Wednesday August 20 Ag News

PLANNING NEXT YEAR'S GRAZING TODAY
Bruce Anderson, UNL Extension Forage Specialist

               Are you one of the fortunate ones to have extra grass this year?  If so, how can you improve next year's grazing by managing this year's grass.

               Extra grass is not normal.  If you are lucky enough to have more grass than needed this year, don’t forget that next year could be hotter and drier than this year – producing less grass.

               But you can boost carrying capacity and gains on next year's pasture by strategically managing your extra grass this year.

               Start by identifying pasture improvements that could help future grazing.  Control weeds, accumulate enough growth on warm-season grass pastures to conduct an effective prescribed burn next spring, or select pastures where stressing the existing stand will help you establish legumes next spring.  All these practices temporarily reduce pasture growth, but they can provide long-term benefits.  Thus, it is better to do them when you have extra grass rather than when grass is short.

               Another way to help next year's growth is to avoid overgrazing this fall unless you are doing it intentionally to prepare for interseeding next spring.  Heavy fall grazing weakens plants as they go into winter and causes them to grow less vigorously after spring green-up.  If you do graze heavy this fall, do it on pastures that will be used last next spring.  This will give them extra time to recover.

               A particularly valuable way to manage extra grass is to begin to stockpile some growth now for either grazing this winter or to start grazing extra early next spring.  This could save on winter hay needs or give you an area to get animals away from mud next spring.  Plus, it's usually good for your grass, too.

               Take advantage of extra grass to begin long-term pasture improvements.  It happens so rarely that next year might be too late.

ADD LIME THIS FALL FOR NEXT SPRING'S ALFALFA
               Do you ever have problems establishing alfalfa?  The solution might be to apply lime if your soil pH is low.

               Every year, alfalfa growers ask me about slow growing seedlings.  Eventually, I’ll ask about their soil pH.  Way too often, either they didn’t get a soil test and don’t know or the test showed that the pH was so low that it is unlikely that alfalfa could grow well.  But when I suggest adding lime next time before planting they either add too little to do any good or they disregard the recommendation entirely.

               Alfalfa grows best in soils with a neutral pH of about 7.  When soils are acid, with a pH of 6.2 or lower, alfalfa plants do not grow as well.  At a low pH, alfalfa roots are less able to absorb nutrients from soil.  Also – the nodules on alfalfa roots that convert nitrogen from the air into nitrogen the plants can use – these nodules have difficulty forming and working effectively in acid soils.

               Most sandy, low organic matter soils as well as heavier ground that has been tilled and fertilized with nitrogen for many years have become acidic.  These soils need lime to solve this problem.  But some folks still resist liming even when their own soil pH is down as low as 5.5 or even below 5!

               It takes some time for lime to really neutralize much acidity.  So I recommend applying lime at least 4 months ahead of planting alfalfa.  That means that if you expect to seed a new field of alfalfa next spring, add lime if needed this fall to give it time to work.  Sure it costs money, but it's much less costly then having a stand failure or several years of low alfalfa yields.

               Maybe some folks just like to gamble, but me, I prefer to bet on a sure thing and invest in lime rather than a long shot.

AVOID PASTURE DAMAGE DURING FALL GRAZING
               Many of us have had more moisture to support pasture growth this year than for several years.  Don’t take too much advantage of the extra growth, however.

               Extra rain this year compared to the past few years is making pastures greener and more productive.  After years of drought and low production, this extra growth is more than welcome.  But as we approach the end of the growing season, don’t get too greedy and try to completely graze off every green blade.

               Do you have pastures dominated by cool-season grasses?  Like bromegrass, bluegrass, or wheatgrasses or maybe needlegrasses?  Late summer rain and cooler temperatures could give these grasses some good growth in September.  It’s tempting to keep cattle on these nice green pastures as long as possible to use all this growth.  But if these same pastures suffered much drought stress the past couple of years, their recovery will be hindered if you fail to allow them ample opportunity to rejuvenate their root systems prior to winter.

               Grazing pastures short just before winter begins limits the plant’s ability to develop the roots and tiller buds needed to fulfill their growth potential next spring.  Those extra mouthfuls of grass harvested now could cost you many more mouthfuls next spring.

               To help pastures recover from past stress and set the stage for abundant growth next spring, be sure to keep several inches of green leaves on your grasses all the rest of this growing season.  These green leaves will convert fall sunlight into tiller buds, root growth, and root nutrient reserves.  Next spring, these plants will be ready to grow rapidly and yield much more than if grazed short this fall.

               Don’t be greedy.  Protecting some of your grass from grazing this fall could pay big dividends next spring.



