Friday January 10 Ag News

Washington County Corn/Soybean Production Clinic is Feb 25th
Production  Decisions for Optimizing Production in the Future

Climate Change and Agricultural Management -- Dr. Charles Wortmann, UNL Extension Nutrient Management Specialist.  Increases in extreme weather can impact agriculture and what adaptations can be done to manage them.  Learn about climate change and climate variability and their implication for crop production in Nebraska.

Novozymes ByProducts As a Soil Amendment -- Trials in Washington County – Dr. Charles Wortmann, UNL Extension Nutrient Management Specialist.  UNL Extension has a grant to study the use of Novozymes Byproducts as a soil amendment and nutrient source for growing soybeans and corn.  Two trials are being conducted in Washington County.  Dr. Wortmann will review some preliminary results from 2013.

Using Precision Ag Technologies to Optimize Production – Dr. Joe Luck, UNL Extension Precision Agriculture Engineer.  Dr. Luck will discuss new advancements in precision ag and how these new advancing technologies can help you optimize production of corn and soybeans.

Date:  Tuesday, February 25, 2014
Time:  1 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.
Location:   Washington County Extension Office, 597 Grant Street, Blair, NE



2013-2014 Blair Area Farmers Group Meeting Schedule
Breakfast 6:30 a.m.    Program 7:00 - 8:00 a.m.
Washington County Extension Office, 597 Grant Street, Blair
Meal Cost $6.00
Please make a meal reservation for each meeting by Monday Noon by calling 402-426-9455 or email stonn2@unl.edu

Program Topics
Tuesday, January 21   Using Technologies to Optimize Crop Production - Wade Daggett, Horizon Equipment Sales Representative
Mr. Daggett will share what technologies Horizon Equipment has to offer and what technologies his customers are using to optimize crop production.  The expanded use of technology to improve production efficiency is gainingmomentum.

Tuesday, February 4   Affordable Health Care Act - Caroll Welte, UNL Extension Educator in Burt County
Ms. Welte, is a co-creator of a UNL Extension web site containing resources and new information regarding the new law.  She has co-written a Cornhusker Economics newsletter article on the new law.  She will share with the group how the AHCA will affect businesses, the self-employed and individuals.

Tuesday, February 18    Crop Insurance Update - Jim Realph, Jim Realph Agency
Jim will give us an update on crop insurance changes and its use as a farm management tool.

Tuesday, March 4   Burt County Wind - Graham Christensen, Burt County landowner and president of Burt County Wind
Mr. Christensen is the leader of a group of 22 farmers and individuals who havejoined together to develop wind resources in Burt County to meet local demandsand become energy independent.

Tuesday, March 18   Farm Bill Update and FSA Programs Update - Nick Elting, Washington County FSA Executive Director
Nick will give us an update on the 2014 Farm Program and update us on other programs and deadlines.



FEEDING MOLDY HAY
Bruce Anderson, UNL Extension Forage Specialist

No matter how hard you try, eventually you have mold in some of your hay and need to decide about feeding it.  Here are some guidelines.

Feeding moldy hay to livestock is a tough decision.  Although all hay contains some mold, when mold becomes easily noticeable the decisions become important.

Usually, mold makes hay less palatable, which can result in lower intake or even in animals refusing to eat the hay.  Many other problems from mold occur because of mycotoxins produced by certain mold fungi.  This also is part of the decision problem since not all molds produce mycotoxins and the amount produced by those that do is unpredictable.

Direct negative affects of moldy hay are difficult to document.  Horses may be the most sensitive to mold among common livestock.  For instance, mold spores often contribute to respiratory and digestive problems like colic or heaves in horses.  Cattle apparently are less affected by mold, but certain molds can cause mycotic abortions or aspergillosis.  People, too, can be affected by mold spores.  Mold can cause a condition called farmer’s lung, where the fungus actually grows in lung tissue.  So try to avoid breathing in many of these spores.

