Monday October 15 Ag News

NePPA seek nominations for Environmental Award

The Nebraska Pork Producers Association is seeking pork producers in Nebraska who practice environmental stewardship through hard work and commitment. The program is open to any Nebraska Pork Production Operation. All types and sizes who demonstrate a positive commitment to environmental stewardship can apply.

ONE production operation will be selected after reviewed and evaluated by a committee made up of members of the Producer Outreach Committee.

Applications and nominations are being solicited from pork producers, operation managers, and other industry related professionals. The state selection committee will name on operation following a review of:
-General production information
-Manure/nutrient management
-Soil Conservation
-Water conservation
-Air quality management efforts
-Wildlife habitat management efforts
-Neighbor and community relations management efforts
-A short essay on the meaning of environmental stewardship

The award winner’s commitment to the environment will be featured in Pork Talk magazine, Hog Blog, a press release, and they will be recognized at Pork Industry Days in 2013. The winner will also receive $1000 towards continuing their environmental commitment as well as a banner and plaque to be displayed on site. This program is funded by a grant through the National Pork Board.

We encourage you to apply for the award and / or nominate another pork producer in the State whom you believe to be a good example of pork producer environmental stewardship.

Applications are currently available online through NPPA website at www.nepork.org. Contact Rachel Spader at  402-.472-.2528 or intern@nepork.org if you are interested in receiving an application for yourself or for a nomination by mail.

The DEADLINE for the applications is no later than DECEMBER 1, 2012. Returned forms are to be postmarked NO LATER than DECEMBER 1, 2012



Livestock Producers Affected by Disasters Urged to Keep Good Records
Potential Assistance Depending on Accurate, Timely Data for Expedited Help

USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director Dan Steinkruger urged livestock producers affected by 2012 natural disasters such as the drought or fires to keep thorough records of their livestock and feed losses, including additional expenses for such things as feed purchases because of lost supplies.

“There are extraordinary circumstances caused by a variety of disasters such as fire, drought, heat and storms,” Steinkruger said.  “Each of these events causes economic consequences for ranchers and producers including cattle, sheep and dairy operations, bee keepers, and poultry producers.”

FSA recommends that owners and producers record all pertinent information of natural disaster consequences, including:
·         Documentation of the number and kind of livestock that have died, supplemented if possible by photographs or video records of ownership and losses
·         Dates of death supported by birth recordings or purchase receipts
·         Costs of transporting livestock to safer grounds or to move animals to new pastures and feed purchases if supplies or grazing pastures are destroyed
·         Farmers and ranchers who have not filed acreage reports for 2012 pastures with FSA should go ahead and file the report.

The department’s authority to operate the five disaster assistance programs authorized by the 2008 Farm Bill expired on September 30, 2011.  This includes SURE; the Livestock Indemnity Program (LIP); the Emergency Assistance for Livestock, Honey Bees, and Farm‑Raised Fish (ELAP); the Livestock Forage Disaster Program (LFP); and the Tree Assistance Program (TAP).

Steinkruger noted, “Both the Senate and House have Farm Bills pending that provide emergency livestock assistance for 2012.  Farmers and ranchers should maintain appropriate records in case this legislation passes in the coming months.”

Questions should be directed to local FSA Offices across Nebraska.



Consideration of Dryland Corn Seeding Rate after a Season of Severe Drought
Keith Glewen, UNL Extension Educator

Nebraska, like many parts of the western Corn Belt, is experiencing one of the most severe droughts in decades. Soil moisture storage throughout the rooting depth was largely depleted by the end of the growing season, particularly in dryland fields. Soil water recharge during the coming winter and spring will be critical to setting plant population for next year’s corn in dryland systems. This is because yield response to plant population in dryland fields could be muted if soil water storage is low at the start of the growing season and rainfall during the growing season cannot meet crop water demand.

Using the Hybrid-Maize model, we simulated dryland corn yield responses to different plant populations at two locations: North Platte (representing west central Nebraska) and Mead (representing southeast Nebraska). Each simulation scenario was a combination of two factors:
-    plant population of 20,000, 25,000 or 30,000 per acre, and
-    soil moisture, of silt loam soil, at planting of 100% (about 3.1 inches water/foot), 75% (about 2.6 inches water/foot), or 50% (about 2.2 inches water/foot) of field capacity (F.C.) throughout a 5-foot rooting depth.

