Wednesday June 26 Ag News

NAP Coverage Available for 2014 Annual Forage Crops in Nebraska

The Risk Management Agency (RMA) announced a pilot program that offers a CAT level Rainfall Index-Annual Forage Insurance Plan to producers in Nebraska, Texas, Kansas, North Dakota, Oklahoma and South Dakota for annual forage crops used for livestock feed or fodder.

Because there is limited time for producers in these states to transition from NAP to the new RMA pilot program, an exception was made that will allow the states to continue offering NAP coverage for 2014. However, NAP coverage will not be available in 2015 for these same annual forage crops.

Eligible producers can apply for 2014 NAP coverage at their local county FSA office using form CCC-471, Application for Coverage. Producers must file the application and service fee by the September 30, 2013 deadline for fall seeded forage crops and March 15, 2014 for spring seeded annual forage crops.



Holzfaster Running for Reelection to NCGA Corn Board

As he will complete his first term of service on the National Corn Growers Association's Corn Board in September, Jon Holzfaster is running for reelection and a second term helping develop policy to guide the association. A native Nebraskan, Holzfaster provides unique perspective when balancing issues involving the interaction between the livestock and ethanol markets.

Holzfaster decided to run for reelection to the Corn Board because he strongly believes in NCGA's grassroots vision and focus. He is proud to have played a small role in the organization's successes since 2002 and looks forward to working toward greater accomplishments in the future.

"In order to be an effective leader, you have to be familiar with the organization which you have been chosen to lead," said Holzfaster. "You have to be receptive to your fellow board members, staff and, most importantly, the membership base. At NCGA, I have found that it is key to listen to the membership and the staff and to apply the things that you have learned in the past. For almost nine years, I have been picking up the nuances at NCGA and, by applying these along with what I learn from listening, I can play an active role in developing solutions that lead us forward as an organization."

As a member of the Corn Board, Holzfaster believes that he can and does provide the leadership and vision necessary for continued positive change and for evolution within the industry.  To do so, he aggressively promotes and supports the corn industry's two largest customers, ethanol and livestock.

"I strive to see the 'big picture' and avoid rash decisions that may create unintended consequences.  With leadership experience ranging from local civic groups to state and national commodity representation, I absorb all sides of a discussion before stating my opinion. "

Holzfaster owns and operates the same farm in southwest Nebraska that his family has for three generations. On their farm, they produce corn, popcorn, soybeans, dry edible beans, wheat and alfalfa.  Together, his family also operates a 1,000-head non-commercial feed yard that utilizes feed produced on the farm.



ND Ag Commissioner to Head Ag Export Association

North Dakota Agriculture Commissioner Doug Goehring has been elected president of the Food Export Association of the Midwest USA (Food Export Midwest).  Goehring says, "I will be working with the staff of Food Export Midwest to ensure that Midwestern food and commodity exporters have the necessary support to expand our foreign markets."

Goehring was elected during the annual meeting of the Midwestern Association of State Departments of Agriculture (MASDA) in Medora, North Dakota.

Created in 1969, as a cooperative effort between 12 state agricultural promotion agencies and USDA's Foreign Agricultural Service (FAS), the non-profit Food Export Association of the Midwest USA promotes the export of food and agricultural products from the U.S. Midwest.

Through its member states, Food Export-Midwest provides a wide range of services, including export promotion, customized export assistance and a cost-share funding program, to develop trade between local food suppliers and importers around the world.

MASDA and Food Export Midwest are comprised of the state agriculture commissioners, secretaries and directors of North Dakota, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin.

Also during the meeting, Jamie Clover Adams, director of the Michigan Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, was elected president of MASDA, succeeding Goehring.



Iowa Soybean Association offers farmers vital weed management resource

Herbicide-resistant weeds are becoming more of a problem in Iowa. Plants including waterhemp, horseweed, giant ragweed and others are threatening the livelihood of farmers statewide, reducing soybean and corn yields and increasing production costs.

The Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) is committed to helping farmers understand and manage the problem and has recently launched a weed management action campaign called “Take Action.” The multi-faceted effort, funded by the Soybean Checkoff, uses radio, video, print and on-line information to highlight and address the threat of herbicide-resistant weeds and the importance of taking action. ISA has created a clearinghouse of information at www.iasoybeans.com/TakeAction/index.html.

The “Take Action” site features a tour of six Iowa farms, discussing the issue of weed management with farmers around the state, including Tom Oswald who farms near Cleghorn in northwest Iowa.

“It’s not always about a product, but management techniques,” he says. Farmers need to adapt management styles to their systems. While weeds in his area of the state are manageable now, Oswald says, “the issue of weed resistance has my radar turned on high.”

"The ISA has the power to deliver," says Ed Anderson, ISA senior director of supply and production systems. “Herbicide resistance isn't a new phenomenon, by any means. Farmers have dealt with it for more than 50 years, but the problem has intensified in the last decade as many weed species have become increasingly less sensitive to glyphosate --- the most widely used herbicide in the state. In some parts of the country, weed-infested fields have nearly put farmers out of business.”

Mike Owen, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach weed specialist and agronomist, estimates 20 percent to 30 percent of soybean fields have glyphosate-resistant weeds --- 2 to 3 million acres. Less than 5 percent of the fields have serious resistance problems, he says.

“In the near future, that number is expected to increase dramatically,” Owen says. It’s likely all Iowa farms have resistant weed biotypes, he contends. Most farmers are just a year or two away from a serious weed control problem.

If farmers are proactive and adopt herbicide resistance management plans, glyphosate and other chemicals can still control weeds now and in the future.



Northey Thanks Officials for Strong Support of Water Quality

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey thanked Gov. Branstad and the Iowa Legislature for their strong support for a voluntary, science-based approach to improving water quality. Thanks to the work of the Governor and Legislature, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship will receive an additional $22.4 million in fiscal 2014 to support conservation and water quality improvements in Iowa.

"The tremendous support from the Governor and legislators for the voluntary, science-based approach to improving water quality here in Iowa and downstream is very exciting," Northey said. "Farmers take great pride in caring for the air, soil and water, and these funds will provide vital assistance as they seek to do an even better job keeping nutrients on our land and out of our rivers, lakes and streams."

Before the recently completed legislative session Northey had requested $2.4 million for an agriculture water quality initiative in fiscal 2014 and $4.4 million for the initiative in 2015. Branstad had supported those requests in his budget proposal to the Legislature. These funds will be used to provide cost share funds for practices and structures known to improve water quality, education and outreach to farmers about the initiative and to hire a water quality coordinator for the Department.

The Legislature approved the requested funding and provided an additional $10 million in one-time funding to be used over the next five years to support science-based water quality practices. Of that funding, 70 percent is to be used in targeted watersheds and 30 percent can be used for water quality practices statewide.

The Department will also receive an additional $7 million one-time appropriation that can be used over the next five years to help address the backlog of state soil conservation cost-share projects. Cost share receives an annual appropriation of $6.7 million, but the Department currently has applications for more than $20 million in assistance. All funds are matched by the landowner to support construction.

The legislature also approved $3 million to the Watershed Improvement Review Board (WIRB) for voluntary watershed projects.

The Department again received $1.62 million this year to support the closure of agriculture drainage wells. This appropriation will allow the Department to finish closing 12 wells and bring the total number of closed wells to 262.

Additionally, the Legislature appropriated $1.5 million to start a nutrient management research center at Iowa State University that will conduct ongoing research on practices farmers can use to reduce nutrient losses.

Outside of water quality, the Department received a $500,000 increase in its general fund appropriation to $17.58 million. These funds will be used to meet mandatory staffing cost increases and potentially refill some of the 70 positions lost over the last 5 years.



“Fields of Champions” highlights farming at Summer Games Opening Ceremony

The third annual “Fields of Champions” Family Cookout, celebrating food and farming and benefiting the Iowa Food Bank Association (IFBA), will be a highlight of the Summer Iowa Games Opening Ceremony Saturday, July 20 in Ames. The event is free and open to the public. Donations will benefit the IFBA and support Iowans in need of food assistance.

