Monday August 12 Ag News + USDA WASDE and Crop Prduction updates

NEBRASKA CROP PRODUCTION REPORT

Based on August 1 conditions, Nebraska's corn crop is forecast at 1.58 billion bushels, up 22 percent from last year, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service.  Acreage harvested for grain is estimated at 9.80 million acres, up 8 percent from a year ago.  Average yield is forecast at 161 bushels per acre, up 19 bushels from last year.
 
Soybean production in Nebraska is forecast at 223 million bushels, 8 percent above last year.  Area for harvest, at 4.75 million acres, is down 5 percent from 2012.  Yield is forecast at 47 bushels per acre, up 5.5 bushels from last year.

Nebraska’s 2013 winter wheat crop is forecast at 41.8 million bushels, unchanged from the July 1 forecast, and the smallest production since 1944.  Average yield is forecast at 36 bushels per acre, unchanged from last month but down 5 bushels from last year and the lowest since 2006.

Sorghum yield is forecast at 66 bushels per acre, up 7 bushels from last year.  Production of 5.28 million bushels is up 49 percent from a year ago.  

Oat production is forecast at 2.88 million bushels, up 14 percent from last month and the largest since 2005.  Yield is forecast at 72 bushels per acre, up 9 bushels per acre from last month.  

Dry edible bean production is down 21 percent from last year.  

Sugarbeet production is down 15 percent from 2012.  

Alfalfa hay production is forecast to be 8 percent above last year.  All other hay production is up 16 percent.



Iowa Crop Production

Iowa’s  corn  production  is  estimated  at  2.20  billion bushels according to the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service.   As of August 1,  Iowa’s corn crop is  forecast  to  yield 163 bushels per acre, an  increase of 26 bushels per  acre  from  last  year.   Corn  planted acreage  is  estimated  at  14.0  million  acres.    An estimated  13.5  million  of  the  acres  planted  will  be harvested for grain, a 1 percent decrease from 2012.
  
Soybean  production  is  forecast  at  434  million bushels, a 5 percent  increase  from  the previous year.  The August 1 forecast yield is 46 bushels per acre, up 1.5  bushels  from  2012.    Soybean  planted  acreage  is estimated at 9.50 million acres with 9.43 million acres are to be harvested.  

Oat  production  for  grain  is  forecast  at  3.15 million bushels.  If realized this will be the lowest production since record keeping began in 1866.  A forecast yield of 63 bushels per acre would be the lowest yield since 2010.

Iowa’s hay  yield  for alfalfa and alfalfa mixtures  is expected  to  be  3.50  tons  per  acre  for  a  total production  of  2.45  million  tons,  an  increase  of 16 percent  from  the  previous  year.    The  projected yield  for  other  hay  is  2.30  tons  per  acre.    Total production  is  estimated  at  943,000  tons,  an  increase of 35 percent from 2012.

All  crop  forecasts  in  this  report  are  based  on conditions  on  August  1  and  do  not  reflect  weather effects  since  that  time.    The  next  corn  and  soybean production  forecasts,  based  on  conditions  as  of September 1, will be released on September 12.



USDA Forecasts Record-High Corn Production in 2013

U.S. corn growers are expected to produce a record-high 13.8 billion bushels of corn in 2013, according to the Crop Production report issued today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS). The forecast production is up 28 percent from drought-hit 2012.

The early planting season was not very favorable for corn growers this year, as they were hampered by abnormally wet and cold spring weather. By April 28, only 5 percent of corn had been planted. In mid-May, however, the weather became more favorable, allowing producers to speed up their planting pace and tie the previous single-week planting record by getting 43 percent of the total crop in the ground during the week ending on May 19. U.S. growers wrapped up planting corn by mid-June, with 97.4 million acres planted to the crop. Also, with 64 percent of U.S. corn crop rated in good to excellent condition as of August 4, corn crop condition remains significantly higher than at this time last year. Based on these conditions, NASS forecasts this year’s corn yield at 154.4 bushels per acre, the third-highest yield on record.

