Wednesday May 8 Ag News

Groundwater Levels Fell 4.38 Feet on the Average Across the Upper Big Blue NRD

During April 2013, the NRD measured 514 observation wells throughout the District and then averaged the data of all these wells.  Observation wells are measured in the spring of each year, allowing the water table to rebound from the previous irrigation season.

Overall, the spring 2013 average measurement for the groundwater level change shows a decline of 4.38 feet from last spring.  The findings show that the spring 2013 average groundwater level is 3.03 feet above the “Allocation Trigger”.

Through the conservation efforts of groundwater users, and because of an extended period of above average rainfall in the 1980s and 1990s, the average groundwater level in the Upper Big Blue NRD rose significantly to a level in the year 2000 that was approximately seven feet higher than the 1961 level (baseline), and fourteen feet higher than the low level of 1976 to 1981.

The District goal is to hold the average groundwater level to above the 1978 level.  In 2005, the District average groundwater level reached the “Reporting Trigger” initiating groundwater users to report annual groundwater use to the District and to certify their irrigated acres.  If the District average level falls below the 1978 level (“Allocation Trigger”), the use of flowmeters will be required and groundwater allocation will begin.

The Upper Big Blue NRD rules and regulations mandate that producers will be responsible for installing flowmeters on existing wells if the groundwater level hits the allocation trigger.  When the allocation trigger is reached and producers and other users have not installed flowmeters by the next calendar year, then they will not be able to pump any amount of water until a flowmeter is installed.  Since March 1, 2004, all new wells and replacement wells require a flowmeter.                                



2013 Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) Program

“The Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE) Program could prove to be a very viable option to Nebraska crop producers in 2013” said Farm Service Agency Director Dan Steinkruger.  The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012 provided a one-year extension of the ACRE program.  “Signup is underway and producers must elect and enroll their farms on or before June 3, 2013,” said Steinkruger.

Farms that were enrolled in either the Direct and Counter-cyclical Program (DCP) or ACRE in past years may elect ACRE for the one-year extension in 2013.  Any farms that have already enrolled in DCP for 2013 may still elect to switch to ACRE on or before June 3, 2013.

Producers who elect and enroll a farm in ACRE agree to forgo DCP counter-cyclical payments and accept a 20 percent reduction in their direct payments, plus a 30 percent reduction in marketing assistance loan rates.  ACRE payments are tied to current plantings on the farm as opposed to counter-cyclical payments, which are tied to the farm’s base acres.  ACRE payments are revenue-based payments and are tied to crop production and the National Average Market Price for commodity crops on the farm.  Payments are issued for crops if two triggers are met for the crop.  The State Trigger must be less than the State ACRE Guarantee and the Farm trigger must be less than the farm ACRE Guarantee.

During the 2008 Farm Bill, these triggers were met and payments issued in Nebraska in 2009 for barley, oats, dry peas, sunflower seed and wheat.  In 2010, the triggers were met and payments issued for irrigated barley and dry peas.  According to the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension Cornhusker Economics bulletin, ag economists are predicting substantial payments for non-irrigated corn and soybeans for 2012 in Nebraska due to the size of the projected state payment rates.

“Based on currently published NASS yields, it appears that substantial ACRE revenue payments may be earned on certain 2012 non-irrigated crops,” said Steinkruger.  He encourages producers to contact UNL Extension Educators to assist in the analysis for 2013.  Additional information, including access to a free ACRE webinar for public viewing, is available at www.agecon.unl.edu/farmbill.  Contact the local FSA County Office for additional information.  “It is very important for all producers to evaluate the ACRE decision before the June 3 deadline,” said Steinkruger.



Nebraska Farmers Award Free Groceries for a Year

Omaha and Hastings residents have been selected as the two lucky grand prize winners of “Free Groceries for a Year” in the Nebraska Farmers Feed US sweepstakes. Nebraska farmers sponsored the grand prizes, which are valued at $5,000* – the average amount spent on groceries annually per person. The winners are:
•    Jeff Dunn, Omaha, Neb., who was presented $5,000 in Super Saver gift cards by Nebraska farmers during an in-store presentation earlier this week
•    Marcie Hendricks, Hastings, Neb., who was presented $5,000 in Russ’s Market gift cards by Nebraska farmers during an in-store presentation earlier this week

Following the three month sweepstakes, the names of the two winners were drawn at random from more than 131,000 online registrations submitted by Nebraskans from across the state.