“We are proud to be the presenting sponsor of the Iowa Games,” says Aaron Putze, coordinator of the Iowa Food & Family Project, which sponsors the event. “This family event is a great way to highlight the important connection between healthy activities, healthy food and the farmers who contribute to a healthy state.”

“Fields of Champions” sponsors include the Iowa Beef Industry Council, Iowa Egg Council, Iowa Pork Producers Association, Iowa Select Farms, Iowa Soybean Association, Midwest Dairy Association, The Soyfoods Council, United Soybean Board, Hiland Dairy Foods, Swiss Valley Farms and Iowa Food Bank Association.

Iowa farmers will be on hand throughout the celebration to talk about what they do and answer questions about food and farming. Kids of all ages can pick up a ‘Zone Score Card’ that will send them through a series of interactive stations to learn about food and farming. Participants will then take the card to ‘The End Zone’ to register for prizes, including a $1,000 scholarship and an iPad mini. 

The action begins at 4:30 p.m. in the parking lots around Jack Trice Stadium on the Iowa State University campus. The meal — featuring beef and pork burgers, soy snacks, eggs on a stick, yogurt, fruit and milk — will serve 2,200 people and is provided for a free-will donation.

In addition to the meal, the “Fields of Champions” celebration features entertainment including inflatable games, face painting, balloon artists and more kid-friendly activities. The incredible ACRODUNK team, as seen on past seasons of America’s Got Talent, will entertain the crowd with gravity-defying flipping, dunking and dancing. YouTube sensations, the Peterson Farm Bros, will perform their hit “I’m Farming and I Grow It” and be available for photos and autographs.

The Iowa Food & Family Project (www.facebook.com/foodnfamilies) is dedicated to uniting Iowans in conversations about today’s farms and food system through personal engagement and advocacy. It proudly serves as presenting sponsor of the Iowa Games and supporter of Live Healthy Iowa and is funded in part by the soybean checkoff.

For more information, go to www.iowafoodandfamily.com.       



Economists: Another Farm Bill Extension Seems Inevitable

Three Purdue University agricultural economists agree that another extension of 2008 farm legislation is a distinct possibility following the House's defeat of the proposed farm bill last Thursday.

Chris Hurt, Otto Doering and Roman Keeney, who closely follow developments of farm legislation, question whether Republican leadership in the House will allow debate on the contents of the farm bill again anytime soon. With the one-year extension set to expire at the end of the fiscal year Sept. 30, farmers could see another extension of the five-year agricultural spending plan.

"There was just too much in the bill to dislike," Hurt said. "Too many amendments passed at the last moment that changed the bill."

One amendment in particular, sponsored by Rep. Steve Southerland (R-Fla.), would have given states the power to require food stamp recipients to seek work while on the program. That brought a backlash from Democrats and was key to the bill's failure last week.

Without passage of a farm bill, farm legislation would revert to a 1949 law that could lead to steep price increases on some items, including milk, for consumers. Legislators avoided that scenario by extending the 2008 farm bill in late December as dairy subsidies were scheduled to expire and the nation also was about to fall off the "fiscal cliff."

"We cannot go without a farm bill because the 1949 legislation has too extreme of consequences," Hurt said. "So odds may favor a second year of extension of the old farm bill."

Doering believes the bill foundered on elements not directly related to agriculture - primarily the battle over how much spending should be cut from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as food stamps, and from commodity programs.

The Republican majority in the House will not follow its leadership and likely will remain fractured on important issues, such as a long-term budget fix, Doering said.

"It will come together primarily on issues of shared values, and the farm bill was not such an issue," he said.

While it is difficult to predict what Congress will do about farm legislation this year, Keeney said farmers should understand that the Sept. 30 end of the federal fiscal year doesn't mean that all farm programs would end on that date without congressional action. Programs for corn and soybean crops, for example, remain intact throughout the crop season, which extends well beyond September.



On Capitol Hill, NCGA President Outlines Benefits of Expanding Trade

During a House Committee on Small Business hearing today in Washington, National Corn Growers Association President Pam Johnson provided policy recommendations for the U.S. Trade Representative on growing export opportunities.  Johnson focused on the benefits for family famers of expanding export markets and maximizing foreign market access.

