Monday October 8 Ag News

NC's Retail Value Steer Challenge

The Nebraska Cattlemen Foundation (NCF) is seeking donations of  steers for its annual Retail Value Steer Challenge feeding competition.  This is the Foundation’s primary fundraiser, generating money for scholarships and education and research projects that beneft the Nebraska cattle industry.  Funds from this event raise money to support:
-  Youth and Adult Leadership Programs
-  NCF Education Programs - Scholarships
-  NCF Research Programs and Infrastructure Projects
-  History Preservation
-  Judging Teams at Southeast Community College, Beatrice
-  Judging Teams at Northeast Community College, Norfolk
-  Judging Teams at Nebraska College of  Technical Agriculture, Curtis
-  Judging Teams at University of  Nebraska, Lincoln

Steer donors have the opportunity to win cash prizes, claim statewide bragging rights for top feedlot performance compete with other NC members, affliates and supporters, and receive complete carcass data on their  animal.  NCF welcomes steer donations by individuals, businesses, groups of  individuals or businesses and NC affliates.  Participants can donate their own steer or purchase a steer for $1,000.   Winners will be announced at the Nebraska Cattlemen Midyear Conference in June, 2013.

For more information or to enter a steer contact Lee Weide at 402/475-2333 or lweide@necattlemen.org.



Lunch and Learn - FREE event

The 1 hour Lunch and Learns are intended to expose cattlemen advanced techniques for identifying opportunity and protecting profits, including customizing a crush to fit your production model.  Using spreads to address basis slippage and reposition hedges will be discussed.  Hosted by Commodity and Ingredient Hedging.  There are two opportunities to attend this event...

October 23, Tuesday, 11:00 AM- 1:00PM
Holiday Inn Express
2605 Plum Creek Parkway
Lexington, Nebraska

October 24, Wednesday, 11:00 AM- 1:00PM
Divots Conference Center
4200 W. Norfolk Avenue
Norfolk, Ne 68701

Space is limited, so register today.  Email mail@cihedging.com or call 1-866-299-9333.  For more info about CIH, see their website... http://www.cihedging.com/. 



Drought, Politics and Risk Management Strategies on Tap for 2012 Crop Insurance Workshops

Agricultural producers are not lacking for topics to discuss or challenges to manage, and the 2012 Crop Insurance Workshops, to be held this fall in Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado and Oklahoma, will touch on several.

The workshops are hosted by University of Nebraska-Lincoln, K-State Research and Extension, Oklahoma State Extension, and Colorado State University. Application for insurance continuing education credits has been made for the host states as well as several other states.

The workshop “Drought, Politics and Risk Management Strategies” will be held:
-    Oct. 30 – Brush, Colo., Event Center, Brush Fairgrounds
-    Oct. 31 – Grand Island, Neb., College Park, 3180 W. Highway 24
-    Nov. 1 – Salina, Kan., Salina Ramada Inn, 1616 W. Crawford
-    Nov. 2 – Enid, Okla., Autry Technology Center, 1201 W. Willow

The one-day workshop is designed to provide crop insurance agents, agricultural lenders, marketing consultants, agricultural educators and other risk management service providers with tools to help their clients make more profitable risk management decisions. Farmers and ranchers can apply the information directly to their own management decisions.
Topics

Presentations will include:
-    Macro Outlook and Implications for Agriculture,
-    Policy Outlook: A New Farm Bill for a New Era?
-    Grain Market Outlook for 2012-2013,
-    Risk Management Agency Update,
-    Common Land Unit (CLU) Acreage Reporting Plan,
-    Land Values/Rents, and
-    Drought, Politics and Risk Management Policy.

Registration and Information
The cost to attend, which includes lunch, is $90 if paid more than five days ahead of a specific workshop.  After that date and at the door the fee is $100.  More information, including a printable registration form and online registration options, is available at  www.agmanager.info or by contacting Rich Llewelyn at 785-532-1504 or rvl@ksu.edu.  



Questions and Answers for Producers, Sellers, and Buyers of Baled Hay Moving From Areas Under Quarantine for Imported Fire Ant
(from USDA APHIS)

Through its regulations to prevent the movement and establishment of the imported fire ant, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) seeks to facilitate the safe movement of agricultural products and commodities, including baled hay, out of areas under quarantine for the pest.  USDA’s goal is to help support commerce, while guarding against the further spread of the imported fire ant. 

