Tuesday April 30 Ag News

Forage and Pastures Still Weak Despite Rains
Bruce Anderson, UNL Extension Forage Specialist

In early April our pasture and forage management plans were focused strictly on drought, both how last year affected our grazing and hay lands and what to do this year as it looked like we'd be starting the season dry. With recent moisture, it's easy to put drought concerns behind us, but avoid the temptation.

Plants were weak going into winter and many pastures sustained significant damage that will require years to repair. Plants will start to grow now that they have some moisture, but they still are weak. Grazing too soon will weaken them even more, causing slow regrowth, lower carrying capacity, and maybe even some plant death. Continue to follow plans to turn out livestock 10-14 days later than normal to give these plants a chance to recover some strength before stressing them with grazing.

This temptation to start grazing too early has been increased due to unusually cold temperatures in April (see. Many fields were planted with rye, triticale, or wheat last fall with plans to get some early grazing. This spring some oats were planted early, and some still need to be planted for grazing in mid-May or cutting in mid-June. This early grazing is not going to happen. There still is reasonable hope that good hay yields might be available, and even quite a bit a grazing, but the timing will be much later than we expected.

Prospects for hay yields have increased following recent rains, but don’t get lulled into thinking we are free from the affects of the drought. Summer rains will be needed. There is a long season ahead, and as last year showed, it can turn awfully dry awfully quickly.

Next Options After Rain Delays Alfalfa Planting
A wet spring may have prevented you from planting alfalfa yet and now it's time to jump into corn planting.

Normally in Nebraska we recommend that alfalfa be planted by mid-May on dryland sites or late May under irrigation. Planting later greatly increases the risk of hot, dry, windy weather killing new seedlings before they have enough root system to support the moisture needs of plants.

This spring planting by these deadlines may be difficult. If you're faced with a short planting window, consider these options.

No-till seeding. Crop residues of corn, milo, beans, and small grains are not a problem for most drills, but ridges along the rows can make the field too rough for comfortable hay-making.

Postemergence Weed Control. Weeds can be controlled post-emerge using herbicides like Poast Plus or Select for grasses and Buctril, Pursuit, Raptor, or Butyrac for broadleaves. Roundup, of course, can be used with tolerant varieties. Mowing also helps. If weeds are already present at planting, a burndown spray of Roundup or Gramoxone may be needed.

If planting is delayed further, consider waiting until August to seed alfalfa rather than seeding just before hot weather.

Summer annual grasses like sorghum-sudan hybrids and foxtail millet are good choices but little seed remains available. Bin-run corn might be possible if planted real thick in narrow rows. Berseem clover, any of the summer annual grasses, or even soybeans for hay could be used if you decide to wait a full year before trying to plant again next spring. Choose quickly, though, so you don't miss chances to plant.



CLAAS reflects on first 100 years of innovations
Over the last century, CLAAS has evolved from a small manufacturer of straw binders into a global leader of agricultural implement innovations.

August Claas founded the company in 1913 in Germany, and was soon joined by his three brothers – Bernhard, Franz Jr. and Theo -- to form the company “Gerbuder Claas.” In 1921, the “knotter” was patented as a device designed to create perfect knots. Over the next 90 years, the knotter would go on to become the hallmark of CLAAS.

Later in the decade, the company expanded to the fertilizer spreader before being persuaded to explore the combine harvester market. Manufacturing of combines began in 1936 and has become a staple of CLAAS. Since the first combine rolled off the line, CLAAS has sold over 440,000 units worldwide. In fact, the 450,000th combine is scheduled to drive off the LEXION production line in Omaha, Nebraska in the Spring of 2013.

As productivity and demand grew, CLAAS expanded beyond the borders of Germany. In 1958, a plant was constructed in Metz, France, to produce balers; the first reciprocating plunger balers were built in 1961, and the first sliding plunger balers were manufactured in 1967. Over 280,000 balers have been assembled at the Metz facility in the last six decades.

