Friday September 21 Cattle on Feed + Ag News

NEBRASKA CATTLE ON FEED UP 11 PERCENT

Nebraska feedlots, with capacities of 1,000 or more head, contained 2.24 million cattle on feed on September 1, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Nebraska Field Office.  This inventory was up  11 percent from last year.  This is the highest September inventory since the data series began  in 1994.

Placements in feedlots during August totaled 470,000 head, up 6 percent from 2011.  

Marketings of fed cattle during August totaled 445,000 head, up 11 percent from last year.  This is the highest August marketings since the data series began in 1994.  Other disappearance during August totaled 15,000 head, the same as August 2011.

Iowa
Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in Iowa for all feedlots totaled 1,140,000 on September 1, 2012 according  to the  USDA,  National  Agricultural  Statistics  Service,  Iowa Field Office.  The inventory is down 1 percent from August 1, 2012,  but  up  8 percent  from  September  1,  2011.    Feedlots with a capacity greater  than 1,000 head had 590,000 head on feed, down 2 percent from last month, but up 11 percent from last year.   Feedlots with a capacity  less  than 1,000 head had 550,000 head on feed, down 1 percent from last month, but up 4 percent from last year.

Placements  during August  totaled  159,000  head,  an  increase of  67 percent  from  last month  and  up  13 percent  from  last year.  Feedlots with a capacity greater than 1,000 head placed 76,000  head,  up  46 percent  from  last  month,  but  down 1 percent  from  last year.   Feedlots with a capacity  less  than 1,000  head  placed  83,000 head. This  is  up  93 percent  from last month and up 30 percent from last year.

Marketings  for August were  169,000  head,  down  1 percent from  last  month  and  down  13 percent  from  last  year. Feedlots with  a  capacity  greater  than  1,000  head marketed 84,000  head,  up  20 percent  from  last  month,  but  down 12 percent from last year.   Feedlots with a capacity less than 1,000 head marketed 85,000 head, down 15 percent from last month and last year. Other disappearance totaled 5,000 head.



United States Cattle on Feed Down 1 Percent
   
Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 10.6 million head on September 1, 2012. The inventory was 1 percent below September 1, 2011.

Placements in feedlots during August totaled 2.00 million, 11 percent below 2011. This is the second lowest cattle placements for the month of August since the series began in 1996. Net placements were 1.94 million head. During August, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 482,000, 600-699 pounds were 385,000, 700-799 pounds were 475,000, and 800 pounds and greater were 660,000.

Marketings of fed cattle during August totaled 1.96 million, 5 percent below 2011.  Other disappearance totaled 61,000 during August, 15 percent below 2011.



New Acreage Reporting Dates for 2013
Producers of perennial forage and fall-seeded small grains must submit their 2013 acreage report for those crops to the Farm Service Agency, and to their crop insurance agent, by November 15, 2012.  In prior years, reports for these crops were not due to FSA until late June/early July.  “This change is part of an initiative at the national level to align acreage reporting dates between FSA and the Risk Management Agency (RMA), and reduce the crop reporting burden on producers”, announced Dan Steinkruger, Nebraska FSA State Executive Director.

Crop acreage reports are essential to maintaining eligibility for multiple FSA program benefits, and establishing a record of historical cropping.  Currently proposed Farm Bill legislation continues the crop reporting requirement.   “Timely acreage reporting not only maintains a producer’s eligibility for traditional conservation, price support and production program benefits, but is also a requirement for critical disaster program assistance,” noted Steinkruger.

November 15 is also the crop insurance sales closing date for forage production in Nebraska.  “Given the 2012 drought across the state, farmers and ranchers should consider their insurance options including the new Pasture, Rangeland and Forage (PRF) Rainfall Index program to cover pasture drought losses,” said Steinkruger.

Producers are reminded of the importance to accurately report the crop, crop acreage, intended use, irrigation practice, planting date and producer shares.  Prevented planted acres must be reported within 15 days of the final planting date.  Failed acres must be reported to FSA within 15 days of when the loss becomes apparent for non-insurable crops, or otherwise prior to disposition of the crop.    Contact your local FSA office with questions or to schedule an acreage certification appointment.



CASNR Names 2012-2013 Ambassadors

The College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources recently announced its student ambassadors for the 2012-2013 academic year. Students are chosen through an application and interview process and serve one to three years.