U.S. soybean production is forecast at 3.26 billion bushels in 2013, up 8 percent from last year. NASS forecasts 76.4 million acres of soybeans for harvest this year. If realized, this will be the second largest harvested acreage on record. Similar to corn growers, soybean producers were hampered by the unfavorable weather during the planting season. Planting of this year’s soybean crop wasn’t underway in all 18 major soybean-growing states until mid-May. Improved weather in June allowed soybean growers to speed up their planting, and by June 30, growers had 96 percent of the crop in the ground. Based on August 1 conditions, soybean yields are expected to average 42.6 bushels per acre, up 3 bushels from 2012.

Today’s report also included the first production forecast for U.S. cotton. NASS forecasts all cotton production at 13.1 million 480-pound bales, down 25 percent from last year. Yield is expected to average 813 pound per harvested acre, down 74 pounds from last year.

Wheat production is forecast down from 2012. According to the report, all wheat production is expected to total 2.11 billion bushels this year, down 7 percent from 2012. Based on August 1 conditions, NASS forecasts theall wheat yield at 46.2 bushels per acre, down slightly from last year.



USDA World Ag Supply and Demand Estimates udpate - Aug 12, 2013
WHEAT:
Projected U.S. wheat supplies for 2013/14 are raised slightly this month as small increases for Soft Red Winter wheat and Durum are mostly offset by decreases for White, Hard Red Spring and Hard Red Winter wheat. U.S. wheat exports for 2013/14 are raised 25 million bushels reflecting continued strong early season sales and an increased outlook for China imports. Despite larger expected crops in several major exporting countries, strong early season demand and higher projected world imports and consumption also boost prospects for U.S. shipments. Ending stocks are projected 25 million bushels lower. The projected range for the 2013/14 season-average farm price is lowered 10 cents per bushel at the midpoint to $6.40 to $7.60 per bushel. Despite the tighter domestic balance sheet, larger world wheat supplies and lower-than-expected prices reported to date reduce prospects for the weighted average farm price.

Global wheat supplies for 2013/14 are raised 7.5 million tons with increases in production for several of the world’s largest exporters pushing world production to a record 705.4 million tons. Production is raised 2.8 million tons for the European Union with the biggest increases for Spain, France, and Germany, and smaller increases for Romania, Bulgaria, and Hungary. Production is raised 2.5 million tons for Kazakhstan where abundant spring and summer rainfall is supporting prospects for strong yields, much as in the adjoining spring wheat areas of Russia. Ukraine production is raised 2.0 million tons based on the latest harvest results. Production is raised 0.5 million tons for Canada as favorable soil moisture and a lack of heat stress across the western Prairies support higher yield prospects. India production is raised 0.5 million tons based on the latest government assessment. Turkey production is raised 0.4 million tons for wheat reflecting a favorable growing season throughout the region.

Partly offsetting this month’s production increases are reductions in South America where crops will not be harvested until late 2013. Production is lowered 1.0 million tons for Argentina based on lower reported seedings. Brazil production is lowered 0.3 million tons reflecting the late July freeze event that appears to have damaged developing wheat in limited areas of southern Brazil.

Global wheat consumption for 2013/14 is raised 6.9 million tons with increases in wheat feeding projected for a number of countries and higher food use expected for India and Iran. Feed use is raised again this month for China with higher projected imports. Feed use is also increased for the European Union, Syria, Moldova, Kazakhstan, and Morocco. Wheat feeding is lowered for Thailand and Vietnam with lower imports projected for both countries. Imports are raised for Iran, Pakistan, Syria, and Turkey. Global wheat exports for 2013/14 are raised 4.9 million tons with increases for Kazakhstan, the European Union, Ukraine, and Canada totaling 7.0 million tons. Exports are lowered for Argentina and Brazil with reduced production prospects. India exports are also lowered as relatively high internal prices limit export opportunities. Rising world supplies reduce prices and support global consumption growth, thereby limiting the increase in projected 2013/14 global wheat ending stocks to 0.6 million tons.

