Monday April 15 Crop Progress & Condition Reports + Ag News

NEBRASKA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION - APRIL 15, 2013

For  the week ending of April 14, 2013, precipitation  in  the  form of  rain, snow and hail crossed the state with many locations receiving 1 to 3 inches of moisture, according to USDA’s National Agricultural  Statistics  Service, Nebraska  Field Office.  This  boosted  topsoil moisture  supplies,  but shut down spring fieldwork activities.  High winds overturned pivots in parts of the state.  Temperatures which averaged  8  to  16  degrees  below  normal  stressed  young  calves  and made  livestock  care  difficult.   Pastures continued  to  show  little  growth,  resulting  in  livestock  producers  drawing  on  already  short  forage  supplies.  Topsoil  temperatures  declined  and  were  in  the  low  40’s  in many  eastern  and  southern  counties.   Topsoil moisture supplies rated 20 percent very short, 33 short, 45 adequate, and 2 surplus.  Subsoil moisture supplies rated 55 percent very short, 38 short, 7 adequate, and 0 surplus.  There were 1.8 days suitable for fieldwork.
 
Field Crops Report: 
Wheat conditions rated 17 percent very poor, 33 poor, 38 fair, 12 good, and 0 excellent. Wheat jointed was 3 percent, behind last year’s 34 and 10 average.

Oats planted were at 58 percent, behind last year’s 73 but ahead of 51 average.  Oats emerged were 10 percent, behind 32 last year and 12 average.  
 
Livestock,  Pasture  and  Range  Report: 
Stock  water  supplies  rated  13  percent  very  short,  23  short,  64 adequate,  and 0  surplus.   Hay and  forage  supplies  rated 26 percent very  short, 37  short, 37 adequate, and 0 surplus.  Cattle and calves condition rated 1 percent very poor, 3 poor, 21 fair, 67 good, and 8 excellent. Spring calving was 78 percent complete.  

Access the National publication for Crop Progress and Condition tables at: http://usda01.library.cornell.edu/usda/nass/CropProg//2010s/2013/CropProg-04-15-2013.pdf.  

Access the High Plains Region Climate Center for Temperature and Precipitation Maps at: http://www.hprcc.unl.edu/maps/current/index.php?action=update_region&state=NE&region=HPRCC

Access the U.S. Drought Monitor at: http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/DM_state.htm?NE,HP

See the latest national numbers here... http://usda01.library.cornell.edu/usda/current/CropProg/CropProg-04-15-2013.txt



Iowa Crop Progress and Condition Report  -  April 15, 2013

Precipitation was  received  across  Iowa  during  the week  ending April 14, 2013,  ranging  from  rain  in  southern  Iowa  to  rain,  snow and  ice  in northern Iowa.  The much needed precipitation helped replenish top soil moisture.    The  wet  conditions  limited  fieldwork  across  the  state.  Statewide there was an average of 0.8 days suitable for fieldwork during the week.  

Topsoil moisture  levels  rated  7  percent  very  short,  19  percent  short, 65 percent  adequate  and  9  percent  surplus.    Subsoil  moisture  levels rated 27 percent very  short, 42 percent  short  and 29 percent  adequate and 2 percent surplus.  

Oat planting was 20 percent complete, far behind last year’s 84 percent and the five-year average of 51 percent.  

Pasture and range condition rated 24 percent very poor, 29 percent poor, 35 percent  fair and 11 percent good and 1 percent excellent.   The wet and cool weather has made calving more difficult.      



IOWA PRELIMINARY WEATHER SUMMARY
Provided by Harry Hillaker, State Climatologist, Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship

Iowa  experienced  its  wettest  week  since  July  2010  with  a  statewide average  of  2.90  inches  of  rain  compared  to  a  weekly  normal  of 0.78 inches.  The heaviest rains fell from Monday (8th) evening through Thursday (11th) morning when two to three inch rains were widespread over  northern  Iowa.    Significant  rain  also  fell  Sunday  night  (7th)  and Saturday (13th) night into the next Sunday (14th).  Weekly rain totals   varied  from  0.80  inches  at Glenwood  to  5.31  inches  near  Badger  in Webster County.   Besides the rain  there was a wide variety of weather during the week.  Thunderstorms brought scattered reports of large hail over  the  southeast  one-half  of  the  state  on Monday  night.    Another round  of  storms  brought  large  hail  and  high  winds  to  parts  of  the northwest  one-third  of  Iowa  on  Tuesday  afternoon  and  evening.  Wednesday and Wednesday night brought a very damaging ice storm to far northwestern Iowa.   Finally, colder air  turned  the rain  to snow over about  the  northwest  one-third  of  the  state  later Wednesday  and  into Thursday with six  inches reported  in Lyon and Osceola counties.   The reporting week began with mild weather on Monday (8th) with daytime highs from the mid 50’s northeast to mid 70’s southeast.  Sharply colder air moved  into  the  state  for Tuesday  (9th) but not before  temperatures reached as high as the upper 70’s  in  the southeast.   Otherwise daytime highs were  only  in  the mid  30’s  northwest  to  the  40’s  over  the  south through Friday (12th).   Warmer weather  returned for  the weekend with highs  reaching  into  the mid  50’s  southwest  on  Saturday  (13th)  to  the upper 70’s southeast on Sunday (14th).  Temperatures for the week as a whole  averaged  from  near  normal  over  the  extreme  southeast  to 12 degrees below normal over the far northwest.  The statewide average temperature  was  3.9  degrees  below  normal  for  the  week.    Extremes varied from a low of 17 degrees at Sibley on Saturday (13th) morning to highs of 79 degrees at Keosauqua, Oskaloosa and Ottumwa on Tuesday.  Finally, soil  temperatures as of Sunday (14th) varied from  the  low 40’s north to upper 40’s south.