For three months, beginning in Jan. 2013, residents from across the state registered online for a chance to win free groceries for a year. While doing so, they also had the opportunity to meet seven featured Nebraskans, including five farmers, a veterinarian and a grocer, taking video tours to see how they produce safe, healthy and affordable food for consumers.

“To have more than 131,000 people meet Nebraska farmers and register for the chance to win, that’s just great,” said Chad Bartek, a soybean farmer from Ithaca, who is a featured farmer on the website. “We’re proud of agriculture here in the state and were excited showcase our long-standing commitment to raising safe, nutritious and affordable food.” 

Supporting Nebraska agriculture groups include the Alliance for the Future of Agriculture in Nebraska (A-FAN), Nebraska Soybean Board, Nebraska Pork Producers, Nebraska Corn Board, Midwest Dairy Association, and B&R Grocery.



Summer Barbecues Enhanced by Healthier Beef

            It's time for summer barbecues, and National Beef Month is a great time to grill some healthy beef.

            May is National Beef Month, and producers are celebrating an important contributor to Nebraska's economy. Despite stereotypes about beef, it does carry many health benefits when eaten safely, said Kayla Colgrove, University of Nebraska-Lincoln extension educator.

            Beef includes complete proteins, which help the body repair tissues and provides energy. It also provides other vitamins such as zinc and iron that help heal wounds and strengthen the immune system.

            Finding the right lean cuts will help consumers take advantage of these health benefits. Some lean cuts include sirloin, tenderloin and flank, which might come in the form of steaks or roasts. A wallet card to help with selection is available at http://www.beefitswhatsfordinner.com/CMDocs/BIWFD/29%20lean%20cuts%20wallet%20card.pdf.

            "Look for 'loin' or 'round' in the name to find lean cuts," Colgrove said. "For ground beef, choose 95 percent lean ground beef most often."

            Portion size is an important aspect as well. Colgrove suggests imagining a deck of cards to meet the recommended 3 ounce portion size for beef. The Daily Food Plan at choosemyplate.gov will help determine the right portion size for each person based on age, sex, weight, height and physical activity.

            "People eat and drink more when served larger portions," Colgrove said. "Choosing a smaller portion can help you lose weight and keep it off."

            Safe cooking is another step in safe beef consumption. Cooking the meat to a safe internal temperature of 145 degrees for steaks and roasts and 160 degrees for hamburgers will cut down on the risk of foodborne illness.

            "The only way to reduce pathogens in food to safe levels is to cook it to its minimum internal temperature," Colgrove said. "You can't tell by looking at it, so use a food thermometer to be sure food is cooked to the minimum internal temperature."

            More information on National Beef Month and other national food months and weeks to celebrate is available at food.unl.edu. 



Stripe Rust Confirmed in Wheat in Southeast Nebraska
Stephen Wegulo, UNL Extension Plant Pathologist

On May 7 stripe rust was confirmed in research plots at the UNL Agricultural Research and Development Center (ARDC) near Mead. Wheat in the plots is still in the early stages of development, having been delayed by prolonged cold spring temperatures. When wheat is in these early stages of development, stripe rust does not form distinct stripes on the leaves. Stripes usually develop on upper leaves after stem elongation.

Conditions Conducive to Disease Development
It is recommended that wheat fields be scouted regularly for detection of stripe rust. Weather conditions are currently favorable for rapid development and spread of this disease. If stripe rust is detected in a wheat field, consider applying a fungicide, especially if favorable weather conditions (rain and cool temperatures) are forecast and a susceptible variety was planted. A list of wheat fungicides and their efficacy ratings for stripe rust and other wheat diseases is given by the North Central Regional Committee on Management of Small Grain Diseases here... http://cropwatch.unl.edu/c/document_library/get_file?uuid=9fc73f29-7c22-4a7a-9b85-db3262a4420a&groupId=1841&.pdf.  

