Wednesday August 22 Ag News

NE NE Corn Growers Banquet

The drought has taken its toll on everyone.  So let's take a night off!  In a show of appreciation for all your hard work, the Northeast Nebraska Corn Growers invite you and your spouse to a complimentary dinner on Thursday, September 6th, at the Pender Fire Hall.  Guest speakers include Tim Mundorf from Midwest Labs on soil sampling, and how to prepare following a drought, representatives from Siouxland Ethanol with an update on the ethanol industry, and growers from the NE Corn Growers Assoc. and the NE Corn Board.  Social hour starts at 5:30 and the meal is at 6:15.  To RSVP, call Ray at 402-355-2263 or Grant at 402-529-6803. 



Nebraska Corn Board and Nebraska Ethanol Board to promote ethanol during State Fair

The Nebraska Corn Board and Nebraska Ethanol Board are partnering at the 2012 Nebraska State Fair to promote ethanol and flex fuel vehicles.

Friday, August 24 marks the beginning of the Nebraska State Fair and vendor booths from each agency will be set up in the Exhibition Building to focus on flex fuel vehicles (FFV), ethanol education and blender pump promotions.

The ethanol blended fuel promotions will be Saturday, August 25 from 4 to 6 pm and Monday, September 3 from 4 to 6 pm. These promotions will kick off with ethanol blended fuel discounts for FFV owners that are 20 cents for E20, 30 cents for E30 and 85 cents for E85 for this promotion. For more information visit the Nebraska Corn Board or Nebraska Ethanol Board booths at the fair.

“These promotions are a great way to educate consumer about ethanol and flex fuel vehicles. There are over 120,000 FFVs in Nebraska and nearly 60 percent of consumers don’t know they drive a flex fuel vehicle,” said Kim Clark, Director of Biofuels Development from the Nebraska Corn Board. “Education is key, especially when ethanol infrastructure is expanding in Nebraska.”

Todd Sneller, Administrator of the Nebraska Ethanol Board said, “A promotion such as this one during the Nebraska State Fair is a great opportunity to educate consumers from all parts of the state about ethanol and flex fuel vehicle.”

Ethanol is a cleaner, inexpensive, renewable alternative to gasoline. Drivers want fuel choice and high ethanol blend fuels like E85 allows them to save money, support Nebraska’s economy and reduce pollution.

In addition to the ethanol promotions, a pair of Cornhusker football tickets to the September 22 Nebraska vs. Idaho State game and a pair of tickets to the November 10 Nebraska vs. Penn State game are being given away. For more information and to register, visit the Nebraska Corn Board website at NebraskaCorn.org or the Nebraska Ethanol Board website at www.ne-ethanol.org. Winners will be notified on or before Monday, September 17.

For more information on ethanol promotions, FFVs, blender pumps, ethanol fuel and the Husker football tickets to be given away, visit the Nebraska Corn Board or Nebraska Ethanol Board websites or booths at the Nebraska State Fair.

Sign up for the Nebraska Ethanol Board’s FFV Club for updates of new E85 locations and other announcements. Go to www.ne-ethanol.org/ffv to sign up now.



RFD-TV To Break World’s Record for Largest Parade of Classic Tractors at the Nebraska State Fair

The Guiness World’s Record of 745 tractors/drivers in a single parade is set to be broken at the Nebraska State Fair as part of the opening weekend of events organized and sponsored by RFD-TV/RURAL TV.  The parade will take place on Saturday, August 25th, at 1pm around the Fonner Park racetrack in Grand Island, NE.  The current world’s record is held by a classic tractor parade held in Germany.

Over 1,000 tractors from 31 different states have pre-registered to participate with RFD-TV, with entries coming from as far away as New Jersey and Oregon.  In order to qualify, each tractor must be at least 30 years old and provide the VIN/Serial number.  A representative from Guiness will be on hand to certify all aspects of the world record.

“This is going to be an unprecedented sight of machinery of the past”, stated Patrick Gottsch, Founder & President of Rural Media Group, Inc.  “Our call out for tractors and drivers resulted in an overwhelming response from RFD-TV/RURAL TV viewers, who clearly want to bring this world’s record back to the United States.  We are so proud to be supporting the Nebraska State Fair”.

RFD-TV and RURAL TV will carry the parade “live”, which will be hosted by veteran farm broadcaster and tractor-enthusiast Max Armstrong.  Other events scheduled for broadcast on RFD-TV/RURAL TV from the opening weekend at the Nebraska State Fair include a debate between senatorial candidates, an autographed photo session with Heisman Trophy winner and former Cornhusker Johnny Rodgers, a Marty Stuart Concert featuring Connie Smith and the Quebe Sisters, and a draft horse competition which will include the Jackson Fork Ranch championship 6-horse team.

Applications for additional tractors/drivers are still being accepted by visiting www.rfdtv.com. 



