Thursday April 18 Ag News

Herbicides to Control Weeds in Spring-Seeded Alfalfa
Bruce Anderson, UNL Extension Forage Specialist

Weeds can be a major problem in spring seeded alfalfa. Roundup Ready alfalfa varieties help overcome these weeds but Roundup isn't the only good herbicide option for alfalfa.

Alfalfa seedlings grow slowly. Many weeds grow faster than alfalfa seedlings, robbing them of moisture, nutrients, and light. Left uncontrolled, weeds can cause thin stands, weak plants, and lower yields.

Cropping practices that reduce weed seed production during the years prior to planting alfalfa help reduce weeds when you finally do plant alfalfa. And timely mowing reduces competition from many weeds. But often the only way to fully control weeds is by using herbicides.

Do you expect grasses like foxtail or crabgrass to be a problem in your new alfalfa? Then before seeding use a pre-plant incorporated herbicide, like trifluralin, Balan, or Eptam. These herbicides control grasses and many small-seeded broadleaf weeds like lambsquarter and kochia. Some larger-seeded broadleaves like velvetleaf and sunflower will not be controlled, but you can mow those weeds later for good control.

Maybe you can get your alfalfa started without any herbicides. Great! But if you have escapes, post-emerge herbicides like Buctril and 2,4-DB control broadleaves, Poast Plus and Select control grasses, and Raptor or Pursuit control a combination of weeds. They can rescue your alfalfa as long as weeds are sprayed before they get very tall.

As you know, always follow label directions for application rates and conditions.

Roundup may make it easier to control weeds in seedling alfalfa. But use these other herbicides correctly and your new alfalfa can get a good, clean, and fast start.



House Farm Bill Markup Confirmed

House Agriculture Committee Chairman Frank Lucas (R-OK) announced Thursday his intent to move forward May 15 with a farm bill markup. Although Republican leadership pressured the chairman to take more time and consider tougher changes in the food stamp program to gain more conservative votes, Lucas said he would still hold listening sessions first with the Republican whip’s office so as to maintain his schedule and produce a bipartisan bill with Ranking Member Collin Peterson (D-MN). Earlier this month, Senate Ag leadership expressed intent to markup their farm bill next week, but farm policy observers expect Senate Ag Committee action to be pushed into May, as well.



U.S., Brazil Partner on Statement on Innovation in Plant Biotechnology
ASA welcomed a joint statement from the U.S. and five like-minded nations this week expressing those governments’ mutual desire to pursue innovation in plant biotechnology.  Among other commitments, the statement shows an effort by the nations to "endeavor to work together to promote synchronization of [biotechnology trait] authorizations by regulatory authorities, in particular for food, feed and processing purposes."  Joining the U.S. on the statement are the governments of Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, and Paraguay, which combine to account for more than 86 percent of global soybean production.

See text of agreement below....

Joint Statement on Innovative Agricultural Production Technologies, particularly Plant Biotechnologies
Supporting Governments:   Australia, Brazil, Canada, Republic of Argentina, Republic of Paraguay, United States

Recognizing that agricultural production needs to substantially increase to meet global food, feed, fiber and energy demands in the face of population growth,

Understanding that innovative agricultural technologies need to continue to play a critical role in addressing these challenges, in contributing to increased food production in a sustainable way, and in mitigating the adverse effects of climate change,

Taking into account the Rio Declaration on Environment and Development and Agenda 21, which acknowledges that an increase in productivity will need to take place.

Emphasizing that regulatory approaches related to products derived from innovative agricultural technologies should be science-based, transparent, timely, no more trade restrictive than necessary to fulfill legitimate objectives, and consistent with relevant international obligations, including the WTO agreements on the Application of Sanitary and  Phytosanitary Measures and on Technical Barriers to Trade.