Weather conditions can prompt farmers to seek sources of hay for their livestock that may include hay from suppliers within areas of the country under quarantine for imported fire ant.  While some hay produced in these areas is regulated from moving outside of the quarantine zone, most hay can move without restriction.  In addition, there are simple steps hay growers and suppliers inside the quarantine area for imported fire ant can take to ensure their product can move quickly and easily to where it’s needed by farmers and livestock.  APHIS is providing the following information to help respond to questions from farmers, ranchers, hay growers, and suppliers, as well as our State plant health regulatory partners, as they work to respond to adverse weather conditions and fi nd important feed sources for livestock. 

Most of the southeastern United States is currently under quarantine.  In addition, most of Texas, southern Oklahoma, all of Dona Ana County in New Mexico, all of Orange County and parts of Los Angeles and Riverside counties in California, and all of Puerto Rico are under quarantine.

Click the link to get more information... http://cropwatch.unl.edu/c/document_library/get_file?uuid=484802d6-7fa5-407c-baf8-71b6cdfe5a20&groupId=1841&.pdf.  



State Beef Councils Supplement Checkoff Program Funding Through Federation of State Beef Councils

Beef producers serving state beef council boards throughout the country have chosen to supplement national and international research, education and promotion programs funded by the Beef Checkoff Program by about $6.6 million in fiscal year 2013, which began Oct. 1. The supplemental funds, invested through the Federation of State Beef Councils, are to be added to $40.3 million invested through the Cattlemen’s Beef Board (CBB) and approved by the Beef Promotion Operating Committee, which met in Denver Sept. 19 – 20. The Committee’s decisions were submitted to the full CBB and the USDA for approval.

State beef councils in 45 states are qualified to collect the full $1-per-head beef checkoff, and retain 50 cents of each dollar for use in authorized state, national and international programs. The other 50 cents is remitted to the Cattlemen’s Beef Board.  Collections from beef importers, who must also pay the checkoff, and from cattle producers in states with no Qualified State Beef Council, are conducted by the CBB.

Some of the funds from states with high cattle numbers and low populations are invested through the Federation to extend national and international Beef Checkoff Program efforts in a coordinated way. Decisions about specific programs to fund are made by individual state beef councils.

“A coordinated state and national Beef Checkoff Program makes the most of the $1-per-head checkoff beef producers must pay,” said Craig Uden, a Nebraska beef producer and chairman of the Federation of State Beef Councils. “It also helps assure a grassroots decision-making process that allows producers at the state level to have additional say in how and where their beef checkoff dollars are invested.”

National programs are being supplemented through the Federation by $4.9 million, while international programs are receiving $1.7 in state checkoff funds. Demand-building efforts funded through the checkoff include promotion programs, such as consumer advertising, retail and foodservice marketing and new product and culinary initiatives; research programs focusing on sustainability, beef safety, product enhancement, human nutrition and market research; consumer information, including national consumer public relations and nutrition influencer relations; and industry information, comprising beef and dairy quality assurance programs and dissemination of accurate information about the industry to consumers.  Foreign marketing includes promotion and education in numerous countries around the world.

The Federation of State Beef Councils is a division of the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), which is a contractor to the Beef Checkoff Program. The program is administered by the Cattlemen’s Beef Board, with oversight provided by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.



America’s Farmers Food Drive collects 11,465 pounds of food at Husker Harvest Days

As America faces the worst drought in half a century, food pantries across the nation face the possibility of receiving fewer donations on average this fall due to higher projected food costs. However, thanks to Nebraska’s FFA chapters, 4-H clubs and attendees at Husker Harvest Days, several Nebraska food pantries will receive a significant donation of food to help those in need.

Eighty-eight FFA chapters and a 4-H club in Nebraska participated in the fourth annual America’s Farmers Food Drive, sponsored by Monsanto in conjunction with Husker Harvest Days and the Howard G. Buffett Foundation. The food drive took place at Husker Harvest Days from September 11-13 in Grand Island, Neb. and successfully raised 11,465 pounds of food and more than $22,613 in monetary donations.

“It is important for everyone to contribute to something that is bigger than ourselves,” said Doug Voigt, St. Paul FFA advisor. “The St. Paul ag students enjoy donating to a cause they have had a hand in helping to produce, and the America’s Farmers Food Drive gives them that opportunity.”

