Thursday May 30 Ag News

Frontier, Husker Coops May Combine Forces

The Boards of Directors for Frontier Cooperative Company of Brainard, Nebraska, and Husker Coop of Columbus, Nebraska, have agreed to study the financial feasibility of unifying the two cooperatives into one.  Frontier Coop General Manager Randy Robeson says this study will determine what potential benefits could accrue to the cooperatives' member-owners and employees.  Husker Coop General Manager Rich Richey says this study will be conducted during the summer, and information from this study will be evaluated by the Boards, and shared with the memberships of both cooperatives. 



WIC Answer Plot Training Session #1

You’re invited to come learn local agronomic information, from local experts, along with how our local and national research will help you obtain maximum bushels out of this season’ crop.  Western Iowa Coop is hosting their first Answer Plot Session on Friday June 7th, 9am to 12-noon near Blencoe, Iowa.  Event Speakers include: Steve Barnhart-WinField Regional Agronomist, Eric Bartels-WinField Regional Product Manager, Rick Behrens-WinField R7 Specialist, and Troy Greiss-Syngenta.  Registration starts at 8:30am. 



Dixon-Dakota Co. FSA Committee Nominations Set

The Dixon-Dakota County Committee election nominations begin June 17 for Local Administrative Area No. 3 (Springbank, Emerson, Wakefield and Logan). Farmers, ranchers and landowners are encouraged to nominate farmer and rancher candidates to serve on their local FSA county committee by the Aug. 1 deadline.

Elected county committee members serve a three-year term and are responsible for making decisions on FSA disaster, conservation, commodity and price support programs, as well as other important federal farm program issues. County committee members are a valuable asset because they are local producers who participate in FSA programs themselves and have a direct connection to farmers and ranchers in their community. We would like to see a high level of participation in this year's nomination and election process. Producers may nominate themselves or others as candidates. Organizations that represent minority and women farmers and ranchers may also nominate candidates. Nominees must participate in a program administered by FSA, be eligible to vote in a county committee election and reside in the local administrative area (LAA) in which the person is a candidate. To become a nominee, eligible individuals must sign form FSA-669A accepting the nomination. The form and more information about county committee elections are available online at: www.fsa.usda.gov/elections.

"It is important that the county committee reflects the demographics and agricultural interests of the community these individuals represent. We strongly encourage all producers, including women, minority and beginning farmers and ranchers to participate in the nomination and election process. Our county committee for Dixon-Dakota counties is comprised of five members elected by local producers. The newly elected county committee member and alternates will take office January 1, 2014," said Daryl McGhee, county executive director.

Nomination forms (FSA-569A) must be postmarked or received in the local USDA Service Center by close of business on Aug. 1.

For more information about county committees, please contact the Dixon-Dakota County FSA office at 402-755-2277 ext. 2 or visit www.fsa.usda.gov.



Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program Announces Scholarship Recipients
The Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship Program at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln has awarded 15 students with scholarships; six were recognized as Engler Scholars and thus will receive renewable awards while nine were awarded one-time scholarships.

The Paul F. and Virginia J. Engler Foundation founded the Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship program in 2010 with a gift of $20 million over 10 years. The program aims to identify students with entrepreneurial drive and mentor their ability to build and run businesses through innovative curriculum and professional development opportunities.     

"The Engler program provides student support in the way of scholarships, study abroad assistance, internship and entrepreneurial development, and networking with innovators, leaders and entrepreneurs through a variety of programs including the Engler Lectures Series," said Tom Field, the Paul Engler Chair of Agribusiness Entrepreneurship. "The ultimate goal of the Engler program is to create employers and community builders."

These students won up to four-year renewable scholarships of $10,000:
            – Erich Vogel is a freshman biochemistry major from Hastings. Vogel spent the last year studying in China, participating in the U.S. State Department's National Security Language Initiative for Youth to Zhuhai, China.
            – Spencer Hartman, from Champion, is an agribusiness major. Hartman developed a hydroponic tomato business and is the state FFA president.
            – Davis Behle, from Kearney, is an agribusiness major. Behle owns a cattle enterprise and serves on the Attorney General Youth Advisory Board.
            – Haley Bledsoe, a freshman from Blair, is an animal science major. She manages a pumpkin patch and corn maze business.
            – Lukas Fricke, from Ulysses, is a sophomore agronomy/animal science major. Fricke is building a business focused on applying smart technology to farm operations.
           – Jared Knobbe is a sophomore agribusiness major from Imperial. He is working on expanding affordable housing in rural communities and he owns a horse shoeing business.

