Wednesday October 10 Ag News

Landlord/Tenant Cash Lease Workshops Offered in November and December

Statewide University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension workshops will help landlords and tenants put together a lease that fits their circumstance and situation.  The Landlord/Tenant Cash Lease workshops offered in November and December will help landlords and tenants put together a lease that is right for them and help maintain positive farm leasing relations.

Topics for discussion include:
– Expectations from the lease, including goal setting for the rental property;
– Lease communication, determining appropriate information sharing for both the tenant and landlord;
– Relatives – tips for farm leases that include relatives;
– Alternative cash lease arrangements, flexible provision considerations for your situation; and
– How the 2012 drought affects leases, plus other topics like irrigation systems and grain bin rental will be covered as time allows.

UNL Extension educators will present on these topics and provide common sense tips during the presentation. It is very helpful if both the tenant and landlord can attend together.  These free workshops are sponsored by the Nebraska Soybean Board and the North Central Risk Management Agency. A meal and handouts are provided. Participation is limited. To register, contact the local UNL Extension office hosting the workshop.  For more information or assistance, contact Allan Vyhnalek, extension educator, UNL Extension, Platte County, at 402-563-4901, e-mail avyhnalek@unl.edu.

Dates, times, locations and contact number are:
– Nov. 5, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Dakota City, USDA Service Center, 402-987-2140
– Nov. 7, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Pender, Fire Hall, 402-385-6041
– Nov. 7, 5:30 p.m.-9 p.m., Wayne, Fire Hall, 402-375-3310
– Nov. 8, Noon- 3:30 p.m., Curtis, NCTA Ag Industry Education Center, 402-367-4424
– Nov. 8, 5:30-9 p.m., McCook, Fairgrounds, 308-345-3390
– Nov. 9, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Imperial, Fairgrounds, 308-882-4731
– Nov. 13, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Fairmont, Legion Hall, 402-759-3712
– Nov. 13, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Fairbury, 4-H Building/Fairgrounds, 402-729-3487
– Nov. 13, 5:30-9 p.m., Blue Hill, Community Center, 402-746-3417
– Nov. 14, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Lexington, Extension Office, 308-324-5501
– Nov. 14, 5:30-9 p.m., North Platte, West Central Research, 308-532-2683
– Nov. 15, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Hastings, Fairgrounds, 308-461-7209
– Nov. 15, 5:30-9 p.m., Grand Island, Extension Office/College Park, 308-385-5088
– Nov. 27, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Humboldt, Ag Building/Fairgrounds, 402-852-2970
– Nov. 27, 5:30 p.m.-9 p.m., Auburn, Nemaha Co. 4-H Building, 402-274-4755
– Nov. 29, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Hartington, City Auditorium, 402-254-6821
– Nov. 29, 5:30-9 p.m., Nebraska City, Kimmel Center, 402-267-2205

– Dec. 4, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Blair, Blair City Office, 402-426-9455
– Dec. 4, 5:30-9 p.m., Tekamah, First National Bank, Nebraska meeting room, 402-374-2929
– Dec. 5, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Burwell, Legion Club, 308-346-4200
– Dec. 5, 5:30-9 p.m., Arcadia, Legion Club, 308-728-5071
– Dec. 6, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Bloomfield, Community Center, 402-288-5611
– Dec. 6, 5:30-9 p.m., O'Neill, Courthouse Annex, 402-336-2760
– Dec. 11, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Elba, Community Center, 402-745-1518
– Dec. 11, 5:30-9 p.m., Albion, Casey's Community Building, Fairgrounds, 402-395-2158
– Dec. 12, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Neligh, Legion Hall, 402-887-5414
– Dec. 13, 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Osceola, Fairgrounds, 402-747-2321



Distillers Feed Products Enhance Cattle Diet
(from NE Ethanol Bd)

Extensive research indicates that a cattle feed ration of treated corn stover mixed with distillers feed from ethanol plants can reduce feed costs for cattle feeders. Research conducted by a team from the Department of Animal Science at the University of Nebraska is focusing on the use of corn stover in combination with high protein distillers feed from ethanol plants. The goal is to continue providing livestock feeders with options for optimizing feeding efficiency.