The race of stripe rust this year has not been determined yet. Therefore, varieties that were rated as resistant last year may be at risk if there is a new race this year. Wheat at earlier stages of development is at greater risk of substantial yield loss from stripe rust than wheat at advanced stages of development.



US Ethanol Stocks at 18-Month Low

The latest set of data from the Energy Information Administration released late Wednesday morning shows fuel ethanol stocks in the United States were drawn down further last week, declining 200,000 barrels (bbl), or 1.1%, to an 18-month low at 16.8 million bbl, as output by plants across the nation fell 1.5% from a week prior.

Total ethanol stockpiles for the week-ended May 3 are down 4.5 million bbl, or 21%, from a year earlier, plumbing their lowest level since early Nov. 4, 2011, when inventories were at 16.43 million bbl.

The production rate at U.S. ethanol plants at 843,000 barrels per day (bpd) was down 13,000 bpd, or 1.5%, from a week prior and down 53,000 bpd from 897,000 bpd posted a year earlier. The four-week average output rate at 846,000 bpd was down 4.3% from the prior four-week average.

EIA reported no ethanol imports into the U.S. last week for the second straight week.

Refiner and blender net inputs of ethanol, a proxy for demand, held steady at 838,000 bpd for the week reviewed, while up 824,000 bpd from a year earlier. Four-week average demand stood at 841,000 bpd, up 23,000 bpd, or 2.8%, from the prior four-week average.

Elsewhere, the EIA reported implied demand for motor gasoline rose 30,000 bpd to 8.445 million bpd for the week-ended May. 3, while four-week average gasoline demand at 8.5 million bpd was down 2.4% from a year ago.

Gasoline demand for the week averaged 354.7 million gallons daily, up slightly from last week.  Expressed as a percentage of daily gasoline demand, daily ethanol production was 9.98%.

On the co-products side, ethanol producers were using 12.782 million bushels of corn to produce ethanol and 94,081 metric tons of livestock feed, 83,874 metric tons of which were distillers grains. The rest is comprised of corn gluten feed and corn gluten meal. Additionally, ethanol producers were providing 4.39 million pounds of corn oil daily.



NCGA Sets New Membership Record

Membership at the National Corn Growers Association reached a new all-time high with 38,810 on the rolls as April closed. This membership record replaces the former of 38,623 members at the close of August in 2012, when the association had set new records for three consecutive months.

"What is truly unique about this record is that it comes at a time when we usually do not see increased new membership attributable to the National Corn Yield Contest, which normally drives enrollment increases," said NCGA Grower Services Action Team Chair Brandon Hunnicutt. "Setting a record of this nature at this time clearly demonstrates the value our state organizations and farmers across the country see in the work we do. Whether working to promote innovations that increase opportunity or voicing the support of America's farmers for the Renewable Fuels Standard in Washington, NCGA draws upon the strength of its more than 38,000 members so that, together, we can accomplish much more than we ever could acting alone."

Throughout NCGA's history, grassroots efforts have been the strength and driving force behind the organization.

"NCGA programs remain completely farmer-driven, with growers behind each step of a project from conception through the realization of its goals," stated Hunnicutt. "The farmers who actively participate in the organization do so because they value giving back to their industry, putting the interests of the greatest number of farmers from across the country first in every decision they make."

NCGA has members across the contiguous United States. It is part of a federation in cooperation with grower associations and checkoff boards from 28 states, and represents over 300,000 growers who contribute corn checkoff funds in their states.

NCGA Welcomes New Director of Public Policy Beth Elliott
The National Corn Growers Association welcomes Beth Elliott, who joins the organization as a director of public policy.  Elliott, who has worked in a variety of agriculturally focused positions in Washington, will handle ethanol and other energy issues at NCGA's Washington office.

"Beth is an incredibly valuable addition to our team, and we are excited to be able to utilize her broad knowledge base to further enhance our biofuels program," said NCGA Vice President of Public Policy Jon Doggett.  "She brings a deep understanding of both public policy and agriculture to the position and will be a major asset as we confront the challenges facing our ethanol industry on the Hill."