The seven selected were:
-- Boone McAfee, Leigh, Neb., agricultural economics
-- Eric Miller, Lyons, Neb., agribusiness and animal science
-- Alissa Doerr, Creighton, Neb., agricultural economics
-- Colton Knickman, Syracuse, Neb., mechanized systems management
-- Melissa Matulka, Thedford, Neb., animal science and agribusiness
-- Ethan Smith, Eustis, Neb., agricultural economics
-- Brooke Grossenbacher, Overland Park, Kan., food science and technology

The group's responsibilities include recruiting for the college through campus and outreach events, said Laura Frey, UNL college relations director. They also promote the university and the college, meet with prospective students and give tours of UNL's East Campus.

For more information about the ambassador program, visit http://casnr.unl.edu/ambassadors.



Boehner, No Farm Bill Until After the Election

Despite vast attempts by agriculture committee leadership and ag groups abroad, it became clear today in a news conference with Speaker of the House John Boehner the farm bill, or an extension for that matter, will not be addressed until at least after the November elections. Lacking the 218 votes needed to pass the bill, Boehner is reluctant to bring it to the floor and stated while some Members feel there is too much reform in the farm bill, there are other Members who feel cuts should be even greater.

Current legislation expires Sept. 30, potentially leaving some farmers without certainty about important programs necessary to make business and planting decisions. The last time a Farm Bill was allowed to expire was in 2007, when the 2002 Farm Bill lapsed for three months. Mandatory programs that must be funded and those solely authorized in the omnibus legislation are at greatest risk.

Looking to action in a lame-duck session, many analysts are optimistic the farm bill measure can be agreed upon at that time, but hurdles remain and delaying action to 2013 is not out of the question for some. Will the House attempt to pass an extension? House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Collin Peterson feels it is unnecessary because nothing from the 1949 permanent law will come into effect until spring 2013. Even with heightened farm bill talk today, Chairman Frank Lucas said he has yet to receive clear confirmation that his five-year farm bill will be brought up in the lame-duck session.



Smith Disappointed in Failure to Pass a Farm Bill

Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) issued the following statement today after the House finished voting without passing a Farm Bill or an extension before the current bill expires on September 30, 2012.

“I am extremely disappointed in Congress’ failure to pass a Farm Bill or an extension before the current legislation expires at the end of the month.  Both parties own this failure, and we owe it to America to find common ground.  While there will not be any immediate lapse in farm policy for our producers, the unwillingness to get something done only adds to the long list of decisions which must be made after the election.

“When Congress reconvenes in November, it is urgent we come to an agreement on responsible long-term farm policy to allow producers the tools they need to effectively manage risk.”

Background:
The previous five-year Farm Bill expired on September 30, 2007, and an extension was passed December 26, 2007.  The current Farm Bill was signed into law after six short-term extensions.

The House-passed Continuing Resolution funds most programs covered by the Farm Bill through March 27, 2013, including the crop insurance program and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (food stamps).

A number of mandatory programs authorized by the Farm Bill need to be reauthorized to preserve their budgetary baselines.  Commodity programs will not be impacted immediately because the 2008 Farm Bill will cover the 2012 harvest.



ASA Disappointed House Failed to Act on Farm Bill

As the House of Representatives departs Washington this week for the election recess, the American Soybean Association (ASA) is disappointed that the House failed to take up a comprehensive, five-year farm bill. ASA President Steve Wellman, a soybean farmer from Syracuse, Neb., voiced the association’s frustrations in the following statement:

“The American Soybean Association cannot overstate our disappointment in the House of Representatives for ignoring the voices of American farmers. In no uncertain terms, Congress has let farmers down by not taking action on a new five-year farm bill.

“It is a sad statement on the perceived lack of importance of rural America in Washington when a bipartisan bill that provides certainty for farmers, livestock disaster assistance, nutrition programs, crop insurance improvements, conservation of our natural resources and reduces our Nation’s budget deficits is shelved in favor of scoring political points in an election year.

“Members of Congress will now return to their districts to court votes from the same farmers whose calls for Congressional action to enact a new farm bill were ignored. These hard-working, devoted men and women are a constituency as valuable as any other, and we encourage all soybean farmers to voice their concerns with their representatives in the coming weeks.

“When members of Congress return after the election in November, the excuses and the foot-dragging must stop, and the House must dedicate itself to passing a new comprehensive five-year farm bill that provides farmers with the stability, security and certainty they need while doing agriculture’s part to contribute to deficit reduction. Anything less will be another failure by Washington on the part of American farmers.”



