Friday May 17 Cattle on Feed + Ag News

NEBRASKA CATTLE ON FEED DOWN 3 PERCENT 

Nebraska feedlots, with capacities of 1,000 or more head, contained 2.39 million cattle on feed on May 1, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Nebraska Field Office. This inventory was down 3 percent from last year.

Placements during April totaled 450,000 head, up 22 percent from 2012. This is the highest April placements since the data series began in 1994.

Fed cattle marketings for the month of April totaled 470,000 head, up 12 percent from last year. This is the highest April marketings since the data series began in 1994.   Other disappearance during April totaled 10,000 head, down 10,000 head from a year ago.



Iowa Cattle on Feed

Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in Iowa for all feedlots totaled 1,260,000 on May 1, 2013 according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service, Iowa Field Office.  The inventory is down 4 percent from April 1, 2013 and down 6 percent from May 1, 2012.  Feedlots with a capacity greater than 1,000 head had 620,000 head on feed, down 2 percent from last month and down 5 percent from last year.  Feedlots with a capacity less than 1,000 head had 640,000 head on feed, down 6 percent from last month and down 7 percent from last year.

Placements during April totaled 140,000 head, an increase of 7 percent from last month and up 32 percent from last year.  Feedlots with a capacity greater than 1,000 head placed 89,000 head, up 25 percent from last month and up 62 percent from last year.  Feedlots with a capacity less than 1,000 head placed 51,000 head. This is down 15 percent from last month and unchanged from last year.

Marketings  for April were  185,000  head,  up  28  percent  from  last month  and  up  35  percent  from  last  year. Feedlots with a capacity greater than 1,000 head marketed 97,000 head, up 26 percent from last month and up 35 percent from last year.   Feedlots with a capacity less than 1,000 head marketed 88,000 head, up 29 percent from last month and up 35 percent from last year. Other disappearance totaled 5,000 head.



United States Cattle on Feed Down 3 Percent
   
Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in the United States for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 10.7 million head on May 1, 2013. The inventory was 3 percent below May 1, 2012.

Placements in feedlots during April totaled 1.75 million, 15 percent above 2012. Net placements were 1.68 million head. During April, placements of cattle and calves weighing less than 600 pounds were 375,000, 600-699 pounds were 270,000, 700-799 pounds were 455,000, and 800 pounds and greater were 650,000.

Marketings of fed cattle during April totaled 1.86 million, 2 percent above 2012.  Other disappearance totaled 69,000 during April, 12 percent below 2012.



Nebraska Cattlemen Executive Vice President Announces His Plans to Step Down

Michael Kelsey has announced he will be stepping down as the Executive Vice President of Nebraska Cattlemen, Inc. effective the end of June.  Kelsey has accepted the position of Executive Vice President of the Oklahoma Cattlemen's Association headquartered in Oklahoma City.

"It has been a great honor to work for the members of Nebraska Cattlemen for the past eight and a half years," Kelsey said.  "The dedicated leadership, staff and membership make Nebraska Cattlemen a premier organization with the highest commitment to Nebraska agriculture."

Nebraska Cattlemen President Dale Spencer shared, "We are very appreciative of Michael's leadership and dedication to NC these past eight plus years.  We will greatly miss Michael in the boardroom, and he has an uncanny ability to stand in front of a room and communicate with people. Simply put, he's one of the best in the business. We wish nothing but the best for Michael and his family.  We will miss him but congratulate him on moving to his home state."

Spencer states that the NC Executive Committee will meet on Monday, May 20th to finalize the job description and announce a formal search for a new executive vice president



Upper Big Blue NRD Board Approves Rule Changes Pertaining to Groundwater Transfers and Artesian Wells

The Upper Big Blue NRD Board of Directors met on May 16, 2013, and approved changes to District Rule 5 pertaining to groundwater irrigation transfers and artesian wells.  After receiving testimony from an April 23rd public hearing on two proposed changes to the NRD’s Groundwater Management Rules and Regulations, the Board has now adopted these rule changes.

A groundwater transfer is the act of pumping water from a well in one section of land and piping it to another section of land to irrigate.  The NRD has had regulations limiting such transfers since 1982; however, the newly adopted regulations would prohibit new groundwater irrigation transfers in designated marginal groundwater areas.  The rule change does not affect groundwater transfers that already exist.  Existing groundwater transfers in the designated areas may continue, but may not increase irrigated acres.  The areas that are now closed to new transfers are shown on the attached “ No Groundwater Transfer in Designated Areas” map.  Portions of the NRD that are not designated as a no groundwater transfer in designated areas on the map, must still be authorized by the NRD Board of Directors prior to implementing the project.  Existing regulations already limit the size and distance that groundwater may be transferred.

