Tuesday July 16 Ag News

NE Cattlemen Welcomes New Executive Vice President, Pete McClymont

Nebraska Cattlemen (NC) is pleased to announce it has selected Pete McClymont as its new Executive Vice President.  NC President Dale Spencer said “Nebraska Cattlemen is excited to welcome Pete McClymont as our new EVP. Pete brings excellent industry and legislative experience to this position, as well as wide spread respect from cattlemen and others in the agriculture industry as well as our state legislature.”

Originally from Holdrege, McClymont grew up on a diversified operation consisting of cattle feeding, ranching along with row crops primarily corn and soybeans. McClymont graduated from Holdrege High School and University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He previously worked with his father and brothers on the family operation until serving as Vice President of Legislative Affairs for the membership of Nebraska Cattlemen. McClymont was active with the NC affiliate Phelps/Gosper Livestock Feeders, a NC Board member starting in 1996 and concluding Board service as President in 2006.

“I am honored and humbled to be selected as Executive Vice President for the membership of Nebraska Cattlemen. For the past seven sessions at the Nebraska Legislature, I’ve experienced first-hand the respect and stature of Nebraska Cattlemen. As currently being a beef producer myself, I’m excited to continue my professional service for NC members.”



Emergency Haying and Grazing of CRP Acres is Authorized in Nebraska Counties

Farm Service Agency (FSA) Director, Dan Steinkruger today announced that 54 Nebraska counties are authorized for emergency haying and grazing of Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) acres for 2013 due to drought conditions.

The counties approved for emergency haying and grazing are Antelope, Arthur, Banner, Boone, Box Butte, Boyd, Cedar, Chase, Cheyenne, Clay, Cuming, Custer, Dakota, Dawes, Dawson, Deuel, Dixon, Dundy, Franklin, Frontier, Furnas, Garden, Garfield, Gosper, Greeley, Harlan, Hayes, Hitchcock, Holt, Howard, Kearney, Keith, Kimball, Lincoln, Logan, Loup, McPherson, Madison, Merrick, Morrill, Nance, Nuckolls, Perkins, Phelps, Pierce, Platte, Red Willow, Scotts Bluff, Sheridan, Sioux, Stanton, Valley, Webster, and Wheeler.  The authorization for 2013 begins July 16, 2013 for both emergency haying and emergency grazing, which coincides with the end of the primary nesting and brood rearing season in Nebraska.

Provisions of a CRP contract prohibit harvesting of the conservation cover for the life of the contract except in certain emergency situations when the Secretary of Agriculture authorizes emergency haying and grazing.  Emergency haying and grazing of CRP acres is intended to provide assistance to livestock producers who are suffering forage losses due to severe drought.  “Drought has been ongoing in Nebraska counties for more than a year and forage losses have impacted livestock producers to the extent of drastic herd reductions,” said Steinkruger.  “In 2012 USDA opened CRP acres for emergency haying and grazing and Nebraska farmers and ranchers utilized over 300,000 acres under the program to provide forage to livestock,” he said.

“Eligible producers who are interested in emergency haying or grazing of CRP must request approval before haying or grazing eligible acreage,” said Steinkruger.  “Producers must also obtain a modified conservation plan from the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) that outlines permitted practices,” he said.  Many of the limitations and requirements of CRP emergency haying and grazing were waived in 2012; however for 2013 there will be a 25 percent reduction in the annual rental payments and no haying or grazing will be allowed on practice CP25(Rare and Declining Habitat).  Along with other restrictions, CRP participants are not allowed to sell the hay; however, if the participant is not a livestock producer he or she may rent or lease the haying or grazing privilege to an eligible livestock producer.

Steinkruger noted, “FSA is continuing to utilize our available program options to assist Nebraska farmers and ranchers whose livestock are impacted by the drought.”

Producers are encouraged to contact their local FSA office for more information on CRP emergency haying and grazing.  Additional information is also available on the web at www.fsa.usda.gov/ne.



Nebraska 4-H County Fairs to Feature Commodity Carnivals

4-H Commodity Carnivals will take place throughout Nebraska this summer at county fairs.

The carnivals are the result of a gift from the Chicago Mercantile Exchange Group. The goal of the partnership program is to increase the public’s understanding of the value of agriculture and increase agriculture literacy across the nation.

The new initiative, which will include an interactive learning activity, will debut at county and state fairs in 11 states, including Nebraska.

Developed by The Ohio State University Extension, the Commodity Carnival will consist of two hands-on mini carnival games – Invest and Grow and Pig-Linko – to introduce the concepts of agriculture futures, options and commodity trading to the target audience of families and youth ages 8-14. Each activity will guide the participants through the process of producing a commodity (i.e., hogs) and selling it.