COARSE GRAINS:
Projected 2013/14 U.S. feed grain supplies are reduced this month with lower forecast production for corn and sorghum. Corn production for 2013/14 is lowered 187 million bushels to 13.8 billion. The first survey-based corn yield forecast, at 154.4 bushels per acre, is down 2.1 bushels from last month’s projection. Sorghum production is forecast 36 million bushels lower with the forecast yield 5.9 bushels per acre below last month’s projection.

Corn beginning stocks for 2013/14 are projected 10 million bushels lower with a 15-million-bushel increase in 2012/13 exports only partly offset by a 5-million-bushel increase in imports. Feed and residual use for 2013/14 is lowered 50 million bushel s this month with the smaller crop. Exports are projected 25 million bushels lower with reduced domestic supplies and increased foreign competition.  Ending stocks for 2013/14 are projected 122 million bushels lower. The projected season-average farm price for corn is raised 10 cents at both ends of the range to $4.50 to $5.30 per bushel. Prices received by farmers are expected to remain above cash bid levels through the fall as producers who forward-priced corn earlier in the year support the weighted average farm-gate price.

Global coarse grain supplies for 2013/14 are projected 2.9 million tons lower as the reduction in the United States more than offsets an increase in foreign supplies. Global 2013/14 corn production is lowered 2.7 million tons. In addition to the United States, corn production is lowered for Mexico, the European Union, Russia, and Serbia. Partly offsetting are increases for Ukraine, India, and Turkey.  Ukraine production is raised 3.0 million tons as higher reported area combines with favorable July  temperatures to raise production prospects. Production is raised 1.0 million tons for India as favorable monsoon rainfall supports increased plan tings and a higher yield outlook. Turkey corn production is raised 0.4 million tons with high er area and higher expected yields. Global barley production is raised 1.1 million tons with increases for the European Union, Argentina, and Turkey more than offsetting a reduction for Canada. Global rye and mixed grain production are also raised slightly this month with increases for the European Union.

Global 2013/14 corn trade is raised with increased imports projected for Mexico, South Korea, the European Union, and Egypt. Corn exports are projected higher for Ukraine, but partly offset by declines for Russia, the European Union, and the United States. Corn trade is also increased for 2012/13 with higher imports for Egypt, South Korea, Turkey, the European Union, and Indonesia.  Exports for 2012/13 are raised for Brazil and Argentina. Supporting the increase in Brazil export prospects, particularly over the next few months, is a 3.0-million-ton increase in 2012/13 corn production. Global corn consumption for 2013/14 is projected 2.3 million tons lower. Reduced U.S. feed and residual use is only partly offset by increases for South Korea, Ukraine, and Egypt. Global corn ending stocks for 2013/14 are projected 0.8 million tons lower with the increases for Ukraine, India, and Brazil, mostly offsetting the reduction projected for the United States.

OILSEEDS:
U.S. oilseed production for 2013/14 is projected at 96.2 million tons, down 4.7 million from last month mainly due to a lower soybean production forecast. Soybean production for 2013/14 is forecast at 3.255 billion bushels, down 165 million due to lower harvested area and yields.  Harvested area is forecast at 76.4 million acres, down 0.5 million from the July projection. The first survey-based soybean yield forecast of 42.6 bushels per acre is 1.9 bushels below last month’s projection but 3 bushels above last year’s drought-reduced yield. Soybean supplies for 2013/14 are projected 5 percent below last month based on the lower production forecast. With reduced supplies and higher prices, U.S. soybean exports are reduced 65 million bushels to 1.385 billion. Lower U.S. exports will be mostly offset by increases for South America, especially Argentina. Soybean crush is also lowered as higher prices reduce prospective exports for soybean meal. Soybean ending stocks are projected at 220 million bushels, down 75 million from last month.