CLAAS also took a step in tractor development with the 2003 major acquisition of French manufacturer Renault Agriculture. In 2008 CLAAS fully purchased Renault and the French workforce accounts for nearly a third of all CLAAS employees.

While European expansion was taking place, CLAAS was also focusing on reaching the American market. CLAAS of America was founded as an import and distribution firm in 1979 in Columbus, Ind. The company quickly became a market leader in the sales and services of the JAGUAR forage harvester. During the late 1990s, a new factory for the production of LEXION combine harvesters was built in Omaha, Neb. Here, the largest capacity, most efficient combines in the world roll off the line in yellow and black paint.

Today, CLAAS maintains 11 production facilities around the globe. Along with four facilities in Germany, the seven global plants are spread out from Hungary to India and from Argentina to Russia. All told, CLAAS employs more than 9,000 workers worldwide.

Under the guidance of second- and third-generation CLAAS family members, Helmut Claas and his daughter Cathrina Claas-Muhlhauser, the company has stayed true to its roots as a family-run business. They have seen CLAAS become the fourth-largest agricultural equipment manufacturer in the world and the global market leader in the production of self-propelled forage harvesters.

As CLAAS enters its 100th year as a family-owned agricultural manufacturer, the company is releasing a book chronicling the past century of innovation. Titled “100 Years of Harvesting Excellence”, the book contains nearly 400 pages on the history of CLAAS. The book is currently available on deliusklasing.com, and will be available in bookstores this spring.



Green Plains Reports First Quarter 2013 Financial Results

Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc. announced today its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2013. Net income attributable to Green Plains for the quarter was $2.6 million, or $0.08 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of ($12.7) million, or ($0.39) per diluted share, for the same period in 2012. The first quarter of 2012 included a one-time charge of $2.4 million, after tax, or $0.08 per share, as a result of a legal settlement. Revenues were $765.5 million for the first quarter of 2013 compared to $775.4 million for the same period in 2012.

"We achieved a significant improvement in our financial performance for the first quarter of 2013 compared to last year," stated Todd Becker, President and Chief Executive Officer. "The benefits of our multi-year diversification strategy, combined with operational excellence and risk management were all factors that contributed to the positive results, with nearly a $24 million increase in operating income year over year."

Green Plains' ethanol production segment produced and sold approximately 170 million gallons of ethanol, or approximately 92 percent of the Company's production capacity. Non-ethanol operating income, from the corn oil production, agribusiness, and marketing and distribution segments, was a record $21.2 million in the first quarter of 2013 compared to $9.0 million for the same period in 2012.

"We continued to strengthen our balance sheet with total payments of $38.6 million on our term debt while maintaining a cash balance of more than $241 million. With an improving margin environment, we are well positioned to take advantage of our financial flexibility to further grow our businesses," said Becker.

"Ethanol margins have improved as industry production levels have rationalized and inventories have been drawn down steadily over the last several months. We expect our second quarter earnings will show further improvement compared to the first quarter of 2013. We will maintain our risk management discipline and continue to focus on locking positive forward margins. Our objective to generate $60 million of non-ethanol operating income in 2013 is on track," commented Becker.

First quarter 2013 EBITDA, which is defined as earnings before interest, income taxes, noncontrolling interests, depreciation and amortization, was $24.8 million compared to $1.5 million for the same period in 2012. Green Plains had $241.6 million in total cash and equivalents and $107.0 million available under committed loan agreements at subsidiaries (subject to satisfaction of specified lending conditions and covenants) at March 31, 2013.



Pig Stress Syndrome Linked to Gene Defect

A defect in a gene called dystrophin is the cause of a newly discovered stress syndrome in pigs, U.S. Department of Agriculture scientists have found.

Stress-related issues like transportation cost the US swine industry an estimated $50 million a year. Producers as well as researchers have long suspected that undetected stress-related syndromes are affecting the health and well-being of pigs.

This notion was confirmed when scientists at the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) Roman L. Hruska US Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC) in Clay Center, Nebraska, discovered a stress syndrome in two 3-month-old male siblings that died after being transported from one facility to another. The novel syndrome is different than the classical porcine stress syndrome, which was eliminated from US swine herds years ago.