The second regulation change addresses artesian wells.  An artesian well is a well from which groundwater flows under natural pressure.  This occurs when a well is constructed in to a groundwater aquifer that is “confined” by a layer of clay material which the water cannot flow through naturally; and the groundwater is under pressure that is great enough to push the water up the well casing to a point above the land surface.  This condition occurs in a few areas of the NRD.  The major area where it is known to occur during the fall and winter months is in the Beaver Creek Valley and the West Fork of the Big Blue River Valley in eastern York and western Seward Counties near the Village of Beaver Crossing.  Three additions to the regulations are now enacted regarding artesian wells.  They are: 1). Artesian wells constructed on or after July 1, 2013, must be operated in such a manner as to prevent groundwater from the well to flow out and run to waste in an amount that exceeds what will flow through a pipe one-half inch in diameter;  2). Artesian wells constructed prior to July 1, 2013, may continue to operate as constructed until such time that the allocation provisions of the Groundwater Management Area regulations are implemented.  Upon implementation of allocation, artesian wells must be operated in such a manner as to prevent groundwater from a well to flow out and run to waste in an amount that exceeds what will flow through a pipe one-half inch in diameter; and, 3). An artesian well decommissioned after July 1, 2013, must be decommissioned in such a manner as to stop the flow of groundwater to waste.

A copy of the new rule changes to Rule 5 is available upon request at the NRD office at 105 N. Lincoln Avenue, York, Nebraska.



Conservation Reserve Program General Signup 45 Opens

Nebraska Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Director Dan Steinkruger announced today that Nebraska FSA will hold a Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) General Signup from May 20 through June 4, 2013.  “Producers and landowners are urged to take action now in considering the environmental and financial benefits of CRP as the signup period is only 4 weeks and it is anticipated that this may be the only opportunity to enroll in General CRP for several years,” said Steinkruger.

“CRP is an important program in Nebraska for protecting environmentally sensitive land from erosion and sedimentation, improving air quality and ensuring the sustainability of our groundwater, lakes and rivers.  CRP helps protect Nebraska’s natural resources, preserve wildlife habitat, and outdoor recreation related to hunting and fishing,” said Steinkruger.  “Nebraska participants currently have over 900,000 acres enrolled in CRP and earn nearly $60 million in annual rental payments per year,” he said.

To be eligible, a producer must have owned or operated the offered acreage for at least 12 months prior to the end of the sign-up period (with some exceptions). The land must be cropland planted to an agricultural commodity four of the six crop years from 2002 to 2007 and be physically and legally capable of being planted. Offers for new acreage and acreage already in CRP but expiring on September 30, 2013 will be considered.  Offers will be ranked according to the Environmental Benefits Index (EBI). A cutoff score will determine offers accepted. FSA provides 50 percent cost-share assistance to establish the conservation cover and an annual rental payment based on the productivity of the soils and the average dryland cash rent value.  Rental rates were recently updated in Nebraska and increased substantially in many counties.

Steinkruger encouraged producers and landowners to also look into CRP’s other enrollment opportunities, including Continuous CRP, State Acres for Wildlife Enhancement Initiative, the Highly Erodible Land Initiative, the Grassland Restoration Initiative, the Pollinator Habitat Initiative, and the Platte-Republican CREP.  These programs are open on a continuous, non-competitive basis and provide even further financial opportunities and incentives.

For more information on CRP and other FSA programs, visit your local FSA Service Center or www.fsa.usda.gov.



ILL-TIMED CRITICSM OF VOLUNTARY FARMER-LED CONSERVATION PRACTICES, NUTRIENT REDUCTION STRATEGY COUNTERPRODUCTIVE

Activation of the Des Moines Water Works’ nitrate removal facility May 10 following six years of dormancy occurred due to unusually dry conditions going back to 2011, an unprecedented drought in 2012 and record precipitation this April (the most for that month in more than 140 years of record keeping).

Criticism of the inadequacies of voluntary, farmer-led soil and water conservation practices and the performance of a state nutrient reduction strategy not yet funded or implemented that accompanied its activation were ill-timed. Absent of appropriate context and dialogue, they have the potential to be divisive at a time when working collaboratively on such complex and important issues has never been more important.

