NEBRASKA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION
For the week ending June 16, 2013, rainfall was limited until the weekend, allowing producers an opportunity to harvest hay crops, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service, Nebraska Field Office. Precipitation in most areas was light with less than a half inch recorded. As a result, some pivots have been started in central and western counties. Heavier amounts of rain fell in portions of extreme east central and northeastern counties. Temperatures averaged near normal across the east and north but were 4 to 6 degrees above normal across western drought counties. Winter wheat was beginning to turn color in southern counties with harvest expected to start around July 4. Statewide, producers had 5.7 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 7 percent very short, 24 short, 66 adequate, and 3 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 25 percent very short, 30 short, 44 adequate, and 1 surplus.
Field Crops Report:
Corn conditions rated 0 percent very poor, 2 poor, 23 fair, 65 good, 10 excellent. The crop was 100 percent emerged, in line with last year and average.
Soybean conditions rated 0 percent very poor, 2 poor, 21 fair, 67 good, and 10 excellent. Soybeans were 99 percent planted. Emerged was 90 percent, behind last year’s 99 but near 91 average.
Sorghum conditions rated 1 percent very poor, 7 poor, 26 fair, 41 good, and 25 excellent. Sorghum planted was 97 percent, behind 99 last year but ahead of 93 average. Emerged was 72 percent, behind last year’s 90 and 75 average.
Wheat conditions rated 24 percent very poor, 28 poor, 32 fair, 15 good, and 1 excellent. Wheat headed was 88 percent, behind 100 last year and 94 average. Wheat turning color was 7 percent, well behind 91 last year and 34 average.
Oat conditions rated 3 percent very poor, 11 poor, 31 fair, 48 good, and 7 excellent. Oats headed were 51 percent, behind last year’s 86 and 63 average.
Alfalfa conditions were 2 percent very poor, 11 poor, 36 fair, 46 good, and 5 excellent. Alfalfa first cutting was 60 percent complete, well behind last year’s 95 and 71 average.
Livestock, Pasture and Range Report:
Stock water supplies rated 3 percent very short, 12 short, 83 adequate, and 2 surplus. Pasture and range condition was 15 percent very poor, 24 poor, 41 fair, 18 good, and 2 excellent. Hay and forage supplies rated 27 percent very short, 35 short, 38 adequate, and 0 surplus.
Access the National publication for Crop Progress and Condition tables at: http://usda01.library.cornell.edu/usda/nass/CropProg//2010s/2013/CropProg-06-17-2013.txt.
Access the High Plains Region Climate Center for Temperature and Precipitation Maps at: http://www.hprcc.unl.edu/maps/current/index.php?action=update_region&state=NE®ion=HPRCC.
Access the U.S. Drought Monitor at: http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/DM_state.htm?NE,HP.
Crops & Weather: NASS Iowa Field Office
Iowa farmers struggled to get the remaining cropland planted during the week ending June 16, 2013, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Intermittent rainfall throughout the week didn’t permit enough drying, and some farmers resorted to planting in less than ideal conditions. Statewide there was an average of 2.8 days suitable for fieldwork. East Central and South East Iowa had the most days suitable for fieldwork, while North West and North Central Iowa had the least amount of days suitable. The surplus rating of soil moisture levels dropped this week, but moisture levels remained mostly in the adequate and surplus categories. Topsoil moisture levels rated 0 percent very short, 0 percent short, 54 percent adequate and 46 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 0 percent very short, 2 percent short, 64 percent adequate and 34 percent surplus.
Ninety-four percent of Iowa’s corn crop was in the ground, 2 percentage points higher than last week but normally all corn is planted by this time. Eighty-nine percent of the corn crop has emerged, 10 percentage points below the five-year average. Corn condition was reported at 4 percent very poor, 12 percent poor, 34 percent fair, 42 percent good and 8 percent excellent. Farmers have planted 77 percent of the soybean crop, an advancement of 17 percentage points from last week, but planting is still lower than the normal 96 percent. Soybean emergence was 56 percent complete; well behind both last year’s 97 percent, and the five-year average of 91 percent. The first soybean condition rating of the year reflected 4 percent very poor, 10 percent poor, 36 percent fair, 42 percent good and 8 percent excellent. Thirty-six percent of the oat crop was headed, and the crop condition rated 1 percent very poor, 5 percent poor, 26 percent fair, 57 percent good and 11 percent excellent. It was reported high winds in some areas caused lodging in oats.
The first cutting of alfalfa hay was 31 percent complete, compared to last year when the first cutting was finished, and the second cutting was 27 percent complete. Farmers were waiting for drier conditions to cut hay. Hay condition was rated at 1 percent very poor, 3 percent poor, 29 percent fair, 52 percent good and 15 percent excellent. Pasture and range conditions rated 1 percent very poor, 5 percent poor, 24 percent fair, 48 percent good and 22 percent excellent.
IOWA PRELIMINARY WEATHER SUMMARY
Provided by Harry Hillaker, State Climatologist, Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship
Slightly warmer weather prevailed over the past reporting week in Iowa. The period began with temperatures slightly below normal on Sunday (9th) and Monday (10th) with daytime highs mostly in the 70’s. However, above normal temperatures prevailed for the remainder of the week except on Friday (14th) when widespread cloudiness reduced daytime readings. Temperature extremes for the week ranged from a high of 93 degrees at Keokuk on Wednesday afternoon to morning lows of 52 degrees at Sibley on Thursday and Elkader on Friday. Temperatures for the week as a whole averaged 1.7 degrees above normal. Light rain fell over most of Iowa on Sunday (9th) with dry weather statewide on Monday and Tuesday. Thunderstorms brought rain to about the northern two-thirds of the state on Wednesday with locally heavy rain and severe weather over north central and northeast Iowa. Thursday was mostly dry with scattered light showers over western Iowa. Rain fell nearly statewide on Friday and Saturday with the heaviest rains falling over west central Iowa on Friday evening. There were a numerous reports of high winds and hail over western Iowa Friday night and a few over the southeast corner of the state on Saturday night. Weekly rain totals varied from just 0.08 inches at Lowden in Cedar County to 6.00 inches at Coon Rapids in Carroll County. The statewide average precipitation was 1.38 inches while normal for the week is 1.19 inches.