For both locations, simulations were run over 31 years (1982 to 2012) of weather data, using May 1 as the sowing date. A hybrid maturity of 2500 GDD (CRM of about 103 days) was used for North Platte while a maturity of 2700 GDD (CRM of about 113 days) was used for Mead. Simulation results presented below are means of 31 years of simulations at each site.

In North Platte, dryland corn yield does not respond to increasing population from 20k to 30k per acre if soil moisture in the 5-foot rooting zone is poor (i.e., 50% F.C., or 2.2 inches/foot) at time of planting and the growing season has average rainfall (i.e., 10.4 inches). This is because low water availability throughout the growing season limits yield response to greater plant numbers. If soil water is 75% F.C. (i.e., 2.6 inches/foot) or higher by the time of planting, there is a moderate response in dryland yields to increased plant population for a season with average rainfall.

At Mead in southeast Nebraska, response of dryland corn yield to plant population is strongly positive even when soil moisture at planting is as low as 50% F.C. (i.e., 2.2 inches/foot) for a year with average rainfall during the growing season (i.e., 14.8 inches). And the response is even steeper if soil moisture at planting further improves. In this area, typical growing season rainfall can significantly compensate for low soil water storage at start of the growing season, and as a result, the impact of a drought year to the next season is less than in lower-rainfall areas, such as west central Nebraska.

Summary
Dryland corn growers in areas with conditions similar to west central Nebraska should consider taking into account the amount of stored soil moisture at planting when determining seeding rates. This may well be the situation in 2013 if the current low soil water storage exists at planting time. The amount of precipitation during the coming winter and spring will be important for recharging soil moisture and thus in making decisions about 2013 seeding rates in dryland fields of west central Nebraska.

For Mead, our simulations suggest that dryland corn yields are not very sensitive to soil moisture status at planting. Note that these conclusions are based on crop model simulations and thus must be used to guide management decisions, along with past experience and any differences in soil properties compared to those specified in this study. Real-time soil moisture at various locations across the state can be checked at http://www.hprcc.unl.edu/awdn/soilm/.



Farm Beginnings Nebraska to Begin Dec. 8

The Nebraska Sustainable Agriculture Society (NSAS) will hosts its next Farm Beginnings Nebraska Program at the Agriculture Research & Development Center located just South of Mead on Dec. 8. As part of a USDA Farmer and Rancher Grant, NSAS is facilitating the Farm Beginnings Nebraska Program.

The Farm Beginnings Nebraska Program is an educational training and support program designed to help people who want to evaluate and plan their farm enterprise. Farm Beginnings Nebraska participants engage in a mentor-ship experience and network with a variety of successful, innovative farmers; attend practical, high quality seminars, field days and conferences. The program is unique in that it is farmer led and coordinated. A majority of the presenters include farmers explaining firsthand the ins and outs of their farm and are followed up with tours. A major focus of the program is for those interested in utilizing sustainable and holistic management principles, including organic farming.

The Farm Beginnings Nebraska Program consists of a series of 10 sessions from December to April that cover a variety of topics including: holistic management, building networks, goal setting, whole farm planning, building your business plan, financing, marketing, business and farm management and financial management. While the class participants will learn firsthand from the farmers, they will also work on developing their own business plan as they progress through the course. As part of the class tuition, participants will also have the opportunity to attend the Healthy Farms Conference at the Peter Kiewit Lodge at Mahoney State Park near Omaha on February 15th and 16th. The Healthy Farms Conference has been held annually for over 35 years and is the annual conference of NSAS. Sessions this year will include; hugelkulture, homeopathy for the farm, vegetable production, grass-fed beef, local foods policy council, cover crops, organic farming, bee keeping, young and beginning farm opportunities, farm transitioning, agri-tourism and more. Farm tours are also part of the Farm Beginnings Nebraska program. Both during the course and at the concluding we will visit around 10-15 farms highlighted by a twilight tour and potluck.

Tuition for the program is $500, and you may qualify for a partial scholarship. Tuition includes:
-- Farm Beginnings notebooks and handouts
-- Joel Salatin's, Holy Cow and Hog Heaven book
-- Meals at each session,
-- NSAS membership,
-- Registration to the annual Healthy Farms Conference

An update list of speakers will be available soon at http://nebsusag.org/farmbeginningsnebraska.htm. For more information about the program and an application please contact William Powers, executive director of NSAS at farmbeginningsnebraska@gmail.com or at (402)525-7794.



