Thursday August 8 Ag News

Outstanding Members of the Cattle-Feeding Community Honored at the Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame Banquet 

Four individuals who have been catalysts for the beef industry and inspired others to do the same were honored July 25 during the fifth annual Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame banquet in Denver. Leo O. Timmerman and Louis Dinklage were inducted into the Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame, a distinguished program honoring an elite class of visionaries and leaders in cattle feeding. Additionally, Harry Knobbe was presented with the Industry Leadership Award, and Edward “Mike” McMillan was recognized with the Arturo Armendariz Distinguished Service Award, which recognizes exceptional feedyard employees. 

Jim Miles, fed cattle segment marketing manager with Merck Animal Health — a Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame founding partner — says the banquet is more than an awards presentation. “Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame was created to honor those who made significant strides so that future generations can continue the time-honored traditions of cattle feeding,” says Miles. “Cattle feeding is many times a thankless job, so we are privileged to devote a night to thank the individuals who help bring safe, wholesome beef to America.”
 
2013 Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame Inductees 
The Cattle Feeders Hall of Fame was established to honor the exceptional individuals who have made lasting contributions to the cattle-feeding industry. This year, Timmerman and Dinklage were among five individuals selected by the nominating committee. The slated nominees were then voted on by their peers.   

Leo O. Timmerman (1913 – 1997), Timmerman & Sons Feeding Co. Inc. – 2013 Hall of Fame Inductee 
Leo O. Timmerman started farming with three milk cows and two dozen chickens. Soon after, he bought three head of cattle, sparking a successful career in the cattle-feeding business.  By 1950, Timmerman had his own grain and cattle trucks and was able to sell his cattle directly to the meat-packing companies, marking the first step in the decentralization of cattle marketing and meat packing.  Because of his knowledge and experience, Timmerman was able to pasture cattle for feedyards in Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Texas and Louisiana. By 1970 his operation had reached more than 20,000-head capacity. A year later, he sold the business to his four sons but continued in the business by dividing his time between Omaha, Neb., and Scottsdale, Ariz., and trading commodities and feed cattle in Nebraska, Colorado and Arizona. Cattle feeding was a major part of Timmerman’s life until his death in 1997. 

Louis Dinklage (1902 – 1984), Louis Dinklage Inc. – 2013 Hall of Fame Inductee 
Louis Dinklage’s vision for the cattle-feeding industry helped him become one of the most well-respected cattle feeders in America. Born in 1902, Dinklage never could have imagined that by the late 1960’s he would be considered the country’s largest cattle feeder. He influenced both the cattle-feeding industry and the community as he mentored many young cattle feeders, setting them on the road to success. 

When Dinklage started his operation with 30 head of cattle, he ran his first herd out on pasture, cut down green corn stalks and threw them into the pen by hand. By the late 1930’s, he had expanded to feeding 4,000 head of cattle with just a scoop shovel and a team of horses. Dinklage had a goal of feeding 1,000 head, but little did he know, he eventually would surpass that goal and run a feedyard with more than 65,000 cattle a year. Five feedyards still operate under men who worked for, or were mentored by Dinklage before he died in 1984. Dinklage was a mentor to many and an inspiration to all, and his legacy for leading others will resonate in the cattle feeding industry for many years to come.
 
2013 Industry Leadership Award Recipient
The Industry Leadership Award is a prestigious award that recognizes individuals who have demonstrated outstanding leadership, provided exemplary service and have made significant contributions to the advancement of the cattle-feeding business. 

Harry Knobbe has dedicated the past 50-plus years of his life to the cattle-feeding industry. After opening a commodity brokerage office in 1967, Knobbe Commodities Inc., he began buying and selling all weights of feeder cattle to regional farmers through Knobbe Livestock. Today, he also owns a farming and cattle-feeding operation, Harry Knobbe Feedyards, which feeds several thousand head of cattle.

His passion and dedication to the industry is reflected in his many appointments with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association—including serving as vice chairman, chairman and executive officer for many committees and councils.  Knobbe remains active in the industry at the age of 73 … and he doesn’t plan to slow down any time soon.
 