So Now What? A Look at Policy Options After 2008 Bill Expires
(from NAWG newsletter)

Unbelievably, Members of Congress are headed out of town on Friday having not passed a new farm bill or extended the old one. This means that on Oct. 1, authorization for farm and food policies spanning the breath and depth of our economy will have expired.

Wheat farmers who are now taking on operating loans for the 2013 crop and putting it in the ground will be joined by many, many others wondering what farm safety net will exist in the new year and how much more deeply farm programs will be cut when the new Congress is seated in January.

Here are a few possible scenarios for what might happen next:

On Sept. 30, the 2008 Farm Bill expires, taking with it authorization for most farm and food programs, with the notable exceptions of crop insurance, authorized under the Federal Crop Insurance Act, and some conservation programs.

Many programs will continue to function, however, particularly if they have an appropriation the pending six-month continuing resolution. USDA is preparing a plan to phase out programs as law and funding expire.

Assuming Congress returns for a lame duck session - which is scheduled, but not guaranteed - both the House and Senate could consider a full, five-year bill, a three-month extension of the 2008 law or a one-year extension of the 2008 law.

The steps to pass a new, five-year farm bill in this Congress are surprisingly few: the House needs to approve the bill already presented by the House Agriculture Committee, that bill needs to be conferenced with a Senate bill, and the compromise measure needs final approval from both chambers and the president’s signature.

A House whip conducted last week on a three-month extension fell short of getting necessary support. Such an extension after the election would be even less likely.

More discussion has centered on a one-year extension in the lame duck to extend current law into the fall of 2013. This pushes off to the 113th Congress the task of finishing a five-year bill, which would be all the more difficult because funding is expected to be reduced for farm programs through some combination of sequestration, scoring changes and political shifts.

The path of a one-year extension depends heavily on the outcome of the November elections. Speculation is that if Republicans take the White House and the Senate, they will extend current law for a year and then work to create a new version of the farm bill tailored to Republican priorities.

If a lame duck session does not happen, or if there is no movement on passing an extension or five-year bill before the end of the year, the Agriculture Act of 1949 would go into effect on Jan. 1.

This underlying law is commonly known as “permanent law” because new farm bills actually amend it, rather than creating wholly original pieces of legislation. The soon-to-expire farm bill suspends permanent law until the end of the 2012 crop year.

The 1949 law uses “parity prices” for price support. A parity price is set to guarantee producers 50 to 90 percent of parity using the 1910 to 1914 ratio as a benchmark. For example, the farm market price for wheat in 2012 is $6.37 per bushel, and the parity price for wheat is $18.10 per bushel.  Under permanent law the price for wheat would be set at 75 percent of the parity price, which would be $13.58 per bushel.

Rice, cotton, milk and honey would also have higher permanent law support prices than the market price while feed grains including corn, sorghum, barley and oats would not currently trigger permanent law price support. Soybeans, other oilseeds, peanuts and sugar beets would not have any support under the 1949 law.

Wheat is in a unique position since it is the first crop harvested, with 2013 winter wheat harvested as early as April. In theory, if Congress continues to do nothing, wheat growers could be receiving $13.58 per bushel from the government for their 2013 winter wheat.

Of course, if no lame duck session is scheduled, farmers and all other Americans will face two economic issues more drastic than a return to post-war era farm policy: sequestration cuts set to go into effect in January and the expiration of tax cuts, the combination of which is known as the “fiscal cliff.” Without action, this deadly duo is likely to upend the already shaky U.S. and world economies.

A Congressional Research Service report with more detail on possible 2008 Farm Bill extension or expiration scenarios is available through FarmPolicy.com at http://farmpolicy.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/R42442.pdf. 



No Action on Permanent Trade Relations with Russia

Approving permanent normal trade relations (PNTR) with Russia was added this week to the long list of things Congress declined to do before leaving for fall campaigning.

Russia officially joined the World Trade Organization (WTO) in August, ending a negotiation process first started in 1993.

However, the United States has yet to grant the country PNTR status, which the WTO mandates all countries do for other members. This means U.S. exporters will not have access to the full benefits of the country’s membership.

Russia has been granted normal trading relations status by the U.S. on an annual basis since the early 1990s. Committees in both the House and Senate have approved measures to grant PNTR to Russia and Moldova but action has yet to happen in either full chamber, largely for political reasons.

