NEBRASKA CROP PROGRESS AND CONDITION
For the week ending September 1, 2013, temperatures well above normal combined with limited rainfall to further reduce soil moisture supplies and stress dryland crops and pasture, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Pockets of rain occurred during the week, but no wide spread rainfall was received. Over half the corn crop has reached the dent stage, more than a third of the grain sorghum was turning color and the first fields of soybeans were dropping leaves. Statewide, producers had 6.7 days suitable for fieldwork. Topsoil moisture supplies rated 22 percent very short, 42 short, 36 adequate, and 0 surplus. Subsoil moisture supplies rated 32 percent very short, 42 short, 26 adequate, and 0 surplus.
Field Crops Report:
All corn condition rated 6 percent very poor, 8 poor, 22 fair, 45 good, and 19 excellent. Irrigated corn conditions rated 82 percent good or excellent, compared to 75 average. Dryland corn conditions rated 39 percent good or excellent, compared to 58 average. Corn in dough was 93 percent, behind 100 last year but near 95 average. Corn dented was 51 percent, behind 91 last year and 70 average. Corn mature was 1 percent, behind 34 last year and 9 average.
Soybean conditions rated 3 percent very poor, 8 poor, 23 fair, 52 good, and 14 excellent. Ninety-eight percent of the crop was setting pods, near 99 last year and equal to 98 average. Soybeans dropping leaves were 4 percent, behind 6 last year but ahead of 2 average.
Sorghum conditions rated 11 percent very poor, 19 poor, 30 fair, 37 good, and 3 excellent. Sorghum heading was 97 percent, ahead of 87 last year but near 96 average. Sorghum turning color was 34 percent, ahead of 27 last year but behind 39 average.
Alfalfa conditions were 7 percent very poor, 13 poor, 29 fair, 44 good, and 7 excellent. The third cutting of alfalfa was 85 percent complete, behind 98 last year but near 87 average. The fourth cutting of alfalfa was 6 percent complete, behind 43 last year and 18 average.
Livestock, Pasture and Range Report:
Stock water supplies rated 5 percent very short, 20 short, 74 adequate, and 1 surplus. Pasture and range condition was 16 percent very poor, 22 poor, 33 fair, 28 good, and 1 excellent.
Access the National publication for Crop Progress and Condition tables at: http://usda01.library.cornell.edu/usda/nass/CropProg//2010s/2013/CropProg-09-01-2013.txt.
Access the High Plains Region Climate Center for Temperature and Precipitation Maps at: http://www.hprcc.unl.edu/maps/current/index.php?action=update_region&state=NE®ion=HPRCC.
Access the U.S. Drought Monitor at: http://droughtmonitor.unl.edu/DM_state.htm?NE,HP.
Iowa Crop Progress and Condition
Above average temperatures prevailed across Iowa during the week ending September 1, 2013, according to the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. Although most of the State received little or no rainfall, parts of western Iowa experienced beneficial rain.
While hot temperatures allowed crops to mature, crop conditions deteriorated last week in response to the heat and lack of moisture. Statewide there was an average of 6.7 days suitable for fieldwork. A total of 22 percent of topsoil and 26 percent of subsoil was in the adequate and surplus moisture categories, declining 6 and 8 percentage points from last week, respectively. Topsoil moisture levels rated 44 percent very short, 34 percent short, 22 percent adequate and 0 percent surplus. Subsoil moisture levels rated 35 percent very short, 39 percent short, 26 percent adequate and 0 percent surplus.
Ninety-four percent of the corn crop reached the milk stage, 4 percentage points behind normal. Seventy-three percent of the crop reached the dough stage, trailing the normal 88 percent. Thirty-three percent of the crop has reached the dent stage, 12 days behind normal. A small portion of the earliest planted corn was mature. Corn condition declined from the previous week, and was rated at 8 percent very poor, 17 percent poor, 36 percent fair, 33 percent good and 6 percent excellent.
Ninety-three percent of the soybean crop was setting pods, behind last year’s 99 percent and the normal 98 percent. Some of the earliest planted soybeans have begun turning color. Soybean condition also declined from last week and was rated 8 percent very poor, 16 percent poor, 37 percent fair, 34 percent good and 5 percent excellent.
The warm and mostly dry conditions allowed the harvest of third cutting alfalfa to reach 77 percent compete, above the normal 72 percent, but still well behind last year’s 98 percent. Pasture condition continued to deteriorate, and was rated 24 percent very poor, 28 percent poor, 33 percent fair, 14 percent good and 1 percent excellent.