Iowa Farmers Share Best Practices for Improving Water Quality

Farmers coming to the Iowa State University exhibit at the Farm Progress Show Aug. 26-28 will get a bird’s-eye view of select Iowa farms and a chance to visit with farmers who practice ways to improve water quality, including Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey.

Visitors to the Iowa State tent can create a scenario similar to their own farm and select from a menu of management practices courses of action they might consider. Then, they will learn of the resulting costs and benefits of those decisions. Farmers who have implemented water quality improvement practices will host the area and share their experiences with visitors.

Secretary Northey is scheduled to participate on Wednesday afternoon and talk with visitors about his role in creating the water quality initiative and about management practices he has in place on his farm. Last fall Northey used cover crops on his farm for the first time, aerially applying 120 acres, half into corn and half into soybeans. He has long focused on conservation on his farm, using ridge till and grid soil sampling.

Jamie Benning, water quality program manager for ISU Extension and Outreach, says farmers will be able to talk to each other about practices that are working or not working on their farms and ask questions specific to their land and their watershed while at the show.

“We are encouraging farmers to talk to other farmers, virtually visit demonstration sites to see practices in place, and bring questions for our farmers, researchers and educators – all to better understand how decisions affect not only yields but their drinking water, local economy and the future of agriculture in Iowa,” said Benning.

Big screen monitors in the Iowa State tent will take visitors on virtual tours of a variety of Iowa farmlands and management practices while they learn from the host farmers



Weekly Ethanol Production for 8/15/2014

According to EIA data, ethanol production averaged 937,000 barrels per day (b/d)—or 39.35 million gallons daily. That is up 6,000 b/d from the week before. The four-week average for ethanol production stood at 931,000 b/d for an annualized rate of 14.27 billion gallons.

Stocks of ethanol stood at 18.3 million barrels. That is a 2.8% increase from last week.

Imports of ethanol were non-existent for the third week in a row.

Gasoline demand for the week averaged 368.6 million gallons daily, a 10-week low. Refiner/blender input of ethanol fell to a 5-week low of 864,000 b/d.

Expressed as a percentage of daily gasoline demand, daily ethanol production was 10.68%.

On the co-products side, ethanol producers were using 14.207 million bushels of corn to produce ethanol and 103,941 metric tons of livestock feed, 92,596 metric tons of which were distillers grains. The rest is comprised of corn gluten feed and corn gluten meal. Additionally, ethanol producers were providing 5.51 million pounds of corn distillers oil daily.



NCGA, DuPont Launch Second Year of New Leaders Program

The National Corn Growers Association and DuPont are pleased to announce the second year of the NCGA DuPont New Leaders Program.  The program is designed for corn growers who are newly active in agriculture and have expressed interest in building upon their skills so they can better serve local, state and national stakeholders.

“It’s important that farmers become strong leaders and spokespersons for American agriculture,” said NCGA President Martin Barbre, a corn grower from Illinois. “We’re grateful to DuPont for its support, and we’re proud of the men and women who joined this program for the first class, and we’ve already seen them doing some great things. Now, we’re actively looking for more couples and individuals to get involved in this dynamic new program.”

Ideal participants will be farming couples or individuals from NCGA’s affiliated states, or may be considering a board position. Those interested must be at least 21 years of age, active in corn farming, NCGA members and not currently serving in a state affiliate board officer position or as a Corn Congress delegate or alternate.

"We are proud to sponsor the NCGA DuPont New Leaders Program," said Jim Hay, regional business director, North America, DuPont Crop Protection. "These participants symbolize the future of agriculture in the United States and this program will teach them skills to benefit their careers and help feed our growing population.”

One couple or up to two single persons per NCGA-affiliated state will be chosen to participate in this hands-on communications and leadership training. The program will be implemented in three phases, with two plenary sessions: Iowa, January 2015; Washington July 2015, respectively.

The application deadline is 5 p.m. Central Time, Tuesday, Sept. 30, 2014. Applications will be reviewed by the NCGA and forwarded to the appropriate state affiliate association for approval. Participants accepted for the program will be notified in November 2014. All program-related travel and lodging expenses will be paid for, per NCGA policy and procedures. For further information and/or to register, visit www.ncga.com/nlp.



NCGA Seeks a Few Good Growers for Leadership Opportunities

The National Corn Growers Association continues to accept applications from members interested in working on an NCGA action team or committee in the 2015 fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1. This service provides growers an opportunity to play an active role in shaping the future of their industry and to become a part of the national agricultural leadership community.

