Tuesday September 25 Ag News

Cuming County Board of Supervisors Seeking Extension Board Nominations
Debra E. Schroeder, UNL Extension Educator, Cuming County

The Cuming County Board of Supervisors, are seeking nominations for individuals interested in serving a three-year term on the Cuming County Extension Board.  Due to changes in the laws, Extension Board Members will be appointed by the Board of Supervisors rather than being elected, as had been the practice in the past.

Three positions on the Cuming County Extension Board are up for
appointment. The district lines are defined according to the Cuming County Board of Supervisors districts.  Nominees are needed for the districts served by supervisors Steve Meister, District I, Judy Mutzenberger, District III, and Leslie Ott, District VII. Potential candidates are encouraged to contact the Extension Office or the Cuming County Clerk, Bonnie Vogltance, to determine which supervisor district you reside in.

A nominating committee is seeking nominations or calls from interested individuals.  This nominating committee will be responsible for preparing a slate of potential candidates that will be submitted to the Board of Supervisors for their consideration.  If you are interested in being a candidate, please feel free to contact the Cuming County Extension office 402/372-6006. You may also contact nominating committee members Cindy Bloedorn at 402/529-6541, Judi Mutzenberger at 402/372-5356 or 402/540-3579 and Larry Ulrich at 402/372-3082.

According to Extension Educator Debra Schroeder the operation of Extension should be given serious consideration by all county residents.  It operates the tax funds under the guidance of the Cuming county Extension Board.

Extension programs focus on priority needs and problems in five major programming areas including 1) Agriculture, 2) Natural Resources, 3) Home Economics and Family Life, 4) 4-H and Youth Development, and 5) Community Resource Development.



Cuming County Youth Celebrate National 4-H Week October 7-13
Patricia Bohaboj, UNL Extension Assistant, Cuming County

October 7-13 is National 4-H Week, and Cuming County is celebrating the 4-H youth who have made an impact on the community, and are stepping up to the challenges of a complex and changing world.

Recent findings from Tufts University's 4-H Study of Positive Youth Development indicate that young people in 4-H are three times more likely to contribute to their communities than youth not participating in 4-H. Notably, the Tufts research discovered that the structured learning, encouragement and adult mentoring that 4-H'ers receive play a vital role in helping them actively contribute to their communities. In Cuming County, more than 440 4-H members and 90 volunteers are involved in 4‑H.

Also during National 4-H Week, hundreds of thousands of youth from all around the nation will complete a single, innovative experiment on 4-H National Youth Science Day(NYSD), which will be held on Wednesday, Oct. 10, 2012. The 2012 National Science Experiment, Eco-Bot Challenge, will introduce young people to engineering skills by teaching them to think like a robotics engineer, assembling their own robots, also known as Eco-bots, and control surfaces in order to manage an environmental clean-up.

4-H youth are a living breathing, culture-changing revolution for doing the right thing, breaking through obstacles and pushing our country forward by making a measurable difference right where they live. Learn how you can “Join the Revolution of Responsibility” at 4-H.org/revolution, or contact the Extension Office.



Kaup Seed Hosts 'Leading with Innovation' Meeting

Kaup Seed and Fertilizer in West Point will be hosting a special event entitled "Leading with Innovation" on Tuesday October 2nd, 2012.  The meeting starts at 8:30am at the Neilson Community Center in West Point.  Jeff Wilmes says topics to be covered include control and management of herbicide resistant weeds, the value of gypsum application to crop ground, new chemistries in crop protection and new genetics in seed selection, and nutrient removal and carry-over in drought conditions.  There is no cost to attend and all area producers are invited to attend.  Wilmes says the program should be wrapped up by 11:00am so you will not be away from your operation the entire day, however, the information from this event will be well worth your time.  Thank you and hope to see you there!  