IOWA PRELIMINARY WEATHER SUMMARY
Provided by Harry Hillaker, State Climatologist, Iowa Department of Agriculture & Land Stewardship
It was a hot and dry week across Iowa. A few lucky areas receivedsubstantial rainfall while no rain fell over much of southeast Iowa and portions of north central and northeast Iowa. This was the hottest week of the year with temperatures averaging 11.7 degrees above normal. A hotter week was last recorded during the first week of July 2012. Actual temperatures peaked at 104 degrees at Des Moines and Fort Madison on Friday (30th) while the heat index reached 108 degrees at Iowa City on Wednesday (28th) afternoon. Slightly cooler air finally arrived on Saturday (31st) with Sheldon reporting a morning low of 57 degrees while afternoon highs in the nineties were confined to the southern one-half of Iowa. There were only two periods of rain during the week. A narrow area of thunderstorms formed late Friday (30th) into Saturday (31st) morning from the Newton-Marshalltown area northeastward to Dubuque with a maximum report of 2.46 inches of rain at Lock & Dam 11 at Dubuque. A larger area of thunderstorms brought rain to much of the southwest one-half of Iowa late Saturday (31st) into Sunday (1st) morning. A few locations received more than an inch of rain with Sheldon reporting the most with 1.72 inches. The statewide average rainfall was 0.28 inches while normal for the week is 0.90 inches. High winds and some hail accompanied the rain in far northwest Iowa along with reports of winds flattening corn in Dallas County in central Iowa.
Corn, Soybean Condition Ratings Drop
As expected, corn and soybean ratings fell moderately in the week ended Sept. 1, according to USDA's weekly Crop Progress and Condition reports. The week was highlighted with very high temps and little in the way of precipitation in many areas of the Corn Belt.
Soybean condition ratings fell to 15% poor to very poor and 31% only fair, compared to 13% and 29% last week. Ninety-two percent of the soybean crop was setting pods, compared to 84% last week and a 5-year average of 96%.
Corn condition ratings fell to 16% poor to very poor and 28% only fair, compared to 14% and 27% last week. Four percent of the corn crop is mature, compared to a 5-year 17% average. Forty-two percent of the nation's corn is in the dent stage, compared to 23% last week and a 61% 5-year average.
Corn Dough - Selected States
[These 18 States planted 92% of the 2012 corn acreage]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
: Week ending :
:-----------------------------------------:
State :September 1, : August 25, :September 1, : 2008-2012
: 2012 : 2013 : 2013 : Average
------------------------------------------------------------------------
: percent
Colorado .......: 94 68 87 84
Illinois .......: 99 88 93 94
Indiana ........: 99 77 91 91
Iowa ...........: 98 46 73 88
Kansas .........: 100 87 94 96
Kentucky .......: 99 72 85 92
Michigan .......: 89 65 79 84
Minnesota ......: 100 44 68 84
Missouri .......: 100 85 94 94
Nebraska .......: 100 82 93 95
North Carolina .: 100 100 100 99
North Dakota ...: 97 58 71 75
Ohio ...........: 95 80 91 87
Pennsylvania ...: 89 75 89 81
South Dakota ...: 94 79 90 87
Tennessee ......: 100 95 97 99
Texas ..........: 95 89 91 95
Wisconsin ......: 88 40 61 77
18 States ......: 97 70 84 89
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Corn Dented - Selected States
[These 18 States planted 92% of the 2012 corn acreage]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
: Week ending :
:-----------------------------------------:
State :September 1, : August 25, :September 1, : 2008-2012
: 2012 : 2013 : 2013 : Average
------------------------------------------------------------------------
: percent
Colorado .......: 61 17 33 41
Illinois .......: 94 29 46 69
Indiana ........: 83 22 47 58
Iowa ...........: 89 9 33 64
Kansas .........: 89 37 56 78
Kentucky .......: 92 48 66 80
Michigan .......: 58 14 29 47
Minnesota ......: 86 5 22 51
Missouri .......: 97 49 68 79
Nebraska .......: 91 29 51 70
North Carolina .: 96 93 97 95
North Dakota ...: 77 5 16 37
Ohio ...........: 70 22 43 52
Pennsylvania ...: 57 46 49 47
South Dakota ...: 78 18 41 49
Tennessee ......: 99 79 91 94
Texas ..........: 87 71 79 83
Wisconsin ......: 58 5 20 39
18 States ......: 84 23 42 61
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Corn Mature - Selected States
[These 18 States planted 92% of the 2012 corn acreage]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
: Week ending :
:-----------------------------------------:
