Tuesday February 12 Ag News

Philanthropy at work: Local farmer supports Cuming County through America’s Farmers Grow Communities

Guardian Angels Central Catholic School and St. Paul Lutheran School will now be able to better serve their students thanks to the support of local farmer, Scott Knobbe, and America’s Farmers Grow Communities.

Sponsored by the Monsanto Fund, which is the philanthropic arm of Monsanto Company, Grow Communities provides farmers in eligible counties the chance to win a $2,500 donation for a local nonprofit organization of their choice.  To further support counties declared natural disaster areas by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) due to the drought this year; winning farmers in these counties are able to direct double donations, a total of $5,000.

Cuming County was declared a disaster area by the USDA, giving Knobbe the opportunity to choose two organizations to receive $2,500 donations. He selected Guardian Angels Central Catholic School and St. Paul Lutheran School. Guardian Angels Central Catholic School plans to use the donation toward the purchase of a mobile lab of 15 laptops for student use.  St. Paul Lutheran School will use the donation to improve the science curriculum by incorporating hands-on labs and experiments and integrating the latest technology.

“It is good to have private schools in town so I was happy to support both of these schools with the Grow Communities donations,” Knobbe said.

This year, the Monsanto Fund will invest nearly $6 million in rural America through Grow Communities, which includes double donations for counties impacted by the historic drought.  In Nebraska, $390,000 is being given across 78 counties.  America’s Farmers Grow Communities is sponsored by the Monsanto Fund to partner with farmers in helping them positively impact their communities. This program is part of the Monsanto Fund’s overall effort to strengthen rural America.



2013 Guide for Weed Management Now Available
Larry Howard, UNL Extension - Cuming County

The 2013 Guide for Weed Management in Nebraska is now available from local Extension offices or can be ordered on-line. The guide provides integrated weed management recommendations for a wide range of crop and non-crop sites in Nebraska. It includes herbicide options and efficacy tables by crop, specific recommendations for “difficult to control” and noxious weeds, pointers on sprayer calibration and maintenance, pesticide safety and more. The guide also includes sections on fungicide and insecticide information for corn, soybeans and wheat. It is a valuable resource for farmers, crop consultants, industry professionals, landowners, homeowners, and anyone else whomanages weeds. Individuals can also order online at http://marketplace.unl.edu/extension/extpubs/ec130.html The 282-page book is available for $10.00 at any of the local University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension offices.



NUBeef-BCS, NUBeef-UTS Scoring Apps Now Available

Two new University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension beef apps will help producers manage their beef cow herds better.

NUBeef-BCS and NUBeef-UTS are available in the Google Play and Apple App Store, said Rick Rasby, UNL Extension beef specialist, who developed the app along with UNL EdMedia's Mark Hendricks.

NUBeef-UTS is an udder and teat scoring app. It based on the Beef Improvement Federations' scoring system and allows producers to score teats and udders against the BIF standard.

NUBeef-BCS allows producers to visually assess their cow herd using a number system that objectively describes the amount of condition or fat reserve of the animal.

"When you look at the nutrition program, it is one of the greatest costs for the cow calf producer. The way we monitor that program is through body condition of the herd," Rasby said. Body condition score describes the relative fatness of a cow based on a nine point scale.

When using the NUBeef-BCS app, producers can simply take photos of their beef cows and then score cows at important times throughout the year, such as at weaning and before the start of calving and breeding season.

Taking pictures of the same cow multiple times throughout the year allows producers to better manage the herd, Rasby said.

"If you are unsure of a body condition score of a cow, there also is a guide and pictures with the app that can be your guide," Rasby said.

He said one of the challenges during winter is producers want to score body conditions, but cows have their winter hair coats. The app includes drawings of cows in different body condition scores that also can help with that.

Calving season is the perfect time to start using the app, Rasby said.

He said the app also is good for hired hands to use to score cows and then go over conditions with the cattle manager so that employee and manager are on the same page.

An added component to the app is an education component.

"It is a must for instructors teaching beef cow management concepts to students at all levels, high school junior college and four-year colleges," Rasby said.

The app has a group of cows that have already been body condition scored that can be pulled up and used to practice scoring.

"This is outstanding tool that anyone can learn to use – from beef producers to teachers and student," he said.

Like the BCS app, the NUBeef-UTS app works by matching photos against standards.

Cows with poor teat and udder quality can pose problems for their calf to suck. This information will allow producers to monitor these scores and perhaps use it as culling criteria in the future.