U.S. soybean balance sheet changes for 2012/13 include increased imports, reduced exports, and increased crush. Imports are raised 10 million bush els to 35 million based on strong shipments from South America. Exports are reduced 15 million to 1.315 billion bushels reflecting exceptionally low shipments in recent weeks and revised export data for September through December 2012 from the U.S. Department of Commerce. Crush is increased 25 million bushels to 1.685 billion to account for increased soybean meal exports. Soybean ending stocks are unchanged at 125 million bushels.

The U.S. season-average soybean price for 2013/14 is forecast at $10.35 to $12.35 per bushel, up 60 cents on both ends. Soybean meal prices are forecast at $305 to $345, up 15 dollars at the midpoint. Soybean oil prices are forecast at 44 to 48 cents per pound, down 3 cents at the midpoint reflecting the sharp drop in futures contract prices in the past month.

Global oilseed production for 2013/14 is projected at 493.1 million tons, up 0.2 million tons from last month. Reductions for soybeans and cottonseed are offset by increases for rapeseed, sunflowerseed, peanuts, and palm kernel production. Lower soybean production projected for the United States is partly offset by an increase for India where higher harvested area more than offsets reduced yields caused by excessive July rainfall. Rapeseed production is raised in several countries including Canada and the European Union, where abundant moisture and favorable temperatures in July helped to boost yield prospects. Rapeseed production forecasts are also raised for China and Ukraine. Sunflowerseed production is also raised for the European Union and Ukraine. Global peanut production is raised this month reflecting updated historical data and forecasts for several countries in Africa. Cottonseed changes include reduced production for China and the United States and an increase for Pakistan.

Reduced global soybean production is only partly offset by lower crush leaving 2013/14 global soybean ending stocks down 1.9 million tons at 72.3 million. Global soybean stocks remain record high despite this month’s reduction.

LIVESTOCK, POULTRY, AND DAIRY:
The total red meat and poultry production forecast for 2013 is raised from last month as higher beef production more than offsets lower pork, broiler, and turkey production. Beef production is raised as greater fed cattle and cow slaughter combine with heavier average carcass weights to push output higher. Moderate feed prices and recent placement of heavy animals are expected to support higher average carcass weights in the second half of the year. Pork production is reduced largely reflecting lower slaughter in the third quarter. Broiler production is reduced as the increase in second-quarter production was smaller than expected. The forecast for second-half production is unchanged. Turkey production is lowered as hatchery data portends sharper production declines in the third and fourth quarters. Egg production is raised from last month as greater table egg production more than offsets a marginal decline in second quarter hatching egg production. For 2014, beef production is raised slightly on larger expected marketings of cattle placed in 2013. Forecasts for other meats are unchanged. Egg production is higher compared to last month as growth in the broiler breeder flock is expected to support greater hatching egg production.

Beef exports are raised for 2013 on stronger shipments to several markets, while the forecast for 2014 is unchanged from last month. Beef imports for 2013 are reduced based on second-quarter data, but are unchanged for 2014. The 2013 pork export forecast is down fractionally reflecting second-quarter data, with 2014 unchanged. The 2013 broiler export forecast is higher as shipments showed continued strength in June. The forecast for 2014 is unchanged. Turkey exports for 2013 are up slightly reflecting trade data for the second quarter. U.S. Census Bureau revisions are reflected in historical trade estimates.

Fed cattle prices are reduced in 2013 and 2014 as greater beef production and attractively priced competing meats are expected to pressure prices. Hog prices are raised for 2013 as demand strength is expected to continue through the end of the year. Broiler prices are reduced in 2013 and 2014 as recent price declines are expected to persist. Turkey price forecasts are unchanged from last month.

The 2013 milk production forecast is higher than last month based on production data for the second quarter, but subsequent quarters are unchanged. Production for 2014 is unchanged. Exports are raised for 2013 on both a fat and skim-solids basis as continued tight world supplies support higher exports. However, the export forecast for 2014 is unchanged. Fat basis imports are raised for 2013 while the skim solid forecast is lower. Import forecasts for 2014 are unchanged.  Fat-basis ending stock forecasts for 2013 and 2014 are lowered as lower prices are expected to support greater butter use. The skim-basis stock forecast is unchanged for 2013 but lowered for 2014 as domestic demand for nonfat dry milk (NDM) is expected to improve.