On Wednesday, U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk urged Congress to take up PNTR upon their return in November for a lame-duck session.

Russia’s WTO accession will provide the U.S. and other WTO members improved trade access to that market and stronger mechanisms to enforce the country’s commitments to domestic supports, export subsidies and state trading enterprise disciplines.

While some U.S. agricultural sectors will gain new exports from Russia’s accession to the WTO, Russia does not import U.S. wheat, so the country’s membership will benefit U.S. wheat producers primarily by providing new checks on Russian export and domestic support policies.

Both NAWG and U.S. Wheat Associates, the industry’s export market development organization, support PNTR for Russia.

The Senate Finance Committee reports that U.S. exports to Russia currently total $9 billion per year and are expected to double in five years with PNTR established. Russia is the world’s seventh-largest economy.



Congressional Report Concludes Dairy Security Act in Farm Bill Best for Farmers

A new analysis issued by the Congressional Research Service (CRS) points out the advantages of the margin insurance and market stabilization-based approach to reforming dairy policy, according to the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), which urged members of Congress to review the report and act on the Farm Bill yet in 2012.

The CRS report was released earlier this week in order to help members of Congress and their staffs better understand the details of current dairy policy, and potential changes to those programs. More importantly, the CRS report provides an impartial view of the specific programs contained in the Dairy Security Act of the pending Farm Bill.

NMPF President and CEO Jerry Kozak said that the CRS report “should greatly clarify and simplify the decision-making process on Capitol Hill. It dispels the scare-mongering distortions offered by opponents of the Dairy Security Act, highlights the benefits of a new, voluntary approach to providing a safety net to farmers, and reinforces the need to include the Dairy Security Act in a new farm bill.”

Kozak said that even though the House has failed to act on the farm bill in September, the CRS report should expedite the process of considering the bill after the November elections in a lame duck session of Congress.

Under the Dairy Security Act, those farmers who voluntarily elect to receive support through the margin protection program will be subject to the Dairy Market Stabilization Program (DMSP), which sends signals to participants to reduce their production when margins are severely compressed. The CRS analysis clarifies the function of the DSMP by stating (p. 17) that “Although the DMSP is referred to as a supply management program, it is perhaps more accurately described as a production disincentive program [emphasis added], since there are no production limits or quotas, and the dairy operator may continue to run his operation at any production level.” CRS reported that the resulting milk production reductions, along with greater demand stimulated by USDA purchases of dairy products using funds collected by the DMSP, “is expected to result in a high future farm price for milk.”

CRS also flagged (p. 20) a key provision: that the DMSP ends either when margins improve, and/or when U.S. prices for cheddar cheese and nonfat dry milk exceed world prices by a certain percentage, thus preventing a loss of export markets and a surge of imports.

The CRS report also reviewed a competing approach to providing margin insurance: the Goodlatte-Scott House amendment, which offers a weaker insurance program that does not contain a market stabilization element. CRS noted (p. 22) that with the Goodlatte-Scott approach, “no production growth is permitted,” and insurance coverage is limited to only 80% of a farm’s production – compared to 90% under the Dairy Security Act.

The CRS report points out (p. 10) that the margin insurance program creates “a timely and transparent measure of a dairy production margin that will be useful across all dairy production regions.” The margin’s feed costs are calculated comparing the national all-milk price with national average costs for corn, soybean meal and alfalfa hay.

In reviewing other empirical studies of the provisions of the Dairy Security Act, CRS highlighted (p. 23-24) several major improvements compared to current programs:
·         The combination of the margin insurance and market stabilization programs “appears to substantially mitigate the dairy operating margin volatility.”
·         The Dairy Security Act “will provide a stronger safety net in extremely low margin events.”
·         An analysis by agricultural economist Mark Stephenson found that net milk exports actually expand under the Dairy Security Act.

The congressional analysis of the Dairy Security Act also notes that the proposed Farm Bill programs are voluntary. Farmers would elect to participate in the margin protection and market stabilization programs, rather than choose private insurance that is already available.



Cutting Back on RFS Also Reduces Critical Feed Option

The livestock industry remains under pressure, dealing with high feed prices driven in large part by the drought that has gripped much of the Midwest. The 25x’25 Alliance is sympathetic with producers during this time of stress. Harsh weather conditions have battered all of U.S. agriculture this year.