These students won one-time scholarship between $1,000 and $3,000:
            – Amanda Castle is a transfer student from Olathe, Colo. She is majoring in agribusiness and is a partner in a cow-calf business.
            – Callin Ledall is a freshman agribusiness major from Imperial. Ledall runs a lawn care and snow removal business.
            – Matthew Treadway is a sophomore mechanized systems management major from Ashland. He owns a tree service and snow removal business.
            – Larissa Wach is a sophomore agribusiness major from Wauneta. Her business involves providing a workbook that facilitates spiritual growth.
            – Melinda Knuth is a sophomore horticulture major from Hartford, S.D. She is pursuing business models involving international flower sales and hydroponic forage production.     
            – Adam Vetter is a junior agribusiness major from Franklin. He runs a lawn care service.
            – Grant Mitchell is a freshman animal science major from Malcolm. He has experience in marketing produce through farmer's markets, equine therapy and cattle enterprises.
            – Kelsey Foster is a freshman horticulture major from Berwyn. She is focused on developing landscape enterprises as a component of the family farm.
            – Colleen Melvin is a freshman food science and technology major from Bennington. She operates Good Stuff, a baked goods company and markets through local farmer's market outlets.
            – Skyler Adamek is a freshman animal science major from Seward. Adamek developed a livestock watering system and is marketing it under her company as Sky Waterworks.



Cargill to invest in Prairie Waves Project, Holdrege, NE

Cargill will invest about $30 million to increase unloading speeds, storage and shipping capacity, as well as add railroad service at its grain elevator southwest of Holdrege.

“South Central Nebraska is a highly productive area for grains” said Phil Harders, leader of Cargill AgHorizons U.S.’s Cornhusker Farm Service Group (FSG). “In addition to the local markets we have been serving by truck, the added rail service will expand the markets for farmer customers to the Pacific Northwest and the U.S. Southwest.”

The capital investment project at Holdrege is expected to be completed by the harvest of 2014. To date, Holdrege has shipped grain out by truck. The project will add rail service along the BNSF Railroad, which will allow Cargill to load 120-car shuttle trains.

“Unit trains are an efficient way to move large volumes of grain,” said Tim Coppage, Cornhusker FSG merchandising leader. “By giving us access to additional markets like the Pacific Northwest and the U.S. Southwest, we can better meet the demands of our farmer customers for broader markets.”

The project will increase storage capacity by 3.5 million bushels, which will bring the total to 5 million. Cargill will add three truck receiving pits with a combined 80,000 bushel per hour truck receiving capacity. The facility will also have 70,000 bushel per hour rail shipping capacity.

“The high capacity receiving pits and grain legs will provide a better fit to the increased harvest speed of area producers,” said John Barrett, Cornhusker FSG operations leader.

The facility will be increasing its staff from seven fulltime grain employees to 10 or more over the coming year. Contractors will have approximately 100 employees at the site in different stages of construction.

Area officials welcomed the news
“The economic impact of the facility,” said Phelps County Board Chairman Jim Ostgren, “will be felt both in the year long construction phase as well as helping provide area producers access to additional markets in the U.S. and around the world for years to come.”

Greg Ibach, director of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, said: “I am pleased that Cargill is making this investment that will enhance access for Nebraska crops to domestic and foreign markets.”

Nebraska State Senator Tom Carlson added that “this is a substantial investment in our community and contributes significantly to keeping the Holdrege area as a great place to live, work, raise a family, and enjoy more of the ‘Good Life.’ These improvements will increase commerce in our area and service to local grain producers.”



Iowa Soybean Association finds legislative victories in bills, connections with lawmakers

With the adjournment of the 2013 Iowa Legislature last week, Iowa soybean farmers were pleased that funding for the ag research and nutrient management was secured. In addition, these Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) farmer leaders also found success in their weekly visit to the Capitol and found that legislators were receptive to learning more about agricultural issues.