Robust demand for NDM supports increased price forecasts for 2013 and 2014. The cheese price forecast for 2013 is raised on relatively strong demand, but the forecast is unchanged for 2014.  Butter prices are forecast lower for both 2013 and 2014 as stocks are relatively high. The whey price forecast is unchanged from last month. For 2013, the Class III price is raised from last month on the stronger cheese price, but the 2014 price is reduced on a lower butterfat price. The range of the 2013 Class IV price is narrowed for 2013 but is unchanged at the midpoint as the lower butter price is largely offset by the higher NDM price. The 2014 Class IV price is unchanged. The all milk price for 2013 is forecast at $19.60 to $19.80 per cwt and $18.65 to $19.65 per cwt for 2014.



DIRECTORS ELECTED TO THE NEBRASKA SOYBEAN BOARD
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­­­­­­­­­The Nebraska Soybean Board held elections in July for Director Seats in District 4 and 8.   Nebraska soybean farmers in those districts voted with the following results:

District 4 - Counties consisting of Boone, Hamilton, Merrick, Nance, Platte, Polk and York
Eugene Goering – Platte Center, NE – Platte County – 185 Elected
Brian Brown – Central City, NE – Merrick County - 133

District 8 - Counties consisting of Arthur, Banner, Blaine, Box Butte, Brown, Chase, Cherry, Cheyenne, Custer, Dawes, Dawson, Deuel, Dundy,  Frontier, Furnas, Garden, Garfield, Gosper, Grant, Greeley, Harlan, Hayes, Hitchcock, Hooker, Howard, Keith, Keya Paha, Kimball, Lincoln, Logan, Loup, McPherson, Morrill, Perkins, Phelps, Red Willow, Rock, Scotts Bluff, Sheridan, Sherman, Sioux, Thomas, Valley and Wheeler
Terry Horky – Sargent, NE – Custer County – 199 Elected
Daren Englund – Holdrege, NE – Phelps County - 113

Anthony Johnanson, a soybean farmer from Oakland, ran unopposed; therefore he automatically becomes the District 2 director and will begin his 1st term in office.

 “These newly elected directors will join a strong team of NSB farmer-leaders who will continue to lead the soy industry forward for Nebraska soybean farmers,” said Victor Bohuslavsky, Nebraska Soybean Board, executive director.   “We commend all of them for the commitment of their time, energy and effort for the soy industry.”

The elected directors will serve a three-year term beginning October 1, 2013 and ending September 30, 2016.



Stem and Root Rots Appearing in Soybeans
Loren Giesler, Extension Plant Pathologist

Stem and root rots are showing up in soybean a little earlier this year than in previous years. Over the past couple weeks we’ve seen some brown stem rot and, with the recent heavy rains, some Phytophthora. Typically, we do not see brown stem rot or sudden death syndrome until the mid to late pod-filling stages. We do not expect to see much SDS this year as conditions were dry during harvest (less compaction) and many areas were planted later due to spring rains.

Soybean Disease Identification
Brown stem rot has been in Nebraska for many years and some fields will consistently have problems with this disease. It can be suspected in any pockets of stressed or dying plants. Foliar symptoms are not always present, but when present will start with interveinal necrosis and spots that coalesce to form brown streaks between the leaf veins with yellow margins. Plants affected by brown stem rot will have some root rot, but it won’t be as extensive as in plants with SDS.

To differentiate brown stem rot from SDS, note these SDS symptoms
-    the root system will have a deteriorated taproot;
-    lateral roots will only be evident in the upper soil profile;
-    plants will typically pull very easily; and
-    there may be a dark blue fungal growth on the roots.

Plants affected by brown stem rot will not have the root rot symptoms.

