Friday October 25 Ag News

NePPA Social media workshop
The Nebraska Pork Producers Association is putting on a short social media workshop. It will be all inclusive covering very basic areas all the way up to more complex issues. There will also be a lunch. It’s on November 13th at the Holiday Inn Express in Columbus from 12-2:30. Registration is free! Please sign up if you are interested sooner rather than later as space is very limited. Here is the registration link: http://bit.ly/1aeWs0c.  



Celebrate September - Pork Month!
(from A-FAN)

Imagine a world where there are no farmers. Where would your food come from? It isn't by magic that the food on the dinner plate appears. It is due to the passion of the people in the industry that grows it. Many people all over the world have passion for all kinds of things from art to music to helping others. Farmers and chefs are no different. Their passion just has a great deal to do with you, your health and the food you eat.

"I care about Nebraska Pork," said pig farmer Terry O'Neel. Terry started farming with his wife Diane, shortly after they were married. They started their farm from scratch and have been growing pigs for over 20 years.

"I enjoy raising pigs. They're fun to be around," O'Neel said. "I enjoy going to the pens with them...working with them. They're challenging sometimes, but it's a good occupation to be in."

Caring about the pork the consumer eats all begins with caring about the safety and health of the pig it comes from. No one knows this better than Nebraska's farmers.

"Pig safety has improved tremendously," said pig farmer Jan Miller. "Maintaining the pig's health is extremely important. Part of having a healthy herd is biosecurity; it's just the simple practice of keeping things clean. It's all about keeping the environment clean for the pigs," Miller said. Miller also mentioned the importance of keeping pigs indoors in a climate controlled environment and how it can be safer and healthier for  the animals. Pig farmer Scott Spilker also mentioned that part of caring for the animal entails keeping in close contact with a trusted veterinarian.

While farmers and veterinarians are all important pieces of the puzzle of how food gets from the farm to the fork, chefs and those in the culinary industry also play a huge part. Chef Glen Wheeler of Spencer's, a restaurant in Omaha, says he "caught the bug early" and has always loved working with food. He said it all began when he started helping his mom in the kitchen when he was five-years-old. Wheeler takes pride and care in how he handles and prepares pork for consumers.

"Our pork is safely handled in the restaurant. It starts with receiving the product in which we make the temperature right and we make sure we use clean utensils," Wheeler said. "Then we take the pork and make sure it's labeled and dated and put it in the proper area to cook."

Cookbook author and Chef Judy Gilliard, often features pork in her repertoire of radio shows, cooking classes and presentations. "Always, even as a young culinary student, I've loved the versatility of pork. It's lean, healthy and economical. Whether I'm cooking a small meal just for myself or a big family meal for 18, I'm comfortable with the versatility of taking it in many different directions from pulled pork to pork priccata to a stuffed pork loin."

There are many different key players whom all play important roles in how food gets into the restaurants and onto the dinner tables. From farmers, to veterinarians, to chefs - the passion people in the industry have for the jobs they do insures that the world is fed healthily and nutritiously.

O'Neel said, "I raise quality pigs, and along with other farmers in Nebraska, we care."



Crop Insurance Harvest Price Update

We are 19 trading days into the settlement of the revenue protection harvest price discovery.  This was the last full week of trading for the crop insurance harvest price discovery period.  This leaves us with only 4 trading days left.  Jeff Dominisse with Summit Ag says the current running averages as of today for corn are $4.41 per bushel and soybeans are $12.88 per bushel.  He says the corn harvest price is going to be a quite a bit lower than the spring price, probably around 20% lower.  Dominisse reminds farmers that Revenue Protection guarantees you the higher of the two averages from the spring and the fall.  So with the spring price on corn being $5.65 per bushel times your guaranteed bushels, that is your minimum guaranteed revenue.  Dominisse says next week is when the actual harvest price will be set, so at that time you'll just take that number times your harvested bushels and if it is less than your spring guarantee, you have a revenue loss.  The difference of the two would be the claim amount. 

For those who may have questions about potential revenue losses, Summit Ag has a web site insuranceagvantage.com where you can see the daily current corn and soybean prices.  You can also click on the link and they have an example of where the prices come from and an example of a revenue loss calculation.  Dominisse says you can also call them at 402-371-3200.  