"Agricultural producers succeed when industry and government work side-by-side," NCGA President Pam Johnson said during her testimony.  "It is critical that U.S. negotiators have an appreciation for how increasing exports translates into benefits for family farmers.  The U.S. economy will not benefit from agriculture issues being placed on a 'to do' list.  Now is the perfect time to eliminate long standing barriers to agricultural exports and promote policies that bring economic opportunity back to rural America."

NCGA members have much to gain from government policies that encourage exports and facilitate small, family-owned farms entering the global marketplace, Johnson said. Developing new markets for America's agricultural products will help the sector lead the nation in economic growth and international competitiveness.

Johnson also said NCGA has joined other agricultural trade associations in calling for the trade agreement to be comprehensive and to tackle the significant hurdles that must be overcome when dealing with agricultural products. For NCGA members, the biggest challenge is approval of corn and corn products derived through biotechnology.



Registration Open for 2013 Cattle Industry Summer Conference

If cattlemen and women want a seat at the table and involvement in shaping the future of the beef industry, then Denver, Colo., is the place to be Aug. 7-10, for the Cattle Industry Summer Conference. The conference features meetings of National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA), Cattlemen's Beef Promotion & Research Board (CBB), American National CattleWomen, Inc. and National Cattlemen's Foundation. It is where cattle producers discuss current issues as a group, work on programs and initiatives and set the course the industry should take with various projects for the betterment of the beef cattle industry.

NCBA President Scott George said the event gives cattle farmers and ranchers an opportunity to engage in NCBA’s grassroots policy process while also networking with and learning from other cattlemen and women from across the country.

“We are looking forward to an action-packed conference this summer in Denver. NCBA is a member-driven organization and is the trusted leader and definitive voice of the cattle industry,” said George. “In order to continue being successful, cattle producers must continue to be engaged in the policy process so that the beef industry remains viable and beef continues to be on kitchen tables around the country and the world.”

Conference highlights include General Session I on Thurs. Aug 8, which officially kicks off the event. Rep. Cory Gardner (R-Colo.) will take the stage to welcome the audience and give an update on what’s happening in Washington, D.C. John Huston, executive vice president emeritus of NCBA, will then address the group and discuss 50 years of the Federation of State Beef Councils.

During General Session II on Fri., Aug. 9, NCBA and CBB leadership will identify the key outcomes and updates in both the policy and checkoff program areas and will set the stage for the focused plan of work for Fiscal Year 2014. Also, don’t miss the “Cattlemen’s Night at the Colorado Rockies,” where conference attendees can enjoy  a night of peanuts and Cracker Jacks at the old ballgame as the Rockies take on the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Registration for the 2013 Cattle Industry Summer Conference is now available online at www.beefusa.org. Pre-registration closes July 12, and attendees are encouraged to register in advance for the conference to take advantage of savings over the on-site registration prices. Registration prices will be higher on-site and tickets for events will be sold on a space available basis.



Weekly Ethanol Production for 6/21/2013

According to EIA data, ethanol production averaged 885,000 barrels per day (b/d) — or 37.17 million gallons daily. That is up 12,000 b/d from the week before and tied for highest weekly average of the year to date. The four-week average for ethanol production stood at 882,000 b/d for an annualized rate of 13.52 billion gallons.

Stocks of ethanol stood at 16.3 million barrels. That is a 1.0% decrease from last week.

Imports of ethanol were 38,000 b/d, down from last week.

Gasoline demand for the week averaged 373.5 million gallons daily.

Expressed as a percentage of daily gasoline demand, daily ethanol production was 9.95%.

On the co-products side, ethanol producers were using 13.419 million bushels of corn to produce ethanol and 98,769 metric tons of livestock feed, 88,053 metric tons of which were distillers grains. The rest is comprised of corn gluten feed and corn gluten meal. Additionally, ethanol producers were providing 4.61 million pounds of corn oil daily.



US Crude Oil Supplies Unchanged

(AP) -- The nation's crude oil supplies were unchanged last week, the government said Wednesday.

