Tuesday April 23 Ag News

Dairy Farm Award Winners from the Midwest Exemplify Commitment to Stewardship and Sustainability

The Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy recently announced the winners of its second annual U.S. Dairy Sustainability Awards, which recognize dairy farms for practices that advance the industry’s commitment to healthy products, healthy communities and a healthy planet. Midwest Dairy Association, the farmer-funded checkoff organization for 10 Midwest states, is pleased to announce that two farms within its territory were honored, including Prairieland Dairy of Firth, Neb., as a national winner, and McCarty Family Farms, LLC of Rexford, Kan., as an honorable mention.

The awards program is part of the U.S. Dairy Sustainability Commitment, an industry-wide effort to measure and improve economic, environmental and social sustainability of the dairy industry. The winners were selected by an independent panel of judges, which included experts from academic institutions, government, dairy science organizations, nongovernmental organizations, media and environmental and dairy industry leaders, and are based on the delivery of results to advance economic, environmental and social sustainability. The panel also assessed the potential for adoption by other farms as well as demonstrated learning, innovation and improvement.

Prairieland Dairy is a creative partnership between four Nebraska dairy farm families that milks 1,600 cows, farms 600 acres and is home to a processing plant, Prairieland Foods, and a composting site, Prairieland Gold. From the efficiently built barns that bring great cow comfort—to automatic cooling, waste management and pest control systems—each has a role in the farm’s sustainability solutions. Prairieland Dairy also taps into the natural power of wind, gravity and the geothermal properties of well water to reduce the use of energy, water and equipment.

“We take all of our commitments very seriously,” said Dan Rice, general manager of Prairieland Dairy. “And none more so than our commitment to sustainability.”

Honorable mention, McCarty Family Farms, has a milking herd of about 7,200 cows that produce almost 60,000 gallons of milk every day in northwestern Kansas. They have a unique partnership with Dannon, and the milk from the McCarty’s three dairies goes directly to their processing plant. First, the unpasteurized milk moves through an evaporator to remove extra water. Every drop of water is reused throughout the dairy for purposes such as cleaning, providing drinking water for the cows and irrigating crops. They reclaim 39,000 gallons of water daily from condensing milk, which means 75 percent fewer trucks are required to ship milk on their farm.

“Sustainability for us means respecting our roles and responsibilities as stewards of the land, caretakers of our animals, members of the community, parents and husbands – but also as members of the dairy community,” said Ken McCarty.

“The strength of the award winners’ stories illustrates why consumers can be confident about choosing their favorite dairy foods,” said Barbara O’Brien, president of the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy. “These and thousands of other actions taken every day – both large and small – contribute to the industry’s overall commitment to a healthy future for the next generation.”

To learn more about the industry’s commitment to sustainability, visit USDairy.com. To get to know more about Midwest dairy farmers and their sustainability practices, visit DairyMakesSense.com.



2013 Draft Rules Related to the New Fully Appropriated Basin Evaluation Methodology

The Nebraska Department of Natural Resources has released new draft rules and methods that it plans to utilize in its annual evaluation of availability of hydrologically connected water supplies. This annual evaluation is aimed at ensuring that streamflow water supplies for existing groundwater and surface water uses are protected into the future. The results of this yearly evaluation are highly valuable in supporting proactive planning efforts conducted by the state and local natural resources districts.

These new rules and methods are aimed at providing greater clarity on the basin water supplies and water uses across the state to facilitate more effective water planning efforts. Director Brian Dunnigan said, “These new rules and methods which have been developed over the last four years will serve to provide foundational information on Nebraska’s water supplies and uses, thus allowing for more effective coordinated planning efforts across the state.”

In an effort to address questions or comments related to the new draft rules and methods the Department has set up a sixty-day public comment period which will run through June 7th. During this public comment period, the Department will hold several public forums across the state. These forums will serve to answer questions related to the new rules and methods. These public forums will be held:
-  Monday, May 13, 2013                    Norfolk & Valentine
-  Tuesday, May 14, 2013                   Scottsbluff & Kearney
-  Wednesday, May 15, 2013             Beatrice
-  Thursday, May 16, 2013                 Lincoln

The Department has also developed a web-portal to receive public comments related to the draft rules and methods. To view more information, the specific times and locations of these forums or to provide your comments on the draft rules and methods, you are encouraged to visit the Department’s website at http://dnr.ne.gov.

