Friday August 31 Ag News

UNL "Strengthening the State of Beef" at Husker Harvest Days

"Strengthening the State of Beef" is the theme for University of Nebraska-Lincoln Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources' exhibits at this year's Husker Harvest Days show near Grand Island. The show is Sept. 11-13.

The old Nebraska saying of "More cattle than people" holds true in many ways: On average, there are 2.3 million head of cattle on feed in Nebraska and more than 5 million cattle are fed and marketed here each year. It is the state's single largest industry.

"One out of every five steaks produced in the U.S. is from Nebraska, so Nebraska has a well-deserved reputation as 'The Beef State,'" said Ronnie Green, NU vice president and IANR Harlan vice chancellor.

"UNL and IANR are working to strengthen that industry both here and nationally through research and education focused on beef nutrition, breeding improvements, resource stewardship, animal care, food safety and producer profitability," he said

This is the fifth year that IANR teaching, research and extension exhibits at Husker Harvest Days focus on a specific area of importance that is relevant to all Nebraskans, and visitors to the Husker Red exhibit building on the south side of the showground at Lot 321 will see lots of ways IANR and UNL Extension are working to strengthen the state's beef industry.

Key exhibit areas focus on the economic impacts of beef in Nebraska, the state's single largest industry with a $12.1 billion annual economic impact; UNL's global leadership in beef breeding practices; reproduction and proper management of prenatal nutrition to improve calf health and lifelong performance of the animal; and innovative pasture and forage management to improve herd performance and profitability while sustaining the health and value of grasslands and rangelands.

Others examine stewardship and animal care, food safety and feedlot nutrition.

"Nutrition is part of Nebraska's unique combination of cattle, corn and ethanol production that attracts millions of cattle from other states to be fed out prior to harvest. Our research on distillers grains, a co-product of ethanol production, is helping improve cattle performance, while adding value to our state's corn production," Green said. 

Outreach education also will be prominent within the exhibits.

"We provide a wide range of education and management information for cattle producers and much of this uses a systems approach to help producers adopt a holistic perspective that integrates cattle, natural resources, range and economics into their decision-making," Green said.

The Husker building's central information booth will help answer questions on a variety of extension and research-related topics, provide copies of helpful NebGuides and direct those needing further help to extension experts in their area.

The Husker building is also the place to learn about the latest opportunities for students at UNL's College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, and at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture at Curtis. College representatives are available throughout the show to answer questions from potential students. Those interested in the Nebraska LEAD (Leadership Education Action Development) program also can visit with a LEAD representative.

New this year, a large tent just east of the Husker building will be filled with information on careers and career activities and provide samples of some of the latest cuts of beef. UNL Extension's mobile beef lab will be located there too, along with IANR's Market Journal team.

IANR has been part of Husker Harvest Days since the first show in 1978.

"We hope people stop to see us each year," Green said. "To see what's new, and to tell us what they think, and what they see as Nebraska's main challenges and concerns. As the people's land-grant university, our focus is always on how we can best be at work for Nebraska."

 

Nebraska LEAD Announces 2012-2014 Fellows

Nebraska LEAD Group 32 participants were announced by Terry Hejny, director, Nebraska LEAD (Leadership Education/Action Development) Program.

The newest members of Nebraska's premier two-year agricultural leadership development program in its 31st year are made up exclusively of participants who are involved in production agriculture and/or agribusiness in Nebraska, Hejny said.

"Once again we are proud to say that Class 32 appears to be filled with outstanding individuals from throughout the state," Hejny said.

The two-year program will begin in September.

LEAD Fellows will participate in 12 monthly three-day seminars across Nebraska, a 10-day national study/travel seminar and a 14-16 day international study/travel seminar. The goal of the program is to develop problem solvers, decision makers and spokespersons for agriculture and Nebraska.

Seminar themes include leadership assessment and potential, natural resources and energy, agricultural policy, leadership through communication, our political process, global perspectives, nuclear energy, social issues, understanding and developing leadership skills, agribusiness and marketing, advances in health care, resources and people of Nebraska’s Panhandle and other areas designed to develop leaders through exposure to a broad array of current topics and issues and how they interrelate.