“We spent quite a bit of time talking with legislators about funding for ISA’s On-Farm Network® and the State Nutrient Reduction Strategy,” explained ISA Public Affairs Committee Chair Brian Kemp, who farms near Sibley. “We also talked about funding departments at Iowa State University, such as Extension and the Ag Experiment Station because Iowa Soybean Association checkoff funding is leveraged through those entities.”

Kemp acknowledged disappointment in the inaction on the proposed fuel tax as the condition of the state’s rural roads and bridges are keys to the success of Iowa’s farming industry.

 “We had 37 different farmers take the time to travel to Des Moines to spend their Wednesdays talking one-on-one with legislators,” Kemp said. “The fuel tax increase came up every week. We can understand it’s difficult to pass a tax increase, but we also see that infrastructure is a priority that won’t and can’t take a back seat forever.”

Legislators provided support for a strong, voluntary nutrient strategy program, listening both to farmers and environmental groups who have seen how important farmer involvement and support is to accomplishing environmental goals. Legislators also worked through a compromise to put together a workable “landowner liability” bill and included a reduction for ag property taxes in the last hours of the session.

“Agriculture is a major pillar of Iowa’s economy. Legislators from all across the state recognize this. Even though we have an increasing number of urban legislators, they all eat—and they all seem to want to understand Iowa’s agricultural systems,” added Kemp.

Several Iowa Soybean Association members will continue to focus on legislation, but through individual legislators as they work to connect urban lawmakers with what they do on their farms and in their rural communities.

“We look forward to meeting with both urban and rural legislators during this summer at their own local events and our Iowa Soybean Association events across the state,” added Kemp. “We have 13 farmers who have agreed to ‘adopt’ urban legislators for the year, inviting them out to their farms and visiting with them in their home districts. We hope this kind of communication can build an even stronger foundation for ag issues in upcoming legislative sessions.”



USMEF Welcomes Negligible BSE Risk Designation by the OIE

The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) is extremely pleased to see the announcement by the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) that it has recognized the United States as having the lowest possible risk of BSE in its cattle population. This “negligible risk” designation by the international standard setting body follows a thorough assessment of the BSE-related risk in the United States by an OIE committee of experts. The committee’s recommendation that the OIE grants the United States negligible BSE risk status is a clear reflection of the effective BSE surveillance and mitigation measures that have been in place in the United States for many years and the extremely low incidence of the disease in the U.S. cattle herd.

USMEF President and CEO Philip Seng welcomed the announcement by saying, “This decision by the OIE should clear away any remaining concerns that some countries have about the risk associated with importing beef and beef products from the United States. We think the decision announced by the OIE today should provide a number of beef importing countries with a reason to reevaluate their requirements for beef imports from the United States.”



NCGA Announces Leadership at Its Best Participants

The National Corn Growers Association today announced the participants who will constitute the 27th class of NCGA's Leadership at Its Best Program, co-sponsored by Syngenta.  This year's class includes 19 aspiring leaders from 11 states, from as far east as New York and as far west as Colorado.

"Leadership at Its Best has trained strong, confident volunteers who have helped shape the industry through their subsequent service at the state and national level," said NCGA President Pam Johnson, who completed the class in 2006.  "We're excited to see such great interest in the program and strongly believe the quality of the applicants bodes well for the future of our industry. NCGA depends upon grassroots leadership, and, as a graduate of the program, I personally understand the important role this program plays in helping develop the skills and build the relationships necessary to lead such a dynamic organization in an ever-changing environment."

This year's Leadership at Its Best Class includes: Les Anderson (Minn.); James Burg (S.D.); Ann Cross (Colo.); Ray Dean (N.Y); Don Duvall (Ill.); Chris Edgington (Iowa); Chuck Emanuel (North Bend, Neb.); Philip Gordon (Mich.); Rick Gruber (Neb.); Ken Hartman Jr. (Ill.); Scott Hays (Mo.); Gail Leirer (Ohio); Patty Mann (Ohio); Randy Melvin (N.D.); Jerry Mohr (Iowa); Thomas Mueller (Ill.); Brad Schad (Mo.); Mark Sponsler (Colo.); and Harold Wolle (Minn.).