Public hearings are anticipated to be held later this summer after public comments have been received with potential rules modifications to be finalized by the end of the year.



Public Forum Farm Bill Meetings Scheduled

In 2013, the U.S. Congress extended the 2008 Farm Bill to cover agricultural production in 2013.  The extension of this legislation requires producers to again make an election regarding which FSA farm program they will enroll under; the traditional DCP program or the newer ACRE program.  It is important in making this decision that producers understand how each program has performed in the past and how it is anticipated to perform for 2013. 

To assist producers with this decision, UNL Extension Agricultural Economics will be offering two online webinars on April 29th and May 3rd from 10:30 a.m. to noon Central Time.  A public viewing site is available at the Cuming County Courthouse Meeting Room, West Point, on April 29 only.

This webinar provides an opportunity for producers to re-educate themselves on the functional workings of the ACRE and DCP programs, as well as  expert analysis of how these programs might extend risk management protection in the near future.  Scheduled speakers include Dr. Brad Lubben, UNL Extension Public Policy Specialist and Tim Lemmons, UNL Extension Educator. 

Interested public may join this event at the following web address: http://connect.unl.edu/farmbillmeeting.  There is no charge to participate.  This meeting will be recorded and made available for viewing at http://cropwatch.unl.edu.  Registration for this event is not required.  For questions, please contact Tim Lemmons at 402-370-4061.



Weeds are Emerging: Recommendations for Pre-plant and Pre-emergence Weed Control
Lowell Sandell, Weed Science Extension Educator

Precipitation in the last few weeks has provided enough moisture for weed seeds to germinate. Several summer annual weed species in Nebraska emerge early in the season prior to planting corn and soybean and need to be controlled before they become too large.

Of particular concern are kochia and giant ragweed, as we believe there are numerous populations in Nebraska that glyphosate will not control. We have observed significant kochia and giant ragweed emergence in the past two weeks in some of our research plots, and have heard reports of emergence from multiple areas of the state. If growers have had difficulty with kochia or giant ragweed in the last few years, every effort should be made to control these populations with an effective burndown application or tillage prior to planting. Based on observations in our giant ragweed research studies the previous two years, we have not had success controlling glyphosate-resistant giant ragweed with any herbicide program not containing 2,4-D as a component of a burndown application. If you apply 2,4-D prior to planting, be sure to adhere to the planting interval specified on the label.

Some other common weed species that emerge early in the season in Nebraska fields are common chickweed, dandelion, field pennycress, henbit, marestail, tansy mustard, and Virginia pepperweed.
Developing a Successful Early Season Weed Management Program

Profitable crop production starts with a weed control program that includes pre-plant and/or pre-emergence herbicides to deliver long-lasting, residual weed control. A spring burndown program in corn and soybean provides effective weed control to prepare for planting and helps to decrease the seedbank during the season. Early season weed competition can greatly reduce yields and profits.

Burndown
Several studies have shown that if weeds grow to 9 inches, soybean yield can be reduced by as much as 6%; 12-inch weeds can result in up to a 10% yield loss. In corn, 12-inch weeds could cause 22% yield loss when left uncontrolled. Among the herbicides registered for spring burndown weed control are:
-    Corn: 2,4-D, atrazine, Balance Flexx, Corvus, dicamba, glyphosate, Landmaster II, Lexar, and Sharpen
-    Soybean: registered spring burndown herbicides include 2,4-D, Authority First, glyphosate, Gramoxone, Pursuit, and Sharpen.

Pre-emergence
The pre-emergence (residual) herbicide protects the crop with early, effective, and lasting weed control to help maximize yields, regardless of the production system. In addition, including pre-emergence herbicides can minimize the post-emergence herbicide applications and protect against early-season weed competition when weather or busy schedules prohibit a timely post-emergence application. Among the herbicides registered for pre-emergence weed control are:
-    Corn: Aatrex, Balance Flexx, Corvus, Degree Extra, Fierce, Lumax, Outlook, Surestart, Tripleflex, Warrant, and Zemax
-    Soybeans: Authority MTZ, Boundry, Command, Dual II Magnum, Envive, Optill, Pursuit, Prowl H2O, Valor XLT, and Warrant.

Always read and follow herbicide label directions.