Molecular biologist Dan Nonneman and his colleagues in the USMARC Reproduction Research Unit mapped the stress disorder to a genetic mutation in dystrophin. Mutations in dystrophin, which cause "Duchenne muscular dystrophy” are associated with muscle weakness that can lead to death.

To map the disease, scientists re-mated the original parents of the affected siblings to produce additional litters. The 250 offspring, which included 49 affected piglets, were genotyped, and one chromosomal region containing the dystrophin gene was associated with the syndrome.

Piglets affected by the syndrome had an abnormal heart rate when treated with an anesthesia and monitored. The heart rate of unaffected pigs undergoing the same treatments remained steady.



Nebraska Cattlemen and Nebraska Grazing Lands Coalition Team Up to Host Summer Grazing Tour

Mark your calendars for the Nebraska Cattlemen (NC) - Nebraska Grazing Lands Coalition (NGLC) joint Summer Grazing Tour scheduled for June 11, 2013 in the southeastern Nebraska Sandhills.  The tour will involve four long standing Sandhills ranches northwest of Burwell including the Gracie Creek Ranch; the Shovel Dot Ranch; the Twin Creek Ranch, and UNL grazing research on the Barta Brothers Ranch.

Gracie Creek Ranch is a commercial beef operation managed by the Bob Price Family, and is located in the eastern Sandhills near Burwell, Nebraska. This is a family operation including Bob, son Aaron and daughter Lindsey and her husband Clayton Smith. The ranch’s main production goal is to promote grassland conservation through a profitable planned grazing system that allows for optimum levels of production and environmental services. To reach this goal, a year-round planned grazing system is implemented, supplementing when needed, and minimizing harvest feed demand. The ranch strives for management simplicity and production flexibility to account for climate and market volatility. The Price Family firmly believes conservation and agricultural production practices can be integrated, profitable, and sustainable for future generations. Conservation practices abound on the operation, and the entire ranch was recently enrolled in the USDA’s Farm and Ranch Land Protection Program.

The Buell Family first took roots in the Nebraska Sandhills when Benjamin Franklin Buell homesteaded in Southern Rock County in 1882.  Since that time each generation has worked to preserve and maintain the unique landscape of the Sandhills while at the same time running a profitable ranch.  The fourth generation, Larry and Homer and their families operated the Shovel Dot Ranch as a partnership for over 30 years but in 2009, to facilitate the generational transfer of the ranch, they separated.  At the present Homer, his wife Darla, and son Chad and his wife Tricia operate the Shovel Dot Ranch while Larry and his wife Nick operate the Twin Creek Ranch along with their son-in-law Kelby and daughter Devon. Each ranch, using about 15,000 acres, is a cow calf, backgrounding, yearling operation with management of native grasses of paramount importance.  Homer and his brother Larry, starting back in the 1970s, were always quick to adopt new ideas and technology. The Grazing Manager software program is just one of the tools that they use to set up grazing plans and monitor affects on range health over time.  Other technology like Palm Pilots, Quickbooks accounting software, EID, Cow Calf 5, and AI all contribute to managing both the land and the cattle well. As stewards of the land rotational grazing, cross fencing, water pipelines, calving later, winter grazing, and close monitoring of pasture use and production have all helped to improve the quality and quantity of the native grasses. The Buell Family is proud to have the fifth generation working the land with profitable cattle ranches.  One of the goals of each generation has been to pass along a heritage that runs deep with love for the Nebraska Sandhills, its gently rolling prairies, and its landscape bubbling with life which has continued for 130 years.