Split the Stems. With any root and stem rot disease it is critical that the stems be split to properly identify the disease. Brown stem rot will have the same foliar symptoms as SDS but different stem symptoms.

With brown stem rot the center of the stem will be discolored while with SDS, the outer stem layers will be discolored. With brown stem rot the center of the center stem discoloration will typically be brown from the soil line upward. In some cases discoloration will start at the nodes and may be visible when the stems are split. With SDS the root cortex will also be discolored and will be light-gray to brown and may extend up the stem.

Fields affected by Phytophthora will have plants wilting and dying but there will be a discolored stem base on the plant (evident on the outside). The darker stem color will extend from the soil line and be above the first node in most cases. Heavy rains and saturated soil conditions favor disease development. Over the past several years we have observed that fields with light drought stress followed by heavy rains tend to develop more Phytophthora.

Management
Management for stem and root rot varies with the disease. It is important to keep records on affected fields so that variety selection can be used to manage future outbreaks. Variety selection is the number one management tool for all these diseases.

In future years fields with high levels of SDS should not be planted early and should be managed to reduce any compaction. Fields with brown stem rot will benefit from longer rotations. SDS will not be affected by rotation. Phytophthora can be managed with resistant varieties and seed treatments.

Foliar fungicides are not recommended for managing any of these diseases.



PUBLIC HEARINGS SCHEDULED FOR FY2014 BUDGET & TAX REQUEST:

The Upper Big Blue NRD Board of Directors have scheduled a Public Hearing for the FY2014 Budget on Thursday, August 15, 2013 at 7:30 p.m., and a Special Public Hearing for the FY2014 Tax Request for Thursday, September 19, 2013 at 7:30 p.m.  Both of these hearings will be conducted at the Upper Big Blue Natural Resources District office building located at 105 N. Lincoln, York, Nebraska.  The proposed budget for FY2014 continues to include safety measures for protecting District citizens and enhancing the delivery of quality services.  The public is welcome and encouraged to attend these Public Hearings.



Correct Timing Makes the Best Silage
Bruce Anderson, UNL Extension Forage Specialist

Will you chop corn silage this year? Do it right and time your harvest correctly.

High-quality corn silage often is an economical substitute for some of the grain in finishing and in dairy rations. And corn silage can be an important winter feed for cow-calf producers. All too often, though, we fail to harvest silage to get its best feed value.

Harvest timing is critical for success. Timing needs to be based on moisture content of the silage. Silage chopped too early and wetter than seventy percent moisture can run or seep and it often produces a sour, less palatable fermentation. We often get this wet silage when we rush to salvage hail or wind damaged corn. Live and green stalks, leaves, and husks almost always are more than eighty percent moisture so be patient and wait until these tissues start to dry before chopping.

Normal corn, though, is often chopped for silage too dry, below sixty percent moisture. hen it's difficult to chop and pack the silage adequately to force out air. The silage heats, energy and protein digestibility declines, and spoilage increases. If your silage is warm or steams during winter, it probably was too dry when chopped.

Many corn hybrids are at the ideal sixty to seventy percent moisture as corn kernels reach the one-half milkline. This guide isn't perfect for all hybrids, though, so check your own field independently.

Corn kernels in silage between half milkline and black layer are more digestible. Drier, more mature corn grain tends to pass through the animal more often without digesting. Also, older leaves and stalks are less digestible.

So chop your silage at the proper moisture level this year. The outcome will be better feed and better profits.



Gracie Creek Landowners Association Awarded Environmental Stewardship Award
Gracie Creek Landowners Association (GCLA) of Burwell Neb., was honored last week as one of seven 2013 regional Environmental Stewardship Award Program (ESAP) winners during the 2013 Cattle Industry Summer Conference in Denver, Colo,. August 8th. The Gracie Creek Landowners Association is comprised of the Switzer and Morgan families.

ESAP, now in its 23rd year, was created to recognize beef producers who make environmental stewardship a priority on their farms and ranches while they also improve production and profitability. The ESAP award is sponsored by Dow AgroSciences; USDA-NRCS; U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association; and the National Cattlemen’s Foundation.