Drought Response for Swine Producers Webinar Aug. 29

In response to the current drought situation facing Iowa pork producers, Iowa State University (ISU) Extension and Outreach swine program specialists will host a webinar on Wed., Aug. 29 from 1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. at various locations. The program is free and no preregistration is required, according to ISU Extension swine program specialist Dave Stender.

ISU crop marketing specialist Chad Hart will assess the current and future crop outlook producers, and ISU livestock marketing specialist Lee Schulz will share general and specific information on the situation facing pork producers and the pork market outlook.

Matt Swantek, ISU swine program specialist for west central Iowa, will answer questions regarding feed options and discuss feed alternates, and both attendees and presenters will discuss ideas for saving feed and managing herds such as cleaning up disease by closing the herd, streamlining the sow herd size, increase wean age and management of culls and cull strategies.

"Our presenters will share their insight on sale weight adjustment when margin over feed cost is low or negative, and the market is declining because of the seasonal market price," Stender said.

Local discussion is encouraged with a question and answer discussion to wrap up the program. Locations for the webinar are in the following ISU Extension and Outreach county offices: Sioux, Cherokee and Carroll in western Iowa; Cass in southeast; Fayette in northeast; Mahaska and Washington in south/southeast; and Humboldt in north central Iowa.

For more information on locations or meeting content, contact any ISU Extension swine program specialist. Find the specialist nearest you.



Silage Can Now Be Listed on Iowa Hay and Straw Directory

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey Tuesday announced that farmers can list corn that is available to be chopped for silage on the Iowa hay and straw directory. The change is in response to the drought conditions affecting all of Iowa and the many livestock farmers that are looking for additional feed as a result.

"We have started to see some corn being chopped for silage and I expect we will see much more than usual as pastures and hay ground have dried up and farmers are looking for alternatives," Northey said. "The drought has been especially tough on livestock farmers and we hope the directory continues to be a resource as farmers seek additional feed sources for their animals."

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship had previously allowed farmers with Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and Wetland Reserve Program (WRP) land available for haying to be listed on the hay and straw directory as well. All haying activities on those lands must be completed by August 31, 2012, so it is important farmers interested in the emergency haying program contact their local FSA or NRCS office quickly.

The Iowa Hay and Straw Directory offered by the Department each year and 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.



DROUGHT BUSTER COMES TO NEBRASKA

The farmers in Clarkson, NE have just received a gift they didn't think was possible amid the worst drought in a century: a daily supply of lush, LivingGreens(tm) barley grass to feed their livestock.

The gift has been brought to the area and set up at the Gall Farm in Clarkson, NE by All Season Greens of Montana and Integrity Integrated Resources based in Texas. The two companies have teamed up to produce hydroponic growing chambers that may well prove to be the salvation of livestock farmers for years to come. The first feeding from the system in Nebraska is scheduled for Saturday, August 25, 11:00 am at the Gall Farm in Clarkson, NE.  The public is welcome to attend. The farm is located at 56974 824th Road which is 4 miles south on 570th Avenue off of Highway 32. The farm entrance is the first drive on the left at the top of the hill on 824th.

The system that has been installed in Clarkson is a good will gesture from the manufacturers. They send the unit to distressed areas to help farmers feed their livestock. “Between the drought and terrible forest fires we have thousands of animals with virtually nothing to eat.” said David Oberst, President of All Season Greens. “We just felt it was the right thing to do,” said Jerry Smith, President of I2R. “With these growing systems farmers can produce 1,000 pounds a day of 90% digestible, fresh LivingGreens ™ for their animals with an RFV (Relative Feed Value) over 300. That's gotta taste pretty good to them in all this heat and disasters around the country.”

The system operates based on the principles of hydroponics that farmers have experimented with for centuries. The patent-pending technology from All Season Greens has achieved a breakthrough by providing the first truly UL certified plug and run growing chamber that can produce LivingGreens(tm) in sufficient quantity to feed livestock through the winter and even through the worst of droughts. The ASG1000 system can grow any grains or legumes but primarily produces barley or wheat from seed to lush greens in just 6 days. Everyday over a 1000 pounds of premium grade feed is harvested from the system and the farmer starts a new batch which will sprout and mature six days later; you harvest feed daily.  

“It's amazing,” said Rick Dake, a dairy farmer in Norwood, MO who has been feeding his dairy cattle a diet of LivingGreens(tm) sprouted from barley seeds for more than a year now. “You can actually look in the chamber and see a tray day-1 growth when they have already started to germinate in less than 24 hours.” The day-3 seeds have started a healthy root mass, “and then by day 5 you actually have barley grass growing.” Barley LivingGreens reach a peak maturity by day 6 and are generally 5 – 6 inches tall.  “And the nutrition is off the charts,” explained Dake. “My dairy cows absolutely love it. I think they know how healthy it is for them, because they eat the whole thing – grass, roots and all.”  “I have had excellent breed back rates since I started with living greens and they have no health problems at all. No mastitis, no foot problems, the milk has just been excellent.”