The top three FFA chapters that brought the most food, in pounds, along with the participating 4-H club were awarded $250. The four ag youth winners include:
·          St. Paul FFA
·         O’Neill FFA
·         Ravenna FFA
·         Adams County 4-H

            “The ag students that participated in the food drive went above and beyond what was expected,” said Linda Arnold, Monsanto customer advocacy lead. “As the drought affects farmers and the rural communities that they help to support, it is our goal through the America’s Farmers Food Drive to put one foot forward in helping feed the hungry.”

Monsanto and the Howard G. Buffett foundation matched $1 per pound of food collected at the America’s Farmers Food Drive at Husker Harvest Days. Monsanto donated $10,000 to Heartland United Way and the Howard G. Buffett Foundation donated $10,000 to Feeding America.

“The matching dollars from Monsanto will provide fresh fruits, vegetables, dairy, eggs, meat and other perishable foods for the homeless shelters and food pantries to ensure balanced, healthy meals are provided to families who are facing tough economic times,” said Karen Rathke, Heartland United Way president.



Manure Storage and Grain Handling Safety Focus of Rural Ag Safety Conference

This year’s Midwest Rural Agricultural Safety and Health Conference is focusing on how to put safety research to practice on the farm, particularly in the areas of grain handling and manure storage. Registration is now underway for the Nov. 14-16 conference in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

The event brings together health care professionals, agricultural professionals and engineers, farmers, media, policy makers and researchers to share knowledge and collaborate on social and behavioral changes.

Over the course of the three-day conference, attendees can sit in on a variety of panels and lectures. Many of the talks will concern confined spaces on the farm, particularly grain handling safety and ventilation of manure storage. Pesticide exposure, ATV safety, and general farm safety also are on the program.

The goal of the sessions is to outline various health and safety hazards in agriculture and help producers and professionals learn how to prevent or deal with these problems. The conference also hopes to make attendees more aware of current research in the realm of agricultural safety and health and develop ways to practically apply research to their work.
Registration

The registration fee varies from $50 a day for students to $195 for the full three-day conference. The fee includes all materials, instruction, breakfast, and lunch.  To register visit the University of Iowa’s Center for Conferences website (http://www.continuetolearn.uiowa.edu/UIConferences/) or phone 319-335-4141. Registrations are due by Nov. 9.



DNR Public Meetings on Stream Use Designation Revisions

The DNR is holding public meetings across the state to gather input on proposed water quality standards designated use changes for a fourth batch of select rivers and streams. These changes help protect aquatic life and recreational uses.

For a list of stream designations being revised in the water quality standards, please refer to the list posted at:  www.iowadnr.gov/InsideDNR/RegulatoryWater/WaterQualityStandards/DesignatedUses/UseAssessments.aspx

Meetings will be held as follows, listed by town:
-- Atlantic: Nov. 13, 3 to 6 p.m., Atlantic Rock Island Depot, 102 Chestnut St.
-- Clear Lake: Nov. 8, 3 to 6 p.m., Clear Lake Community Room, City Hall, 15 N. Sixth St.
-- Independence: Nov. 28, 3 to 6 p.m., Falcon Civic Center, 1305 Fifth Ave. NE
-- Spencer: Nov. 5, 3 to 6 p.m., Spencer Public Library, 21 E. Third St.
-- Washington: Nov. 27, 3 to 6 p.m., Washington Public Library, Nicholas Stoufer Room, 115 W. Washington St.
-- West Des Moines: Nov. 19, 3 to 6 p.m., West Des Moines Public Library, 4000 Mills Civic Parkway

Those not able to attend the meetings may submit written comments or questions through Dec. 10 to: Rochelle Cardinale, DNR, 502 East Ninth St., Des Moines, Iowa 50319-0034; by fax to 515-281-8895; or by email to rochelle.cardinale@dnr.iowa.gov.



Vilsack in Omaha Tuesday to Address Drought Workshop

Tuesday in Omaha, Neb., Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack will address attendees at the first of four regional workshops scheduled to discuss resources available to assist with drought recovery efforts. The Secretary will address the plenary session of the workshop. Vilsack will also meet with local media at the venue.

USDA is partnering with local, state and federal partners to hold a series of four regional drought workshops in Omaha, Neb. Pueblo, Colo.; Pine Bluff, Ark., and a community to be designated in Ohio. USDA is working closely with the Department of Commerce, the Small Business Administration and the Federal Emergency Management Agency to facilitate these meetings.

The workshop and Vilsack's remarks take place from 9 to 11 a.m. in the City County Building, Legislative Chambers, 1819 Farnam Street, Omaha, NE.  



