Monday May 5 Ag News

Soybean Planting Depth: Consider Planting Deeper
Jim Specht, UNL Professor of Agronomy and Horticulture

Research we conducted at UNL looked at several factors including soybean populations and planting depths over a three-year period (2011-2013). This research was conducted at different locations over the years including Clay Center, Lincoln, Cedar Bluffs, and Mead.  These site-years represent a wide range of early season growing conditions, from wet-cold to dry-warm; hence, results are applicable over a wide range of conditions.  They also represent conventional, strip-till, and no-till systems.  We looked at numerous factors but because this research has not yet been published in a peer-reviewed scientific journal, we can only share specific information regarding the planting depth studies.

All soybean plots were planted into 30-inch rows with planting dates of May 30 and June 4, 2011; May 1, 2012; and April 29, 2013.  Later planting dates in 2011 were due to cold-wet planting conditions in conventional-till fields and the inability to get into those fields earlier.  Planting depths of 1 inch and 1.25, 1.5, 1.75, 2.0, 2.25, and 2.5 inches were evaluated in 2011 and an additional planting depth of 2.75 inches was added in 2012 and 2013.  Plant populations also were evaluated with each planting depth; these included seeding rates of 35,000; 70,000; 105,000; 140,000; 175,000; and 210,000 seeds/acre.

Many producers plant soybeans shallow (as long as moisture is present) thinking that this will result in quick emergence.  While that may be the case, shallow planting also may reduce stands. One of the study's hypotheses was that planting deeper would buffer soil temperature and moisture and protect newly emerged seedlings from frost and freeze damage, particularly when planting early in the season.

While we can't show all the data here, the results in fact showed the optimal planting depth was around 1.75 inches. The data also showed that this planting depth was consistent for all site-years of the study.  Shallow depths of less than 1.25 inches with  seeding rates of 35K-105K resulted in lower yields, as did deeper planting depths of 2.25 inches or greater at these seeding rates. (See Figure 1).

Conclusion
Across all site-years, regardless of early or late planting dates or tillage type, a planting depth of 1.75 inches maximized soybean yields.



Farm Bill Questions? May 21 Extension Webinar Has the Answers
The 2014 farm bill provides agricultural producers with a variety of programs and opportunities to participate; however, the decisions facing them have never been more complex. This bill takes more of a risk management approach to the federal farm safety net than the more traditional price and yield support. Producers need to  understand how the 2014 farm bill works and how these programs may affect their operations.

Nebraska offers some unique challenges relative to variability in the type of commodities and the practices used to grow them. In spring and summer 2014 agricultural producers will be offered an opportunity to update their base acres and program yields.  It is important that they understand how these decisions work to make a well informed decision.

On May 21 UNL Extension will host a two-hour public Farm Bill Webinar to help producers with these decisions. It will be from 10 a.m. to noon CT. To access it, go to https://connect.unl.edu/publicfarmbill/.

Participants will need computer speakers to hear the presentation and will be able to submit questions during the program.  The webinar will be archived for later viewing.  For more information contact Tim Lemmons, Extension Educator, tlemmons2@unl.edu.



GRAZING WET PASTURES
Bruce Anderson, UNL Extension Forage Sp.

Many times when the spring grazing season begins, pastures are soft and wet.  Grazing can quickly get these pastures muddy and damaged by hoof traffic.

Use special grazing techniques to limit damage in soft, muddy pastures.  The worst thing you can do is graze a pasture for several days until it’s all torn up and then move to a new area.  Trampling that occurs repeatedly over several days greatly weakens plants; doing this across a wide area can reduce production for months, even years.

In contrast, pastures muddied up by grazing only briefly usually recover quickly.  Maybe not as fast as when the ground is solid, but fast enough to minimize yield or stand loss.

You can take advantage of this rapid recovery by moving animals frequently, at least once a day, to a new area.  If this involves walking animals long distances, it might be better to subdivide pastures with temporary electric fences so you don’t increase trampling during the moving process.  This also can increase the number of new areas to move into.  Fencing supplies you use around corn stalks during winter should work well for this temporary use.  Once the ground firms up you can return to your normal grazing rotation.

Another option is to graze all your cattle together in one small area until the ground gets solid again, feeding hay if needed.  This protects most of your pasture acres from trampling losses.  But it can virtually destroy the area grazed and need reseeding.  This may be a small price to pay, though, to protect the rest of your acres.

Don’t let mud and trampling ruin your pastures.  Temporary grazing adjustments can save grass now and for the future.