Dake has also been doing a backgrounding experiment with some beef cattle using a diet exclusively of LivingGreens(tm) and LivingGrains(tm). “Even in the worst heat we've seen here in Southern Missouri in over 60 years the calves have been putting on about 2 ½ lbs / day at a cost of less than 75 cents per pound of weight gain.” Dake feels blessed he hasn't had to sell the calves early and at low prices like a lot of farmers have had to. “We have plenty to feed them because we aren't dependent on  corn-based feed or pasture during the drought.”Carl Blake the owner of Rustik Rooster Farm, a specialty swine farm in Ionia, IA credits the ASG1000 with keeping him in business. “With the price of corn my feed costs were out of control and getting worse, “ he explained.  “Now that I have a couple of ASG1000 systems I can survive the drought, feed my pigs better than ever and at a cost that is about ½ of what I used to pay.”



Mississippi River Closed

(AP) -- The Coast Guard says the Mississippi River is closed to shipping again after a barge grounded near Greenville, Miss.  An 11-mile stretch of the Mississippi south of Memphis, Tenn., reopened to limited vessel traffic late Tuesday after dredges were able to clear a channel.  Petty Officer Ryan Tippets said crews were working Wednesday to refloat the vessel and allow limited barge traffic to resume. It's not clear when the river will reopen.  Tippets says 33 northbound vessels were able to pass through the area before the grounding.  Low water is expected to hinder the flow of cargo from the nation's heartland until October.  A prolonged river shutdown could hamper operations of the busy port upriver from New Orleans that handles U.S. grain for export.



NPPC Applauds Issuance of Wholesale Pork Reporting Rule

The National Pork Producers Council applauded today’s release of a final rule to implement the wholesale pork reporting provision of the federal mandatory price reporting law, which requires meat packers to report price data to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service (AMS).

NPPC worked to get the reporting provision included in legislation that reauthorized in September 2010 the Livestock Mandatory Reporting Act and helped develop the regulation as part of a negotiated rulemaking process.

The rule outlines what information packers will be required to submit to AMS, how the information should be submitted and other requirements. Packers will be required to submit the price of each sale, quantity and other characteristics, such as the type of sale, item description and destination of the product. AMS will use the data to produce timely, meaningful market reports.

“America’s pork producers are grateful for USDA’s cooperation in helping develop this valuable tool for pork producers since it is becoming increasingly common to sell hogs based on the cutout price,” said NPPC President R.C. Hunt, a pork producer from Wilson, N.C. “This important addition to the price reporting law allows for a more competitive market and will provide greater transparency in the livestock market.”



Beef Checkoff Launches BeefRetail.org for Retailers

The beef checkoff recently launched a refreshed version of the BeefRetail.org website to make it easier for retailers to access information to support beef sales at the retail meat case. The new version of the site offers enhanced functionality and new features and is the result of a nine-month overhaul that incorporates B2B web marketing best practices, feedback received from retail thought leaders and a review of web metrics to optimize visitors' ability to access the content more efficiently.

The site is geared toward key retailers, suppliers and industry partners as a resource for them on market intelligence, shopper insights, merchandising programs and more. The site serves as the single source for the retail channel on stimulating retail beef sales and building long-term beef demand among today's consumers. It is continuously updated with the latest market intelligence, consumer trends and insights on shopper purchase behaviors.

"The checkoff is continually responding to retailers' needs, making it easier for them to find what they need to help supercharge beef sales in their stores," says Brett Morris, producer from Ninnekah, Okla., and chair of the checkoff's retail committee. "We know the beef checkoff is one of the leading sources for retailers when it comes to beef marketing efforts such as in-store and online promotional materials, on-pack labels, weekly ad circulars, social media properties and more. The updated site helps make this critical information more easily accessible."

The new site includes a 'Find It Fast' reference area, video library and educational resources.  For more information, visit BeefRetail.org.



Beef is Excellent for Offsetting Age-Related Muscle Loss
The beef checkoff recently funded a research project conducted by Stuart Phillips, McMaster University Department of Kinesiology, Hamilton, Ontario, that focused on nutrient-rich proteins in offsetting age-related muscle loss.  He says, “One of the key findings that we saw was that when you compare beef – 4 ounces of beef – to an exact same amount of soy protein, is that beef is actually more effective than soy in promoting new muscle protein synthesis in men that were probably between age 57 to about 65.”