Editors Note:  We will air a final update with Dominisse next Thursday, October 31st, at 2:15pm on 840-KTIC.  At that time, he will have the final price for the harvest price discovery period and you'll be able to plug in those numbers and determine what revenue claim there may be on your farm.  



USDA’s Farm Service Agency Issues Direct Payments

Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Director, Dan Steinkruger announced that USDA’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) in Nebraska is issuing direct payments this week to participants in the 2013 Direct and Counter-cyclical Program (DCP) and Average Crop Revenue Election (ACRE).  Payments originally were scheduled to be issued earlier in the month, but were delayed due to the lapse in federal funding.  

"Our staff was working hard to issue these payments as scheduled prior to the furlough”, Steinkruger said.  “We understand the importance of getting these payments out to Nebraska farmers and landowners, and that’s been our priority since returning to work.”

Direct payments are calculated using the base acres and payment yields established for the farm.  For each eligible commodity, the total direct payment for producers on a farm is determined by multiplying 85 percent of the farm’s base acreage by the farm’s direct payment yield, multiplied by the direct payment rate as established by the Farm Bill.

Nebraska producers normally receive more than $300 million in direct DCP and ACRE payments. However, the Balanced Budget and Emergency Deficit Contract Act of 1985, as amended by the Budget Control Act of 2011, requires a reduction in payments (also known as sequester).  As a result, 2013 DCP direct payments received by participants will be reduced by 8.6 percent.

The 2008 Farm Bill, extended by the American Tax Payer Relief Act of 2012, provided authority to enroll in the 2013 DCP or ACRE program.  Legislation has not been enacted to reauthorize or extend this authority for a 2014 program.

Direct payments are processed through FSA’s Kansas City Office.  Individual questions on payments should be directed to the local FSA Office where the DCP contract is administered.  For more information on DCP, ACRE and other FSA programs, visit your local FSA Service Center or www.fsa.usda.gov.



Support and Open Enrollment for Producers of Advanced Biofuel Announced

Nebraska USDA Rural Development announces Fiscal Year 2013 payments issued to support the production of advanced biofuel. Payments issued in Nebraska throughout the fiscal year total $3,374,309. The assistance supports four Nebraska producers with advanced biofuel production at their production facilities.   Producers receiving the assistance include:

Ag Processing, Inc headquartered in Omaha, Nebraska, received total payments of $3,347,923. The company produces biodiesel from soybean and other oils at facilities located in Sergeant Bluffs and Algona, Iowa and St. Joseph, Missouri.

Cornhusker Energy Lexington, LLC received total payments of $4,513. The company operates an ethanol processing facility in Lexington, Nebraska. Ethanol produced from sorghum feedstock (versus corn) qualifies as an advanced biofuel and therefore is eligible to receive payments under the Advanced Biofuel Producer Payment program.

Chief Ethanol Fuel, Inc received total payments of $17,674. The company operates an ethanol processing facility in Hastings, Nebraska and has also expanded the feedstock used in the production of ethanol to include sorghum.

KAAPA Ethanol, LLC received total payments of $4,199. The company operates an ethanol production facility near Minden, Nebraska. They have also taken advantage of the opportunity to expand the feedstock used in their plant to produce an advanced biofuel product. The company’s sorghum based ethanol production received payments under the Advanced Biofuel Producer Payment Program.

The United States Department of Agriculture remains focused on carrying out its mission, despite a time of significant budget uncertainty.

Agriculture Secretary Vilsack notes that today's funding announcement is another reminder of the importance of USDA programs for rural America.  A comprehensive new Food, Farm and Jobs Bill would further expand the rural economy.  He said that's just one reason why Congress must get a comprehensive Food, Farm and Jobs Bill done as soon as possible.

The funding is provided through USDA’s Advanced Biofuel Payment Program, which was established in the 2008 Farm Bill. Under this program, payments are made to eligible producers based on the amount of advanced biofuels produced from renewable biomass, other than corn kernel starch. In addition to the examples as noted in the payments above, eligible advanced biofuel may include but are not limited to: ethanol produced from cellulosic sources such as crop residues, animal, food, and yard waste converted to biogas for sale as compressed gas or converted to electricity, wood waste materials converted to bioenergy pellets for sale as a fuel product, animal fats and vegetable or other oils converted to a biofuel product. Biofuel can be produced from a variety of non-food sources, including waste products.