Corn Emerged - Selected States
[These 18 States planted 92% of the 2012 corn acreage]
-----------------------------------------------------------------
: Week ending :
:-----------------------------------:
State : June 16, : June 9, : June 16, : 2008-2012
: 2012 : 2013 : 2013 : Average
-----------------------------------------------------------------
: percent
Colorado ........: 99 80 90 96
Illinois ............: 100 89 94 97
Indiana ...........: 100 90 97 94
Iowa ...............: 100 81 89 99
Kansas ...........: 100 91 98 100
Kentucky ........: 100 84 95 98
Michigan .........: 100 91 97 96
Minnesota .......: 100 78 86 99
Missouri ..........: 100 82 90 94
Nebraska .........: 100 91 100 99
North Carolina ..: 100 100 100 100
North Dakota ...: 100 67 81 94
Ohio ...............: 100 94 98 95
Pennsylvania ...: 92 78 97 85
South Dakota ..: 100 91 95 95
Tennessee ......: 100 94 97 99
Texas .............: 98 96 98 98
Wisconsin ......: 99 60 75 96
18 States .......: 100 85 92 97
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Corn Condition - Selected States: Week Ending June 16, 2013
[National crop conditions for selected States are weighted based on 2012 planted acreage]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
State : Very poor : Poor : Fair : Good : Excellent
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
: percent
Colorado .......: 8 8 31 47 6
Illinois ...........: 2 9 32 44 13
Indiana ..........: 1 3 23 55 18
Iowa ..............: 4 12 34 42 8
Kansas ..........: 2 6 31 54 7
Kentucky .......: 1 3 17 61 18
Michigan ........: 1 3 22 60 14
Minnesota ......: 2 6 34 50 8
Missouri .........: 2 8 37 46 7
Nebraska ........: - 2 23 65 10
North Carolina ..: - 3 29 58 10
North Dakota ...: - 2 19 65 14
Ohio ...............: - 2 17 56 25
Pennsylvania ...: - 1 16 68 15
South Dakota ..: 2 3 24 59 12
Tennessee ......: 1 6 17 56 20
Texas .............: 3 8 36 39 14
Wisconsin ......: 1 5 35 45 14
18 States ........: 2 6 28 52 12
Previous week .: 2 6 29 53 10
Previous year ..: 2 7 28 52 11
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Soybeans Planted - Selected States
[These 18 States planted 95% of the 2012 soybean acreage]
-----------------------------------------------------------------
: Week ending :
:-----------------------------------:
State : June 16, : June 9, : June 16, : 2008-2012
: 2012 : 2013 : 2013 : Average
-----------------------------------------------------------------
: percent
Arkansas .......: 98 67 79 87
Illinois ............: 99 62 90 87
Indiana ...........: 100 87 93 88
Iowa ...............: 100 60 77 96
Kansas ...........: 94 66 81 85
Kentucky ........: 94 48 63 78
Louisiana ........: 98 88 92 97
Michigan .........: 100 90 100 95
Minnesota .......: 100 72 84 99
Mississippi ......: 100 88 96 99
Missouri ..........: 96 48 70 75
Nebraska .........: 100 94 99 98
North Carolina ..: 73 46 57 74
North Dakota ...: 100 69 87 96
Ohio ...............: 100 94 97 94
South Dakota ..: 100 82 91 93
Tennessee ......: 94 47 62 79
Wisconsin ......: 100 55 72 97
18 States .......: 98 71 85 91
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Soybeans Emerged - Selected States
[These 18 States planted 95% of the 2012 soybean acreage]
-----------------------------------------------------------------
: Week ending :
:-----------------------------------:
State : June 16, : June 9, : June 16, : 2008-2012
: 2012 : 2013 : 2013 : Average
-----------------------------------------------------------------
: percent
Arkansas .......: 94 57 67 75
Illinois ............: 97 43 67 76
Indiana ...........: 97 70 83 77
Iowa ...............: 97 39 56 91
Kansas ...........: 85 43 60 73
Kentucky ........: 85 30 46 65
Louisiana ........: 95 81 86 92
Michigan .........: 96 73 87 84
Minnesota .......: 99 38 64 92
Mississippi ......: 99 70 91 95
Missouri ..........: 84 31 49 63
Nebraska .........: 99 71 90 91
North Carolina ..: 56 35 47 60
North Dakota ...: 98 25 52 79
Ohio ...............: 99 75 86 80
South Dakota ..: 96 47 70 73
Tennessee ......: 77 29 40 61
Wisconsin ......: 92 28 49 84
18 States .......: 94 48 66 80
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Soybean Condition - Selected States: Week Ending June 16, 2013
[National crop conditions for selected States are weighted based on 2012 planted acreage]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
State : Very poor : Poor : Fair : Good : Excellent
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
: percent
Arkansas ......: 5 2 36 45 12
Illinois ...........: 2 7 27 50 14
Indiana ..........: 1 4 26 55 14
Iowa ..............: 4 10 36 42 8
Kansas ..........: 1 2 32 61 4
Kentucky .......: 1 3 16 69 11
Louisiana .......: 1 5 31 48 15
Michigan ........: 1 5 27 55 12
Minnesota ......: 1 5 35 54 5
Mississippi .....: - 2 34 60 4
Missouri .........: 2 8 40 45 5
Nebraska ........: - 2 21 67 10
North Carolina .: - 2 35 56 7
North Dakota ..: 1 1 21 67 10
Ohio ..............: - 2 21 61 16
South Dakota ..: - 1 25 63 11
Tennessee .....: - 4 15 66 15
Wisconsin .....: - - 50 50 -
18 States ......: 1 5 30 54 10
Previous week ..: (NA) (NA) (NA) (NA) (NA)
Previous year ...: 3 9 32 48 8
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Innovations On The Land: Private Conservation for the Public Good
You are invited to the 2013 national symposium Innovations On The Land: Private Conservation for the Public Good, July 25th and 26th in Lincoln, Nebraska. The symposium will convene leading farmers, ranchers, and foresters to address private-public partnerships, conservation and economics, and other issues important to the agricultural community and the general public.