The Iowa Soybean Association (ISA), in partnership with Agriculture’s Clean Water Alliance (ACWA) and the Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA), believe there’s a better approach: one nurtured through open dialogue and strong partnerships.

Today, the ISA, ACWA and ICGA formally invited Des Moines Water Works General Manager Bill Stowe to participate in an open dialogue with farmers and ag stakeholders on water quality issues at the June 27 ACWA board meeting to be held in Ames. Stowe has accepted the invitation to attend.

“We are pleased that Bill has accepted this invitation and we look forward to welcoming him at our meeting,” says Harry Ahrenholtz, ACWA president. “It illustrates genuine interest in discussing this important issue with our partners, members and farmers.”

An invitation was also extended to the Des Moines Register editorial board to participate in a comprehensive discussion about water quality and watershed management issues.

Roger Wolf, ISA director of environmental programs and services and ACWA executive director, says public statements singling out farmers for not doing their part to positively impact water quality illustrates a lack of engagement and understanding. Also, arbitrarily dismissing the intent of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy – a strategy that is not yet implemented – is ill-timed.

“To say the strategy lacks goals or measurable outcomes is false,” he says. “It advances a science and technology based framework to direct efforts to reduce nutrients in surface water from both point and nonpoint sources in a scientific, reasonable and cost effective manner. The strategy establishes a goal of at least a 45 percent reduction in total riverine nitrogen and phosphorous loading leaving the state.”

With specific respect to non-point sources, including agricultural land uses, combinations of technologies applied on farms and landscapes across Iowa will need to achieve a 41 percent load reduction in Nitrogen and 29 percent reduction in Phosphorous to meet the aspiring 45 percent reduction goal.

Farmers and water providers, Wolf says, have been proactive in addressing and protecting Iowa’s water quality by employing conservation methods that work in their fields and implementing more advanced purification systems. And while no system is perfect, farmers and stakeholders haven’t stopped striving for it.

“Everyone involved in the system – rural and urban – have benefited from longstanding relationships,” Wolf says. “We should resolve to continue the progress in improving environmental performance to the benefit of all Iowans. In lieu of the recent activities and statements critical of agriculture’s commitment to water quality, it’s vital that we work in collaboration to seek and develop holistic solutions benefiting both urban and rural residents.”



World Pork Expo seminars get down to business

World Pork Expo’s three days are filled with information and insights, and leading that effort are the business seminars. Scheduled for Wednesday, June 5, and Thursday, June 6, they will feature cutting-edge ideas on swine nutrition and management, and improved utilization of manure, as well as weather and market outlooks. Expo-goers will find business seminars, along with the free business-seminar luncheons, in the Varied Industries Building at the Iowa State Fairgrounds.

“If you’re a pork producer looking for products, technology or information, World Pork Expo is the best place to spend your time,” says Randy Spronk, president of the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC). “Where else can you go to gather the information you need and have some fun at the same time?”

As a pork producer from Edgerton, Minn., Spronk adds that between the world’s largest pork-specific trade show, the seminars and the conversations with fellow producers, World Pork Expo offers ideas that can be applied today, as well as in the future. “Whether it involves animal housing, transportation or health, the industry is continually moving forward,” he says. “At World Pork Expo, you will find innovative products and ideas that you can apply back home.”

Spotlighting business management
On Wednesday, sponsor DSM Nutritional Products will kick off Expo’s business seminars at 9 a.m. with “Understanding the Ps — Feeding Pigs for People, Planet and Profit,” three presentations outlining swine nutrition strategies to improve production efficiencies and profit. The speakers include Joel DeRouchey, Ph.D. extension specialist at Kansas State University, along with DSM specialists, Fidelis Fru, Chris Parks, Ph.D., and Jon Bergstrom, Ph.D.

Wednesday at 3 p.m., Feeding for 30® sponsors Purina Animal Nutrition, Zinpro Corporation and DSM Nutritional Products will present a sow nutrition and management seminar designed to help producers achieve 30 pigs per sow per year. Organized as an interactive peer-to-peer forum, a panel of pork producers and swine nutritionists will share new tips and management insights, and answer questions.

Thursday’s seminar, sponsored by SFP, will begin at 9:30 a.m., and address ways to increase the phosphorus and nitrogen availability of swine manure applied as fertilizer. Matt Werner, SFP’s research coordinator, will present results from on-farm research and discuss manure management strategies from the pit to land application.

