west to east.
5N235R2 has outstanding emergence and stress tolerance to go across many soil types. It has good branching and standability and works well in all row widths. 5N235R2, an Early Group 2 line, also provides tolerance to Phytophthora with Rps1c.
5N243R2, an attractive plant that performs well west to east, offers great tolerance to brown stem rot and sudden death syndrome. 5N243R2 is a Group 2 line that also provides stability across different environments, especially in Iowa and Illinois.
5B255R2 is a broadly adapted variety with STS (Sulfonylurea Tolerant Soybean) tolerance. This Group 2 line also offers stress tolerance, strong emergence and solid standability to work in all planting practices. As a replacement product for 5B261RR, it offers brown stem rot resistance and good tolerance to Iron Chlorosis Deficiency.
5N262R2 performs best in Central Iowa and east, and offers very good protection against Phytophthora root rot. The Late Group 2 line is recommended for emergence, plant height and standability for all planting practices.
5N305R2 offers strong yield performance west to east and very good disease tolerance to Pyhtophthora, brown stem, white mold and sudden death syndrome. It is an Early Group 3 line with superior standability and emergence to fit into all planting practices.
5N331R2 works well as a full-season product in the northern part of its maturity zone. It is a broadly adapted Early Group 3 product that can be planted in wide or narrow row systems. 5N331R2 also has very good emergence and stress tolerance to handle all soil types.
5N372R2 is a broadly adapted variety that provides protection against Phytophthora root rot. This Late Group 3 line has excellent standability and emergence to handle a wide range of planting practices.
5N423R2 is an Early Group 4 line with good stress tolerance and STS tolerance useful in areas where herbicide carryover may be an issue. It also offers very good tolerance to frogeye leaf spot and sudden death diseases.
Promise for advanced technology
The portfolio of MYCOGEN brand soybeans offers a wide range of agronomic qualities and maturities. Mycogen Seeds has made a commitment to provide customers with new technology, and growers will see the future of soybeans through Mycogen Seeds.
“We are committed to meeting the needs of our growers,” Kalthoff says. “Through ongoing research and development, we plan to continue producing dependable soybeans with the latest technology.”
For more information about these new soybean products or other MYCOGEN brand products, contact your local Mycogen Seeds dealer or sales representative.
Welcome to the KTIC Agriculture Information blog!!! Check back here for the latest in ag news and information, from local events to international happenings and government reports that affect your operation. Please email with suggestions! -Chad Moyer, Farm Director, KTIC Radio
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