Monday June 3 Crop Progress & Condition + Ag News

NEBRASKA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION - JUNE 3, 2013

For the week ending June 2, 2013, rain fell throughout the state and averaged 2-3  inches of moisture  across  the  eastern  third  and  1-2  inches  in  western  areas,  according  to  USDA’s  National  Agricultural  Statistics Service, Nebraska Field Office.  Moisture accumulations of 5 inches or more were recorded in portions of the southeast.  As a result,  drought  conditions  have  eased  in  eastern  areas, while much  of  the western  half  of  Nebraska  continues  in  extreme drought.  Pastures remain in poor or very poor condition across much of the western half of Nebraska. Less than half the week was  considered  suitable  for  fieldwork,  but  corn  planting  activities  are  near  completion  and  soybeans  are  over  80  percent planted.  High winds dried soils, allowing producers brief periods for spring fieldwork.  Pastures were beginning to respond to the spring moisture but are still short in most rangeland areas. The first fields of alfalfa were being cut with stands short and wet conditions limiting progress.   Wheat was heading but still a week and one half behind average.  Statewide, producers had 3.2 days suitable available for fieldwork.  Topsoil moisture supplies rated 6 percent very short, 17 short, 71 adequate, and 6 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 24 percent very short, 36 short, 39 adequate, and 1 surplus.  
 
Field Crops Report:
Corn condition rated 0 percent very poor, 1 poor, 25 fair, 64 good, 10 excellent. The crop was 99 percent planted, near 100 last year and equal to 99 average. Emerged was 84 percent, but behind last year’s 100 and 90 average.

Soybeans planted was  81 percent, behind  last year’s  99  and 90  average.  Emerged was  47 percent, well behind  last year’s  87 and 63 average.

Sorghum planted was  62  percent, behind  81  last  year  and  64  average. Emerged was 19 percent, behind  last  year’s  57  and  33 average.

Wheat conditions rated 24 percent very poor, 29 poor, 33 fair, 13 good, and 1 excellent. Wheat jointed was 92 percent, behind last year’s 100 and 96 average.  Wheat headed was 27 percent, well behind 99 last year and over two weeks behind 62 average.  

Proso millet was 8 percent planted, well behind last year’s 50 and 16 average.  

Oat conditions rated 5 percent very poor, 9 poor, 37 fair, 47 good, and 2 excellent. Oats emerged were 96 percent, behind last year’s 100 and 98 average.  Oats headed was 11 percent, behind last year’s 58 and 23 average.

Alfalfa  condition was  3  percent  very  poor,  15  poor,  38  fair,  41  good,  and  3  excellent.   Alfalfa  first  cutting was  9  percent complete, behind last year’s 84 and 41 average.
 
Livestock, Pasture and Range Report:
Stock water supplies rated 3 percent very short, 12 short, 82 adequate, and 3 surplus.  Pasture and  range condition was 26 percent very poor, 32 poor, 28  fair, 13 good, and 1 excellent.   Hay and  forage supplies rated 35 percent very short, 40 short, 24 adequate, and 1 surplus.
  


Access the National publication for Crop Progress and Condition tables at: http://usda01.library.cornell.edu/usda/current/CropProg/CropProg-06-03-2013.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&region=HPRCC. 

Access the U.S. Drought Monitor at: http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/DM_state.htm?NE,HP. 



IOWA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION - JUNE 3, 2013

Wet  conditions  further  delayed  crop  planting  across  Iowa  during  the week  ending  June  2,  2013,  according  to  the  USDA,  National Agricultural Statistics Service.   Rain  events  throughout  the week kept most  fields  too  wet  for  machinery  to  enter.    Runoff  caused  erosion, especially  in  recently  tilled  fields.   Standing water  in some  fields may damage crops.  

Statewide there was an average of 0.6 days suitable for fieldwork during the week.   East Central  Iowa was  the only area of  the state with a full day suitable for fieldwork.  Topsoil moisture levels rated 0 percent very short,  0  percent  short,  43  percent  adequate  and  57  percent  surplus.  Subsoil  moisture  levels  rated  1  percent  very  short,  4  percent  short, 57 percent adequate and 38 percent surplus.