2013 Arturo Armendariz Distinguished Service Award Recipient 
The Arturo Armendariz Distinguished Service Award was developed by the Hall of Fame to recognize feedyard employees who go above and beyond the call of duty to help improve the cattle-feeding community. 

Mike McMillan has dedicated more than 40 years to the cattle-feeding business. A Marine, McMillan began in the industry in 1971 as a cattle checker on Monfort’s original feedyard north of Greeley, Colo. He quickly began working his way up the company while working on bachelor’s degree from the University of Northern Colorado. An innovative thinker, McMillan was on a quest to conserve water and was instrumental in designing and building the first tank overflow filter/treatment stations under the ConAgra ownership before the sustainability movement was even a thought.  McMillan helped transform the JBS Five Rivers Kuner Feedlot into one of the most efficient feedyards in the world. His compassion and commitment to the company, crews and cattle is evident in his mentoring and teaching of others, which helped shape them into hardworking employees and leaders.




NOXIOUS WEEDS FOCUS OF FREE WORKSHOP

The Northeast Nebraska Resource Conservation & Development (RC&D) Council and the Northeast Nebraska Weed Management Area will be hosting a free workshop on noxious weed control on Wednesday, August 21 at the Niobrara State Park Lodge, Niobrara, NE.  The event is open to the public and begins with registration at 9:30 a.m. and will conclude by 2:30 p.m.   Lunch will be provided.  Farmers, ranchers, and others interested in learning more about noxious weeds and their control should make plans to attend.

This workshop, “Focus on the Future of a Weed-free Horizon,” will feature a variety of speakers discussing the types of noxious weeds and those on the “watch-list” found in the area, methods of noxious weed control in pastures, fields, and in wildlife habitat sites.  A special presentation by the Niobrara Public School’s Purple Loosestrife Project group will be given on their efforts.  Funding for the workshop is provided by a grant from the Nebraska Environmental Trust.

The RC&D Council is a non-profit organization here to serve the needs and interests of the citizens of the area.  For more information about this event, other RC&D projects or activities, see www.nenercd.org or call 402-582-4866. 



IFB Shows How 'Iowa Rises Up' at State Fair

This year Iowa State Fair visitors will have the opportunity to Spin the Wheel at Farm Bureau Park to win great prizes while learning how Iowa's farmers help "Iowa Rise Up." No matter the degree of agriculture knowledge, fairgoers will have the opportunity to interact with Iowa farmers while also having the chance to earn great prizes.

Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) members will enjoy a number of perks at the fair, while Farm Bureau Park showcases how Iowa farmers help "Iowa Rise Up" by raising and growing our food and energy. Members can redeem a thank you coupon for a free gift and register for a chance to win a free Cub Cadet Zero Turn Riding Mower. Members are encouraged to sign up family and friends as new Farm Bureau members, with the new member entered in a drawing for $2,000 in free ethanol.

All park visitors can take a guess at how many balls are loaded in the cab of a Ford F-150 for a chance to win $500. Farm Bureau Park visitors also have the opportunity to win a Big Green Egg smoker grill and sign the fair's largest Thank You card to Iowa's farmers, courtesy of Farm Bureau Financial Services. Park guests will have the chance to sign up daily to win a free smart phone from Farm Bureau's newest benefit partner, Ready Mobile.

Visitors are encouraged to learn more about Farm Bureau benefit partners and special member discounts on services and products including Morton Buildings, Case IH tractors, hay equipment and utility vehicles, Ford and Lincoln vehicles and Wellmark Blue Cross/Blue Shield health insurance available through Farm Bureau agents. The newest partner, Ready Mobile, will be on site to answer questions and will provide a free phone charging station for fairgoers with a low cell phone battery.

Young fairgoers will also find free entertainment at Farm Bureau Park as the Iowa Farm Bureau Young Farmer Advisory Committee members offer a variety of free kids' activities and prizes from 8:00 a.m.-8:00 p.m. on Aug. 10.

