Friday October 10 Ag News

NDA DIRECTOR IBACH PROVIDES UPDATE ON TRI-NATIONAL AGRICULTURAL ACCORD MEETING
Nebraska Agriculture Director Greg Ibach yesterday wrapped up two days of agricultural trade discussion and negotiation as part of the Tri-National Agricultural Accord in Chicago.  Ibach was head of the U.S. delegation at the event, which included agriculture leaders from the United States, Canada and Mexico.

"Canada and Mexico are two of our top trade partners, and our three countries collectively are a key trading region for the world.  Because of this, ongoing discussion and collaboration with these partners is essential for Nebraska agriculture export success," Ibach said.

Key issues discussed included several of importance to Nebraska, such as Country of Origin Labeling (COOL), animal health, biotechnology, sugar policy, potatoes, and food safety.  A final document called a communiqué, as well as several letters, outlined areas of agreement on specific subjects and areas for action.  The documents will be shared with each countries' respective federal agriculture officials.  The delegates also identified issues to be worked on in the coming year.

Ibach said the delegates agreed to a joint statement that encourages expeditious action on COOL, once a final decision is published in a case filed with the World Trade Organization by Canada and Mexico against the United States.  Ibach also met one-on-one with Canadian Agriculture Minister Gerry Ritz on the subject.

Ibach also noted specific discussion on animal health and biotechnology. The countries encouraged their federal animal health agencies to formalize plans to allow for "regionalization" in the event of an animal health incident.
                                                                                                                                                                                       
"With a well-developed plan in place, we can continue trade activities among the countries during an animal health event without harm to the collective North American herd," Ibach said.

Regarding biotechnology, the delegates agreed to work together, with their federal counterparts, on trade policy that recognizes the essential role of genetically modified crops in the world marketplace, Ibach said.

The Tri-National Agricultural Accord dates back to 1984 when efforts to expand the U.S./Canada Free Trade Agreement (FTA) began.  In the early 1990s, as work to create a North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) began, it was decided to invite Mexico to participate in the Accord.  This was the 23rd Accord meeting.  In the United States, the Accord is hosted through the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA).  NDA is a member of NASDA, and Ibach is the organization’s current vice president and also the chair of the body’s International Trade and Marketing Committee.



Water Releases Remain Above Normal for Missouri River

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced last week water released from the upper Missouri river basin will remain above normal. The Missouri River Basin Water Management Division is maintaining above normal releases at the four dams on the Missouri River. As expected, September runoff above Sioux City, Iowa, remained well above normal, totaling 1.8 million acre feet, 157 percent of normal. Higher releases now from the four dams will evacuate flood water stored in the Mainstream Reservoir System, “thus reducing our future flood risk,” according to Jody Farhat who is the chief of the Missouri River Basin Water Management Division.

The excess water also will allow the Corps to extend the navigation season and provide higher winter releases, which will benefit winter hydropower generation and reduce risks to water intakes during periods of ice formation this winter. Navigation service at the mouth of the Missouri River will now end on December 10. Gavins Point winter releases, which are normally near 17,000 cubic feet per second, will be scheduled at 20,000 cfs from December through February.



Vilsack Announces Sorghum Board Appointments

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack has appointed five members to serve on the United Sorghum Checkoff Program Board. Members will serve 3-year terms.

Producers appointed to the board are: Adam S. Baldwin, Moundridge, Kansas; John L. Dvoracek, Farwell, Nebraska; Dale Murden, Monte Alto, Texas; and two at-large members, Billy C. Bridgeforth, Tanner, Alabama; and Verity C. Ulibarri, McAlister, New Mexico.

The board is structured so that the state with the largest production is allocated five positions. The state with the second largest production is allocated three positions. The state with the third largest production is allocated one position. There are four at-large national positions for which at least two representatives must be appointed from states other than the top three sorghum producing states. The maximum number of producers from one state is limited to six.



REDUCING YUCCA IN RANGELAND
Bruce Anderson, UNL Extension Forage Specialist

Yucca plants, which are also called soapweed by many people, have nearly overrun many rangelands.  There are ways, though, to reclaim those grazinglands.