Our governments intend to work collaboratively to:
-  Promote the application of science-based, transparent and predictable regulatory approaches that foster innovation and ensure a safe and reliable global food supply, including the cultivation and use of agricultural products derived from innovative technologies;
-  Allow for the trade of such products, and minimize or remove unjustified barriers to trade where they exist;
-  Promote constructive dialogue on science based regulation and use of innovative agricultural technologies and;

With respect to plant biotechnology specifically:
·  Promote the utilization of and the development of regulations consistent with Codex Alimentarius Commission Principles for the Risk Analysis of Foods Derived from Modern Biotechnology and the Guideline for the Conduct of Food Safety Assessment of Foods Derived from Recombinant-DNA Plants and its annexes;
·  Encourage research and education efforts necessary to develop agricultural innovations that lead to new products and strategies that address the global challenges for production of abundant, safe and affordable food, feed, fiber, and energy in the 21st century;
·  Noting the importance of timely and efficient regulatory systems, endeavor to work together to promote synchronization of authorizations by regulatory authorities, in particular for food, feed and processing purposes;
·  Encourage biotechnology developers to submit timely dossiers to regulatory authorities to minimize asynchronous and asymmetric authorizations;
·  Collaborate in the development of domestic, regional and international approaches to facilitate the global management of low level presence of recombinant-DNA plant material, authorized in one or more countries, but not in the country of import;
·  Work cooperatively in international standard-setting bodies and in other international fora on issues related to plant biotechnology;
·  Support science-based assessments of food, feed and environmental safety; 
·  Encourage the timely sharing of information including using global databases to house public information on product authorizations.



T-TIP Puts US Farm Bill, EU CAP Reform on the Table

Sometimes there is a disconnect between domestic and international agricultural policy, and it is important to note that this problem is not unique to the United States. Negotiations on the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (T-TIP) between the United States and the EU may begin as early as June. Negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership are well advanced. At the same time, both the United States and EU are engaged in review and revision of domestic farm legislation that may have significant implications for pending and projected trade agreements. It is important for policymakers in both the United States and the EU to keep the international picture in mind as they tackle controversial issues.

This will be difficult. Farm policy is as contentious in the EU as in the United States. In Europe, for example, farmers and their trade associations are currently up in arms over the surprise decision to allow the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) direct payments for 2013 to be cut by 4.98 percent, an automatic cut that follows the "financial discipline mechanism" of the EU budget. Copa-Cogeca, the EU-wide organization representing European farmers and cooperatives, says that this late cut comes after farmers have done all their financial planning for 2013 and will create hardships for many. They say that the 40 million people employed in agri-food in the EU could also suffer as a result.

At the same time, negotiations began on April 11 between the European Parliament, European Commission and member nations on changes to the CAP. The members of the European Council have agreed on prospective changes, including a capping of direct payments to farmers, but the changes must now be translated into legislation. It will be no surprise to longtime observers of U.S. Farm Bills that criticism is flooding in from all directions. Eligibility for direct payments has been a particular problem, and the definition of "active farmer" is tricky, as in the past, direct payments have often flowed to industries including mining, transportation, real estate, airports, sports clubs, and camp grounds that are not generally considered to be in the farming businesses.

Environmental issues are another area in which U.S. farmers can probably identify with some of the frustrations of their European counterparts. The proposed CAP revisions would require farmers with more than ten hectares to establish a three percent "ecological focus area," with the set aside rising eventually to seven percent. Naturally, definitions and details can get complicated, as non-farming areas such as fallow land, terraces, hedgerows, ditches, stone walls, trees ponds, buffer strips and more can qualify as part of the focus area. In a further interesting twist, farmers will be able to plant within the focus area provided that they don't use any pesticides or fertilizers.

In general, European agriculture is intensively regulated to achieve a broad range of social and environmental objectives that significantly increase production costs, and European farmers are heavily subsidized to offset these costs. This raises very difficult questions about when such subsidies are appropriate compensation for legitimate social costs, versus trade distorting subsidies that function to box out import competition. The use of sanitary and phytosanitary regulation as non-tariff trade barriers is another longstanding issue. With T-TIP, CAP reform, and a U.S. Farm Bill all on the 2013 agenda, the trade policy arena is getting crowded, and complicated indeed.