"As a grassroots organization, NCGA relies on its members to step forward and take an active role in developing the policies that will lead our industry forward," said NCGA First Vice President Chip Bowling. "This year, we have opportunities in all of the areas the organization touches, thus allowing members to take their involvement to the next level while exploring in great depth the areas which interest them the most."

Positions are available on all teams and committees: CornPAC, Ethanol Committee, Grower Services Action Team, Production and Stewardship Action Team, Public Policy Action Team, Research and Business Development Action Team and Trade Policy and Biotechnology Action Team. Positions are also available on the Corn Board standing committees, which are the Bylaws Committee and Nominating Committee.

Qualified applicants must be a NCGA member or prospective member and/or contribute to their state checkoff program, if applicable. Ideal candidates have interest or expertise in a particular area relevant to the team focus.

Action teams and committees are composed of up to 14 voting members representing a cross-section of corn production. The teams may utilize staff, growers and industry members to serve as resources, as determined by the action team or committee chair.

Duties of the action teams and committees include:
·         Conducting an annual planning process regarding the work and results of the team.
·         Defining programs to be implemented by the action team and implementing them with evaluation measurement for   each program.
·         Seeking necessary information and expertise to advise the team.
·         Advising the Corn Board on policy positions or requesting action of the Corn Board.
·         Keeping the Corn Board informed of all obligations and contractual relationships entered into and seeking Corn Board approval for contracts or obligations that are out of the ordinary, such as those that are multi-year obligations.
·         Working through the Corn Board on public policy actions or positions.

Deadline for receipt of applications in the state corn association offices, where applicable, is August 29. State offices will then coordinate applications and submit directly to NCGA by September 2. Interested parties can contact Kathy Baker at the NCGA office with questions, at (636) 733-9004.



Brazil's Industry Raises Soybean Export View Amid High Premiums
High soybean export premiums have led to extremely strong shipments over the last couple of months, prompting the Brazilian industry to raise its 2014 export number once again.

This week, Abiove, Brazil's soy crusher association, raised its 2014 soybean forecast to a record 45 million metric tons (mmt), 1 mmt higher than last month's estimate and substantially higher than the 42.8 mmt registered in 2013.

Brazil shipped 37.8 mmt in the first seven months of 2014, up 19% on last year, and exports are expected to remain brisk through October when the U.S. crop becomes available.

Exporters have drawn out stocks amid declining international prices by offering substantial premiums on top of Chicago futures.

The premium for delivery at Paranagua port in September is currently $2.50 per bushel, much higher than the $1.05 per bushel offered at the same time last year.

As a result, Brazilian farmers have been partially shielded from the slide in soybean quotes.

To accommodate the higher soybean export projection, Abiove lowered its 2014 processing forecast. It estimated Brazilian crushing will total 36.8 mmt, down from last month's estimate of 37 mmt but higher than the 36.2 mmt crushed last year on a larger crop.

Brazil produced 86.5 mmt of soybean in 2013-14, up 6% on the year before, according to Abiove.

Brazil will see imports rise to 500,000 metric tons (mt) from 283 mt. The soybeans largely come from the growing number of farms just over the border in Paraguay.



Fostera PCV MH Licensed for Industry-leading 23-week Duration of Immunity Against PCV

Fostera PCV MH — the porcine circovirus (PCV) and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae (M. hyo) combination vaccine that was built from the ground up by Zoetis — now has the longest demonstrated duration of immunity (DOI) to help protect pigs from porcine circovirus-associated disease (PCVAD) caused by PCV Type 2 (PCV2). The U.S. Department of Agriculture has granted the combination vaccine the extended label claim of at least 23 weeks of protection against PCV2, which is three weeks longer than any other PCV2 vaccine on the market.

“PCVAD continues to be one of the most economically harmful swine diseases. Affected pigs suffer from progressive weight loss, increased mortality and other clinical impacts, which takes a toll on producers’ productivity and profitability,” said Darrell Neuberger, DVM, Pork Technical Services, Zoetis. “Now, with a vaccine that offers at least 23 weeks of immunity, producers have another tool to help their pigs realize the full market potential with convenience and flexibility.”

Introduced in November 2013, Fostera PCV MH was developed to help protect pigs from PCVAD and enzootic pneumonia caused by M. hyo. In clinical research studies of the flexible one- and two-dose protocols, Fostera PCV MH has been demonstrated to aid in preventing viremia, lymphoid depletion and colonization of lymphoid tissue caused by PCV2; and as an aid in reducing PCV2 virus shedding and enzootic pneumonia caused by M. hyo.