While open to all members, NCGA suggests that states have their incoming checkoff board and grower association leaders attend, though states can submit others. The first session addresses personal communications, public speaking skills, media training and association management.  The second session addresses public policy issues, working with the Hill and parliamentary procedure.  The program is designed to equip graduates with the tools they need to be effective leaders in their state associations and on national action teams and committees.

Since 1986, the National Corn Growers Association, the state corn associations and, most importantly, the U.S. corn industry, have benefited tremendously from the Leadership At Its Best Program.  More than 550 growers have gained invaluable media, communications, association management and public policy knowledge and skills from the program.

As a measure of the impact of this program and its importance to NCGA and its current effectiveness as an organization, one only need consider the Class of 2002.  Those 20 growers include five current or former Corn Board members-including two past presidents-and five action team members.  Leadership at Its Best has been a vital leadership incubator for honing the skills of state leaders on "the way up" and stimulating further involvement in and greater commitment from state growers to NCGA.



US Ethanol Supply Drops to 16M Bbl

Total ethanol supply in the United States was drawn down 200,000 barrels (bbl) to 16.0 million bbl during the week-ended May 24, the Energy Information Administration reported Thursday, with the inventory level the lowest since EIA began reporting weekly ethanol supply in June 2010.

U.S. ethanol supply at 16.0 million bbl is down 5.5 million bbl or 25.6% from a year ago.

Ethanol production at U.S. plants was throttled back 12,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 863,000 bpd from a nine-month high, with the output rate down 39,000 bpd or 4.3% from the comparable week a year ago.

Ethanol imports averaged 27,000 bpd for the week reviewed, with that supply shipped to East Coast ports.

Refiner and blender net inputs of ethanol edged up 3,000 bpd to 863,000 bpd, while 6,000 bpd above the same week in 2012.  Expressed as a percentage of daily gasoline demand, daily ethanol production was 9.64%.

Implied gasoline demand increased 167,000 bpd to 8.956 million bpd during the week leading up to Memorial Day, the strongest weekly consumption rate since late last summer. Gasoline demand during the four weeks ended May 24 is down 217,000 bpd, or 2.4%, at 8.633 bpd, however, with consumption so far this year flat with 2012 at 8.485 million bpd.

On the co-products side, ethanol producers were using 13.085 million bushels of corn to produce ethanol and 96,313 metric tons of livestock feed, 85,864 metric tons of which were distillers grains. The rest is comprised of corn gluten feed and corn gluten meal. Additionally, ethanol producers were providing 4.49 million pounds of corn oil daily.



ASA’s Wilkins Testifies Before USTR Staff on Soy Aspects of European Trade Agreement
Richard Wilkins, a soybean farmer from Greenwood, Del., and Executive Committee member of the American Soybean Association (ASA), testified today before the Trade Policy Staff Committee of the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) on agricultural and soybean-specific aspects of the proposed Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) between the United States and the 27 member states of the European Union (EU).

In his remarks, Wilkins highlighted the importance of the EU marketplace for American soy, but noted the sharp decline in soy exports to the EU as a result of certain EU policies, including the labeling of products containing biotechnology and discriminatory policies on biofuel feedstocks under the Renewable Energy Directive (RED).

Wilkins specifically addressed the complications presented by the RED, which uses foreign data to impose greenhouse gas emission benchmark reduction requirements on American soy imports. “The greenhouse gas formula for soy-biodiesel is based on production and transportation data for Brazil,” he explained. “This significantly understates the emissions reduction of U.S. biodiesel and thus limits the amount of biodiesel derived from U.S. soybeans that can qualify under RED.”

Wilkins also addressed the EU’s conservation requirements; regulation of pesticides; the subsidizing of soybean production in new Ecological-Focus Areas, or EFAs; and obstacles to exports of U.S. meat products, the largest consumers of U.S. soybeans.

EU trade ministers are expected to move forward on an accord formalizing the start of negotiations on the TTIP by the end of June.



2011 USDA Farm and Ranch Safety Survey

In 2011, there were an estimated 4,355,000 tractors in operation on 2,181,630 farms and ranches in the United States. This estimate is based on a telephone survey of 25,000 farm operators conducted by USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH).