“GCLA is a leader and an innovator in the beef industry because of its multi-faceted view of sustainability, which to these landowners focuses on environment, economics, and education,” said NC Executive Vice President Pete McClymont. “Such a combination is to be admired and the families that comprise the association are extremely deserving of this honor,” said McClymont.

The seven regional winners will compete for the national ESAP award, which will be announced during the 2014 Cattle Industry Annual Convention and Trade Show in Nashville, Tenn.



NCBA Statement in Response to Action by Tyson in Discontinuing Purchase of Cattle Fed Zilmax

National Cattlemen's Beef Association (NCBA) Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Forrest Roberts made the following statement in response to action by Tyson in discontinuing the purchase of cattle fed Zilmax:

Cattlemen and women believe in the right of farmers and ranchers to responsibly use FDA-approved technologies. We also believe in Tyson’s right to make individual company decisions that they feel are in the best interest of their business. We do not have all the details regarding the animal welfare concerns cited by Tyson in the letter to their cattle suppliers. However, we take every report of animal welfare issues very seriously.

We have expended significant resources to address questions about the use of beta-agonists relative to animal welfare concerns. We convened experts across the beef supply chain who have conducted extensive research on beta-agonists and engaged cattle feeding and animal health experts who have many years of experience using these products. We will continue these efforts until we have solid answers to these questions. In the meantime, we believe these products can be used responsibly when managed properly.



IFBF Launches Program to Help Keep Farming in the Family

Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF), the state's largest grassroots farm organization, launched a new program to help farmers develop business and succession plans. The program, called Take Root, was established to help farm families work through a step-by-step process of developing a vision for their operation and a managed approach to the obstacles they face in farm growth and transition.

"Over 97 percent of farms in Iowa are family-owned and operated, according to the 2007 Ag Census, and we'd like to see that continue," said IFBF Farm Business Development Manager Nathan Katzer. "Our aim is to provide resources to help farm families build their own vision for the future, because creating a vision that's bigger than you could grow by yourself is at the root of business and succession planning."

A series of four "Take Root" business continuation and succession planning sessions will be offered around the state starting this month, free of charge for Farm Bureau members and $45 for non-members.

"Many Farm Bureau members told us that succession planning is one of their biggest ongoing concerns," Katzer said. "We want to help multi-generation farm families develop plans to bring the younger members into the ownership structure of the operation and will help families develop flexible contingencies for the uncertain times ahead."

Katzer said surveys of Iowa farms highlight a clear need for a program like Take Root. "History shows us that only 30 percent of the farms successfully make the transition from the first to the second generation and only 10 percent of those make it to the third generation. Keeping Iowa farming legacies intact and ongoing is essential to the continued success of our state's agriculture industry," he said.

Katzer said each plan will be different because they will build on the strengths of each farm and be customized to their needs.

The Take Root program will connect farmers with expert resources including lenders, attorneys, Iowa State University and others who have been successful in helping farm families manage their farm transitions.

"The program is a comprehensive approach to planning for a family farm's continuation and growth from the roots up," said Katzer.

The four pilot sites for the Take Root sessions are:
-- Aug. 29 in Eldora at 6:00 p.m. at the Fire House Grill.
-- Sept. 9 in Fort Dodge at 6:00 p.m. at the Webster County Farm Bureau office.
-- Sept. 10 in Nashua at the Iowa State University Borlaug Center at 6:30 p.m.
-- Sept. 12 in Creston at 6:30 p.m. at Southwestern Community College.

For more information on Take Root, go to www.iowafarmbureau.com or contact Katzer at 515-225-5494 or nkatzer@ifbf.org.



Automaker to discuss higher ethanol blends and octane at ACE Conference

The Executive Vice President for the American Coalition for Ethanol, Brian Jennings, announced that an engineer from Ford Motor Company will be speaking at the ACE Conference in Des Moines on August 28. 