The best course of action often is to minimize feeding moldy hay to more sensitive animals, like horses or pregnant cows.  This may require a keen eye or sensitive nose when selecting hay to feed each day.  Mixing moldy hay with other feedstuffs can dilute problems sometimes, but be careful that you don’t make your animals sick by tricking them into eating bad hay that they normally would refuse.

Mold is a difficult problem to deal with.  Common sense and good observation often are your best decision aids.



Iowa Farm Animal Care Coalition Celebrates Inaugural Year

In its first year, the statewide network of farmers, animal well-being experts, veterinarians and industry leaders known as the Iowa Farm Animal Care Coalition (IFAC) responded to a wide-ranging series of farmer and consumer questions about farm animal care in Iowa through its 1-800-252-0577 help line or at www.iowafarmanimalcare.org.

IFAC was formed in 2013 to answer Iowans' questions about farm animal care and assist farmers with farm animal care resources to help ensure all Iowa farm animals benefit from the latest science-based animal care standards.

"In the inaugural year of IFAC, we received 15 calls, ranging from farmers seeking advice, to neighbors or people just driving by a farm, wanting to know more about animals being raised outdoors in inclement weather. We have had farmers, sheriffs and veterinarians all weighing in on these questions and providing excellent follow-up and assistance as needed," says IFAC Executive Director Denny Harding.

IFAC was modeled after the 20-year-old Alberta Farm Animal Care program, which has grown in scope to handle hundreds of calls a year.

"Consumers have a lot of questions about where their food comes from, so it's nice to have this resource available to them," said Harding. "But it's good to know they're finding us, because until IFAC, there wasn't a centralized place where Iowans could go to find out about how farm animals respond to extremes in climate like the cold temperatures we're seeing now, or how diverse Iowa's livestock farms really are. Now, they can call if they see something they don't understand or just to learn more about how responsible livestock farmers care for their animals."

In addition to providing information on farm animal care to consumers and referrals to farmers, IFAC also provides access to animal care experts who specialize in many aspects of animal care, including animal science experts and veterinarians from Iowa State University's Colleges of Veterinary Medicine and Agriculture and Life Sciences, and the Iowa State Veterinarian office at the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS). This independent team of experts makes up the On-Farm Evaluation Team and specializes in performing voluntary on-site evaluations to ensure appropriate farm animal care is being given.

IFAC has a four-person Advisory Committee including Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey, Animal Rescue League of Iowa Executive Director Tom Colvin, State of Iowa Veterinarian Dr. David Schmitt, and Iowa State Sheriff and Deputy Association President Jerry Dunbar.

IFAC is a collaborative effort including farmers from the Iowa Farm Bureau, the Iowa Pork Producers, Iowa State University College of Veterinary Medicine and College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship.

For more information about IFAC or farm animal care in Iowa, visit www.iowafarmanimalcare.org or call 1-800-252-0577.



Iowa Pork Producers to hold annual meeting Jan. 21

The Iowa Pork Producers Association will hold its 2014 annual meeting on Tuesday, January 21, in Des Moines.

More than 100 producer/delegates from around the state will receive annual survey results, hear IPPA committee and national reports and special presentations. Outgoing IPPA President Greg Lear of Le Mars will deliver the state of the association address.

Delegates also will consider at least six resolutions during the meeting submitted by IPPA past presidents and county pork organizations.

The resolutions address stray voltage and utility right of way, Grow Iowa Vision, animal handling and welfare programs, feed ingredient handling and alternative animal identification practices.

IPPA producer/delegates will meet at 10 a.m. at the Community Choice Credit Union Convention Center. IPPA also will recognize outstanding county and individual efforts in promotion and education during the awards luncheon.

The annual meeting will conclude with the passing of the gavel from Lear to 2014 IPPA President Jamie Schmidt, a producer from Garner.



Vetter Draws Support for Agriculture Trade Post

The American Farm Bureau Federation and 96 other agriculture and food-related groups have signed a letter strongly supporting the confirmation of Deputy Under Secretary for Farm and Foreign Agricultural Services Darci Vetter as Chief Agricultural Negotiator in the Office of the United States Trade Representative.