Widespread Moisture Lowers Drought Severity; More Snow/Rain Ahead
Al Dutcher, UNL State Climatologist

An exceptionally strong and slow moving upper air trough moved through the central United States last week, bringing the most significant and widespread moisture Nebraska has experienced in over a year. Areas immediately adjacent to a line extending from south central Dundy County northeast into eastern Holt County reported 3 to 5 inches of moisture. Snow totals approached 20 inches across the northern Panhandle and blizzard conditions were common across the western third of the state.

High temperatures dropped nearly 50°F from Monday (April 8) to Tuesday in the western third of the state, while drops of 30-40°F were common across eastern Nebraska. As the system moved east from Nebraska, heavy rainfall was reported across large sections of Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Minnesota, and Ohio. Heavy snowfall blanketed much of South Dakota, central Minnesota, northern Wisconsin, and northern Michigan.

Here in Nebraska, the greatest unofficial liquid equivalent storm total was 4.73 inches near St Libory and 24 inches of snowfall southwest of Chadron.

Drought Monitor Assessment Improves for Nebraska
The copious precipitation totals led to a major revision of the Drought Monitor’s depiction of Nebraska. Nearly all D4 (exceptional) drought was improved to D3 (extreme) drought. Areas previously depicted in D2 (severe) or D3 drought remained unchanged.

Since hydrological drought is not the primary focus of the Drought Monitor at this time of year due to low water demand, short-term agricultural indicators take precedence. In order to move from D4 to D3, the time periods analyzed (one to six months) must improve from a one in 50-100 year return interval to a one in  20-50 year return interval. (This reflects the likelihood of having the stated degree of drought during the time period.)

The second criteria necessary to reduce the drought from D4 to D3 is that the top foot of the soil profile needs to reach field capacity. According to the High Plains Regional Climate Center soil moisture monitoring network, all locations that received at least 0.75 inch of moisture are now at field capacity in the top foot. Areas that received over two inches of moisture are at field capacity down to 2 feet.

There should now be sufficient moisture for crop planting and establishment. Unfortunately, deep subsoil moisture (below 2 feet) is significantly lacking and will require several more storms of this magnitude to reach field capacity down to 4 feet. Statistical analysis of period of record data from these soil moisture sites indicates that peak soil moisture in the profile typically occurs within the first 15 days of May.

While this recent system was welcome, we have a long way to go before there is enough soil moisture to support several weeks of crop growth without irrigation or precipitation. Even though this month-long stretch of below normal temperatures is delaying corn planting, it’s allowing soil moisture to improve before crop water demand cranks up in late May.

Cool Temps, Snow, and Rain Expected This Week
If you are planning on temperatures rebounding enough to warm soil temperatures to an acceptable level for planting, you are likely to be disappointed in the short term. Two systems are expected to move through Nebraska this week, bringing well-below-normal temperatures and moisture. The first moved through the Dakotas over the weekend brought a chance of scattered showers across the northern third of the state.

The second, more powerful system is expected to swing out of the central Rockies late Monday into early Tuesday. It's expected to bring accumulating snowfall to the northern Panhandle and western Sandhills from Tuesday to Wednesday, according to a European model. The American model indicates the storm may track further south, moving through the southern Panhandle and southwest Nebraska. Enough cold air will be drawn into the system to limit high temperatures to the upper 20s to upper 30s.

Weather models indicate that by Wednesday moisture will move into eastern Nebraska, with potential for accumulating snow across the central third of the state. A mixture of rain and snow is possible across eastern Nebraska with the greatest potential for accumulations across the northeast corner. High temperatures will struggle to reach 40°F next Wednesday and Thursday. Total storm water equivalent moisture is projected to be 0.75-1.25 inches across the Panhandle, 0.50-0.75 inch in the central third of the state, and 0.75-1.00 inch across eastern Nebraska.

After next Thursday (April 18), models indicate a moderating temperature trend April 20, 22, and 24. During the last full week of the month, a strong upper air ridge is forecasted to develop across the western third of the United States and build into the western Cornbelt. If this does occur, a dry pattern will develop and high temperatures in the 70s will provide excellent planting conditions.



Precip Was Welcome, but Continue Managing Pastures for Drought
Bruce Anderson, UNL Extension Forage Specialist

Last week’s moisture certainly was welcome although most of us probably would have preferred it to have come as rain. Still, nearly everyone now should have enough moisture for pastures and hay fields to green up and begin growing as temperatures increase.

Don’t be fooled, however. The drought is not over. Being in a drought does not mean there is no rain. It means that the amount of moisture received is much less than average. We have a long way to go before we start approaching average moisture.

Even if you do receive average moisture during the next few months, pasture and hay production still could be less than normal. Most years we begin the growing season with quite a bit of moisture stored in the soil profile, moisture that accumulated during the previous fall and winter. That did not happen this year so you probably need several inches of rain just to get back to where your soil moisture level normally begins.

Also, the health and vigor of your pasture and hay plants may not be what you would like at this time. Last year these plants received a lot of stress from dry weather, hot temperatures, and in some cases, over use. These plants will not be as thrifty this spring; some may have even died. Those that survived will grow more slowly this spring and have difficulty regrowing rapidly after grazing or cutting. As a result, yields could be lower than average.