UNL to Host Web Seminar on Corn Stalk Grazing

The University of Nebraska - Lincoln will be hosting a Web Seminar on Tuesday, October 2nd from 12:30 p.m. - 1:10 p.m. titled Cornstalk Grazing - Understanding the Values to Cattle Producers and Corn Farmers.  According to the UNL Beef Website, “Nebraska has approximately 10 million acres planted to corn annually. The cornstalks residue from these acres is a valuable feed resource for cattle producers. UNL research has shown appropriate cornstalk grazing has no detrimental effects on subsequent crop yields.”   For more information or the link to the Web Seminar visit: http://beef.unl.edu/web/beef/



Governor Heineman Announces Kimball and Banner Counties Designated Livestock Friendly

Gov. Dave Heineman today announced the official designation of Kimball and Banner Counties as Nebraska’s newest Livestock Friendly Counties. With the addition of Kimball and Banner, there are now 20 counties designated as Livestock Friendly through the state program, including: Adams, Box Butte, Cuming, Dawes, Deuel, Gage, Garden, Grant, Hitchcock, Jefferson, Keith, Lincoln, Morrill, Saline, Scotts Bluff, Sheridan, Wayne, and Webster Counties.

“In receiving this designation, Kimball and Banner Counties have shown they are committed to supporting the counties’ livestock industry and related economic development,” said Gov. Heineman. “Being part of the Livestock Friendly program is a way to recognize the tremendous impact the livestock industry has on Main Streets and the local economy. It provides jobs for those working with animals and a marketplace for grain and hay producers, while also adding value to those products. With this designation, Kimball and Banner Counties have demonstrated they are open to agribusiness and the benefits that come from responsible livestock production.”

Gov. Heineman presented the Livestock Friendly certificates to Kimball County Commissioners Larry Brower, Larry Engstrom and David Bashaw, and to Banner County Commissioners Bob Gifford, Bob Post and John-Robert Faden. These counties will receive road signs bearing the program logo to display along highways. The program is coordinated by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture.

Department of Agriculture Director Greg Ibach said the official designation makes a positive statement about Kimball and Banner Counties. “It was clear from the submitted materials that Kimball and Banner county officials have given some purposeful thought to supporting the livestock industry,” said Dir. Ibach.

To apply for a livestock friendly county designation, the county board must hold a public hearing and pass a resolution to apply. A completed application is then submitted to Department of Agriculture for review. Local producers or community groups can encourage their county board to submit a livestock friendly county application.

Additional information on the Livestock Friendly County program is available by contacting NDA toll free at 800-422-6692, or by visiting the Department of Agriculture website at www.agr.ne.gov and clicking the Livestock Friendly County link.



Secretary Vilsack Announces Soybean Board Appointments

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has announced the appointment of 16 members to the United Soybean Board.  "These appointees represent a cross section of the soybean industry and I am confident that they will serve the soybean producers well," said Vilsack.

Appointed Soybean Board members are as follows: James H. Carroll, III, Arkansas; Walter L. Godwin, Georgia; David P. Hartke, Illinois; Mark A. Seib, Indiana; Laura L. Foell, Iowa; Dennis R. Clark, Kentucky; Raymond S. Schexnayder, Jr., Louisiana; James A. Call, Minnesota; Todd A. Gibson, Missouri; Mark Caspers, Nebraska; Morris L. Shambley, North Carolina; Jay M. Myers, North Dakota; John B. Motter, Ohio; Jim Musser, Pennsylvania; David G. Iverson, South Dakota; and Robert W. White, Jr., Virginia.

The 69-member board is authorized by the Soybean Promotion, Research and Consumer Information Act. The Secretary selected the appointees from soybean producers nominated by Qualified State Soybean Boards. All appointees will serve 3-year terms beginning December 2012.

Research and promotion programs are industry-funded, authorized by Congress, and date back to 1966, when Congress passed the Cotton Research and Promotion Act. Since then, Congress has authorized the establishment of 20 research and promotion boards. They empower farmers and ranchers to leverage their own resources to develop new markets, strengthen existing markets, and conduct important research and promotion activities. AMS provides oversight, paid for by industry assessments, which ensures fiscal responsibility, program efficiency and fair treatment of participating stakeholders.



Branstad Extends Disaster Emergency Proclamation

Iowa Gov. Terry E. Branstad Monday authorized a proclamation of disaster emergency to extend the original proclamation signed on July 26, 2012. The extension is effective immediately and will last for 30 days from today.