Phillips says the new research findings may surprise and challenge people’s current way of thinking.  “The recommendations that a lot of people will give now is that plant-based proteins should be the source of protein we should focus more on as we get a little bit older -- when, in fact, we think that because of the nutrient-density of something like beef, for example, looking at the iron content, zinc, vitamin B12, and the fact now that we’ve shown that it’s a more effective source of protein in promoting muscle mass secretion or gain, is that actually that recommendation would sort of fly in the face of a lot of things that you’re hearing these days.”

Another interesting finding is that the optimal amount of beef is 6 ounces to stimulate muscle protein synthesis. This research will have significant impact on diets for aging well as we better understand how different protein sources perform.  He says, “Another finding that we also found was that the amount of beef that’s able to stimulate this new muscle protein growth is about 6 ounces of beef and not the 3 ounces that is recommended on the My Plate food guide, for example. So it’s a larger serving of beef, and it really comes down I think to the efficiency of which our bodies process protein.”



NCGA Study to Assess GHG Impact of Ethanol More Accurately

The National Corn Growers Association has supported a study that will be released this fall, reporting that supplementing cattle feed with corn stover actually decreases the amount of greenhouse gases created during corn ethanol production.  This study, by Life Cycle Associates, was designed to assess the impact on the carbon intensity, as measured by greenhouse gas emissions, of a corn ethanol pathway by taking into account the replacement of a portion of corn grain for feed with corn stover. The project received NCGA funding as part of a greater organizational effort to help find the answers farmers need in order to run the most efficient, environmentally friendly operations possible.

"It only makes sense that farmers place an incredible priority of caring for the environment," said NCGA Ethanol Committee Chair Chad Willis, a grower from Willmar, Minn. "Natural resources, such as healthy soil and clean air and water, enable us not only to make a living but also  to continue what, for most, is a family tradition. Today's farmers take an active role in ensuring that we adopt farm practices that have been scientifically shown to raise the largest crop possible using the fewest resources, be they nutrients, land or water. NCGA supports our efforts by making the solid, scientific information necessary to act as good stewards is readily available."

This study is part of an environmental evaluation called life-cycle assessment, LCA. These processes can be evaluated from different starting and stopping points, for instance, from cradle-to-grave, cradle-to-gate, cradle-to-cradle, well-to-wheel.

By carefully selecting when the LCA evaluation process begins and ends, researchers can model the full GHG impact in a way that most accurately reflects the situation as it currently occurs and, if applicable, as it may occur if a variable were altered. By choosing to start at any certain point, be it at the very beginning, once it enters a gas tank or anywhere in between, the research can be tailored to answer specific questions important to achieving an accurate evaluation. Likewise, LCA analysis also allows for targeted use in that it can look at a variety of ends points, be it through fuel combustion or even recycling.

Life-cycle assessment studies provide quantitative data on what steps in the corn or ethanol production processes conserve or consume the most resources. By understanding which steps are the most sustainable, farmers and ethanol producers can make changes in their day-to-day activities and in their planning processes to best protect the environment. These choices are good for the pocketbook and for the environment as conserving resources often conserves costs too.



USDA Cold Storage Highlights
Total red meat supplies in freezers were down 5 percent from the previous month but up 15 percent from last year. Total pounds of beef in freezers were down 3 percent from the previous month but up 10 percent from last year. Frozen pork supplies were down 8 percent from the previous month but up 20 percent from last year. Stocks of pork bellies were down 43 percent from last month and down 5 percent from last year.

Total frozen poultry supplies on July 31, 2012 were up 1 percent from the previous month but down 6 percent from a year ago. Total stocks of chicken were up slightly from the previous month but down 14 percent from last year. Total pounds of turkey in freezers were up 1 percent from last month and up 6 percent from July 31, 2011.

Total natural cheese stocks in refrigerated warehouses on July 31, 2012 were down slightly from the previous month and down 4 percent from July 31, 2011.  Butter stocks were down 5 percent from last month but up 24 percent from a year ago.

Total frozen fruit stocks were up 22 percent from last month and up 14 percent from a year ago.  Total frozen vegetable stocks were up 12 percent from last month and up 7 percent from a year ago.



US Ethanol Supply Rises

Domestic ethanol inventories reversed from drawdowns to supply building last week, climbing 46,000 bbl to 18.493 million bbl during the week-ended Aug. 17, up 1.4% from the year-ago level, Energy Information Administration data showed.

Production of ethanol by domestic plants also rose 4,000 bpd or 0.5% to 823,000 bpd last week, while down 8.9% compared to a year ago.

Implied demand, as measured by refiner and blender net inputs, fell 7,000 bpd or 0.8% to 840,000 bpd for the week-ended Aug. 17. Refiner and blender net inputs represent a major portion of implied demand for ethanol.

Elsewhere, the EIA reported that implied demand for motor gasoline eased last week, falling 227,000 bpd to 9.081 million bpd for the week-ended Aug. 17. Gasoline demand for the four weeks ended Aug. 17 averaged 9.0 million bpd, down 1.7% from the consumption rate implied a year ago.