Producers Focus on Export Efforts as New Opportunities Emerge

New opportunities and issues are emerging for U.S. Pork exports, and producers have prioritized key tactics to put more U.S. Pork on the world’s table.

“In challenging economic times, pork producers have had to become more efficient and find creative solutions,” says Tim Bierman, a wean-to-finish pork producer from Larrabee, Iowa, who chairs the National Pork Board’s International Trade Committee. “This is especially important in our international marketing.”

The stakes are high, with exports accounting for 27 percent of total U.S. pork production in 2012. The 24-member International Trade Committee, as well as staff from the U.S. Meat Export Federation and the National Pork Producers Council and other expert advisors, met earlier this spring to assess market opportunities, discuss market access challenges and review current U.S. Pork promotions around the world.

“Each year the committee goes through a prioritization process to divide resources among marketing and promotion, research, new product development, market access and international standard issues,” says Becca Hendricks, assistant vice president of international marketing for the Pork Checkoff. “A lot of strategic thinking goes into allocating Pork Checkoff dollars to protect market access, reduce tariffs and promote U.S. Pork.”

All Eyes Are on Asia
One of the top priorities is the Trans-Pacific Partnership, an Asia-Pacific trade negotiation that includes 11 countries and is designed to reduce tariffs and spur economic growth. Elimination of tariff and non-tariff barriers through this agreement could increase U.S. Pork sales by hundreds of millions of dollars.

Another urgent issue is the elimination of unjustified, non-science-based trichinae mitigation restrictions, such as freezing and testing of U.S. Pork. The odds of trichinae in the U.S. commercial pork supply are one in 300 million, according to Dr. Ray Gamble, president ex-officio of the International Commission on Trichinellosis. Pork Checkoff funding has supported the research and analysis on the negligible risk of trichinae in the U.S. commercial food supply and will now work with foreign markets to change standards based on this data.

Exports Boost Producers’ Profits
Ensuring market access helps build momentum for U.S. Pork exports, which have a direct impact on producers’ bottom lines. Key markets, such as Japan and Mexico, as well as expanding markets in Central and South America, helped U.S. Pork exports set a new value record in 2012, at $6.3 billion, according to statistics released by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

“We need to continue putting ourselves in these buyers’ shoes so we can understand their needs, increase export demand and focus on long-term, sustained growth,” Bierman says.

Increased demand for U.S. Pork will put more money in producers’ pockets, says Dr. Dermot Hayes, a professor of economics at Iowa State University. “Every $1 million increase in the value of U.S. Pork exports adds 6 cents per hundredweight to live hog prices.”



USFRA Biotechnology Event Features NCGA President

National Corn Growers Association President Pam Johnson will take part in a special Food Dialogues panel discussion on biotechnology next week in Chicago, hosted by the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance in conjunction with the BIO International Convention.

The April 22 USFRA program, "The Straight Story on Biotech in Agriculture: The Media and its Impact on Consumers," will consist of a panel of experts from multiple disciplines, including farmers, media, industry and academia, who will answer some of the toughest questions surrounding GMOs. Panelists will also discuss what more can be done by all sides - including those who are not in favor of this technology - to give consumers access to information that matters.

"GMOs are one area where we are seeing a lot of questions from consumers, and a lot of misinformation in the news media and newer social media," Johnson said. "As a farmer, I see the value of crop technology every day in the field, and it's important that we not only address concerns, but answer questions about how and why we do what we do on our farms."

A second Food Dialogues event is scheduled for June 19, also taking place in Chicago, with the broader theme of transparency. Both events will stream live online at www.fooddialogues.com.