Barta Brothers Ranch was gifted to the University of Nebraska Foundation in 1992 by Clifford and Jimmy Barta.  Research trials were started in 1998 on the 5,300 acre ranch resulting in eleven M.S. and eight PhD’s thus far. Some of the trials that have been conducted include:
-    Long term grazing study (10 years)
-    4- vs 8-pasture rotation system
-    Supplementing yearling steers wet distiller’s grain on native range and feedlot performance
-    Finishing yearling heifers on grass with a self-feeder
-    Lead plant utilization by beef cows
-    Bio complexity study
-    Sand dune re-stabilization
-    Fly control trials
-    Cedar tree wind break renovation
-    Prairie chicken habitat & mallard duck nesting study 

Current studies include:
-    Above ground plant production by topographic positioning since 1999
-    Plant and soil response to stocking rate and grazing period length
-    Plant, soil and yearling weight response to grazing systems(including mob grazing )on sub irrigated meadow
-    Effect of grazing period length (number of moves/day) on harvest efficiency and trampled vegetation
-    Timing of rainfall events on herbage production under drought conditions
-    Effect of pasture shape on harvest efficiency & trampled vegetation.

Do not miss this opportunity to learn from some of the most progressive grazers in Nebraska as they relate their unique incorporation of grazing techniques and time tested managerial practices that make their operations work. Box lunches will be provided for consumption en route between stops. The day concludes with an evening steak dinner at the Barta Brothers Ranch featuring a panel discussion of the owners from the tour stops and UNL grazing researchers. Come and learn more about the activities of the NGLC and NC. Registration fee is $15 per person and preregistration is required for meal counts by contacting Ron Bolze, NGLC Coordinator or by June 3... ron@nebraskagrazinglands.org. 



ISU Seeks Livestock Producers’ Input for Ethanol Coproducts Survey

Iowa State University is conducting a nationwide survey of livestock producers’ use of feed-related coproducts from ethanol production.

“The feedback gained from the survey will be used to help improve coproduct quality, which can help livestock producers with their feed costs and livestock performance,” said Kurt Rosentrater, a professor of agricultural and biosystems engineering, who is leading the effort.

The survey is focused on the beef, dairy, swine and poultry sectors. It is being funded by a coalition consisting of the Renewable Fuels Association, the Distillers Grains Technology Council, and the Corn Utilization Councils from Iowa, Illinois and Nebraska.

Livestock producers are invited to take the survey online until June 19 at: http://humansciences.ethanolcoproducts.sgizmo.com/s3/



Compliance Deadline for EPA Oil Spill Prevention Rule Fast Approaching

The National Corn Growers Association reminds farmers that the compliance date for the Environmental Protection Agency's Oil Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure rule is May 10, 2013. By that time, farmers subject to the rule must prepare and implement an SPCC plan. Farmers who already have such a plan in place must maintain that plan.

The SPCC rule regulates farms that meet all three of the following criteria:
-    The farm stores, transfers, uses or consumes oil or oil products, such as diesel fuel, gasoline, lube oil, hydraulic oil, adjuvant oil, crop oil, vegetable oil or animal fat.
-    The farm stores more than 1,320 U.S. gallons of the aforementioned products in above ground containers or more than 42,000 U.S. gallons in completely buried containers.
-    The farm could reasonably be expected to discharge oil to waters of the United States or adjoining shorelines.

A farmer must only count containers of oil that have a storage capacity of 55 U.S. gallons or more. Milk and milk product containers and associated piping and appurtenances; home heating oil tanks at single family homes; pesticide containers used to mix and load formulations; and pesticide application equipment are exempted from the SPCC rule.

Farmers who do not have a plan should prepare one and implementing it by the May 10 deadline. If a farm has a storage capacity of more than 10,000 gallons or has had an oil spill, the plan may need to have the plan certified by a Professional Engineer. If a farm has total on-farm storage capacity between 1,320 and 10,000 gallons in above ground containers, no container with greater than 5,000 gallon capacity, and has a good spill history, the farmer may prepare and self-certify his or her own plan.

Plan must include the contents and locations of oil containers at the farm, the procedures and methods used to prevent spills, measures installed to prevent the oil from reaching waters in the event of a spill, measures to be used in the event of a spill and a list of emergency contacts and first responders if a spill occurs. Plans must be kept up to date, especially if modifications are made, and must be reviewed every five years.