While some may want to lay blame on the ethanol industry in the wake of the lowest yields and highest grain prices in years, it is important to remember that biofuel plants produce more than transportation fuels; they are also major livestock feed factories.

Livestock producers, from Minnesota to Texas, have been the beneficiaries of a co-product generated through ethanol production – dried distillers grains with solubles (DDGS), a high-energy feed source for cattle, swine and poultry.

Many of those same livestock producers are lamenting the loss of the considerably cheaper DDGS feed alternative because of ethanol plant shutdowns. The suspension of operations at these facilities are the result, like the difficulties being faced by livestock producers, of the price of corn going higher, driven by tighter supplies due to the drought.

It may run a little contradictory to the issue as portrayed in some corners of the ag policy arena, but the fact is that the production of ethanol in this country is benefiting many of the nation’s livestock producers who can purchase and feed a cheaper alternative to their livestock in the form of DDGS.

On a volume basis, after corn and soybeans, DDGS have become the third most used feedstuff in U.S. livestock and poultry diets, according to a report recently published by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The increased use has occurred in conjunction with the rapidly increasing supply of DDGS produced by the dry-grind ethanol production industry. Once the starch is removed for conversion to biofuel, about one-third of all corn processed by ethanol plants is returned as protein-rich DDGS.

The FAO points out that record high feed grain and ingredient prices have caused livestock producers to adopt any and all opportunities to lower feed cost. When compared using a dollar-per-ton metric for both feed grain and DDGS, the latter have been, on average, $28/ton cheaper than corn since the beginning of 2010. That means that DDGS have been 85 percent the price of corn on average since 2010, with the ratio often dropping below 80 percent.

Also, nutritionists have found that DDGS have superior feeding value to corn, meaning the actual economic benefits of feeding DDGS extend beyond its 15-percent discount to corn. The greater feeding value is the reason USDA found that 1 ton of DDGS typically replaces 1.22 tons of corn and soybean meal in the animal feed market.

The relatively low price, coupled with greater nutrient concentration, provides a tremendous economic incentive for livestock and poultry producers to maximize dietary inclusion rates of DDGS, the FAO maintains.

The FAO also says that based on diet cost economics, the questions U.S. livestock producers have asked during the evolution of the ethanol industry and DDGS production have transitioned from: “Can we use distillers co-products in animal feeds?” to “How much distillers co-products can we use?” to “Can we use even more co-products than that?”

Over the past ten years, according to the U.S. ethanol industry, DDGS production has increased from not quite 3 million tons in 2000 to in excess of 40 million tons in the 2011-12 crop marketing year. Who is using all of that co-product? Beef cattle, dairy, swine and poultry producers.

So, the question arises: Given the contributions being made by the production of ethanol to the nation’s livestock industry, do producers really want a waiver issued? Setting aside all or part of the RFS ethanol requirement may help the integrators, but it’s probably not likely a waiver would benefit those who raise the animals.

EPA is accepting comment on the RFS waiver request until Oct. 11. The 25x’25 Alliance strongly encourages all stakeholders to make their opinions known. It’s an issue that goes to the heart of this nation’s pursuit of a clean, affordable, domestically produced energy future.



Record Red Meat and Pork Production for August

Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.39 billion pounds in August, up 2 percent from the 4.30 billion pounds produced in August 2011.

Beef production, at 2.37 billion pounds, was 1 percent below the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 3.00 million head, down 3 percent from August 2011. The average live weight was up 30 pounds from the previous year, at 1,300 pounds.

Veal production totaled 10.1 million pounds, 11 percent below August a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 72,600 head, down 9 percent from August 2011. The average live weight was down 11 pounds from last year, at 237 pounds.

Pork production totaled 2.00 billion pounds, up 6 percent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 9.94 million head, up 4 percent from August 2011. The average live weight was up 3 pounds from the previous year, at 269 pounds.

Lamb and mutton production, at 14.2 million pounds, was up 8 percent from August 2011. Sheep slaughter totaled 200,500 head, 1 percent above last year. The average live weight was 142 pounds, up 10 pounds from August a year ago.

January to August 2012 commercial red meat production was 32.6 billion pounds, up 1 percent from 2011. Accumulated beef production was down 1 percent from last year, veal was down 9 percent, pork was up 3 percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was up 4 percent.