Wait for Iowa Soil Temps to Remain Below 50 Degrees Before Applying Anhydrous Ammonia

Iowa farmers are encouraged to wait until soil temperatures remain below 50 degrees Fahrenheit before applying anhydrous ammonia (NH3) fertilizer this fall. With the record early harvest this year, officials with the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach said that waiting can help reduce nitrogen loss and better protects the environment.

“With farmers finishing harvest earlier than normal, it is important that they still wait for cooler soil temps to apply anhydrous so that there is a better chance the fertilizer stays put and will be available to the crop next spring,” said Bill Northey, Iowa Secretary of Agriculture. “Soil temperatures, like air temperatures, can change quickly so it is important that we wait with applications until soils are likely to remain below 50 degrees.”

“Historically, soil temperatures at a 4-inch depth cool below 50 degrees in the northern third of the state during the first week of November,” said Elwynn Taylor, ISU Extension and Outreach climatologist. “In central and southern Iowa, soil temperatures cool below 50 degrees during the second week and third weeks of November.”

ISU Extension and Outreach maintains a statewide real-time soil temperature data map on their website that ag retailers and farmers use to determine when fall N applications are appropriate. The website can be found at http://extension.agron.iastate.edu/NPKnowledge/.

Farmers should also be mindful to pay special attention when applying anhydrous ammonia to very dry soil. Dry soil can hold ammonia, but if they are cloddy and do not seal properly, the ammonia can be lost at injection or seep through the large pores between clods after application.

Farmers and applicators should assure proper depth of injection and good soil coverage when applying into dry soils. If following a round of application in the field the ammonia can still be smelled the applicator should make adjustments or wait for better conditions.



Manure Management Field Days for Small Beef Feedlot Operators

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is hosting two Iowa manure management and runoff control demonstration field days at the end of October. The purpose of these field days is to review low-cost options for managing runoff water and manure from small to medium size beef and dairy feedlot operations.

Recent compliance enforcement from the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Agency has put the focus on runoff from small to medium size feedlots. “Small and medium size open feedlots can potentially discharge significant amounts of nutrients to streams,” said Shawn Shouse, agricultural engineer specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. “The nutrients can cause water quality problems in streams and present a loss of valuable fertilizer nutrients for the farm.”
 
Oct. 29 Wall Lake field day
The first field day will be on Monday, Oct. 29, from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Bob Ziegmann farm located near Wall Lake. This field day will feature a system designed to keep manure runoff out of the road ditch and distribute it in a crop field instead. The Ziegmann feedlot is located at 3740 B Ave., Wall Lake. To get to the feedlot from Wall Lake, go south 5 miles on M64 and then 2.5 miles west on B Avenue.

Oct. 31 Andover field day
The second field day will be on Wednesday, Oct. 31, from 10:30 a.m. to noon at the Ray and Andrew Naeve feedlot located west of Andover. This field day will look at two different kinds of manure handling systems. One is an earthen basin located below one feedlot that provides protection to a nearby stream. The other is a concrete settling basin adjacent to a feedlot that captures manure runoff and settles the manure solids with the effluent discharged to cropland.

The Naeve feedlot is located at 4166 135th St., Clinton. To reach the feedlot go 0.5 mile north of the intersection of County Highway E50 and Z50 on County Highway Z50 (through Andover) to 135th Street. Turn left (west) on 135th Street and go 1.6 miles to the first place on north side of road. Lunch will be served by the Clinton County Cattlemen’s Association.

Both field days will be held rain or shine. In addition to the manure control systems, the field days will also include information on regulations for small and medium sized feedlots, nutrient content of feedlot manure and use in cropping systems, manure stockpiling regulations, and financial and technical assistance opportunities for feedlot owners.

These field days are part of the Water Quality Initiative for Small Iowa Beef and Dairy Feedlot Operations, supported in part by a section 319 grant through the Iowa Department of Natural Resources and the U.S. EPA Region 7. Local partners to this Water Quality Initiative include Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Iowa Cattlemen’s Association, the Iowa State Dairy Association, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, and the USDA-NRCS.



Iowa Learning Farms to Host Strip-till Field Day Oct. 23

Iowa Learning Farms will host a strip-tillage field day at the Robert Lynch farm near Gilmore City on Tuesday, Oct. 23, from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. With today’s high fuel prices, cash rents and land costs, there has never been a better time to explore reduced tillage options. Attend the field day to see how strip-tillage works and learn from local farmers who are experienced with this practice.