With  the  rain,  farmers  were  only  able  to  plant  an  additional  three percent of the corn crop during the week.   Corn planting now stands at 88  percent  complete,  behind  the  five-year  average  of  99  percent.  Seventy-three  percent  of  the  corn  crop  has  emerged, well  behind  last year’s 98 percent and  the normal 91 percent.   The  first corn condition rating  of  the  year  showed  the  crop  at  3  percent  very  poor,  8  percent poor, 32 percent  fair, 48 percent good and 9 percent excellent.   Forty-four percent of  the soybean crop was  in  the ground,  trailing  last year’s 99 percent and the five-year average of 91 percent.  Soybean emergence was 23 percent complete; the lowest emergence at this time of the year since  1996.    The  oat  crop  was  99  percent  emerged,  and  the  crop condition  rated  1  percent  very  poor,  4  percent  poor,  30  percent  fair, 55 percent  good  and  10  percent  excellent.    The  first  cutting  of  alfalfa hay was 3 percent complete,  far behind  last year’s 86 percent, and  the lowest since 1996.

Pasture and range conditions continued to improve, and rated 1 percent very  poor,  7  percent  poor,  29  percent  fair,  42  percent  good  and 21 percent excellent.



IOWA PRELIMINARY WEATHER SUMMARY
Provided by Harry Hillaker, State Climatologist, Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship

It was another very wet week across Iowa.   Heavy rain fell over much of the state from Sunday (26th) into Monday (27th) morning with daily totals  near  seven inches  reported  from  Cherokee  County.      Rain was again  widespread  Monday  night  with  thunderstorms  mostly  over southeastern  Iowa Tuesday night  into Wednesday morning.     Rain  fell over most of the state again on Thursday but was under an inch in most areas.      On  Friday  rain  fell  mostly  over  the  northeast  and  southeast corners  of  Iowa  while  Saturday  saw  brief  showers  over much  of  the state.   Rain totals varied from 1.23 inches at Maquoketa to 8.42 inches at  Zearing  (Story  Co.).      The  statewide  average  precipitation  was 3.21 inches or about triple the weekly normal of 1.08 inches.   This was the  wettest  reporting  week  since  July  2010.      The  rain  pushed  the statewide  average  precipitation  totals  to  record  highs  for  May,  the Spring  season  and  the  year-to-date.     Meanwhile  temperatures  for  the week  as  a whole  averaged  near  normal with  relatively warm weather from Tuesday  through Friday and cooler weather on Monday and over the weekend.   Overall temperatures averaged 0.3 degrees above normal with extremes  ranging  from Wednesday afternoon highs of 85 degrees at Clinton and Keokuk  to Sunday (2nd) morning  lows of 45 degrees at Cresco,  Elkader  and  New  Hampton.      The  frequent  rain  and thunderstorms  were  accompanied  by  occasional  high  winds  and  hail with  a  few  severe  storms  over  far  southern  Iowa  on Tuesday,  central and  northeastern  areas  on Wednesday  and  over  much  of  far  eastern Iowa on Thursday.   Finally there were a few large hail reports in north central Iowa on Friday.



90-day Forecast: Above Normal Temperatues, Below Normal Rain
Al Dutcher, UNL State Climatologist

It has been an exceptionally challenging spring for producers attempting to seed their 2013 crops across the vast majority of the U.S. Corn Belt. Although Nebraska is faring better than their eastern counterparts, 14% of the corn crop still had to be seeded seeded as of May 26, according to the Nebraska office of the National Agricultural Statistics Service. Depending on location, corn planting and emergence are 10-14 days behind the five-year average.

Most planting delays can be directly tied to the exceptional cold that invaded the northern and central U.S. in April. A persistent snowpack across Canada and the northern Plains led to Nebraska experiencing its 4th coldest April since records began in 1895. It’s estimated to be the 86th wettest April for that same time period. The chilly weather held through the first week of May before temperatures finally returned to more typical spring conditions.

On a positive note, precipitation has been generous enough across the eastern half of the state to build up soil moisture supplies and lessen drought concerns in the short term. On a less positive note, if we have normal temperatures this summer, corn will likely reach reproduction during mid-July; however, if below normal temperatures continue, the potential for freeze may become an important issue this September.

The Climate Prediction Center has yet to back off its projections for summer heat across the central and southern High Plains region. The two-week forecast for early June indicates above normal temperatures for all of Nebraska, except extreme northeast Nebraska. The entire state is still projected to experience above normal temperatures June through August.

Because standard Growing Degree Day (GDD) calculations for corn and soybeans use an 86°F upper limit and a 50°F lower limit, the best opportunity to reduce the effect of planting delays will be during the first two weeks of June and from mid-August through the end of the crop production season. These are periods when the normal maximum temperature is below 86°F. Otherwise, from mid-June through mid-August, maximum temperatures are above the 86°F threshold and reducing accumulated GDD deficits will require elevated minimum temperatures.

Although severe weather was lacking through mid-May for most of the country, there has been a significant uptick in active weather the past two weeks. If we are to believe the CPC precipitation forecasts for June and June-August, this trend will be short lived. The western two-thirds of the state is projected to experience below normal moisture, while the eastern third has equal chances of experiencing below normal, normal, or above normal moisture during the same time frames.