What this all means is that you still need to manage your pastures and haylands for drought conditions. It could take a full year or more of average precipitation to recover from last year’s drought.

Shortcuts for Planting Alfalfa
Wet soils and other field work are preventing many folks from planting alfalfa at the optimum time. The following short cuts may help you catch up and balance your spring work.

Conventional alfalfa plantings involve several tillage operations to prepare a firm seedbed, followed by drilling the alfalfa seed. Some folks, though, save time by using a floater or air seeder rather than a drill. This requires less tillage since it's best to leave the field slightly rougher than normal and the floater should be able to plant faster. One caution: Make sure the custom applicator is experienced at spreading the seed evenly. After broadcasting the seed, cover it with a little soil. Two quick passes with a flat drag harrow or a roller seem to work best.

No-till or low till seedings also can save much time. It works best in bean stubble, but small grain and even corn and sorghum stubble can be used. If residue is heavy, first shred or chop stalks so they are spread across the ground uniformly. After they dry the drill will be able to cut through them easier. Also, if the field has much ridging from previous crop rows, disk lightly to level the ground so future trips across the field will not be so rough. If weeds are present, spray a burn-down herbicide like glyphosate or Gramoxone before planting if light disking didn’t get them. Then seed no-till, and be ready to use a postemergence herbicide like Poast Plus, Select, Buctril, Raptor, or Pursuit for early weeds.

For best results You still must seed alfalfa by May 15 on dryland or May 31 with irrigation for best results. These short cuts might help.



Ethanol Emerging Issues Forum Features National Biofuels Experts

Ethanol and biofuels experts from across the U.S. will be in Omaha for the "Ethanol 2013: Emerging Issues Forum" held April 18-19 at the Magnolia Hotel.  The forum is targeted to ethanol producers and others integrally involved in the production, technology, policy and marketing of ethanol and its co-products.   The forum runs from 1:00 to 5:30 pm on Thursday and from 8:00 am to noon on Friday.

The keynote address at 1:15 pm on Thursday will be presented by Doug Durante, executive director of the Clean Fuels Development Coalition in Washington, DC.  Durante will discuss the status of the Renewable Fuels Standard and the expansion of biofuels markets.

Steve Bleyl of Green Plains Renewable Energy of Omaha will speak about the E85 consumer campaign recently launched in Omaha.  A panel of experts from the U.S. Grains Council, The Scoular Company and Kansas Ethanol will discuss domestic and export trends for distillers grains, a livestock feed that is a co-product of ethanol production.

Other topics during the forum include biofuels education and media outreach, the outlook for E15, new ethanol production processes, and the valuation and trading of biofuel credits.

Some 150 ethanol industry leaders are expected to be in attendance.  Registration for the event is open until  noon on April 18 if seats are available.

The event is presented by the Nebraska Ethanol Board, Clean Fuels Development Coalition, American Coalition for Ethanol, Association of Nebraska Ethanol Producers, Ethanol Across Nebraska and the Nebraska Ethanol Industry Coalition.  A detailed agenda for the Ethanol 2013: Emerging Issues Forum can be found at www.ne-ethanol.org.



Field Crop Scout Training Offered in May

A May 7 University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension crop scout training course will provide crop scouts an opportunity to enhance their skills.

The training is designed for entry level scouts who will be working for crop consultants, industry agronomists or farm service centers across Nebraska and neighboring states, said Keith Glewen, UNL Extension educator.

The course is from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. with registration at 8:30 a.m. at the university's Agricultural Research and Development Center near Mead.

"Past participants have consistently given the training high marks and state that the knowledge gained from attending improved their scouting skills," Glewen said.

Topics include: how corn and soybean plants grow and develop, soybean and corn insect management, identifying weeds – plant morphology, using a key to identify weed seedlings, crop diseases and quiz, and nutrient deficiencies.

"Some of the benefits registrants stated the training provided included practical/working knowledge and better accuracy in field scouting," Glewen said. "Other participants appreciated the hands-on, practical format."

Cost is $125. Fees include lunch, refreshment breaks, workshop materials and instruction manual. Registrants should preregister 1 week in advance to reserve their seat and to ensure workshop materials are available the day of the training session. Updated reference materials are included in this year's take home instruction manual.

A total of 5.5 Certified Crop Advisor Continuing Education Units is anticipated in the integrated pest management (4.0), crop management (1.0) and fertility/nutrient management (.5) categories.

For more information or to register, contact the ARDC, CMDC Programs, 1071 County Road G, Ithaca, Neb., 68033, call 402-624-8000, fax 402-624-8010, email cdunbar2@unl.edu or visit http://ardc.unl.edu/cmdc.shtml.

The training is part of the UNL Extension Crop Management Diagnostic Clinics and is sponsored by extension in the university's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Additional diagnostic clinics include: Mid-Summer Diagnostic Clinic – July 17; Mid-Summer Diagnostic Clinic – July 18; and Late Season Diagnostic Clinic – Aug. 28.



CRP General Sign-Up 45 Provides Opportunities for Conservation in Nebraska

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack announced a new 4-week Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) General Sign-Up that will be held May 20 –June 14, 2013. The sign-up provides farmers and ranchers with a competitive opportunity to enroll their toughest-to-farm, environmentally sensitive acres in CRP for the benefit of wildlife, water quality, and soils.  The last general signup occurred during the spring of 2012, in which nearly 4.5 million acres were offered and 3.9 million of those acres were enrolled in the program.