The position of Chief Agricultural Negotiator, with the rank of ambassador, was created in 1997 by Congress for the express purpose of ensuring that U.S. agriculture is fully represented in trade negotiations at the highest possible level.

“U.S. agricultural exports are valued at near $140 billion for 2013, and agriculture remains one of the few sectors in the overall economy that has shown a positive trade balance for decades,” the letter stated. “The most recent figures place this value at or above $30 billion, making the role of the Chief Agricultural Negotiator as one of the most important in the entire Office of the USTR.

The groups said that Vetter “brings a wealth of well-rounded background expertise,” to the position, including more than six years of experience at USTR, dealing with implementation of various provisions of the North American Free Trade Agreement.

“She has also had extensive experience working for the Senate Finance Committee, giving her a sound understanding of the importance as well as the workings of Congress,” according to the letter. “Her most recent experience within the U.S. Department of Agriculture has also given her direct exposure to the workings of many of the critical programs related to trade currently offered by the federal government as well as the numerous trade associations involved in helping to stimulate agricultural trade.”



My American Farm Releases Global Agriculture Game

The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture has released a new educational game entitled “The Great Seed Search” that gives learners the opportunity to experience the global nature of the agriculture industry.

In this simulation game, players enter coordinates and pilot a plane around the world collecting important seeds. Through challenges in the game, players learn about other cultures, geography and agricultural products. The game and supporting educational resources can be found at http://www.myamericanfarm.org/games/great_seed_search/.

This game was developed with guidance from The Asia Society and The Longview Foundation, who served as global literacy subject matter experts. Technical experts volunteered their time to support content development, research and review. “Agriculture is global. Exposing our students to this fact at a young age is imperative both for their education as well as for the success of the industry. Asia Society is proud to partner with American Farm Bureau and Longview Foundation on this important initiative,” shares Heather Singmaster, Assistant Director of Education for The Asia Society.

My American Farm is an educational game platform launched in 2011 to engage pre-K through fifth grade learners in the discovery of relevant agricultural issues. Today the free site offers 19 agriculturally-themed games and more than 100 free educator resources such as lesson plans, activity sheets and comics.

The My American Farm educational resource is a special project of the Foundation. The site and resources are made possible through the generous support of title sponsor, DuPont Pioneer. To take advantage of the free My American Farm resources, games and activities, visit www.myamericanfarm.org.



U.S. Meat Export Federation Statement in Support of the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities Act

The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF), an organization charged with increasing the value and profitability of the U.S. beef, pork and lamb industries by enhancing demand in international markets, strongly supports passage of legislation extending presidential Trade Promotion Authority (TPA).

“The United States is currently engaged in the most critical free trade agreement negotiations in our nation’s history,” said USMEF President and CEO Philip Seng. “Both the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) have untold potential for U.S. agricultural exports. For these negotiations to fulfill their potential, our trade officials need the strongest possible hand when they are at the negotiating table. Our trading partners need to know that once these agreements are negotiated, they are not going to be changed as they go through the approval process in Congress. The Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities Act introduced this week will ensure that Congress continues to have a strong voice on trade while giving the administration the support it needs to achieve the best possible outcome for the U.S. red meat industry from the TPP and TTIP negotiations.”



Farm Bureau Welcomes TPA Legislation

The American Farm Bureau Federation welcomed the introduction of Trade Promotion Authority legislation in Congress. The nation's largest ag group says it believes TPA is the catalyst needed to advance U.S. proposals to reduce tariffs and improve market access for farmers and ranchers in trade negotiations.

The legislation was introduced by Senate Finance Committee Chair Max Baucus (D-Mont.), Ranking Member Orin Hatch (R-Utah) and House Ways and Means Committee Chair David Camp (R-Mich.).