If a farm meets the above criteria and is subject to the SPCC rule, it is important to review additional information and seek assistance if needed. The EPA website which offers this information can be accessed by clicking here... http://www.epa.gov/osweroe1/content/spcc/spcc_ag.htm.  Notably, it also includes links to templates for plans.

Please click here (http://www.ncga.com/upload/files/documents/pdf/EPAs%20SPCC%20three%20step%20guide.pdf) for a one-page guide, published by EPA, that offers assistance in determining if an operation is covered by the SPCC regulation and the steps necessary to ensure compliance with SPCC regulations.



April Farm Prices Received Index Decreased 12 Points

The preliminary All Farm Products Index of Prices Received by Farmers in April, at 189 percent, based on 1990-1992=100, decreased 12 points (6.0 percent) from March. The Crop Index is down 21 points (8.8 percent) and the Livestock Index decreased 1 point (0.6 percent). Producers received higher prices for hogs, milk, potatoes, and oranges and lower prices for corn, lettuce, eggs, and strawberries. In addition to prices, the overall index is also affected by the seasonal change based on a 3-year average mix of commodities producers sell. Increased monthly movement of cattle, strawberries, milk, and broilers offset decreased marketings of corn, soybeans, wheat, and hay.

The preliminary All Farm Products Index is up 11 points (6.2 percent) from April 2012. The Food Commodities Index, at 177, decreased 7 points (3.8 percent) from last month but increased 11 points (6.6 percent) from April 2012.

Prices Paid Index Unchanged
The April Index of Prices Paid for Commodities and Services, Interest, Taxes, and Farm Wage Rates (PPITW) is 220 percent of the 1990-1992 average. The index is unchanged from March but 5 points (2.3 percent) above April 2012.  Higher prices in April for mixed fertilizer, concentrates, LP gas, and feeder cattle offset lower prices for feed grains, diesel, nitrogen, and gasoline.
 
Prices Received by Farmers All crops
The April index, at 218, decreased 8.8 percent from March but is 4.3 percent above April 2012. Index decreases for feed grains & hay, commercial vegetables, fruits & nuts, and oilseeds more than offset the index increase for potatoes & dry beans.

Food grains: The April index, at 243, is 2.0 percent below the previous month but 6.1 percent above a year ago. The April price for all wheat, at $7.52 per bushel, is down 26 cents from March but 41 cents above April 2012.

Feed grains & hay: The April index, at 288, is down 5.9 percent from last month but 5.5 percent above a year ago. The corn price, at $6.67 per bushel, is down 46 cents from last month but 33 cents above April 2012. The all hay price, at $200 per ton, is up $4.00 from March and $8.00 higher than last April. Sorghum grain, at $11.40 per cwt, is 80 cents below March but 80 cents above April last year.

Cotton, Upland: The April index, at 123, is down 0.8 percent from March and 17 percent below last year. The April price, at 74.8 cents per pound, is down 0.5 cents from the previous month and 15.6 cents below last April.

Oilseeds: The April index, at 247, is down 2.8 percent from March but unchanged from April 2012. The soybean price, at $14.20 per bushel, decreased 40 cents from March but is 40 cents above April 2012.

Livestock and products:
The April index, at 163, is 0.6 percent below last month but up 7.2 percent from April 2012.  Compared with a year ago, prices are down for calves, turkeys, and hogs. Prices for broilers, milk, and market eggs are higher than last year. All beef cattle prices are unchanged from a year ago.

Meat animals: The April index, at 159, is up 0.6 percent from last month but 1.9 percent lower than last year. The April hog price, at $61.10 per cwt, is up $1.90 from March but $1.70 lower than a year ago. The April beef cattle price of $124 per cwt is unchanged from last month and April 2012.

Dairy products: The April index, at 148, is up 1.4 percent from a month ago and 15 percent higher than April last year. The April all milk price of $19.30 per cwt is up 20 cents from last month and $2.50 from April 2012.