The Nebraska LEAD Program is operated by the non-profit Nebraska Agricultural Leadership Council in cooperation with the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and 10 other institutions of higher education throughout Nebraska.

Nebraska LEAD 32 Fellows in alphabetical order are Matt Boos, Cozad; Aaron Broz, Hayes Center; Bryan Buskirk, Alliance; Chris Cornelius, Elsie; Warren Coulter, Gretna; Jessi Doke, Norfolk; Bonnie Downing, Dunning; Christine Erquiaga, Rushville; Chris Hartwig, Lincoln; Brad Holen, Omaha; Brian James, Nebraska City; Mackenzie Johnston, Milburn; Andrew Kabes, Grant; Darrell Kahler, David City; Kurt Kircher, Kearney; Jeff Larson, Axtell; Tami McIntosh, Sargent; Brett Mueller, Columbus; Miles Mundorf, Cozad; Stephanie Perry, Omaha; Tyson Schimmer, Grand Island; Leslie Smith, Mitchell; Alyssa Smola, Lincoln; Steve Stroup, Benkelman; Jeff Swenson, Morrill; Justin Troudt, Kearney; Sam Vakhidov, Lincoln; and Shanna Waterman, Osmond.



CLIMATE ASSESSMENT RESPONSE COMMITTEE TO MEET

Bobbie Kriz-Wickham, assistant director of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, has scheduled a meeting of the Climate Assessment Response Committee (CARC) for Friday, September 7.  The meeting will begin at 10:00 a.m. in room 901 of Hardin Hall on UNL’s East Campus.  Climate officials will brief CARC members on existing as well as predicted weather conditions and provide a water availability outlook.  For more details, call the Nebraska Department of Agriculture at (402) 471-2341.



NSP Board Elects Officers, Welcomes New Directors

The National Sorghum Producers board of directors elected officers and appointed two new individuals to the board last week during its annual August board meeting.  Chairman Terry Swanson of Walsh, Colo., Past Chairman Gerald Simonsen of Ruskin, Neb., and Vice Chairman J.B. Stewart of Keyes, Okla., were all re-elected to their current officer positions.

James Born, David Thomas and J.B. Stewart were reappointed to the board after their previous terms expired. New individuals appointed to the NSP board of directors include Kendall Hodgson of Little River, Kan., and Don Bloss of Pawnee City, Neb.

NSP thanks outgoing directors Leon Sowers of Murdock, Kan., and Tony Heitschmidt of Bushton, Kan., for their service to the sorghum industry. NSP will welcome the new directors at the beginning of its fiscal year in October.



“Nebraska NRDs Celebrate 40 Years with New Location at 2012 Husker Harvest Days”

The year 2012 marks 40 years of protecting lives, property and the future of natural resources for Nebraska’s 23 natural resources districts (NRDs).  Stop by the new natural resources building (southeast side of the show grounds, lot 1106) at Husker Harvest Days (September 11th-13th) to learn about the NRDs history, projects and programs that help protect Nebraska’s natural resources. The NRDs are inviting everyone to stop by and check out the new location, pick up a free Colorado blue spruce seedling, and join in the celebration.

“This is a way for anyone interested to learn more about Nebraska’s natural resources and conservation programs. The resources building will be loaded with opportunities for farmers and ranchers to learn more about water and soil conservation programs, which can improve their operations financially while protecting our natural resources for future generations.  Show attendees will also have the opportunity to learn more about the NRDs’ new conjunctive water management projects,” said Anderjaska.

During the show attendees can stop by the Natural Resources Building and learn more current and proposed NRD projects like the Central Platte and Twin Platte Natural Resources Districts proposal to convert the Central Public Power and Irrigation Canal into a groundwater recharge project. The proposal calls for converting the service area to groundwater irrigation and using the surface water for groundwater recharge.  The proposal would allow all existing irrigated acres to maintain irrigated status, provide beneficial flows for the Platte River Recovery Implementation Program (PRRIP), increase hydro-electric power generation and provide recreational benefits for Lake McConaughy and other lakes in the irrigation system.