Nebraska Commodity Carnival locations, dates and contacts are as follows:
            – Dakota-Thurston County Fair, South Sioux City, July 18-20, Jennifer Hansen, 402-385-6041, jhansen6@unl.edu
            – Adams County Fair, Hastings, July 18-20, Beth Janning, 402-461-7209, elizabeth.janning@unl.edu
            – Cedar County Fair, Hartington, July 19-21, Jackie Steffen, 402-254-6821, jsteffen2@unl.edu
            – Lincoln County Fair, North Platte, July 27-28, Brenda Aufdenkamp, 308-532-2683, brenda.aufdenkamp@unl.edu
            – Cheyenne County Fair, Sidney, July 30-Aug 1, Cynthia Gill, 308-254-4455, cgill2@unl.edu
            – Morrill County Fair, Bridgeport, July 30-Aug. 1, Annette Haas, 308-632-1480, ahaas5@unl.edu  
            – Scotts Bluff County Fair, Mitchell, Aug. 5-7, Annette Haas, 308-632-1480, ahaas5@unl.edu
            – Cuming County Fair, West Point, Aug. 8-11, Patricia Bohaboj, 402-372-6006, pbohaboj@unl.edu
            – Cherry County Fair, Valentine, Aug. 9-11, Jody Dexter, 402-376-1850, benshelbourn@outlook.com
            – Otoe County Fair, Syracuse, Aug. 11-14, Sarah Purcell, 402-269-2301, sarah.purcell@unl.edu

4-H is in UNL Extension in the university's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.



FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR WINDBREAK RENOVATIONS

The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) has funding available for landowners and operators to restore windbreaks. Funds and technical assistance is currently available from NRCS through their Cooperative Conservation Partnership Incentive program.

Windbreaks are one or more rows of trees or shrubs planted to provide shelter from the wind and to protect soil from erosion. They are commonly planted around the edges of fields on farms. If designed properly, windbreaks around a home can reduce the cost of heating and cooling and save energy. Other benefits include providing habitat for wildlife.

According to Nebraska NRCS Forester Constance Miller, several windbreaks in the state have suffered heavy tree loss, and are in need of renovation.

“Windbreaks that were planted to help protect cropland, farmsteads and livestock have suffered heavy tree losses due to dry conditions, disease and age. This program can help landowners reestablish trees and get these windbreaks back to providing protection from the wind and heat in the summer and capturing snow and blocking the cold in the winter,” Miller said.

Interested individuals may file an application at any time, but the ranking of applications on hand to receive funding will begin Aug. 14, 2013.  The first step is to visit your local NRCS field office and complete an application.

For more than 75 years, the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service has helped agricultural producers with conservation plans.  NRCS Conservationists will work with landowners on their farm or ranch to develop a conservation plan based on resource goals.  Conservation planning assistance is free and does not require participation in financial programs.

For more information about this and the other conservation programs available through NRCS, visit your local USDA Service Center or www.ne.nrcs.usda.gov.



Minimize PEDV Risk with Proper Transportation Biosecurity
(from National Pork Board)

PEDV was confirmed for the first time in U.S. swine herds mid-May. As of the week of July 8, there are more than 330 confirmed cases of PEDV in 15 states, with most of those in Iowa and Oklahoma. 

While it's always wise to maintain good biosecurity, it's critical to do so at this time with PEDV confirmed in the United States. Researchers have already found the virus to present on the surfaces of truck and animal chutes, so having strict transportation biosecurity is one of the best ways to help stop the spread of the virus. Talking with your veterinarian about developing transport biosecurity recommendations specifically for your operation is always the best course of action. Here are some general transportation biosecurity points to consider:
-    When going to another site or packing plant, wear coveralls and boots to prevent contamination in the cab of the trailer and to minimize exposure to other pigs
-    Establish a clean and dirty zone for farm and transport workers to follow during load-in and load-out
-    Clean and disinfect trailers after use; this is especially important when going to commingled sites like cull depots, packing plants or buying stations
-    Cleaning and disinfection involves:
     -   Removal of dirty shavings, manure and other debris from the trailer
     -   The use of a detergent soap can help to break down dried manure and speed up the wash process
     -   After cleaning the trailer, use a disinfectant according to label directions to kill the virus
-    Make sure to wash and clean coveralls, boots and other equipment when transporting pigs
-    Clean the interior of the tractor cab to remove any dirt or shavings
-    Once the tractor and trailer is clean, park in a secure, clean location to dry away from other vehicle traffic

Remember...resources pertaining to biosecurity and livestock production also can be found online on pork.org in the Transport Quality Assurance Handbook, and at the National Biosecurity Resource Center.  Transporters can find guidance on boot disinfection, actively search for disinfectants by manufacturer, disinfectant class or by disease, or locate truck washes by state.