Strip-tillage marries the best aspects of conventional tillage with the benefits of no-till. Before planting (fall post-harvest, or spring pre-plant) a strip-tillage implement creates strips of tilled soil. Surface residue is left undisturbed between the tilled strips. In the spring, corn or soybeans are planted into the tilled soil strips, which warm and dry faster than the rest of the field, making this system ideal for some Iowa soil types. Landowners and farmers should see better water infiltration, improved soil structure, and potential for reduced fuel, machinery and other crop input costs with the implementation of strip-tillage.

Hear from Robert Lynch and son Jay as well as Mark Thompson who have been practicing strip-tillage for some time. They will share their experiences using this conservation tillage practice. The field day is free and the public is invited. A complimentary lunch is included.

The field day site is located at the Robert Lynch farm, 809 Southeast D Ave., Gilmore City. From Highway 3 just east of Gilmore City, turn south onto Birch Avenue and go 1/4 mile. Turn west on to Southeast D Avenue. The farm is 1/2 mile from Birch Avenue on the north side of the road.



Integrated Crop Management Conference Set for Nov. 28-29

The Iowa State University Integrated Crop Management Conference will be held Nov. 28 and 29 on the Iowa State campus in Ames. Conference speakers will share the latest information on crop production and protection technology from Iowa and surrounding states. Continuing education credits are available to Iowa Certified Crop Advisers (CCA) and recertification credits are available for commercial pesticide applicators in categories 1A, 1B, 1C, 4 and 10.

The conference agenda includes 40 different workshops provided by Iowa State faculty and staff, and invited Midwest speakers. A popular conference feature is the variety of guest speakers on the program.

“Each year Iowa State specialists invite colleagues in their field to share their research activities with conference attendees,” said Alison Robertson, conference planning committee chair and extension plant pathologist. “This gives those attending an opportunity to hear expertise and opinions from across the region and country at one location.”

Robertson said 11 visiting presenters representing five states will join Iowa State faculty and staff to present information on soil fertility, crop diseases, weed management and soil conservation. Completing the list of presenters are members of the Iowa State host units – ISU Extension and Outreach, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the departments of agricultural and biosystems engineering, agronomy, economics, entomology and plant pathology and microbiology.

In addition to the traditional topic-based presentations, this year’s conference program will include three focused mini-symposia, one on each of the following: production of corn stover for ethanol, sustainable biofuel production using perennial plants, and soil and water conservation to support and sustain soil quality.

Registration
Registration is $185 until Nov. 16; after Nov. 16 the registration increases to $235. Enrollment is limited and no registrations will be accepted at the door. To register online or for more information, visit the conference website at www.aep.iastate.edu/icm.

Registration begins at 7:30 a.m. Nov. 28 in the Scheman Continuing Education Building; the conference concludes at 4 p.m. Nov 29.

Conference organizers encourage early registration to ensure admittance to the conference which typically fills to capacity with nearly 1,000 producers and agribusiness representatives in attendance.



Obama, Romney Weigh In on Soybean Industry Priorities to ASA

With the national spotlight on the race for the White House, the American Soybean Association (ASA) reached out to President Barack Obama and former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney for each candidate’s points of view on issues critical to soybean farmers. President Obama and Governor Romney offered their positions on the farm bill and crop insurance, estate tax, biodiesel, biotechnology, trade, research, regulations, and transportation and infrastructure.

“Agriculture is a powerful and positive segment of the American economy, and the financial health of our nation’s farms needs to be among the top priorities in the larger political dialogue,” said ASA President Steve Wellman, a soybean farmer from Syracuse, Neb. “The responses offered by President Obama and Governor Romney provide a window into how each candidate would approach soybean industry issues over the next four years. We are grateful to President Obama and Governor Romney for their feedback on these issues, and we know that the input will help soybean farmers make the most informed choice possible as they head to the polls next month.”

Both candidates expressed a desire to pass a comprehensive farm bill as quickly as possible. President Obama pointed to importance of risk management and disaster assistance in the farm bill, saying, “we need a strong farm safety net for all of America’s farmers. 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. My administration has also expanded farm credit to help more than 100,000 farmers struggling during the financial crisis to keep their family farms and provide for their families.”

