Thursday November 1 Ag News

Dodge County Cattlemen Meeting

The Dodge County Cattlemen will be holding a meeting November 8th at the Scribner Steakhouse. The social hour is sponsored by Victor’s Inc. and beings at 6:30pm. The meal and program will follow at 7:30pm. For more information contact Jon Weitzenkamp at 402.567.2765.



Nebraska Loess Hills RC&D Annual meeting

Nebraska Loess Hills RC&D annual meeting will be Tuesday, November 13, 2012, at the Green Lantern in Decatur, NE. Social half-hour will be 5:00-5:30 with presentation to follow. An off-the menu meal will follow at 6:00 with a short business meeting after that. Please RSVP no later than 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 7th if you plan to attend. Either call the RC&D Council office at (402)685-4020 (leave a message including number of people attending) or email to: jschultz@nlhrcd.org. Please contact the RC&D office with any questions



'I'm a Nebraska Farmer' Video Helps Consumers Understand Agriculture

A new two-minute YouTube video, "Farmer Anthem/I'm a Nebraska Farmer," features Nebraska farm and ranch families talking about their values in an effort to show consumers more about today's agriculture.

"As an organization of Nebraska farmers and ranchers, we want consumers to have the information they need to understand where their food comes from and the people who work hard to grow and raise it," Nebraska Farm Bureau's Tina Henderson said. "Nebraska farmers and ranchers are dedicated to conserving the land for future generations while still providing a safe, affordable, humanely raised food supply."

This video was produced by Nebraska soybean farmers through their checkoff. Watch it here... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifilJoaJ_9o.  



Nov. 15 Is the Deadine To Apply for 2013 FB Leadership Academy

The Nov. 15 deadline to apply for the 2013 class of Nebraska Farm Bureau's highly regarded Leadership Academy is fast approaching -- it's time to prepare your application.

Academy members participate in three, two-day seminars in Nebraska in early 2013 and another in August, and then travel to Washington, D.C., in September to apply what they've learned about critical issues and leading change in meetings with the state's Congressional delegation and other policymakers and influencers.

The academy curriculum is intense, but also very enjoyable, and you'll have the opportunity to build your network with other leaders in agriculture. Ten individuals will be selected for the 2013 class. Learn more about the academy and read comments from 2012 class members here http://www.nefb.org/media/Leadership_Academy_deadline.pdf. Application materials and additional information are here http://www.nefb.org/programs/media/2013_leadership_academy_brochure_fill_out.pdf.



Northeast Community College Ag Complex to be named after Pohlman

The man credited with shaping the agriculture program at Northeast Community College into what is today is being honored in a most deserving way.

At a celebration Sunday marking 40 years of agricultural programming at Northeast Community College, college officials announced the Northeast Ag Complex building will now be known as the Chuck M. Pohlman Agriculture Complex.

“This is a fitting tribute to Chuck for all the work he has done for Northeast,” said Dr. Michael Chipps, president of Northeast Community College in announcing the addition of the name to the building. “He has been one of the finest ambassadors Northeast has ever seen. With the addition of his name to this ag complex, people for generations to come will never forget Chuck Pohlman’s impact on education and agriculture in general across this fine state, he added.

Pohlman started the agriculture program at Northeast in 1972 with just three students. Through the years, enrollment has steadily increased with approximately 100 new students beginning each fall. He was the only administrator of the program until his retirement earlier this year.

“This is a most deserving honor,” said Steve Anderson, Concord, chairman of the Northeast board of governors. “The Ag Complex is an excellent facility. Without him, this may have never happened. Chuck deserves a tremendous amount of admiration for all he has done for Northeast,” he said.

Pohlman led the campaign to finance the construction of the building that will bear his name. 

In the nomination to the Northeast Community College Property Naming Committee, the 25 people who make up the Northeast Agriculture Advisory Committee and the faculty and staff from Northeast’s agriculture, horticulture and veterinary technology divisions said “Through Chuck’s connections to the agriculture industry and the college, he was able to foster meaningful relationships that led to support and partnerships advancing the mission of the college. Chuck’s contributions over the past 40 years to Northeast Community College are remarkable and worthy of lasting recognition.”

“This blows my mind that something like this can happen,” said Pohlman.  He thought it was only going to be a celebration marking 40 years of agriculture programming at Northeast Community College. “But this just tops the cake.”