Across much of western and central Nebraska, yucca has nearly taken over some pastures.  While they may be able to produce attractive flowers, dense stands of yucca can devastate grass production.

Yucca plants develop rapidly once established on drier rangeland sites.  They produce a deep taproot that competes aggressively for the limited water in these soils.  Since cattle rarely eat it during summer, grass production decreases while yucca thrives.

Herbicides like Remedy, Tordon, Velpar, or Cimarron Plus can control yucca, but only when each individual plant is sprayed directly.  General spraying to control yucca on rangeland is cost prohibitive, although small patches can and should be controlled before they expand.

When yucca covers too much land to spray, the only cost effective way to reduce its impact is to winter graze.  During winter, yucca often is the only green plant around.  Sometimes cows actually will get down on their knees, lay their head sideways on the ground, and chew through the base of the plant to get to the moist, tender parts.  After several consecutive winters of grazing, yucca stands can be reduced so grass again thrives during summer.

Now that summer range is dormant for the winter, grazing will do little harm to your grasses.  Ample summer rain also produced more grass than usual so grass is more plentiful than usual for winter grazing.  This might be a good time to reclaim some of your rangeland back from yucca.  Winter grazing is your best tool.



The Lucky Pig has Iowa's 'Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin'

The Iowa Pork Producers Association is pleased to honor an Iowa pig farmer and restaurant owner with Iowa's Best Breaded Pork Tenderloin award for 2014.

The Lucky Pig Pub & Grill in Ogden is owned by Craig and Carol Christensen, who also farm and raise hogs near Ogden. The Christensens purchased the restaurant three years ago because it was dying and they believed the town needed a restaurant.

"I'm very, very happy because our restaurant crew works really hard to make a great product and it's an excellent feeling to have all that hard work pay some dividends and know that people like what we're doing," said Craig Christensen after learning of the award. "Obviously, being a pork producer, I've traveled the state, the country and the world eating pork dishes, so my bar was set pretty high and I challenged our crew to develop something that was top notch."

The Lucky Pig's tenderloin sandwich is hand pounded in-house and double coated in a batter and bread crumb mixture. It provides an ideal meat to bun ratio and features a unique spice for a one-of-a-kind flavor profile.

"Those of us who make up the final panel of judges didn't know that the owner of the Lucky Pig Pub & Grill also raises pigs on a family farm in Ogden," said Chef Phil Carey, final judge. "But it's really no surprise that someone who raises the product also knows how to properly prepare it!"

The Christensens will receive $500, a plaque and statewide publicity for winning IPPA's 12th annual contest. IPPA's Restaurant and Foodservice Committee will make the official award presentation at the restaurant on Oct. 15.

Brick Street's Butler Café in Bondurant came in second and will receive $250 and a plaque. Rounding out the top 6 finalists was TC's Point After in Dewitt, B&S's 529 in Carroll, Go Fish Marina Bar & Grill in Princeton and Menlo Café in Menlo. These four restaurants will receive an honorable mention plaque to display in their restaurant.

"Making the top 6 was no easy task," says Kelsey Sutter with the Iowa Pork Producers Association. "This has been the most competitive competition we've seen with nearly 1,900 nominations that came in last spring."

The best breaded pork tenderloin contest brings a lot of attention to a Midwest favorite, but this year broke records. Ninety-eight tenderloin sandwiches were judged this summer compared to 42 in last year's contest. The tenderloins were judged on the quality of the pork, taste, physical characteristics and eating experience.

"Ultimately, we're looking for a sandwich that showcases pork first and is complimented with a flavorful breading," says Carey. "The pork needs to maintain some thickness and juiciness and many restaurants are figuring that out."

The contest recognizes Iowa dining establishments that support the swine industry by putting pork on their menu.  All restaurants, cafes and taverns that serve breaded pork tenderloin sandwiches year round and list them on their daily menu can be nominated for the award. Nominations will be open for 2015 in May at www.iowapork.org.