Last week, the USFRA board of directors met in St. Louis for strategic planning and to review communications plans for the upcoming fiscal year. Mike Geske, a Missouri corn grower who sits on the NCGA Corn Board, is on the USFRA board's executive committee, and is very optimistic about the program's future.

"NCGA is very proud to be a founding affiliate of the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance, and I am thrilled to see what's in story this coming year," Geske said. "It was a privilege not only to take part in the planning process, but to announce to my fellow board members that NCGA is increasing its support for this movement in the next fiscal year. USFRA has come a long way in such a short time, and is serving as a strong rallying point for farmers, ranchers, and those who provide us the important tools and services we need."



Impact of China's Recent Bird Flu on Corn Demand May Not be Large

The impact of China's bird flu outbreak on poultry production and feed demand remains uncertain but may be less than initially feared. As reported last week, China's bird flu incidents saw live bird markets close around the Shanghai region and in South China. As cases spread to other regions such as Beijing and Henan, the effects of these closings and the reduction of poultry inventories will reduce feed consumption in the poultry industry. However, if consumers switch to pork instead of poultry meat, this will offset the losses in the poultry sector and reduce the net effect on feed demand.

"Since hogs are less efficient converters of feed to meat and use a higher proportion of energy feeds like corn, any substitution of pork for poultry that occurs will dampen the negative effect of reduced poultry production on feed demand, particularly corn," said Bryan Lohmar, U.S. Grains Council director in China. "Conversely, fish are more efficient converters and use less energy feed, so if consumers switch to fish this will help soybean increase demand a little, but not corn."

While there are no confirmed reports, there are suggestions that people may be substituting pork for poultry. Some shoppers who shun poultry will instead buy pork, and groups at restaurants may order two pork dishes rather than the more typical one chicken and one pork dish. Research has shown that pork is the primary substitute for chicken. There is also speculation that consumers are avoiding meat in general, which could have more negative implications for corn feed demand. Fish prices are however rising, an indication that consumers may be substituting fish for poultry, not pork.

The ultimate effect on feed demand will depend on the duration and geographical spread of the outbreak. So far, all but five cases have been found in Shanghai, Jiangsu and Zhejiang provinces, home to about 11 percent of China's population. The five additional cases have been found in Anhui (2), Henan (2) and Beijing (1), home to another 13 percent of China's population. If we assume these provinces represent also about 25 percent of China's poultry consumption, and about half the birds are slaughtered in these provinces over one month's time (a liberal assumption), then that would result in only a little more than a one percent reduction in poultry production. At a feed industry conference today in Chengdu, some poultry producers expressed the view that there is too much hype over the problem, and they are already getting ready to restock inventories.

If the virus continues for another month or two and spreads around the country, however, the effect would be more significant. China produces around 17 million metric tons of poultry meat, so a 5 percent reduction is 850,000 metric tons of meat. The birds at live markets tend to be "high quality" traditional varieties with far less efficient feed conversion than modern chickens in the west, roughly 4:1 live weight, or 5.3 to 1 feed to meat, with corn comprising about half of that feed. A 5 percent reduction in meat production would thus result in about 2.25 million tons (88.5 million bushels) reduction in corn feed demand, or only about 1.6 percent of China's 144 million tons (5.6 billion bushels) of corn feed demand for 2012/13 (USDA estimate), and 1.1 percent of USDA's estimated 207 million tons (8.1 billion bushels) 2012/13 total corn demand in China.

The substitution of pork for poultry that occurs is thus likely to limit any reductions in corn demand, and if a little more than half the poultry is substituted by pork, then corn feed demand will actually rise because of the higher corn input required to produce pork. The effect of pork substitution for poultry will be somewhat lagged; increased pork consumption today will raise pork prices and cause inventories to replenish faster than otherwise, resulting in more feed demand over the summer. However, if fish is the primary substitute, this will do little to increase corn feed demand, but would mitigate the fall in protein meal demand brought about by the lower poultry production.