Currently, about 27 million acres are enrolled in CRP.  Producers that are accepted in the sign-up can receive cost-share assistance to plant long-term, resource-conserving covers and receive an annual rental payment for the length of the contract (10-15 years).  Soil rental rates will be reviewed in an effort to keep CRP competitive with current near-record commodity-driven land prices.

Contracts on 3.3 million acres of CRP are set to expire on Sept. 30, 2013.  Producers with expiring contracts or producers with environmentally sensitive land are encouraged to evaluate their options under CRP.  Pheasants Forever Farm Bill Wildlife Biologist Scott Schmidt says, “Successful farmers know that keeping steep hills, soggy bottoms, and other tough-to-farm acres in production can hurt farm profitability. Conservation planning offers a low-input solution to natural resource issues with long-term benefits for producers and the land.”

Local representatives from the Farm Services Agency, Natural Resources Conservation Service, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission, Pheasants Forever, and the Nebraska Environmental Trust are teaming up to host Landowner Informational Meetings across Nebraska to discuss opportunities for those interested in technical and financial assistance offered through the Conservation Reserve Program.  Offers for CRP Sign-up 45 will be ranked according to the Environmental Benefits Index (EBI), which factors benefits to wildlife, soil, water, and air quality.  Farm Bill Wildlife Biologists and other dedicated professionals will provide the expertise you need to maximize EBI points and increase the likelihood that your offer will be accepted.

Plan to attend the CRP General Sign-Up information meeting at the USDA Service Center in Dakota City on April 30, 2013, starting at 1:00 pm.  This meeting is open to the public and no registration is required.  If this date does not fit your schedule, there will be other opportunities in the surrounding area. For more information on CRP and additional meeting locations, visit a local FSA service center or contact a Pheasants Forever Wildlife Biologist in your area (www.nebraskapf.com/Contact.aspx).



Precision Ag Technology Tune-ups
Joe Luck, UNL Extension Precision Agricultural Engineer

Cooler temperatures this March have resulted in planting dates being pushed back across much of the state in comparison to 2012. Many producers who are ready to get into the field should consider using this time to double check their application equipment, especially those who use precision agriculture technologies. Examples include simple rate controllers that compensate for ground speed variation, automatic section control systems which reduce overlap, or variable-rate application systems. Whether you’re spreading, planting, or spraying, pre-season updates and calibration of your application equipment will help to minimize errors.

Global positioning systems (GPS) are an essential component for almost every piece of precision technology that we use in the field today. It’s important that your GPS receiver’s firmware (software that controls the receiver) is up to date. Many manufacturers will usually let you know when an update is available; however, it’s always a good idea to check the version that’s currently installed on your GPS unit to make sure it’s current.

Updating firmware on many GPS systems is often as easy as downloading the firmware file to a USB drive and then uploading it to your receiver. Another component that may be common to application equipment is a ground speed radar (GSR). The main function of the GSR is typically to inform the rate controller so it can adjust for any changes in ground speed. Yearly calibration is recommended (check the manufacturer specifications). It’s also important to ensure that the GSR is mounted securely to the vehicle frame so that there’s no movement during field application.

Measurement of offsets from the GPS antennae to any equipment is another important procedure during equipment setup. For example, sprayers with automatic section control require a measurement from the GPS antenna to the boom centerline. This ensures that boom sections are turned off when they (not the GPS antennae) pass over previously sprayed areas. Similar measurements are necessary for planters and spreaders to minimize skips and overlaps at the end of the passes.

Calibration of these systems is also critical for proper performance. Distribution tests should be performed for spinner spreaders to ensure that a proper pattern is being achieved, keeping in mind that different products may require their own calibration and swath settings because of density and particle sizes. For sprayers, verify that nozzles are within 5% of the manufacturer’s flow rate at a given pressure. If possible, perform a flow meter calibration to confirm that actual output doesn’t differ from the spray rate controller flow value. Seed drop tests can help evaluate the planter’s ability to maintain proper seed populations.

When calibrating any of the systems mentioned above, it’s important to remember that application errors will typically be less at the settings (speed and target rate, for example) chosen for the calibration. It’s a good idea to select those calibration settings close to values that you will try to use out in the field. Performing additional checks at higher or lower settings may help you evaluate the potential for error when you deviate from your typical field operating ranges.

While technology has come a long way over the past few years, it won’t solve all of our application problems; proper maintenance and management is still a must for minimizing your field errors.



CONSERVATION AGENCIES ENCOURAGE BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES.

Despite recent precipitation, much of Nebraska is still facing dry conditions.  As we head into spring, farmers and ranchers are planning how to best deal with the dry conditions.  Conservation agencies including the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) and Nebraska’s Natural Resources Districts (NRDs) are working together with farmers and ranchers as they get ready to hit the fields.  Faced with limited water resources, farmers and ranchers are turning to the NRCS and NRDs for expert advice and assistance to conserve water.

“More water can’t simply be created, but conservation practices can help improve the moisture holding capacity of the soil, which provides a good defense against drought,” said Craig Derickson, State Conservationist for the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Nebraska.

NRCS has the most up-to-date and scientifically based practices for getting conservation on the ground.  Cover crops, no-tillage, crop residue management and crop rotation are a few conservation practices that can lessen the impacts of drought. By not disturbing the soil, no-till farming keeps soil cooler longer reducing evaporation.  It also builds up organic matter increasing the soil’s ability to hold water. These practices combined with drought tolerant crops, soil moisture probes, flow meters and other water management tools can greatly reduce the impacts of drought.

Some of these practices are available for cost- share through your local NRCS and NRD office. In addition to cost-share, staff is available to provide technical assistance in planning these conservation practices.