The IFBF is again promoting the importance of healthy lifestyles by featuring a number of free blood pressure, cancer, hearing, balance, and other health screenings on select fair days.



60th Iowa Dairy Princess Crowned

Mariah Schmitt, an 18-year-old from Fort Atkinson, was crowned the 60thIowa Dairy Princess during an evening ceremony at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines tonight (Wednesday, August 7).  Schmitt, daughter of Carl and Terry Schmitt, will spend the year serving as a goodwill ambassador for Iowa’s dairy farmers.  Throughout her year-long reign she will make public appearances to connect with consumers and help them understand the dedication of dairy farm families to their cows and the land.

Representing Winneshiek County, Schmitt was also named Miss Congeniality in the contest.  In the fall, she will attend Iowa State University majoring in dairy science and public service and administration in agriculture.

Celina Young, 18, of Waverly, was named Alternate Iowa Dairy Princess.  Young, the daughter of Jill Grabau and Greg Young, will share duties with the princess.  She represents Bremer County and will also attend Iowa State University this fall, studying agriculture business and communications.

Eleven princesses from throughout Iowa competed for the title.  The top five included:
-    Nicole Engelken, 18, daughter of Tom and Cherrie Engelken of Earlville, representing the Iowa Holstein Association;
-    Catheryn Lang, 18, daughter of James and Theresa Lang of McGregor, representing Clayton County;
-    Brianna Lee, 19, daughter of Darrell and Rhonda Lee of West Union, representing Fayette County; and
-    Celina Young, 18, daughter of Jill Grabau and Greg Young of Waverly, representing Bremer County.

The outgoing Iowa Dairy Princess is Logan Worden, daughter of Dennis and Joan Worden of Oelwein, and the Alternate Princess is Karla Hageman, daughter of Alan and Ruth Hageman of Decorah. Their reigns will be completed at the end of the Iowa State Fair, and the new Princess and Alternate will begin their duties on September 1.



Beef Industry Showcases its Sustainability

The beef industry has improved its sustainability by 5 percent in just six years according to the results of the checkoff-funded Beef Industry Sustainability Assessment, released today during the 2013 Cattle Industry Summer Conference.

Richard Gebhart, cow-calf producer from Claremore, Okla., also served on the sustainability advisory panel. He explains that the beef sustainability assessment is the most detailed examination of a commodity value chain ever completed, taking into account every aspect of beef production from the growth of feed to the disposal of packaging by the final consumer.

“We examined all the inputs and outputs required to produce a pound of boneless, edible beef and we did that for the 1970s, 2005 and 2011,” says Gebhart, explaining that the 1970s and 2005 each represents major shifts in beef production practices, while 2011 represents present-day.

Improvements in crop yields, better irrigation, innovations in the packing sector, improvements in technology and better animal performance are examples of innovations that have all played a role in advancing industry sustainability, according to Kim Stackouse-Lawson, Ph.D., director of sustainability for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a contractor to the Beef Checkoff Program.

“The completion of the life cycle assessment (LCA) project provides the industry, for the first time, the science-based evidence necessary to lead conversations about the sustainability of beef,” says Stackhouse-Lawson. “The Beef Checkoff and the Beef Promotion Operating Committee had the foresight three years ago to see the importance of this work and make it a priority for the industry. By completing the LCA, the checkoff positioned beef as a leader on the topic of sustainability.”

Stackhouse-Lawson says the project was extensive. “We examined millions of individual data points and then created models to simulate specific aspects of beef production practices so that this data and these results are truly representative of beef production in the United States.”

Gebhart and Stackhouse-Lawson agree that the completion of the project represents an outstanding opportunity for cattlemen and cattlewomen to tell their own stories of sustainable beef production, rather than letting those outside the industry do it.

“The results of this work show the beef industry is becoming more innovative and efficient, while also doing an excellent job protecting the resources with which they have been entrusted,” says Gebhart.