On both Wednesday and Thursday, the National Pork Board (NPB) will sponsor a business-seminar luncheon in the upper level of the Varied Industries Building. The program will begin at 12:30 p.m. with a weather outlook from Elwynn Taylor, Ph.D., Iowa State University. Steve Meyer, Ph.D., president of Paragon Economics, will present the outlook for the crop, swine and competing meats markets, concluding by 2:30 p.m.

More seminar and PORK Academy details available
Rounding out this year’s seminar offerings at World Pork Expo is PORK Academy, presented by the Pork Checkoff. Throughout the day on Wednesday and Thursday, nine seminars will address a wide range of topics including sow productivity and housing, food safety, exports, on-farm security and steps to protect against a foreign animal disease.

More details about the business seminars, the business-seminar luncheons and PORK Academy are available at www.worldpork.org. Regular updates are available when you connect with World Pork Expo on Facebook, follow World Pork Expo on Twitter (#NPPCWPX) or download the official app by searching for “World Pork” in the Apple Store, Android Market or Blackberry’s App World.

This year, World Pork Expo celebrates its 25th anniversary, June 5-7, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines. More than 400 commercial exhibits will be on display from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, June 5, and Thursday, June 6, as well as from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, June 7. The swine breeding stock sales will continue on Saturday, June 8, from 8 a.m. until they're completed (at approximately noon).



Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy Announces Quarterly Results

Southwest Iowa Renewable Energy, LLC, announced its financial results for the three and six months ended March 31, 2013. SIRE reported a net loss of $2,424,000 or $184.49 per unit, compared to a net loss of $3,987,000 or $303.42 per unit for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The cash flow from operations was $405,000 compared to $13,060,000 for the six months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively; with the overall cash flow for the six months ended March 31, 2013 of $5,645,000 compared to ($934,000) for the six months ended March 31, 2012.

Adjusted EBITDA, which is defined as earnings before interest, income taxes, and depreciation and/or amortization, or EBITDA, as adjusted for unrealized hedging losses (gains) was $4,172,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and $967,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2012. SIRE had $11.93 million in cash and equivalents and $3.124 million available under committed loan agreements (subject to satisfaction of specified lending conditions and covenants) at March 31, 2013.

Brian Cahill, SIRE's president and CEO, stated, "As we look back on the three months ended March 31, 2013, we made strong strides in improving our operations through lower costs and greatly reducing our net loss by bringing our production back up to capacity. We will closely monitor the moisture conditions, corn availability and ethanol market price conditions and adjust our production accordingly."

SIRE is an Iowa limited liability company, located in Council Bluffs, Iowa, formed in March, 2005 to construct and operate a 110 million gallon capacity ethanol plant. SIRE began producing ethanol in February, 2009 and sells its ethanol, modified wet distillers grains with solubles, corn syrup, and corn oil in the continental United States. SIRE also sells its dried distillers grains with solubles in the continental United States, Mexico and the Pacific Rim.



Vilsack on Congressional Progress Toward Passage of a Food, Farm and Jobs Bill

Today, Secretary Vilsack made the following statement on congressional progress toward passage of a Food, Farm and Jobs Bill:

"I am encouraged that Congress took action this week toward passage of a five-year, comprehensive Food, Farm and Jobs Bill.

I appreciate the leadership of the Senate Agriculture Committee, in particular Chairwoman Stabenow and Senator Cochran, for their efforts in crafting bipartisan legislation. The bill would help revitalize the rural economy by supporting agricultural trade, local and regional food systems, renewable energy and biobased manufacturing. It would maintain a firm commitment to conservation while streamlining programs and linking crop insurance payments to the nation's soil conservation and wetland protection goals.  USDA looks forward to working with the Senate to achieve significant deficit reduction by building on these reforms to farm programs.

I also appreciate efforts by Chairman Lucas and Congressman Peterson to pass a bill out of the House Agriculture Committee. I am deeply concerned about portions of the House version of the bill, including significant cuts that would deny struggling families and their children access to food assistance.  The Administration strongly supports the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), a cornerstone of our Nation's food assistance safety net, which is why it was not subject to cuts in the President's Budget.  SNAP helps families put food on the table, while also benefitting farm and rural economies. These issues need to be resolved so Congress can achieve passage of a final Food, Farm and Jobs Bill without delay. USDA remains committed to working with Congress to get the strongest bill possible for all Americans."