The extended proclamation allows overwidth and overweight loads of hay, straw and stover. As a result of the drought experience by the state of Iowa, the effects of the drought continue and circumstances and reasons for issuance of the proclamation remain and continue.

Specifically, this proclamation, as did the original, allows for:

-- Overweight loads: Hay, straw and stover may be transported in loads weighing up to 90,000 pounds gross weight without obtaining an overweight permit normally required by the Iowa Department of Transportation. Overweight loads cannot travel on the interstate without a permit. This proclamation applies to noninterstate roadways. Specific axle weight limits do apply. Visit the Iowa DOT's website www.iowa.dot.gov to see the maximum gross weight table and determine the legal limits for your vehicle/trailer combination. A vehicle that is overweight, but not overwidth, can travel at all hours.

-- Overwidth loads: A vehicle transporting these goods can be overwidth, without an Iowa DOT permit, if they do not exceed 12 feet 5 inches wide. An overwidth load can travel on any road, including the interstate, as long as its gross weight does not exceed 80,000 pounds. Movement must occur between the hours of 30 minutes before sunrise and 30 minutes after sunset. All flags, signs and lights normally required are still needed.

-- Overweight and overwidth loads: A vehicle transporting these goods can be both overwidth, up to 12 feet 5 inches, and overweight, up to 90,000 pounds. However, these vehicles cannot travel on the interstate.

-- Driver hours of service: The driver hours-of-service regulations pertaining to persons transporting these specific agricultural goods are suspended. Certain rest periods must be provided to drivers to prevent fatigued or ill drivers from operating on the roadways.

For additional details, call 1-800-925-6469 or visit the Iowa DOT's website at www.iowadot.gov where a question and answer sheet can be found.



Iowa Soybean Association Sponsors New Cross Country Race to Benefit 4-H Camp Scholarships

Two cross country races and a fun run/walk will provide family-friendly competition in a scenic location, with unique distance options and vertical challenges. The events are part of the first Get Vertical 4-H Adventure Race on Saturday, Oct. 13 at the Iowa 4-H Camping Center near Madrid, Iowa.

“The Get Vertical 4-H Adventure Race is being presented through a generous donation from the Iowa Soybean Association,” said John Roosa, manager of the Iowa 4-H Center.

Mark Jackson, president of the Iowa Soybean Association, said, “The Iowa Soybean Association is excited about the opportunity to work with 4-H and connect with the nearly 107,000 Iowa youth that participate. The Get Vertical Adventure Race is a unique event to engage with 4-H members and other participants about the versatility of soy and health benefits of soyfoods, while raising money for the camp scholarship fund. For me, personally, 4-H was a defining force in my youth, which has carried forward into my adult career.”

The Iowa 4-H Center is located just 25 miles north of Des Moines in Boone County. “For several years, we have wanted to hold a running event here at the 4-H Camp to support our camp scholarship fund,” said Roosa. “We are grateful for the support received from the Iowa Soybean Association in making this event possible.”

Participants have options to challenge the whole family by selecting from a 1-mile fun run/walk or 4K or 12K chip timed cross-country courses. “We have 1,100 acres, with a wide variety of terrain ranging from prairies to woodlands to steep ravines, which enables us to offer unique running courses for all age ranges,” said Roosa.

The 12K race begins at 8:30 a.m. This advanced course includes four big hills, steep grades, three sets of staircases, a swinging bridge and running upstream in Richardson’s Creek, twice. To further challenge 12K runners to “get vertical,” Roosa said the camp’s 50-foot climbing tower will be open Friday afternoon during packet pick-up and again on race day. Medals will be awarded to runners who complete both the 12K race and the 50-foot climb. Entry fees are $40 per person in advance or $50 on race day.

The 4K race begins at 9 a.m. The course follows a trail past the camp pond, around a farm field, into the timber, across a 30-foot long swinging bridge, up one hill and through Hickory Village. Entry fees are $35 per person in advance or $45 on race day.

The final event of the day, the 1-mile family fun run/walk, begins at 9:30 a.m. The course is mostly level terrain and loops around the prairie grass and wetlands area. Entry fees are $10 per youth and $20 per adult. Participation ribbons will be awarded to all youth in the 1-mile event.