In Nebraska, NRDs have local leadership responsibilities for protecting ground water from overuse and pollution, and each district has a plan to protect groundwater. State law has given the districts a variety of regulatory tools to deal with contamination, shortages or user conflicts.

“NRDs encourage stewardship by providing financial assistance to landowners for water management and best-management practices to protect water,” said Dean Edson, Executive Director for the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts.

“During wet and dry years the NRDs are working with local producers to conserve and manage groundwater while protecting the economy of rural Nebraska,” said Edson.

Both NRCS and the NRDs encourage farmers and ranchers to visit their local NRCS or NRD office for more information on drought management tools and cost-share that may be available to assist with best management practices. For more information visit www.ne.nrcs.usda.gov or www.nrdnet.org.



Iowa Pork Industry Center Will Offer PQA Plus 2.0 Advisor Certification Sessions

Veterinarians and others in Iowa’s pork industry have the opportunity to become Pork Quality Assurance Plus® 2.0 Advisors under the National Pork Board's PQA Plus® 2.0 program, which will be launched at the World Pork Expo in June.

The initial certification process requires attendance at a daylong training session and passing an exam at the conclusion of that session. Those who currently are certified PQA Plus Advisors have until Aug. 31, 2013 to renew that certification under the new program during a half-day session.

To meet this industry need, Iowa Pork Industry Center at Iowa State University will offer both initial and recertification training sessions beginning in late May, led by faculty members who are certified PQA Plus 2.0 trainers.

James McKean, IPIC associate director and ISU Extension swine veterinarian, and Tom Baas, animal science professor, are coordinating this training schedule. Each session has a 15-person minimum and a 30-person maximum, with a deadline two weeks prior to the specific session date or when filled. No walk-ins are allowed for any of the sessions and individual spots for all sessions are not guaranteed until specific payment is accepted by IPIC. Initial certification is $75 per person and recertification is $50 per person.

“Those who wish to become certified for the first time should complete and submit the application form for the May 29 date soon to enable adequate time for evaluation of the application,” he said. “Those wanting to recertify also need to keep their specific session deadline in mind when submitting those registration forms and payment.”

McKean said those who qualify and are interested in the program should download, complete and submit the appropriate form for the desired session date. Recertification registration forms also need to be accompanied with payment. The schedule list and links to the forms are available on the IPIC website at http://www.ipic.iastate.edu/. This page also will provide attendance availability for each session, and will list additional sessions scheduled as needed.



Group Distorts Resistance Data To Blame Farmers

Just days after the release of a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report showing that medical doctors annually are prescribing enough antibiotics to give them to 80 percent of Americans, a group today is set to issue its own report, claiming that antibiotics use in food animals is the main cause for people developing antibiotic-resistant diseases.

The Environmental Working Group (EWG) is using selective and incomplete 2011 government data on retail meat samples to blame America’s livestock and poultry farmers for the growing problem of antibiotic-resistant illnesses in people.

In fact, 2000 to 2010 data from the federal National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System show a very low incidence of pathogenic bacteria on meat and stable to declining rates of those bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics.

The EWG report was set to be released today ahead of congressional action on reauthorizing the Animal Drug User Fee Act (ADUFA). Many groups who support legislation to ban the use in food animals of antibiotics that prevent or control diseases and of ones that improve nutritional efficiency are weighing in on ADUFA, urging Congress to limit the animal health products available to livestock producers.

But, points out the National Pork Producers Council, numerous peer-reviewed risk assessments, including at least one from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, have shown a “negligible” risk to human health of antibiotics use in livestock and poultry production.

“Pork producers use antibiotics in targeted ways, under a veterinarian’s supervision, to protect public health and the health of their animals and to produce safe food,” said NPPC President Randy Spronk, a pork producer from Edgerton, Minn. “The data don’t show what groups opposed to modern food-animal production claim; they continue to distort information to fit their agenda to end modern agriculture.”

NPPC wants an ADUFA reauthorization bill that’s free of amendments. The law allows FDA to collect fees from animal health companies for the timely review and approval of products.

“Taking care of our animals to produce safe food starts with Congress passing ADUFA and not letting it die because of controversial amendments,” Spronk said.



NMPF Welcomes Agriculture Labor Immigration Reform Agreement
Jerry Kozak, President and CEO, NMPF

“The National Milk Producers Federation welcomes an agreement on immigration reform reached by the Agriculture Workforce Coalition (AWC), the United Farm Workers (UFW) and key Senators engaged in the process. The framework and objectives of this agreement represent a positive step toward providing America’s dairy farmers access to a legal workforce now and in the future.

“The coalition is committed including an agricultural guest worker program and supporting the general framework negotiated in any final immigration reform package. As members of Congress begin the process of drafting legislative language, we look forward to working with them to ensure that the bill details reflect the goals and intent of this framework agreement.

“The AWC, of which NMPF is a member, appreciates the efforts of Senators Dianne Feinstein, Marco Rubio, Orrin Hatch and Michael Bennet in helping to foster this agreement between agriculture employers and farm workers.

“For many farmers across the country, finding a sufficient number of workers to harvest crops or care for animals is the biggest challenge they face in running their businesses. There is a shortage of U.S. workers willing and able to perform farm work. Securing a reliable and competent workforce for our nation’s farms and ranches is essential to ensuring that American consumers continue to enjoy abundant and affordable food on their grocery store shelves.”