Stackhouse-Lawson explains that during the six years between 2005 and 2011, the beef industry has:
-    Reduced environmental impacts by 7 percent
-    Improved its overall sustainability by 5 percent
-    Reduced emissions to soil by 7 percent
-    Reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 2 percent
-    Lowered acidification potential emissions by 3 percent
-    Reduced emissions to water by 10 percent
-    Lessened occupational accidents and illnesses by 32 percent
-    Reduced resource consumption by 2 percent
-    Decreased water use by 3 percent
-    Decreased land use by 4 percent
-    Lowered energy use by 2 percent

“The results of the Beef Industry Sustainability Assessment, which was just certified by the National Standards Foundation (NSF), show the industry is on a path of continuous improvement,” says Stackhouse-Lawson, who explains that the certification by NSF lends third-party credibility to the work, making it more acceptable to non-governmental organizations and other potential partners in the sustainability arena.

“When we talk about the sustainability of an industry, that’s what it’s all about, getting better over time. As an industry, beef is doing a good job at making progress on the path toward a more sustainable future. The certification of these results confirms that,” she says.



Cattle Futures Jump on Supply Outlook After Tyson Decision

Cattle futures prices jumped 2% to three-month highs Thursday amid speculation that beef supplies will tighten following Tyson Foods Inc.'s (TSN) decision to stop buying cattle that are fed a widely used supplement that promotes weight gain.

Tyson, the biggest U.S. meat processor by sales, told cattle suppliers in a letter this month that it would suspend purchases of cattle given Merck & Co.'s (MRK) Zilmax after receiving animals at some of its beef plants that had difficulty walking or were unable to move.

The action by the Springdale, Ark., company fueled speculation that beef supplies will decline if cattle weights drop as a result of the ban. Tyson accounts for roughly a quarter of the daily slaughter of cattle in the U.S., according to analysts.

"We do not know the specific cause of these problems, but some animal health experts have suggested that the use of the feed supplement Zilmax, also known as zilpaterol, is one possible cause," Tyson told suppliers in the letter, which a Tyson spokesman released Wednesday.

The meatpacker said its evaluation of the problems is ongoing, but that it was taking the "interim measure" of suspending the cattle purchases effective Sept. 6. Tyson said "this is not a food safety issue," but "about animal well-being and ensuring the proper treatment of the livestock we depend on."

Zilmax is often fed to U.S. cattle in the final month before slaughter to help them gain lean muscle and add more weight than they would gain otherwise.

Merck spokeswoman Pam Eisele said Thursday the company has offered assistance to Tyson from its own experts and outside experts about the cause of the incidents at the Tyson plants. She said "animal well-being is a priority," and a 30-year history of product development has shown that Zilmax is safe for animals



Up-and-Coming Grower Leaders Get Taste of Leadership at Its Best
Growers are gathered today in Minneapolis, Minn. for the first session of the NCGA Leadership Academy, co-sponsored by Syngenta. Upon completion of the program in January, the participants will join more than 500 colleagues who have graduated from this program in the past 27 years.

At the meeting, participants got up-close look at NCGA from President Pam Johnson, who is also a Leadership Academy alumnae. Fellow alumnus and NCGA First Vice President Elect Chip Bowling provided an insightful examination of the main issues facing the association, and the nation's corn farmers, today.

The farmers attending took part in media training and public speaking exercises as well as association management skill building. In addition, the class enjoyed a look at the future trends that will impact the industry and a comprehensive economic forecast given by futurist Bob Treadway.

"As a Leadership Academy graduate, I have a deep appreciation for the confidence and skills attendees develop in such a short time, and of the ability of Syngenta and other presenters to hone in on what is most needed," Johnson said. "As NCGA president, I am excited to see new leaders who want to take on an active role in the association. When these volunteers come together, you can feel their passion for the industry. It is heartening to know that such strong farmer leaders will carry on our mission well into the future."