State :September 1, : August 25, :September 1, : 2008-2012
: 2012 : 2013 : 2013 : Average
------------------------------------------------------------------------
: percent
Colorado .......: 9 (NA) 1 5
Illinois .......: 60 (NA) - 26
Indiana ........: 30 (NA) 3 14
Iowa ...........: 47 (NA) 2 16
Kansas .........: 60 (NA) 4 33
Kentucky .......: 77 (NA) 22 46
Michigan .......: 11 (NA) - 8
Minnesota ......: 14 (NA) - 5
Missouri .......: 82 (NA) 15 38
Nebraska .......: 34 (NA) 1 9
North Carolina .: 87 (NA) 87 82
North Dakota ...: 20 (NA) - 6
Ohio ...........: 12 (NA) - 7
Pennsylvania ...: 15 (NA) 5 10
South Dakota ...: 16 (NA) 1 5
Tennessee ......: 84 (NA) 27 56
Texas ..........: 72 (NA) 62 66
Wisconsin ......: 9 (NA) - 4
18 States ......: 38 (NA) 4 17
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Corn Condition - Selected States: Week Ending September 1, 2013
[National crop conditions for selected States are weighted based on 2012planted acreage]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
State : Very poor : Poor : Fair : Good : Excellent
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
: percent
Colorado .......: 14 12 28 40 6
Illinois .......: 3 11 29 46 11
Indiana ........: 2 6 26 46 20
Iowa ...........: 8 17 36 33 6
Kansas .........: 13 17 31 32 7
Kentucky .......: 1 2 10 43 44
Michigan .......: 3 8 24 45 20
Minnesota ......: 4 10 33 45 8
Missouri .......: 8 19 34 34 5
Nebraska .......: 6 8 22 45 19
North Carolina .: 1 4 17 59 19
North Dakota ...: 5 16 38 35 6
Ohio ...........: 1 4 17 48 30
Pennsylvania ...: 1 1 10 38 50
South Dakota ...: 3 11 25 46 15
Tennessee ......: - 2 11 48 39
Texas ..........: 1 10 35 41 13
Wisconsin ......: 7 17 31 34 11
18 States ......: 5 11 28 42 14
Previous week ..: 4 10 27 44 15
Previous year ..: 26 26 26 19 3
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Soybeans Setting Pods - Selected States
[These 18 States planted 95% of the 2012 soybean acreage]
------------------------------------------------------------------------
: Week ending :
:-----------------------------------------:
State :September 1, : August 25, :September 1, : 2008-2012
: 2012 : 2013 : 2013 : Average
------------------------------------------------------------------------
: percent
Arkansas .......: 100 89 95 96
Illinois .......: 99 83 91 97
Indiana ........: 99 88 95 95
Iowa ...........: 99 83 93 98
Kansas .........: 85 72 83 88
Kentucky .......: 91 66 80 91
Louisiana ......: 100 97 99 100
Michigan .......: 100 93 96 98
Minnesota ......: 100 85 94 98
Mississippi ....: 100 95 99 100
Missouri .......: 93 65 79 85
Nebraska .......: 99 94 98 98
North Carolina .: 90 54 67 84
North Dakota ...: 100 93 98 100
Ohio ...........: 100 92 97 98
South Dakota ...: 100 91 97 98
Tennessee ......: 99 77 90 96
Wisconsin ......: 100 75 87 97
18 States ......: 98 84 92 96
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Soybean Condition - Selected States: Week Ending September 1, 2013
[National crop conditions for selected States are weighted based on 2012 planted acreage]
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
State : Very poor : Poor : Fair : Good : Excellent
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
: percent
Arkansas .......: 3 10 35 36 16
Illinois .......: 2 11 35 45 7
Indiana ........: 2 8 28 45 17
Iowa ...........: 8 16 37 34 5
Kansas .........: 2 9 33 49 7
Kentucky .......: 1 2 13 53 31
Louisiana ......: - 3 21 54 22
Michigan .......: 3 8 29 45 15
Minnesota ......: 3 11 34 45 7
Mississippi ....: 1 4 21 52 22
Missouri .......: 8 19 34 34 5
Nebraska .......: 3 8 23 52 14
North Carolina .: 2 9 33 50 6
North Dakota ...: 6 17 38 36 3
Ohio ...........: 1 6 21 54 18
South Dakota ...: 3 13 27 47 10
Tennessee ......: - 5 13 55 27
Wisconsin ......: 7 16 31 35 11
18 States ......: 4 11 31 43 11
Previous week ..: 3 10 29 46 12
Previous year ..: 16 21 33 26 4
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Bale Feeder Choice Can Reduce Waste and Save Money
Steve Tonn, UNL Extension Educator, Washington County
Winter feeding time is a ways off but now might be the time to think about how you can reduce hay feeding losses and input costs. Management of input costs is a key business concern and can mean the difference between operational profit or loss. Winter feed represents the largest single cost on a cow-calf operation. Therefore when looking to reduce the cost of production, it is very important to take a long and hard look at winter feed costs, especially when hay is selling in the $150 - $250/ton range. When it comes to hay waste, using the right type of bale feeder can make significant cost savings difference.