Open enrollment in the Advanced Biofuel Payment Program occurs annually throughout the month of October. Parties currently producing eligible advanced biofuel or those who are considering its production throughout fiscal year 2014 should contact USDA Rural Development immediately to file an enrollment by October 31st to be eligible for payments on fuel produced from October 2013 through September of 2014. Please contact Deb Yocum, Nebraska Energy Coordinator at debra.yocum@ne.usda.gov or 402.437.5554 for details.



DuPont Pioneer Donates Funds to Provide 7,860 Meals to Food Bank for the Heartland

DuPont Pioneer is pleased to announce a donation of $2,620 to Food Bank for the Heartland to provide meals to those in need. The Food Bank is able to provide three meals for every dollar donated, allowing these dollars to provide 7,860 meals.

The donation was part of a Husker Harvest Days campaign in which DuPont Pioneer donated one dollar for every meal provided to its customers. In addition, DuPont Pioneer and the Food Bank for the Heartland worked together to generate awareness to the issue of hunger in Nebraska.

“We are grateful for the support of DuPont Pioneer,” said Brian Barks, Director of Development and Public Relations with the Food Bank.  “DuPont Pioneer is not only helping us feed hungry families in Nebraska, it is helping us raise awareness to the serious issue of hunger we have in our state.  Over 211,000 people in the 93 counties served by the Food Bank in Nebraska and western Iowa are at-risk for hunger.  Over half live in rural communities.”

The DuPont Pioneer Global Giving Program is intended to improve food security by advancing agriculture through science, education, and innovation and to enhance the quality of life for farmers and their communities globally. Addressing the unique challenges of our local communities promotes economic growth, improved health, and overall quality of life; all factors important to a healthy business climate necessary for DuPont Pioneer's continued growth and success.



Beef Exports Up, Pork Stable in August

A strong performance by the top three international markets kept U.S. beef exports on an upward path in August while sales to China and several up-and-coming markets helped pork exports stay nearly even with last year’s record-setting pace, according to statistics released by the USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF).

Beef sales to Japan, Mexico and Canada all posted solid gains in August along with a resurgent Taiwan market as overall U.S. beef exports grew 5 percent in volume and 16 percent in value compared to year-ago levels, reaching 105,544 metric tons valued at $563.3 million. For the first eight months of 2012, beef exports are up 1 percent in volume and 10 percent in value to 767,017 metric tons valued at $4.01 billion.

Pork exports were bolstered by the largest sales to the China/Hong Kong region since February, as well as strong performances by the Central/South America and ASEAN regions. Total exports for August were down a fraction in volume (174,281 metric tons) but up 1 percent in value ($501.1 million), while 2013 totals were down 4.6 percent in volume (1,405,078 metric tons) and 4.5 percent in value ($3.94 billion).

The continued absence of the Russian market – closed to U.S. beef and pork products since February – continues to hinder exports. Excluding Russia, U.S. pork exports to all other markets are only down 1 percent this year, while beef exports are up 8 percent in volume and 16 percent in value.

“Challenges appear in many forms, including market closures and disruptions, international competition and product oversupply,” said Philip Seng, USMEF president and CEO. “For example, while the United States has enjoyed impressive growth in beef exports to Hong Kong, we remain locked out of the fastest-growing beef market in the world – China. And pressure from our international competitors is a significant factor in other markets, as we see in Japan, the top value export market for pork in the world.”

Per-head export values remain strong
Both pork and beef exports produced solid per-head values in August. The export value per head of fed slaughter for beef in August averaged $253.87, up $46.16 from last year. For pork, per-head totals were $52.43, up from $49.84 last year. Pork exports accounted for 21 percent of muscle cut production and 25 percent of total production (including variety meat) in August, similar to last year. Beef exports accounted for 11 percent of muscle cuts and 13.6 percent of total production, up roughly 1 percentage point for each.

Top pork markets
Mexico and Japan remain the top two markets for U.S. pork exports in 2013. Coming off double-digit increases in each of the past four months, exports to Mexico, the top volume market, slowed slightly in August, but volume remains up 1 percent for the year at 396,605 metric tons and value is up 3 percent to $747.5 million.