Pork Cuts to Get New Consumer-Friendly Names in the Meat Case

Consumers will soon find more consumer-friendly names on packages of fresh pork cuts in retail meat cases across the country. The new names, such as the porterhouse pork chop, are designed to allow retailers to differentiate and merchandise pork cuts more effectively while aiding shoppers in selecting and preparing pork.

"The new names will help change the way consumers and retailers talk about pork," said National Pork Board President Conley Nelson. "But more importantly, the simpler names will help clear up confusion that consumers currently experience at the meat case, helping to move more pork in the long-term."

New Cut Names Backed by Research
Before the renaming process took shape, the National Pork Board and the National Cattlemen's Beef Association collaborated on in-depth research over an 18-month period. The research showed consumers are often confused by the different names for similar cuts of meat and, as a result, do not know how to cook a variety of cuts now available in the meat case.

To overcome this challenge, the National Pork Board is working to simplify pork cut names and include basic usage and preparation information on the package. Several cuts of pork will now match the names for similar beef cuts for easier consumer identification and preparation. New pork names to look for in the meat case include:
•        Pork Porterhouse Chop (previously a loin chop)
•        Pork Ribeye Chop, bone-in (previously a rib chop center)
•        Pork Ribeye Chop (previously a rib chop)
•        Pork New York Chop (previously a top loin chop)

The new cut names will eventually align with the foodservice industry as well to provide a consistent consumer perception of pork at restaurants and at home.
 
"Grill Pork Like a Steak"
Hand-in-hand with a simpler shopping experience comes simpler grilling advice.  As the new cut names suggest by their alignment with popular beef steak names, pork is a great choice for the grill - and consumers can cook pork chops just like their favorite steaks.  

"Research shows that consumers are buying cuts they are familiar with," said Patrick Fleming, director of retail marketing for the National Pork Board. "Now, once they get their New York chop or ribeye chop home, they can grill it in the way they're familiar with, too."

For medium-rare to medium chops, the National Pork Board recommends grilling to an internal temperature between 145 degrees Fahrenheit and 160 degrees Fahrenheit, followed by a three-minute rest. A digital cooking thermometer is recommended to help ensure an accurate final temperature.



Canadian Grain, Oilseed Estimates Unchanged

Production of the major grain and oilseed crops in Canada during the upcoming 2013-14 (August/July) crop year will be unchanged from what was projected in March, according to Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.

Ag Canada, in its update released Wednesday, estimated total grain and oilseed output in Canada during the 2013-14 season at 73.710 million metric tons, unchanged from its March projection. In 2012-13, grain and oilseed production in Canada was pegged by the government agency at 70.196 million tons.

The eight major grains and oilseeds include canola, flaxseed, soybeans, wheat, oats, barley, corn and rye.

Exports of the major grains and oilseeds in Canada during 2013-14 were projected at 39.490 million tons, unchanged from the March estimate and compared with the 2012-13 forecast of 35.289 million tons.

Total domestic usage of the various grains and oilseeds for the 2013-14 crop year was estimated at 38.103 million tons, down fractionally from the March projection of 38.113 million. In 2012-13, total domestic usage in Canada was estimated by Agriculture Canada at 37.242 million tons.

Ending stocks of the eight major grains and oilseeds in 2013-14 were pegged by the government agency at 10.401 million tons, up fractionally from the March projection of 10.400 million tons. For the current crop year, ending stocks were pegged at 9.095 million tons.



NIAA Opposes "Humane Education;” Supports Animal Welfare

Domesticated animals deserve respect and care. That’s animal welfare—and a priority of the National Institute for Animal Agriculture, an organization comprised of livestock, equine, poultry and aquaculture producers, producer organizations, veterinarians, extension personnel, academicians, scientists, Federal and state regulatory agencies and allied industry.