Vilsack Announces New Help for Livestock Producers with Changes to Emergency Loans, Crop Insurance

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today made a series of announcements that continue to underscore the Obama Administration's ongoing work to help farmers, ranchers and businesses impacted by the most severe drought in 50 years. The Secretary said the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) intends to file special provisions with the federal crop insurance program to allow haying or grazing of cover crops without impacting the insurability of planted 2013 spring crops, a move that can help provide much needed forage and feed this fall and winter for livestock producers. In a separate step, Vilsack will modify emergency loans, allowing loans to be made earlier in the season helping livestock producers to offset increased feed costs and those who have liquidated herds.

"At the direction of the President, USDA continues to work as swiftly as possible to get help to America's farmers and ranchers by providing flexibility within existing programs, particularly those that assist livestock producers," said Vilsack. "In the weeks ahead, the Obama Administration will continue to stand with and support our farmers, ranchers and business as they recover from this drought. Still, it is important that Congress pass a Food, Farm and Jobs Bill as soon as possible, to give USDA more tools to help and to give more certainty to producers in this difficult time."

Earlier today, Vilsack also designated 33 additional counties in 8 states as natural disaster areas—23 counties due to drought. In the past six weeks, USDA has designated 1,821 counties in 35 states as disaster areas—1,692 due to drought—while USDA officials have fanned out to more than a dozen drought-affected states as part of a total U.S. government effort to offer support and assistance to those impacted by the drought.

The changes announced today by Secretary Vilsack will benefit America's livestock and crop producers alike by improving procedures and lessening requirements during a time of disaster.

For the 2013 crop year, USDA's Risk Management Agency (RMA)—which manages and operates the Federal Crop Insurance Corporation—intends to file special provisions statements to allow haying or grazing of cover crops without impacting the insurability of planted 2013 spring crops. This flexibility will help farmers, if they choose, plant a cover crop without risking crop insurance coverage in 2013, providing much needed forage and feed this fall and winter.

In a separate announcement, USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) will make changes to the emergency loan program that will help producers obtain the loans earlier in the season. Previous to this change, emergency loan eligibility was based on crop losses that were determined after the production cycle; loan amounts were based on production during normal years. With these changes, producers no longer are required to wait until the end of the production cycle to obtain a loan, benefiting livestock producers who need assistance today to help offset increased feed costs, as well as producers liquidating herds as a result of the drought.

At the direction of the President, Secretary Vilsack is helping coordinate an Administration-wide response that has included: the National Credit Union Administration's increased capacity for lending to customers including farmers; the U.S. Department of Transportation's emergency waivers for federal truck weight regulations and hours of service requirements to get help to drought-stricken communities; and the Small Business Administration's issuance of 71 agency declarations in 32 states covering 1,636 counties, providing a pathway for small businesses, small agricultural cooperatives and non-farm small businesses that are economically affected by the drought in their community to apply for Economic Injury Disaster Loans (EIDL). President Obama also stressed the need for the entire Administration to continue to look at further steps it can take to ease the pain of this historic drought.



Statement from Dave Daley, Ph.D., California State University, Chico, on Undercover Videos at California Processing Facility

Federal regulators have suspended operation of a Central California slaughterhouse after receiving undercover video showing alleged abuse to dairy cows. Officials with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), which inspects meat facilities, suspended operations Monday at Central Valley Meat Co. in Hanford, Calif. Animal care expert, Dr. Dave Daley, Associate Dean for the College of Agriculture at California State University and an active member of the cattle community issued the following statement.

“The vast majority of cattlemen stand firm in adhering to the absolute best animal care and handling guidelines established by veterinarians and other experts. We do not condone any mishandling of livestock on the farm or ranch or in the packing facility. In fact, we firmly believe that those knowingly and willfully committing any abuse to animals should not be in the business – period. The actions depicted in these videos are disgraceful and not representative of the cattle community.

“U.S. Department of Agriculture inspectors have a very serious responsibility and obligation to make certain that packing plants are vigorously following the guidelines in place that ensure animal care from pasture to plate. Cattlemen put their livestock above their own needs and truly develop a bond with the land and livestock. Cattlemen work hard every day to give animals the proper care and handling they deserve and expect proper treatment to continue after they leave America’s family farms and ranches.

“This is exactly why the farmer and rancher code of conduct within Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) has been in place since 1996 and condemns the mistreatment of animals. We believe any individual who witnesses inappropriate animal treatment is responsible for making every effort to stop it immediately. Anyone who mistreats animals must be reported immediately and should be punished in accordance with the law. We must work together to put a stop to any abuse.”



AVMA calls dairy cow abuse shown in new video “inhumane and unacceptable”

The AVMA strongly condemns recently released video showing the inhumane treatment of cows at a California slaughterhouse and is calling for stricter adherence to humane animal handling guidelines and standards.