Short-term model forecasts continue to point toward an active weather pattern for the western Corn Belt through mid-June. The models show continued development of upper air troughs over the western U.S., moving northeast toward the western Great Lakes. This is a perfect scenario for bouts of heavy rain and severe weather for the central and northern Plains. Planting, tillage, spraying, and haying could continue to prove to be a challenge in the short term.

There has been a significant reduction in the drought signature for the western Corn Belt, with the best improvements occurring across eastern sections of this region. The worst drought areas also coincide with the CPC forecast for below normal summer moisture. Thus, this recent stretch of active severe weather has provided us with a unique opportunity to build soil moisture reserves before crop water use begins to exceed the moisture that we normally receive.

Snowmelt in the central Rockies began later than normal this year due to the persistent cold temperatures in April. It is expected to increase over the next few weeks before subsiding during the second half of June. Even with the impressive gains experienced in April, streamflow projections are still expected to be less than 80% of normal. One benefit of the late melt is that it may be providing additional mid-layer moisture for these upper air lows ejecting out of the western U.S. and enhancing their precipitation output across the western Corn Belt.

If the snow can hold on until late June, there will only be a brief period of several weeks before the southwestern U.S. monsoon season kicks into gear (usually late July) and increases atmospheric relative humidity over the western High Plains. Last summer the monsoon season was a bust for western Nebraska due to low atmospheric moisture content over the central Rockies. With the snowpack still holding together, a more normal moisture pattern may develop for western Nebraska during July and August

A second factor that needs to be watched is the intensification and expansion of below normal temperatures across the eastern Equatorial Pacific. If this La Nina-like signal continues to build throughout the summer, the western Corn Belt typically would experience warm, dry conditions in late summer and through fall. This would increase concerns related to the drought and water supplies heading into the 2014 winter.



With Heavy Rains, How Likely is N Leaching?
Charles Shapiro, Extension Soils Specialist, Haskell Ag Lab

Leaching of both residual soil nitrate and applied N is always a concern in the spring. The exact amount of leaching is difficult to quantify. The answer depends on site-specific soil conditions and the effectiveness of the rainfall. In many years this question is complicated by unknown soil moisture when the rains occur. This year most of the state was fairly dry until recently. Some leaching occurs when water moves into the soil, but not all the nutrients (present as anions and cations dissolved in the soil solution) are leached.

For example, assume you have a silt loam soil that holds 2 inches of plant available water per foot. The top 4 feet can hold 8 inches of infiltrated water before it moves deeper. If nitrogen was applied as a surface broadcast application immediately before rainfall, it would move down with the rainfall. Its distribution in the soil would not be uniform, but 3 inches of infiltrated rain would distribute the nitrogen in the top 18 inches of soil. There would still be some nitrogen in the top 6 inches, but the “bulge” of the nitrate concentration would be at about 12 inches. Corn roots will grow into that nitrogen and there should not be an N deficiency as early plant needs would be met.

If there were 6 inches of infiltrated rain, the nitrogen would be distributed over 3 feet. There would be very little N in the top foot, with the N bulge now about 18 inches deep. There would be limited N for a young corn plant and a delay until the corn  roots reached the nitrogen available between 18 inches and 3 feet. If the same scenario happened on a sandy loam with 1 inch/foot water holding capacity, all these depths would be doubled, and there might be problems with the 3-inch rain.

This assumes that leaching is the only loss mechanism. If the soil is saturated for several days, N loss could occur from denitrification.

One of the best ways to determine where your N is located is to take a soil sample up to the 4-leaf stage. This follows guidelines for the PSNT (pre-sidedress N test) which is not routinely used in Nebraska. (See 2012 CropWatch article, Using the PSNT for Spring Testing of Nitrogen Availability.)

For those who did not have time to put on their nitrogen preplant this year, applying early sidedress nitrogen will be very effective since now there is soil water for corn to grow. There is potential for ammonia volatilization if urea or UAN is surface-applied to wet soils, and temperatures get warmer without more rain. The best case situation would be to apply these nitrogen sources and then have about a ½ inch rain following the application. If rain is not forecasted for your area, consider using a urease inhibitor to help reduce loss.

Take Precautions when Applying UAN and Residual Herbicides on Emerged Corn
An early May snow followed by frequent rains throughout most of May have significantly delayed corn planting as well early season field operations such as fertilizer and herbicide applications. This year many corn fields in Nebraska were planted before nitrogen or pre-plant/pre-emergence herbicides had been applied.