An Oklahoma State University study examined four bale feeder designs: a conventional open bottom steel ring, a sheeted bottom steel ring, a polyethylene pipe ring and a modified cone feeder with a sheeted bottom. The research conducted by Dr. Dave Lalman, Oklahoma State University Cooperative Extension beef cattle specialist and other scientists with OSU’s Division of Agricultural Science and Natural Resources indicates that using a cone-style feeder or modified cone feeder with a sheeted bottom should reduce hay waste to approximately five to six percent of the original bale weight. Researchers found that open bottom hay feeders can waste as much as 21 percent of the original bale weight.
The scientists discovered that differences in hay feeder design did not restrict dry matter intake by the cattle, but can significantly affect the amount of feed wasted and subsequently the amount of hay fed. A study at Michigan State University compared feed wastage among different types of round bale feeders. Ring and ring/cone type feeders were the most efficient, resulting in an average of only 4.5 percent waste, while trailer type feeders had 11.4 percent waste. Cradle type feeders were the least efficient with 14.6 percent of the hay wasted. These results support the concept that feeder choice is important.
When considering buying a bale feeder, university researchers have the following suggestions regarding hay feeder design that may help reduce feed losses:
1. Provide enough distance between the outside of the feeder and the feed. Feeders, which allow cows to be able to comfortably keep their heads within the feeder perimeter, reduce feed costs.
2. Avoid bars or dividers between feeding stations. Design features, which allow more access to the hay by reducing a cow’s inclination to push or butt another cow to get access to the hay, will reduce hay losses.
3. Provide a comfortable feeding height. Cows prefer to eat with their ears lower than the top of their shoulders similar to how they eat grazing. Cows that reach over the top of the feeder to get hay also tend to waste more.
4. Use a hay saver panel. Feeders designed to sit on the ground will benefit from having a solid panel at the bottom to keep hay inside the feeder.
5. Slanted bar designs encourage animals to keep their heads in the feeder opening by providing some constraint.
So if you are planning to replace or add hay feeders before winter feeding starts, take a close look at the design of the feeder before you buy. Paying more for the correct design can save you money in the long run and reduce your cost of production.
UNL "Raising Our H2O IQ" at Husker Harvest Days
Those attending Husker Harvest Days Sept. 10-12 can immerse themselves in all things water with University of Nebraska research and extension experts.
"Raising Our H2O IQ" is the theme for University of Nebraska-Lincoln Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources exhibits at this year's show near Grand Island, where UNL's commitment to annually changing exhibit themes keyed toward bringing the public the latest relevant IANR research and extension programming continues.
"We are focusing on groundbreaking research and initiatives that are rapidly earning IANR a national and global reputation as a leader in critically important water research," said Ronnie Green, NU vice president and IANR Harlan vice chancellor.
The University of Nebraska and IANR are focused on many areas of research and programming that have water use, quantity and quality at their core. No single issue is more important to Nebraskans and globally than water.
"Our commitment in this field is evidenced most strongly by establishing the Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Institute at the University of Nebraska a few years ago," Green said.
"In a state where the vast majority of our annual water use supports our agricultural economy and which is the number one state for irrigated agriculture in the nation, IANR's focus will continue to be on helping Nebraska, the nation and the world understand more about how to improve efficiency, quality and availability of this precious resource," Green said.
This is the sixth year IANR's teaching, research and extension exhibits are focused on a specific area of importance that is relevant to all Nebraskans and visitors to the red Husker exhibit building on the south side of the showground at Lot 321. There, and in the next-door white tent, show goers will see many ways IANR and UNL Extension are working to raise our H2O IQ.
Key exhibit areas focus on hydrology; how tillage and residue removal affect water balance in crop fields; variable rate irrigation as the next evolution in precision agriculture technology for center pivot irrigation systems; transpiration as the key to maximizing yield per gallon on water applied to crops; water efficient residential landscapes; the Nebraska Agricultural Water Management Network that works hand-in-hand with hundreds of Nebraska irrigators; UNL's respected and often-referenced drought planning experts from the National Drought Mitigation Center; and helping to meet global food security needs via the Robert B. Daugherty Water for Food Institute.