Five On-Farm Biosecurity Tips When Moving Pigs
North Carolina veterinarian, Dr. Matthew Turner, offers some timely tips on what producers and transporters should employ when it's time to move pigs:
-    Label and segregate chutes as much as possible.
-        If possible, have different chutes dedicated to loading outbound pigs and inbound pigs. Strictly isolating and monitoring incoming pigs can help protect the premises.
         -   Continue to provide an area for drivers to discard their disposable coveralls and disposable boots.
-    Wash and disinfect all unloading chutes and driver areas as often as possible.
     -   Wash all the fecal material off the chute and driver area first.
     -   Apply a 2% phenol-based disinfectant (examples include: TekTrol, One Stroke Environ, Pheno-Tek II) to the areas where drivers walk to enter the chute, the chute from the point the driver enters to the top, and all areas where the chute contacts the truck.
     -   Phenols will work the best because they are the most active when there is some organic material present.
     -   A water medicator pump set to inject 2% can be installed and hooked up to a water hose beside the chute for ease of application.
     -   If possible, make the driver contact area as small as possible. Rework facilities so the driver can enter the loading chute without having to walk through holding areas where he could be contaminated.
-    Require all trailers used to pick up animals be cleaned and disinfected before arrival and check that it is effectively happening
-    Provide coveralls and boots for employees to wear. These coveralls and boots should stay on the site and be washed routinely.
     -   Routine boot washing and disinfection when crossing over areas where drivers have to walk (especially around the unloading chutes)
-    Consider utilizing the formal National Pork Board programs for Transport Quality Assurance and Pork Quality Assurance Plus.
     -   These programs provide standardized, documentable training on animal handling, biosecurity practices, worker safety, and food safety. 



Help Farmers Cope with Stress

Farm life with its country setting often is idealized, but as the complications and pace of agriculture have increased, so have the physical and mental demands on farmers. It's set up for stress that cannot be ignored, says Malisa Rader, an Iowa State University Extension and Outreach family life program specialist.

"Farmers deal with everyday tasks of money management, decision-making and equipment maintenance," Rader said. "Other stressors in farming include worry over large debt loads, government regulations, pest outbreaks, animal disease, negative publicity, rapid change within the industry and lack of control over the weather. Add to that the knowledge that most farmers work long hours in isolation near their home environment, leaving them no place to escape the stressors, and it is easy to see why farming ranks as one of the most stressful occupations in the United States."

Rader noted that it does not help matters that "farmer personality" can prevent those in agriculture from seeking help when needed. Farm families' perceptions of obstacles to seeking help include concerns about their reputation in the community or the financial cost of getting help, and lack of understanding about what service agencies do and how they work.

"It might be a matter of pride. Some farmers may have grown up with the idea that you don't seek help from social agencies; that you have to solve your own problems. They might not trust helping professionals or they might fear being perceived as mentally ill," Rader said.

"The physical and mental stress of farming can take a toll on a person's health," Rader said. "Ignoring those signs of stress can lead to fatigue and depression, increasing the risk for accidental injuries, poor decision-making, physical illness and more."

Although adults involved in the agriculture industry may not come out and verbally share they are under financial or emotional stress, there are signs they may be in need of help, Rader said. These signs can be observed by friends, neighbors, veterinarians, physicians, clergy, teachers and other community members.

Suzanne Pish, a social-emotional health extension educator with Michigan State University Extension, encourages those living in rural communities to look for the following signs of chronic, prolonged stress in farm families:
-- Change in routines. The farmer or family no longer participates in activities they once enjoyed such as church, 4-H or visiting at the local diner.
-- Care of livestock declines. Animals might show signs of neglect or abuse.
-- Increase in illness. Stress puts people at higher risk for upper respiratory illnesses (colds, flu) or other chronic conditions (aches, pains, persistent cough).
-- Increase in farm accidents. Fatigue and the inability to concentrate can lead to greater risk of accidents.
-- Decline in farmstead appearance. The farm family no longer may take pride in the way farm buildings and grounds appear, or no longer have time to do the maintenance work.

Children show signs of stress. Children from families under stress may act out, show a decline in academic performance or be increasingly absent from school. They also may show signs of physical abuse or neglect.

"Many farmers who are used to working things out for themselves might be resistant to sharing their problems with others. Although asking for help might go against the nature of a strong, self-reliant farmer, obtaining support for stress-related problems usually provides the most effective and durable solutions," Rader said.