Nitrogen
At this point, urea ammonium nitrate (UAN) is the preferred nitrogen source because it's a liquid can be applied easily and quickly, and placed more precisely than other nitrogen sources. UAN is a combination of urea and ammonium nitrate and has an N content of 28-32%. The safest application method is to knife in UAN between the rows, but broadcast application is possible if the total nitrogen rate is kept to around 60 lb N per acre. An exact “safe” level of nitrogen is difficult to predict since environmental and corn plant conditions at application affect crop response. Early leaf burn on corn usually is not a lasting problem since the growing point is still underground and a very small amount of total leaf area is exposed.

Herbicides
Early season weed control is imperative to maximize corn yield. Due to wet soil conditions, many corn growers were not able to apply residual herbicides prior to corn emergence; however, several residual herbicides labeled in corn can be applied after corn emergence. Two important factors to consider when addressing weed control with residual herbicides applied after corn emergence are tank mix partner and carrier options. Applying herbicides and UAN at the same time in a tank mix for corn may seem like a good way to save time and a trip across the field; however, this enhances the foliar activity of herbicides and may result in significant foliar damage to young corn plants.

Several residual herbicides such as Degree Extra, Harness Extra, Keystone, and TripleFlex are labeled for preemergence application in corn with 28% UAN as a carrier option. However, it is not recommended that UAN be used as a carrier when Keystone and TripleFlex are being applied postemergence due to the potential corn injury.

Several other residual herbicides (Balance Flexx, Bicep II Magnum, Keystone, Lexar, Lumax, and TripleFlex) are labeled for early postemergence application in corn where UAN is not recommended. Postemergence application of these herbicides with UAN as a carrier will result in corn injury.

Degree Xtra is one of the few residual herbicides labeled for postemergence applications with UAN as a carrier; however, you should be aware of these aspects:
-   Temperature should not exceed 85°F within 24 hours of application.
-   Some leaf burn may occur.
-   Surfactants, crop oil, or other additives are not recommended unless specified.
-   See label for specific tank mix restrictions.

Some fertilizer salts, including UAN, can be used as herbicide additives in a small quantity to increase herbicide efficacy; however, this use would not supply much nitrogen relative to the total nitrogen requirement of the crop. A few herbicides, such as Python and Resolve DF, allow mixing UAN as a carrier at 2 quarts UAN per acre when applied after corn emergence; however, they cannot be applied with UAN as the total carrier because excessive corn injury may occur.

For more information, see the 2013 Guide for Weed Management in Nebraska (EC 130) published by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension.

Always check herbicide labels for restrictions on use of UAN as a carrier. If a field needs significant nitrogen application, it is best to apply the nitrogen in a separate application or if possible, through the pivot.



Watch for Nitrates in Hay from Small Grains
Bruce Anderson, UNL Extension Forage specialist

Oats, rye, triticale, wheat, and barley. All these small grains can make pretty good hay. But they also can contain toxic levels of nitrates.

Many fields containing cereal or small grain crops are being cut for hay this year. If this hay is put up in good shape, it will be a good feed resource. But don't forget about the potential hazards from nitrates.

Because of drought, numerous problems with nitrates often develop in all sorts of feedstuffs. But even if you had good spring precipitation this year, don't assume nitrates won't be a hazard.

Drought might be a major factor influencing nitrate content but other factors also are important. Fertilization, cutting height, stage of maturity at harvest, drying conditions, and type of small grain all play a role. And sometimes they can lead to high nitrates even when growing conditions are good.

Of all the small grains, oats has high nitrates most frequently. But wheat, rye, barley, and triticale also can have problems.

Avoid illness or death of your cattle by testing your hay for nitrates before feeding. Use a hay coring device to gather samples from at least a dozen bales. If you know which bales came from areas more likely to produce high nitrates -- sites like droughty soils, heavily fertilized or manured areas, or very young growth -- make sure to gather at least some or possibly all your samples from these bales. Then, after getting a laboratory test of the nitrate content of the sample, use the results to feed your hay safely.

Be smart. Don't risk cattle losses by assuming your hay is safe. Test to be sure.



HSUS Plans Two Events in Nebraska
(from HSUS web site)

Farming Celebration, June 27, 2013, The Cornhusker Hotel, Lincoln, NE, 6pm to 9pm
The Humane Society of the United States invites our members, supporters, and other animal advocates to a Celebration of Humane and Sustainable Farming in Nebraska. The Nebraska Agriculture Council is hosting this statewide event -- it's an opportunity for our friends to meet Wayne Pacelle, President and CEO of The HSUS. Join us to learn about our programs to promote humanely and sustainably-raised foods, and to hear how our work in Nebraska supports the mission of our national objectives.

We will discuss ways to support local farmers and new programs that have been designed to promote healthy eating while protecting animals. If you're concerned about creating a more compassionate Nebraska, please attend this free event, and learn what you can do to help.