NCBA's Cattlemen to Cattlemen Live Show to Address Drought Management Strategies and Initiatives

This year has been a tough one for farmers and ranchers across the country, especially due to the ongoing drought that has 70 percent of cattle country suffering from abnormal to exceptionally dry conditions. NCBA’s Cattlemen to Cattlemen will take a look at drought management efforts that cattlemen and women can implement on their ranches during a live call-in show on Tues., Oct. 9, at 8:30 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST) on RFD-TV.

Cattle producers are facing the worst drought conditions in 50 years, with the center of the drought located in the Midwest and southern Great Plains, where months of record breaking heat starting in March and below average spring precipitation helped create the now record drought conditions. Much of the country’s crop production has been hindered by the drought, and crop prices are reaching near all-time highs.

“Cattlemen must have the ability to make management decisions in a timely manner when faced with drought or other natural disasters,” said National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Executive Director of Producer Education John Paterson. “This special episode of NCBA’s Cattlemen to Cattlemen will allow us to answer questions, listen to producer concerns and discuss drought management options that are key in helping ranchers get their operations through these tough drought conditions.”

Joining Paterson on the panel are Kevin Good with CattleFax; Jim Odle with Superior Livestock; and John Maddux, a Nebraska cattleman. NCBA’s Cattlemen to Cattlemen will look into these issues and provide viewers with a better understanding of how they can implement a drought management plan. Viewers can ask the panel questions by calling 1-888-824-6688 or by e-mailing their questions to C2C@beef.org.

Viewers are also encouraged to join NCBA by calling 1-888-824-6688 or visiting NCBA’s website.... www.beefusa.org.  

The program will be broadcast again on RFD-TV Wed., Oct. 10, 2012, at 10:30 a.m. EST and Sat., Oct. 13, 2012, at 9 a.m. EST. In addition, all episodes of NCBA’s Cattlemen to Cattlemen are available on the program’s website.... www.cattlementocattlemen.org.  



2012 Harvest: Farmers Finding More Than Just Aflatoxins

There is no doubt that feed quality will be a challenge this year. Four of the nation’s top producing corn states have already been given permission to blend corn at levels exceeding the United States Food and Drug Administration aflatoxin action level and other states may soon be following in pursuit.  As the U.S. Department of Agriculture reports this year’s corn supply at an eight-year low, much of the Midwest is trying to utilize this year’s poor corn crop for their livestock.

 “This year’s volatile drought has forced livestock producers to think twice about the quality of their feedstuffs,” said Dr. Max Hawkins, Alltech Mycotoxin Management Team.

While Aspergillus, the mold responsible for aflatoxins, has been the most notorious culprit in the 2012 harvest due to its carcinogenic properties, other toxins may show up this year.  The hot and dry growing season provides just the right climate for the mold Fusarium verticillioides, which causes fumonisin B1 and can have serious effects on horses and swine. Penicillium is another mold of concern, especially during storage. Silage that is dry, poorly packed or has a significant amount of soil contamination can allow Pencillium to produce PR toxin, patulin, mycophenolic acid, roquefortine C, penicilic acid and several other mycotoxins.

In order to better identify mycotoxins, Alltech recently launched its 37+ Program. The mass spectrometry technique LC-MS2 can investigate 38 different mycotoxins quantitatively, and more than 50 others qualitatively in less than 15 minutes per sample analyzed, with limits of detection in the parts per trillion range. According to Hawkins, this approach allows a broader analytical approach compared to other commercial methods that can only see a ‘snapshot’ of contamination.

“Producers should positively identify any situations that may arise with this year’s corn crop and not assume it is only Aspergillius,” Hawkins said.

For more information about the 37+ Program or any concerns relating to mycotoxins, please call the Mycotoxin Hotline at 866-322-3484.



Oil Closes Lower Monday

(AP)  A strong warning from the World Bank that growth in Asia may slow further dragged the price of oil Monday to its lowest close in two months.

The World Bank signaled the possibility of a "more pronounced slowdown" in China, the world's second largest economy after the United States. It also cut its growth forecast for Asia. Red-hot growth in emerging markets like China and India helped boost oil consumption coming out of the global recession.

Benchmark crude fell 55 cents to close at $89.33 in New York. The contract hasn't closed lower since Aug. 2.

At the pump, gas prices remain stubbornly high. The national average for gasoline rose 3 cents over the weekend to $3.818 a gallon.