Poultry & eggs: The April index, at 188, is down 4.6 percent from March but 18 percent above a year ago. The April market egg price, at 64.6 cents per dozen, decreased 30.6 cents from March but is 0.5 cents higher than April 2012. The April broiler price, at 65.0 cents per pound, is down 1.0 cent from March but 15.0 cents above a year ago. The April turkey price, at 67.2 cents per pound, is up 2.2 cents from the previous month but down 6.5 cents from a year earlier.



Retail Fertilizer Prices Still Steady

As has been the case since the first week of November, retail fertilizers tracked by DTN for the fourth week of April 2013 continue to show little price fluctuation. But this steady price pattern may be changing depending on the form of nitrogen, according to retailers.  Six of the eight major fertilizers slipped lower compared to last month but these moves were fairly small. DAP had average price of $615/ton, MAP $659/ton, potash $585/ton, urea $571/ton, anhydrous $858/ton and UAN28 $405/ton.  The remaining two fertilizers rose higher compared to the fourth week of March but again the move was tiny. 10-34-0 had an average price of $612/ton on and UAN32 $454/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 $0.71/lb.N., a much narrower range than in the spring of 2012. Back then, urea cost about 35 cents/lb. more than anhydrous.

Only one of the eight major fertilizers is showing a price increase compared to one year earlier. Anhydrous is now 12% higher compared to last year.  Four fertilizers are a single digit lower in price compared to April 2012. DAP is 3% lower, both MAP and UAN28 are down 5% and UAN32 is 6% lower compared to last year.  The remaining three fertilizers are now down double digits from a year ago. Potash has dropped 12% while urea is 20% lower and 10-34-0 is 23% less expensive.



Bipartisan Group of Senators Call on USTR to Investigate Controversial Anti-Dumping Decision by European Union

Fourteen Democratic and Republican Senators have joined together to sign a letter sent to the Acting United States Trade Representative (USTR), Demetrios Manatos and Acting Secretary of Commerce, Rebecca Blank, calling on them to review and consider a World Trade Organization (WTO) challenge to the European Union’s  controversial and unprecedented anti-dumping duty recently imposed on U.S. ethanol producers.

The letter was co-authored by Senators John Thune (R-SD) and Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), and cosponsored by Senators Tom Harkin (D-IA), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Al Franken (D-MN), Mike Johanns (R-NE), Heidi Heitkamp (D-ND), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Tim Johnson (D-SD), John Hoeven (R-ND), Claire McCaskill (D-MO), Pat Roberts (R-KS), Richard Durbin (D-IL) and Roy Blunt (R-MO).

Commenting on the rare bipartisan agreement generated by this outrageous anti-dumping duty, Bob Dinneen, President and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association, and Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy, issued the following joint statement:

“We are pleased to see that members of the United States Senate have taken action against this outrageous claim by the European Union and have asked the USTR to further investigate the matter.

“The EU Commission failed to make any particular finding of dumping by any producer or marketer investigated in connection with the case. If allowed to stand, this rule would set a dangerous precedent for trade and trade remedies in advance of important trade talks between the U.S. and the EU, and furthermore will dramatically change the boundaries and limits of international anti-dumping law.

“The EU’s recent actions are unprecedented and we believe that the World Trade Organization (WTO) will nullify this blatantly protectionist country-wide anti-dumping duty on exports of ethanol from the United States.”



Japanese Milling Executives Visit U.S. for Wheat Industry Tour

Japan was one of the first, and is still one of the largest, overseas markets cultivated by U.S. wheat growers. As part of long-term marketing development activities, U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) is bringing a team of Japanese milling executives to North Dakota and Washington, DC, May 1 to 7, 2013, for a firsthand look at this year’s crop.

In addition to examining current crop conditions and quality, team members will discuss market and trade policy developments with U.S. agricultural organizations.

“These team visits to the United States give milling executives more insight and perspective into U.S. wheat’s consistently high quality, reliability and value,” said USW Japan County Director Wataru “Charlie” Utsunomiya, who will accompany the team. “They also reinforce the strong relationship built between Japanese millers and U.S. wheat farmers, starting in the late 1940’s when the Oregon Wheat Growers League organized the first trade delegation to Japan.”