Floor Action Starts Monday in the Senate; Likely June in the House

Indications are that legislators will waste no time in taking up the farm bill drafts on both the Senate and House floors. The version approved by the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee on Tuesday was introduced later that day on the Senate floor as S. 954. The Senate could begin farm bill debate on Monday, with votes on amendments beginning as early as Tuesday and passage as early as late next week. Ag leaders in the House have said their bill will likely come to the floor of that chamber in June. If both schedules stick – and the bills avoid serious problems during floor debate – conference could begin by mid-summer and a new law could be in place before the extension of the 2008 Farm Bill expires on Sept. 30.



Informa Trims Corn Acres, Ups Beans

Private analytical firm Informa Economics expects farmers will plant 455,000 fewer acres of corn than USDA suggested in its Prospective Plantings report in March. Soybean acreage is likely to increase 1.2 million acres.

Informa estimates farmers will plant 96.8 million acres of corn as compared to March's USDA estimate of 97.28 ma. North Dakota leads the decline. Farmers there are expected to plant 400,000 fewer acres of corn. Minnesota farmers will plant 300,000 less, while Mississippi and Arkansas growers are each expected to sow 150,000 acres less.  The declines will be partially offset by higher corn plantings in Illinois, expected to increase by 300,000 acres, and Missouri, up 200,000.

Informa expects soybean acreage to total 78.3 ma, up from March's USDA estimate of 77.13 ma. That's 1.1 ma higher than last year with the largest increases seen in the Western Corn Belt. Minnesota will plant 450,000 more acres to soybeans, drawing away from spring wheat and corn, while Nebraska will plant 300,000 more acres than previously expected. Illinois' 300,000-acre gain in corn translates to a 300,000-acre soybean decline.  Double-crop soybean acres are expected to increase 7% from last year to 6.3 million acres, Informa's report stated.



NCBA Submits Comments on Potential U.S. / E.U. Trade Agreement

The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) recently submitted comments to the United States Trade Representative (USTR) regarding the proposed Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) between the United States (U.S.) and European Union (E.U.). This is an expanding market for U.S. beef, with $236 million of U.S. beef purchased by European consumers in 2012 according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Last year the U.S. and E.U. progressed to Phase II of the 2009 memorandum of understanding, which allows the U.S. to compete for a quota of 45,000 metric tons of duty free beef from non-hormone treated cattle exports.

According to NCBA’s Associate Director of Legislative Affairs Kent Bacus, this is a welcome increase from the 20,000 metric ton quota in previous years, but it is still a barrier to full market access.

“Without question, expanding market access in the E.U. would be a great opportunity for the U.S. beef industry. The U.S. beef industry has a longstanding history of providing the E.U. with high quality U.S. beef and we look forward to improving that relationship through the TTIP,” said Bacus. “Unfortunately, there are fundamental differences between the U.S. and the E.U. regarding the use of science and technology in food production. Production practices in the U.S. are based on rigorous scientific review and are continuously improved to employ the latest advancements in scientific research and animal husbandry, with the overall goal of improving production efficiency while improving the overall environmental impact.”

Bacus added that meanwhile, the E.U. continues to employ the “precautionary principle” which discourages the development and use of scientific advancements. As a result, he said, U.S. beef has been the victim of unwarranted trade restrictions throughout the years.

“For the benefit of both the U.S. and the E.U., we must set parochial interests aside and establish a twenty-first century agreement based on internationally-recognized scientific standards, free from tariffs, quotas, and subsidies, where the free market allows competition to flourish and encourage sustainable trade,” Bacus said. “If the U.S. and E.U. truly want to establish a stronger trade relationship, science based and market driven agriculture policies must be part of the final trade agreement.”



USSEC Touts Importance of Amino Acids as Value-Determining Factor of SBM during Korean Feed Mill Visits

The U.S. Soybean Export Council recently visited three Korean feed mills as it endeavors to stress the importance of linking amino acids to the price of soybean meal (SBM).  The feed mills visited were Sunjin Co., Ltd., a swine integrator; Easy Bio Co., Ltd., a broiler integrator; and Cargill Agri Purina Co., Ltd.  Staff from these mills traveled to the U.S. last October to meet with USSEC’s U.S. SBM buyers’ team.  Easy Bio and Cargill Agri Purina are currently using 17,000 MT and 15,000 MT, respectively, of U.S. SBM.