Crude supplies stayed at 394.1 million barrels, which is 1.8 percent above year-ago levels, the Energy Department's Energy Information Administration said in its weekly report.

Analysts expected a decrease of 2 million barrels for the week ended June 21, according to Platts, the energy information arm of McGraw-Hill Cos.

Gasoline supplies grew by 3.7 million barrels, or 1.6 percent, to 225.4 million barrels. That's 10 percent above year-ago levels. Analysts expected gasoline supplies to rise by 1 million barrels.

Demand for gasoline over the four weeks ended June 21 was 0.3 percent lower than a year earlier, averaging 8.8 million barrels a day.

U.S. refineries ran at 90.2 percent of total capacity on average, up 0.9 percentage point from the prior week. Analysts expected capacity to rise to 89.7 percent.

Supplies of distillate fuel, which include diesel and heating oil, rose by 1.6 million barrels to 123.2 million barrels. Analysts expected distillate stocks to grow by 1 million barrels.



Pump Prices on the Decline

(AP) -- The price at the gas pump dropped 6 cents in the past week, good news for drivers as the July Fourth holiday approaches.

The average price for a gallon of regular fell 1 cent Wednesday to $3.54. That's the lowest price since May 8, but still up 14 cents from a year ago, a time when gas prices were dropping along with a sharp downturn in oil prices.

Oil prices aren't as volatile this year. Benchmark oil for August delivery rose 18 cents Wednesday to close at $95.50 per barrel on the New York Mercantile Exchange. That is in the middle of its range for the month of June, of $91.26 to $99.21 a barrel.



Energy & Commerce hearing opportunity to show Congress 73% of Americans support the RFS

American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) Executive Vice President Brian Jennings today thanked the House Energy and Commerce Committee for holding a hearing where the EPA and USDA could share insights on how the Renewable Fuel Standard is working and for Congress to learn the results of a new poll showing strong support for the RFS.

“While certain ethanol-related hearings in Congress have been one-sided and heavily dominated by testimony from Big Oil representatives, I am pleased the House Energy and Commerce Committee is seeking input from EPA and USDA today.  A recent poll indicates that 59 percent of Americans blame oil companies for high gas prices, 73 percent support the RFS, and 75 percent want more renewable fuel options at the pump.  I am hopeful today’s hearing and this polling data will help Congress better appreciate the important role the RFS plays in providing consumers access to affordable renewable fuel choices,” said Jennings

“Absent the RFS, the United States would not be able to limit actions by OPEC or other global market forces that would lead to rising oil prices that would negatively impact consumers and the U.S. economy,” Jennings said.



NCBA Statement on the House Energy and Commerce Committee Hearing on the Renewable Fuels Standard Reform Act

National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Policy Vice Chairman Craig Uden, a cattle feeder from Elwood, Neb., issued the following statement with regard to today’s hearing by the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee on the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) Reform Act:

“NCBA appreciates the efforts of the House Energy and Commerce Committee in discussing the RFS, and we look forward to working with the committee on making significant changes to this policy. The inflexible RFS mandate continues to be a burden on cattle producers across the country. Livestock producers continue to face record high feed costs due to one of the worst droughts in the U.S. in half a century. The artificial support for corn ethanol provided for by the RFS is only making the situation worse. It is clear that the RFS must be overhauled and the RFS Reform Act (H.R. 1462) proposes to do just that.

“In a letter addressed to the House, NCBA urged congressional members to support the RFS Reform Act, legislation that would provide relief to those affected by this unworkable federal policy. This legislation will help ease concerns created by the ethanol mandate and allow cattle producers to be able to compete on a level playing field for a bushel of corn, by prohibiting corn-based ethanol from being used to meet the RFS, and reducing the total size of the RFS over the next few years.

“NCBA fully supports this commonsense approach by Congress on its recent bipartisan reviews of the RFS along with issuing a series of white papers examining the numerous issues with the current ethanol mandate system and its impact on all users of corn.”



IEA: Renewable Energy Growing Fast

(AP) -- Renewable energy is growing fast around the world and will be the second biggest source of electricity, after coal, by 2016, according to a five-year outlook published Wednesday by the International Energy Agency.