Even if you've been to one of our events before, join us again for this unique opportunity to meet local farmers and other animal welfare advocates.

Dairy Farm Tour, June 28, 2013, Branched Oak Farm, 17015 Northwest 70th Street, Raymond, NE, 9:30 AM - 12:30 PM
The Humane Society of the United States invites our members, supporters, and other animal advocates to visit the Branched Oak Farm in Raymond, Nebraska, and stay for lunch.

Join Wayne Pacelle, HSUS President and CEO, for a tour of the farm by dairyman Doug Dittman, a member of the Nebraska Agriculture Council of The HSUS. Dittman will show us how his family offers products that are made with sustainable, certified organic methods and have a positive impact on the environment.

Branched Oak Farm is committed to preserving the land and creating farmstead products that are healthy and wholesome, free of chemicals, antibiotics, or hormones.



MAY NEBRASKA AGRICULTURAL PRICES

Preliminary prices received by farmers for winter wheat for May 2013 averaged $7.45 per bushel, an increase of 7 cents from the April price according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service, Nebraska Field Office.  Corn, at $6.95 per bushel, decreased 10 cents from the previous month.  Soybeans, at $14.60 per bushel, increased 50 cents from last month.  The May alfalfa hay price, at $236.00 per ton, was down $10.00 from last month. The other hay price, at $166.00 per ton, was down $11.00 from last month.  There were insufficient reports to publish preliminary May prices for oats and April sorghum.



Green Plains to Acquire Ethanol Plant in Atkinson, Nebraska

Omaha-based Green Plains Renewable Energy, Inc. announced today that it has signed a purchase agreement to acquire the membership interests of Choice Ethanol Holdings, LLC, the entity that owns the former NEDAK Ethanol, LLC ethanol plant located in Atkinson, Neb. and an ethanol storage and loading facility located approximately 15 miles east of the plant. The dry-mill ethanol plant will add approximately 50 million gallons of operating capacity to Green Plains' current annual production capacity of 740 million gallons.

"The acquisition of the plant in Atkinson expands our ethanol production platform and aligns with our ongoing strategy of growing our business and enhancing long-term shareholder value," said Todd Becker, Green Plains' President and Chief Executive Officer. "The plant meets our disciplined acquisition criteria and we have a deep understanding of this technology, size and geographic area. We believe we can rapidly improve the overall performance of this plant." 

The ethanol plant utilizes Delta-T processing technology. The ethanol storage facility holds approximately 24,000 barrels of ethanol and is located on the BNSF rail line. Green Plains plans to staff and re-start the plant within the next four weeks. Once the transaction closes, the Company plans to begin installing corn oil extraction technology, which should be completed in the fourth quarter of 2013. Completion of this transaction is subject to standard and customary closing conditions.



Free Farm Finance Clinics for June

One-on-one, confidential Farm Finance Clinics are held across the state each month. An experienced ag law attorney and ag financial counselor will be available to address farm and ranch issues related to financial planning, estate and transition planning, farm loan programs, debtor/creditor law, water rights, and other relevant matters.  To sign up for a clinic or to get more information, call Michelle at the Nebraska Farm Hotline at 1-800-464-0258.  The Nebraska Department of Agriculture and Legal Aid of Nebraska sponsor these clinics.

Clinic Sites and Dates
-    Grand Island – Thursday, June 6
-    Norfolk – Thursday, June 6
-    North Platte – Thursday, June 13
-    Valentine – Friday, June 14
-    Lexington – Thursday, June 20
-    Fairbury – Friday, June 28



Updated Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy Released

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Iowa Department of Natural Resources and Iowa State University announced the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy has been completed and is available at www.nutrientstrategy.iastate.edu.

The Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy is a science and technology-based approach to assess and reduce nutrients delivered to Iowa waterways and the Gulf of Mexico. The strategy is designed to direct efforts to reduce nutrients in surface water from both point sources, such as wastewater treatment plants and industrial facilities, and nonpoint sources, including farm fields and urban areas, in a scientific, reasonable and cost effective manner.

"A concerted, cooperative and sustained effort by both point and nonpoint sources will be needed to meet the ambitious goals defined in this strategy, since neither source can meet the goals on its own. We must continue to recognize that both sources play critical roles in regards to nutrient loads on a seasonal and annual basis," said DNR Director Chuck Gipp

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR) worked with Iowa State University over a two-year period to develop a draft strategy that was released for public comment period on November 19, 2012. Comments were received from November 19, 2012 to January 18, 2013. Four public meetings were held to educate the public about the draft strategy.