Following that first visit, U.S. wheat farmers nurtured that connection through a variety of marketing and educational activities to promote U.S. wheat, including a school lunch program and a “Kitchen on Wheels” that traveled through rural Japan from 1956 to 1960.

Today, Japan consistently imports more U.S. wheat than any other country, averaging more than 118 million bushels per year the past five years. Japan typically accounts for roughly 10 percent of all U.S. wheat exports, importing significant amounts of hard red winter (HRW), hard red spring (HRS) and soft white (SW) wheat.

USW worked with the North Dakota Wheat Commission to organize this year’s team in addition to collaborating with the North American Millers Association, the North American Export Grain Association and other industry organizations.



National Turkey Federation Refutes Alarmist "Study" On Ground Turkey

The National Turkey Federation (NTF) strongly disputes the misleading findings of a Consumer Reports article about ground turkey, which makes a number of alarming claims based on an extremely small sampling of ground turkey products.

"Consumer Reports had the opportunity to foster a serious, thoughtful discussion about food safety, but instead it chose to sensationalize findings and mislead people," said NTF President Joel Brandenberger.

NTF refuted numerous misleading claims, and challenges the methodology in the report, from which essentially all the "findings" are obtained. To help better educate consumers about ground turkey, here are some important facts:
-    The magazine reported high levels of certain pathogens on the samples tested, but it is important to note that the two most prevalent, Enterococcus and generic E.coli, are not considered sources of foodborne illness.
-    By contrast, for the two pathogens of public health concern—Campylobacter and Salmonella—the magazine found almost no prevalence (5 percent for Salmonella and zero Campylobacter).  This is borne out by more extensive government testing, which finds almost 90 percent of all ground turkey and 97 percent of whole turkeys are Salmonella-free.  While the turkey industry strives to control all bacteria on its products, it focuses primarily on those bacteria that present the greatest threat to human health.
-    The article is misleading about the significance of its antibiotic findings.  One of the antibiotics for which it tested (ciprofloxacin) has not been used in poultry production for almost eight years, meaning resistance is highly unlikely to be from farm-animal use, and two other drug classes (penicillin and cephalosporin) are used infrequently in animal agriculture.  The fourth drug class tested by Consumer Reports, tetracycline, is used in animal agriculture, but is a largely insignificant antibiotic in human medicine, comprising only four percent of all antibiotics prescribed by physicians.
-    The article stated three samples contained methicillin-resistant staphylococcus aureas (MRSA).  Understandably, this is cause for concern, but the article fails to put MRSA and E.coli in context.  These bacteria are ubiquitous in the environment, and are even present on our hands and in our bodies. 

NTF Vice President of Scientific and Regulatory Affairs Lisa Picard, said, "Enterococcus and generic E.coli are everywhere, and there is more than one way they can wind up on food animals. In fact, it's so common in the environment, studies have shown that generic E.coli and MRSA can even be found on about 20 percent of computer keyboards."

NTF noted the last week's statement of the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), which regulates antibiotic use in animals, "We believe that is inaccurate and alarmist to define bacteria resistant to one, or even a few, antimicrobials as 'superbugs' if these same bacteria are still treatable by other commonly used antibiotics. This is especially misleading when speaking of bacteria that do not cause foodborne disease and have natural resistances, such as Enterococcus." 

The magazine's parent company believes the FDA should ban all antibiotics in animal production except to treat illness, to which Picard said, "Animals, just like people, sometimes get sick. The turkey industry judiciously uses antibiotics under strict guidelines set by federal law to restore health, and to treat and control disease. This makes good sense for the turkey's health and lowers production costs, something very important to budget-conscious consumers. Proper animal health practices are an important reason the U.S. food supply is one of the highest quality, safest, and most affordable in the world."

NTF is the national advocate for all segments of the $29.5 billion turkey industry.  Get the facts on ground turkey by visiting our website on www.eatturkey.com. 