Additional information on the AWC can be found on its website www.agworkforcecoalition.org



March Soy Crush Climbs to 137.08 MB

Soybeans crushed climbed 758,000 bushels to 137.08 million bushels in March from a month earlier.  Soyoil stockpiles declined to 2.765 billion pounds, down 25 million pounds from February, according to the National Oilseed Processors Association.

The average of analysts' estimates for the March data projected the crush with a month-on-month increase to 140 million bushels. The estimates ranged from 127.1 million bushels to 146 million bushels. Meanwhile, analysts expected an increase in soyoil stocks in March to 2.822 billion pounds, from estimates that ranged from as low as 2.740 billion pounds to as high as 2.875 billion pounds.

The crush is seen as a key indicator of soybean demand.



U.S. Agriculture Benefits From Japan In TPP Talks

Increased pork exports resulting from a Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement would create more than 20,000 direct and indirect U.S. pork-related jobs, with the vast majority generated by Japan alone, said the National Pork Producers Council at a press conference held today.

The TPP is a regional trade negotiation that includes the United States, Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Canada, Chile, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam, which account for a combined 30 percent of global GDP. Japan already has free trade agreements with seven of the 11 TPP countries: Brunei, Chile, Malaysia, Mexico, Peru, Singapore and Vietnam.

The Obama administration on Friday agreed to accept Japan into the trade negotiations.

“Increasing pork exports are important to many more Americans than just pork producers,” said NPPC Vice President and International Trade Counsel Nick Giordano, who pointed out that more than 110,000 U.S. jobs are generated by U.S. pork exports. “We expect having Japan join the TPP will likewise provide increased market opportunities and more jobs for us.”

Japan’s economy is second only to China’s in the region, and it is the fourth largest U.S. agricultural export market overall. U.S. food and agricultural exports to Japan in 2012 totaled $13.5 billion. Japan is the top value export market for U.S. pork, accounting for almost $2 billion in 2012 sales.

NPPC was joined at the press conference by the American Farm Bureau Federation, Cargill Incorporated, the National Milk Producers Federation, the National Potato Council and the U.S. Dairy Export Council. Last week, those groups and more than 70 other food and agricultural organizations sent a letter to President Obama, urging the administration to welcome Japan into the TPP talks.

“The addition of Japan to the negotiations will exponentially increase the importance of the TPP to our members and to other sectors of the U.S. economy,” said the groups.

“The bottom line,” NPPC’s Giordano added, “is that TPP with Japan represents the single most important trade negotiation ever for the U.S. pork industry and for most of our colleagues in American agriculture.”



Council Supports US Approval of Japan Joining TPP

The U.S. Grains Council strongly supports the recent announcement by the Office of U.S. Trade Representative Demetrios Marantis of its completion of bilateral negotiations with Japan regarding the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP).  With the announcement, USTR will formally notify Congress of its intent to support formal inclusion of Japan into the TPP negotiations.

The Council has enjoyed over 50 years of cooperation and relationships working to innovate the Japanese feed, livestock and starch industries. Because of this mutual relationship and our commitment to be a long-term reliable supplier, Japan has been the number one customer of U.S. corn exports.

TPP is an ambitious, next-generation, regional trade agreement that seeks to create a “new millennium model for trade.” As the world’s third largest economy, the addition of Japan will provide the platform for a Free Trade Area of Asia Pacific and will strengthen our economic and strategic relationship. TPP will also provide opportunities for free and fair trade. And when trade works, the world wins.

The TPP objective of removing tariff and non-tariff barriers will require adjustments both in the U.S. and Japanese agricultural sectors. The Council pledges to continue the long-standing dialogue and cooperation as the TPP negotiations evolve, particularly as the Japanese feed, livestock and starch sectors adjust to the present and future realities of supply, demand and trade.

The Council believes that Japan is well positioned to not only remain a strong customer of the U.S. feed grains industry, but that it will have enormous opportunities to meet future Asian consumer-driven demand for high value and quality food.



Last-Minute Prep for Spring Planting

Spring is officially here and farmers are eager to hit the field running. But basic equipment maintenance during an unusually long fall and winter may not be enough to avoid costly downtime during planting season.  "Extra preparation now will result in more reliable equipment performance during planting season," says Andrew Hamilton, CHS director of marketing for lubricants.

If the engine and hydraulic oil wasn't changed before machinery was put into storage, Hamilton recommends a fresh supply before planting starts. "As oil sits, contaminants build up that could be harmful to seals, gaskets and the engine itself," says Hamilton. "The constant interaction of condensation from heating and cooling the engine can cause moisture to accumulate in the oil. An oil change now will prevent gummy blocks and plug-ups in oil filters."
 
In-Field Maintenance
"Proper equipment maintenance is equally important in the field," says Hamilton. Additional grease is required throughout the planting season. One area many farmers overlook is grease compatibility ­ making the wrong choice can cause serious damage.

"The first thing to know about grease is whether the one they're using to maintain equipment is compatible with what they have used in the past," says Hamilton. "Many equipment owners are surprised to learn that it's actually the grease's thickener — not color — that determines its compatibility with another grease." He notes that many people are accustomed to a certain color of grease, but that not all greases of the same color are compatible with each other.

"Grease is comprised of three parts: base oil, thickener and additives," explains Hamilton. "The base oil is similar to the base oils used in engine and hydraulic oil. The thickener is what causes the grease to become paste-like. And the additives take care of lubrication and anti-oxidation."

When two grease products are chemically incompatible, both can break down and create metallic salts. "The grease mixture becomes gritty or separates," says Hamilton. "Instead of lubricating, a bad grease combination can actually wear down the metal exposed to it."