Bringing together Leopold Conservation Award recipients with award partners and sponsors to address pressing challenges will help us all identify innovative solutions and opportunities in private lands conservation. Participants will carry the message beyond the symposium to families across the nation who work the land. Don’t miss this important event. Register online at www.innovationsontheland.com or contact Cassie White, at cwhite@sandcounty.net.
Safety First … Avoiding Risky Behaviors
Helping Cattlemen Gain Insight to Build a Stronger Safety Culture
Nebraska Cattlemen will be hosting meetings in July to raise awareness of the importance of safety and helping producers understand safety issues and simple strategies to achieve safety success. More information will be available as the meeting dates approach. Stops include...
• Monday, July 15th – Elks Club, 820 J Street, Cozad
• Tuesday, July 16th – Nielsen Community Center, 200 Anna Stalp Ave, West Point
• Wednesday, July 17th – Wunderlichs, 304 23rd St, Columbus
UNL to host Weed Management Field Day
Weed management in corn and soybean will be the focus of a University of Nebraska-Lincoln field day on Tuesday, July 2, at the UNL South Central Agricultural Laboratory near Clay Center. A special session is for on-site demonstration for control of glyphosate-resistant giant ragweed in corn.
The Weed Management Field Day will begin with registration at 8:30 a.m. and end at 2:15 p.m.
Tour stops and topics: weed control in soybean, 9 a.m.-10:15 a.m.; weed control in corn, 10:30 a.m.-11:45 a.m.; glyphosate-resistant giant ragweed, 1:15-2:15 p.m.
See the field day flyer for more information at http://cropwatch.unl.edu/c/document_library/get_file?uuid=39348300-18c4-421c-bd5a-cfe3ef585a62&groupId=1841&.pdf, or contact Amit Jhala, extension weed management specialist at 402-472-1534 or amit.jhala@unl.edu.
The field day is free and includes lunch. The UNL South Central Agricultural Laboratory is 7.5 miles west of Hwy 14 and Hwy 6 intersection, or 13 miles east of Hastings on Hwy 6.
Southeast Nebraska Wheat Tour June 27
This year's UNL Southeast Nebraska Winter Wheat Tour will feature 15 varieties and 19 experimentals as well as presentations by UNL wheat experts and a panel of growers. The tour, sponsored by UNL Extension, will begin at 7 p.m. Thursday, June 27 at the UNL wheat variety trial plot hosted by Dennis Broz of Wilber. Extension Educator and tour host Randy Pryor said speakers will include:
- Teshome Regassa, UNL extension educator and wheat trial manager, will answer grower questions about the trial.
- Stephen Baenziger, UNL professor and wheat breeder, will discuss variety options for southeast Nebraska.
- Stephen Wegulo, UNL plant pathologist, will give a disease management update for wheat for southeast Nebraska.
- New this year will be a growers panel with Wayne Brinkmeyer, DeWitt; Robert Rohe, Beatrice; and Mark Knobel, Fairbury. They will share their tips for nutrient management and high yielding wheat.
Pryor said you can count on unbiased, research based information from University of Nebraska–Lincoln Extension at field events such as the wheat variety plot tour. Many participants discover new knowledge and ideas and meet other farmers using wheat as a part of their crop rotation.
Kolaches and refreshments will be served, thanks to support from area agribusinesses.
Directions
Plot location: Go seven miles west of Wilber on Highway 41, then go one mile south on County Road 1500, turn right (or west) on County Road Q, proceed 0.2 mile. The field is on the south side of the road.
Rain Date
In the case of a storm or rain, the meeting will start at the Saline County Extension office meeting room in Wilber at 306 West 3rd St.
Near Record Number of NE Ag Ed Programs Creates a Teacher Shortage
Stacey Agnew, Executive Director, NE FFA Foundation
The 2012-13 school year marked the second highest number of Agricultural Education and FFA programs in Nebraska's history and in just the past four years, Nebraska has added almost 20 programs. Matt Kreifels, State Director of Agriculture Education, says the potential and interest exists for even more programs, but "while there are more qualified students graduating in ag education, we still can't keep up with the demand." Nebraska has joined in with the Teach Ag initiative that starts encouraging students to think about careers in Ag Education when they are in high school. The Nebraska FFA Foundation understands the value of supporting Ag Education Instructors and new Ag Education programs knowing that 66% of Nebraska's ag teachers will be eligible to retire in the next 10 years.
SAE Visits Go On Throughout the Summer
The three-circle model of Ag Education is integrated approach in instruction, FFA and Supervised Agricultural Experience (SAE). And while most instruction and FFA events happen in the school year, many teachers end up spending their summer visiting students and their families about the importance of their SAE and value of FFA. This visit is an great one-on-one instructional opportunity. Teachers visit the site of the SAE, whether it's the family farm, a local greenhouse, an auto shop or a grocery store, and observe and educate students in the field. Often times, the focus is on educating students on the career pathways in agriculture, food and natural resources. While these visits can happen year-round, many teachers take their summer months to make deeper connections with students and make sure they continue learning outside the classroom.