Wisner Pilger FFA Competes at National Land Judging
Over 170 teams of teenage FFA and 4-H members competed in the 63rd annual National Land and Range Judging Contest, held April 29 – May 2, according to contest cochairman Scotty Herriman, of South Coffeyville, Okla. Herriman is president of the Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts, the contest's principal sponsor. “We had about 170 teams from 35 states competing this year, including Hawaii,” Herriman said.  Herriman notes the idea of a land judging contest was invented by three Oklahoma conservationists in 1942. They decided which soil qualities could be judged and developed score cards to test skills. The idea caught on and Oklahoma City has been hosting the national contest since 1952.

In their final active as active members of the Wisner Pilger FFA Chapter, Sarah Herzinger, Erica Lewis, Devon Dixon and Dalton Mohlfeld competed in the National FFA Land Judging Contest in Oklahoma City, April 29 – May 2.  The experience is something that they will not forget.  Coach for the team is Mark Schroeder and Gail Anderson assisted with the driving for the trip.

The 4-H and FFA participating teams qualified for the national event by placing among the top five teams at contests held in their home states. Herriman said the teams match skills in judging the adaptability of land for various purposes including farming, range management, and homesite construction.

"The contestants take turns examining the soil in pits and trenches dug especially for the contest," Herriman said. He noted that the skills the teens test at the contest involve principles that can be valuable in career fields like environmental and agricultural management, natural resource conservation, home building and construction. The actual contest site remains a secret until contest day, so no one has an unfair advantage. Contestants and coaches gather on contest morning to find out the official contest location. They then travel to the site, with a police escort, in a caravan of over 100 cars spanning several miles. This year the contest was hosted on a National Guard Base north of Oklahoma City on May 2.

The event ended Thursday night with an awards banquet in the Great Hall of the National Cowboy and Western Heritage Museum when the day's freshly-tabulated results were announced.. National championship trophies were awarded to teams and individuals. Following the presentation of the honoree award, contest cochairman Russell Pierson urged teens and adults alike to commit themselves to a better environment for future generations. "I ask you to apply these land and range judging skills in ways that will help ensure this country remains "America the Beautiful," said Pierson.

The Wisner Pilger FFA Chapter placed as the 39th team out of 93 FFA teams from across the nation.  Sarah Herzinger led the Wisner Pilger teams placing 102nd individually with 200 points.  Erica Lewis scored 192 points and finished in 140th place individually.   Devon Dixon earned 185 points in the contest for 166th place individually.  Dalton Mohlfeld rounded out the team with 153 point for his 274th place individual finish in the contest.   There were 359 individuals competing in the National FFA Land Judging Contest.  As a team they ranked in the top third of the contest.  Also representing Nebraska in the National Contest were members of the Lyon Decatur Northeast who finished in 29th place as a team, Fullerton won 32nd place team honors, Milford finished in 70th place as a team and the fifth team competing from Nebraska was Holdrege who finished in 75th in the rankings. Brent Miller of the Lyons Decatur Northeast FFA Chapter was the top rank Nebraska individual contestant finishing in 58th place with 214 points.  Sarah Herzinger was the fourth place individual from Nebraska.   Each team earned the right of compete at Nationals by winning their District Contest and ranking in the top five teams in the state contest all held in Fall 2013.  Wisner Pilger won the Nebraska State FFA Land Judging Contest.

While in Oklahoma City the team completed all of the practice opportunities to prepare for the contest.  They also toured the Cowboy Hall of Fame and Oklahoma City Bombing Site Museum. 

Travel expenses for the team were covered by a grant from the Louis and Abby Faye Dinklage Foundation and funds raised by the FFA Chapter members.  In addition to the Oklahoma Association of Conservation Districts, contest cosponsors also include the Greater Oklahoma City Chamber of Commerce, Oklahoma Farm Credit, Oklahoma State University, Oklahoma Cooperative Extension Service, USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, the Oklahoma Conservation Commission, Oklahoma Department of Agriculture, Career and Technology Education, Oklahoma Farmers Union, Oklahoma Farm Bureau and numerous other businesses and organizations.



Beef Provides Fuel for Lincoln Marathon Athletes

A group of nearly 50 athletes participated as “Team Beef” in the 37th Annual Lincoln National Guard Marathon & Half-Marathon on Sunday, May 4th. The running team was developed by the Nebraska Beef Council intern program and is funded by the Nebraska Beef Checkoff.  