Tractors are the leading cause of occupational fatalities in agriculture. Of the estimated 4.4 million tractors in operation on farms and ranches in 2011, 2,563,000 or 59% were equipped with a roll-over protective structure (ROPS), a proven engineering control in the prevention of tractor overturn deaths. More than 3,000 operations were estimated to have at least one tractor overturn in the previous 12 months; 1,600, or 53% of these overturned tractors were equipped with ROPS.

All-terrain vehicles (ATVs), another source for injury, are common on agricultural operations. In 2011, there were an estimated 1,580,000 ATVs in use on farms and ranches, 1,385,000, or 88%, of which were used for work. Of the ATVs used for work, 107,000, or 8%, were equipped with a power-take-off (PTO) drive. The most common work tasks for which an ATV was used were general farm transportation, moving materials, spraying, and moving livestock. In 2011, there were an estimated 836,000 ATVs used for general farm transportation, 541,000 were used to move materials, 332,000 were used in spraying, and 309,000 were used for moving livestock. Over 119,000 operations had youth less than 16 years of age who operated an ATV.

Storage facilities commonly found on farms and ranches can create a variety of hazards. For example, manure storage facilities can produce toxic environments. Silos and grain bins can expose operators and workers to hazards such as grain engulfment. In 2011, 98,000 operations were estimated to have manure storage on the operation, with approximately 13% of the 127,000 manure storage facilities being enclosed pits. An estimated 19,000 operators entered an enclosed pit in the last 12 months. An estimated 361,000 farms and ranches have a silo and/or grain bin storage. Of the 770,000 estimated grain bins, less than 8% were equipped with a harness and life line system attached to the center of the ceiling to prevent individuals who entered the bin from being engulfed by grain.

NIOSH sponsored this survey to better understand the magnitude and scope of hazardous exposures on agricultural operations. The survey was conducted as part of the NIOSH Agricultural Injury and Health Initiative.



USDA Agricultural Safety Report:  2009 Injuries to Adults on Farms

Occupational Injuries to Adults on Farms in the United States, 2001, 2004, 2009; in 2009 an estimated 42,000 work-related injuries occurred to adults (20 years of age and older) living or hired to work on U.S. farms. This represents a 41% decrease from the estimated 71,000 adult occupational farm injuries in 2004, and a 45% decrease from the estimated 76,000 adult occupational farm injuries in 2001. These findings are based on a series of telephone surveys of 25,000 farm operators in the United States. USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) conducted the survey for the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH). Farm operators were asked questions about any work-related injuries to adults on their farms in three separate surveys in 2001, 2004, and 2009. An injury was defined as any traumatic event occurring on the farm operation resulting in at least 4 hours of restricted activity or requiring professional medical attention.

Survey results also indicate that males incurred the majority of injuries. In 2009, 68% of all injuries were to males. In 2004 and 2001, an estimated 80% and 78% of injuries occurred to males, respectively. Other trends across the survey years show that the majority of adult work-related injuries occurred on livestock operations, and adults who lived in the farm household experienced the largest proportion of work-related injuries. In 2009, an estimated 35,000 or 84% of all work-related farm injuries occurred to adults who were part of the farm household.

In 2009, survey respondents reported that animals were the primary source in 21% of all work-related injuries to adults on farms. They identified floors, walkways, and ground surfaces in 18% of all work-related injuries to adults on farms. In an estimated 78% of the animal-related injuries, horses or cattle were identified as the primary source. This is consistent with data from 2004 and 2001 where horses or cattle were identified as the primary source in 78% and 79% of the estimated incidents, respectively.

NASS has previously reported the long-term trend of the aging farm operator, with the average age of farm operators increasing approximately one year for each 5-year Census cycle. Results from the agricultural safety surveys also show an increase in the average age for adults injured on the farm. In 2001, the average age for adults injured while working or living on the farm was 47.8 years. By 2009, the average age increased to 52.2 years.

Additional survey results indicate an estimated 5,000 work-related injuries occurred to adults who were not hired farm workers or farm family members. This represents an overall decrease of 38% from the number of injuries estimated in 2001 (8,000), and a 17% decrease from 2004 (6,000).

NIOSH sponsored this survey to better understand the magnitude and scope of agriculture-related injuries to adults working on farms. The survey was conducted as part of the NIOSH Occupational Injury Surveillance of Production Agriculture project.