"This trade negotiation authority is needed now," said AFBF President Bob Stallman. "For negotiations to keep moving forward on the Trans Pacific Partnership and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership discussions, we need the TPA authority in place. We urge Congress to pass the bill without delay and show that the United States is committed to completing these trade negotiations."

The TPA legislation will restore the president's authority to negotiate trade deals that Congress can pass or reject but cannot amend. Without it, other countries are reluctant to finalize negotiations with the United States for fear that any hard-won trade agreement could be undone through amendments in Congress.

U.S. agriculture is heavily dependent on exports. On average, one out of every three acres in the U.S. is planted for export. Further, farmers and ranchers earn 25 percent of their farm income from exports.



Wheat Growers Welcome Introduction of Trade Promotion Authority Legislation

The U.S. wheat industry welcomes the introduction of legislation to grant the President of the United States trade promotion authority (TPA).

“We are pleased to see bipartisan support for trade promotion authority and hope Congress will act quickly to pass this important legislation,” said Bing von Bergen, a wheat farmer from Moccasin, MT, and president of the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG). “Putting TPA in place will create a fast track for negotiations on current and future trade agreements that will benefit U.S. wheat farmers.”

The TPA legislation outlines U.S. trade policy objectives and sets out conditions for the President to negotiate free trade agreements and other trade liberalizing initiatives as well as allowing for Congressional consideration of these agreements without amendment. Also known as “fast track,” TPA builds confidence with our negotiating partners that once an agreement is reached, Congress cannot change it. The bill also institutionalizes consultation requirements to ensure that Congress and the President maintain a strong partnership in advancing trade policy goals.

The directors of NAWG and U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) recently passed a resolution supporting passage of TPA “as an essential tool for negotiating market-opening free trade agreements,” including the 12 country Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the U.S. and European Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) talks. These two agreements, currently in negotiation, will lower barriers to U.S. wheat exports in several key markets. These agreements will also help ensure that U.S. wheat producers have the same market access as other wheat exporters including Canada and Australia.

“Our competitors are moving fast and with success to sign beneficial trade agreements,” said Dan Hughes, a wheat farmer from Venango, NE, and USW chairman. “TPA would give our trade negotiators a unified voice and the power to push for the best deal for U.S. farmers, businesses and workers. Without TPA, we risk falling farther and farther behind in a growing international market.”

The United States is the world’s largest wheat exporter, offering customers around the globe a reliable, high-quality supply of six wheat classes. In the 2012/13 marketing year, ended May 31, 2013, the United States exported  about 27 million metric tons (nearly 1 billion bushels) of wheat valued at about $9.0 billion, which supports thousands of jobs and creates economic benefits across the country. More on the industry’s trade work is at www.wheatworld.org/trade or www.uswheat.org/whatwedo/tradepolicy.

USW is the industry’s market development organization working in more than 100 countries. Its mission is to “develop, maintain, and expand international markets to enhance the profitability of U.S. wheat producers and their customers.” USW activities are made possible through producer checkoff dollars managed by 19 state wheat commissions and cost-share funding provided by FAS. USW maintains 17 offices strategically located around the world to help wheat buyers, millers, bakers, wheat food processors and government officials understand the quality, value and reliability of all six classes of U.S. wheat.



Russia 2013 Grain Harvest Up 30% on Year

Russia harvested 30% more grain in 2013 than a year earlier, the national statistics agency Rosstat reported Friday.

The country harvested 89.3 million metric tons of grain in clean weight compared with 68.7 million tons harvested in 2012.

Rosstat said wheat harvest in 2013 was 52.1 million tons, including winter wheat and spring wheat, in clean weight compared with 37.7 million tons in 2012. Wheat average yield in 2013 was 2.23 tons a hectare compared with 1.77 tons/ha in 2012.

Rye harvest was 3.4 million tons, compared with 2.1 million tons, with the average yield rising to 1.89 tons/ha from 1.5 tons/ha in 2012.

Triticale harvest was 582,000 tons, compared with 464,000 tons in 2012, with the average yield rising to 2.41 tons/ha from 2.08 tons/ha in 2012.