The current feed optimization project includes a pretreatment for corn stover that enhances digestibility. The process includes pretreatment of corn stover with calcium hydroxide. The calcium is needed by cattle in feedlot diets. Increased digestibility of the corn stover helps to create a more efficient feed ration when the stover is combined with distillers feed. As a result, livestock feeders have another option for efficiently using corn residue in a feed ration that incorporates readily available ingredients.

The availability of distillers feed products from Nebraska ethanol plants has consistently proven to be an advantage to cattle feeders. Distillers feeds are high in protein and when combined with poor quality roughage still produce excellent results in cattle feed rations. During drought conditions in 2008 and 2012 the availability of distillers feeds has provided a valuable option for livestock feeders. Poor quality roughage can be more readily used in a productive livestock feed ration when combined with distillers feed according to nutritionists.

The evolving research by the University of Nebraska suggests that the innovative practice of using the alkaline pretreatment on corn residues may offset corn in feedlot diets. This practice is expected to receive close attention by livestock feeders who may wish to offset corn use in livestock diets with other feed ingredients that are less expensive but in some cases more efficient.



Nebraska Agribusiness Club To Honor Three Agriculturalists Nov. 1

Two Nebraskans have been selected to receive Public Service to Agriculture Awards, and one to receive the New Horizons Award at the Nebraska Agribusiness Club’s 46th annual awards banquet November 1 at Hillcrest Country Club in Lincoln.  The 2012 honorees for Public Service to Agriculture are Lisa Lunz of Wakfield and Alan Tiemann of Seward, and Dawn Caldwell of Edgar is the New Horizon honoree, according to Mat Habrock, chair of the Club’s Awards Committee. 

Lisa Lunz and her husband Jim farm North of Wakefield Nebraska raising no-till corn and soybeans. Lisa is a graduate of the University of Nebraska Ag College and a member of LEAD XVII. Lisa is serving her final term on the Nebraska Soybean Checkoff Board with a total of 12 years served. She has served as the research committee chairman, secretary and the board chairman from 2010-2011. In addition she is the Soybean Board representative to US Farmers and Ranchers Alliance and the Alliance for the Future of Agriculture in Nebraska (A-FAN) communications committee. Throughout the years, Lisa has often shown her passion for youth, and agriculture education. She has served as her community 4-H leader and involved with the Soybean educators, Ag Sack Lunch program, UNL Soybean research projects, CommonGround, Ag Pen Pals. In addition, Lisa is very involved with the Wakefield School Board and her church. Lisa and Jim are also the proud parents of three children; Kristina a recent graduate of Doane College, Keri a sophomore at Midland College and Jacob a senior at Wakefield High School.

Alan Tiemann and his wife Lori became the second generation to return to production agriculture when he began farming with his parents in 1978. Alan is fortunate to have their son Dan and his wife return to the farm making it three active generations of Tiemann’s farming together. Their operation is a row crop farm raising corn and soybeans. Alan began his career in public service to agriculture serving on the Seward Farmers Cooperative and Ruby Farmers Cooperative board of directors from 1986 to 1994. He has also served on the Nebraska Grain Sorghum Board, serving as president from 2001 and 2002. During his time Tiemann also represented the board on the US Grains Council Executive Committee. In 2003 he began his current tenure on the Nebraska Corn Board. Alan was elected by his peers to serve an unprecedented three terms as Chairman of the board. Alan again returned to activity on the US Grains Council’s action teams, and was elected to serve on the board of directors from 2006 to 2012. In addition to their son Dan, Alan and Lori also have a son Brian who is employed as an architect in Chicago.

Dawn Caldwell, her husband Matt and two children farm in Edgar Nebraska on the family farm passed down from Matt’s grandfather. Half of their farm is devoted to row crops and farmed with Matt’s brother, and the other half to pasture for their cattle. Dawn received an Animal Science Degree from UNL in 1994, and is a member of LEAD CLASS XXIV. Currently Dawn works as the communications manager for the Aurora Coop, previously holding the position of livestock specialist for the Coop. Prior to her time at the Coop, Dawn worked for the University of Nebraska Extension service for three years before taking a job with an independent feed company. Dawn is involved in the Alliance for the Future of Agriculture in Nebraska, a CommonGround Nebraska spokeswoman and volunteer, a member of the Nebraska Beef Council Board of Directors and active in the Red Angus Association of America. Dawn and Matt are the proud parents of two children, Kaydee and Emmet.