This app also has a learning component useful for educators.

"Both these apps will help with management strategies with the beef cow herd and the learning component is really cool," Rasby said.

For more information, visit http://www.youtube.com/NUBeef or watch Feb. 1's segment of "Market Journal" at http://youtu.be/CY5QOdrhaEo.



Accelerated Genetics Buys Nebraska Bull Service

Accelerated Genetics has announced the acquisition of Nebraska Bull Service. Located in the heart of beef country near McCook, Nebraska, the NBS is a leading custom collection facility that offers custom semen collection, as well as semen storage and shipping across the United States and abroad.

Accelerated Genetics President Joel Groskreutz says the purchase enables his firm to strategically position beef marketing efforts for future growth.

"We are excited to have Nebraska Bull Service a part of the Accelerated Genetics family," Groskreutz said. "Acquiring this facility along with its established customer base, will brings us closer to fulfilling our brand promise; 'to be the producer's trusted first choice."

Nebraska Bull Service will continue to offer custom services under the current company brand.



FARMERS AND RANCHERS STILL HAVE TIME TO BE COUNTED AND MAKE A DIFFERENCE
Census of Agriculture Forms Still Being Accepted

The deadline for returning completed Census of Agriculture forms may have come and gone, but it’s not too late for Nebraska farmers and ranchers to speak up for their communities, their industry, and their future. The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) reminds farmers and ranchers that their voices are important and need to be heard.  As a result, Census responses are still being accepted.

“A strong agricultural industry is a critical component in having a strong U.S. economy,” says Dean Groskurth, director of the NASS Nebraska Field Office. “By providing town planners, community leaders, lawmakers, and individual farm and ranch operators with the most comprehensive and accurate U.S. agricultural reports, they have the resources to make informed, sound decisions to ensure a solid future.”

The deadline for submitting the Census forms arrived on February 4, 2013, and many farmers have responded. However, the remaining farmers and ranchers who did not respond by the original due date will receive another copy of the form in the mail to give them another opportunity to be counted.

“Accurate and comprehensive information from all farmers and ranchers is important, so everyone plans appropriately for the future needs of the agriculture industry, and gets a true picture of where U.S. agriculture is today,” says Groskurth. “This information is only gathered every five years, so we need the participation of every farmer and rancher to ensure they receive a planning tool that will provide them with the most benefit and value.”

Producers may use a secure website, www.agcensus.usda.gov, to complete the Census, or return their forms by mail.  Federal law requires all agricultural producers to participate in the Census and requires NASS to keep all individual information confidential.

For more information, visit www.agcensus.usda.gov.  The Census of Agriculture is your voice, your future, your responsibility.



NCGA Seeks a Few Good Growers

The National Corn Growers Association invites farmers to become a part of the change they desire by actively honing their leadership skills through the Leadership At Its Best Program, sponsored by Syngenta.  Applications for this best in the industry leadership training program are due to NCGA by March 29.  Interested members are urged to contact their state associations today and be nominated to participate in the program.

"Since the first class in 1986, Leadership At Its Best has helped train strong, confident volunteers who have helped shape the industry through their subsequent work at the state and national level," said NCGA President Pam Johnson.  "This year, we again ask that farmers come forward and act upon their desire to give back to their peers. NCGA depends upon grassroots leadership, and I personally can attest that the time and effort dedicated are repaid in full through the incredible relationships built with like-minded individuals."

Open to all NCGA members, Leadership At Its Best provides training to interested volunteers of all skill levels.  The first session addresses personal communications skills, public speaking, media training and association management.  The second session addresses public policy issues, working with the Hill and parliamentary procedure.  Through this program, participants build the skill set needed to become confident leaders of their associations and eloquent advocates on behalf of their crop and communities.

Since 1986, the National Corn Growers Association, the state corn associations and, most importantly, the U.S. corn industry, have benefited tremendously from the Syngenta sponsored Leadership At Its Best Program.  More than 550 growers have gained invaluable media relations, communications, association management and public policy knowledge and skills over the lifetime of the program.

Leadership At Its Best continues to be a vital leadership incubator for honing the skills of state leaders on "the way up" and stimulating further involvement in and greater commitment from state growers to NCGA.