Other futures in morning trading:
_ Natural gas gained less than a penny to reach $3.40 per 1,000 cubic feet.
_ Heating oil lost a penny to close at $3.14 per gallon.
_ Wholesale gasoline fell 6 cents to finish at $2.89 per gallon.



Supreme Court to Hear Appeal on Monsanto's RR Patent Rights

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear an Indiana farmer's appeal that challenges the scope of Monsanto's patent rights on its Roundup Ready seeds.

Monsanto has required farmers to use the patented seeds only for a single crop and not save the "second-generation" seeds from the harvest.  In a short written order, the Supreme Court said it would consider the planting tactics of Indiana farmer Vernon Bowman, who appealed to the justices after Monsanto successfully sued him for patent infringement in the lower courts. 

For several years, Bowman purchased Monsanto-licensed seed his first seasonal soybean crop and abided by the agreement not to save second-generation seeds. But for his late season "second crop" of soybeans, Bowman tried a different approach: he bought and planted "commodity seeds" from a grain elevator. Those soybean seeds were a mix and included some that contained Monsanto's technology. He chose to save the seeds from those second-crop harvests, which he used in subsequent years.

Monsanto argued the farmer's actions infringed upon its patents and lower federal courts agreed.



Russia to Harvest 70 Mln Tons of Grain in 2012

Russia's grain harvest will total 70 million metric tons in 2012, the country's deputy prime minister in charge of agricultural issues said Monday.  "Right now, 68 million tons of grain have been harvested, and we are going with the number 70 million tons, maybe even a little more," said Arkady Dvorkovich.  The figure is slightly below that forecast by Russia's agriculture ministry, which had forecast a harvest of 72 million-73 million tons. The economic ministry forecast a harvest of 73 million-75 million tons.

The agriculture ministry has set an export target of 10 million-14 million tons for the year.

Global grain markets have been watching Russia's output closely, because of lower harvests around the world caused by drought. Drought has also affected large areas of Russian farmland, cutting the overall grain harvest by more than 20% from a record 94.2 million tons in 2011.



Vilsack Fulfills Commitment to Designate 1 Million Additional Conservation Acres to Support Wildlife Habitat Restoration
Failure to Pass Food, Farm and Jobs Bill Puts Enrollments in Jeopardy

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today underscored the Obama Administration's commitment to partnerships in conservation by announcing the allocation of 400,000 acres to support conservation and restoration of wildlife and their habitats as part of the Conservation Reserve Program, or CRP. Under Vilsack's leadership, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has enrolled more than 12 million acres in CRP, a voluntary program available to agricultural producers to help them use marginal and environmentally sensitive land to bring conservation and economic benefits for their land and communities. Today's announcement of 400,000 state acres for wildlife enhancement (SAFE acres), fulfills Vilsack's commitment made last spring to commit 1 million acres for special initiatives to restore grasslands, wetlands and wildlife habitat.

"Since 2009, USDA has worked with producers and private landowners to enroll a record number of acres in conservation programs," said Vilsack. "These efforts have not only conserved our natural resources, but bolstered rural economies for current and future generations. That's why it's important for Congress to pass comprehensive, multi-year food, farm and jobs legislation—so that America's rural communities have certainty that millions of acres of conservation lands will be there tomorrow to sustain and create jobs in the small businesses that reinforce our tourism and recreation industry."

With 400,000 SAFE acres available, USDA will work with producers and landowners to target habitat for high-priority species like the lesser prairie chicken and sage grouse, as well as game species like pheasants and quail that providing hunting opportunities and support rural jobs. Existing projects in 20 states will be able to add up to 280,000 combined acres for all projects, including prairie, wetlands, forest and savanna habitat restoration. In addition, more than 100,000 acres were added to target species as diverse as northern scarlet snakes, ferruginous hawks and the American woodcock.

SAFE is a voluntary continuous CRP practice that conserves and restores habitat for wildlife species that are threatened or endangered, have suffered significant population declines or are important environmentally, economically or socially. SAFE is currently capped at 1.25 million acres nationally. Acres are now allocated across 97 SAFE projects located in 36 states and Puerto Rico.

Under SAFE, state fish and wildlife agencies, non-profit organizations and other conservation partners work collaboratively to target CRP delivery to specific conservation practices and geographic areas where enrollment of eligible farm land in continuous CRP will provide significant wildlife value. USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) monitors SAFE and other continuous CRP activity and manages available acres to ensure that CRP goals and objectives are being met.