Japan Suspends Imports of US Wheat Grade on GE Concern
Japan is suspending imports of a grade of U.S. wheat that is ubiquitously grown in Oregon after unapproved genetically engineered wheat was discovered at a farm in the state, a senior government official said Thursday.

Japan's Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries is communicating with the U.S. embassy to seek confirmation that about the "safety of wheat," Toru Hisazome, who heads up wheat imports department at the ministry, told Dow Jones Newswires.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture said Wednesday that it was investigating the discovery of the herbicide-resistant wheat strain, which was developed by Monsanto Co. (MON) and last field-tested in 2005, when growers and buyers expressed opposition to its plan to seek approval to market the seeds.

Japan will continue to monitor the progress of the USDA investigation before making a decision on whether to resume western White wheat imports, Mr. Hisazome said. Imports of other grades of wheat from the U.S. aren't affected, he said.

Another Japanese agriculture ministry official said around 90% of the wheat produced in Oregon is classified as "soft white" wheat, including Western White, which is milled in Japan to be used in a variety of processed foods. The grade typically accounts for around a third of the wheat Japanese buyers source from the U.S.

U.S. white wheat is also grown in other states and is popular in other Asian countries, including Taiwan, South Korea and Indonesia. White wheat accounted for around 17% of U.S. wheat exports in the marketing year that ends May 31, according to a USDA projection.

Mr. Hisazome said the import suspension began Thursday and doesn't impact contracts that have already been arranged for imports of U.S. Western White wheat.

Commercial cultivation of genetically engineered wheat isn't permitted in the U.S., the world's largest exporter of the grain.

Asian countries import large volumes of genetically engineered corn and soybeans and also produce their own GE cotton but are very sensitive to new GE traits that can't be imported or grown without regulatory approval.

Japan, one of the world's largest wheat importers by volume, purchases milling wheat from the U.S., Canada and Australia.



Nigerian Trade Team to Survey U.S. HRW Wheat Crop

Nine representatives from the top milling and food companies in Nigeria will travel to four states to survey the new wheat crop from June 2 to 12 as part of an annual trade team visit. On average, Nigeria is the second largest buyer of U.S. wheat.

For a firsthand look at this year’s hard red winter (HRW) and hard white (HW) crops, the team will meet with university researchers and tour grain and wheat foods facilities in Oklahoma, Colorado, Nebraska and Kansas. Trade team members will also talk with wheat farmers in the field, including a stop at the farm of USW Vice Chairman Dan Hughes in Venango, NE.

“Trade teams bring together both the beginning and end of the grain chain,” said Gerald Theus, assistant regional director for the U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) Sub-Sahara African Office in Cape Town, South Africa. “Visits like this one allow our Nigerian customers to make a personal connection with U.S. wheat farmers – who consistently produce the high quality wheat Nigeria’s industry needs.”

Theus and Muyiwa Talabi, USW’s marketing consultant based in Lagos, Nigeria, will accompany this year’s team. The Nigerian team was sponsored in part by the Oklahoma Wheat Commission and funding from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s market development programs. USW also collaborated with the Colorado Wheat Administrative Committee, Nebraska Wheat Board and Kansas Wheat to organize this year’s Nigerian team. Trade teams like this one reinforce the reliability, quality and value of the U.S. wheat crop to wheat buyers from around the world. 

This team includes representatives from the Nigeria’s leading flour mills. One of the companies, Flour Mills of Nigeria, is the world’s largest importer of HW wheat, shipped from its own export elevator in Corpus Christi, TX. This company and other Nigerian flour mills also import significant amounts of HRW, hard red spring (HRS), soft red winter (SRW) and durum.



CELEBRITY CHEF ELLIE KRIEGER TO MODERATE JUNE 19 DISCUSSION ON TRANSPARENCY AND FOOD AT THE FOOD DIALOGUESSM: CHICAGO

The U.S. Farmers & Ranchers Alliance® (USFRA®) today announced that Celebrity Chef and Nutritionist Ellie Krieger will moderate The Food DialoguesSM: Chicago. The event, entitled, “Transparency and Food: Our responsibility to make information available to today’s consumer” is the second panel in a two-part series of events taking place in Chicago. The June 19 panel discussion will be held at Kendall College School of Culinary Arts where Ellie Krieger will join farmers, ranchers, industry experts, pundits and media to discuss one of America’s biggest food issues – the type of information consumers are looking for when making food-purchasing decisions.