While the technical staff members of the Korean feed and livestock industry already generally accept the concept that digestible amino acid is more valuable than crude protein, purchasing staff still tend to stick to crude protein-dependent purchasing decisions on SBM.  USSEC technical director Kim Nill discussed with R&D, Q/C and formulation staff of the three feed mills how to change the criteria that purchasing staff use for evaluating SBM.  Based on these discussions, USSEC plans to host a roundtable to educate purchasing staff about determining amino acids as the value-determining factor of SBM.  USSEC’s published SBM whitepaper and the Korean Feed Association’s analysis result on imported SBMs were shared with the feed mills to differentiate U.S. SBM.   Both reports indicate that U.S. SBM provides more amino acids than South American SBM.



Update: USGC Co-Products Conference

The second half of the U.S. Grains Council's Co-Products Conference ended in Tokyo, Japan last week. While in Korea, the conference was met with positive feedback, and similar sentiments were expressed in Japan.

Over 200 trade industry and government officials attended the conference and were provided the latest information on U.S. ethanol policy, corn and co-products. Many Japanese expressed concern over possible negative impacts of the U.S. ethanol policy on global grain supply demand. All concerns were addressed during the seminar in one-on-on meetings.

P5091978"The conference was a success in Japan. Attendees were reassured that the Council is a primary source of information on the grain industry," said Tommy Hamamoto, USGC director in Japan. Japan remains the largest importer of U.S. corn, and the country is looking forward to the 2013 crop from the United States.



Rabo AgriFinance Report Finds Weather Will Delay Demand Across Global Nutrient Markets

Cool, wet conditions in much of the Midwest and concerns regarding future weather will delay the normal cycle of fertilizer restocking, bringing significant uncertainty to the 2013 Q2 fertilizer markets, according to a new report released by researchers at the Rabobank International Food & Agribusiness Research and Advisory (FAR) group. The report finds that, overall, the pace of fertilizer demand is now increasing seasonally and fuelling a pick-up in global trading activity.

The report goes on to show the fast-approaching Northern Hemisphere planting season will be pivotal in driving short-term agri-commodity prices. Across South America, all eyes are on the weather as planting of winter crops continues.

“Across most regions, a financial incentive to maximize production is driving a large planting, which will lead to a predominately neutral price outlook,” notes Sterling Liddell, Senior Vice President with the Rabobank Food & Agribusiness Research and Advisory group.  “However, there are some uncertainties regarding policy, which will ultimately impact market sentiment.  As a result, buyers will be cautious but eventually, global purchasers will need to lock in fertilizer supply contracts. ”

After a bullish start, global urea prices have started to wane. Delayed demand and field work in the U.S. and Europe respectively, have combined with oversupply (the extent of which was demonstrated in the much-anticipated import tenders in India during April) to drive a shift to a buyers’ market. Rabobank’s outlook for urea in Q2 2013 is neutral to negative.

Phosphate prices are expected to increase marginally, as various factors combine to limit demand.  U.S. farmers applied significant volumes of DAP/MAP in Fall 2012, which will result in lower demand this spring. In addition, the 2012/13 crop year was the second year in a row to see elevated agri-commodity prices. While this would traditionally lead farmers to spend their additional purchasing power on phosphates to restore levels in the soil, this was done the previous year, so the catch-up effect will not be seen as robustly  as in past years. Finally, China’s low export tax window will open two weeks earlier than in recent years, and the extra Chinese supply will lower the upside global price potential.

The reduction in international potash prices is directly related to the renegotiation of new supply contracts with importers in China and India. The willingness of growers in India to reduce potash application detracts from the industry’s intention to increase prices on the open market during this quarter. However, potash demand is expected to increase in South America and parts of Asia as farmers take advantage of good crop economics, which should enable the industry to avoid new strong price reductions in the short term.



A Food, Farm and Jobs Bill: Helping Protect Our Natural Resources
Tom Vilsack, USDA Secretary

This year, passage of a long-term, comprehensive Food, Farm and Jobs Bill is critical to providing certainty for U.S. producers. This includes the continued availability of conservation programs that give our farmers, ranchers and private foresters the means to conserve the soil, protect our water and sustain America’s natural resources.

Thanks to programs provided by the Farm Bill, USDA has been able to enroll a record number of private lands in conservation practices. Over the past four years, we have worked with more than 500,000 producers, landowners and private foresters on projects that help the environment, while providing a new source of income.