“This is a great opportunity for folks to stop by and check out the new building, pick-up a tree seedling, and learn about what’s new in water and natural resources management,” said Joe Anderjaska, the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts (NARD) board president.  “Our natural resources – water and soil – are the building blocks of agriculture, so it makes sense that the organizations that protect those resources have a prominent location at the state’s largest agriculture-oriented event,” said Anderjaska.

The new building will be manned during the three-day event by conservation partners ready to explain voluntary conservation and cost-share programs available to landowners. At Husker Harvest Days, the NARD partners with other agencies to create a true “one-stop shop” for natural resources questions and answers on conservation programs.  For example, Nebraska Health and Human Services will be testing water for nitrates, so people who bring in a sample can have their water tested for free. Other agencies expected to exhibit include the Natural Resources Conservation Service, the U.S. Forest Service, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources, the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality, the Platte River Recovery Implementation Program, the Rainwater Basin Joint Venture, the Nebraska Forest Service, and representation from Nebraska’s 23 natural resources districts. 



Ag finance expert discusses market outlook and rationing

“At what prices will we see users rationed out of the grain markets?” That was one of the questions being asked by Sterling Liddell, vice president of food and agricultural research for Rabo Agri Finance.

Liddell, speaking at the Farm Progress Show as a guest of the Iowa Soybean Association, said some rationing is occurring in livestock and ethanol production as prices rise.

Soybean prices, however, remain strong and could hold that strength through spring 2013.

Liddell says prices for soybeans have been running about 2.1 times the price of corn. That ratio is less than the historic average, due in part to continued hope that recent rains may benefit soybean yields and the need to fill corn contracts.

He notes that soybean demand from China is holding.

“China is the biggest soybean importer, accounting for about 60 percent of global soybean trade,” Liddell says. “It will be harder than most people think to price China out of the market.”

China, a country of more than 1.3 billion people, has been purchasing soybeans after auctioning some of its own reserve in June. Swine production has also increased in China due to the country’s adoption of production systems used by a majority of U.S. farmers. These advancements in pork production require a feed ration that’s high in protein.

Liddell says China has also invested in the construction of soybean crush facilities. “They need to run them,” he says. Therefore, they continue to buy soybeans even with prices at near-record highs.

Strengthening prices for soybeans and corn are alarming for livestock producers, the analyst adds. “Most pork and poultry growers are pretty well covered for awhile,” he said, but he anticipates a reduction in herds is likely to occur, perhaps early next year, if the situation isn’t resolved.

The key, Liddell said, will be the U.S. harvest, and how much grain there actually is once farmers take to the fields.

“We know we will have less than we’ve had in the past few years. There will tremendous variance from one end of the field to the other and from one field to another. Yields will be lower but how much is yet to be determined.”

Because of volatile yields, Liddell says crop insurance will be a major player this year, and the volume of claims will be high.

“Timing will be the biggest issue because every claim for more than $200,000 will have to be audited,” he says. “And there will be a lot of those.”



Iowa Corn Growers Association PAC Announces State and Federal PAC Awards

The Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) Political Action Committee (PAC) has endorsed 72 state and federal candidates for the 2012 elections. Iowa Corn Growers Association PAC decisions are made by a bipartisan committee of ICGA farmer-members who consider candidates based only on their support of ICGA policies. Candidates are evaluated on corn policies such as ethanol, transportation, environment, farm bill, taxes, trade, and value-added agriculture, including livestock.

“Agricultural policy is critical to the future of our farming operations. The Iowa Corn PAC supports our leaders who have demonstrated their support for ICGA policy positions and priorities,” said Mark Recker, a farmer from Arlington, Iowa, and Iowa Corn Growers Association PAC chair.

ICGA PAC decisions are made through an objective analysis including candidate responses to our survey, voting records, letters and other quantified evidence of support.  The ICGA PAC committee members include farmers from across Iowa, with an equal balance of party affiliation to ensure decisions are based only on corn growers’ policies.