"We are appreciative of the huge interest in the draft strategy and we believe we have a stronger document due to the public comments we received. The intent of this strategy is to provide a comprehensive and integrated approach addressing both point and nonpoint sources of nutrients in a practical and scientific way," said Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey.

In total, over 1,700 written comments were received on the draft Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy. Each comment submitted on the draft was reviewed and revisions to the strategy were made as a result.

A summary of the comments and areas of the strategy that have been changed from the draft report can be found at www.nutrientstrategy.iastate.edu. The summary attempts to address major themes highlighted in the comments received, but each individual comment is not specifically listed.

"We are excited to have this strategy in place, but now the real work starts," Northey said. "The Governor and the Iowa Legislature have been extremely supportive of the strategy and as a result our Department will have additional resources available to move forward with implementing the strategy and get additional conservation practices on the ground."

"Our confidence in the nutrient reduction strategy being successful is evidenced by the very valuable collaboration we have had with representatives of wastewater operations throughout the state in formulating this plan. Not only was their input invaluable to formulation of the final plan, it indicates an unprecedented commitment on their part to reduce nutrients from point sources in Iowa," said Gipp.

"Iowa State University is ready to inform and educate farmers about practices to reduce the loss of nutrients and help them evaluate the options for their land. We look forward to partnering with IDALS and IDNR to implement the strategy," said John Lawrence, associate dean for extension and outreach programs in ISU's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and director of ISU Agriculture and Natural Resources Extension.

The Iowa strategy has been developed in response to the 2008 Gulf Hypoxia Action Plan that calls for the 12 states along the Mississippi River to develop strategies to reduce nutrient loading to the Gulf of Mexico. The strategy will be used to develop operational plans through the Water Resources Coordinating council. It is designed to be a dynamic document that will evolve over time as new information, data and science is discovered and adopted.



Applicants Sought for 2014 ASA/DuPont Young Leader Program

The American Soybean Association (ASA) and DuPont Pioneer are seeking applicants for the 2014 Young Leader Program. Now in its historic 30th year, the ASA DuPont Young Leader program is recognized throughout agriculture for its tradition of identifying and cultivating farmer leaders who are shaping not only the U.S. soybean industry but all of agriculture.

"The Young Leader Program has had a significant impact on the soybean industry,” said ASA President Danny Murphy, a soybean farmer from Canton, Miss. “For three decades, ASA/DuPont Young Leaders have participated in training and developed peer networks that have enabled them to better serve and represent their national, state and local agricultural industry organizations. Additionally, the training has a ‘real-world’ factor, providing a significant impact on their business as well.”

A challenging and educational two-part training program, the 2014 class of ASA/DuPont Young Leaders will meet for the first time at Pioneer’s headquarters in Johnston, Iowa, Nov. 19-22, 2013. The program will continue Feb. 25-March 1, 2014 in San Antonio, with training held in conjunction with the annual Commodity Classic Convention and Trade Show.

The ASA/DuPont Young Leader program offers the opportunity for participants to strengthen and build upon their natural leadership skills, meet and learn from other young leaders from around the country and expand their agricultural knowledge.

Applications will be accepted online beginning June 3. Interested applicants should go to www.SoyGrowers.com/dyl.

ASA, its 26 state affiliates, including the Grain Farmers of Ontario, and DuPont Pioneer will work together to identify the top producers to represent their state as part of this program. One couple or individual per state will be chosen to participate. Applications will be accepted until Oct. 1.



Corn Farmers Return to Nation’s Capital in Advertising, Educational Campaign

For the fifth year in a row, policymakers in our nation’s capital are learning about the U.S. family farmers who produce corn, our nation’s top crop, as part of the Corn Farmers Coalition program.  Once again, the program, which is sponsored by the National Corn Growers Association and its state affiliates, showcases how innovative and high-tech corn farmers have become by introducing a foundation of facts about farmers and farming.

“This has always been a crucial time of year in Washington to make sure our lawmakers and those who influence them remember the importance of corn farming to our nation and our economy,” said Pam Johnson, NCGA president and a corn grower in Iowa. “Our state corn checkoff programs have seen the importance of this program each year for educating a very important audience about this essential crop  and its high value.”

The Corn Farmers Coalition program launched June 1 with a major advertising presence in Washington that puts prominent facts about family farmers in front of thousands on Capitol Hill, starting with “station domination” at Union Station through the month of June. The large-format ads will travel to the Capitol South Metro station for July. In addition, online advertising will appear in publications such as  Politico, Washington Post, the New York Times, Roll Call, National Journal, and Congressional Quarterly.