Governor Romney emphasized the need to maintain the competitiveness of the American farmer, saying, “we must be cognizant that our agricultural producers are competing with other nations around the world.  Other nations subsidize their farmers, so we must be careful not to unilaterally change our policies in a way that would disadvantage agriculture here in our country.  In addition, we want to make sure that we don’t ever find ourselves in a circumstance where we depend on foreign nations for our food the way we do with energy.  Ultimately, it is in everyone’s interest is achieve a level playing field on which American farmers can compete.” 

On biotechnology, President Obama said, “advances in biotechnology have strengthened agriculture, one of the country’s largest industries. Today, an amazing variety of innovative products are being made from soybeans that would have been unimaginable just a generation ago. And the key to building upon America’s agriculture exports of more than $137 billion lies in developing even more innovative products. That is why my administration is working to streamline the regulatory process, reducing costs and reducing the time for review for new inventions, while still ensuring that crops are fully reviewed to ensure health and environmental safety.”

Governor Romney expressed his opposition to the estate tax, saying, “at the very heart of U.S. agriculture is the family farm. Traveling across the heartland of America and visiting with farm families, I have been continuously impressed with their entrepreneurial spirit and drive to be successful. It is my pledge to rural America that the federal government will not force our farmers and ranchers to sell their operations or part of their operations simply to pay death taxes as their operations pass from one generation to next. For this reason, I fully support eliminating the death tax. Family farms and ranches built on strong rural values and work ethic should not be penalized through the heavy hand of government. Family farms are and need to continue to be the backbone of rural America.”

The full responses from each campaign are available on the ASA website at www.SoyGrowers.com. 



NOPA Sep Soybean Crush 119.732M

                                  Sep 12           Aug 12              Sep 11
Soybeans crushed       119,732         124,773           110,313
Soymeal produced      2,842,421       3,003,265        2,639,998
Soymeal yield               47.48            48.14               47.86
Soymeal exports         379,720           613,196          300,347
Soyoil produced        1,399,699        1,460,079         1,290,933
Soyoil yield                  11.69              11.70               11.70
Soyoil stocks            2,042,991         2,168,477        1,931,372

Iowa
Crush                         28,175              30,331            30,127
Oil Stocks                 703,649             739,645          763,418

Soybeans in thousand bushels, soymeal in short tons, soyoil in thousand pounds, yield in pounds per bushel.



China 2012 Soy Imports Likely Record

China is likely to import a record 57 million metric tons of soybeans this year, including an estimated 4.25 million tons for October alone, the state grain research agency said.  The estimate is based on shipping data, the China National Grain and Oils Information Center said Monday.  Shipments for November and December may "exceed expectations," as U.S. soybean futures have declined sharply recently, it said.

At 57 million tons, the 2012 crop would be 8.3% higher than 2011. For October, the forecast volume is 11.5% higher year on year but 14.5% lower on the month.

Soybean imports in the 2011-12 crop year, which ended in September, rose 13.2% to 59.23 million tons, the highest level in eight years, the agency said.



2013 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show Registration Underway

Registration for the 2013 Cattle Industry Annual Convention and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Trade Show is underway. The 115th Annual Convention will be held in Tampa, Fla., Feb. 6-9, 2013, and advanced registration is open until Jan. 11, 2013.

The Opening General Session on Feb. 6 officially kicks off the convention. The featured keynote speakers will be Sean and Leigh Anne Tuohy. Their lives were first chronicled in the bestselling book, "The Blind Side" and then went on to become a Hollywood blockbuster film. "The Blind Side" tells the story of Michael Oher, a homeless teenager turned first round draft pick NFL football player, with the support and love of an unlikely adoptive family, the Tuohys.

On Feb. 7, General Session II will feature a keynote speech by Stuart Varney. The current global credit crisis is front page news around the world. Such momentous change has not occurred for decades, and the cascade of financial trouble has devastated many world economies. Despite this, Varney offers a positive take on the economy and describes, with up-to-the-minute detail, the current financial situation and what it means for you, your family and your business.

This year’s convention participants will hear from industry leaders, gather insight on industry trends, take part in NCBA’s grassroots policy process and enjoy Tampa’s Gasparilla Pirate Fest, a night full of lively pirates, sounds from the Caribbean Chillers and plenty of local eats. The convention will close with the Cattlemen’s Beach Bash featuring the Beach Boys. NCBA President and Nebraska rancher J.D. Alexander said the convention is a must for all cattlemen.

“The convention and trade show create a great environment for cattle industry members to come together to network and create policy for the industry,” said Alexander. “If you’re in the cattle business, then you need to be in Tampa this coming February.”