Endorsements for the 2012 federal election cycle include Congressman Leonard Boswell (D), Congressman Bruce Braley (D), Congressman Steve King (R), Congressman Tom Latham (R), and Congressman Dave Loebsack (D).

The Iowa Corn PAC also endorsed 67 candidates for the Iowa State Senate and the Iowa House of Representatives for the 2012 election cycle.
·         For Iowa Senate (13):  Merlin Bartz (R), Jerry Behn (R), Thomas Courtney (D), Jeff Danielson (D), Dick Dearden (D), Joni Ernst (R), Randy Feenstra (R), Mike Gronstal (D), Shawn Hamerlinck (R), Tim Kapucian (R), Brian Schoenjahn (D), Steve Sodders (D), and Mary Jo Wilhelm (D).

·         For Iowa House of Representatives (54):  Dwayne Alons (R), Chip Baltimore (R), Clel Baudler (R), Josh Byrnes (R), Dennis Cohoon (D), Peter Cownie (R), Dave Deyoe (R), Cecil Dolecheck (R), Jack Drake (R), Greg Forristall (R), Joel Fry (R), Julian Garrett (R), Pat Grassley (R), Bob Hager (R), Chris Hall (D), Curt Hanson (D), Mary Ann Hanusa (R), David Heaton (R), Bill Heckroth (D), Lisa Heddens (D), Lee Hein (R), Dan Huseman (R), Ron Jorgensen (R), Anesa Kajtazovic (D), Jerry Kearns (D), Dan Kelley (D), Jarad Klein (R), Kevin Koester (R), Bob Kressig (D), Jim Lykam (D), Mary Mascher (D), Kevin McCarthy (D), Helen Miller (D), Brian Moore (R), Dan Muhlbauer (D), Patrick Murphy (D), Steve Olson (R), Kraig Paulsen (R), Ross Paustian (R), Brian Quirk (D), Henry Rayhons (R), Walt Rogers (R), Kirsten Running-Marquardt (D), Thomas Sands (R), Renee Schulte (R), Jason Schultz (R), Jeff Smith (R), Mark Smith (D), Chuck Soderberg (R), Roger Thomas (D), Linda Upmeyer (R), Matt Windschitl (R), John Wittneben (D) and Gary Worthan (R).

Funding for contributions to candidates from the Iowa Corn Growers Association PAC comes only from voluntary PAC donations by ICGA members.  ICGA dues money cannot be used for PAC contributions.



NCR-SARE Announces 2013 Farmer Rancher Grant Call for Proposals

The 2013 North Central Region - Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education Program (NCR-SARE) Farmer Rancher Grant Call for Proposals is now available.

Farmers and ranchers in the North Central Region are invited to submit grant proposals to explore sustainable agriculture solutions to problems on the farm or ranch.  Proposals should show how farmers and ranchers plan to use their own innovative ideas to explore sustainable agriculture options and how they will share project results. Sustainable agriculture is good for the environment, profitable, and socially responsible.

Projects should emphasize research or education/demonstration. There are three types of competitive grants: individual grants ($7,500 maximum), partner grants for two farmers/ranchers from separate operations who are working together ($15,000 maximum), and group grants for three or more farmers/ranchers from separate operations who are working together ($22,500 maximum). NCR-SARE expects to fund about 45 projects in the twelve-state North Central Region with this call. A total of approximately $400,000 is available for this program. Grant recipients have 25 months to complete their projects.

Interested applicants can find the call for proposals online as well as useful information for completing a proposal at http://www.northcentralsare.org/Grants/Types-of-Grants/Farmer-Rancher-Grant-Program. You can find more information about sustainable agriculture at http://www.sare.org/ or take a free National Continuing Education Program online course about the basic concepts at http://www.sare.org/Learning-Center/Courses-and-Curricula.

Proposals are due on Thursday, November 29th at 4:30 p.m. at the NCR-SARE office in Saint Paul, MN.