In her most recent position, Elliott served as director of legislative affairs at the National Grain and Feed Association.  Previously, she served as legislative director to Representative Tom Perriello (D-Va.); Legislative Assistant for Rep. John Salazar (D-Colo.) and legislative assistant with Representative Dennis Cardoza (D-CA).

Elliott holds a master's degree in political management from George Washington University and a bachelor's degree in government and international politics with an English minor from George Mason University in Fairfax, Va.  Additionally, Elliott earned a certificate from the Energy and Minerals Field Institute at the Colorado School of Mines.

Elliott has personal experience in farming, as her family owns and operates a dairy farm in Virginia.



AFBF Joins Groups in New Crop Insurance Agreement

The American Farm Bureau Federation has joined with a diverse group of 44 conservation, environmental, crop insurance and agricultural organizations in distributing a position paper that outlines a common-sense compromise to link conservation compliance and crop insurance premium assistance and to oppose means testing, payment limitations or premium subsidy reductions for the crop insurance program.

These recommendations have been submitted to leadership of the Senate and House Agriculture committees for their consideration for debate on the new farm bill. In a letter to Senate Agriculture Committee leaders, the organizations said the position provides “an effective farm and natural resource safety net.”

“Farm Bureau is convinced this agreement will move the farm bill forward,” said AFBF President Bob Stallman. “This is a balanced agreement that provides fairness and a measure of certainty to farmers regarding the availability of risk management tools while at the same time helping to conserve natural resources. It’s a win-win situation that was reached by a group of organizations that came together under a banner of common-sense and collaboration.”

In the spirit of compromise and in the interest of completing a farm bill this year, each of the groups has committed to not support amendments beyond this compromise that might weaken the crop insurance program or amendments that might not link conservation compliance with crop insurance premium assistance, according to the letter.

"It is no secret that much of agriculture fought the compliance amendment during last year’s Senate debate on the farm bill,” Stallman explained. “But our desire to avoid a time-consuming and contentious debate with our long-standing partners on workable environmental stewardship programs helped build a consensus around rational provisions that protect farmers while furthering the conservation of natural resources.”

Stallman, a Texas rice farmer and cattle rancher, said it is important to note this agreement does not propose to change current conservation compliance requirements. The recommendations offered apply only to the linkage of conservation compliance and crop insurance premium assistance or availability.

Under the recommendations, crop insurance would continue to be available to help farmers manage their risks and meet the requirements of their lenders. But under certain circumstances, if a farmer is found to be out of compliance with conservation mandates, his or her eligibility for premium assistance would be eliminated until compliance conditions are satisfied.

“This approach to re-linking crop insurance and conservation compliance should provide USDA sufficient flexibility to work with farmers to ensure compliance in a balanced, fair manner,” Stallman said.

FB: WRDA Passage Essential for Economic Growth
Passage of the Water Resources Development Act of 2013 (S. 601), is essential to America’s economic growth, according to the American Farm Bureau Federation.

In a joint letter with 20 other agricultural groups, AFBF told members of the Senate that passage of WRDA would authorize new projects for flood protection, port improvements and upgrades to the nation’s aging locks and dams infrastructure. It would also improve U.S. transportation capacity, relieve growing congestion on U.S. highways and foster a more competitive transportation system. The bill was passed unanimously by the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee in April.

“America’s inland waterways and ports long have provided U.S. farmers, ranchers and agribusinesses with a strong comparative advantage, enhancing our ability to efficiently and competitively serve domestic and global markets, as well as to secure essential crop inputs for production of grains, oilseeds and other agricultural commodities,” the letter stated. “By far the lowest cost and most environmentally sustainable transportation mode, inland waterway transportation costs are two to three times less than other modes, translating into an annual savings of $7 billion.”

Ninety-five percent of U.S. agricultural exports and imports are transported through U.S. harbors. These exports and navigation activity support more than 400,000 jobs.

However, unless WRDA is approved, the inland waterway system is at risk of becoming a potential detriment to the nation rather than a comparative strength.