Habrock said the banquet is open to the public. Tickets are $25 each before October 22nd and $30 each after October 22nd through the day of the banquet. Ticket reservation forms can be found at www.nebraskaagribusinessclub.wordpress.com or by emailing nebraskaagribusinessclub@gmail.com. Checks should be made payable to the Nebraska Agribusiness Club.



“WINDBREAKS – A COST EFFECTIVE INVESTMENT”

“A good windbreak of trees and/or shrubs provides valuable benefits for the entire farm or ranch” suggests Jed Wagner, Programs Director for the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts (NARD.)  “Sometimes it’s possible to place a dollar value on the benefits a windbreak provides” he continued, “for example, hundreds of dollars saved in home heating bills, or added yield from field crops during a drought.  Other times it is difficult to put a value on subjective benefits like increased wildlife habitat or natural beauty.”

“So, what is the cost of tree and/or shrub seedlings to plant a new windbreak?  For example, what do you think the cost of the seedlings would be to plant a three-row, 400 foot-long windbreak containing 100 seedlings - $79, $279, or $479?” Wagner quizzed.

Remarkably, the cost of the tree and shrub seedlings to plant the three-row, 400 foot-long windbreak is only about $79, which is the average cost of 100 seedlings sold by Nebraska’s 23 natural resources districts (NRDs) through the Conservation Trees for Nebraska program.  Landowners can select from a large variety of deciduous and/or coniferous tree and shrub seedlings.

What could a landowner possibly buy for $79 that would be more valuable than a windbreak?  “That’s less money than a family evening at a good restaurant; plus, the windbreak benefits the whole family for many years,” said Wagner.  “Tree and shrub seedlings can be ordered now from your local NRD.  Many NRDs also offer affordable planting and mulching services for conservation plantings,” Wagner 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/.  



PUBLIC HEARING Scheduled Regarding a District-Wide Change to the Upper Big Blue NRD’s RULE 5 for Water Quality

A Public Hearing concerning proposed changes to the District’s Rule 5 is scheduled for November 1, 2012, at 1:30 p.m. at the York City Auditorium (612 Nebraska Avenue, York, Nebraska). 

The Upper Big Blue Natural Resources District Proposes New Rules for Fertilizer Application.
Increasing nitrates in groundwater have been a concern in the Upper Big Blue NRD for several years.  Several communities in the District have found it necessary to construct new wells to comply with state and federal drinking water standards.  Some communities have built, or are considering, treatment plants.  Many rural residents have also replaced wells or installed private water treatment systems.

Nitrate is found naturally in the environment, however excess nitrates that are causing groundwater contamination come primarily from the use of commercial fertilizers.  Nitrogen fertilizer is needed to produce corn, however the amount and timing of the fertilizer application can reduce the risks of groundwater contamination.  Anhydrous ammonia is the most common form of nitrogen fertilizer used throughout the District.

Since 1996, the NRD has required that farmers wait until November 1st to apply anhydrous, and to wait until March 1st to apply other formulations of nitrogen fertilizer.  In some parts of the District where groundwater nitrate is the highest, farmers are required by existing regulations to attend training classes, take soil samples, and calculate crop nitrogen needs.  Despite these efforts, groundwater nitrate levels have continued to rise.  The proposed changes to District Rule 5 are designed to encourage farmers to adopt fertilizer management practices that will reduce the opportunity time for nitrate leaching out of the crop root zone.

On March 1, 2012, the District held a public hearing for proposed changes to the District’s rules that would have required District-wide use of nitrification inhibitors.  Several members of the public testified against that proposal and suggested that the District consider alternatives such as mandatory soil sampling and training on the use for fertilizer best management practices.

The changes proposed for the November 1, 2012, public hearing have incorporated those suggestions from March 1st.  A summary of the major parts of the proposed changes are as follows:

1). To lower the Phase II Management Area trigger from 9 parts per million (ppm) to 7 ppm.  The District is divided into twelve Management Zones.  Currently, two zones are in Phase II Management Areas.  The proposal limits would allow only one Management Zone into Phase II Management per year.  This would likely result in bringing three more Management Zones into Phase II Management over the next three to four years.  In a Phase II Management Area, producers are required to take deep (24”) soil samples for residual nitrate in a corn field where corn will be planted again.  It also requires producer training and annual reporting of management practices.