“USFRA’s goal for The Food Dialogues is to spark conversation on some of today’s toughest questions surrounding food production,” said Bob Stallman, chairman of USFRA and president of the American Farm Bureau Federation. “The topic of transparency and food is intended to engage consumers and the key decision-makers along the food chain who deliver the products consumers find on the shelves of supermarkets and on menus across the country. By adding Ellie Krieger as the moderator for this event, we hope to create a dynamic environment where everyone finds value in the discussion.”

Best known as the host of Food Network's hit show, “Healthy Appetite,” Ellie's charismatic approach to talking about food has made her a go-to resource on nutrition by the media and public alike. Krieger's success can be attributed to her unique way of offering real life advice without any of the gimmicks and crash diets that often permeate mainstream culture.

USFRA also announced the panelist line-up for the June 19 discussion, which will take place from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. CDT and will be streamed live online. Panelists will include:
·    Kathleen Merrigan, former Deputy Secretary of Agriculture
·    David Fikes, Food Marketing Institute Director Consumer/Community Affairs and Social Responsibility
·    Gene Kahn, former president and CEO of Cascadian Farms
·    Jayson Lusk, University of Oklahoma agriculture economist and author, “The Food Police”
·    Lynn Martz, rancher, Martz Family Farm, Maple Park, Ill.
·    Bo Stone, farmer, P & S Farms, Rowland, NC
·    Mary Pat Raimondi, American Academy of Dietetics and Nutrition Vice President, Strategic Policy and Partnerships
·    Brad Nelson, Marriott International Corporate Chef and Vice President of Culinary
    ·    Anupy Singla, journalist, author and blogger, www.indianasappliepie.com

For more information on this event, including how to register, visit www.fooddialogues.com.



USDA:  Broiler-Type Eggs Set in the 19 State Total Up 1 Percent

Commercial hatcheries in the 19 State weekly program set 202 million eggs in incubators during the week ending May 25, 2013. This was up 1 percent from the eggs set the corresponding week a year earlier. Average hatchability for chicks hatched during the week was 84 percent. Average hatchability is calculated by dividing chicks hatched during the week by eggs set three weeks earlier. 

Broiler-Type Chicks Placed in the 19 State Total Down Slightly
Broiler growers in the 19 State weekly program placed 166 million chicks for meat production during the week ending May 25, 2013. Placements were down slightly from the comparable week a year earlier. Cumulative placements from December 30, 2012 through May 25, 2013 for the 19 State total were 3.44 billion, up slightly from the same period a year earlier.



Industry Push to Provide Standardized Data for Improving Efficiency and Effectiveness of Agricultural Irrigation

Making irrigation water and energy conservation more efficient through technology is the goal behind a new project sponsored by AgGateway and the Northwest Energy Efficiency Alliance known as PAIL (Precision Ag Irrigation Leadership). AgSense President, Terry Schiltz, will chair the new project and is joined by a cross-industry collaboration of leading agriculture and energy businesses.

Water and energy in agriculture are increasingly gaining attention for reasons including drought, shortages, growing demand and rising costs.  The use of technologies like variable rate irrigation, mapping, and remote management tools are enabling growers to conserve both of these valuable resources and optimize their yields at the same time.  The ability to seamlessly collect, read, analyze and manage all precision ag data, regardless of vendor or platform, is a much needed component for existing and future technologies.

"Ultimately, the goal of this project is to have a common set of data standards and protocols used across the agriculture industry," said Terry Schlitz. "With those in place, the industry can deliver much more efficient, easy-to-use solutions for producers, which in turn will help them use available water and energy more effectively."

Co-sponsors AgGateway and NEEA highlight that producers and manufacturers currently report that it is difficult and time-consuming to make decisions on how much water to apply when and where. That's because weather, soil moisture and other relevant data are stored in a variety of Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) formats and data sources.

"Whether you are in Silicon Valley or the Shenandoah Valley, the goal needs to be bringing standardization to data management," continued Schiltz.  "Big data is a powerful tool for growers and producers, but getting that big data into a standardized format is critical for measuring and managing farm operations in the most efficient and effective manner."