DON:  Keeping a Mycotoxin in Check Through Ongoing Research, Sound Sampling & Producer Awareness

Along with potentially lowering crop test weights and yields, the presence of Fusarium Head Blight (scab) in wheat or barley fields can simultaneously lead to development of a mycotoxin called deoxynivalenol (DON) in those grains.  Depending upon the level of DON (also known as “vomitoxin”) in it, a load of grain may be discounted – possibly even rejected – at the local elevator or other delivery point.

Why the concern about DON?  Dr. James Pestka, Michigan State University distinguished professor of food sciences and human nutrition, says his research and that of others has shown that DON and other related toxins can impair growth and cause nausea and vomiting in animals — and, potentially, in humans. “We have found that DON mediates these effects by targeting both gut and immune function,” Pestka relates.

Typically, grain with DON would need to be ingested at very high amounts to pose a health risk to humans; however, even at lower levels it can affect flavors in foods and processing performance (such as a “gushing” effect during beer brewing).  The U.S. Food & Drug Administration has established advisory levels for DON in finished wheat products, such as flour, bran and germ that potentially may be consumed by humans.  The FDA also has set DON guidelines for grains and grain byproducts destined for consumption by cattle, chickens, swine and other animals.

The U.S. grain industry uses a 2-ppm maximum DON level for raw grain, Pestka notes, based on previous experience with DON reduction cleaning and milling.  The European Union has set complex, stricter standards, such as 0.2 ppm for infant food, 0.5 ppm for bread and 0.75 ppm for cereals and flour meant for human consumption.

“The FDA advisory levels are based on many years of animal research and limited observational data from human food poisoning outbreaks,” Pestka observes.  “If we stay within these guidelines, there should be little risk of DON to humans or animals.”

Still, FHB-infected grains are of concern under certain scenarios, Pestka notes.  For example, there’s the potential for certain demographic groups — such as the elderly, infants or vegetarians — to be at higher risk to DON exposure.  Also, other DON congeners (compounds with similar structures) may be present in grain along with DON.  Then too, the existence of concentrated hot spots of fungus and DON can be — and sometimes is — missed due to inadequate sampling.

Dr. Paul Schwarz, professor of malting barley quality at North Dakota State University, says adequate analytical tools do exist for quick and reliable identification of DON-contaminated grains.  The key, he emphasizes, is to obtain good samples.  “A good representative sample is key to accurate results, so proper sampling protocols need to be followed,” Schwarz remarks.

There currently are four DON-testing laboratories in the United States, with all four partially funded by the U.S. Wheat & Barley Scab Initiative.  Two (one mainly for wheat, the other for barley) are located at North Dakota State University in Fargo; another is at the University of Minnesota in St. Paul; and the fourth is located at Virginia Tech University in Blacksburg, Va.

Food safety and toxicology scientists continue DON research on several fronts to ensure continued consumer safety when it comes to this mycotoxin.  There’s also more emphasis on educating newer, smaller-scale grain growers in the locavore (locally produced foods) movement who may be unfamiliar with FHB and DON issues.

Wheat and barley producers in general play a key role in minimizing DON by in turn minimizing FHB/scab incidence and severity in their fields.  While environment typically is a major influence in FHB occurrence, growers can use an integrated management approach — including the planting of crop varieties with FHB resistance and the application of effective fungicides on a timely basis — to help keep this disease, and its resulting mycotoxin, at bay.



Ethanol Group ePURE calls for E10 Launch across Europe

A trade group representing European ethanol producers today touted a report from Hungary that shows the introduction of gasoline with 10% blend ratio or E10 throughout the 27-member European Union is the most cost-effective way to rid the transportation sector of carbon emissions.

The group, ePURE, said the study by HEFTA Research Institute "found that the carbon dioxide abatement cost of ethanol is negative when the energy efficiency gains of E10 are accounted for."

"As a result, the introduction of E10 in Hungary could abate 382,000 tons of CO2 emissions per year, the equivalent of 3% of Hungary's total transport GHG emissions," said the group in a news release.