From May 20 to June 14, USDA is holding the 45th General Signup under the Conservation Reserve Program – another important effort provided by a Food, Farm and Jobs Bill.

The program saves hundreds of millions of pounds of nitrogen and phosphorous from flowing into water sources. It provides valuable wildlife habitat, and hunting opportunities that help rural communities generate economic benefits from outdoor recreation. In times of severe drought, conservation lands can provide additional forage land for ranchers.

Such programs also provide the base from which USDA is expanding new opportunities in conservation and outdoor recreation. – an important cornerstone of President Obama’s plan to revitalize the rural economy.

At USDA, we are taking a wide variety of steps to help achieve this goal. Today we’re developing new ways for producers to earn income through conservation measures. We’re undertaking new efforts to help communities create jobs through outdoor recreation. And we are expanding new partnerships between the government and landowners, to ensure that land stewardship is recognized and rewarded.

A robust Conservation Title in a Food, Farm and Jobs Bill impacts all of these efforts.

While Congress extended the Farm Bill conservation programs in January, they will expire once again in September. However, conservation is a long-term undertaking that requires farmers, ranchers and forest landowners to plan years into the future.

That’s why a one year extension of the Food, Farm and Jobs Bill doesn’t work and why we need a long-term bill. Like farmers, ranchers and forest owners, we at USDA take the long view and so we’ll continue working with Congress to get a five-year bill Food, Farm and Jobs Bill passed.



VIRGINIA CATTLE RANCHER IS NATIONAL “FARM MOM OF THE YEAR”

The online votes have been tallied, and Betty Rosson, a Virginia grain and cattle farmer, is Monsanto’s 2013 America’s Farmers Mom of the Year.

Betty’s nomination, submitted by son Charles, was chosen by judges of American Agri-Women as regional winner for the Southeast. Online voting was conducted in early May, during which time anyone could visit AmericasFarmers.com, read regional winners’ nominations and cast a vote for one to receive the national title. Betty received the most online votes, and she was notified of her national win on Mother’s Day.

“Whether she is driving a tractor, feeding cows or caring for her family, Elizabeth (Betty) is 100 percent all-in for the job,” wrote Charles in the winning nomination. “Mom certainly doesn’t let grass grow under her feet, as she is always on the move for her family, her church, her farm and the community.”

Charles’ nomination mentioned Betty’s involvement in the FFA, 4-H and Ag in the Classroom, in addition to the Louisa County Farm Bureau and livestock judging and showmanship clinics hosted at the farm. She manages all the record-keeping and taxes for Quaker Hill Farm, in addition to planning two annual cattle production sales. She is a founding member of her church and is a board member of her local volunteer rescue squad. She does all this while caring for her 92-year-old mother. The recognition is not new to Betty, as she recently represented Louisa County and the Central District and was a runner up in the Virginia Farm Bureau Woman of the Year contest

“This is a wonderful Mother’s Day surprise!” Betty Rosson said upon learning she had won. “Raising a family on the farm and being involved with agriculture is a blessing. I share this recognition with farm moms everywhere!”

Quaker Hill Farm is a fifth-generation family farming operation that is a partnership of Betty, husband, Charles, and two of their five sons, Charles and Lee. The Rossons farm hay, pasture and grain crops and grow corn, soybeans, wheat and barley to feed to the cattle as a cash crop. They also have 750 brood cows consisting of primarily Angus and Simmental. The Rossons have more than 20 sires enrolled in artificial insemination bull stud operations, and have exported cattle around the world, as far away as Turkey and Russia. Quaker Hill Farm is also home to show pigs and Boer goats for 4-H and FFA students to show.

All five regional “Farm Mom of the Year” winners will receive a $5,000 cash prize from Monsanto. As national winner, Betty will receive an additional $5,000. A check presentation ceremony is being planned in her honor for early summer.

“From the large pool of nominations from almost every state, Betty’s immediately stood out,” said Kris Zilliox of American Agri-Women. “Like so many farm moms, she is passionate about supporting her family, bettering her community and increasing awareness of American agriculture. She’s a fantastic representation of what being a modern farm mom is all about!”

Visit AmericasFarmers.com to read more about Betty and the other 2013 regional winners. To request a list of winners by mail, send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to America’s Farmers Mom of the Year, Attn: Nancy Hallahan, 914 Spruce Street, St. Louis, MO 63102.

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