Jim Fraley, Livestock Program Director for Illinois Farm Bureau and co-chair of NIAA’s Animal Care Council, stresses that animal welfare and animal rights, however, are not the same. Significant discussion was devoted to this topic during NIAA’s annual conference in Louisville, Ky., April 15-17. In the end, NIAA’s membership agreed on two key items: 1) NIAA believes in animal welfare and does not believe in animal rights; and 2) Today’s children and future generations should understand the importance of animal welfare and not confuse animal welfare with animal rights.

“We believe in, and support, animal welfare as these practices focus on the prevention of suffering and cruelty to animals,” Fraley explains. “NIAA does not believe in animal rights as the animal rights philosophy advocates an end to all ‘human use of animals.’

“NIAA members believe human societies require and accept the use of animals as sources of food and fiber, as well as for scientific research, sport, companionship, entertainment and clothing. It is the obligation of animal caretakers to provide the best care possible of animals throughout their lifetime, and NIAA’s membership takes this obligation very seriously.”

During its annual conference, NIAA members adopted a position that public schools should not stir confusion regarding the difference between animal welfare and animal rights by allowing extremist animal rights groups to present their views which can be erroneously perceived as facts.

Concern about what public schools should or should not allow regarding animal welfare and animal rights education arose when NIAA members learned about a California school system that allowed a movie involving animals to be shown and followed up the movie with a discussion focusing on how cruel it is to eat fish.

“Those of us in animal agriculture do not believe that extremist animal rights groups should be allowed to dictate information children are exposed to—or will be exposed to—at our public schools regarding animal welfare,” Fraley states. “Animal rights groups led by the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), PETA and the Institute of Humane Education (IHE) do not reflect balanced views and are campaigning across the United States to implement what they refer to as ‘humane education,’ a program of extreme ideological material they aspire to teach in our school systems.

“They have been successful in a few cities, but up to now have not been successful at the state or federal levels, despite repeated efforts to introduce legislation.”

Fraley emphasizes that emotional, subliminal vegan messages replacing animal care based on accepted, proven animal husbandry practices is “not education, but indoctrination.”



American Ethanol Races into Spotlight this Weekend in Kansas

American Ethanol will be showcased at the STP 400 at Kansas Speedway this Sunday, April 21, when fan-favorite Jeff Burton sports the black and green paint out on his No. 31 car.

"It is fitting to feature American Ethanol on Earth Day because ethanol is the only viable renewable fuel in the marketplace today, and NASCAR made the switch to Sunoco Green E15- a fuel containing 15 percent ethanol- three years ago because of its environmental benefits and superior performance," said Jon Holzfaster, a farmer from Paxton, Neb. who serves on the National Corn Growers Association Corn Board. "Part of American Ethanol's goal is to remind the public of the jobs created by domestic ethanol, the significant economic benefits and of its contributions to our energy security."

American Ethanol will also be an Associate Sponsor for Austin Dillon's No. 3 car in the Nationwide Series all season.

"We're excited that Jeff Burton is lending his star power to American Ethanol with the paint out this weekend - yet another way we have been actively expanding our brand's reach, and promoting the importance of renewable fuels like E15," said Growth Energy CEO Tom Buis. He continued, "Seeing the American Ethanol #31 car will be another reminder for fans that they, too, can fuel up with their favorite NASCAR driver's fuel of choice - homegrown American Ethanol."

The high-profile paint out on Burton's Richard Childress Racing entry in this weekend's NASCAR Spring Cup Series™ race will be the first full paint out of the season featuring the American Ethanol brand. Led by Growth Energy, in partnership with the National Corn Growers Association, and more than 100 different entities, from farmers and state corn organizations to ethanol producers and biotech companies, Growth Energy is working with NASCAR® to increase the profile of cleaner, better, homegrown E15,- the same fuel used in all three NASCAR series races.

Burton, a vocal advocate for ethanol, is currently ranked 23 in the Sprint Cup Series standings. This weekend's race, and the American Ethanol #31 car, will be featured on Fox Sports, MRN Radio and other media outlets.