2). To lower the Phase III Management Area trigger from 12 ppm to 10 ppm.  There is currently one Management Zone (Zone 5) in York County with a median groundwater nitrate over 10 ppm.  The proposal also requires that fall-winter application of anhydrous ammonia in a Phase III Area must include a nitrification inhibitor.  Spring anhydrous application would not require the use of a nitrification inhibitor.

3). Phase II and Phase III producers would also be required to use electrical resistance blocks or capacitance probes to schedule irrigation in one field.  Scheduling irrigation using soil moisture information can reduce the risk of excess irrigation leaching nutrients from the root zone.

THE PUBLIC IS STRONGLY ENCOURAGED TO ATTEND THIS PUBLIC HEARING AS IT AFFECTS THE ENTIRE UPPER BIG BLUE NATURAL RESOURCES DISTRICT.

The Upper Big Blue Natural Resources District (NRD) protects lives, property and the future of this area through a wide-range of stewardship, management and education programs—from flood control to groundwater monitoring, from irrigation management to outdoor recreation and more.  Activities and projects of the Upper Big Blue NRD are reviewed and approved by a locally elected Board of Directors.  The Upper Big Blue NRD is one of 23 Natural Resources Districts across the state.  For more information, visit www.upperbigblue.org or call (402) 362-6601.     



IFB, U of I Announce Oct. 20 ANF Game Day Activities

The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) and the University of Iowa (U of I) Athletics Department have once again teamed up to raise awareness of the food and energy options that today's farmers provide through the America Needs Farmers (ANF) campaign. ANF Game Day will be celebrated at Kinnick Stadium Oct. 20 against Penn State.

During ANF Game Day, the U of I will unveil ANF Plaza located in the space between the west grandstand and the north grandstand of Kinnick Stadium and will feature its first inductee into the ANF Wall of Honor, former Hawkeye and Kansas City Chiefs player, Casey Wiegmann. "Casey was a natural choice as our first inductee," said Hawkeye football coach, Kirk Ferentz. "He is a role model for other student athletes about the importance of persevering and always striving to do your best." The ANF Wall of Honor recognizes former U of I student football athletes who exemplify the tenacity, work ethic and character of the Iowa farmer, qualities that have helped Iowa remain the leading agriculture state in the nation.

A key feature of the IFBF's Legends Tent at Krause Family Plaza will be an autograph session of former Hawkeye/NFL players including Casey Wiegmann, Robert Gallery, Jared DeVries, Brad Banks and Tim Dwight, and U of I personalities Gary Dolphin and Ed Podolak to name a few. Although he won't be able to attend ANF Game Day, a new supporter of the ANF initiative announced earlier this year is Dallas Clark.

"We are so honored to have these celebrities support our cause," said Craig Hill, president of the IFBF. "The ANF initiative is an opportunity to reach new audiences about farming today and these players help us achieve that. We understand that consumers today are interested in knowing more about their food and that starts with farmers. There may be fewer of us than when Coach Fry launched ANF during the 1985 Farm Crisis, but there are also more challenges with a growing global population. We invite you to visit www.americaneedsfarmers.org to learn more about your food and energy and the farm families who produce it."

In addition to the autograph session, the IFBF Legends Tent will also feature games like Tailgate Toss where visitors can interact with Iowa farmers and earn a chance to win ANF prizes, or participate in a drawing for autographed ANF items. The tent will be open from 11 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. with the autograph session running from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m.

ANF Game Day will also help raise funds for the Iowa Food Bank Association, a collaboration of eight food banks which collect and distribute food and essential supplies to needy Iowans. "The ANF initiative has really helped the food banks," said Executive Director of the Iowa Food Bank Association, Jordan Vernoy. "This year's drought is already driving up food prices in some areas and that's bringing even more families to our doors. These are proud, hard-working Iowans who want short-term help, not a long-term handout to put food on the table. ANF is helping us feed these Iowans, because every dollar donated helps provide three meals to our neighbors struggling against hunger."