The Food Security Act of 1985, Section 1231(a), as amended, provides authority to enroll land in CRP through September 30, 2012. However, no legislation has been enacted to reauthorize or extend this authority; therefore, CRP currently is unable to enroll new acres.

In March, Secretary Vilsack announced USDA's intent to enroll up to 1 million acres in a new CRP grasslands and wetlands initiative meant to target environmentally sensitive land through continuous signups. FSA has set aside acres within CRP for specific enrollments that benefit duck nesting habitat, upland birds, wetlands, pollinators and wildlife. In addition, USDA announced a continuous sign-up of highly erodible cropland, which seeks to protect the nation's most environmentally sensitive lands. The Highly Erodible Cropland initiative permits landowners to enroll up to 750,000 acres of land with an Erodibility Index (EI) of 20 or greater.

CRP is one of America's most valuable and vital conservation efforts, ensuring cleaner air and water, preventing soil erosion, and enhancing economic opportunity in rural America by supporting recreation and tourism. The approach to target the most sensitive lands is essential to maintain the substantial benefits of CRP while ensuring that productive farmlands continue to produce America's food, feed, fiber and renewable fuel.

Highlights of CRP include:
-    CRP prevents the erosion of 325 million tons of soil each year, or enough soil to fill 19.5 million dump trucks;
-    CRP has restored more than two million acres of wetlands and two million acres of riparian buffers;
-    Each year, CRP keeps more than 600 million pounds of nitrogen and more than 100 million pounds of phosphorous from flowing into our nation's streams, rivers, and lakes;
-    CRP provides $1.8 billion annually to landowners—dollars that make their way into local economies, supporting small businesses and creating jobs; and
-    CRP is the largest private lands carbon sequestration program in the country. By placing vulnerable cropland into conservation, CRP sequesters carbon in plants and soil, and reduces both fuel and fertilizer usage.

In 2010, CRP resulted in carbon sequestration equal to taking almost 10 million cars off the road.



“WHY PLANT CONSERVATION TREES?”

Early explorers described the Nebraska territory as the “Great American Desert”, without a tree to be seen in a day’s travel.  The first settlers realized the value of trees.  They planted millions of trees/shrubs on barren homesteads to help fulfill their basic needs for protection, building material, fuel, and food.  Planting trees quickly became a Nebraska tradition and Nebraska proudly became known as “The Tree Planter State”.  Today, all Nebraskans benefit from the trees planted by our forefathers.

“The need for trees remains important today.  The job is not finished” said Dennis Adams, forester with the Nebraska Forest Service and University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension.  Adams estimates that there is a need to annually plant about 6 million trees/shrubs for all conservation purposes in Nebraska, including:
·       Energy Conservation.  A good shelterbelt can reduce home heating and cooling costs by up to 30%.
·       Crop Protection.  A good field windbreak can increase average dry land crop yields up to 15% and may make the difference between a crop and no crop in a severe drought year.
·       Livestock Protection.  A well-designed livestock windbreak reduces stress on livestock, increases weight gain, and can decrease cattle mortality during severe winter storms.
·       Wildlife Habitat.  Trees and shrubs provide a diversity of cover, protection, and food to attract wildlife.
·       Snow Control.  Well-placed shelterbelts can minimize snow drifting on roads, driveways, and in farmsteads, or distribute snow more evenly over fields.
·       Soil Conservation.  Well-designed field windbreaks help prevent wind erosion of soil on bare cropland.
·       Water Quality.  A cover of trees and shrubs minimizes soil erosion, stabilizes stream banks in riparian areas, and removes soil contaminants.
·       Wood Products.  As trees grow they provide valuable firewood, lumber, biomass and other valuable wood products.
·       Food.  Many trees and shrubs are a valuable source of fruit and nuts for humans and animals.

“Often trees and shrubs planted for one specific conservation purpose also provide additional benefits,” Adams said. “For example, a shelterbelt planted primarily to prevent snow drifting in the farmstead driveway also reduces energy costs, attracts wildlife, and adds beauty as extra benefits,” he added.

The Nebraska Conservation Trees Initiative Partnership is a consortium of local, state and federal agencies that includes: Nebraska’s natural resources districts, the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts, the Nebraska Forest Service, the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, and the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, USDA Forest Service, and USDA Farm Service Agency.  To learn more visit http://www.nrdtrees.org/.