Friday September 6 Ag News

Thurston County Farm Bureau Celebrates 100 Years at Event in Pender

Members of the Thurston County Farm Bureau are having a celebration and inviting the public to join them for a free dinner to commemorate 100 years of the Thurston County Farm Bureau. The dinner will be held on Thurs., Sept. 19, in Pender at the American Legion Hall at 7p.m.

“We are proud to be a part of this community for the past 100 years,” said Joel Lamplot, president of Thurston County Farm Bureau, Sept. 6. “There has been a lot of agricultural history taking place in Thurston county and the Thurston County Farm Bureau is proud to continue the tradition of supporting farmers and agriculture in Nebraska,” he said.

Thurston County Farm Bureau was one of four counties in 1913 that felt the need to have an organization to help farmers. In 1917 the state organization, Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation, was formed. The first state Farm Bureau president was Harry L. Keefe from Thurston County. Thurston County Farm Bureau continues to succeed, by offering scholarships to youth, supporting its county fair and being involved and setting the tone for agriculture policy in Nebraska.

“Farm Bureau was organized to make a difference for farmers and Thurston County Farm Bureau is excited to be a part of that history. We are looking forward to another 100 years in being the trusted voice of farmers in our county,” Lamplot said.



Heineman & Heidemann Announce $400 Million in Ag Sales Agreements

Today, Governor Dave Heineman announced that Lt. Gov. Lavon Heidemann and members of the Nebraska trade delegation to Asia signed agreements with Taiwanese grain and soybean trade officials for approximately $400 million of Nebraska corn, soybeans and wheat to Taiwan. Lt. Gov. Heidemann is currently leading a Nebraska trade mission to Taiwan and Japan.

“This is good news for Nebraska,” Governor Heineman said. “This agreement shows the value of developing and fostering relationships when it comes to trade opportunities.”

“Throughout this visit we’ve been told by the Taiwanese that they appreciate Nebraska’s efforts to develop meaningful connections with government leaders, importers and other business leaders,” Lt. Gov. Heidemann said. “They also continue to point out that they enjoy knowing Nebraska will deliver high-quality commodities.”

The letter of intent, signed by Lt. Gov. Heidemann and Agriculture Director Greg Ibach at a ceremony in Taipei, Taiwan, pledges sales valued at $401 to $472 million over a two-year period. Taiwanese parties to the agreement included representatives of the Taiwan Flour Mills Association, Taiwan Feed Industry Association, and the Taiwan Vegetable Oil Manufacturers Association.

While signed by industry officials and Nebraska government leaders, the agreement pledges the purchase of crops through negotiations between importers and private suppliers. The agreement is similar to agreements signed by Gov. Heineman on his 2007 trade mission and that signed by a state delegation led by Dir. Ibach in 2010. The 2007 and 2010 agreements each pledged around $500 million in sales of Nebraska corn, soybeans and wheat. Dir. Ibach said those agreements have been fulfilled.

“We are pleased to have another opportunity to secure sales of Nebraska soybeans, wheat and corn,” Dir. Ibach said. “It shows that there is value in showing up and asking for business.”

The agreement specifies the intent to purchase 800,000 to 1 million metric tons of corn, worth an estimated $176 million to $220 million; 200,000 to 220,000 metric tons of soybeans, valued at an estimated $120 million to $132 million; and 500,000 to 600,000 metric tons of wheat, valued at an estimated $105 million to $120 million.

Von Johnson, chairman of the Nebraska Wheat Board, said the Nebraska wheat industry appreciates the opportunity for sales with Taiwan. “Strong export markets are critical to a supply and demand equation that means success for the Nebraska wheat industry,” Johnson said. “We appreciate the efforts of the Lieutenant Governor and Director Ibach and will do our part to raise a quality product to fulfill the agreement.”

In addition to finalizing the trade agreement, the delegation met with Taiwan Vice President Wu Den-yih. They also held meetings with officials in the Ministry of Economic Affairs, the Counsel of Agriculture, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and attended a ceremony to sign a proclamation marking the 30th anniversary of the Nebraska-Taiwan sister-state relationship.

Taiwan is Nebraska’s 13th largest export market with $94 million in imports in 2012 but was the state’s 10th largest agricultural export market that year.

The Lt. Governor and the Nebraska trade delegation will depart tomorrow for Tokyo, Japan, to participate in the annual Midwest U.S.-Japan Association Conference. This is the 12th foreign or reverse trade mission of the Governor’s administration.



NFB Urges Lawmakers to Extend Oil Spill Rule Enforcement Deadline

The Nebraska Farm Bureau is urging members of Nebraska's Congressional delegation to extend legislation preventing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) from taking enforcement action against farms and ranches under the agency's Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasures (SPCC) Rule. Federal legislation preventing EPA from enforcing the agency's oil spill regulations on farms and ranches is set to expire at the end of September.