Ag Education Instructors Take Opportunities to Grow This Summer
The range of conferences is vast and growing, but just in Nebraska, three main conferences are hosted this summer and supported by the Nebraska FFA Foundation. The first was a Soils Education conference. This was the third year of soils education conference in which teachers receive curriculum and tools necessary to teach soils in their classroom. In July, many ag teachers will be participating in the Curriculum for Agricultural Science Education, or CASE Institute. This two-week-long training is held in Lincoln and this year's focus is on Principles of Agricultural Science - Plant. Finally, the week-long Food & Nutrition Science Summer Institute in July gives teachers the tools and materials necessary to teach a food science course in their classrooms.
2013 FSA County Committee Nominations Now Open
The Farm Service Agency county committee election nomination period begins June 17, 2013. County committee members provide input and make important decisions on the local administration of USDA disaster and conservation programs. I encourage you to nominate farmer and rancher candidates to serve on the local FSA county committee by the August 1, 2013 deadline. Additionally, I ask that you please post or publicize/distribute the enclosed news releases and nomination form at your earliest convenience.
To be eligible to serve on the FSA county committee, a person must participate or cooperate in a program administered by FSA, be eligible to vote in a county committee election, and reside in the local administrative area in which the person is a candidate.
Producers may nominate themselves or others, and organizations representing minorities and women may also nominate candidates. To become a candidate, an eligible individual must sign the nomination form FSA-669A. The form and additional information about FSA county committee elections are available online at http://www.fsa.usda.gov/elections. Nomination forms for the 2013 election must be postmarked or received in the local FSA office by close of business on August 1.
FSA county committee members are reimbursed for their time and travel to participate in meetings at the Thurston County FSA Office. 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.
Election ballots will be mailed to producers beginning November 4, 2013. The voted ballots are due back to the local county office via mail or in person by December 2, 2013.
For more information about county committees, please contact your county FSA office or USDA Service Center or visit www.fsa.usda.gov.
Watch for Alfalfa Weevil Adults on Regrowth
Bruce Anderson, UNL Extension Forage Specialist
First cuttings of alfalfa are later than normal in many areas. When this happens, alfalfa weevil activity often increases.
Weevil larvae generally eat small holes in leaves at the growing tip of alfalfa plants. As larvae grow, damage increases as the holes become larger. Severely damaged fields have a grayish appearance because of the drying of skeletonized upper leaves and buds.
Most fields did not have enough damage to need spraying before first cutting. After harvest, many larvae die when exposed to direct sunlight and high temperatures at the soil surface. But will enough larvae survive to be a problem for regrowth?
A greater concern may be the survival of weevil adults. These critters can be really hard on alfalfa regrowth by feeding on the developing crown buds, retarding growth and preventing fields from greening up after harvest.
The first step in controlling weevil adults is the removal of windrows and bales as soon as possible to expose these insects. Examine stubble frequently to see if adults are delaying green-up by feeding on new buds, especially where the windrow laid.
If there is damage, use Table 1 to help determine when spraying may be desirable. This guide considers insecticide cost, hay value, and harvest management.
Don’t let alfalfa weevil adults delay second growth of your alfalfa. Keep a watchful eye on the stubble and spray, but only if necessary.
Planting Forages after Wheat — Consider New Options
With wheat harvest quickly approaching, this is a good time to make plans for what you’ll do with those fields post-harvest.
Planting a forage into wheat stubble for hay, silage, or grazing is an especially valuable option this year as growers try to rebuild feed reserves that were exhausted last spring due to drought or slow early season growth.
If you’re considering a forage, be aware that seed supplies for traditional favorites may be short. Cover crops last fall, spring forage plantings, and now prevented planting choices in some states have used most of the forage seed, making this a good year to try something new.
Typically, we might plant an early maturing corn or a forage sorghum to chop for silage. If these seeds aren’t available, maybe a short-season sunflower will work for silage. Sunflower survives light frost and yields well under many conditions.
For double-crop hay, sorghum-sudan hybrids, pearl millet, or foxtail millet tend to be first choices. A good alternative is solid-seeded soybeans. Also consider planting bin-run corn very thick so stems aren’t so heavy and hard to cut and dry. Oats or other spring small grains planted in early August are another option.
Definitely consider turnips and other brassicas, as well as oats, for fall pasture planted into wheat stubble in late July or early August. Often they are less expensive to plant and, with a few timely rains, will produce a good amount of high quality feed in a short time.
Covers, Conservation Practice Construction May be Options This Year
Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey encouraged farmers to consider planting a cover crop, building conservation practices or doing both on land they have been unable to plant this year due to the historically wet weather.
"This has been the wettest spring on record, and as a result a significant part of our state's corn and soybean crops have not yet been planted," Northey said. "It is critically important that farmers work with their crop insurance agent to understand all their planting options. If farmer does use prevented planting I encourage them to consider using a cover crop, building conservation practices or, better yet doing both, on their impacted land this year."
The final planting date for full crop insurance coverage in Iowa for corn is May 31 and for soybeans is June 15. After these dates farmers have several options, one being to leave the land idle. Planting a cover crop in this instance can help prevent erosion and ties up the nutrients in the soil and reduces the potential for them to move into the state's rivers, lakes and streams.
Farmers unable to grow a crop this year may also want to consider building additional conservation practices on the impacted land, such as terraces, grass waterways, sediment control basins, and others. These practices can be built this year during the growing season without impacting a growing crop.
Farmers can work with their local USDA Service Center and Soil and Water Conservation District to find more information about cover crops and conservation practice construction.