This year's Leadership at Its Best Class includes: Les Anderson (Minn.); James Burg (S.D.); Ann Cross (Colo.); Ray Dean (N.Y); Don Duvall (Ill.); Chris Edgington (Iowa); Chuck Emanuel (Neb.); Philip Gordon (Mich.); Rick Gruber (Neb.); Ken Hartman Jr. (Ill.); Scott Hays (Mo.); Gail Leirer (Ohio); Patty Mann (Ohio); Randy Melvin (N.D.); Jerry Mohr (Iowa); Thomas Mueller (Ill.); Brad Schad (Mo.); Mark Sponsler (Colo.); and Harold Wolle (Minn.).

Open to all NCGA membership, Leadership at Its Best provides training to interested volunteers of all skill levels.  The second session, which will be held this March in Washington, addresses public policy issues, working with the Hill and parliamentary procedure.  Through this program, participants build the skill set needed to become a more confident public speaker with a solid background in the procedures and processes used by NCGA and many state organizations.

Participants must be registered members of NCGA.

Since 1986, the National Corn Growers Association, the state corn associations and, most importantly, the U.S. corn industry, have benefited tremendously from the Syngenta- co-sponsored Leadership At Its Best Program.  Over 500 growers have gained invaluable media, communications, association management and public policy knowledge and skills over the lifetime of the program.

As a measure of the impact of this program and its importance to NCGA and its current effectiveness as an organization, one only need consider the Class of 2002.  Those 20 growers include five current or former Corn Board members-including two past presidents-and five action team members.  Leadership at Its Best has been a vital leadership incubator for honing the skills of state leaders on "the way up" and stimulating further involvement in and greater commitment from state growers to NCGA.



NASS to Release 2013 Farm Computer Usage Results on August 20

The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will release its 2013 Farm Computer Usage and Ownership report on August 20, 2013 at 3:00 pm. NASS collects computer use data during the first two weeks of June as part of the June Area Survey, a multipurpose survey used to estimate planted and harvested acres of major crops in the United States. Estimates made for the Computer Usage and Ownership program include the percent of farms with access to a computer, percent of farms that own or lease a computer, percent of farms using a computer for farm business purposes, and the percent of farms with access to the Internet. For operators with access to the Internet, NASS collects data on the operator’s primary method of access – dialup, DSL, cable, satellite, wireless or other means – as well as ways in which the operator uses the Internet for farm business and personal use. Estimates are published for the United States and by state (48 contiguous), region, economic class, and type of farm.



China Soybean Imports to Speed Up

China's soybean imports in the first half of this year decreased 5% to 27.5 million metric tons (1.01 billion bushels) from last year's 29.1 mmt (1.07 billion bushels), according to statistics from China Customs. But soybean import volume caught up in July, reaching a historically high monthly volume.

Soybean imports are expected to increase in the second half of the year, with total soybean imports reaching 61 mmt (2.24 billion bushels) by the end of 2013.

Higher U.S. production and lower prices for U.S. new-crop soybeans will help China to expand imports in 2014. China Oil and Grain Information Center expects China will import 66.6 million metric tons (2.45 bb) of soybeans next year.

Statistics show that soybean imports in the first six months on the calendar year from Brazil were a little higher at 13.4 mmt (492.4 mb) compared to last year's 13.3 mmt (488.7 mb). China imported 12.5 mmt (459.3 mb) from the U.S., compared to 14.3 mmt (525.4 mb) last year, while from Argentine imports were only 0.9 mmt (33.1 mb) compare to 1.3 mmt (47.8 mb) in 2012.  Chinese buyers booked more Brazilian beans due to last year's drought-stricken U.S. crop; however, the supply from Brazil has not been as good as expected.

Statistics show that 7.3 mmt (268.2 mb) of soybeans arrived at China ports in July, much higher than last year's 5.8 mmt (213.1 mb) and the five-year average of 5.6 mmt (205.8 mb).

August import volume will also be higher than average with 5.8 mmt (213.1 mb) of soybeans expected to arrive at Chinese ports. September soybean imports are expected to be more than 4 mmt (147 mb).

Chinese farmers planted 6.5 million hectares (16.1 million acres) of soybean this year, 250,000 hectares (about 618,000 acres) less than in 2012, according to China Grain and Oil Information Center.