Developing countries are building more wind, solar and hydro-electric power plants to meet rising power demand and combat local pollution problems. And the costs of renewables are falling below the cost of traditional power sources such as coal, natural gas and oil in some markets with high-priced power.

Renewable power is the fastest-growing power generation sector and it is expected to increase by 40 percent in the next five years. By 2018 it will make up a quarter of the world's energy mix, according to the report up from 20 percent in 2011.

Energy generated with wind, solar, geothermal and energy derived from plants — the non-hydroelectric sources generally favored by environmental groups and sustainability experts — is also expected to grow quickly, but it contributes a far smaller amount of energy to the global mix.

These non-hydro renewables will supply 8 percent of the world's energy by 2018, up from 4 percent in 2011 and 2 percent in 2006.

Still, renewable power is facing uncertain times as subsidies in developed countries wane. Investment in renewable projects fell in 2012, according to the IEA, an energy security and research organization based in Paris that serves 28 oil-importing countries, including the U.S.

In a report published in April, the IEA said the world's energy is no cleaner than it was 20 years ago because of rising reliance on coal-fired generation in China, India, and parts of Europe that are phasing out nuclear power and facing high natural gas prices.

"The rapid growth of renewables continues to beat expectations and is a bright spot in an otherwise bleak assessment of global progress toward a cleaner and more diversified energy mix," the report concludes.

The use of biofuels is expected to grow, though at a slower rate than renewable electricity, in part because companies haven't succeeded in developing technology that can squeeze fuels from plant waste or dedicated biofuel crops such as grasses at commercial scale. The vast majority of biofuel used today is alcohol — called ethanol — made from sugar cane or corn.

Biofuels use is projected to increase 25 percent by 2018 to 2.4 million barrels per day. By comparison, the world consumes 90 million barrels per day of petroleum.

Developing countries, led by China, will account for two-thirds of the global increase in renewable generation. Growth in Europe and the U.S. is expected to slow, though President Barack Obama outlined a sweeping plan Tuesday that would encourage renewed investment in renewable sources.

IEA Executive Director Maria van der Hoeven said in a statement that the biggest impediment to further renewable growth is changing energy policies that increase risk for investors. "Many renewables no longer require high economic incentives. But they do still need long-term policies that provide a predictable and reliable market and regulatory framework compatible with societal goals," she said.

The IEA estimates that worldwide subsides for fossil fuels are six times higher than incentives for renewables.



Stalled Fertilizer Prices Give Growers Pause

Retail fertilizer prices are once again sitting relatively steady the third week of June 2013, according to data tracked by DTN.  All eight of the major fertilizers were lower compared to last month, but again these moves were fairly minor. DAP had average price of $599 per ton, MAP $643/ton, potash $582/ton, urea $550/ton, 10-34-0 $602/ton, anhydrous $816/ton, UAN28 $392/ton and UAN32 $444/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.60/lb.N, anhydrous $0.50/lb.N, UAN28 $0.70/lb.N and UAN32 $0.69/lb.N.

Only one of the eight major fertilizers is showing a price increase compared to one year earlier. Anhydrous is now 6% higher compared to last year.  Four fertilizers are single digits lower in price compared to June 2012. MAP is 5% lower, DAP is down 6%, UAN32 is 7% lower and UAN28 is now 8% lower compared to last year.  The remaining three fertilizers are now down double digits from a year ago. Potash slipped 11% while 10-34-0 is 16% less expensive and urea is 24% lower.



Argentina Blocks Wheat Exports

Argentina's government has halted wheat exports as it grapples with rising prices for flour and bread, a staple of the Argentine diet.  The government has informed exporters that it won't authorize further shipments from the 2012-13 crop, said a person from the grain export sector, who spoke on condition of anonymity.  The government also ordered grain exporters to sell about 370,000 metric tons of wheat to local millers that was about to be shipped abroad, he said.