In addition, Iowa's USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) recently developed a fact sheet for planting cover crops on prevented planting fields. The fact sheet includes a table with diverse cover crop mixes to address specific natural resource concerns. This fact sheet is available in the "Agronomy" section of their website at www.ia.nrcs.usda.gov or at your local NRCS office.
Farmers seeking more information about their crop insurance options should contact their local insurance provider or the USDA Risk Management Agency's Saint Paul Regional Office at 651-290-3304, by email rsomn@rma.usda.gov, or online at http://www.rma.usda.gov/aboutrma/fields/mn_rso/.
IFB Webinar Helps Connect Beginning Farmers to Assistance
Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF), the state's largest grassroots organization, is hosting a webinar as part of its ongoing Margin Management Series on June 24 at 1 p.m. to connect young and beginning farmers to various sources of capital.
"Farming is capital intensive and it can be a real challenge to know who to turn to for information on how to get started," said Ed Kordick, IFBF commodity services manager. "We've assembled some great experts for this webinar who will provide an overview of farm loan and beginning farmer programs as well as information on unique sources of capital to make it easier to get a foot in the door."
"Our goal is to ensure each young farmer leaves with a better understanding of beginning farmer programs and a roadmap for loans and financial resources," Kordick said.
Speakers and topics include:
-- Nathan Katzer, IFBF Farm Business Development Manager: IFBF's role in providing information on farm loan and beginning farmer programs.
-- Steve Ferguson, Iowa Agricultural Development Division of the Iowa Finance Authority: Beginning Farmer Loan Program and Beginning Farmer Tax Credit.
-- Brian Gossling, Iowa Farm Service Agency (FSA): direct and guaranteed loans from FSA.
Farmers can access the webinar from home or farm office by going to www.iowafarmbureau.com, finding the webinar banner and entering the forum as a guest on the day of the event. Webinar participants will have the opportunity to ask questions during the session. For more information, contact Ed Kordick at ekordick@ifbf.org.
Iowa's Top Grillers to Compete for Title at State Fair
The sweet smell of barbeque and smoked meat will soon be wafting in the air when the state's best grillers gather to compete in the 50th annual Iowa Farm Bureau Cookout Contest on Aug. 13 during the 2013 Iowa State Fair.
The championship pursuit begins in June when county Farm Bureaus host local contests to determine winners in several categories of outdoor cooking. Interested grillers and attendees should contact their county Farm Bureau office for more details and information on rules and local contests.
Local finalists from around the state will compete at the state fair for the coveted 2013 Cookout Contest Championship and cash prizes. A gas grill, donated by Iowa Propane Gas Association (valued at $1,000), will be given to the winner in the youth category.
"Iowans take their grilling seriously and every year contestants from around the state look forward to showcasing their skills at our annual state cookout contest," said Iowa Farm Bureau Cookout Coordinator Denny Harding. "It's a great way for grillers to demonstrate their creativity while preparing high-quality meats produced here in Iowa."
Contestants will compete in six categories: beef, pork, lamb, poultry, turkey, and combo/specialty. Entries in the beef category will be limited to chuck or round primal cuts, including ground chuck or ground round. Combo recipes combine two or more meats from the five other categories. Specialty recipes may feature venison or any other Iowa domestically raised product. All wild game is excluded. Dishes will be judged on taste, appearance, and originality. Special recognition will go to contestants in showmanship, youth and team cooking categories. Youth grillers must be between the ages of 13 and 18 years, as of Aug. 1. Farm Bureau or affiliated company employees are not eligible to compete.
Beef Checkoff-Funded Program Selects Regional Finalists
As one of the beef industry’s top inspirational cooking competitions, the National Beef Cook-Off®, funded by the Beef Checkoff, is in the homestretch of announcing its finalists and region winners for 2013. Home cooks are vying for a chance to win $25,000 and a trip to the Metropolitan Cooking & Entertaining Show in Washington, D.C.
“This year’s program steps up communication outreach on cooking with beef, inspiring home cooks to prepare nutritious beef recipes and encourage beef purchases,” said Evelyn Brown, Cook-Off Program Committee Chairman, for the American National CattleWomen, Inc., a contractor to the Beef Checkoff Program. “The overall goal of this program is to target new consumers through new channels of communication — reaching a wider and more diverse group of consumers.”
Promoting the value and versatility of beef to consumers is a strong driving force behind this competition. The contest seeks to motivate, inspire and educate consumers to prepare delicious, nutritious and convenient everyday beef recipes more often. It gives them the confidence to go beyond the traditional burger or steak and create a culinary delight.
The program also employs extensive national and local media outreach efforts to build on the excitement of the contest. Social media is also incorporated in all live promotions and announcements to encourage viral spread. In the ever changing and challenging marketing environment, it is critical for the Checkoff to connect with consumers in this way.
“Making the Most of MyPlate” Theme
Entrants were asked to develop original and tasty beef-focused recipes that included broadly appealing ingredients from the fruit and vegetable, grain products and dairy products groups. Recipes this year focused on a “Make the Most of MyPlate” theme and were entered in four categories:
- Belt-Tightening Beef Recipes – Home cooks create nutritious and affordable beef recipes that are great values to prepare.
- Semi-Homemade Beef Recipes – Home cooks demonstrate how easy it is to cook with beef when they combine any fresh beef cut and fresh ingredients with prepackaged food products.
- Real-Worldly, Real Simple Beef & Potato Recipes – Home cooks create original easy-to-make lean beef and fresh potato centered recipes that feature international flavors and maintain a nutritious profile.
- Craveable Fresh Beef and California Avocado Recipes – Home cooks produce easy recipes using all fresh ingredients, featuring one of the lean beef cuts and at least one fresh California avocado.