Top value market Japan dipped 14 percent in volume and 10 percent in value in August. Totals for 2013 stand at 284,970 metric tons valued at $1.26 billion, down 7 percent and 6 percent, respectively.

A rebound in exports to China/Hong Kong in August (up 28.7 percent in volume to 39,202 metric tons valued at $83.2 million, a 37.5 percent increase) helped bring year-to-date totals to 278,253 metric tons (down 2 percent) valued at $592.1 million (up 4 percent).

Other top-performing pork markets in August include:
-    Central/South America: up 26 percent in volume (9,011 metric tons) and 27 percent in value ($22.2 million) – exports to Chile jumped 276 percent in volume (1,820 metric tons) and 197 percent in value ($4.3 million) while exports to the largest market in the region, Colombia, were up 30 percent in volume and value (2,531 metric tons and $6.5 million)
-    ASEAN region: up 38 percent in volume (5,734 metric tons) and 55 percent in value ($14.3 million) – paced by Singapore’s 175 percent increase in volume (1,958 metric tons) and 263 percent jump in value ($5.4 million) and growth to the largest market in the region: the Philippines up 18 percent in volume (3,744 metric tons) and value up 30 percent ($8.8 million)

Top beef markets
The top three export markets for U.S. beef all performed well in August. USMEF’s continued efforts to capitalize on expanded access for American beef in Japan helped sustain growth which amounted to a 36.5 percent hike in volume (24,009 metric tons) and 13.3 percent in value ($135.1 million) in August. For the year, U.S. exports to Japan are up 53 percent in volume (166,884 metric tons) and 38 percent in value ($990.9 million).

Totals for Mexico in August rose 11.2 percent in volume: 20,208 metric tons valued at $88.9 million, a 24 percent jump, which helped year-to-date totals that are down 7 percent in volume and 5 percent in value (130,897 metric tons valued at $559.7 million).

Exports to Canada continued their positive trend, up 9.3 percent in volume (15,355 metric tons) and 7.6 percent in value ($104.6 million). Yearly totals are up 8 percent in volume (119,896 metric tons) and 12 percent in value ($825.5 million).

Other top-performing beef markets in August included:
-    Hong Kong: up 67 percent in volume (11,904 metric tons) and 142 percent in value ($78.2 million)
-    South Korea: up 35.8 percent in value ($47.8 million) on slightly (2.6 percent) lower volume of 7,646 metric tons
-    Taiwan: up 578 percent in volume (3,092 metric tons) and 684 percent in value ($24.9 million) as the rebuilding of the U.S. beef market there continues since technical issues regarding feed additives were partially resolved late last year.
-    Central/South America: up 13 percent (3,747 metric tons) in volume and 24 percent in value ($14.7 million), led by strong growth to Chile: up 37.7 percent in volume (1,139 metric tons) and 43.1 percent in value ($6.6 million)

Lamb exports down in August, remain up for year
For the year, U.S. lamb exports remain up 3 percent in volume (8,956 metric tons) and 13 percent in value ($19.6 million) despite a sluggish August. For the month, exports slipped 45 percent in volume (779 metric tons) and 29.7 percent in value ($1.9 million). Top international markets Mexico, Canada and the Caribbean all posted double-digit declines.



Pork Checkoff Continues to Prepare for Foreign Animal Disease Outbreak

Whether it's investing in research projects, conducting table-top and communications drills or collaborating with industry and government partners, the Pork Checkoff continues to take steps to be prepared in the event of a foreign animal disease (FAD).

"A successful response to a FAD means putting into action all of the work that we do now to prepare," said Dr. Patrick Webb, swine health director for the Pork Checkoff. "The objective after an outbreak is to get producers, regions and industries to resume normal production and the United States to regain FAD-free status as quickly as possible."

The main goals following a FAD outbreak are to:
-- Detect, control and contain the FAD in animals as quickly as possible.
-- Eradicate the FAD using strategies that stabilize animal agriculture,the food supply and the economy and that protect public health.
-- Provide science- and risk-based approaches and systems to facilitate business continuity for non-infected animals and non-contaminated animal products.

The Pork Checkoff has created step-by-step guidelines on what to do on your farm if a FAD is confirmed in the United States. For this and other tools about FADs and biosecurity, go to pork.org. Click on "Resources" and then "Swine Health."