Outreach education also will be prominent within each of the individual exhibits.
UNL staff at a central information booth will provide assistance in answering questions on a variety of extension and research-related topics, provide copies of helpful NebGuides, and direct those needing further help to extension experts in their local area.
The red Husker building is also the place to learn about the latest opportunities for students at UNL's College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources, and the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture at Curtis. College representatives will be available throughout the show to answer questions from potential students. Those interested in the Nebraska LEAD (Leadership Education Action Development) program can also visit with a LEAD representative.
The large white tent just east of the red Husker building will feature the Market Journal team and also be filled with information and activities on water and agriculture-related careers.
IANR has been part of Husker Harvest Days since the first show in 1978.
"We like bringing the campus to Husker Harvest Days and seeing all the people that stop in to see us each year," Green said. "People stop to see what's new, ask us questions and share what they see as Nebraska's main challenges and opportunities. We are the people's land-grant university."
UNMC booth to give away iPad minis, provide information, Sept 12 during Husker Harvest Days
University of Nebraska Medical Center health professionals who specialize in ear, nose and throat issues, will staff a booth during Husker Harvest Days on Thursday, Sept. 12, from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., in the hospitality tent.
Three physicians, a physician assistant and a nurse from the UNMC Department of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, will provide information and answer questions about ear, nose and throat health issues for children and adults. Anyone who stops by the booth can register to win one of two iPad mini computers that will be given away.
Dwight Jones, M.D., chair of the department who owns a ranch south of Broken Bow, said some of the most common ailments for those who live in rural areas, particularly farmers and ranchers, are chronic sinus disease and late summer and fall allergies.
Dr. Jones said chronic sinus disease caused by nasal allergies causes continual runny and stuffy noses. He said if the allergies are treated with medication, oftentimes the sinus disease will clear up. But if it doesn’t, it can be treated with sinus therapy.
“Years ago, most chronic sinus problems had to be treated with surgery in the operating room,” Dr. Jones said. “But now, thanks to many new techniques, it can be done in the office, which really helps eliminate recovery time, lost work and certainly pain is much less.”
For some who suffer from ragweed allergies, he said a relatively new treatment -- sublingual drops or drops under the tongue for allergens – can eliminate allergy shots or over-the-counter medications.
“The drops are beneficial. They go under the tongue to eliminate and desensitize people to allergens,” Dr. Jones said. “You don’t have to go in to see your physician once every two to four weeks. You can do it at home, and they’ve actually found out they’ve been proven to be very effective.”
He said for those with seasonal allergies, he recommends getting tested to determine the most appropriate therapy.
Beef Checkoff Advertising Sizzles
The beef checkoff advertising program drove consumers to the “Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.” (BIWFD) Facebook page, which now boasts over 750,000 fans. That’s much more than pork (186,000 fans); Incredible Edible Egg (455,000 fans); Got Milk (72,000 fans) and Perdue Chicken (196,000 fans). Those numbers started back on Oct. 1, 2012, with 535,739 total “likes” or fans. Currently, the beef checkoff’s consumer-facing page has 753,540 total likes, so since the beginning of the fiscal year the BIWFD Facebook page has increased its community by 217,801 likes.
- This summer, the beef checkoff online video commercials will run over 20 million times on popular online video channels such as hulu.com.
- This summer, the beef checkoff radio spots will run online over 40 million times, on popular streaming radio sites, such as Pandora.com.
-
According to new beef checkoff market research data, the vast majority of the Millennials polled (82%) – the new generation of consumers that the industry needs to reach – believe that beef can be a “part of a well-balanced diet” after exposure to the “Above All Else” campaign.
USMEF, Texas Beef Council Train Middle East Chefs on Underutilized Cuts
Chefs representing a spectrum of food service venues ranging from leading hotels and restaurants to airline catering and culinary institutes participated in two workshops in Dubai and Abu Dhabi recently to learn more about underutilized cuts of U.S. beef and their application in a variety of foodservice settings.
More than 100 participants, including 74 chefs and 34 representatives of beef importers in the region, gathered for sessions organized by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), contractor to the Beef Checkoff Program, and funded by the Texas Beef Council with the cooperation of the U.S. Consulate General’s Office of Agricultural Affairs Dubai and the Emirates Culinary Guild.
The stars of the event were a number of U.S. beef cuts that were introduced to many of the chefs: hanging tender, short blade, tri tip, chuck, silver side, flank and rump. Divided into groups and tasked with developing innovative recipe ideas using each of the cuts as the key ingredient, the chefs created a variety of dishes that served as the centerpieces for the day’s lunch.