21 regional finalists recently announced include:
Region 1:
Korean BBQ Beef on Lettuce – Lisa Keys, Kennett Square, Pa. (Voted Consumers’ Favorite Recipe)
Tacos with Lime-Jalapeño Cream – MacKenzie Severson, Germantown, Md.
Simple Spanish Beef & Potato Wraps – Christina Verrelli, Devon, Pa.
Region 2:
Apricot Teriyaki Beef Stir-Fry – Janet Gray, Lexington, S.C.
Grecian Flat Iron with Quinoa – Debbie Reid, Clearwater, Fla.
Tuscan Burgers & Avocado-Tomato Spread – Harold Cohen, Hollywood, Fla.
Region 3:
Greek-Style Beef & Potatoes – Crystal Schmidt, Altoona, Wis.
Pesto Steak & Artichoke Sandwich – Sonya Goergen, Moorhead, Minn.
Beef Tacos with Pomegranate Guacamole – Jim Bradley, Chicago, Ill.
Region 4:
Korean Beef & Vegetable Bowls – Teresa Cardin, Stephenville, Texas
Lemon Grass Beef with Avocado – Loanne Chiu, Fort Worth, Texas
Cali-Avocado Steak Salad – Abbie Argersinger, Austin, Texas
Region 5:
Mediterranean Beef & Pesto Fingerling Fries – Kelly Mapes, Fort Collins, Colo.
Bistro Steak & Mediterranean Potato Medley – Stacy Reed, Gresham, Ore.
Simple Beef & Potato Skillet Olé – Deborah McGuire, West Linn, Ore.
Region 6:
Balsamic & Blue Cheese Steak Sandwich – Emily Detwiler, Truckee, Calif.
Cali-Caribbean Steak Street Tacos – Mary Hawkes, Prescott, Ariz.
Harvest Steak & Quinoa Salad – Merry Graham, Newhall, Calif.
Region 7:
Pesto-Pepper Jack Sliders – April Sadler, Topeka, Kan.
Mango Tango Tacos – Julie Danler, Bel Aire, Kan.
Italian Beef Pot Pie – Julie Grobe, York, Neb.
From the 21 finalists, seven $1,500 regional winners will be announced on July 15. One different $25,000 grand prizewinner will be announced from the remaining 14 finalists, at the November Metropolitan Cooking & Entertaining Show in Washington, D.C. The grand prize winner will be selected based on the highest overall scoring recipe.
“This highly competitive cook-off taps into an audience of strong beef eaters and creates a growing awareness of the versatility of cooking with beef,” said Brown. “We hope it helps deepen the home cook’s knowledge of beef and ultimately grooms a new generation of beef lovers.”
National Pork Board Elects New Officers
Newly elected National Pork Board President Karen Richter, of Montgomery, Minn., sees great opportunity in the year ahead helping consumers understand the value and versatility of today’s pork and updating the strategic direction of America’s Pork Checkoff. The Minnesota producer was elected to head the 15-member board at a meeting held in conjunction with the recent World Pork Expo in Des Moines, Iowa.
“As a producer and board member, I am constantly working to make this industry better for future generations,” Richter said. “There’s never a short list of challenges in the livestock industry, but we continue to evolve our programs so that the pork products we provide and the way that we operate our farms improve to meet the needs of our customers, consumers and producers.”
Richter farms with her family in Minnesota on a wean-to-finish operation with 600 hogs and contracts 3,000 gilts through their feeder-to-finish operation. She also raises corn and soybeans on 600 acres. Richter succeeds Conley Nelson, a farmer and pork producer from Algona, Iowa, who will remain on the board’s executive committee as immediate past president.
Richter is in her second three-year term on the National Pork Board. She serves on the Checkoff’s Domestic Marketing Committee and Pork Safety Quality and Human Nutrition Committee. She has been actively involved with the Minnesota Pork Board serving as president and secretary, as well on the local level with the Le Sueur County Pork Producers.
Serving belongside Richter for the next year is Dale Norton, a pork producer from Bronson, Mich., vice president; and Derrick Sleezer, a pork producer from Cherokee, Iowa, treasurer. The three executive officers will serve one-year terms in their positions beginning immediately.
“As we look ahead to this year, the pork industry has versatile, nutritious products that offer great value to consumers,” Norton said. “It’s important that producers continue to build trust and share our commitment with customers and consumers.”
Hold Off Expanding Hog Operations in Short Term
Although hog production has returned to break-even levels, Purdue Extension agricultural economist Chris Hurt advises producers to forego expansion for now because of delayed planting and uncertainty about this fall's corn harvest.
Pork producers were among some of the hardest hit financially when the drought of 2012 decimated grain supplies and sent feed prices skyrocketing. But hog prices have rallied this spring, from the mid-$50s per hundredweight in March to the low-$70s, and feed prices have fallen somewhat on the heels of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's March Grain Stocks report that showed more grain than expected.
Even so, late spring planting has brought on some worries about hog production costs, Hurt said.
"Delayed planting has most recently sent corn and meal prices trending upward, raising concerns that hog production costs will not drop as much as some had anticipated," he said.
Listen to Hurt discuss the hogs outlook at Farmdoc.
Current production costs are about $67 per live hundredweight. Hog prices for the third quarter are expected to remain about the same, leaving producers at break-even levels for the foreseeable future, Hurt said.
Break-even means that all of a producer's costs are covered, including depreciation and family labor. According to Hurt, most producers could continue their operations under break-even conditions, but they aren't likely to expand.
While corn and soybean meal prices are expected to decrease in late summer and into fall as the new crop supplies become available, Hurt said hog prices also would fall, continuing the break-even trend.
"Current forecasts are that fourth-quarter corn prices will be $1.25 lower per bushel than third-quarter prices and soybean meal prices will be $40 lower per ton," he said. "That means costs will drop from about $67 per live hundredweight this summer closer to $60 for the final quarter of the year.