On ANF Game Day, ANF 'Farm Strong' merchandise will be available at Herky's Locker Room outlets with an expanded assortment available at the Herky's Locker Room location inside ANF Plaza. A portion of proceeds from the sale of ANF 'Farm Strong' merchandise goes to support the Iowa Food Banks.

ANF was first launched in 1985 during the height of the Farm Crisis by legendary Hawkeye coach Hayden Fry, who wanted to show an increasingly urban nation why agriculture matters. For more information about the Iowa Farm Bureau/U of I ANF partnership, click on www.americaneedsfarmers.org.

To learn more about the growing number of Iowans in need and ways to help, click on http://iowafba.org/.



Study Finds No Volatile Chemical Residues in U.S. Soybeans

When a Japanese soy importer found higher than allowed residues of a fungicide in a small shipment of U.S. soybeans, it was up to the U.S. soy industry to demonstrate that the discovery was an isolated incident.

And the industry did just that, thanks to a study funded by the United Soybean Board (USB).

"We fund studies that support the sale of U.S. soybeans around the world," says Dwain Ford, USB director and soybean farmer from Kinmundy, Ill. "In this case, because USB partners in Japan had a full agricultural chemical analysis of the 2011 U.S. soybean crop in hand, they were able to assure the Japanese importer that this was a unique occurrence and avoid a trade disruption with our third-largest export market."

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Grain Inspection, Packers & Stockyards Administration (GIPSA) conducted the analysis, which has been funded by USB's Global Opportunities program.

Using statistically representative export samples of the most recent crop, this study analyzed the soybeans to determine if more than the allowable levels of agricultural chemical residues exist.

Remaining consistent with past years, the analysis of the 2011 crop showed no violations of agricultural chemical residue levels in U.S. soybean exports.

Further results show that the fungicide detected in this instance has never shown up in a GIPSA analysis of U.S. soybeans.

"This study helps to protect U.S. soybean exports and assure our customers that we provide a safe, high-quality product year after year," says Ford. "Services such as the agricultural chemical residue study really help us to set our soybeans and our services apart from competitors of U.S. soy."

In 2011, Japan imported 75.2 million bushels of U.S. soybeans.



EIA: US Ethanol Output Flat Through '13

The Energy Information Administration said Wednesday in its latest Short-term Energy Outlook report that it expects U.S. ethanol production to remain near current levels through the first half of 2013 and recover in the second half of 2013, averaging 850,000 barrels per day for the year for total output of 13.03 billion gallons.

The projected lower ethanol production is generally matched by lower ethanol exports.

Forecasted biodiesel production averages 67,000 bpd in 2012 and 83,000 bpd in 2013, with EIA expecting biodiesel blending meeting the Renewable Fuel Standard requirements of 1.0 billion gallons and 1.28 billion gallons, respectively, in those years.

Biodiesel production averaged about 63,000 bpd in 2011, totaling 970 million gallons last year.



Waiving RFS Could Increase Feed Costs for Livestock, Poultry Producers

Waiving the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) in 2013 could actually result in higher net feeding costs for livestock and poultry producers, according to a new analysis conducted by Cardno-ENTRIX and commissioned by the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). The study found that if a waiver of the RFS did reduce biofuel output, trivial corn price reductions would be partially or fully offset by increased prices for other feed ingredients like distillers grains (DDGS) and soybean meal.

Distillers grains, corn gluten feed and corn gluten meal are co-products of ethanol production that are fed to livestock and poultry across the country. Every bushel of corn processed by an ethanol plant produces 2.7-2.8 gallons of ethanol and approximately 16-17 pounds of animal feed. The U.S. ethanol industry produced some 40-42 million tons of animal feed in 2011, including 37-38 million tons of distillers grains. Additionally, increased production of biodiesel from soybean oil has facilitated growth in soybean meal production in recent years. Soybean meal is a valuable source of protein for livestock and poultry worldwide; it is produced as a co-product of soybean oil. Thus, increased demand for soybean oil drives increased production of, and lower prices for, soybean meal. Obviously, if a waiver of the RFS reduced production of ethanol and biodiesel, it would also reduce production of these important animal feed co-products.