Meanwhile, Farm Bureau has developed a one-stop SPCC information and resource page for its members on the organization's website at nefb.org.

"EPA's oil spill regulation is more than 30 years old and was originally intended to help manage spills from large oil storage facilities such as oil refineries and airports. EPA has contended that farms and ranches had never been exempt from the oil spill regulations and finalized farm specific requirements in 2009. Nebraska Farm Bureau worked with members of Congress in supporting the current delay in EPA SPCC enforcement actions and would like another delay added to the Continuing Budget Resolution to allow Congress more time to fix the rule," said Steve Nelson, president of Nebraska Farm Bureau.

EPA's regulations require any farm or ranch with above-ground oil storage capacity of greater than 1,320 gallons at any one location to have an oil spill prevention plan in place. EPA had established a farm compliance deadline of May 10, 2013; however, Congress passed legislation preventing EPA from enforcing the SPCC rule on farms and ranches until Sept. 22, 2013.

Efforts to change the SPCC rule are currently under consideration in the U.S. House of Representatives and have already passed the Senate as part of the Water Resources Development Act. Farm Bureau continues to work with a bipartisan group in Congress on those reforms.

"Since EPA started the regulatory process, we've maintained there is no significant history of oil spills on farms or ranches to warrant EPA regulations in this area. There is bipartisan agreement on the fact that the inclusion of agriculture families under the rule is just another example of government regulations that have gone too far," said Nelson.

Farm Bureau continues to work with Congress to roll back this over-reaching rule that will do little to protect the environment but only increase red tape on farmers and ranchers.

"At the same time, it's important our members are aware of what's happening on this challenging issue," said Nelson.



Windrow Grazing: An Alternative to Feeding Hay in the Fall and Winter
Aaron Berger, UNL Extension Educator
Advantages to Windrow Grazing:  Harvested feed costs can be one of the largest expenses to cattle producers. Windrow grazing, sometimes called swath grazing, is a management practice that can significantly reduce harvesting and feeding costs. Swathing the crop and leaving the windrows in the field eliminates the costs of baling and hauling bales off the field while reducing labor and equipment costs associated with feeding. Grazing windrows in the field also returns some nutrients and organic matter from consumed forage back to the soil where the crop was grown.

Precipitation Patterns Support Windrow Grazing:  In Nebraska, 75-80 percent of seasonal precipitation falls in the six-month period from April through September. Only 20-25 percent of precipitation falls from October through March. This seasonality of precipitation allows for swathing forage crops in early fall and preserving them through the fall and winter with minimal deterioration in quality due to weathering. Across Nebraska, the average amount of precipitation increases from west to east. Greater average precipitation in eastern Nebraska does increase the risk of windrow deterioration compared to drier conditions in western and central Nebraska. Snowfall from October through March can be quite variable; however, extended periods when snow cover would prevent windrow grazing are limited.

For more information please see the UNL NebGuide Windrow Grazing: http://ianrpubs.unl.edu/live/g1616/build/g1616.pdf. 



Is $30 per head enough for you to try fenceline weaning?
Jay Jenkins, UNL Extension Educator

A study at the University of California Sierra Foothill Research and Extension Center in Browns Valley California found that traditional weaning practices can be costing you 22 to 24 pounds per calf. At today’s prices, that’s over $30 per head.

Fenceline weaning is a way to lower the stress of weaning. Lower stress often results in more gain, and more money in your pocket. Minimizing weaning stress and getting the calves gaining immediately is especially important if you participate in a value added program where calves must be weaned at least 45 days before sale.

Research studies have shown that allowing calves to have fenceline contact with their dams reduced the stress of weaning and improved the growth of beef calves.

In the California study, one hundred Angus/Hereford-cross calves were randomly assigned to five groups for seven days in each of three years. The groups were:
1) fenceline separation from dams on pasture,
2) total separation from dams on pasture,
3) total separation from dams in a drylot (corral) after being preconditioned to hay,
4) total separation from dams in a drylot without being preconditioned to hay, and
5) nonweaned controls on pasture.

At the end of the first seven-day period after weaning, all calves were placed on pasture in large groups. Calves were weighed weekly for 10 weeks.

In the days following weaning, calves that had fenceline contact with their dams exhibited less stress from weaning.

Behavioral differences were greatest during the first three days following weaning. The fenceline weaned calves gained more weight than the other weaned groups (which did not differ). The fenceline weaned calves gained 95% more weight than the average calf in the three totally separated treatments in the first two weeks and were still the same amount (22-24 pounds) heavier at 10 weeks.