Hamilton recommends referring to the grease guide found on Cenex® brand grease products to compare the different thickeners, such as calcium complex, lithium or polyurea, to determine their compatibility with one another before stocking up on grease for the season.
 
Viscosity Shift
Most farmers use a lower-viscosity grease during the winter due to the colder temperatures. "With warmer weather, it's important to properly replace grease on axles, pivots, bearings, U-joints and pins with a compatible higher-viscosity grease," Hamilton adds. "And be prepared to apply more grease throughout the planting season. It's a good idea to keep an extra supply on hand this spring."

For more helpful advice on lubricants, fuels and other energy inputs throughout the year, check out the Cenexperts blog written by Hamilton and other energy experts with CHS at www.TanksofThanks.com.



PLC and NCBA Kickoff Legislative Conferences

The Public Lands Council (PLC) kicks off their legislative conference today in the nation’s capital. PLC’s event runs through the evening of Apr. 16, while the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association’s (NCBA) conference will begin that evening and end on Thursday. In addition to meeting with their U.S. senators and representatives about a variety of issues affecting the livestock industry, attendees will talk with administration officials and hear from policy experts.

PLC President Brice Lee, a rancher from Hesperus, Colo., said his organization’s members are looking forward to interacting with congressional representatives and agency officials to make sure that livestock producers are represented in Washington.

“A strong showing of livestock producers in Washington is vital to the success of our association and to the livestock industry. Often times, producers are very busy on their operations and believe that what goes on in Washington is a world away,” said Lee. “The reality is that decisions made inside the Beltway have a direct impact on families providing food and fiber to a growing population. Our legislators and regulators need to hear from those in the countryside about how their decisions impact ranchers with public land grazing permits and agricultural operations nationwide.”

While in Washington, PLC members will be fully engaging in the legislative process, including providing testimony at three hearings before the U.S. House of Representatives. PLC Vice President Brenda Richards will testify on the importance of the Grazing Improvement Act, PLC’s priority legislation this session. In another hearing she will urge Congress to make well-placed appropriations in order to promote business stability for ranchers. PLC Secretary/Treasurer Dave Eliason will testify on the importance of reining in Presidents’ ability to make sweeping national monument designations.

Many PLC attendees will stay in Washington to join the NCBA conference, which will include policy discussions, meetings with agency officials and legislators, and—always a highlight—a Wednesday evening reception on Capitol Hill hosted by Outback Steakhouse.

“Attending the NCBA Legislative Conference gives farmers and ranchers the opportunity to bring their ‘hats to the Hill.’ Cattlemen and women are here in Washington to tell our elected officials the facts, to tell them their personal stories on topics from over regulation to the importance of passing a five year farm bill,” said NCBA President Scott George, a dairy and beef producer from Cody, Wyo. “The gap between country roads and paved highways must be bridged in order for the cattle industry to remain strong and vibrant.”

George added that it is important for producers to talk to their congressional representatives about key policy issues which will directly affect the cattle industry this year, such as the reauthorization of the Animal Drug User Fee Act (ADUFA) and environmental regulations.

Lee and George agreed that the PLC and NCBA Legislative Conferences are an extremely valuable experience for farmers and ranchers who are able to make the trip to Washington and take home great information from their congressional representatives and federal regulatory agencies. Producers have the opportunity to make important contacts that can last a lifetime.



Mary Matalin Formally Invited to AAA Summit Following PETA Video Appeal

The Animal Agriculture Alliance last week extended a formal invitation to Republican political consultant Mary Matalin to attend the 12th annual Stakeholders Summit to take place May 1-2 in Arlington, VA. Matalin, working with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) recently starred in a video appeal regarding farm protection—or “ag gag” legislation.

Alliance President and CEO Kay Johnson Smith sent Matalin a formal invitation to attend the Summit and hear from the distinguished speakers who will address some of the food industry’s most important issues. This year’s Summit, themed: “Activists at the Door: Protecting Animals, Farms, Food and Consumer Confidence,” will place a heavy emphasis on undercover videos and farm protection legislation.

“We hope that Ms. Matalin will take this opportunity to engage with actual farmers, ranchers and the organizations that represent the animal agriculture industry,” said Johnson Smith of the invitation. “We recognize that farm protection legislation is a complex and often emotional issue, and we hope that Ms. Matalin will consider the industry’s perspective to be presented by this year’s speakers.”

Joe Miller, General Counsel for Rose Acre Farms will share his perspective on the importance of farm protection, and provide an overview of the various bills currently being considered by approximately eight state legislatures.

Other distinguished Summit speakers include Charles Penry of Tyson Foods; Janet Riley of the American Meat Institute; John Simpson, attorney for Feld Entertainment; Greg Peterson, of the famed Peterson Farm Brothers Parodies; and other guests discussing proactive industry initiatives to provide more transparency in food production and communication throughout the food chain.

 “As a self-proclaimed meat eater, we hope that Ms. Matalin will embrace this opportunity to come and learn about the hard work put forth by the industry to improve and evolve in a changing world,” said Johnson Smith. “The Alliance Summit is always a forum for industry to come together and share new proactive initiatives and discuss challenges and opportunities facing the industry—we invite Ms. Matalin to share in this discussion.”

Early registration for the Stakeholders Summit ends today, however attendees can register for Summit up until April 29th, 2013, at increased rates. Registration materials are available online at www.animalagalliance.org/register.

The Summit will be held at The Westin Arlington Gateway hotel in Arlington, Virginia.