The AVMA labeled the abuse, which includes cows being pulled by their tails, kicked, and repeatedly shocked, as indefensible and deplorable.

“Once again, we are confronted with video showing unacceptable and inhumane treatment of livestock by those responsible for their care,” said Dr. Ron DeHaven, chief executive officer of the AVMA. “We hope that those responsible are brought to justice, and that their punishment will serve as a reminder that this type of abuse will not be tolerated by either veterinarians or the American public.”

The undercover video, taped in June at Central Valley Meat Co. in Hanford, Calif., was shot by an animal rights group. Officials from the U.S. Department of Agriculture suspended operations at the facility on Monday, and the USDA Food Safety and Inspection Service (FSIS) is conducting an investigation into the allegations.

In addition to investigating the inhumane and improper handling of cattle by facility employees, and the potential food safety risks associated with that handling, the AVMA urges the USDA to investigate whether or not the USDA-FSIS inspectors at the facility were providing adequate oversight. Anyone complicit in this unacceptable treatment of animals needs to be held accountable.

Dr. Gail Golab, director of the AVMA’s Animal Welfare Division, emphasized the association’s zero-tolerance approach toward animal cruelty.

“People working with animals have a responsibility to ensure they are treated humanely; this includes workers on the floor as well as management in the corner office,” Dr. Golab said. “They also have a responsibility to stop—and prevent—this type of cruelty toward animals.

“Animal welfare is an AVMA priority, and we have worked hard to encourage the use of sound animal care practices in all types of facilities. Good animal care means making sure that animals are cared for and handled appropriately at all times. The AVMA simply will not tolerate bad behavior toward animals,” Dr. Golab said.

The AVMA urges law enforcement authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and to prosecute those responsible to the fullest extent of the law.

The AVMA has long-standing policies addressing the appropriate care and handling of animals used for agricultural production. They are available for review at https://www.avma.org/KB/Resources/Reference/AnimalWelfare/Pages/Animal-Welfare-Policy-statements.aspx.



Second National Symposium on Antibiotic Use in Food Animals to be held Nov. 13-15

Dr. Lonnie King will be the opening keynote speaker at the “A One Health Approach to Antimicrobial Use & Resistance: A Dialogue for a Common Purpose” symposium in Columbus, Ohio, on Nov. 13-15. King is dean of The Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medicine and is a former director of the Center for Disease Control’s National Center for Zoonotic, Vector-Borne and Enteric Diseases where he led the center's activities for surveillance, diagnostics, disease investigations, epidemiology, research, public education, policy development, disease prevention and control programs.

“Dr. King is the ideal person to kick off the symposium,” states symposium Co-chair Dr. Leah Dorman, Director of Food Programs, Center for Food and Animal Issues, Ohio Farm Bureau Federation. “He’s been in the trenches and will bring a 360-degree view to this important topic. “

Developed by the National Institute for Animal Agriculture, the symposium will present information on antibiotic use and resistance and serve as a platform where experts in the field of antimicrobials—public, animal and environmental health—can share information and engage in meaningful dialogue with medical doctors, veterinarians, policy makers, organization leaders, livestock and poultry producers, academicians, researchers and consumers to work on a collective path forward.

Other speakers confirmed for the Nov. 13-15 symposium include
·         Dr. Ron DeHaven, executive vice president, American Veterinary Medical Association
·         Dr. George Sundin, Department of Plant Pathology, Michigan State University
·         Dr. Guy Loneragan, Director of Food Safety and Public Health, Texas Tech
·         Dr. Alison Mather, Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, University of Cambridge
·         Dr. Rick Sibbel, Director of Cattle Technical Services, Merck Animal Health
·         Dr. Patrick McDermott, National Antibiotic Resistance Monitoring System, Food and Drug Administration/Center for Veterinary Medicine
·         Dr. Mary Torrence, National Program Food Safety Leader, USDA/Agricultural Research Service
·         Dr. Tom Chiller, epidemiologist, Centers for Disease Control
·         Dr. Randy Singer, Associate Professor Epidemiology, University of Minnesota
·         Dr. Rich Carnevale, Animal Health Institute’s Vice President for Regulatory, Scientific & International Affairs
·         Dr. Karl Dawson, Director Worldwide Research, Alltech

The three-day symposium will be broken into three in-depth discussions: antimicrobial use, antimicrobial resistance and the next steps.

“We are excited for animal, human and environmental health constituents to come together to learn from each other and share information for the benefit of all stakeholders,” states symposium Co-chair Dr. Jennifer Koeman, Director of Producer and Public Health for the National Pork Board. “Discussions and media information regarding antimicrobial use and resistance has frequently been oversimplified, and this symposium will not only help unravel misinformation but be a full disclosure of facts so those of us in public, animal and environmental health can create a collective path forward.”