AgGateway reports the project is backed by seventeen leading precision agriculture companies including:  Ag Connections, Agrian, AgSense, Campbell Scientific, CropMetrics, Crop IMS, Decagon Devices, Irrometer, Irrinet, John Deere, J.R. Simplot, MapShots, Monsanto, OnFarm Systems, Ranch Systems, Wysocki Produce Farms, Inc., and ZedX.



NIAA ‘Merging Values & Technology’ White Paper Released

The National Institute for Animal Agriculture recently released a 17-page White Paper highlighting the five presentations given at its 2013 “Animal Agriculture’s Vision to Feed the World: Merging Values and Technology” Annual Conference in Louisville, Ky., April 15-18.

NIAA’s Annual Conference White Paper covers these topics delivered by the Opening General Session and Closing General Session’s five keynote speakers:
·         “Grand Societal Challenges and the Role of Animal Science,” Lowell Randel, Federation of Animal Sciences Societies
·         “What Role Will Animal Biotechnology Play in Feeding the World?,” Dr. Alison Van Eenennaam, Cooperative Extension Specialist, Animal Genomics & Biotechnology, Department of Animal Science, University of California-Davis
·         “Advances in Nutrition, Feed Efficiency, etc. to Meet the Needs of Growing the Food Supply,” Bryan Dierlam Director of Government Affairs, Cargill
·         “Financial Perspectives: Impact of Tomorrow’s Technology Trends and Developments on Animal Agriculture,” Deborah Perkins, Managing Director, Rabobank International – Dallas office
·         “Getting to a Comprehensive Food Safety System,” Dr. John Ruby, Technical Services, JBS USA

“So many factors are intertwined and must work in harmony so values and technology can be merged to serve a growing and hungry world. These presentations delve into the ‘what’ and ‘why needed’ factors and give us a more complete picture of the situation,” states Dr. Robert Fourdraine, vice president of product services and development for AgSource Cooperative Services, Wisconsin, and chair of NIAA’s Annual Conference.

The “Animal Agriculture’s Vision to Feed the World: Merging Values and Technology” White Paper can be accessed online at www.animalagriculture.org. 



EQStable app by Zoetis available on the Apple App Store

Horse owners can track and share rides with friends, get the latest equine news and log vaccinations, deworming and dental exams with the EQStable™ app, by Zoetis.

“The EQStable app was developed by horse owners, for horse owners. The Zoetis Equine Team is excited to share this tool that allows you to create a virtual stable on your phone, making it easy to manage your horse’s health care while being fun at the same time,” said Kate Russo, marketing manager, U.S. Cattle and Equine Marketing, Zoetis. “Plus, with EQStable, you can track and share your favorite rides and stay up to date with the latest equine news from TheHorse.com.”

The EQStable app is available to download for free in the Apple® App Store® and includes the following key features.
•      My Stable prompts horse owners for information about their horse or herd to create individual horse profiles and manage their needs, from vaccinations and exercise to shoeing and deworming. The app automatically creates reminder alerts for upcoming events or appointments.
•      Track My Ride gives riders the opportunity to track and save their rides with a ride history log. Riders can name each route and specify the horse they rode and share their ride with friends on Facebook®.
•      Calendar stores dates of competitions, horse health appointments and events.
•      TheHorse.com News lists the latest equine industry stories, which users can read with one easy click.
•      Horse Health features tips on deworming, vaccination, dentistry and shoeing for a horse or herd.
•      GlobalVetLINK provides on-the-go access to digital health certificates (eCVIs), digital EIA (Coggins) certificates and GoPass® six-month passports.
•      Products lists photos and general information about each Zoetis product.
•      Settings lets horse owners tailor their social media share settings and which alerts they want to receive for appointments, events and notifications.
•      Notifications allows horse owners to receive important information, updates and promotions.

Another feature coming soon:
•      Veterinarian Finder, powered by GlobalVetLINK, will provide an interactive map to search for equine veterinarians and gas stations within a specified area.

“We all want to maximize our time in the saddle, which requires a healthy horse. The EQStable app can help you achieve both by centralizing pertinent horse health information in the palm of your hand,” Russo said.