The Middle East is the fourth-largest region for U.S. beef exports through the first half of 2013, purchasing 165.4 million pounds of product valued at $142.6 million, even though the Saudi Arabian market has remained closed to U.S. beef for the past year.
Some Optimistic News on the Farm Bill?
The Agriculture Secretary and several U.S. senators expect the Farm Bill to be finalized before the deadline of the end of September. With the August congressional recess almost over, many in agriculture are keenly focused on the path forward for the farm bill, including Ag Secretary Tom Vilsack, reports the U.S. National Chicken Council. The current farm bill extension expires at the end of the month.
"There is not going to be another extension. You can't reward continued failure by taking folks off the hook," Secretary Vilsack said. "There are differences and those differences can be worked out. There are many benefits to this new farm bill. There is no reason not to get this done."
Secretary Vilsack pointed out a number of implications with continued inaction on the farm bill. One of those looming challenges is an ongoing trade dispute with Brazil.
He says Brazil won a case with the World Trade Organization which means that they can retaliate, if they so desire, against American goods and services to the tune of perhaps $850 million a year. That will impact and affect American agriculture and American jobs. The passage of a farm bill that changes the way we support cotton farmers will go a long way to ending Brazil’s ability to retaliate. This is one impact of inaction from Congress in getting the farm bill done.
"A second impact would be a longer term problem of permanent law, 1940s law, coming back into play that would create serious distortion in the market. That will really stall the momentum we’ve seen in agriculture in the last few years," Secretary Vilsack added.
In addition, Senator Charles Grassley told reporters last week that he remains hopeful a new five-year farm bill will be passed in Congress ahead of the deadline on September 30, although there will be just nine working days once lawmakers return to Washington.
STUDY ESTIMATES COST FOR NEW CONSERVATION PRACTICE
A new report that calculates the cost of establishing strips of prairie amid row crops suggests that it may be one of the most cost-effective and low-effort conservation practices available to farmers and landowners in the Midwest.
The innovative practice, which has been studied by Iowa State researchers for several years, converts one tenth of a row-cropped field to perennial prairie, resulting in more than a 90 percent reduction in soil and nutrient runoff from the entire field. According to the new economic study, the average cost to treat runoff from an acre of corn or soybeans is just $24 to $35 per year.
A new publication from the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture summarizes the results of this economic study, led by John Tyndall, a member of the STRIPs research team (Science-based Trials of Rowcrops Integrated with Prairies) and assistant professor in Natural Resource Ecology and Management at Iowa State University. The STRIPs team has been conducting its research at the Neal Smith National Wildlife Refuge in Jasper County.
Previous STRIPs research recommends that prairie conservation strips be planted along the contour of a slope or waterway or in areas of low crop productivity to maximize their effectiveness. The current study outlines the total yearly cost of the practice spread out over a 15-year land management regime. This includes the cost of land conversion and maintenance, and the opportunity cost of lost revenue or rent from acreage taken out of crop production.
The study finds that the cost of establishing and maintaining a prairie strip is minimal. It is the annual opportunity cost of foregone land rent or crop value that makes up the bulk—upwards of 90 percent—of the total cost of the conservation practice. “For most farmers, this is the hang-up,” Tyndall says. “An incremental amount of land is taken out of production.”
Costs are calculated based on a range of Iowa-specific crop and land values. Land rent is used to approximate the lost revenue. Thus, the cost of treating runoff with prairie strips on farmland with low Corn Suitability Rating (CSR) comes to about $24 per year; for high CSR land the cost increases to $35 per year.
“However,” Tyndall says, “in Iowa rental rates or foregone crop revenues can scale considerably higher than those reflected in the average range used here.” In 2012, the highest recorded land rent would have brought the cost of planting prairie strips upwards of $60 per year per acre of treated crops.
This is where programs such as the Environmental Quality Incentive Program or Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) come in. The study suggests that payments made to the farmer or landowner from a CRP contract would reduce their annual out-of-pocket expenses to an average of $3 to $5 per year for every crop acre treated by prairie strips.
Jeri Neal, leader of the Leopold Center’s Ecology Initiative, says this research develops existing knowledge about prairie conservation strips as the STRIPs team moves from experimental research to trials on farms. “Transparency about costs helps farmers make more informed land management decisions.”
Given that converting just ten percent of a field into prairie can effectively manage over 90 percent of off-field concerns such as sedimentation and nutrient transport, this represents a highly efficient best management practice on farmland. “It is exciting research,” says Neal, “made stronger by practical considerations of costs.”