Among the facts presented in the campaign, from the U.S. Department  of Agriculture:
•    America's corn farmers exported $7.6 billion worth of corn last year—one of the few U.S. products with a trade surplus.
•    95 percent of all corn farms in America are family owned, and family farmers grow 90 percent of America's corn.
•    Thanks to advanced technology, last year corn farmers delivered the 8th largest crop – despite the worst drought since 1936.

This year, the campaign also features important messages from Field to Market, the Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture:
•    America's corn farmers have cut soil erosion 67 percent by using innovative conservation methods.
•    The energy used to grow a bushel of corn decreased 43 percent, thanks to family farmers' use of technology.
•    The land required to grow a bushel of corn has decreased by 30 percent.
•    Corn farmers have reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 36 percent, thanks to improved farming practices.



USDA Announces Commodity Credit Corporation Lending Rates for June 2013

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) today announced interest rates for June 2013. The CCC borrowing rate-based charge for June 2013 is 0.125 percent, unchanged from 0.125 in May 2013. For 1996 and subsequent crop year commodity and marketing assistance loans, the interest rate for loans disbursed during June 2013 is 1.125 percent, unchanged from 1.125 in May 2013.

Interest rates for Farm Storage Facility Loans approved for June 2013 are as follows, 1.250 percent with seven-year loan terms, unchanged from 1.250 in May 2013; 1.750 percent with 10-year loan terms, down from 1.875 in May 2013 and; 2.000 percent with 12-year loan terms, down from 2.125 percent in May 2013.



USDA Renews Commitment to Improving Regulatory Efficiency

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced its plan to update regulatory processes for notices regarding public property, loans, grants, benefits and contracts by rescinding an outdated statement of policy that required USDA agencies to needlessly delay the delivery of these benefits to rural communities.

"As USDA continues working to streamline government and remove red tape, we're able to better serve our rural constituents by helping them have quicker and easier access to federal loan and grant programs," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

The Administrative Procedure Act (APA), the law that governs rulemaking, provides Federal Agencies an exemption to notice and comment requirements for rules related to property, loans, grants, benefits, and contracts. In 1971 USDA voluntarily revoked this exemption because, at the time, the Federal Register published information that was not widely available elsewhere. Today, new technologies, such as the internet, are available to widely distribute program information to interested stakeholders.

Over the past four decades, USDA has found that this restrictive statement of policy often increased costs and delays. USDA remains committed to continuing to maintain transparency and accountability while increasing efficiency in the regulatory process. This proposed policy change would restore USDA's discretion to use notice and comment, with regard to these specific rules, when it best serves the interest of the public. It would also improve USDA's ability to efficiently implement programs that provide funding for disaster assistance loans and rural business grants to farmers and rural communities faster.

This proposed policy change is expected to be published in the June 3, 2013 issue of the Federal Register.



CWT Assists with 2.1 Million Pounds of Cheese Export Sales

Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) has accepted eight requests for export assistance from Dairy Farmers of America and Northwest Dairy Association (Darigold) to sell 2.075 million pounds (941 metric tons) of Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese to customers in Asia and North Africa. The product will be delivered June through November 2013.

Year-to-date, CWT has assisted member cooperatives in selling 59.201 million pounds of cheese, 51.727 million pounds of butter, 44,092 pounds of anhydrous milk fat and 218,258 pounds of whole milk powder to 31 countries on six continents. These sales are the equivalent of 1.675 billion pounds of milk on a milkfat basis. That is more than USDA’s projected increase in milk marketings for all of 2013.

Assisting CWT members through the Export Assistance program positively impacts producer milk prices in the short-term by helping to maintain inventories of cheese and butter at desirable levels. In the long-term, CWT’s Export Assistance program helps member cooperatives gain and maintain market share, thus expanding the demand for U.S. dairy products and the farm milk that produces them.

CWT will pay export assistance to the bidders only when delivery of the product is verified by the submission of the required documentation.



2012 Corn Crop Still Needs to Be Monitored

The 2012 corn crop delivered many of the problems that were foreseen throughout last year’s growing season. Decreased yields, variable quality and mycotoxins have affected livestock production throughout North America. However, this crop may still be causing trouble as we dig deeper into the storage bins.

Alltech’s 37+ Program surveyed 329 samples from July 1 through Dec. 31, 2012. Only one percent of the samples analyzed were free of mycotoxin contamination; 94 percent were contaminated with two to 10 mycotoxins. In corn grain samples, 95 percent contained Fumonisin and 48 percent contained DON. In corn silage, 90 percent contained Fumonisin and 84 percent contained DON. The DDG samples contained 100 percent of both Fumonisin and DON. In all samples tested, aflatoxin was present in 18 percent.