Researchers concluded that providing fenceline contact between beef calves and cows for seven days following weaning reduces behavioral distress seen in the totally separated calves. In addition, fenceline contact with dams at weaning minimizes losses in weight gain in the days following separation. Totally separated calves did not compensate for these early losses in weight gain even after 10 weeks.

The fence used to separate calves and cows was barbed wire overlaid with woven wire. It proved very effective in keeping the animals separated. Neither cows nor calves made a concerted effort to break through or go over the fences. In herds accustomed to electric fence, two hot wires are usually enough to keep the calves separated from their mothers.



FSA Reminds Producers of Important September 16th Deadline for the Direct and Counter-Cyclical Program (DCP)
Nebraska USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) Executive Director Dan Steinkruger reminds producers of two important Direct and Counter-Cyclical Program (DCP) deadlines this month.

Producers who have either not yet enrolled in DCP or have not yet signed their DCP contracts must do so by close of business Monday, Sept.16, 3013.  “It’s easy to get distracted during the busy harvest season, but producers should be careful not to let their DCP contracts and other important FSA business slip through the cracks,” said Steinkruger.

Additionally, Steinkruger reminds producers that any succession-in-interest changes made to an operation that affect interest in base acres since the current DCP contract on file was signed, must be reported to the local FSA office by close of business Monday, Sept. 30, 2013.  “Failure to report a succession-in-interest can result in contract termination and a loss of program benefits for all producers involved,” said Steinkruger.

Changes that qualify as a succession-in-interest include:
·       sale of land
·       change of operator or producer, including an increase or decrease in the number of partners
·       involuntary loss of the farm
·       change in producer shares to reflect changes in the producer's share of the crop(s) that were originally approved on the contract.

The American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012, enacted on Jan. 2, 2013, amends the Food, Conservation, and Energy Act of 2008 and provided for a one-year extension of the Direct and Counter-Cyclical (DCP) program.

Further information on DCP is available at local FSA offices or on FSA's DCP website at: www.fsa.usda.gov/dcp.



IA Producers Invited to 2013 ISU Beef Nutrition Research Showcase

Building on the popularity of the first Beef Nutrition Research Showcase in 2011, Iowa State University’s Iowa Beef Center and beef nutrition faculty and staff are planning the next event to be held Thursday, Oct. 3. Planners hope that having the showcase the same day as a home night Iowa State football game will enable more people to attend.

“The research showcase is just that – a look at the wide variety of research happening at Iowa State,” said Joe Sellers, beef specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach. “The showcase event will run from about 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., giving everyone plenty of time to attend pre-game activities before the 6:30 p.m. kickoff.”

Stephanie Hansen, assistant animal science professor, said the showcase begins and ends at the Beef Nutrition farm, and will be held rain or shine. The farm is located at 3405 North Dakota Ave., approximately 4 miles north of the Highway 30/South Dakota Avenue interchange on the southwest corner of Ames. See a map with driving directions here. Signs for parking will be posted.

“The event starts with registration at the farm from 9:30 to 10 a.m. with bus transportation to Kildee Hall on campus for research and sponsor presentations, followed by lunch,” Hansen said. “Attendees will hear about a variety of Iowa State research topics, including managing high sulfur diets, vitamin C and meat quality, and mob grazing for wildlife management.”

During and after lunch, participants will get updates from program sponsor Elanco Animal Health and farm research equipment sponsors Multimin USA, Micronutrients and Midwest PMS. Buses will then return people to the beef nutrition farm where tours of several research groups and stations will run until the program ends around 3 p.m.

The printable event flyer includes the agenda, sponsor listing and preregistration information:
http://www.iowabeefcenter.org/events/ResearchShowcaseFlyer2013.pdf.

Thanks to sponsorship from Elanco Animal Health, the entire Beef Nutrition Research Showcase is free. However, it’s important to preregister to assure adequate transportation, materials and meal counts for attendees. Please preregister no later than Wednesday, Sept. 25, by emailing beefcenter@iastate.edu or jrober@iastate.edu or calling 515-294-2333 with the name and address of each attendee.

To order tickets to the Iowa State versus Texas football game, contact the Iowa State ticket office at 515-294-1816 or 888-478-2925. You can see the location and cost of available tickets online.



Cargill Building $29 Million Feed Mill in Iowa

Cargill's pork business broke ground this week for construction of a new, $29-million, state-of-the-art, feed mill in Hedrick, Iowa. The new feed mill, capable of producing 350,000 tons of pelletized hog feed annually, is strategically located in proximity to feedstock raw material supplies; hog finishing operations in southeast Iowa and northern Missouri; as well as to the company's pork processing plants at Ottumwa, Iowa, and Beardstown, Ill. The feed mill also will be located near key transportation corridors serving the region. Sioux City, Iowa, firm Younglove Construction, L.L.C., will build the feed mill, which is scheduled to be completed in late 2014.