Corn harvest was 10.7 million tons, compared with 8.2 million tons in 2012, with the average yield rising to 5.04 tons/ha from 4.24 tons/ha in 2012.

Barley harvest was 15.4 million tons, compared with 14 million tons in 2012, with the average yield rising to 1.92 tons/ha from 1.82 tons/ha in 2012.

Oats harvest was 4.9 million tons, up from 4.0 million tons in 2012, with the average yield rising to 1.64 tons/ha from 1.41 tons/ha on 2012.

Rice harvest fell to 926,000 tons from 1.1 million tons in 2012, with the average yield falling to 4.96 tons/ha from 5.49 tons/ha in 2012.



Mycogen Seeds to Feature PowerCore™ in Corn Hybrid Lineup

Mycogen Seeds will feature PowerCore™, a new trait technology, in its corn hybrid lineup for the 2015 growing season. PowerCore combines three modes of action for industry-leading protection against above-ground insects. The new trait combination effectively controls European corn borer, southwestern corn borer, corn earworm, fall armyworm and black cutworm.

“PowerCore will be an effective and sustainable option for growers who need broad-spectrum control of only above-ground pests,” says Hank King, corn marketing leader for Mycogen Seeds. In the first year, PowerCore will be available to Mycogen Seeds customers in the central and southern Corn Belt, with expansion to other geographies in future seasons.

Three Bt proteins in PowerCore — Cry1A105, Cry2Ab2 and Cry1F — offer the broadest-spectrum above-ground insect control on the market. Multiple modes of action mean that PowerCore™ will require only a 5 percent refuge in the Corn Belt.1 Mycogen Seeds also plans to offer PowerCore technology in its Refuge Advanced ® single-bag packaging solution that contains the required refuge seed for the Corn Belt in the same bag.2

PowerCore Refuge Advanced will complement the Mycogen ® brand corn hybrid lineup, which already includes SmartStax® Refuge Advanced hybrids for both above- and below-ground insect protection in a single-bag solution. These Mycogen brand technologies will continue to be offered in elite corn genetics.

“The launch of PowerCore shows our commitment to deliver new technologies to the market and give our growers more options to maximize the potential of their acres,” King says.

PowerCore received registration from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in November.

For more information about PowerCore™ or other Mycogen brand products, contact your local Mycogen Seeds dealer or sales representative, or visit www.mycogen.com.



Ag Equipment Dealers Forecast Growth in New Year

Starting off the fourth quarter of 2013, North American ag equipment dealers reported year-over-year sales grew 4% on average. But considering declining corn prices and the uncertainties surrounding equipment depreciation, they're looking for only 1% growth in revenue for 2014, according to the latest "Dealer Sentiments & Business Conditions Update" survey results, reports Farm Equipment magazine.

While used equipment inventories remain higher than North American farm equipment dealers would like, used tractor prices have held up fairly well. The same can't be said for used combine pricing. According to the most recent "Dealer Sentiments & Business Conditions Update" survey, a net 21% of dealers said their used inventory levels were "too high" (37% too high; 47% about right; 16% too low), down slightly from 26% in the previous month.

In terms of pricing, tractors over 100 horsepower were up 1.8% year-over-year on average, following an increase of 1.3% reported the previous month. Prices for used tractors under 100 horsepower were also up 1.5%, which was down from 2.3% during the prior month. Compared to a year earlier, used combine values fell 3.4% in October compared to a decline of 3.2% in the month prior.

Broken out by equipment lines, the least optimistic were AGCO dealers, who expect a decline of 3% for the year. The most optimistic are dealers who handle shortlines only. This group is anticipating a 6% increase in sales for 2014.

Dealers carrying John Deere equipment are expecting a 2% revenue increase, while New Holland retailers anticipate a 1% sales gain for the year. Case IH dealers are looking at a flat sales year, and Kubota dealers are expecting a 1% drop in revenues in 2014.