“A staggering 57 percent of the locks on the Upper Mississippi and Illinois River System were built in the 1930s with a projected 50-year lifespan, and are in desperate need of modernization and expansion,” the letter explained. “Of those, 26 percent are more than 70 years old. The 2013 infrastructure report card issued by the American Society of Civil Engineers gave the inland waterways a D- grade.”

Farm Bureau urged the addition of two key provisions during Senate floor consideration: that remaining costs for completion of the Olmsted lock and dam on the Ohio River be financed through federal funding; and that the Senate adopt the increase in the barge diesel fuel user fee. The increase is supported by both barge carriers and their customers, including agricultural shippers and will provide the financial wherewithal to initiate and complete lock projects authorized by S. 601.



Assessing Nitrogen Needs after Early Season Precipitation

With dry conditions last summer and early precipitation growers may be having a harder time assessing nitrogen needs this year.

This past summer N stayed in the soil profile longer due to little precipitation. For those with below trend line yields that applied N for trend line or higher yields in the spring of 2012, much of the N was still in the soil last fall.

According to DuPont Pioneer agronomists, the soil N “carried over” could be a great benefit for the corn crop in June. However, as growers continue to receive precipitation, the likelihood of that happening is getting smaller. Spring storms will likely leech the N out of the soil before the plants use it.

While N fertilizers such as anhydrous ammonia, urea and urea-ammonium nitrate (UAN) exist in various forms, the basics of nitrogen availability still apply. Stable ammonium (NH4+) forms are gradually broken down into highly soil mobile nitrate (NO3-) that readily leeches out of the soil profile. This break down process is known as nitrification. Nitrification generally occurs at soil temperatures above 50 degrees, and increases as temperatures rise above this level.

Nitrification inhibitors such as nitrapyrin and DCD (dicyandiamide) are compounds that slow the conversion of ammonium to nitrate and have proven effective for this purpose.



NMPF Joins More than 50 Dairy Organizations in Urging House Agriculture Committee to Include Dairy Security Act in Farm Bill

More than 50 state and national dairy organizations, including the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), sent a joint letter today to members of the House Agriculture Committee, urging that panel to include the Dairy Security Act (DSA) in upcoming Farm Bill. The House Ag panel is expected to begin drafting a Farm Bill next Wednesday.

The letter, which can be found online, said that dairy producers need “a financially-sound risk management program to help farmers better manage margin volatility,” noting that the economic conditions that led to the development of the DSA after the dairy depression in 2009 – low milk prices and high feed costs generating terrible margins – were experienced again by America’s dairy farmers last year, when feed costs soared to record levels as milk prices dropped.

The coalition’s letter – signed by 52 separate organizations – urged House members to oppose a competing proposal to be offered by Reps. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) and David Scott (D-GA), the “Dairy Freedom Act,” because it would weaken the safety net for farmers in order to benefit dairy processors. The Dairy Freedom Act strips out the market stabilization component from the DSA.

The letter says that “Without the discipline offered by market stabilization, low milk prices will continue for longer periods. This is detrimental to farmers. Low milk prices will lead to more government outlays. This is detrimental to taxpayers. The Dairy Freedom Act is supported by processors precisely because it offers them the prospect of lower milk prices, subsidized by government insurance payments. This scenario is not sustainable. Free margin insurance alone is a costly ruse.”

The farm groups assert that “Market stabilization sends a clear signal to farmers participating in this program that a bit less milk is needed. Not only does this hasten a rebound in low-margin situations, it reduces the cost of the program to the government.”

The joint letter points out that “The real threat to the growth of our domestic dairy industry is not a market stabilization program that will only rarely activate; it’s the further damage to our dairy producer sector that would result from an ill-conceived processors’ dream plan to assure themselves a sea of taxpayer-subsidized milk.” Also, the letter notes, the DSA is “a voluntary approach to risk management, which offers producers the choice to participate.”

“The U.S. dairy industry is demonstrating a level of unity and support for the Dairy Security Act that is unprecedented for our industry. These organizations share the belief that the status quo is not an option for our future, and we stand united behind the Dairy Security Act as a rare opportunity for the dairy industry to collectively support reasonable, financially-sound changes to our Federal policies,” said the letter.