Potential applicants with questions can contact Joan Benjamin, Associate Regional Coordinator and Farmer Rancher Grant Program Coordinator, at jbenjami@umn.edu or 573-681-5545 or 800-529-1342. A hard copy or an emailed copy of the call for proposals is also available by contacting Joan Benjamin. We make revisions to our calls for proposals each year, which means it is crucial to use the most recent call for proposals.

Each state in SARE's North Central Region has one or more State Sustainable Agriculture Coordinators who can provide information and assistance to potential grant applicants. Interested applicants can find their State Sustainable Agriculture Coordinator online at http://www.northcentralsare.org/State-Programs.



August Farm Prices Received Index Increased 2 Points

The preliminary All Farm Products Index of Prices Received by Farmers in August, at 192 percent, based on 1990-1992=100, increased 2 points (1.1 percent) from July. The Crop Index is up 3 points (1.3 percent) and the Livestock Index increased 3 points (2.0 percent). Producers received higher prices for corn, milk, eggs, and soybeans. Lower prices were received for hogs, onions, potatoes, and carrots. In addition to prices, the overall index is also affected by the seasonal change based on a 3-year average mix of commodities producers sell. Increased monthly movement of cattle, barley, sweet corn, and calves offset the decreased marketing of wheat, hay, corn, and strawberries.

The preliminary All Farm Products Index is up 8 points (4.3 percent) from August 2011. The Food Commodities Index, at 177, increased 1 point (0.6 percent) from last month and 3 points (1.7 percent) from August 2011.

Prices Paid Index up 3 Points
The August Index of Prices Paid for Commodities and Services, Interest, Taxes, and Farm Wage Rates (PPITW) is 216 percent of the 1990-1992 average. The index is up 3 points (1.4 percent) from July and 11 points (5.4 percent) above August 2011. Higher prices in August for diesel, concentrates, feed grains, and complete feeds offset lower prices for nitrogen, feeder pigs, other services, and potash & phosphate.

Prices Received by Farmers
The August All Farm Products Index is 192 percent of its 1990-1992 base, up 1.1 percent from the July index and 4.3 percent higher than the August 2011 index.

All crops: The August index, at 231, increased 1.3 percent from July and is 9.0 percent above August 2011. Index increases for feed grains & hay and fruits & nuts more than offset the index decreases for potatoes & dry beans and upland cotton

Food grains: The August index, at 263, is unchanged from the previous month but is 6.0 percent higher than a year ago. The August price for all wheat, at $8.03 per bushel, is up 10 cents from July and 44 cents above August 2011.

Feed grains & hay: The August index, at 311, is up 5.8 percent from last month and 9.9 percent above a year ago. The corn price, at $7.54 per bushel, is up 40 cents from last month and 66 cents above August 2011. The all hay price, at $184 per ton, is unchanged from July but is $5.00 higher than last August. Sorghum grain, at $11.90 per cwt, is $1.20 above July and August last year.

Cotton, Upland: The August index, at 116, is down 8.7 percent from July and 25 percent from last year. The August price, at 70.4 cents per pound, is down 6.3 cents from the previous month and is 23.6 cents below last August.

Oilseeds: The August index, at 282, is up 2.5 percent from July and 18 percent higher than August 2011. The soybean price, at $15.90 per bushel, increased 50 cents from July and is $2.50 above August 2011.

Livestock and products:
The August index, at 153, is 2.0 percent above last month but down 3.2 percent from August 2011.  Compared with a year ago, prices are higher for cattle, calves, broilers, and turkeys.  Prices for milk, hogs, and eggs are lower than last year.

Meat animals: The August index, at 155, is unchanged from last month but 1.3 percent higher than last year. The August hog price, at $69.20 per cwt, is down $2.90 from July and $6.60 lower than a year ago. The August beef cattle price of $115 per cwt is up $1.00 from last month and $4.00 higher than August 2011.

Dairy products: The August index, at 136, is up 5.4 percent from a month ago but 20 percent lower than August last year. The August all milk price of $17.80 per cwt is up 90 cents from last month but $4.30 lower than August 2011.