"As our pork business grows due to customer and consumer demand, this feed mill will help us improve our efficiency, reduce costs and provide hog farms with feed that is formulated by our nutritionists," said Dirk Jones, president of Wichita, Kansas-based Cargill Pork. "Additionally, it will improve our feed ingredient sourcing, food safety and feed quality management. This feed mill is a strategic fit for our pork business throughout the region. The benefits are significant and will help us remain cost competitive in our ongoing efforts to always provide superior fresh pork products and services to our domestic and international customers."

In 2011, Cargill purchased a 21,500-acre site near Dalhart, Texas, for $33 million, to increase its pork production capabilities. That facility, which will reach full production capacity in late 2015, is continuously increasing the number of hogs being sent to farms in the region that will benefit from the new Iowa feed mill.

Cargill became a major entity in the U.S. pork business in 1987, with the acquisition of pork processing plants in Ottumwa and Beardstown, and it is now one of the largest U.S. pork processors.

Cargill is an international producer and marketer of food, agricultural, financial and industrial products and services. Founded in 1865, the privately held company employs 140,000 people in 65 countries.



USDA Expetcted to Up Corn Yield, Trim Soybeans
Private analytical firm Informa Economics expects USDA will increase its corn production forecast to 14.013 billion bushels, using a 157.2 bushel per acre yield estimate, in next Thursday's Crop Production report.  That would be a production increase of 250 million bushels and a yield increase of 2.8 bpa from last month's USDA estimate.  Informa took 2.1 bushels an acre off its previous estimate based on poor crop growing conditions in August, especially in Iowa where the average yield was reduced 10 bushels an acre. 

Informa expects USDA to lower soybean production by 16 mb to 3.239 bb with an average yield of 42.4 bpa, which is down 0.2 bpa from last month's estimate. Informa sees USDA making the steepest cut to North Dakota soybean yields by dropping the statewide average 3 bpa to 29 bpa.  Iowa's average soybean estimate was decreased 2 bpa to 44 bpa, according to Informa. 

Informa's estimate of what USDA will publish in next Thursday's Crop Production report doesn't incorporate Farm Services Agency certified acreage data, which shows a fair amount of prevented planting acreage. USDA will continue to use its 89.1 million harvest acre figure in September's crop analysis. USDA will incorporate updated FSA acreage in the October report.



Argentina Corn Area Declines

Argentine corn planting will decline 3% to 8.8 million acres in the upcoming season, the Buenos Aires Cereal Exchange said late Thursday.  Farmers are switching to soybeans, which are seen as a better bet amid the instability in the economy and uncertainty over local farm policy.  However, area may decline further if dry weather persists across the corn belt.

With only a week to go before planting begins, the key farming regions of Buenos Aires, Cordoba and Santa Fe provinces remain dry, with little or no rain registered in August, and consistent rain is only forecast for the end of the month.  That's not a disaster, and long-term models indicate healthy precipitation during the October-February period, but the later first-crop corn is planted, the lower the yields and greater the risk of damage during dry spells that are so typical in January.  As a result, if farmers have to wait till October to plant, they may plump for the economically and agronomically safer option of soybeans.

The bulk of Argentina's first-crop corn is planted between Sept. 15 and Oct. 15.



Belarus President Signs Decree Forming New Potash Trading Company

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko signed a decree on Thursday creating a new potash trading company following the collapse of the country's partnership with Russia's Uralkali that sent global markets for the fertilizer into turmoil, Belarus' state news agency reported.

The government will also cancel export duties on potash until the end of the year to "ensure the stable operation" of state-run potash producer Belaruskali.

The new trading company will keep the same name as the old trading partnership with Uralkali -- Belarusian Potash Co., or BPC -- but will be fully under the control of Belarus and will market only the country's potash.

"This will maintain a well-known brand in world markets and will take full advantage of established contracts and sales channels with customers," the state news agency, Belta, quoted a statement from the president's office as saying.

Uralkali announced it was leaving BPC at the end of July, effectively ending a global pricing cartel that had kept prices high by limiting output for years. The company's departure and its announcement that it would now pursue a volume over price strategy triggered a collapse in potash company stock prices around the world. Buyers have since begun demanding steep discounts for future deliveries.

Last month Belarus struck back, arresting the chief executive of Uralkali after he was called to a meeting with the Belarus prime minister. He was charged with abuse of power in relation to his running of the supervisory board of BPC. Belarus later filed a criminal case against Uralkali's principal owner, billionaire Suleiman Kerimov. Uralkali has said the charges are unfounded and dismissed them as politically motivated.