In addition to access to all of the 2013 convention events, registrants for the full convention will receive a 50 percent off coupon for Roper and Stetson apparel and footwear at the NCBA Trade Show.

To register for the 2013 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show, visit www.beefusa.org, or send an e-mail to meetings@beef.org.



Poll: Americans Deeply Divided on Domestic Energy

A new national poll has found that Americans are deeply divided on whether they believe the United States is on the right or wrong track regarding domestic energy policy, while a plurality believe the government must lead the way in adopting domestic energy sources. Harris Interactive, a worldwide market research firm, conducted the poll by telephone among more than 1,000 U.S. adults; the Propane Education & Research Council (PERC) commissioned it. The survey's purpose was to obtain quantitative data on the nation's current views and habits regarding clean, affordable, and domestic energy.

The survey, titled "Energy Habits, Awareness & Perceptions," found that 45 percent of Americans believe that the U.S. is headed in the right direction for finding domestic energy sources, but 43 percent believe the direction is wrong.

There is agreement, however, that domestic energy must be addressed. Overall, the poll found:

-- 78 percent of Americans want political leaders to work on policy promoting domestic energy sources.

-- The most widely cited rationale for pursuing domestic energy sources, among the 93 percent considering it important to do so, was energy security (85 percent), followed by job creation and economic security (84 percent) and lower prices at the pump (72 percent).

-- A strong plurality (39 percent) of Americans believe the government, rather than consumers (20 percent), corporations (18 percent) or small businesses (14 percent), should lead the nation in adopting domestic sources of energy.

"The data speaks loud and clear about our nation's viewpoint on the need to find domestic energy sources," said Roy Willis, CEO and president of PERC. "Americans believe that regardless of who is elected president next month, serious steps need to be taken towards offering affordable solutions that make our nation more energy independent and cleaner."

Additionally, the environmental aspects of energy are also a concern:

-- Nearly three-fourths of respondents identify support of new environmentally friendly energy technology/products (74 percent) and infrastructure (73 percent) as topics they would like to see political leadership address in the coming year.

-- Increasingly, Americans are bringing this environmental awareness into their own purchase decisions, as 61 percent of the survey respondents say they have bought more environmentally friendly products this year than they did five years ago.

"Americans understand that the choices they make as consumers have a profound effect on where the road to a cleaner, greener future takes us," Willis said. "But they ultimately hold political leadership and government accountable as the ones who should pave that road."

Despite the consensus on the importance of pursuing green energy, perceived barriers remain. When asked why they think Americans have not fully embraced environmentally friendly fuels, 67 percent cited cost.

As these results indicate, domestic, green, affordable sources of energy are becoming more attractive to Americans. While propane currently offers a viable and clean solution in markets such as fleet, lawn and landscape, agriculture, forklifts, and residential and commercial construction, PERC intends to use the data from this survey as a baseline for future research and development endeavors.



Three Million Miles Later, Ethanol Still Delivers in NASCAR

When NASCAR's top drivers began the "Chase" for the coveted Sprint Cup Championship this year, they hit a major milestone for both the sport and for American Ethanol, racing more than three million miles fueled by a 15 percent ethanol blend.

"Since the 2011 racing season, NASCAR drivers have seen a considerable increase in horsepower thanks to Sunoco Green E15," said Richard Childress Racing driver and American Ethanol spokesman Austin Dillon. "Reaching three million miles on this proven renewable fuel is yet another testament to the quality and value of ethanol for my fellow American drivers both on and off the track."

To increase awareness of the many benefits of ethanol, the National Corn Growers Association and Growth Energy formed the American Ethanol partnership with NASCAR in 2011. Over the past two seasons, every car in every NASCAR race has been powered by 15 percent ethanol. The NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, NASCAR Nationwide Series, and NASCAR Camping World Truck Series races have all showcased the incredible reliability and performance that 15 percent ethanol fuel blends offer.

In order to maximize the impact of this message, American Ethanol has worked with NASCAR drivers Kenny Wallace and Austin Dillon, who act as the 2012 spokesmen for the high performance and clean burning characteristics of the fuel and for the farmers and ethanol plants that make it possible.

While every car on the track runs on E15 and features the green American Ethanol circle around its fuel port, Wallace and Dillon take the lead in efforts to increase awareness of ethanol with avid fans and dispel myths about the renewable domestic fuel with the general public. The rigorous racing conditions have proven the durability and high performance capabilities of the fuel while also helping increase awareness of how ethanol creates jobs domestically and decreases dependence on imported petroleum.