The Team Beef members attended educational seminars prior to the race, sponsored by the Nebraska Beef Council, which included tips on running a marathon, the import role that beef can play when training for a race and ways to include beef in a healthy diet. The team also wore matching running shirts with the Team Beef logo on the front and words “Beef. Fuel for the finish” on the back.

“We’re very proud of our team members who participated in the race," said Adam Wegner, Director of Marketing for the Nebraska Beef Council. “Beef plays an important role in an overall healthy lifestyle. Team Beef is a great example of how the nutrients in lean beef, such as protein, iron and B-vitamins help maintain a healthy weight, build muscle and fuel physical activity.”

A 3-ounce serving of lean beef provides 154 calories, on average, and nearly 50 percent of the Daily Value for protein. Research shows that eating lean beef as part of a balanced diet and being physically active can help maintain a healthy weight.

“As a coordinator of the team for the past two years, it has been rewarding getting to know individuals from differing backgrounds. The team is a great opportunity to bring together these different perspectives, learn from each other, and hopefully raise awareness that beef can be a part of healthy diet,” said Jamie Hanson, Nebraska Beef Council intern and senior at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln.



Nebraska Agribusiness Club Accepting Nominations

The Nebraska Agribusiness Club would like to announce that nomination forms for the Public Service to Agriculture and New Horizon awards are now available.  

The Public Service to Agriculture award has been presented annually since 1967.  The award recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to Nebraska agriculture and Nebraska agribusiness.  The New Horizon Award is an award that recognizes individuals 40 years of age and younger who are upcoming leaders in the agricultural industry.

Nominations for both awards are due by July 15, 2014. Nominations are encouraged from non-club members as well as club members.  The nomination forms and more information can be found at the Nebraska Agribusiness Club website (nebraskaagribusinessclub.org) or by e-mail at nebraskaagribusinessclub@gmail.com.



NRCS starts signup for ag land, wetland conservation easements

USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service is now accepting applications for its new Agricultural Conservation Easements Program (ACEP). This program, created under the 2014 Farm Bill, provides funding for the purchase of conservation easements to help conserve agricultural lands and wetlands and their related benefits.

“This is an exciting new opportunity for owners and operators of agricultural land to get involved in conserving natural resources,” said Nebraska state conservationist Craig Derickson. “We encourage Indian tribes, state and local governments, non-governmental organizations and private landowners to contact their local NRCS office to find out how to apply.”

According to Derickson, the main goal of ACEP is to prevent productive working lands from being converted to non-agricultural uses and protect land devoted to food production and wildlife habitat. Cropland, rangeland, grassland, pastureland and nonindustrial private forestland are eligible.

Applications are currently being accepted for wetlands reserve easements and will be rated according to the easement’s potential for protecting and enhancing habitat for migratory birds, fish and other wildlife. Eligible applicants will be compensated with a payment rate comparable to the local land use value. Nebraska ACEP payment rate information is available on the Nebraska NRCS website. (see attached map)

Applications can be submitted at any time, but to be considered for 2014 funding opportunities, applications must be received by June 6. Applicants will need to provide accurate records of ownership and ensure they have established a record of ownership with USDA’s Farm Service Agency. Application information is available at your local USDA Service Center and at www.nrcs.usda.gov/GetStarted.

“NRCS staff will work with all interested applicants to help them through the application process and provide one-on-one assistance to create the conservation easement that works best for their farming operation,” Derickson said.

For more information about the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service and the programs and services it provides, visit your local USDA Service Center or www.ne.nrcs.usda.gov.



Research proves herbicide selection non-issue with SDS

The world’s most widely used weed killer is not responsible for perpetuating Sudden Death Syndrome (SDS) in soybeans, research shows.

A collaborative effort among soybean researchers in the United States and Canada and found that glyphosate does not increase SDS severity or adversely affect yields in soybean fields. Scientists from five Midwest universities and the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture Food and Rural Affairs, led by Daren Mueller of Iowa State University (ISU) in Ames, participated in the three-year study. Yuba Kandel of ISU analyzed the data.

“A common claim out there is glyphosate is making SDS worse,” said Mueller, a plant pathologist specializing in SDS and other soybean diseases. “This research proves that there are other factors much more important to the development of SDS than herbicide selection.”

The syndrome is caused by a fungus that lives in the soil and enters plants through their roots, causing them to rot. Toxins cause yellow and brown lesions on leaves, and pod fill is compromised. SDS is more prevalent if soil is wet, cold and compacted during germination and early reproductive stages.