The group argued that based on conservative estimates, ethanol is the most cost effective way to decarbonize transport compared to alternatives such as battery electric and fuel cell vehicles.

"The HEFTA Report is a national study which provides findings of wider relevance that confirms those other studies which have concluded that E10 would lead to higher GHG reductions," ePURE said, and added it would also save 4 billion euros used to buy oil and add 55,000 jobs across the EU.



EPA Approves Carbon Sequestration at ADM Ethanol Plant

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has approved a permit allowing the Archer Daniels Midland Company to inject carbon dioxide deep underground in Decatur, Ill., according to a news release from ADM.

This process, known as carbon sequestration, is a means of storing carbon dioxide, a greenhouse gas that contributes to climate change.

ADM plans to capture carbon dioxide produced by an ethanol manufacturing facility. ADM's goal is to capture and inject 1.1 million metric tons of carbon dioxide each year. Sequestering 1.1 million metric tons of carbon dioxide each year is the equivalent of eliminating carbon emissions from over 230,000 cars.

U.S. EPA completed a technical review of the Class VI permit and responded to over 100 public comments before approving the permit. ADM can begin drilling the well in November in preparation for injecting liquefied carbon dioxide. ADM must demonstrate the integrity of the well before injecting carbon dioxide and conduct extensive monitoring at the location.

ADM is the second facility in the nation to receive a Class VI underground injection permit for carbon sequestration. In August, U.S. EPA issued four Class VI permits for a FutureGen Alliance facility in downstate Illinois.



World Dairy Expo Attendance Strong This Year

It was another good year for attendance at World Dairy Expo. Organizers of the dairy and tradeshow in Madison say over 77,200 people from 94 countries came through the gates during the five day event last week at the Alliant Energy Center. That was over 6,300 more than last year's total count. Visitors from Canada, Mexico, China, Brazil and Colombia represented the top five nations with the most attendees.

This year, 835 companies from 24 countries featured their products and services in the trade show areas.

In the dairy barns, 1,743 exhibitors from 37 states and 11 Canadian provinces checked in 2,334 head of dairy cattle this year. The Supreme Champion cow of the competition was a Jersey cow, 'TJ Classic Minister Venus, 'owned by Nic, Jeni, Ben and Andy Sauder of Tremont, Illinois.

This year's dairy breed sales are also being called a success. The highest lot in the World Classic Holstein Sale went for $74,000. Over $1.2 million dollars in cattle were sold in the auction, with prices averaging over $23,000 per head.

Meanwhile, show coordinators say plans are already underway for next year's event, which is being held September 29 through October 3, 2015. The theme will be 'Dairy in Our DNA.



Bel Brands USA Expands to S.D.

(AP) -- The formal opening on Friday of the Bel Brands USA plant in Brookings is part of a decades-long effort to make South Dakota a major player in not just milk production but also dairy products, the state secretary of agriculture said.

Bel Brands said its 250 employees will produce 1.5 million Mini Babybel cheese wheels a day when the $140 million operation is at capacity next year. The Paris-based company, also known for The Laughing Cow cheese wedge, said the plant will help meet growing U.S. demand for Mini Babybels, sales for which have nearly tripled since 2009.

Frederic Nalis, CEO of Bel Americas and president and CEO of Bel Brands USA, on Wednesday explained the major reasons for the plant’s location in eastern South Dakota: access to well-priced milk and an ongoing effort to attract more dairies, a business-friendly environment in Brookings and the presence of agriculture degree graduates from South Dakota State University.

"Several members of our management team are SDSU alumni who have returned to the area to join our workforce," Nalis said.

South Dakota Secretary of Agriculture Lucas Lentsch said the university is one of only two in country with degrees in both dairy production and processing.

The effort to attract more dairies started years ago when the state saw numbers declining, he said. The number of dairy cows in the state peaked at around 250,000 in the 1960s and bottomed out at 80,000 before increasing to 92,000 in 2012 and 97,000 now, Lentsch said. Facilities for another 20,000 head have been permitted or are under construction, he said.