The publication, “The Cost of Prairie Conservation Strips,” can be found on the Leopold Center website at: http://www.leopold.iastate.edu/pubs/alpha (listed by title). More information about the STRIPs project is at: www.prairiestrips.org.
IA DNR Investigating Manure Release in Lyon County
The Iowa DNR is investigating a manure release to an unnamed tributary of the Rock River on Friday.
A neighbor reported the release to the DNR on Thursday, when he discovered manure flowing through his farm pond. The manure came from a solids settling basin at a 4,000-head open lot cattle facility owned by John Fluit Jr.
Fluit pumped the manure from the basin and improperly applied about 12 loads of manure, each at 2,500 to 4,000 gallons, to a corn field. The manure flowed off the field into a creek, which then ran for a mile before entering the neighbor's pond, and then through the pond's outlet back into the creek.
On Thursday, the manure was pumped from the pond and returned to Fluit's facility for treatment. The DNR is onsite investigating on Friday and has not found any dead fish. The DNR observed live fish in the stream Thursday, but found ammonia levels to be at 20 parts per million upstream of the pond.
USDA Announces Commodity Credit Corporation Lending Rates for September 2013
The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) today announced interest rates for September 2013. The CCC borrowing rate-based charge for September 2013 is 0.125 percent, unchanged from 0.125 percent in August 2013.
The interest rate for commodity and marketing assistance loans disbursed during September 2013 is 1.125 percent, unchanged from 1.125 percent in August 2013.
Interest rates for Farm Storage Facility Loans approved for September 2013 are as follows, 2.000 percent with seven-year loan terms, unchanged from 2.000 percent in August 2013; 2.625 percent with 10-year loan terms, unchanged from 2.625 percent in August 2013 and; 2.875 percent with 12-year loan terms, up from 2.750 percent in August 2013.
RMA removes normal weather provision from prevented plant policy
The federal Risk Management Agency on Aug. 26 clarified its one-in-four rule involving the approval of acres for prevented plant crop insurance coverage. The agency eliminated the “normal weather” provision, meaning farmers can collect prevented plant insurance, as long as they’ve planted in one of four previous years, regardless of weather situation in the year they planted.
The provision has been a sticking point for some farmers trying to collect prevented plant insurance for their 2013 crops, as RMA had classified 2012 as an “abnormally dry” year, thereby disqualifying it for inclusion in the one-in-four rule.
The agency also announced Aug. 26 that if a crop is ineligible because of the one-in-four rule, it must be planted and harvested for two years in a row for a future crop to get back into the program. In addition, the agency will remove a provision that disqualified land for prevented plant insurance if marsh vegetation, such as a single cattail, was found on it.
The changes are especially significant for prairie pothole states such as North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Minnesota and Iowa for 2014 and succeeding years.
“The goal is to make federal crop insurance policy more objective and to provide clarity for the producers facing prevented planting losses,” RMA Administrator Brandon Willis said.
Willis says the ruling improves program integrity and includes some clear guidance for implementing it, and should make farmers and insurance companies happy.
Abnormally dry
The new provision requires that in order for acreage to be eligible for payments, it “must have been planted and harvested (or incurred an insurable loss other than for excess moisture) in one out of the last four years, regardless of whether one of those years was abnormally dry.
“However, once the producer is unable to plant and harvest on certain acreage in one of the four most recent crop years, the producer will need to demonstrate the land is farmable by planting and harvesting (or incurring an insurable loss other than for excess moisture) two years in a row,” the RMA says.
The new special provision “creates a more objective means for determining acreage eligible for prevented planting than the current rule,” Willis said. It comes in advance of a report from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Office of Inspector General, which is expected to be released in the next several weeks, and is expected to eliminate ambiguities, Willis said.
Willis said the statement was developed in response to recommendations by crop insurance companies, the USDA Office of Inspector General, and producers in the Prairie Pothole regions.
Farmers should contact their crop insurance agents for details, Willis said.
CWT Assists with 3.0 Million Pounds of Cheese and Butter Export Sales
Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) has accepted 15 requests for export assistance from Dairy Farmers of America, Foremost Farms USA and Northwest Dairy Association (Darigold) to sell 1.261 million pounds (572 metric tons) of Cheddar, Gouda and Monterey Jack cheese and 1.764 million pounds (800 metric tons) of butter to customers in Asia, Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. The product will be delivered August 2013 through February 2014.
Year-to-date, CWT has assisted member cooperatives in selling 86.498 million pounds of cheese, 67.204 million pounds of butter, 44,092 pounds of anhydrous milk fat and 218,258 pounds of whole milk powder to 35 countries on six continents. These sales are the equivalent of 2.312 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.