Fifteen field experiments were conducted in Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin and Ontario, Canada from 2011-13. Six herbicide combinations of non-glyphosate and glyphosate, including pre- and post-emergence, were tested. Single and multiple applications were also compared.

There were no statistically significant effects of herbicide treatments or interactions on SDS severity, data showed.

SDS outbreaks have been relatively low in Iowa the last three years mostly due to dry summers, experts conclude. But that could change this year.

“SDS is largely driven by environmental conditions,” Mueller said. “While the wet, cold spring does play a role in increased risk; to get foliar symptoms, you need moisture during late vegetative/early reproductive stages for higher levels of disease.”

SDS has been on the rise the last decade. It came to a head in Iowa in 2010, when yield losses in some infected areas reached 40 percent or more. The disease has cost farmers billions of dollars.

Selecting seed varieties resistant to SDS offers the best protection, experts say. Breaking up soil compaction zones and extended crop rotations are also effective control methods.

“This unbiased and scientifically-sound study by researchers demonstrates no correlation between glyphosate use and the incidence or severity of soybean sudden death syndrome,” said Dr. Ed Anderson, Iowa Soybean Association senior director of Supply & Production Services. “Iowa farmers who are faced with the challenges of managing SDS can use this information in considering how to manage their weed and disease problems.”



International Beef Cattle Welfare Symposium Is July 16-18

Iowa State University will host the Fourth International Beef Cattle Welfare Symposium July 16-18, 2014. The symposium will bring together beef producers, processors, retailers, government officials, NGOs, animal scientists, veterinarians and students to discuss, debate and learn more about specific welfare issues encompassing all angles of the beef supply chain, including social concerns, production, environment, transportation, processing, marketing, trade regulations and legislation.International Symposium on Beef Cattle Welfare

During the first day of the symposium, participants will get hands-on experience in diagnosing and treating lameness in beef cattle. Participants also will practice the correct technique for on-farm euthanasia and learn a variety of on-farm techniques for minimizing stress during handling and management procedures, including dehorning. This portion of the symposium will take place in the new state-of-the-art Jeff and Deb Hansen Agriculture Student Learning Center on the Iowa State University campus.

The Thursday, July 17 and Friday, July 18 program will take place at the ISU Alumni Center. These sessions will include in-depth discussions about current and future beef cattle welfare concerns, low-stress cattle handling, beta-agonist use, lameness and pain management from industry experts, including Temple Grandin, Dan Thomson and Tom Noffsinger. World renowned beef cattle experts, bovine practitioners and animal scientists from Australia, Brazil, Ireland, Canada and the United States will provide an international perspective on global issues such as the impact of stress on the health and welfare of beef cattle, strategies for reducing stress and improving welfare at weaning, and understanding and managing the animal welfare impacts of painful procedures in beef cattle.

The program also will feature Greg Peterson, of the Peterson Farm Brothers, whose clever parodies of popular songs convey a positive message about agriculture and livestock production. Their videos have received more than 15 million views on YouTube.

“Ranchers, animal scientists and veterinarians have traditionally been the standard bearers for beef cattle welfare,” said Dr. Hans Coetzee, 2014 symposium chair and section leader, ISU Pharmacology Analytical Support Team. “With the growing separation of consumers from rural agriculture, beef producers need to take a strong leadership role in establishing good livestock practices and have active and informed input on potential regulations and changes in the industry to help minimize the information disconnect between consumers, food retailers and livestock producers and protect the long-term sustainability of beef cattle production.”

Registration for the symposium is currently open. There are special rates for registering before July 1, 2014, and for Iowa Cattlemen’s Association members. There also is an option to attend the symposium via a live webcast, for those unable to attend in person. There are rates for both individuals and groups to join the event via the webcast. Each participant who attends the 4th International Symposium on Beef Cattle Welfare is eligible to receive a certificate for 14.5 Continuing Education Units from the Iowa Veterinary Medical Board at the conclusion of the symposium.

The symposium currently is accepting entries for both oral and poster presentations. All submissions are due by June 1, 2014. Applicants will be notified of their acceptance by June 15, 2014.

For more information about the 4th International Symposium on Beef Cattle Welfare, or to register, visit www.extension.iastate.edu/registration/events/conferences/beefwelfare.



NMPF Smacks Sugar Focus of FDA Food Labeling Regulatory Efforts

The National Milk Producers Federation has soured on efforts by the Food and Drug Administration to devote attention to regulating the names of certain types of sugar, while at the same time the agency is ignoring the misuse of dairy-specific names in foods with no milk content.