Fertilizer Prices Sitting Steady Again

Retail fertilizer prices continued to hold steady the first week of February 2013, the 14th-straight week prices have remained relatively unchanged, according to data tracked by DTN.  Five of the eight major fertilizers were higher compared to last month, but these moves to the high side were fairly inconsequential. MAP had an average price of $668 per ton, urea $574/ton, 10-34-0 $609/ton, UAN28 $381/ton and UAN32 $435/ton.  Three fertilizers were lower compared to the first week of January, but again the move lower was extremely slight. DAP had an average price of $625/ton, while potash was at $596/ton and anhydrous was at $862/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.62/lb.N, anhydrous $0.53/lb.N, UAN28 $0.68/lb.N and UAN32 $0.68/lb.N.

Two of the eight major fertilizers are still showing a price increase compared to one year earlier. Anhydrous is now 10% higher, while urea is 4% higher compared to last year.  One fertilizer, UAN32, is sitting nearly unchanged from last year.  Four fertilizers are single digits lower in price compared to February 2012. UAN28 is 1% less expensive, DAP is 5% lower, MAP is 6% lower and potash is 9% less expensive compared to year-ago levels.  The remaining fertilizer is now down double digits from a year ago. 10-34-0 is 26% less expensive from a year earlier.



2012 US Ethanol Exports at 739M Gallons

The United States exported nearly 739 million gallons of ethanol last year, down sharply from a year earlier when exports soared to a record high, the Renewable Fuels Association said Monday, based on its analysis of newly released federal data.

The data showed exports of 55 million gallons in December, the highest monthly total since July. While 2012's total is the second-highest on record, exports were down 38% from 2011.

In addition, net exports totaled 183.7 million gallons, as the U.S. imported substantial volumes of sugarcane ethanol from Brazil in the second half of 2012, according to the RFA analysis.

For the entire year, Canada was the top destination for U.S. ethanol exports, receiving 235.8 million gallons, almost one-third of total exports.

The United Kingdom was second with exports at 65.2 million gallons, while Brazil, which was the leading destination of U.S. exports in 2011, imported 59.5 million gallons last year. The Netherlands imported 39.7 million gallons, with United Arab Emirates receiving 31.5 million gallons, Mexico at 27.4 million gallons and Peru at 26.7 million gallons.

U.S. ethanol imports for 2012 totaled 555 million gallons, with 459.2 million gallons or 83% coming directly from Brazil. Imports via Jamaica, a Caribbean Basin Initiative country, totaled 54.6 million gallons, while CBI imports via El Salvador were 25 million gallons. Imports via Costa Rica for 2012 were 8.5 million gallons, while limited quantities were imported via Guatemala and Nicaragua.

December ethanol imports totaled 82.8 million gallons. Brazil shipped 58.3 million gallons directly to the U.S., while the remainder came through the CBI.



CWT Assists with 2.9 Million Pounds of Cheese and Butter Export Sales

Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) has accepted 18 requests for export assistance from Bongards Creameries, Dairy Farmers of America, Northwest Dairy Association (Darigold), Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative Association, United Dairymen of Arizona and Upstate Niagara/O-AT-KA to sell 2.344 million pounds (1,063 metric tons) of Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese and 524,700 pounds (238 metric tons) of butter to customers in Asia, the Middle East, and North Africa. The product will be delivered February through July 2013.

From the year-to-date, CWT has assisted member cooperatives in selling 21.656 million pounds of cheese, 10.285 million pounds of butter and 88,185 pounds of whole milk powder to 24 countries on six continents. These sales are the equivalent of 424 million pounds of milk on a milkfat basis. That is the annual production of 20,100 cows.

Assisting CWT members through the Export Assistance program positively impacts producer milk prices in the short-term by helping to maintain inventories of cheese and butter at desirable levels. In the long-term, CWT’s Export Assistance program helps member cooperatives gain and maintain market share, thus expanding the demand for U.S. dairy products and the farm milk that produces them.

CWT will pay export bonuses to the bidders only when delivery of the product is verified by the submission of the required documentation.



Oil Higher as OPEC Raises Forecast

(AP) -- The price of oil rose Tuesday as OPEC upgraded its forecast for global demand and the Group of Seven industrial nations pledged not to devalue their currencies.

OPEC, the Vienna-based organization comprising many of the world's key oil exporters, raised its 2013 forecast for global demand to 89.7 million barrels — 80,000 barrels more than its previous forecast a month ago — citing "some signs of recovery in the global economy and colder weather at the start of this year."

It said about half of the demand increase over 2012 would come from China.