In addition to his service to his students and the community, Pohlman has received numerous accolades. They include the 2012 Nebraska FFA Distinguished Service Award; 2000 Administrator Award from the Nebraska Community College Association, and the Outstanding Postsecondary Agricultural Education award.

Pohlman and his wife, Linda, have four married children and three grandchildren.



Farmers & Ranchers Get MORE BUYING POWER at the Nebraska Power Farming Show

In just its sixth year, the Nebraska Power Farming Show has already become the second largest indoor farm show in the United States. The show has added a 5th building this year after adding the 4th building in 2011. In total, the show will have 9.2 acres (400,000 sq.ft.) of indoor displays.

This year’s show – which takes place December 4-6 at the Lancaster Event Center in Lincoln – will feature more than 870 ag-related companies and nearly 2100 booths, up from 700 companies and 1700 booths in 2011.

“The show’s timing in early December makes it a favorite among farmers and ranchers who are looking to make year-end tax-planning purchases or pre-book for the upcoming spring,” said Will Rogers, co-director of the Nebraska Power Farming Show.

For the first time, exhibitors are letting attendees know their show specials in advance of the show by promoting them in the show program.

“The Nebraska Power Farming Show is the show to attend for year-end buying specials, there’s no doubt about it,” Rogers said. “Folks travel from Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and surrounding states because they’ve heard the best buying specials can be found in Nebraska. They get to Lincoln and find out it’s absolutely true. Just as they come looking to buy, these companies are looking to sell. It creates a really exciting atmosphere for both sides.”

For complete show information and directions, visit www.nebraskapowershow.com.



NE Corn Board to Meet

The Nebraska Corn Board will hold its next meeting, Monday, November 19, 2012 at Embassy Suites in Lincoln, Neb.   The Board will address regular board business.  The meeting is open to the public.  A copy of the agenda is available by calling either 402/471-2676 or 800-NECORN1 or by emailing janet.miller@nebraska.gov.   The Nebraska Corn Board’s market development, research, promotion and education programs are funded and managed by Nebraska corn farmers. Producers invest at a rate of 1/2 of a cent per bushel of corn sold.



Lancaster/Saunders County Farmers Union Meeting

When:     November 14, 2012 @ 6:00 pm - 9:00 pm
Where:     Lee's Chicken, 1940 W Van Dorn St, Lincoln, NE 68522
Contact: Ben Gotschall, (402) 705-8679 or ben@nebraskafarmersunion.org
   
Agenda:
Election of Officers
Select Delegates to State Convention
Submit Resolutions for Policy Day
Issues Updates including Farm Bill, Drought, Climate, KXL Pipeline, New Markets, Elections, etc



Burt, Thurston, & Washington County Farmers Union Meeting

When:     November 15, 2012 @ 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Where:     Green Lantern, Decatur, NE 68020
Contact: David Bray, (402) 380-3545 or stubb8@hotmail.com
   
Agenda
-Supper
-Issues Updates:  Farm Bill, Drought, Climate, KXL Pipeline, Energy Update, New Markets, Election Update
-Election of Officers
-Select Delegates to State Convention
-Submit Resolutions for Policy Day



U.S. Wind Industry Continues to Expand

The U.S. wind industry is experiencing its strongest year in history--so finds a new report from the American Wind Energy Association.  According to AWEA's Third Quarter 2012 Market Report, U.S. wind power capacity increased significantly in 2012--up 40% compared to 2011. Overall, wind capacity installations increased to 51,630 megawatts (MW)--enough to power 13 million American homes and businesses.

On the local level, Texas leads the nation in new wind capacity with 1,291 MW added. Other states rounding out the top five include California (1,022 MW), Kansas (836 MW), Oklahoma (734 MW), and Iowa (597 MW). With impressive gains across the country, the United States solidifies its place as a major player in the global wind industry--representing more than 20% of the world's installed wind power.



USDA Announces Commodity Credit Corporation Lending Rates for November 2012

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) today announced interest rates for November 2012. The CCC borrowing rate-based charge for November 2012 is 0.125 percent, unchanged from 0.125 in October 2012. For 1996 and subsequent crop year commodity and marketing assistance loans, the interest rate for loans disbursed during November 2012 is 1.125 percent, unchanged from 1.125 in October 2012.