In a letter sent today as part of an FDA request for comments, NMPF questioned why the FDA is focused on clarifying the common or usual name for “dried cane syrup” or “evaporated cane juice” – a type of dried sugar used as a food ingredient – even as it allows soy, rice, nut and hemp products to define themselves as milk, in violation of long-standing food standards.

“Getting a sugar fix is fine and well, as long as the FDA also turns its attention to a problem that has been ignored for more than a decade,” said Beth Briczinski, NMPF Vice President of Dairy Foods & Nutrition.  “Unfortunately, the agency’s lack of effort on misbranded and mislabeled imitation dairy products has left a bitter taste in our mouths.”

In the letter sent Monday to FDA, NMPF wrote that it is not advising FDA “on an appropriate name for what would be obvious to most consumers is a type of sweetener, but rather to question the Agency’s allocation of resources to such an effort.  It seems rather disingenuous for the Agency to utilize its often-referenced ‘limited resources’ to issue additional labeling guidance, while simultaneously not enforcing existing regulations pertaining to the identity of foods” including imitation dairy products, NMPF wrote in the letter. 

“The Agency has blatantly disregarded the names displayed on the labels of imitation dairy products (e.g., “soy milk”, “rice yogurt”, etc.) in the current marketplace.  While the FDA has made its position clear through warning letters to several manufacturers…NMPF would argue that these actions have been too infrequent to be effective, essentially creating a labeling landscape free of enforcement.”

Today’s letter from NMPF is the latest in a series of correspondence between the dairy organization and the FDA, dating back to 2000, in which NMPF has urged the agency to enforce existing requirements for the labeling of imitation foods specifying that many milk, yogurt, cheese and ice cream substitutes produced from vegetable or plant materials are not nutritionally equivalent to real dairy products.

“Manufacturers of these imitation products have misled American consumers for far too long – making a mockery of currently labeling regulations – by usurping the ‘dairy halo’ associated with wholesome and nutritious milk and dairy products,” the letter said.



USDA Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments Program Sign-Up Begins

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA) announced that sign-up begins today for 2012 crop losses under the Supplemental Revenue Assistance Payments (SURE) program. The program, established by the 2008 Farm Bill, provides for one final period of eligibility for producers suffering crop losses caused by natural disasters occurring through Sept. 30, 2011, for crops intended for 2012 harvest.

“Most producers who suffered losses before Sept. 30, 2011, have already been compensated if they applied for SURE benefits for the 2011 crop year,” said FSA Administrator Juan M. Garcia. “This sign-up period is only for those producers who suffered crop losses for 2012 crops before Sept. 30, 2011.”

To be eligible for SURE, a farm or ranch must have:

At least a 10 percent production loss on a crop of economic significance resulting from a disaster occurring on or before Sept. 30, 2011. A crop of economic significance contributes at least five percent of the expected revenue for a producer’s farm. Additionally, the crop must also meet the following eligibility criteria:

The crop must be considered a 2012 crop which means, in general, that the crop was intended for harvest in 2012; For insured crops, the coverage period must have begun on or before Sept. 30, 2011; For crops covered by the Non-Insured Crop Assistance Program, the coverage period must have begun on or before Sept. 30, 2011; The final planting date, according to the specific coverage for the crop, must have been on or before Sept. 30, 2011.

Note: A producer who only plants fall seeded or spring seeded crops with a final planting date on Oct. 1, 2011 or later) cannot meet the above eligibility criteria and will not be eligible for the 2012 SURE program.

A policy or plan of insurance under the Federal Crop Insurance Act or the Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program for all economically significant crops; Been physically located in a county that was declared a primary disaster county or contiguous county by the Secretary of Agriculture under a Secretarial Disaster Designation. Without a Secretarial Disaster Designation, individual producers may be eligible if the actual production on the farm is less than 50 percent of the normal production on the farm due to a natural disaster. A “farm” for SURE purposes means the entirety of all crop acreage in all counties that a producer planted or intended to be planted for harvest for normal commercial sale or on-farm livestock feeding, including native and improved grassland intended for haying.

Producers considered socially disadvantaged, a beginning farmer or rancher, or a limited resource farmer may be eligible for SURE without a policy or plan of insurance or Noninsured Crop Disaster Assistance Program coverage.

Farmers and ranchers interested in signing up must do so before the Aug. 29, 2014, deadline.

For more information on the 2012 SURE program, visit any USDA Service Center or online at www.fsa.usda.gov/sure.