Local media reported Wednesday that Domestic Commerce Secretary Guillermo Moreno met with grain exporters earlier this week to inform them of the restrictions on wheat and flour exports. Spokespersons for Mr. Moreno and the Agriculture Ministry declined to comment.  Argentina heavily regulates wheat exports to keep food prices low. Those controls have angered farmers, who for years complained their crop fetched far less at home than on international markets.

The measures will likely force Brazil -- the top buyer of Argentine wheat -- to turn to other markets such as the U.S. or Canada to meet its demand for the grain. Argentina was the world's seventh-largest wheat exporter during the 2012-13 crop year, according to the USDA.



Argentina Approves Corn Export

Argentina has authorized 16 million metric tons of corn exports from the upcoming 2013-14 crop, the agriculture ministry said in a statement Wednesday.  The ministry said it is expecting a corn crop of more than 26 million tons in 2013-14. That's up from 25.7 million tons from the 2012-13 crop currently being harvested.  The export quota will be 1 million tons higher than that from the previous season, according to the ministry.

Argentina is the world's no. 3 corn exporter behind the U.S. and Brazil.



Monsanto Fiscal 3Q Profit Slips 3%

Monsanto Co.'s fiscal third-quarter profit slipped 3% as the world's largest seed company saw weaker seed sales and higher input costs, though adjusted earnings climbed above expectations.

For the quarter ended May 31, Monsanto reported a profit of $909 million, or $1.68 a share, compared with a year-earlier profit of $937 million, or $1.74 a share. Excluding one-time items, per-share earnings rose to $1.66 from $1.63 a year earlier. The company in May had forecast a profit of $1.55 to $1.60 a share.

Last month, Monsanto had said its third-quarter results would likely reflect the continued effect of higher production costs from the 2012 drought, and it would see decreased year-over-year contribution in the quarter from the Brazil soybean business. Still, at the time, the agricultural biotechnology company had also raised its outlook for 2013 -- the second such increase for the year -- amid what it called continued overall growth in its global corn portfolio and strength in the agricultural productivity segment.

Net sales edged up 0.7% to $4.25 billion, below the $4.41 billion expected by analysts surveyed by Thomson Reuters.

Gross margin narrowed to 53.2% from 56% as input costs rose 7%.

Monsanto's seeds and genomics business -- the company's biggest top-line contributor -- saw a 2.4% decrease in sales to $3.05 billion, driven by declines in cotton and soybean. Meanwhile, revenue from agricultural productivity jumped 9.4% to $1.19 billion.

Monsanto's revenue for the most part has improved over the past two years, as U.S. farmers saw high crop prices, especially for corn, giving them incentive to plant more acres and enabling them to buy higher-priced seed. The company has also benefited from both increased sales volumes and higher selling prices in South America, which is rapidly adopting genetically modified seeds. Earlier this month, Monsanto said it plans to debut its second-generation of genetically modified soybean seeds in the South American market during the next growing season.

Last week, Monsanto said sabotage was the likely cause of unapproved genetically modified wheat recently found in an Oregon field. The discovery of the wheat, genetically engineered to survive exposure to the widely used herbicide glyphosate, has threatened to upend the wheat market. In the wake of the discovery, Japan and South Korea imposed restrictions on imports of U.S. wheat, which remain in place.



Watch for Early Season Soybean Diseases

Soybean diseases are most common when soil is very wet in the first few weeks after planting, especially in heavy, poorly drained, compacted or high-residue fields. If field conditions remain cold and wet, DuPont Pioneer experts recommend scouting untreated soybeans for seedling diseases such as Phytophthora, Py­thium, Fusarium, and Rhizoctonia.

Pythium and Phytophthora are associated with wet, waterlogged conditions. Pythium is more active in cooler soils (50 to 60 degrees), while Phytophthora is more active in warmer soils above 60 degrees. Pythium may be the first soybean disease found in the growing season. Symptoms are commonly referred to as “damping off”, with seeds germinating but rotting before emer­gence, or small seedlings that wilt and die.

Phytophthora symptoms include a dark discoloration of the stem, usually beginning at the soil line. Diseased tissues quickly become soft and water-soaked. Wilting and plant death may soon follow. Most Pioneer® brand soybean varieties have the Rps 1k gene for Phytophthora resistance and field tolerance.