“When viewed in the context of changes in the prices for other key feed ingredients such as distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) and soybean meal, the change in total net feed costs for livestock, dairy and poultry feeders would either increase slightly or decrease by a negligible amount if a waiver was granted,” according to the study, conducted by economist John Urbanchuk.  “This is due to the fact that if a waiver reduced biofuel output, it would also reduce the available supply of DDGS and soybean meal, which would naturally lead to higher prices for those key feed ingredients.”

The analysis shows that if ethanol and biodiesel production were each reduced 500 million gallons in 2013 under a waiver of the RFS, total feed costs would increase 4.1 percent for dairy, 0.8 percent for layers, 0.5 percent for hogs, and 0.2 percent for broilers. For beef cattle, feed costs might fall by just 0.6 percent with a waiver.

These results are corroborated directionally by a recent study by the Food and Agricultural Policy Research Institute (FAPRI) at the University of Missouri. FAPRI found a 1.3 percent reduction in ethanol output under a waiver could lead to slightly higher distillers grains and soybean meal prices. According to FAPRI, “Lower corn price means lower feed costs for livestock producers, unless offset by slightly higher soybean meal and distillers grains prices.”

“Most of the analyses conducted to date have only focused on the potential impacts of a waiver on corn prices,” said RFA President Bob Dinneen. “But what’s important to consider is the overall net effect on the cost of feeding livestock and poultry. Corn is only one feed ingredient for typical livestock and poultry rations, and DDGS now comprises one-fifth to one-half of most livestock and poultry rations today. We don’t believe a waiver would have much impact on ethanol production in the near term; but if a waiver did in fact reduce production, supplies of DDGS would also be reduced and prices would increase. Clearly, the governors and the livestock and poultry groups supporting a waiver did not consider the impacts of a waiver on the prices for feed ingredients other than corn.”



Final Tallies in From Last Week's Record World Dairy Expo

The recent World Dairy Expo in Madison has released its attendance figures for 2012 and show officials say this year's event was one of the best of all time. WDE Spokesperson Janet Keller announced that 2,385 head of dairy cattle were exhibited by 1,234 exhibitors at the Alliant Energy Center in early October.

Show people came from 41 states and eight Canadian provinces to vie for the coveted Grand Champion and Supreme Champion titles. The show's supreme champion came from Canada, as 'RF Goldwyn Hailey,' exhibited by Gen-Com Holstein Ltd, of N-D du Bon Conseil, Quebec took top honors. Junior Show Supreme Champion was awarded to 'Siemers Goldwyn Goldie-ET,' owned by Jordan and Whitney Ebert of Algoma.

Total attendance for World Dairy Expo was 71,788 visitors, with 2,950 registered international guests from 95 countries. Visitors from Canada, Mexico, Columbia, Brazil and Italy topped the list of international guests during the five-day event.

Meanwhile, the trade show set new participation levels with 863 exhibiting companies from 28 different countries on-site displaying everything needed for dairy cattle management.

Keller says plans are already underway for next year's event, which is being held October 1-5, 2013.



Oil Prices Close Lower Wednesday

The price of oil finished lower Wednesday after some mixed economic signals.  Benchmark crude rose early in the day after the government reported wholesale stockpiles rose, and sales were up for the first time in four months.  Companies typically boost their inventories when they expect sales to rise in coming months. More restocking helps drive economic growth, which ramps up demand for energy.

However, the latest jobs data tempered that optimism.  The Labor Department said Wednesday that job openings dropped by 32,000 to 3.56 million in August. July's openings were also revised lower. The job market remains very competitive. With 12.5 million people unemployed in August, there were 3.5 unemployed people, on average, competing for each open job. In a healthy economy, that ratio is 2 to 1.  Employers overall did hire 4.39 million people in August _ the most since May.

Benchmark crude finished down $1.14 to settle at $91.25 in New York. The price of oil rose more than 3 percent Tuesday on concerns about supplies from the Middle East and the North Sea.

Other energy futures on the New York Mercantile Exchange:
_ Heating oil rose 2 cents to $3.23 per gallon
_ Wholesale gasoline was flat at $2.96 a gallon.
_ Natural gas rose 8 cents to $3.475 per 1,000 cubic feet.