Brazil Exports Record Volume of Soy in April

Brazil exported a record volume of soybeans for one month in April, continuing the impressive performance of the ports this year.  Shipments totaled 8.25 million metric tons, surpassing the previous record of 7.95 mmt sent in May 2013.  With April's shipments, Brazil exported 17 mmt in the first four months of the year, well up on the 11.6 mmt exported last year and already corresponding to 40% of all projected shipments.

Small improvements to Brazil's infrastructure and better organization of truck deliveries have improved port performance, while dry weather has allowed for uninterrupted operations at Paranagua and Santos ports -- berths are not covered and loading has to stop when it rains.

Brazil also benefited from an early start to the export season, shipping 2.8 mmt in February -- a month in which little is traditionally shipped.

April soybean exports raised $4.1 billion, equivalent to nearly 20% of all Brazilian export revenue last month.



Luxor Resort Chefs Experience U.S. Beef

Tourists travel thousands of miles to see one of the world’s most treasured destinations – the historic Egyptian city of Luxor, famed for its pyramids and temples. When the tourists arrive, chefs at the finest hotels want to serve them meals befitting the occasion. Enter grain-fed U.S. beef.

Educating Luxor’s chefs and purchasing managers about the quality and benefits of incorporating different cuts of U.S. beef into their menus was the goal of an educational program the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) conducted for about 30 five-star hotel staff in collaboration with the Egyptian Chefs Association with support from the Beef Checkoff Program.

Led by chef Marcus Iten, president of the Egyptian Chefs Association, the full-day seminar provided menu planning and preparation tips on a range of U.S. beef cuts including ribeye, striploin, tenderloin and shank.

“A key for these chefs and purchasing managers is demonstrating how to maximize the profitability of using specific U.S. beef cuts,” said Amr Abd El Gliel, USMEF representative in Egypt. He noted that special attention was given to the shank cut, recently introduced to the Egyptian market.

“Chef Iten showed the chefs how they could create high-quality and cost-effective dishes,” said Amr. “Mixing the trimmings of prime cuts with the shank cut to produce delicious international plates such as meatballs, burgers and meatloaf was the buzzing success of the event.”

While Egypt is the fourth-largest export market for U.S. beef, most of that demand historically has been driven by the variety meat market. Egypt is the leading international market for U.S. beef variety meat, including livers. In 2013, Egypt alone purchased 38 percent of all U.S. beef variety meat exports by volume, and variety meat accounted for 87 percent of total beef exports to that nation.

“Our outreach to luxury tourist destinations like Luxor is designed to tap into a niche market where there will be demand for different beef cuts as well as high-end menu items,” said Dan Halstrom, USMEF senior vice president for global marketing and communications.

“Chefs in Egypt traditionally pan-fry and overcook beef because they are accustomed to dealing with lower quality cuts from suppliers where the quality and safety is not consistent,” Halstrom said. “Educating them on U.S. beef, and how it can be deliciously and safely prepared without overcooking, is an important step toward winning these chefs as converts.”

The U.S. beef workshop took place at Jolie Ville Kings Valley Resort Luxor. USMEF utilized social media channels to attract the chefs who represented a variety of five-star hotels and a Nile River cruise line.

In addition to demonstrating a number of easy-to-prepare beef recipes, chef Markus also provided background on U.S. beef production practices, inspection, safety standards, product handling and storage, quality and marbling criteria.

After his presentation, the chefs were divided into teams. Each was challenged to prepare different recipes using the U.S. beef cuts given to them, followed by a tasting session.

At the conclusion of the program, USMEF regional staff provided the hotel participants with details regarding the cost and availability of various U.S. beef cuts from local distributors.

“The chefs were very impressed by the tenderness and taste of U.S. beef,” said Hani Mostfa, USMEF representative in Egypt who organized the program. “We already have requests for additional training courses on other beef cuts as well as mutton and veal.”



The Andersons Declares 71st Consecutive Dividend

The Andersons, Inc. announced a third quarter 2014 cash dividend of 11 cents ($0.11) per share payable July 22, 2014, to shareholders of record on July 1, 2014.

This is The Andersons' 71st consecutive quarterly cash dividend since its listing on the Nasdaq on February 20, 1996. There are approximately 28.4 million common shares outstanding.

The Andersons, Inc. is a diversified company rooted in agriculture. Founded in Maumee, Ohio, in 1947, the company conducts business across North America in the grain, ethanol, and plant nutrient sectors, railcar leasing, turf and cob products, and consumer retailing.