Event sponsors currently include U.S. Poultry and Egg Association, Murphy-Brown LLC, Farm Credit, Provimi North America, Merck Animal Health, Zoetis, Hy-Line,  American Feed Industry Association, Bayer Animal Health, United Soybean Board, Alltech, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, National Pork Board, National Pork Producers Council, Diamond V, Aviagen, Genus/PIC/ABS, United Egg Producers, WATTPublishing Co., Cactus Feeders, BrakkeConsulting, Kemin,  AgriBeef Co., Seaboard Foods, National Association of Farm Broadcasting, Protect the Harvest, Elanco Animal Health, Vance Publishing and the Potash Corp.



Russia April Grain Exports Down

Russia's grain exports in the current marketing year up to April 10 totaled 14.236 million metric tons, falling by 36.8% compared with the amount exported on the same date last year, the agriculture ministry reported Monday.

The ministry said grain exports in the first 10 days of April totaled 89,000, including 30,000 tons of wheat, 25,000 tons of barley, 32,000 tons of corn and 2,000 tons of other minor grains.

Severe drought last year has hit the grain harvest, the ministry said.

The ministry said it may reduce the export estimate to 14.8 million tons for the current marketing year, July 1 2012-June 30 2013, due to the slowing pace of exports as most export contracts have been fulfilled. It has previously raised its forecast to 15.5 million.

Russia harvested 94.2 million tons of grain and exported in the 2011-2012 marketing year 27.2 million tons.



New Bumper ES fungicide receives EPA approval

Bumper ES fungicide, manufactured by MANA, has received approval by the EPA for its new state-of-the-art formulation that provides broad-spectrum control of foliar fungal diseases on corn, soybeans, sorghum and other crops.

Bumper ES has an advanced propiconazole formulation that performs at levels equivalent to emusifiable concentrate (EC) products but with improved environmental, handling and safety qualities. With exceptionally low use rates, low odor and favorable personal protective equipment a requirement, Bumper ES offers significant improvements in ease of use and convenience versus competitive delivery platforms. It also minimizes environmental concerns by reducing impact on air quality, and it hosts a “Caution” signal word on its label.

Delivering uncompromised performance in preventive and curative disease management against brown leaf spot, Septoria leaf blight, glume blotch, rusts and many others, Bumper ES is classified as a FRAC Group 3 fungicide. It is currently registered for use on almonds, berries, cereals, citrus, corn, peanuts, pecans, rice, sorghum, soybeans, stone fruit, sugarcane and tree nuts.

“Bumper ES supports the industry in placing less reliance on older EC-based products,” said Dave Rummel, MANA brand leader. “While the older and more traditional EC offerings have been effective in providing good disease control, use of these products is on the decline due to new and pending pesticide regulations.”

According to Rummel, advanced crop protection tools such as Bumper ES allow active ingredients like propiconazole to have a continued and highly relevant presence in the marketplace.

“Growers depend on propiconazole for integrated disease management success because of its broad-spectrum effectiveness and seamless compatibility with most insecticides, fungicides and foliar nutrients,” said Rummel. “Plus, its mode of action is an integral part of most resistance management programs and widely endorsed by plant pathologists and university experts.

“As one of the first propiconazole products of its kind, Bumper ES meets grower demand in disease management while minimizing environmental concerns and improving ease of use and safety,” Rummel concluded.



TIME IS RUNNING OUT TO NOMINATE THE NEXT “FARM MOM OF THE YEAR”

The nomination window for Monsanto’s  America’s Farmers Mom of the Year contest will soon close, but there’s still a little time left to nominate a farm mom for the chance to win the national “Farm Mom of the Year” title and up to $10,000 in prize money.

To nominate, visit AmericasFarmers.com by April 23 and explain in 300 words or fewer how your favorite farm mom contributes to her family, farm, community and the agricultural industry. The American Agri-Women will lead the judging process to select five regional winners by May 1. Online voting on AmericasFarmers.com will then determine one national winner, to be announced on Mother’s Day. All five regional winners will receive $5,000 from Monsanto; the national winner will win an additional $5,000.

“We’ve already seen outstanding nominations for all types of farm moms, each with a unique story and a passion for agriculture,” says Kris Zilliox of the American Agri-Women. “From California to Maine, it’s clear that farm moms across this country enhance the lives of their family, friends and neighbors. Whittling the submissions down to just five winners will be no small feat!”

“More than 30 percent of farm operators in this country are female, and this annual contest is one small way that Monsanto can honor them and applaud them for growing our crops, our economy and our way of life,” says Lisa Safarian, U.S. Row Crops Lead, Monsanto. “Like everyone else, I’m looking forward to celebrating this year’s regional winners when they are announced in early May. If there’s a special farm mom in your life, I urge you to nominate her right away!”

Complete eligibility requirements and official rules for America’s Farmers Mom of the Year can be obtained online at AmericasFarmers.com or by sending a self-addressed, stamped envelope to America’s Farmers Mom of the Year, Attn: Nancy Hallahan, 914 Spruce Street, St. Louis, MO 63102.

America’s Farmers Mom of the Year is an element of Monsanto’s America’s Farmers program, an advocacy effort promoting, recognizing and supporting U.S. farmers through communications, awards and special programs that highlight the importance of agriculture.

“My favorite part of being the Farm Mom of the Year was the opportunity to spotlight other farm moms,” says 2012 National Farm Mom of the Year Debbie Lyons-Blythe. “I encourage everyone to take a moment; write an essay; and nominate your mother, grandmother, or a special person in your life.”