Biostimulants/Biofertilizers: Buyer Beware
Charles Wortmann, UNL Soil Fertility Extension Specialist

This article draws on a recent article in Fertilizers & Agriculture. Many new products are available and may be promoted as “elicitors, phytostimulants, biostimulants, phytoprotectants, biofertilizers, bioactivators, soil enhancers, …..”. Generally the information on these is vague, their mechanisms are not fully understood, and they have not undergone sufficient independent testing. Unlike fertilizers and pesticides, these products are not regulated; marketing does not require proof of effectiveness or full information on mode of action. We hope that some are of value; we expect most to have a short market life.

A suggested categorization of biostimulants is: “humic substances, complex organic materials, beneficial chemical elements, inorganic materials, seaweeds, chitin and chitosan, antitranspirants, and free amino acids.” Some products may overlap two or more categories. The European Commission is moving toward regulation using the definition: “Plant biostimulant means a material which contains substance(s) and/or microorganisms whose function when applied to plants or the rhizosphere is to stimulate natural processes to benefit nutrient uptake, nutrient use efficiency, tolerance to abiotic stress, and/or crop quality, independently of its nutrient content.”

As with any “buyer beware” products, we encourage field testing biostimulant products before fully integrating these into your input package. Past experience indicates that the product effects on yield are likely to be negligible or small and a good trial design is needed to obtain reliable information. Such a field trial can be easily done in cooperation with UNL Extension. Yields with and without the product applied can be measured using a yield monitor or weigh wagon. Ask the supplying company to cost-share or provide free product for the trial. UNL researchers will be interested to more closely evaluate products that are verified to adequately increase yield or improve input use efficiency.

A group of North Central Region soil scientists maintains a Compendium of Research Reports on Use of Non-Traditional Materials for Crop Production, including biostimulants. It's likely to include information on older products, but not necessarily new products on the market.



Checkoff Launches New Consumer Advertising Campaign

The new “Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.” consumer advertising campaign is premiering this month, bringing the recognizable tagline to older millennials and Gen-Xers. The new campaign, funded by the beef checkoff, will feature sizzling beef recipes, juicy details about essential nutrients and the voice of one of Hollywood’s most promising new talents.

“This campaign builds upon the core benefits that only beef offers -- its great taste and 10 essential nutrients. While most folks just look at beef for its sizzle or great flavor, it’s made up of more than that. Its nutrients are what make it the most powerful protein and what makes beef above all else,” says Cevin Jones, chair of the checkoff’s Domestic Consumer Preference Committee and producer from Eden, Idaho. “It doesn’t hurt that the voice delivering the message on the other side of the radio epitomizes health and sizzle too.”

New Voice for a New Target
The new “Above All Else” campaign aims to reach the next generation of beef eaters – the older millennial and Gen-Xer, aged 25 to 44 –who care about food and nutrition.

While keeping many brand mainstays, such as Aaron Copeland’s “Rodeo” music, the new beef campaign is switching up the voice behind the famous words, “Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.” Sparking a new interest for the older millennial and Gen X target, Garrett Hedlund’s voice will take a starring role in the campaign’s radio spots. Garrett personally represents healthful living, and his strong, warm voice is perfect for provoking new understanding about beef.

“I’m proud to represent America’s farmers and ranchers,” Hedlund said. “I grew up on my father’s cattle operation, so I’m right at home as the new voice of beef.”

Born in Roseau, Minn., Garrett spent his early years on a cattle operation. He was just 18 when he landed a role in the epic film Troy (2004) playing opposite Brad Pitt. Following his debut in Troy, Garrett went on to Friday Night Lights (2004) and Tron Legacy (2010). His latest roles include Country Strong (2011), in which he plays a rising young country star opposite Gwyneth Paltrow, as well as On the Road, in theaters now.

What’s Your Dinner Made Of?
Research has shown that 45 percent of the target demographic said they would choose beef more often if they knew about how its nutrients compared to chicken. The new campaign helps set the record straight about beef’s essential nutrients in an engaging and educational way.  

That’s the question each “Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner” print advertisements asks. It’s answered with bold copy highlighting the nutritional benefits of Beef along with tantalizing food photography reminding the consumer that delicious can, and does go right alongside nutritious. Each advertisement calls out an individual essential nutrient, like protein: “The Strip steak has lots of protein…and your appetite’s attention.” Another ad reminds you that a dinner with beef “has iron. The most lean, delicious and tender iron known to man.”