Interest rates for Farm Storage Facility Loans approved for November 2012 are as follows, 1.125 percent with seven-year loan terms, unchanged from 1.125 in October 2012; 1.750 percent with 10-year loan terms, unchanged from 1.750 in October 2012 and; 2.000 percent with 12-year loan terms, unchanged from 2.000 percent in October 2012.



US Ethanol Stocks, Production Up

Domestic ethanol inventories rebounded last week, rising 449,000 barrels (bbl), or 2.4%, to 19.215 million bbl for the week-ended Oct. 26 while up 11.7% from a year ago, data from the Energy Information Administration showed.

Production of ethanol by U.S. plants ramped up, rising 24,000 barrels per day (bpd), or 3.0%, to 825,000 bpd last week, while down 9.9% compared to the year-ago level.

Implied demand, as measured by refiner and blender net inputs, eased 3,000 bpd to 830,000 bpd for the week-ended Oct. 26. Refiner and blender net inputs represent a major portion of implied demand for ethanol.

Elsewhere, the EIA reported that implied demand for motor gasoline rose 351,000 bpd to 8.844 million bpd for the week-ended Oct. 26, while four-week average gasoline demand at 8.7 million bpd was up 0.1% from the level seen a year ago.



DDGS overtakes soybean feeds in US

Renewable Fuels Association Vice President Geoff Cooper says distillers grains and other ethanol co-products surpassed the U.S. soybean crushing industry in terms of feed production.  Speaking at the Export Exchange, Cooper said that the American ethanol industry produced nearly 35-million metric tonnes of nutrient-dense animal feed in the 2011-12 marketing year.  He said that means the ethanol industry surpassed the US soybean crushing industry in terms of feed production.  According to Cooper about a quarter of the feed co-products generated last year was exported to more than 50 countries.



Dairy Products September 2012 Production Highlights

Total cheese output (excluding cottage cheese) was 871 million pounds, 0.3 percent above September 2011 but 1.9 percent below August 2012.  Italian type cheese production totaled 370 million pounds, 0.3 percent above September 2011 but slightly below August 2012.  American type cheese production totaled 346 million pounds, 2.3 percent above September 2011 but 2.1 percent below August 2012.  Butter production was 136 million pounds, 1.1 percent below September 2011 but 5.3 percent above August 2012.

Dry milk powders (comparisons with September 2011)
Nonfat dry milk, human - 84.4 million pounds, down 18.7 percent.
Skim milk powders - 43.6 million pounds, up 22.6 percent.

Whey products (comparisons with September 2011)
Dry whey, total - 74.0 million pounds, down 3.6 percent.
Lactose, human and animal - 86.7 million pounds, up 4.6 percent.
Whey protein concentrate, total - 34.0 million pounds, down 4.4 percent.

Frozen products (comparisons with September 2011)
Ice cream, regular (hard) - 58.8 million gallons, down 14.8 percent.
Ice cream, lowfat (total) - 33.4 million gallons, down 10.3 percent.
Sherbet (hard) - 3.17 million gallons, down 1.5 percent.
Frozen yogurt (total) - 4.97 million gallons, down 6.7 percent.



Help AFBF Survey the Cost of Thanksgiving Dinner 2012

Each year the American Farm Bureau invites members to participate in its survey of the cost of a Thanksgiving Dinner for 10 and compares the cost to previous years. The resulting news story receives wide coverage in local, regional and national news media. You can help by checking the cost of 12 foods used in a traditional Thanksgiving feast at your local grocery store. It's easy, it's fun, and enormously helpful to your organization.

See the simple how-to's here... http://www.nefb.org/media/Survey_instructions.pdf. 

For the Thanksgiving Dinner survey form, click here... http://www.nefb.org/media/ThanksgivingSurveyForm2012.pdf. 

And while you're at the store, why not survey prices for AFBF's quarterly Marketbasket Survey? You'll find that survey form here...  http://www.nefb.org/media/QuarterlyMarketbasketSurveyForm.pdf.  

For both surveys, AFBF needs to receive your information by Nov. 5.  



Land O’Lakes Reports Third Quarter and Year-To-Date Financial Results

Land O’Lakes, Inc. today reported third quarter results showing strong sales and increased earnings that surpassed prior year results for both the quarter and year-to-date.