Dillon says drivers have seen a considerable increase in horsepower since the switch to Sunoco Green E15 in 2011.

This weekend, American Ethanol will again hit the track at the Kansas Speedway, reaching out to NASCAR fans at the track and in their homes. For more information on special events surrounding the race, visit www.ncga.com later this week.



CHS Foundation Assists World Soy Foundation

The World Soy Foundation today released a new report Strengthening Soy Dairy Microenterprises: Opportunities and Obstacles for the Youth of Guatemala. The CHS Foundation provided funding for the study that offers recommendations based on the progress of Guatemalan communities assisted by the World Soy Foundation.

Youth like Maria are taking key roles in making healthy foods as they also learn business skills. Soy-plantain-egg pancakes, soy milk as well as smoothie-type drinks, muffins, cookies, pizza dough and more are examples of foods now available to Guatemalan children through the use of stainless steel processing machines, called SoyCows. 

“CHS has helped the World Soy Foundation create an important new tool to reduce malnutrition through the power of soy,” said World Soy Foundation Board Member Randy Van Kooten, a Linville, Iowa farmer who has met Guatemalan children who benefit from SoyCows.  “I’m proud to be a member of a cooperative that cares like CHS.”

North Dakota State (NDSU) and Mississippi State (MSU) Universities contributed to the report by sharing faculty who traveled to Guatemala and provided expert input. Gregory McKee, Ph.D. in Agricultural and Resource Economics and Director of Quentin Burdick Center for Cooperatives at NDSU, assessed the role for cooperative business strategies in soy dairies.

Another author of the report is MSU Associate Vice President-International Programs Benjy Mikel, who has a Ph.D. in food science and technology. MSU Associate Professor Chiquita Briley, Ph.D.,  provided input on nutrition as well as youth development programs like 4-H.

The authors’ recommendations are particularly timely as children’s nutrition programs in developing countries around the world are exploring the use of SoyCow processing machines to improve nutrition and health for children, generate income and provide youth with business training. Success with SoyCows prompted the First Lady of Guatemala, Rotary leaders and others to meet with the authors of the report.

The report is available at www.worldsoyfoundation.org. It highlights 10 core recommendations starting with the need for nutrition education to create demand for healthy foods, like those made by soy dairies. A cooperative business structure is a potentially favorable corporate structure for soy dairy businesses. Youth need training in nutrition, health, business, food and equipment safety, and more.

Today, there are 1.2 billion people in the world between 15 and 24 years of age, according to the International Labor Organization. And, 90 percent of them live in developing countries.

The World Soy Foundation is a 501c3 charitable organization that reduces malnutrition through the power of soy. An optimal source of protein, soy can play a powerful role in a child’s journey to health, happiness and a productive life. Therefore, the World Soy Foundation creates partnerships and builds alliances that deliver soy protein and nutrition education around the world. It is headquartered at the American Soybean Association. More information is available at www.worldsoyfoundation.org.  



CNH Rejects Fiat Merger

U.S. farm and industrial vehicle group CNH has rejected a merger proposal from its parent Fiat Industrial, the Italian company says.  Fiat Industrial, which already owns 88% of CNH, said in a statement Monday that it has asked to meet with the U.S. group's advisers to see if they can reach agreement on revised terms.  The Italian company's chairman, Sergio Marchionne, who is also CEO of the Fiat and Chrysler automakers, proposed the merger in May as a way to create a competitor to major capital goods companies and unlock market value.  Fiat Industrial is the third-largest global player in the capital goods market behind Caterpillar and Volvo.



Mycogen Seeds Announces Zero Percent Financing Options for 2013 Growing Season

Mycogen Seeds’ new grower financing program provides simple and flexible options to finance 2013 seed purchases. Partnering with Rabo AgriFinance and John Deere Financial, Mycogen Seeds will offer zero percent interest financing to qualified customers who place their orders between Oct. 1 and Dec. 19, 2012.

“We are proud to offer growers this competitive financing program to help maximize potential on the farm. The program complements our full lineup of high-performing seed products, including new hybrids and varieties across crop segments,” says Eric Sitzman, product manager for Mycogen Seeds.

For details about the financing program or information about MYCOGEN® brand products, growers should contact their local Mycogen Seeds dealer or sales representative or download an application at www.RaboAg.com or www.JohnDeereFinancial.com.