State    -    million pounds  - % of Aug 2011
Iowa .........:      574.8              106      
Kansas .....:     487.3                98      
Nebraska ..:     667.2               105      



USDA Cold Storage Highlights

Total red meat supplies in freezers were up slightly from the previous month and up 16 percent from last year. Total pounds of beef in freezers were down 7 percent from the previous month but up slightly from last year. Frozen pork supplies were up 6 percent from the previous month and up 31 percent from last year. Stocks of pork bellies were down 51 percent from last month and down 9 percent from last year.

Total frozen poultry supplies on August 31, 2012 were up 1 percent from the previous month but down 1 percent from a year ago. Total stocks of chicken were up 1 percent from the previous month but down 6 percent from last year. Total pounds of turkey in freezers were up 1 percent from last month and up 5 percent from August 31, 2011.

Total natural cheese stocks in refrigerated warehouses on August 31, 2012 were down 4 percent from the previous month and down 6 percent from August 31, 2011.  Butter stocks were down 13 percent from last month but up 23 percent from a year ago.

Total frozen fruit stocks were up 6 percent from last month and up 8 percent from a year ago.  Total frozen vegetable stocks were up 19 percent from last month and up 6 percent from a year ago.



Informa Sees US Wheat Output Up 14%

Informa Economics, a closely watched crop forecaster, Friday estimated U.S. farmers harvested 14% more wheat this year than last year, according to traders.

The firm pegged U.S. wheat production, for the 2012 harvest at 2.273 billion bushels, traders said. That is up from 1.999 billion bushels last year and above the U.S. Department of Agriculture's forecast for a harvest of 2.268 billion bushels this year.

Informa estimated output of hard red spring wheat in 2012 at 486 million bushels and output of hard red winter wheat at 1.002 billion bushels, traders said. The USDA recently pegged hard spring wheat output at 463 million bushels and hard red winter wheat output at 1.012 billion bushels. Informa estimated the 2012 soft red winter wheat crop at 425 million bushels, below the USDA's latest estimate for 435 million bushels, traders said.

The USDA is slated to update its wheat output estimates next Friday.



Council Promotes US Corn Co-Products at Largest Noodle Exhibition in Japan
Tommy Hamamoto, U.S. Grains Council Director in Japan

Last month, the U.S. Grains Council participated in Noodle World, the largest noodle exhibition in Japan, to promote the use of corn flour and corn starch use in noodle products. Noodle World is focused on ramen, udon, soba, and pasta, and is the first and only exhibition of its kind in Japan. USGC's booth provided many samples of noodle products, including pasta, all made from U.S. corn flour and corn starch.

Overall, the Councils booth was a success, visited by 300 Japanese noodle manufacturers, food services, and food retailers. There was also interest from visitors about making, licensing, or selling the noodles. Japan is already the top importer of U.S. corn, and by participating in this exhibition, the Council ensured that Japanese customers were exposed to even more uses of corn and its co-products.



Rising above Rhizoctonia in soybeans next season

Between the unusually warm winter and the arid summer, 2012 has shown that Mother Nature is unpredictable. Moving forward into 2013, growers must consider any early-season risks their soybeans might face, and a Rhizoctonia infection is no exception.

Rhizoctonia solani is a common soilborne disease that is likely to cause pre-emergence or post-emergence loss of seedlings, also known as damping-off. The disease is usually restricted to early in the season, and most often occurs when conditions are wet or when germination is slow. However, it has been known to appear in a range of soil moistures and temperatures.

Signs of Rhizoctonia include root rot, seed rot and reddish-brown, sunken lesions on germinating seedlings. Because many seedling pathogens exhibit similar symptoms, Rhizoctonia is often confused with Pythium or Phytophthora.

Yield losses of up to 48 percent from Rhizoctonia have been reported in the U.S., according to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension, so it is not a disease to be reckoned with.

“Soybean fields are at risk for Rhizoctonia at the beginning of every season because it can appear in a variety of conditions,” says David Winston, seedcare brand asset lead at Syngenta. “Using seed treatments such as CruiserMaxx® Beans insecticide/fungicide, a combination of separately registered products, applied with Vibrance™ fungicide seed treatment will give you multiple layers of protection against Rhizoctonia.”

With the next planting season on the horizon, protecting soybeans against Rhizoctonia should be top of mind, as starting the 2013 season strong is the first step in ensuring a successful harvest.