Poultry & eggs: The August index, at 163, is up 2.5 percent from July and 1.9 percent above a year ago. The August market egg price, at 95.1 cents per dozen, increased 18.8 cents from July but is 4.0 cents below August 2011. The August broiler price, at 49.0 cents per pound, is unchanged from July but up 1.0 cent from a year ago. The August turkey price, at 73.4 cents per pound, is up 0.5 cents from the previous month and 2.7 cents from a year earlier.



U.S. Ag Machinery Exports Up 29-Percent

Exports of American-made agricultural machinery increased 29 percent to total $7.2 billion for the first half of 2012 compared to January-June 2011, according to the Association of Equipment Manufacturers. The off-road equipment manufacturing trade group consolidates U.S. Commerce Dept. data with other sources into member global trend reports.

"Despite some volatility in world markets, global trade remains positive for agricultural equipment manufacturers, as producers in both emerging and industrialized regions seek to boost productivity. And exports are vital for U.S. manufacturers to stay in business and provide jobs for U.S. workers," stated Charlie O'Brien, AEM vice president and agriculture sector leader.

O'Brien noted that AEM has historically supported sound export policies to assist manufacturers and farmers to sell to international markets, and its I Make America national grassroots campaign has underscored the "exports equal jobs" message.

AEM and the campaign also advocate a balanced and long-term Farm Bill with an adequate safety net that allows American agriculture to continue to provide safe and affordable food for the U.S. and growing world populations.



Argentina Takes US to WTO Over Beef Import Barriers

Argentina's government has formally challenged U.S. import restrictions on Argentine beef at the World Trade Organization amid strained ties between the South American nation and several of its biggest trading partners.

In a statement Friday, the WTO said Argentina has filed a request for consultations with the U.S. If the issue isn't resolved in 60 days, Argentina can seek a dispute settlement panel.

"Argentina claims that the restrictions, applied on sanitary grounds, don't have scientific justification. It also claims that the measures of the U.S. appear to cancel or impair the benefits for Argentina derived from the relevant WTO agreements," according to the statement.

U.S. sanitary barriers to Argentine beef imports have long been a sore point with Buenos Aires.

The U.S. has balked at buying Argentine beef for years due to fears about hoof-and-mouth disease. Argentina says the World Organization for Animal Health has certified the country as free of the disease since 2007, though it still has to vaccinate its cattle.

Argentina claims those restrictions have cost its ranchers hundreds of millions of dollars in potential sales.



Renewable Fuel Standard is Best Weapon against Rising Gas Prices

The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) is reminding consumers with Labor Day travel plans that thanks to the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), ethanol is helping stabilize gas prices, particularly during events like the recent severe weather in the Gulf of Mexico.

“Nearly 95% of oil production and a million barrels a day of refining capacity in the Gulf Coast was shut down by Hurricane Isaac, and the price impacts are felt in every gallon of gasoline as consumers make travel plans for Labor Day weekend,” said Brian Jennings, ACE Executive Vice President. “Fortunately, the RFS has helped make alternatives like ethanol available nationwide to limit the pain at the pump caused by this kind of disruption.”

“Even in normal weather conditions, the RFS is the best weapon we have against rising gas prices,” continued Jennings.

He pointed to a study from Louisiana State University that found gasoline prices are reduced by six cents for every billion gallons of ethanol added to the nation’s fuel supply. A recent study by the Center for Agricultural Development (CARD) also showed ethanol production helped to reduce wholesale gasoline prices by an average of $1.09 per gallon in 2011, saving each U.S. family about $1200 at the pump last year.

“States can’t petition EPA for a waiver from our nation’s 90 percent gasoline mandate, so when hurricanes and fires strain the oil industry – as they do nearly every year – we need to be able to count on a strong domestic ethanol industry to protect consumers from price spikes and gouging,” Jennings said. “While Hurricane Isaac may have triggered the most recent gasoline price spike, an underlying cause of high pump prices is outdated federal policy that has mandated continuing reliance on oil. The RFS is the only tool we have to reduce that reliance by making ethanol, a cost-effective alternative, available for Americans.”