“This is truly a family-friendly event,” said Roosa. “We have overnight lodging options available throughout the weekend for families, clubs and organizations.” The Iowa 4-H Center not only will have the scenic property on display, the center also will showcase some of the summer camp program staff. Race coordinator Traci Haselhuhn said, “The Caring Adult summer staff will be supervising a fun Camp Care area for kids ages three and older with free activities, while adult family members run the 4K and 12K races.”

Post-race festivities include music, door prizes, a recognition ceremony and a pancake buffet provided by the Greek House Chefs. The brunch is free for race participants, volunteers and youth up through age five. Additional meal tickets for ages six and older may be purchased on race day for $5 each.

For more information, including online registration forms, race course maps, and the official Get Vertical 4-H Adventure Race brochure, visit www.iowa4hfoundation.org/adventurerace.



Obama & Romney Outline Positions on Farm Issues

President Barack Obama and Republican nominee Mitt Romney recently spelled out their positions on agriculture issues for the American Farm Bureau Federation. In a questionnaire, both candidates went into detail about their positions on energy, environmental regulations, farm labor and more.

Every four years, the American Farm Bureau Federation asks the Democratic and Republican presidential nominees to address the issues that concern farmers and ranchers most. This election, energy issues and farm policy are the driving forces in the candidate's responses.

"Our rural communities, farmers and ranchers can increase our energy independence and boost the transition to a clean energy economy," Obama responded. "Last year, rural America produced enough renewable fuels like ethanol and biodiesel to meet roughly 8 percent of our needs, helping us increase our energy independence to its highest level in 20 years... and the new Renewable Fuel Standard helped boost biodiesel production to nearly 1 billion gallons in 2011, supporting 39,000 jobs."

Romney, too, supports the RFS and other agriculture-derived energies.

"I have a vision for an America that is an energy superpower, rapidly increasing our own production and partnering with our allies, Canada and Mexico, to achieve energy independence on this continent by 2020," said Romney. "The increased production of biofuels plays an important part in my plan to achieve energy independence. In order to support increased market penetration and competition among energy sources, I am in favor of maintaining the Renewable Fuel Standard."

On farm policy, Obama said he understands the need for a strong farm safety net. "That's why I increased the availability of crop insurance and emergency disaster assistance to help over 590,000 farmers and ranchers keep their farms in business after natural disasters and crop loss," he said. "My administration expanded farm credit to help more than 100,000 farmers struggling during the financial crisis... and as farmers continue to go through hard times because of this drought, we are expanding access to low-interest loans, encouraging insurance companies to extend payment deadlines and opening new lands for livestock farmers to graze their herds."

Romney said he supports passage of a strong farm bill "that provides the appropriate risk management tools that will work for farmers and ranchers throughout the country." He also pointed out that his running mate, Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wis.), voted for drought relief--a bill which the Senate never took up.

When asked why farmers should vote for them, Obama said he is committed to strengthening rural America through growing products that the world wants to buy and restoring middle class values of hard work and play. He further said, "I am the only candidate that is committed to strengthening the farm safety net, strengthening rural economic growth and supporting rural investments in clean energy."

Romney said if he were elected, he would give farmers relief from hefty environmental regulations, as well as "a commonsense energy policy that develops our resources right here at home; a renewed focus on opening new markets; and a pro-growth tax policy that encourages investment and recognizes that death should not be a taxable event."

To view the full questionnaires and responses, go to: http://www.fb.org/index.php?action=legislative.2012presidentialQuestionnaire. 



Renewable Fuel Industry to Launch Nationwide Campaign

In the face of new attacks on America’s Renewable Fuel Standard, stakeholders from across the nation will announce a major new campaign to protect the benefits of renewable fuel to America’s economy, energy security and environment. The campaign will be announced via teleconference this Thursday, September 27, 2012, at 10am EDT.

The new campaign will show the breadth of support for America’s renewable fuel policy at the national and state level. Its launch comes as calls to halt or delay the Renewable Fuel Standard threaten the communities and innovators benefiting directly from advanced and conventional renewable fuel.