The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health recently examined 130 occupations and found that laborers and farm owners had the highest rate of deaths due to stress-related conditions like heart and artery disease, hypertension, ulcers and nervous disorder. In 2002, a rural Iowa survey showed that 16.4 percent of the responders had thoughts of suicide.



RFA Comments Support Addition of New RFS2 Cellulosic Biofuel Pathways, Applaud Approach to Cellulosic RIN Generation

The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) voiced its support today for the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposal to expand the number of qualified biofuel production pathways under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS2). In written comments to the EPA regarding RFS Pathways II and Technical Amendments to the RFS2 Standards, RFA backed the EPA’s efforts to add cellulosic fiber from the corn kernel to the list of qualifying cellulosic biofuel feedstocks, and the agency’s simplified approach to RIN generation for renewable fuels derived from cellulosic biomass.

“We applaud EPA for confirming that corn kernel fiber is ‘crop residue,’ and believe the Agency has proposed a sensible and straightforward approach to RIN generation for renewable fuels derived from cellulosic biomass feedstocks,” wrote RFA President and CEO Bob Dinneen. “Several technologies to convert corn kernel fiber into cellulosic ethanol have been developed in recent years, and a number of existing ethanol plants have already adopted these technologies or are poised to integrate them in the near future. The volumes of cellulosic ethanol produced from corn kernel fiber can meaningfully contribute to RFS2 cellulosic biofuel requirements in the near term.” The comments also included a scientific analysis from a noted animal nutritionist examining the potential impacts of reduced fiber DDGS on livestock and poultry markets.

RFA’s 28-page comments expressed support for most of the RFS2 technical amendments and new pathways proposed by EPA. For example, the RFA submission supports a proposal by EPA to provide an alternative approach to applying RVP volatility standards to commingled mixtures of E10 and approved gasoline additives, such as butanol. However, Dinneen noted, the conditions for applying the alternative RVP approach should be limited to whether blending an approved gasoline additive with E10 results in no net increase in RVP.



Fertilizer Prices Remain Steady

Retail fertilizer prices continue to remain fairly steady, according to data tracked by DTN for the second week of July 2013. Retail prices have been stable now for over eight months.  All eight of the major fertilizers were lower compared to last month, but again these moves to the low side were fairly minor. DAP had average price of $591 per ton, MAP $644/ton, potash $576/ton, urea $544/ton, 10-34-0 $599/ton, anhydrous $793/ton, UAN28 $388/ton and UAN32 $441/ton.

Starter fertilizer 10-34-0 dropped below the $600-per-ton level for the first time since the third week of December 2010 when the fertilizer price was at $591 per ton. Anhydrous has punched below the $800-per-ton level for the first time since the first week of August 2012. At that time, the nitrogen fertilizer's price was $798 per ton

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.59/lb.N, anhydrous $0.48/lb.N, UAN28 $0.69/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 4% higher compared to last year.  Four fertilizers are a single-digit lower in price compared to July 2012. UAN28 is 2% lower, both MAP and DAP are 3% lower and DAP is now 6% lower compared to last year.  The remaining three fertilizers are now down double digits from a year ago. Potash is now down 11% while 10-34-0 is 14% less expensive and urea is 20% lower.



CWT Assists with 7.9 Million Pounds of Cheese and Butter Export Sales

Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) has accepted 30 requests for export assistance from Dairy Farmers of America, Northwest Dairy Association (Darigold), Foremost Farms USA, Land O’Lakes and Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative Association to sell 4.398 million pounds (1,995 metric tons) of Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese and 3.522 million pounds (1,598 metric tons) of butter to customers in Asia, Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. The product will be delivered July through December 2013.

Year-to-date, CWT has assisted member cooperatives in selling 72.155 million pounds of cheese, 56.907 million pounds of butter, 44,092 pounds of anhydrous milk fat and 218,258 pounds of whole milk powder to 34 countries on six continents. These sales are the equivalent of 1.908 billion pounds of milk on a milkfat basis.

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.



Ukraine to Export Over 24 Million Tons of Grain

Ukraine is expected to export 24-26 million tonnes of grain this marketing year.  The final amount will depend on the condition of crops, overwintering winter wheat and the amount agreed between the Ministry of Agriculture and Food and traders.

Deputy Minister of Agrarian Policy and Food of Alexander Sen said: "According to preliminary estimates, this marketing year exports of grain may reach 24-26 million tonnes. This is one of the greatest figures in the history of independence. This will greatly enhance the credibility of our country on the world food market."

The final export figure will be determined depending on the crops and during overwintering winter wheat crop in 2014.