Rhizoctonia is more often found in late-planted soybean fields. It appears as the weather becomes warm (around 80 degrees) and is more common in wet to moderately wet soils where germination is slow or emergence is delayed. It is characterized by a shrunken, reddish-brown lesion on the hypocotyl at or near the soil line. The infection may be superficial, causing no noticeable damage, or may girdle the stem and kill or stunt plants.

Fusarium causes discoloration and decay of the lower taproots and lateral roots. The disease is most common in poorly drained, waterlogged soils. However, if the pathogen is present, it can also infect drought stressed plants in dry soil conditions. Fusarium is common in many soils but often goes unnoticed in the presence of Pythium, Phytophthora and Rhizoctonia symptoms.

According to Pioneer, several practices can reduce the incidence of seedling blights, the most ef­fective being direct seed application of Pioneer Premium Seed Treatment (PPST). Good cultural practices, such as planting into a fit seedbed, avoiding compaction, and maintaining proper fertility and pH levels also contribute to overall plant health and make seedling blights less likely to occur.

To track field notes about these soil-borne diseases and other agronomic challenges, utilize the Pioneer® Field360™ Notes app.



FFA Washington Leadership Conference in full swing; teaches importance of personal growth, leadership development, community service
Thousands of FFA members from throughout the country are converging on Washington, D.C., this summer to analyze their personal skills and interests, develop leadership skills and a create a meaningful community-service plan that will make a difference in their home communities.

More than 1,800 students are attending the 2013 Washington Leadership Conference, the second-largest student experience that the National FFA Organization hosts each year. Created in 1969 and held annually in Washington, D.C., this year’s conference began June 4 based at the Holiday Inn Dulles.

Through July 21, FFA members will spend a week under the guidance of educational professionals, counselors and professional FFA staff members. In workshops, seminars and small groups, students will focus on identifying and developing their personal strengths and goals and undergo comprehensive leadership training that will help them guide their local FFA chapters.

Students will also analyze needs of their communities back home, develop a wide-ranging and high-impact community-service initiative and implement their plan with the help of their FFA chapter upon return home. Students in recent years have created food and clothing drives, volunteer campaigns, educational outreach initiatives and more.

“Students who attend the Washington Leadership Conference learn their purpose, how to value people, how take action and the importance of serving others,” said National FFA Organization CEO Dr. Dwight Armstrong. “They leave with the knowledge and the confidence to act in ways that help their schools, communities and their country.”

During their time in Washington, FFA members will experience the history of the nation’s capital, touring landmarks including the Washington Monument, War Memorial, the National Mall, Arlington National Cemetery and the U.S. Capitol among others. Many students also arrange meetings with members of Congress.

“Monsanto’s support of the Washington Leadership Conference demonstrates our commitment to the talented and passionate youth who will become agricultural leaders,” said Linda Arnold, Monsanto customer advocacy outreach lead. “Monsanto has a long tradition of supporting agriculture youth so they can develop the skills necessary to meet the needs of today while preserving the planet for tomorrow.”

Agricultural education teachers attend the Washington Leadership Conference as well, learning how to motivate and help develop their students’ personal growth and leadership potential and how they can help maximize their local FFA chapters’ community-service initiatives throughout the year.

The conclusion of each weekly session of the Washington Leadership Conference is a Day of Service, during which students work together on a real, hands-on community-service project. Last year, students volunteered a combined 9,500 hours to pack and distribute more than 280,000 meals for greater Washington, D.C.-area food pantries and for distribution to families in Nicaragua.

“CSX is proud to support our nation’s future leaders by supporting the Washington Leadership Conference,” said Tori Kaplan, CSX AVP of corporate social responsibility. “CSX is pleased to support the conference and is even more excited to sponsor community service events with FFA members that will have a positive effect on the city’s school district.”

The 2013 National FFA Organization's Washington Leadership Conference is sponsored through the National FFA Foundation by title sponsors Monsanto and CSX and by weekly sponsors TransCanada, Crop Production Services, Farm Credit and CHS. For more, visit www.FFA.org/WLC. Follow the conference on Twitter at #WLC2013.