Jennings says Dominic DiCicco, who is the Principal Environmental Engineer for the automobile manufacturer, will bring a valuable outlook to the conference.

“Ford Motor Company is very forward-thinking about future fuels and engine technologies and we are pleased Dominic DiCicco will speak at our conference about the synergy between octane from higher ethanol blends and Ford’s engine technology advancements.  Dominic has been a key player in our discussions with automakers about how ethanol’s valuable octane can and should play a more central role in the cars of the future,” said Jennings.

DiCicco has worked at Ford Motor Company for over twenty years. During that time he has helped implement Ford’s strategic product plans as well as work on improving fuel quality and regulations, requiring interaction with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the California Air Resources Board (CARB), and other governmental agencies around the world. Dominic has mostly worked on fuels after starting at the Ford Research Laboratory in the Chemical Engineering Department researching exhaust emission catalytic systems.

Other subjects to be covered at the ACE Conference include: Taking Advantage of RINs to Sell E15 and E85, Trade Policy and the U.S. Ethanol Industry, Opportunities for Ethanol Producers to Reduce Carbon Intensity, RFS Pathways to Innovation, and Co-Product Power: Diversification and the Financial Health of Today’s Ethanol Plant.



Animal Health International opens New State-of-the-Art Distribution Center in Sioux Falls

Animal Health International, Inc. today officially opened its newest distribution center in Sioux Falls, S.D., servicing dairy, swine and poultry producer customers, large animal veterinary customers, companion and mixed animal veterinary practices, and dealer stores.

“Our Sioux Falls facility will service the needs of customers in North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska, Iowa and Minnesota”, explains Tim Witt, Regional Operations Manager for the area with Animal Health International.  “We’ve designed the distribution center with a focus on efficiently servicing our customers, targeting an industry leading time-to-delivery, and, of course, providing our employees with a safe working environment”.

The three-story facility measures 52,000 square feet, including a 4,800 square foot cooler.  The facility is designed to use SAP’s eWM (Extended Warehouse Management) module in order to enhance pick, pack and ship accuracy, and manage inbound goods delivery and slotting. Staffing includes 18 warehouse personnel and 5 customer service/call center specialists.

Safety systems and features include dock locks, a fire pump/sprinkler system, and wire-guided lift equipment.

“Over 90% of our orders receive next-day service, and that’s important”, says Witt. “Our customers rely on Animal Health International and the products we provide to manage and grow their businesses.  We’re pleased to be able to better service our long-time customers and new customers here in the Midwest through this new distribution center”.



PED Virus Confirmed on Over 430 Hog Farms

The American Association of Swine Veterinarians says that as of late July, PED virus has been confirmed on 434 farms in 16 states. Over 35 percent of the farms are in Iowa, with 23.5 percent are in Oklahoma and nine percent are in Minnesota. Missouri has one confirmed case of PEDv. The number of newly infected farms appears to have peaked in early June.

U.S. pork exports during June were down 1 percent compare to a year earlier despite a 24 percent jump in exports to our second biggest foreign customer, Mexico. Pork sales to our biggest customer, Japan, were up 7 percent in June. Russia accounted for the decline in pork exports. In total, 23.8 percent of U.S. June pork production was exported.

Pork imports during June were up 5.6 percent compared to last June. The increase in pork imports was due to more Canadian pork. In total, June imports equaled 4 percent of U.S. pork production.

Live hog imports during June were down 15 percent with feeder pigs down 18 percent and slaughter hog imports up 0.7 percent.

The national average negotiated carcass price for direct delivered hogs on the morning report today was $96.88/cwt, up $3.51 from last Friday. Negotiated live weight purchases averaged $75.17/cwt. The eastern corn belt averaged $95.44/cwt this morning. Neither the western corn belt nor Iowa-Minnesota had enough early morning sales for a price quote. Peoria had a top live price this morning of $66/cwt. Zumbrota, MN topped out at $69/cwt. The top for interior Missouri live hogs Friday was $69.75/cwt, up 75 cents from the previous Friday.