"Hog prices are expected to be near the $60 level for the final quarter of 2013 and 2014, thus continuing break-even conditions."
Hurt advised producers to keep expansion plans on hold until they see how this year's crop sizes and prices pan out and how they will affect hog production costs. More information about the crop will become available over the next 60 days, as the growing season progresses.
"In general, if corn prices stay below $6 per bushel, the pork industry will be able to survive another year of low crop production," he said. "Corn prices above $6 would push the outlook back to losses.
"The opposite would be true of $5 or lower corn prices. Some expansion could be expected with low $5 corn prices, and a more aggressive expansion would be expected with corn prices dropping below $5."
With that in mind, Hurt said expansion of the U.S. pork herd isn't likely until at least the fall. Any expansion at that time would begin with gilt retention and wouldn't increase pork supplies until late summer and fall of 2014.
CME Hikes Lean Hogs Margin Requirements
CME Group Inc. raised the amount of collateral needed to trade lean-hog futures. As of close of business Tuesday, speculators in the lean-hog contract will be required to put up $1,688 to open a futures position, up from $1,418, according to a CME release Friday. Speculators must maintain a margin of $1,250 to keep the position open, up from $1,050. The initial and maintenance requirements for hedges have also been raised to $1,250 from $1,050.
CME lean-hog futures have rallied throughout the past month, with the front-month contract hitting its highest level since August 2011 on tight hog supplies and strong domestic pork demand. But the rally has started to lose steam, with deferred contracts ending lower Thursday and Friday.
Smithfield Pressed to Carve Itself Up
A major Smithfield Foods Inc. investor is pressuring the company to explore a breakup rather than follow through with its planned takeover by a Chinese meat producer, according to a letter reviewed by The Wall Street Journal.
In a letter to the Smithfield board, expected to be delivered by Monday, activist investment fund Starboard Value LP says it has taken a 5.7% stake in the world's largest hog farmer and pork processor and urges the company to consider splitting up.
The position makes Starboard one of Smithfield's larger investors.
Virginia-based Smithfield agreed last month to a $4.7 billion offer from Shuanghui International Holdings Ltd. in a deal that would mark the biggest Chinese takeover of a U.S. company.
In the letter, Starboard argues that Smithfield would be worth more if it were broken up into three parts -- U.S. pork production, hog farming and international sales of fresh and packaged meats -- and then sold.
Starboard says a broken-up Smithfield could be worth $44 to $55 per share, compared with the $34-per-share price offered by Shuanghui. The offer, including debt, values Smithfield at $7.1 billion.
A Shuanghui spokesman declined to comment. Smithfield declined to comment. Smithfield earlier this year opposed a push by another investor to break up the company.
LMA’s 50th Anniversary World Livestock Auctioneer Champion Crowned
Dustin Focht of Stillwater, Okla., proved his world-class talent as a livestock auctioneer at the 50th anniversary of the Livestock Marketing Association’s (LMA) World Livestock Auctioneer Championship (WLAC) held in Montgomery, Ala., on Saturday, June 15.
A late comer to the livestock auctioneering profession, Focht, 43, whose grandfather was a livestock auctioneer, didn’t begin selling until 13 years ago. He credits fellow Oklahoma auctioneers Ralph Wade and Greg Griffith with helping to form him into the world champion auctioneer he is today.
“I had never sold anything or had a chant before I met Ralph. He took a complete beginner and in two days taught me the basics and put me in the block at Oklahoma National Stockyards,” Focht explains. “Greg taught me all the values that exemplify an auctioneer: professionalism, integrity, honesty and value.”
Focht says patience, preparation and the experience of 11 previous WLAC contests gave him the confidence and ability to win this year’s contest. Focht, who also won for high score in the interview contest, says during the contest he worked on relaxing, being professional and doing the best auctioneering job he could with the tough competition he faced.
In his acceptance speech, Focht thanked the Livestock Marketing Association and its staff for the dedicated support they provide the livestock auction markets across the country. “I know I have big shoes to fill, but I can’t wait to travel across the country visiting markets and talking about all the good things the organization and auction markets do for the industry.”
Focht was sponsored by Cherokee Sales Co., LLC, Cherokee, Okla.; Woodward Livestock Auction, Inc., Woodward, Okla.; and Anthony Livestock Sales Co., Anthony, Kan.
This year’s champion takes home a customized 2013 Ford F-150 pickup to use during the year of his reign; $5,000 cash; a championship sculpture; world champion Gist belt buckle and a hand-tooled leather briefcase from LMA; world champion ring sponsored by Montgomery Stockyards; the Golden Gavel Award sponsored by the World Wide College of Auctioneering; and a James Reid, Ltd. money clip sponsored by CattleUSA.com.
Also, making a great showing were the Reserve Champion Brian Little, Wann, Okla., and Runner-up Champion Blaine Lotz, Edna, Kan. Little was sponsored by Coffeyville, Livestock Market, LLC, Coffeyville, Kan. As reserve champion, Little received $2,000 cash, a Gist knife and reserve champion Gist belt buckle from LMA.
Lotz was sponsored by South Coffeyville Stockyards, Inc., South Coffeyville, Okla.; Fredonia Livestock Auction, Fredonia, Kan.; and Tulsa Stockyards, Inc., Tulsa, Okla. He will take home $1,000 cash, a Gist knife and runner-up Gist belt buckle, sponsored by LMA.
The 2013 Audrey K. Banks “Rookie of the Year” Award winner was Mike Godberson, Pawnee, Okla., who was sponsored by Ouachita Livestock Market, LLC, and Cattleman’s Livestock Auction, Harrison, Ark. Godberson was awarded $500 cash by LMA, in recognition of an impressive display of talent at his first WLAC competition.