EARLY 2013 SCAB REPORTS: SOUTHERN STATES

The importance of weather in the development, or lack thereof, of Fusarium Head Blight (FHB, also known as “scab”) is again becoming evident.  After a generally benign scab year in 2012, early reports provided to the U.S. Wheat & Barley Scab Initiative from southeastern U.S. state crop specialists suggest some “hot spots” in 2013.

“In North Carolina, this is a year of widespread but localized scab damage that is mainly confined to the northwest and northeast of the state,” Christina Cowper reported.  “A rainy week in early May caused problems where they occurred,” said Cowger, a plant pathologist with the USDA Agricultural Research Service based at North Carolina State University.  The problem was most serious in the central and northern Piedmont and northern Tidewater districts of the state.  “A lot depended on whether there was substantial corn residue and whether susceptible varieties were being used,” Cowger added.  “Some growers in danger zones applied scab-targeted fungicides; some did not.”

University of Georgia plant pathologist Alfredo Martinez noted that Fusarium Head Blight had been confirmed in a wheat field in extreme southern Georgia — this following several years during which no scab incidence had been reported in the state.  “Unusually wet spring weather coinciding with wheat at flowering stages may have elevated the risk of FHB infections,” Martinez stated.  As of when the wheat season was winding down in late June, however, he had received no reports of FHB in central or northern Georgia.
   
Austin Hagan, extension plant pathologist with Auburn University, said scab did show up in this year’s Alabama wheat fields.  “Most growers in the main wheat production areas treated with Prosaro or Caramba [fungicide],” he noted.

To the west, University of Arkansas plant pathologist Eugene Milus noted in mid-June that there was “scattered scab in fields late in the season across Arkansas, just as the wheat was turning.” Notable differences were observed in scab incidence and severity across the spectrum of planted wheat varieties.  As of late June, Milus reported, “We have some scab, but fortunately it came late enough that it has not caused any adverse issues.”



CHS Hedging Becomes Clearing Member of CME

CHS Hedging Inc., the full-service commodity brokerage subsidiary of CHS Inc., announced it has become a clearing member of the CME, trading legacy commodities under the CME's "Grain and Oilseed" agricultural products group. Clearing members take full responsibility for all financial and performance obligations on behalf of their customer trading activity. CHS Hedging has been long-time clearing members of the Minneapolis Grain Exchange (MGEX) and, until its recent acquisition by the CME, the Kansas City Board of Trade (KCBT).

"Our customers have always looked to us as the responsible party for their trading, regardless of the exchange," said Scott Cordes, president, CHS Hedging. "This doesn't change that. Rather, it strengthens our relationship with the CME and gives our company a seat at the table for decisions that ultimately affect our customers, such as margin policies. We can be their voice on the exchange."

CHS Hedging customers may notice minor changes in their day-to-day trading execution process, but the change to real-time reporting on most activity will be the significant benefit to those closely tracking the grain exchanges.

"Because we are a co-op, our customers are also our owners," added Cordes. "That means every business decision we make is based on our owners' best interests. There's never been a more important time for us to secure this kind of position -- one of direct accountability and transparency -- on behalf of our customers."



DuPont Pioneer Announces New Pioneer® Field360™ Tools App for Growers

A new mobile app that features three agronomy tools is now available to help growers with this season’s management decisions. The Pioneer® Field360™ Tools app from DuPont Pioneer features the GDU Estimator, Precipitation Estimator, and Growth Stage Estimator.

“Conveniently packaging DuPont Pioneer agronomy expertise into one mobile application that growers can use to make decisions anywhere they farm is one of the benefits of the new Pioneer Field360 Tools app,” says Matt Snyder, DuPont Pioneer product manager. The app has improved usability, requiring one-time input of location, start date and comparative relative maturity (CRM).

"Growers can easily navigate between the calculators within the Pioneer Field360 Tools app without re-entering data,” Snyder says.

This new app combines powerful analysis tools and real-time data, right at your fingertips.  Growers are able to track multiple field scenarios, including progress of the crop with a growth stage estimator, view precipitation forecasts and daily precipitation, and calculate GDUs and key crop stages. The Pioneer Field360 Tools app can also estimate harvest dates for each Pioneer® brand corn hybrid planted.

Part of the Pioneer Field360 services offering, this app can be located by searching Field360 in the App Store™. It is available for $9.99. The app will be upgraded with additional best-in-class agronomy tools as they are available. An Android version of the app will be available later in July in the Google Play™ Store.

Growers can also go to pioneer.com/360 to access the Pioneer Field360 Tools app and other Pioneer applications such as Pioneer® Field360™ Notes app and the Plantability app.