Dorman and Koeman stress that the symposium is open to all individuals who want to know more about antimicrobial use and resistance.

With seating limited, individuals are encouraged to register early, and those who register by Oct. 15 qualify for an early bird registration discount, making registration $270/person.

To register for or to learn more about the Nov. 13-15, 2012, “A One Health Approach to Antimicrobial Use and Resistance: A Dialogue for a Common Purpose” symposium, please go online to www.animalagriculture.org or call 1-800-237-7193.



ASA Taps 16 Growers from Nine States for WISHH Leadership Team

American Soybean Association (ASA) President Steve Wellman has confirmed 16 soybean growers from nine states to ASA’s World Initiative for Soy in Human Health (WISHH) Committee in 2012-13. WISHH Committee Members reelected David Iverson of South Dakota as chair and Andy Welden of Michigan as vice chair. Illinois grower Dan Farney is the new treasurer. Lucas Heinen of Kansas now serves as secretary.

New WISHH Committee Members for 2012-13 are: Gary Berg (Ill.); Ron Bunjer (Minn.); Ryan Cahoon (N.C.); Dean Coleman (Iowa); Levi Huffman (Ind.); Mike Marron (Ill.); Joe Murphy (Ill.), and Art Wosick (N.D.). Returning to the Committee are Scott Fritz (Ind.); Monica McCranie (S.D.); Darrel McGriff (Ind.), and Randy Van Kooten (Iowa). United Soybean Board Director Mary Lou Smith (Mich.), and Drew Klein, representing the U.S. Soybean Export Council, serve as ex-officio members of the Committee. 

Wellman and Iverson recognize outgoing WISHH Members: Ken Bartlett (N.C.); Pat Dumoulin (Ill.); C.W. Gaffner (Ill.); Jared Hagert (N.D.); John Heisdorffer (Iowa); Barb Overlie (Minn.), and Jack Trumbo (Ky.).

“ASA thanks the visionary farmers who have led and those who will now lead WISHH to new market frontiers for U.S. soy,” said Wellman. “Building overseas markets for any product takes years, but WISHH has already created new markets for our soy in Africa and beyond.”

A new U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) science white paper released on July 24, highlights the importance of developing countries. It leads with, “The future success of U.S. agriculture is tied to economic growth in the developing world. These countries play a vital role in expanding feed and food export markets…”

The USDA paper also cites the world population is estimated at 7 billion as of May 2012 and will increase to more than 9 billion by 2050. Currently, nearly one billion people globally are estimated to be food insecure, with 44 percent residing in Sub-Saharan Africa, according to USDA Economist Shahla Shapouri. 

“Growing populations and increasing incomes are driving demand for U.S. soy protein in developing countries,” said Iverson. “We look forward to working with the many developing country entrepreneurs and organizations that are eager to use U.S. soy to improve the diets as well as economic opportunities in these countries.”

Since U.S. soybean farmers founded WISHH in 2000, WISHH has worked in 23 countries to improve diets, as well as encourage growth of food industries. The WISHH program is managed from ASA’s world headquarters in Saint Louis. For more information, visit www.wishh.org.



Clogged Ports May Mean No Fertilizer for Some Brazilian Farmers

Long delays at Brazil's principal ports are making it increasingly likely that some fertilizer will not reach farmers in time for the upcoming soy and grain planting season.

According to a local fertilizer trader quoted by Reuters, between 1 million and 2 million metric tons (mmt) of fertilizer, predominantly potash and phosphates, are sitting in line-ups outside Brazilian ports or are on their way.

The biggest problems are at Paranagua, the principal southern grain port, where over 60 ships are waiting to unload fertilizer. That queue will take an estimated 50 days to clear, but soybean and corn planting begins in a couple of weeks.

Delays have been particularly onerous at Paranagua this year because of heavy rain in May and June and strikes by port workers and health inspectors, but the underlining problem is that for years investment has not kept pace with growing demand from shippers of soybeans, sugar, meat, corn and of course fertilizer.

Local fertilizer demand has taken off since 2010 with handsome margins on soybeans and corn prompting farmers to professionalize and invest more in their soil. An expansion in planted area has also played a part.

Brazilian farmers are expected to buy 29 to 29.5 mmt of fertilizer this season, up sharply from 24.5 mmt just two years ago. And with over 70% of Brazil's fertilizer needs met from abroad, that equals more pressure on the already clogged ports.



Argentina Plans New Biotech Law

Argentina is working on a new seed law to protect intellectual property rights for agricultural biotechnology in a bid to lure Monsanto Co. to bring its second generation of transgenic-soybean seeds into the country.

"We've decide to move forward on a seed law draft, as corresponds in a country that aspires to be a leader in food production," agriculture minister Norberto Yauhar said in a press release Tuesday.