The seven remaining 2013 WLAC finalists: Preston Smith, Imperial, Nebr.; Russele Sleep, Beford, Iowa; Jason Santomaso, Sterling, Colo.; Brandon Neely, Southside, Ala.; Daniel Mitchell, Cumberland, Ohio; and Brennin Jack, Prince Albert, Saskatchewan, all received Gist belt buckles from LMA.
Each of the 31 semi-finalists received garment bags from LMA and commemorative 50th anniversary soft coolers from the host market.
Thirty of the semi-finalists were selected during four quarterfinals held during the year at different livestock markets in the U.S. As the International Auctioneer Champion is always given a “bye” to become an automatic semi-finalist, Brennin Jack qualified as the champion from Canada.
When not on the auction block at the livestock markets he works, Focht will spend his year traveling the country sharing his auctioneering skills with other livestock markets, and acting as a spokesperson for the industry. Therefore, each semi-finalist had an opportunity to establish their knowledge of the livestock marketing business, and their ability to express that knowledge with clarity, in a judged interview session held on Friday of the championship.
The auctioneering phase of the contest is held during an actual sale, with live bidders in the seats. Contestants were judged on the clarity of their auction chant; vocal quality; their ability to catch bids and conduct the sale; and finally, would the judge hire this auctioneer for their own livestock market?
Following the semi-finals, ten finalists were selected to return to the auction ring for the final round where they sold more lots of cattle, and were judged again, based on the same criteria.
The WLAC highlights the auctioneer’s crucial role in the competitive marketing of livestock. LMA hosts the contest each year to promote the auction method of selling livestock; which results in true price discovery of the value of all classes of livestock and sets the cash market for all other methods of selling.
This year’s 50th anniversary contest was hosted by Montgomery Stockyards, Montgomery, Ala., where attendees had the opportunity to witness a great livestock sale, an incredible auction market crew in action and the best in the business of livestock auctioneering.
Farm Aid Music and Food Festival Heads to New York
Farm Aid announced today that its annual benefit concert will return to the Northeast on Sept. 21 taking place at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
"In New York and across the Northeast, family farmers are pioneering change in our farm and food system. This region has strong agricultural roots and offers fertile ground for new farmers and sustainable agriculture," said Farm Aid President Willie Nelson. "On the Farm Aid stage in September, we'll celebrate the hard work of family farmers and support their efforts to grow strong and healthy communities for all of us."
Farm Aid 2013 will feature Farm Aid board members Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Neil Young and Dave Matthews. Additional artists will be announced soon. The concert benefits and promotes Farm Aid's mission to keep family farmers on the land, strengthen and revitalize America's food system, and support the growth of the Good Food Movement -- the growing number of people seeking local, organic, humanely raised and family farm-identified food.
Farm Aid 2013 will be an all-day music and food festival featuring a unique mashup of artists and genres on the stage and serving concert-goers family farm-identified, local and organic foods with its own HOMEGROWN Concessions. In Farm Aid's HOMEGROWN Village, concertgoers will have the chance to meet farmers, engage in hands-on food and farm activities, and learn about the ways family farmers are enriching our soil, protecting our water and growing our economy, in addition to bringing us good food for good health.
"New York is pleased to host Farm Aid's annual benefit concert this September in Saratoga Springs," Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said. "This star-studded event will support Farm Aid's mission to promote family farmers and healthy eating, as well as raise awareness about the important role farms play in our economy and culture. Here in New York, we are continuing to grow our state's vibrant agricultural industry through initiatives such as the FreshConnect program, which provides more avenues like farmers markets to connect New Yorkers with fresh, affordable and locally grown food products. We are also making important investments in regional food distribution hubs and marketing efforts like Taste NY to promote New York-made agricultural products and niche industries such as yogurt and wine, beer and spirits. New York is committed to its farmers, and so I commend Farm Aid for their work in helping farmers all across the nation flourish."
Farm Aid has long collaborated with and supported organizations and organizers in the Northeast who are growing the Good Food Movement. Many of the region's farmers have been served by Farm Aid's hotline and Farmer Resource Network. Over the past 28 years, Farm Aid has made grants of more than $2.5 million in the Northeast region -- nearly half a million in New York alone -- supporting programs that expand access to family farm food and grow new markets for farmers, create change in the food system, and help farmers thrive.
"Over a year ago, several of my colleagues and I first hoped out loud that Farm Aid would come to New York State to celebrate and support our hard-working family farmers," said Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY). "I am so pleased that Willie Nelson and Farm Aid have chosen New York to showcase the finest music talent in the world alongside our New York family farmers, who are producing some of the best dairy products and fresh fruits and vegetables in the world."
Tickets for Farm Aid 2013 will go on sale June 28, at 10 a.m. EDT. Tickets will be available at www.ticketmaster.com and through the Farm Aid member pre-sale beginning June 18 at www.farmaid.org.
"Saratoga Performing Arts Center is tremendously proud and excited to host the 2013 Farm Aid music and food festival at our historic outdoor venue," said Marcia J. White, SPAC's president and executive director. "Over the past 48 years, SPAC's stage has been at the center of countless legendary concerts and live music events; Farm Aid may top them all with its superstar lineup of artists fueled by the crucial mission of promoting and supporting family farms, healthy eating and strong communities. SPAC itself is surrounded by a greenbelt of nearly 75,000 acres of beautiful, fertile Saratoga County farmland. The opportunity to be part of an event that will benefit these neighbors and farmers across America represents a defining moment in SPAC's history."
Welcome to the KTIC Agriculture Information blog!!! Check back here for the latest in ag news and information, from local events to international happenings and government reports that affect your operation. Please email with suggestions! -Chad Moyer, Farm Director, KTIC Radio
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