Brazil 2013-14 Soybean Plantings May Rise 5% to Record High
Brazil's soybean plantings next crop year are expected to rise 5% to a record 29 million hectares as growers take advantage of attractive global and domestic prices and a depreciating local currency and shift acreage from corn, the International Grains Council said Tuesday.
Brazil is projected to be the world's largest exporter of soybeans in the current year that ends Sept. 30, and its future supplies are crucial for meeting rising global demand, including that of China, the world's largest importer.
International and domestic Brazilian price trends favor increased soybean plantings at the expense of corn, the council said in its latest report.
The ratio of U.S. new crop soybeans to corn futures on the Chicago Board of Trade has increased significantly and in late August stood at close to 2.8 compared with 2.6 a month earlier and 2.2 a year ago, the IGC said.
The U.S. soybean harvest is due to commence in a few weeks, and higher prices will encourage growers in Brazil to expand acreage, the council said. Brazil's soybean plantings typically begin in October.
Brazil's corn plantings are delayed in southern regions due to cold weather, and in some areas, domestic prices barely cover the cost of production, and these could be key factors in encouraging growers to shift to soybeans, it said.
This shift in crop acreage is most likely in the states of Paraná and Rio Grande do Sul, the IGC said.
Colorado BioDiesel Plant to be Sold
The former San Juan Bioenergy oilseed crush facility in southwestern Colorado will be sold by Maas Companies of Rochester, Minn., at a lender-ordered auction onsite in Dove Creek, Colo., Oct. 8, via onsite and internet-based bidding.
The five-year-old plant was originally a local cooperative targeting biodiesel production from sunflower oil but was never purchased due to the economy. The integrated biodiesel plant is designed to process food-grade vegetable oils into biodiesel, plus can produce animal feed, renewable heat, electricity and wood pellets. It operated until 2011.
The auction includes 70-plus lots of equipment, two buildings and ancillary equipment in either bulk lots or as an entirety. The real estate is in a long-term lease with Dolores County Development Corporation in the Weber Industrial Park.
"The lender-owned auction offers the plant at a significant savings over the approximate $2.5 million dollars invested to design and build the facility," said Tyler Maas, sales and marketing director in a news release Friday.
Open houses will be held Sept. 19, Oct. 7, and Oct. 8.
Make the Most of Data This Fall with Precision Ag Tools
Understanding what worked this past growing season and what didn’t is vital in planning for next year. To help turn data into management decisions for the next season, DuPont Pioneer experts are available to help growers analyze their harvest data with Pioneer® Field360™ services.
“Because our software is compatible with most manufacturers’ equipment, growers can have their harvest data analyzed by our sales professionals,” says Justin Heath, DuPont Pioneer new services manager. “The analyses will help growers turn data into information they can use for next season’s management decisions.”
After taking the data card to a Pioneer sales professional, growers will receive yield summaries and harvest maps in a quick and timely manner via Pioneer Field360 Select software. Because this program provides field-level information anytime, anywhere through a web browser, growers are able to refer back to the summaries throughout the next season when making vital decisions.
By using as-planted maps and harvest data, sales professionals are able to provide growers with hybrid comparisons and performance data field-by-field and soil type-by-soil type to help growers understand what products succeeded and what didn’t.
“With this information, growers are also able to see how soil types, fungicide application timing, hybrid selection and many more items impacted their overall crop performance,” Heath explains. “It allows them to determine a field’s ideal combination for the following year.”
A single season’s field summary is good, but multiple seasons of data are better. Subscribing to Pioneer Field360 Select software in subsequent years allows sales professionals to combine historical data and perform multiyear analysis. These analyses provide even more information to help growers and sales professionals make the best management decisions, such as hybrid and variety selections and positioning, as well as seeding rate decisions on a field-by-field basis.
“Understanding information at the field level and soil type level is becoming critical in ag today,” Heath reports. “By utilizing agricultural analysis tools like Pioneer Field360 services, growers are able to have their sales professional review and summarize their information for them. They are also able to view their information anytime, anywhere.”
With so much data at growers’ fingertips, Pioneer sales professionals can help them maximize it so they can use it to make important management decisions for the next growing season.
To learn more about Pioneer Field360 services, visit pioneer.com/360 or contact a local Pioneer sales professional.
Welcome to the KTIC Agriculture Information blog!!! Check back here for the latest in ag news and information, from local events to international happenings and government reports that affect your operation. Please email with suggestions! -Chad Moyer, Farm Director, KTIC Radio
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