Protect Soybean Yields by Eliminating Weeds Early: Sonic Herbicide Proven to Perform and Enhance Control

Which weed troubles you the most? The answer is any weed taller than 2 to 4 inches. Beyond this height, controlling a variety of species becomes difficult, and in soybeans, postemergence options are limited. Sonic® herbicide controls weeds preemergence plus delivers residual activity that enhances the performance of post applications by keeping weeds smaller and easier to control.

Every inch of weed growth counts against yield. Early weed competition robs developing soybean plants of sun, water and nutrients. Southern Illinois University research shows 6 to 8 inches of dense weed growth can cause 4 to 5 bushels per acre of lost yield — and profit.

Growing Demands
Considering today’s market prices, soybean growers are motivated to protect their soybean fields and yield potential. Global demand is rising for soybeans and crop protection products.

Growth for soybean exports has predominantly come from China over the past decade, according to the Iowa Soybean Review. China accounts for 30 percent of the world’s soybean consumption, representing a market that first became an opportunity in 2000 for U.S. soybean farmers.

Sonic herbicide controls weeds preemergence and delivers residual activity that enhances the performance of post applications by keeping weeds smaller and easier to control. This is important in soybeans, as postemergence options are limited.

Retailers such as Nick Saathoff of Heritage FS in Bourbonnais, Ill., find applying a residual herbicide provides a valuable window of time to manage workloads, attend to other activities or wait out the weather.

“By spraying the Sonic preplant, we’ve got 45 days before we have to worry about going in for a spray of glyphosate application,” says Saathoff. “Therefore, the weeds are smaller when we spray with the glyphosate like Durango and much easier to control.”

In addition to saving time, programs using residual herbicides offer additional benefits to soybean growers over glyphosate-only programs.

Proven Two-pass Advantages
A two-pass weed control program including Sonic is proven to stop difficult-to-control and resistant weeds more effectively than a glyphosate-only program. The residual activity provides growers with a wide window which allows postemergence applications to be made at the right time on weeds that are smaller and easier to control.

Research shows that by incorporating Sonic in a two-pass program, growers can effectively control a broad spectrum of high-anxiety weeds such as lambsquarters, marestail, pigweed, ragweed, velvetleaf and waterhemp.



PEPSICO HONORS DFA PLANT WITH SERVICE AWARD

In recognition of exceptional commitment to quality and customer service, employees at Dairy Farmers of America’s Schulenburg, Texas, facility have been awarded the PepsiCo North American Foods 2012 Service Award for Contract Manufacturing. The award recognizes the Schulenburg team as leaders among 41 contract manufacturing suppliers at 63 locations across the country.

“Customer satisfaction is critical to the continued success of our contract manufacturing business,” said Edward Tilley, chief operating officer for DFA’s Contract Manufacturing Division. “This award signifies that our employees are consistently achieving the expectations set by a valued partner to the Cooperative.”

The Schulenburg facility performed at or above target on all service metrics throughout 2012. Among key initiatives that earned this prestigious recognition was a flawless introduction of nine new products. This included gaining certification by the U.S. Department of Agriculture for these new products and managing complex capacity needs. During the transition, the team also flawlessly executed a new line installation and service for multi-packing Frito-Lay products.

“The PepsiCo Service Awards recognize exceptional partnership and service-minded individuals who make service a reality every day,” said Kim Parise, director, Frito-Lay Contract Manufacturing Supply Chain. “The companies being honored with our annual Service Award embody the meaning of service and reliability to PepsiCo.”

The Schulenburg facility is one of five DFA Contract Manufacturing plants across the nation. Through the Contract Manufacturing Division, DFA develops and tests new food products for customers throughout the country.

DFA plants utilize state-of-the-art retort technology to make shelf-stable consumer products, including sport drinks, coffee-based flavored drinks, cheese powders and flavors, infant formula, sour cream and cheese dips for well-known brands.

At DFA’s state-of-the-art Innovation Center in Springfield, Mo., food scientists and engineers work closely with DFA customers as they develop and test new food products and create innovative packaging. In addition, flexible manufacturing capabilities allow DFA to produce products in packaging such as steel, aluminum, glass and plastic.