The following groups signed onto the letter: Agri-Mark, Alabama Dairy Producers, Arkansas Dairy Cooperative Association, Associated Milk Producers Inc., Colorado Dairy Farmers, Continental Dairy Products, Inc., Cooperative Milk Producers Association, Dairy Farmers of America, Dairy Farmers Working Together, Dairy Producers of New Mexico, Dairy Producers of Utah, Dairylea Cooperative Inc., Dairymen's Marketing Cooperative, Inc., Ellsworth Cooperative Creamery, Farmers Cooperative Creamery, FarmFirst Dairy Cooperative, First District Association, Foremost Farms USA, Holstein Association USA, Inc., Idaho Dairymen’s Association, Iowa State Dairy Association, Kansas Dairy Association, Land O’Lakes, Lone Star Milk Producers, Maryland Dairy Industry Association, Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Coop. Assoc., Michigan Milk Producers Association, Midwest Dairy Coalition, Mid-West Dairymen's Company, Milk Producers Council, Missouri Dairy Association, National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, National Farmers Organization, National Milk Producers Federation, North Carolina Dairy Producers Association, Northeast Dairy Farmers Cooperatives, Northwest Dairy Association, Oregon Dairy Farmers Association, Prairie Farms Dairy, Inc., Premier Milk Inc., Scioto County Cooperative Milk Producers' Association, Select Milk Producers, Inc., South Carolina Dairy Association, South Dakota Dairy Producers, St. Albans Cooperative Creamery, Swiss Valley Farms Company, Tillamook County Creamery Association, United Dairymen of Arizona, Upstate Niagara Cooperative, Inc., Virginia State Dairymen’s Association, Washington State Dairy Federation, and Zia Milk Producers, Inc.



Neogen Launches Comprehensive Cattle Genomic Test

Neogen Corporation announced the development of a new genomic test that offers the beef cattle industry an unprecedented level of information on the genetic potential of individual animals.

Neogen's new GeneSeek Genomic Profiler (GGP-HD) contributes comprehensive data included in Angus genomic-enhanced expected progeny differences (GE-EPDs), which reveal an animal's genetic potential well before breeding, as well as the animal's parentage, and important genetic trait and disease information on the animal. With Angus Genetics Inc. (AGI), Neogen recently announced the availability of a breed-specific version of the new product, the GeneSeek Angus GGP-HD.

"This new test solidifies Neogen's position as the leading provider of genetic testing to the cattle industry," said James Herbert, Neogen's CEO and chairman. "Especially now with the recent changes in the cattle industry, decisions ranchers make on individual animals can be critical to maximizing that ranch's profitability. With this one test, a rancher can decide if the heifer has the genetic merit to keep on the ranch, and exclude the animals that would make poor choices for breeding, or would develop a genetic condition that would reduce its value."

Results from the advanced GeneSeek Angus GGP-HD test will be incorporated into Angus GE-EPDs, which are available on a weekly basis through the American Angus Association National Cattle Evaluation. In 2009, AGI, in collaboration with Neogen's Igenity subsidiary, provided the beef industry with Angus-specific GE-EPDs. Since that time, AGI has continued to foster the research and implementation strategy with GeneSeek to continue to bring high-quality genomic tests into the weekly EPD updates used by Angus breeders and their customers.

The GeneSeek GGP-HD technology is an improvement on the well-known Igenity Profile for Angus test. The custom, high density chip features a unique new design that features nearly 78,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) selectively chosen from studies on thousands of animals. The test provides parentage information at no extra charge. Specialty add-on tests will be available for a number of genetic conditions at minimal additional cost.

As another product offering, Neogen offers beef cattlemen a beef heifer replacement test for breeds other than Angus, including trait detection for Bos indicus-influenced females. The company also offers the beef industry a comprehensive line of animal health products, including veterinary instruments, uniquely detectable D3 needles, and disinfectants, cleaners and rodenticides to enhance a ranch's biosecurity.