"We're looking to protect intellectual property in the development process," Mr. Yauhar said, adding that the bill will be sent to congress for debate in the coming months.

Argentina is the world's top soymeal and soyoil exporter, and ranks third behind the U.S. and Brazil in soybean exports.

Agricultural-biotech-company Monsanto is planning on selling its second-generation of transgenic-soybean seeds in Argentina in 2014 despite struggling for years to collect royalties on the first-generation seeds.

The U.S. patent for those first-generation soybean seeds, which are genetically modified to resist the herbicide glyphosate, runs out in 2014. The new seeds, will add insect resistance as well.

Monsanto failed to obtain a local patent for the genetically modified soybean seeds it introduced in Argentina 15 years ago and its efforts to collect royalties have been foiled by local regulations.

However, Monsanto says it is making progress in reaching an agreement with growers to pay royalties before introducing the new, improved strain of soybean seeds.

Monsanto has a patent for the new seeds in Argentina, but under current local law, farmers aren't required to pay royalties on the seeds they hold back for the next planting season.

Virtually all of the soybeans grown in Argentina are based on Monsanto's technology and the company is hoping that the potential yield increase for the second generation seeds will entice Argentina to get serious on ensuring it can collect royalties.

The new seeds have show yields up to 15% higher than the earlier strain in Brazil, Pablo Vaquero, Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Director for Southern Latin America told local news station C5N Tuesday.

The yield boost could increase Argentina's annual soybean output by 5 million metric tons and boost the country's competitiveness, Mr. Yauhar told the same channel following an event hosted by Monsanto to promote the new soybean seeds.

The U.S., Brazil and Argentina dominate global soybean sales, while China is the world's top importer. Demand for soybeans has surged in recent years for use as animal feed to sate the world's growing hunger for meat.

Argentina already ranks No.3 in the world behind Brazil in the area planted with genetically modified seeds, according to the International Service for the Acquisition of Agri-Biotech Applications.

In its annual report, the trade group, whose backers include Monsanto and the U.S. Department of Agriculture, said that Argentina planted about 23.7 million hectares with genetically-modified soybean, corn and cotton in 2011.

Despite the problems collecting royalties in Argentina, Monsanto continues to press forward with expansion plans in Argentina.

In June, the company said it plans to invest over $355 million to build a massive new corn-seed-production plant in the heart of the country's corn belt in Cordoba province.

Monsanto already has a huge facility for producing corn seed in Buenos Aires province.

Monsanto doesn't face the same problem with corn seeds as it did with soybeans. The corn pollination process dilutes the transgenic traits quickly and farmers need to buy them directly from the company each year to enjoy the yield-enhancing benefits.



Help Honor Mark Pearson’s Memory with Fun and Games

The agriculture community lost one of its greatest ambassadors when Mark Pearson, longtime host of WHO Radio’s “The Big Show” and Iowa Public Television’s “Market to Market” program, passed away June 3.  That’s why Latham Hi-Tech Seeds, in conjunction with its 65-year celebration Saturday, Aug. 25, will honor Pearson’s memory in a way that’s fitting of his booming laugh and fun-loving spirit.

“I thought the absolute world of Mark,” says Shannon Latham, vice president of Latham Hi-Tech Seeds. “He had such a passion for helping inspire and educate youth, such dedication to his career in ag journalism — and they were all wrapped in this unique package. He was one of the most recognized personalities in our industry. His humor was contagious; his intelligence enviable; and the way he combined both to make his audiences feel simultaneously educated and entertained was pure genius.”

“This weekend, we’ll hold our first-ever cow chip Bingo as part of the Latham Country Fair,” adds Latham. “Game proceeds will benefit the Mark Pearson Endowment. It seemed only fitting we honor Mark with an event as unique and fun as he was.”

Eighty percent of proceeds from the cow chip toss will benefit the Mark Pearson Endowment, a scholarship program available to junior and senior students at Iowa colleges who have chosen to major in agriculture journalism, with the remaining 20 percent going to the winner present at the Latham celebration. The Mark Pearson Endowment is scheduled to award its first scholarship at the 2013 Iowa State Fair.

“Dad worked with the Latham family on multiple projects throughout the years, and I know they have shared passions in agriculture, including helping inspire youth to get involved in the industry,” says Mike Pearson, Mark’s son. “Not only that, Dad loved cow chip bingo — this event is the perfect fit for him — I know he would have been first in line to participate!”

Visitors to the Latham 65-year Anniversary Celebration will have their choice of multiple fun activities in which to participate. Growers are invited to join Latham’s Fourth Annual Freedom of Independence Ride, a 90-mile motorcycle tour with stops at three Latham® corn and soybean showcase plots, while family members are invited to enjoy the Latham Country Fair, where entertainment awaits with a petting zoo, inflatable rides, pedal carts, face painting, a craft fair and more.