Unlike other combination vaccines that require field mixing, the one-bottle formulation of Fostera PCV MH allows the convenience of a one-dose program or the flexibility of a two-dose program. Fostera PCV MH is licensed for administration of pigs 3 weeks of age or older by a single 2 mL intramuscular dose or two 1 mL intramuscular doses spaced two weeks apart.

“We strive to bring solutions to producers and veterinarians through innovative techniques and continued research,” Dr. Neuberger said. “We will continue to invest in our existing products as well as new technology and research to continue that commitment for our customers.”



Challenger Boosts Power and Efficiency on New MT500E Series Tractor

Challenger, a worldwide brand of AGCO Corporation (NYSE:AGCO), has announced the availability of five new row crop tractor models it believes can instantly increase on-farm efficiency and productivity.

The new Challenger MT500E Series row crop tractors with new AGCO POWER™ Tier 4 Final 6.6- and 7.4-liter six-cylinder diesel engines feature increased maneuverability, efficiency and power, three key components to ensuring a new tractor purchase translates to real results on the farm.

Maximum engine horsepower ranges from 185 to 255 across the lineup, which includes the MT555E, MT565E, MT575E, MT585E and MT595E. Torque ratings at 1,500 RPM range from 830 foot-pounds for the MT555E to 1,049 foot-pounds for the MT595E.

"The new engines provide a significant bump in power over previous models, and provide great throttle response and torque at all RPM, thanks to turbochargers with electronically controlled wastegates and a new Engine Performance Management (EPM) system that provides up to a 25-horsepower boost on demand," says Conor Bergin, AGCO product marketing manager for high-horsepower tractors. "A 29,000-psi common-rail fuel injection system provides ideal fuel atomization for better fuel efficiency, while a new throttle valve provides quicker engine warm-up and eliminates the need for a diesel particulate filter (DPF)."

The engines powering the MT500E Series are all equipped with dual alternators, third-generation selective catalytic reduction (SCR) emission technology, a maintenance-free diesel oxidation catalyst system under the hood, and a new engine control unit (ECU) for precise operation and fuel efficiency.

From row-crop farmers to those using the tractors for efficient material handling in difficult-to-maneuver areas, the MT500E Series is designed to provide a sure-footed, powerful tractor with the strength and stamina for hard work in the field or feedlot.

"The new power and redesigned cooling system ensure these machines will stand up to the most demanding agriculture environments on earth," Bergin adds. "The MT500E Series tractors are powerful enough to run a large square baler, have sufficient hydraulic capacity to operate a 12- to 16-row planter, and are adaptable enough to replace the extra chore tractor."

Engineered to handle more power
With a boost in power for the new lineup, engineers redesigned the hood and grill of the MT500E Series to provide excellent airflow in and out of the engine compartment. The new CYCLAIR™ cooling package creates more cooling efficiency without increasing system size and without impinging on operator visibility. For hot summers in the hay field, or just about any non-winter operation in the Southwest, engineers also provided a larger air conditioner condenser on the MT500E Series tractors to keep the cab more comfortable.

The MT500E Series offers transmission and hydraulic options to suit any operation. Farmers can choose the smooth no-shift operation of a continuously variable transmission (CVT), which provides an infinite number of operating speeds and tremendous efficiency, or the rugged, field-proven AutoPower VI transmission, which is cooled by a new heat exchanger in the tractor’s engine oil cooler. Farmers who opt for the CVT benefit from an upgraded 50 GPM hydraulic system, while AutoPower VI owners can outfit their tractor with 29- or 39-GPM systems. The upgraded hydraulic systems help farmers meet ever-increasing hydraulic demands and provide better control of larger implements in the field.

Up front, suspension travel has been more than doubled, providing for improved traction in even the roughest field conditions and terrain. Independent double-acting cylinders mount directly to the frame, allowing the operator to adjust the suspension to suit any work task. To accommodate the new suspension system, engineers also redesigned the engine sump and the transmission spacer to provide structure and clearance for the improvement.

With the extra power on hand, more weight may be needed to keep the tractor and implements in balance. The new MT500E Series sports a new front monobloc weight system with available 1,984- and 3,306-pound weights, for a total ballasted weight of more than 30,000 pounds, a 12 percent increase over previous models.

Improved SIS and Auto-Guide™ 3000
The new front dash display included a setup and information screen (SIS) that has 10 times the resolution of previous models and is now 50 percent larger for easier viewing and operation. Found on the TMC Display is a fully integrated Auto-Guide™ 3000 system to help keep the tractor in line and reduce fuel consumption as well as chemical and fertilizer application overlaps for improved farm efficiency and productivity. A "Go Mode" makes it easy to get started, and a simple user interface makes it easier to use the tractor management center (TMC) display.