Speakers will address the major issues in the current renewable fuel debate, clarify the impacts if the RFS is halted or delayed, and discuss the scope and elements of the campaign.  Among those expected to be a part of the announcement are the Hon. James C. Greenwood, President and CEO, Biotechnology Industry Organization (BIO);  Adam Monroe, President, Novozymes North America; Pam Hall, Director, Marion Chamber of Commerce (Marion, OH); and a representative of the Colorado Renewable Fuel Sector. 



Three Fertilizers' Prices on the Move

Prices of three fertilizers continued to move while the other major fertilizers are generally steady the third week of September, according to retail fertilizer prices tracked by DTN.  The only fertilizer that was higher by any significance was anhydrous for the seventh straight week. With fall fertilizer application season rapidly approaching, the nitrogen fertilizer was 8% higher compared to the third week of August and had an average price of $839 per ton.  Two other fertilizers were slightly higher compared to a month earlier. MAP had an average price of $673 per ton while UAN28 was at $389 per ton.

Leading the way lower once again was urea. The nitrogen fertilizer slid another 8% in the last month and now has an average price of $599/ton. Urea's price has dropped $167/ton since Memorial Day.  Urea dipped below $600 per ton for the first time since the fourth week of February 2012. The average price of urea that week was $574/ton.  Also somewhat lower was 10-34-0. The starter fertilizer declined 6% compared to a month earlier. 10-34-0 had an average price of $625/ton.  Three other fertilizers were also less expensive but just slightly lower. DAP had an average price of $634/ton, potash $619/ton and UAN32 $413/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.65/lb.N, anhydrous $0.51/lb.N, UAN28 $0.69/lb.N and UAN32 $0.65/lb.N.

Only one of the eight major fertilizers is still showing a price increase compared to one year earlier. Anhydrous is now 3% higher compared to last year.  Four fertilizers are actually lower in price compared to September 2011. Urea is now 2% lower, both potash and UAN32 are 4% lower and MAP is 8% lower.  Three remaining fertilizers are now down double digits from a year ago. DAP and UAN32 are now down 10% while 10-34-0 is now 22% less expensive from a year earlier.



Farm Equipment Sales May Not Suffer From Drought

As the lower 48 states experienced the third hottest summer on record and nearly 80 percent of agricultural land has been affected by the first major drought since 1988, many member companies of the Association of Equipment Manufacturers may be wondering what effect this will have on equipment sales. Based on data compiled by AEM's market intelligence staff, the short answer is - it may not be as significant as many think.

First, a major driver of equipment sales is farm income. When looking at past droughts, the impact on farm income has been minimal, even in years where crop insurance was carried by only a minority of farmers (18 percent in 1988 versus 84 percent today).

But income isn't the only factor. Since much equipment is financed, availability of credit, with farmers' eligibility to get credit and their ability to pay, are all factors.

The USDA states that farm equity is forecast to reach an all-time high while real estate debt declines. Debt repayment capacity utilization (DRCU) - a measure of farm exposure to financial risk - is forecast to be at its lowest since 1970.

AEM's own survey results confirm that the credit crunch of 2009 has eased. Less than 10 percent of AEM members reported hearing of problems obtaining credit.



Future of Generic Biotech Crops in Doubt

The Competitive Enterprise Institute released a new study today finding that regulatory policy could inhibit the development of a generic market for biotech seeds once patents on those varieties expires.

Over the next decade, the patents on nearly two dozen of the most popular biotech crop traits will expire, and farmers in the U.S. and abroad are eager to get access to low-cost, generic versions of those seeds. But most biotech crop traits must be reapproved every three to five years, and the process requires applicants to have access to confidential business information held by the original product developers. This establishes a potentially impassable roadblock to the future of affordable, generic biotech products.

In “Is There a Future for Generic Biotech Crops?” CEI Senior Fellow Gregory Conko explains why the re-approval process does nothing to protect consumer or environmental safety, and he proposes eliminating the requirement in the U.S. and in important export markets abroad. “Maintaining product approvals in all the relevant markets around the world is an expensive and time-consuming process for the sellers of biotech crop seeds,” says Conko. “So the re-approval requirement will only serve to protect brand-name biotech companies against would-be generic competitors.”