“The ‘take home’ out of this data set is that the 2012 corn crop is widely contaminated with multiple mycotoxins that can decrease animal performance and health,” said Dr. Max Hawkins, Alltech Myctoxin Management Team.  “However, as aflatoxins' allowable level in feed and its metabolite M1 in milk are legislated, its presence is not as widespread and is more regionalized.”

According to Hawkins, 37+ analyses conducted since Jan.1 has shown similar results but with an interesting new finding. The numbers of mycotoxins present are increasing.

“This increase in the total numbers of mycotoxins over time can be attributed to areas such as poor fermentation and inadequate packing or face management that can contribute to further mold growth and mycotoxin production,” Hawkins said.

At harvest time, it was recommended for mycotoxin contaminated grain to be dried to 14 percent moisture within 24 to 48 hours to stabilize mold growth and ensure adequate grain storage. By limiting mold growth, mycotoxin production can be stabilized, but any mycotoxins already present would remain.

According to Hawkins, as temperatures remained warm in the fall, many growers aerated the bins and discovered that the mold and mycotoxin levels increased rapidly.  As storage facilities have been emptied this spring, high levels of mycotoxins have been found in the lower levels of the facilities, where the fines and cracked kernels tend to concentrate.

Hawkins recommends these five tips for producers using the last of their 2012 crop:
-    Only run aeration fans during the coolest times of day or night. Hold grain at 50 degrees Fahrenheit or less and 14 percent moisture or less.
-   Mold growth in storage is greater where there are leaks in facilities and where fines and damaged kernels are concentrated.
-   The south side and tops of grain bins warm quicker as daytime temperatures begin to increase.
-   New mold growth will increase temperature and moisture in surrounding grain.
-   Continually monitor stored grain for temperature, moisture and mycotoxins.



Ukraine Grain Exports 9.4% Higher Than Last Year

Ukraine exported 21.86 million metric tons of grain since the beginning of the current marketing year, 9.4% more than in the corresponding period in the previous marketing year, the agriculture ministry said Monday.

The ministry said grain exports in the marketing year from July 1, 2012 to June 1 included 6.7 million tons of wheat compared with 4.84 million tons a year earlier. The export of corn to date totaled 12.73 million tons compared with 12.56 million tons a year ago. The export of barley to date totaled 2.1 million tons compared with 2.4 million tons a year earlier.

In May Ukraine's grain exports totaled 956,400 tons, including 156,000 tons of wheat and 728,600 tons of corn.

The government in April removed restrictions on the export of wheat that it had imposed earlier in the marketing year due to drought.

The agriculture ministry has said Ukraine's 2012 grain harvest fell to 46.2 million tons from 56.7 million tons in 2011 because of drought and grain exports in the 2012-2013 marketing year should total 24.4 million tons, including just over six million tons of wheat. In the previous marketing year Ukraine exported 21.794 million tons of grain.



The Andersons and Lansing Trade Group to Acquire Canadian Entity

The Andersons, Inc. (Nasdaq: ANDE) and Lansing Trade Group, LLC announce today they have entered into an agreement to acquire Thompsons Limited, a grain and food-grade bean handler and agronomy input provider, headquartered in Blenheim, Ontario, and operating through 12 locations across the province and in Minnesota.

The acquisition, which remains subject to certain customary closing conditions, is expected to close at the beginning of the third quarter. The business, which Lansing Trade Group and The Andersons will equally own, will continue to operate as Thompsons Limited. Lansing Trade Group’s current trading office located in Chatham, Ontario will be consolidated into Thompsons.

“For The Andersons, this acquisition establishes a foothold in Ontario with a similarly diversified agricultural company adjacent to our eastern corn-belt roots. It also enables us to leverage our strengths with those of our partner Lansing Trade Group,” says CEO Mike Anderson. “Thompsons is a highly respected, integrated grain, food-grade bean and agronomy business with a similar strategy of cultivating and maintaining strong relationships with growers and end users globally.”

“Thompsons Limited has always been a respected name in the Ontario agriculture markets,” says Bill Krueger, President and CEO of Lansing Trade Group. “The opportunity for Lansing to grow our existing Canadian presence with such a cornerstone company fits our long term strategy. Our partnership with The Andersons will facilitate the entity’s immediate growth in the crop nutrients sector. Thompsons Limited will benefit from the combined strength of Lansing and The Andersons in its other areas of business including grains, food-grade products and farm services.”

Established in 1924, Thompsons is an integrated supplier of value-added agricultural products and services to growers in Ontario, Minnesota and North Dakota and to food processing customers worldwide. Thompsons owns and operates 12 elevators, 11 retail farm centers, 2 seed processing plants, 5 bean processing plants and a wheat processing plant. Thompsons has a combined owned and leased grain storage capacity of 20 million bushels and 30,000 metric tons of nutrient capacity.