The print advertisements will appear in monthly national magazines with an emphasis on food, health/fitness, parenting, lifestyle and men’s sports. In addition to traditional print placements, the campaign will appear across a wide range of digital platforms, such as 22 tablet versions, online radio stations (e.g., Pandora), video websites (e.g., Hulu), social networking sites (e.g., Facebook) and popular recipe websites (e.g., AllRecipes.com). State Beef Councils will extend the campaign through print, radio, digital, in-person promotions, sporting events, outdoor advertising and more. Public relations, health professional outreach, social media and other promotional efforts round out this integrated effort.

For delicious triple-tested beef recipes, nutrition information and to learn more about the “Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.” advertising campaign, please visit BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com.



NCGA Please with Court Decision to Dismiss Pesticide Lawsuit

The U.S. District Court of Northern California issued an order yesterday dismissing a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that alleged the EPA violated the Endangered Species Act when registering hundreds of compounds. The National Corn Growers Association is pleased with the decision and supports farmers' ability to use products that have already been approved within EPA's rigorous registration process.

The suit was filed by the Center for Biological Diversity and the Pesticide Action Network of North America, claiming that EPA failed to undertake consultations with the Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service, as required by the Endangered Species Act.

"The dismissal of the case is a sweeping victory for growers who were faced with the possibility of major restrictions on previously approved crop protection products," NCGA President Pam Johnson said.  "This offers reassurance to America's farmers that they are free to use products that have been deemed safe by the EPA. Furthermore, it demonstrates a faith that we share in the EPA's extensive testing process."

The suit, which was filed in 2011, specifically alleged that the agency failed to consult with the Fish and Wildlife Service and National Marine Fisheries Service on hundreds of pesticide registrations potentially affecting hundreds of species.

That year, NCGA and other agricultural organizations joined the case as interveners to ensure that growers have a seat at the table in any potential settlement negotiations. NCGA took these actions as the suit posed a significant risk to agriculture by raising the possibility of court-ordered injunctions that could limit pesticide usage throughout the United States.  Atrazine and a number of other chemicals used by corn farmers were specifically named in the suit.

The lawsuit requested the court apply "appropriate restrictions on the use of pesticides where they may affect endangered and threatened species and critical habitats" until consultations had been completed and the product registrations were in compliance with the ESA.  If successful, these "appropriate restrictions" could have resulted in the imposition of buffers zones and other product use restrictions that had the potential to dramatically reduce the amount of land available to agriculture while doing little to protect threatened species and their habitat. 



Depot Explosion Ignites Fertilizer Safety Concerns, Not Prices

Fertilizer continued on its nearly 6-month-old path of extremely steady prices, according to retailers tracked by DTN for the third week of April 2013. But the explosion at a Texas fertilizer outlet is renewing safety concerns about the storage of certain fertilizer products.

Six of the eight major fertilizers were lower compared to last month, but these moves to the low side were fairly tiny, DTN's weekly survey of more than 330 retailer locations found. DAP had average price of $616 per ton, MAP $659/ton, potash $587/ton, urea $573/ton, 10-34-0 $613/ton and anhydrous $858/ton.  The remaining two fertilizer prices were higher compared to the third week of March, but again the move was extremely small. UAN28 had an average price of $402/ton and UAN32 $451/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.62/lb.N, anhydrous $0.52/lb.N, UAN28 $0.72/lb.N and UAN32 $0.70/lb.N.

DTN's survey found only one of the eight major fertilizers it tracks is showing a price increase compared to one year earlier. Anhydrous is now 12% higher compared to last year.  Four fertilizers prices are single-digit lower compared to April 2012. DAP is 3% lower, both MAP and UAN28 are down 3% and UAN32 is 7% lower compared to last year.  Three fertilizers are now down double digits from a year ago. Potash slid 11% while both urea and 10-34-0 are 22% less expensive.



Diesel prices continue to decrease

The U.S. average retail price for on-highway diesel fuel fell to $3.89 a gallon on Monday.  That’s down 5 1/2 cents from a week ago, based on the weekly price survey by the U.S. Energy Information Administration.  Diesel prices were highest in the New England region at 4.03 a gallon, down 7.8 cents from a week ago.  Prices were lowest in the Gulf Coast region at 3.80 a gallon, down a nickel.  The Midwest average diesel prices stands at $3.868, down 5.5 cents from last week and down 10.6 cents from a year ago. 