"We reversed the trend, and we are now growing back the dairy herd in South Dakota," Lentsch said. "The economic impact of a dairy cow is leaps and bounds ahead of everything else."

Rather than just producing a raw product, such as meat, dairy cows produce milk that’s turned into other products that collectively add an average of $14,000 to the economy per cow, he said.



Novus International Celebrates World Egg Day

Eggs are one of the most affordable and versatile foods available on the market. From boiled to poached, deviled and pickled to scrambled or sunny side up, there are more than 100 unique ways to prepare this wonderful source of protein.

In addition to being extremely versatile, consuming eggs has many health benefits.  In only 70 calories, one large egg provides an impressive six grams of high-quality protein and at least 13 essential vitamins and minerals. Eggs are also an excellent source of choline, an essential nutrient that promotes fetal brain development, as well as helps prevent birth defects. In celebration of eggs and all they are doing to support health and nutrition around the world, the International Egg Commission (IEC) proclaims the second Friday in October as World Egg Day, which falls on October 10 this year.

Novus, in partnership with the IEC, will once again join this annual celebration of eggs by hosting events worldwide. The celebration of World Egg Day aligns perfectly with Novus International's vision to help feed the world affordable, wholesome food and achieve a higher quality of life. Each year, Novus offices around the world host regional events to celebrate World Egg Day. Among those efforts are events and activities to promote the nutritional benefits of eggs in six African countries, as well as additional educational outreach efforts in the United States, Thailand and India.

"Eggs are rich in protein and play an important role in healthy diets. World Egg Day provides the perfect platform to promote this important message," said Ajay Bhoyar, senior manager of global poultry marketing at Novus. "Egg producers play a key role in improving nutrition worldwide and each year we look forward to this opportunity. It is important to educate our communities and support our customers by providing sustainable solutions that support their operations."

Find out more about Novus International's World Egg Day activities and information about this perfect protein source at www.eggtruth.com.



Alltech’s Mycotoxin Management Laboratory Gains Global Accreditation

Alltech’s Mycotoxin Management Program captured another victory this week for its extensive mycotoxin inspection program. The Analytical Services Laboratory of Alltech, Inc. has been awarded ISO/IEC 17025:2005 accreditation, an international standard that recognizes the competence of testing laboratories. This objective third-party assessment distinguishes the managerial and technical requirements of the lab and ensures the accuracy and impartiality of analytical results.

ISO/IEC 17025:2005 is the basis of laboratory accreditation in more than 35 countries. “This global benchmark means clients can have even greater confidence in the precision, accuracy and repeatability of Alltech’s testing results,” said Steve Mobley, manager of the Analytical Services Laboratory.

The Analytical Services Laboratory opened in September 2012 and is a division of Alltech, a global leader in improving the health and performance of people, animals and plants through natural nutrition and scientific innovation. Within the last two years, more than 5,000 feed and feedstuff samples from over 50 countries have been analyzed by the lab and, in conjunction with Alltech’s Mycotoxin Management Program, have provided a powerful database to recognize mycotoxin issues throughout the world. In addition, Alltech’s proprietary “traffic light” risk assessment provides insight to the cumulative and synergistic effect of mycotoxins on different animal species and ages when detected in multiple and even low level concentrations.

The proprietary 37+™ LC/MS/MS analytical method, developed by Alltech, is included in the scope of accreditation. This analytical method is state-of-the-art in its detection and quantization of more than 37 mycotoxins at ppb and ppt levels.

This is not the first achievement for Alltech’s 37+ Mycotoxin Management Program as the group recently took home three distinguished awards. The 37+ analytical services garnered a one-star innovation award in late 2013 from INNOV’SPACE in France, a distinction program that awards new product and service innovations in agriculture. Alltech’s complete 37+ Mycotoxin Analysis Program was selected as one of the 2014 Dairy Herd Management Innovation Award recipients at this year’s World Dairy Expo and China Animal Health Magazine presented the 37+ program with the 2014 Double Effect Star Solution award.