Country Music Star Easton Corbin Partners with Ram Truck Brand and FFA to Celebrate Ram's 'Year of the Farmer' Initiative Highlighting the Importance of Farmers in America
As part of its "Year of the Farmer" initiative, the Ram Truck brand has partnered with Mercury Records recording artist Easton Corbin on a multi-tiered program highlighting and underscoring the importance of farmers in America.

The program includes visits to and exclusive performances by Corbin, a former FFA member, at local FFA chapters across the country; a video web series (webisodes) documenting Corbin's FFA tour; and a sweepstakes where fans can win special ACM Awards weekends in Las Vegas next spring.

"It's clear that Easton, like the Ram Truck brand, cares passionately about 'Year of the Farmer,' the FFA organization and its mission," says Reid Bigland, President and CEO, Ram Truck Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. "Through his tour of local FFA chapters, he's personally connecting with this special group of kids to help us further the notion that there's a 'farmer in all of us,' while reminding everyone that we all have a role in reducing hunger in America."

Elements of the Partnership Include:
Performances for Local FFA Chapters:  As a passionate former FFA member, Easton Corbin is dedicated to the FFA organization and to help continue to celebrate the spirit and hard work of the American farmer. Corbin has been meeting with FFA chapters in 12 markets as he tours the country, performing songs and answering questions from the audience. The visits began in August and will continue through February 2014.  Each event held so far has had 300-500 FFA members attending.

'All Over the Road to the ACM Awards' Webisode Series: Capturing the adventures of Corbin's FFA tour, the Ram Truck brand launched the "All Over the Road to the AMC Awards" webisode series featuring behind the scenes footage of the tour.  The webisodes can be viewed at www.ramtrucks.com/keepplowing with a new video posted every two weeks.

'All Over the Road to the ACM Awards' Sweepstakes: The sweepstakes launched October 21 and continues to February. The contest gives three fans a chance to win trips to a special Academy of Country Music Awards (ACM) weekend in Las Vegas April 4-7.  Each grand prize includes trips for two to Las Vegas, tickets to attend an invitation only Ram Country concert with Easton Corbin, tickets to the ACM Party for a Cause Festival and tickets to the ACM Fan Jam where Academy of Country Music artists perform live during the awards telecast. Winners will be selected randomly from entries received at www.ramtrucks.com/keepplowing, www.eastoncorbin.com or www.countryweekly.com. Visit the websites for contest rules, additional information and to enter the contest.

The Ram Truck brand's partnership with Easton Corbin is part of the brand's "Year of the Farmer" initiative dedicated to highlighting and underscoring the importance of farmers in America. Launched in February with the brand's much talked about "Farmer" video airing during the Super Bowl television broadcast, the year-long initiative was designed to generate $1 million for the National FFA Organization (FFA) in collaboration with Case IH Agriculture, Farms.com and other partners.



CHS releases grain trading mobile app

CHS Inc., the nation's leading farmer-owned cooperative and a global energy, grains and foods company, announced today the release of its new grain trading mobile app.

The free app allows easy access to CHS grain terminals, soybean processing plants and select service center bids. It enables producers to make, monitor and manage offers to sell corn, soybeans and wheat electronically. The app also provides market information with the ability to create and manage futures-only, basis-only and cash offers.

"We're excited to share our CHS grain trading mobile app, making it even easier for producers to manage aspects of their marketing when and where it's convenient for them," says Rick Dusek, CHS vice president, grain marketing-North America. "The app is perfect for those who want to actively check markets and trade grain from the field or anywhere."

Offers through the CHS grain trading mobile app are monitored during futures market hours from 8:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. and from 7 p.m. to 7:45 a.m. Utilizing the CME Group electronic markets, the app also facilitates an automatic connection between grower-approved offers and CHS hedge orders. With patented e-Pit® services provided by Farmstech, the app can place a hedge order, receive confirmation of the fill, execute the cash purchase, and notify both buyer and seller in seconds.

The CHS Grain Trading mobile app is compatible with both Android™ and iPhone® devices. Download the free mobile app at the App Store™ or Google Play store. Follow the registration process to link to your CHS account and create a grain trading mobile account. Enhanced login and security features ensure information privacy.