Gasoline prices inch down slightly
The U.S. average retail price for regular gasoline fell slightly to $3.54 a gallon on Monday.  That’s down 6-tenths of a penny from a week ago, based on the weekly price survey by the U.S. Energy Information Administration.  Pump prices were highest in the West Coast region at 3.84 a gallon, down 5.2 cents from a week ago.  Prices were lowest in the Gulf Coast States at 3.32 a gallon, down 3.9 cents.  Here in the Midwest, gas prices averaged $3.546 per gallon, up 9 cents on the week but down 22.8 cents from a year ago. 



Flooding Leads to Closure of Mississippi River

The Mississippi River remains closed as authorities work to determine whether a sunken barge was a navigation hazard.  The Coast Guard closed the river Sunday after the old U.S. Highway 80 railroad bridge was struck by barges that broke free from a string under tow, reports the Associated Press.  Authorities say about 30 barges broke free and at least one sank.

The Coast Guard says three others had been nudged against the river bank and the remaining barges have been rounded up.  The barges were being pushed by the boat Captain Buck Lay, which the Coast Guard says is owned by Memco Barge Line Inc.



Valmont Announces First Quarter 2013 Results

Valmont Industries, Inc., Omaha, reported first quarter sales of $819.6 million compared with $717.4 million for the same period of 2012. First quarter 2013 operating income was $118.2 million versus $82.8 million in 2012. First quarter net income was $77.6 million versus $52.3 million in 2012, which resulted in an increase in quarterly diluted earnings per share from $1.96 in 2012 to $2.89 in 2013.

During the quarter, the company divested a non-consolidated South African subsidiary. As a consequence, a $3.2 million benefit, ($0.12 earnings per share), was realized due to the release of certain deferred tax liabilities and corresponding reduction in tax expense. This reduced the first quarter corporate tax rate to 31.0%. On February 4, 2013, the company acquired Australian based Locker Group, a manufacturer of perforated and expanded metal and access systems. In addition, the first full quarter of results from the December 2012 acquisition of Pure Metal, a Canadian galvanizing operation, were realized during the quarter. Management estimates the positive collective impact of the above items on first quarter revenue and diluted earnings per share were approximately $19.8 million and $0.07 per-share respectively.

Two of Valmont's segments, Utility Support Structures and Irrigation, each had 25% year-over-year sales increases. Sales growth was also realized in our Engineered Infrastructure Products and Coatings segments, in part due to acquisitions.

Quarterly operating income rose primarily due to increased volumes combined with favorable mix in the Utility Support Structures and Irrigation Segments, where strong demand allowed efficient use of our manufacturing facilities.

Quarterly operating income as a percent of net sales increased to 14.4% from last year's 11.5%, driven by higher gross profit margins and volume leverage.

In the irrigation divison, center pivot and linear move mechanized irrigation equipment and parts for agriculture in global markets.

Sales rose 25% to $244.7 million, primarily led by increased North American demand. Historically high crop commodity prices and farm income helped drive record first quarter sales. Following last summer's severe drought in North America, heightened appreciation of the benefits of mechanized irrigation lent additional support to demand.

In international markets, sales increased, although at a lower rate than in North America. Strong global crop demand and historically high farm income levels contributed to the sales increase.

The long-term drivers for the irrigation market remain compelling. World population growth and dietary improvement create a need for increased food supplies. Limits to water availability create pressures on agriculture to reduce its share of water use. Valmont's mechanized irrigation equipment helps address these global dilemmas by improving farm production and using water more efficiently.

Operating income grew 42% to $54.6 million and was 22.3% of segment sales. The improvement in operating income was due to strong volumes and favorable margins.

"Our outlook for the Utility Support Structures Segment is improving for the year," said Mogens C. Bay, Valmont's chairman and chief executive officer. "As is always the case, Utility Support Structures operating margins may vary from quarter to quarter, depending on sales mix and the timing of shipments.

"In the Irrigation Segment, given the current backlog, we are expecting a strong second quarter. Second-half demand will largely be based on growing conditions, commodity prices and the expectations for farm income later in the year.

"In the Engineered Infrastructure Products Segment, we are moving into the seasonally stronger time of year. When combined with actions taken over the past few years to streamline costs, we expect improved sales and operating comparisons in the Engineered Infrastructure Products Segment for the rest of year.

"We expect Coatings Segment performance to improve over the balance of the year as we move to fully integrate the Pure Metal acquisition and expect improved demand in Australia.

"In summary, with the strong first quarter results, the continued strength in the utility markets and the anticipated improvement in Engineered Infrastructure Products, it should be possible for us to exceed our February guidance even if Irrigation results in the second half were below 2012's record second half levels," said Bay.