Net sales were $3 billion for the third quarter, up from $2.7 billion for the same quarter last year, while net earnings increased sharply to $18 million compared with a loss of $30 million for the same quarter in 2011. Year-to-date sales were $10.4 billion compared with $9.7 billion during the same period last year while year-to-date net earnings totaled $150 million compared with $138 million in 2011.

“We are pleased to report a strong third quarter, driven by significantly improved results in Dairy Foods and sharply higher earnings in our Feed operations, Purina Animal Nutrition,” said Chris Policinski, president and CEO of Land O'Lakes. “Year-to-date performance has also been bolstered by strong sales and earnings in our Crop Inputs business, WinField, which is on track for a record year,” he added.

Policinski noted that the overall favorable results are attributable to continuing implementation of the company’s strategy including:
-    Growth through acquisitions, brand building and innovation.
-    Building strong, valued relationships with customers and cooperative members
-    “Total Margin Management,” an enterprise-wide focus on growing revenues, reducing costs, improving efficiencies and streamlining processes.

Policinski said the company is well-positioned for a solid year-end performance in 2012 as it moves through the fourth quarter when results are historically strong from the holiday season.

Land O'Lakes' total debt as of September 30, 2012, was $1.83 billion, up $0.43 billion from the same date one year ago.  The increase was primarily due to several acquisitions which are now generating additional cash flow.



MANA KlearSky Technology sets new standard in pesticide formulations

MANA Crop Protection today announced its KlearSky™ Technology brand, which represents advanced formulation technology that embodies a range of attributes to deliver high performance and reduced impact on the environment. KlearSky Technology sets a new standard in formulation technology by encompassing the superior efficacy of conventional active ingredients while lowering product emissions and enhancing the handler experience through such features as lower odor, fewer personal protective equipment requirements and/or reduced signal word.

MANA products currently carrying the KlearSky designation include Paradigm™, Vulcan™ and ABBA Ultra® insecticides. All of these brands deliver reduced environmental impact and improved handling characteristics while proven to perform as well or better than the market standard. The marketing materials for these products will carry the KlearSky logo and description.

MANA introduces the KlearSky Technology brand as a means of indicating formulations that crop consultants, retailers, distributors and growers can rely on for high performance, a reduced impact on the environment and less restrictive handling requirements.

“The MANA KlearSky brand is a representation of our industry commitment to provide advanced formulation technology that enhances the handler experience and reduces the impact on the environment without sacrificing performance or efficacy,” said Dave Downing, product manager, MANA Crop Protection. “When people see the KlearSky logo associated with one of our products, they’ll know that product will provide dependable performance while simplifying handling or application.”

Paradigm insecticide
Paradigm touts an advanced formulation for fast-acting insect control at performance levels equal to conventional lambda-cyhalothrin products. It has exceptionally low odor and favorable PPE requirements, which improves worker handling, convenience and safety. Labeled for broad-spectrum insect control in corn, soybeans and other crops, Paradigm also features a “Caution” signal word, which sets the bar higher than same-in-class insecticides with more restrictive signal words.

Vulcan insecticide
Vulcan is the first advanced chlorpyrifos products of its kind – allowing excellent speed of insect knockdown at the same high levels of control found in the market standard. The low odor of Vulcan improves handling and convenience in comparison to previous EC-based chlorpyrifos delivery platforms. Labeled for use on corn, soybeans, wheat, pome fruit, tree nuts, grapes, citrus, vegetables and other crops, Vulcan maintains its fuming action to enhance efficacy.

ABBA Ultra miticide/insecticide
ABBA Ultra minimizes environmental concerns by reducing impact on air quality, and it has twice the concentration of active ingredient so applicators simply use half the rate of standard abamectin formulations. With less formulated product required per acre, there is less material to store and manage alongside less container waste. Labeled for use on tree nuts, grapes, citrus, pome fruit, cotton, strawberries and other specialty crops, ABBA Ultra delivers superior control of mites and insects with solid benefits in crop safety. It offers significant reductions in PPE restrictions, which is a plus for workers and applicators.

KlearSky Technology
MANA Crop Protection will be adding Bumper® ES fungicide and Fanfare® ES insecticide to its KlearSky Technology portfolio for the 2013 season.