Trade associations representing seed breeders and the biotechnology industry are now negotiating a contractual agreement through which generic breeders can pay biotech crop developers for needed regulatory data. “This agreement will be a helpful first step in creating a viable generic seed industry,” Conko acknowledges. “But it is merely a bandage that masks a deeper regulatory problem. Without fundamental reform, regulators will be forcing farmers to pay much higher prices for generic biotech seeds.”

“There is little doubt that American agriculture has benefited tremendously from the introduction of crop biotechnology. And more than 15 million farmers in 28 countries have found that biotech seeds help to raise yields, deliver important environmental benefits, and increase per-acre profitability,” Conko writes. “But while producers and consumers reap tremendous benefits from the expiration of patents in nearly every other industry, the same will not be true of biotech crops if regulatory impediments are not cleared from the path forward.”



DuPont Pioneer Advances 34 New Soybean Varieties for 2013 Planting

New soybean varieties from DuPont Pioneer face the toughest challenge in the final year of research testing. During this research stage, soybean varieties are placed in IMPACT™ (Intensively Managed Product Advancement Characterization and Training) trials on growers’ farms to ensure product performance is up to the high standards set by Pioneer. Recently, 34 Pioneer® brand soybean varieties passed final scrutiny from the Pioneer research and development, field sales and agronomy technology service teams and will be commercially available to producers for planting in 2013.

“Our goal is to provide a full complement of soybeans that yield consistently for farmers year after year,” says Don Schafer, DuPont Pioneer senior soybean marketing manager. “The Pioneer research, sales and agronomy teams dig hard to analyze the local disease and agronomic challenges throughout soybean-growing areas and develop products and traits to address those challenges within each region.”

The final year of soybean variety testing provides one more opportunity to gather a significant amount of data from many locations before releasing products to producers.

“This final evaluation on growers’ farms helps us develop a profile of where the product fits on each acre for our customers,” Schafer says. The 2013 class of Pioneer soybean varieties is a solid group of products, he says, with performance packages of agronomic and defensive traits that provide choices to match the right product with the right acre.

Below are descriptions of notable Pioneer soybean varieties in the new 2013 lineup.
-    90Y51 (RR) – An excellent choice in mid-Group 0 for the northern U.S. and Ontario soybean markets, this variety provides Rps1K phytophthora resistance, above average iron chlorosis tolerance, competitive white mold tolerance and outstanding yield potential. This variety will likely become a leader in northern growing areas.
-    91Y01(RR)  – A new early Group I leader variety for Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and Ontario, this variety brings Rps1C phytophthora resistance, above average phytophthora tolerance and iron chlorosis tolerance along with top yield potential.
-    92Y22 (RR)  and 92Y32 (RR) – These two new mid/early Group II varieties offer winning yield potential and a disease-tolerance package, featuring phytophthora root rot resistance and soybean cyst nematode (SCN) resistance.
-    93Y25 (RR) – This early/mid-Group III variety includes the Peking source of SCN resistance, making it a unique product for Illinois and Indiana.  With the Rps1K source of phytophthora resistance, along with above average brown stem rot and SDS tolerance, 93Y25 is a welcome addition for growers with challenging cyst soils.
-    93Y84 (RR) – Rps1K phytophthora resistance, SCN resistance, above average sudden death syndrome (SDS) tolerance and outstanding yield potential will help establish 93Y84 as a new late Group III go-to variety across a broad geography.
-    94Y23 (RR) – This new early Group IV banner product, with SCN resistance and very competitive SDS tolerance, is well adapted across a wide range of soil types and is sure to become a preferred choice of many growers.
-    95Y60 (RR) – A unique mid-Group V product with the PI437654 source of SCN resistance, this variety offers very competitive phytophthora tolerance and excellent yield potential.

All of the new Pioneer soybean varieties were developed using the Accelerated Yield Technology (AYT™) system — a set of proprietary research tools that enables soybean researchers to scan and identify genes responsible for important traits and then incorporate them into additional soybean lines. Research tools like AYT have prompted Pioneer to register more than 225 soybean patents. Patent protection includes genetics (varieties), transgenic traits, native traits and breeding technologies. To continue to provide greater yields and the latest defensive traits to customers, Pioneer is both implementing a strong patent and protection program and funding research and development to create new products and technologies for greater value per acre.