Friday October 31 Ag News

Critical Habitat Rule Exceeds Congressional Boundaries

The Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation submitted comments to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on a proposed rule which would drastically change what is considered “critical habitat” for endangered species.

“The proposed rule would allow for designation of unoccupied areas that lack the physical and biological features needed to support the species.  Under the proposal, areas could be designated as critical habitat based solely on the Services opinion of the land’s potential for development of habitat features that would fulfill a life history need of the species,” said Jay Rempe vice president of governmental relations.

Nebraska Farm Bureau worries that if the proposed extension of critical habitat to areas that are both unoccupied by the endangered species and areas that lack the species actual needed habitat, virtually anywhere could be considered an area needed a “critical habitat” designation.

“We believe Congress had a firm grasp of this concept in drafting the Endangered Species Act and did not intend to give the Services unilateral authority to designate any area it determined the species should occupy as critical habitat.  The proposed rule is not only ignoring the intent of the law, but broadening its scope to the point where the Services would, through critical habitat designations, have control over large areas of land,” Rempe said.



NEBRASKA AGRICULTURAL PRICES

Preliminary prices received by farmers for winter wheat for October 2014 averaged $5.20 per bushel, a decrease of 6 cents from the September price according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. 

The preliminary October corn price, at $3.30 per bushel, decreased 24 cents from the previous month.

The preliminary October sorghum price averaged $5.70 per cwt, a decrease of 5 cents from September.

The preliminary October soybean price, at $9.70 per bushel, was down $1.30 from last month.

The October alfalfa hay price, at $97.00 per ton, was down $12.00 from September.  The other hay price, at $83.00 per ton, was down $3.00 from September.



IOWA AGRICULTURAL PRICES 

The preliminary October 2014 average price received by farmers for corn in Iowa was $3.20 per bushel according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Agricultural Prices report. This is down $0.31 from the September price, and $1.44 lower than October 2013. This is the lowest price per bushel since January 2007.

The preliminary October 2014 average price received by farmers for soybeans, at $9.50 per bushel, was down $1.50 from the September price, and $3.00 lower than the October 2013 price. This is the lowest price per bushel since October 2010. 

The preliminary October oat price was $3.50 per bushel, up $0.35 from September, but $0.34 below October 2013.

All hay prices in Iowa averaged $131.00 per ton in October, down $9.00 from the September price, and $38.00 per ton less than October 2013. Alfalfa hay prices fell $43.00 per ton from one year ago, to $152.00 and other hay prices were $31.00 per ton lower than last year, at $99.00.

The preliminary October average price was $26.30 per cwt for milk, down $0.10 from September, but $5.90 per cwt above one year ago. Prices for replacement milk cows averaged $2,100 in October.



USDA: October Farm Prices Received Index Declined 9 Points

The preliminary Agricultural Production Index of Prices Received by Farmers in October, at 98 percent, based on 2011=100, fell 9 points (8.4 percent) from September. The Crop Index decreased 9 points (10 percent) but the Livestock Index increased 4 points (3.0 percent). Producers received lower prices for soybeans, corn, and milk and higher prices for hogs, calves, and cattle. In addition to prices, the overall index is also affected by the seasonal change based on a 3-year average mix of commodities producers sell. Increased monthly movement of soybeans, corn, cotton, and calves offset the decreased marketing of cattle, milk, broilers, and wheat.

The preliminary Agricultural Production Index decreased 2 points (2.0 percent) from October 2013. The Food Commodities Index, at 111, decreased 8 points (4.7 percent) from last month but increased 5 points (4.7 percent) from October 2013

All crops:
The October index, at 78, decreased 10 percent from September and is 17 percent below October 2013. Lower grain and oilseed prices were the major contributors to the lower crop production index. 

Food grains: The October index, at 84, is up 1.2 percent from the previous month but 17 percent below a year ago. The October price for all wheat, at $5.60 per bushel, is down 14 cents from September and $1.34 lower than October 2013.

Feed grains: The October index, at 55, is down 6.8 percent from last month and 29 percent below a year ago. The corn price, at $3.28 per bushel, is down 20 cents from last month and $1.35 below October 2013. Sorghum grain, at $5.88 per cwt, is 65 cents below September and $1.85 below October last year.

Oilseeds: The October index, at 77, is down 12 percent from September and 23 percent lower than October 2013. The soybean price, at $9.64 per bushel, decreased $1.26 from September and is $2.86 below October 2013.

Other crops: The October index, at 94, is down 6.9 percent from last month and 3.1 percent below October 2013. The all hay price, at $173 per ton, is down $3.00 from September and $1.00 from last October. The price for upland cotton, at 67.9 cents per pound, is down 1.6 cents from September and 9.9 cents below last October.

Livestock and products:
The October index, at 137, is 3.0 percent above last month and up 26 percent from October 2013. Compared with a year ago, prices are higher for cattle, milk, broilers, calves, hogs, market eggs, and turkeys.

Meat animals: The October index, at 141, is up 4.4 percent from last month and 28 percent higher than last year. The October hog price, at $80.00 per cwt, is up $4.30 from September and $11.50 higher than a year ago. The October beef cattle price of $159 per cwt is up $2.00 from last month and $32.00 higher than October 2013.

Dairy products: The October index, at 126, is down 1.6 percent from a month ago but 21 percent higher than October last year. The October all milk price of $25.30 per cwt is down 40 cents from last month but up $4.40 from October 2013.

Poultry & eggs: The October index, at 137, is up 3.0 percent from September and 21 percent above a year ago. The October market egg price, at 93.4 cents per dozen, increased 10.9 cents from September and is 9.8 cents above October 2013. The October broiler price, at 67.0 cents per pound, is up 1.0 cent from September and 14.0 cents above a year ago. The October turkey price, at 81.4 cents per pound, is up 3.9 cents from the previous month and 9.0 cents from a year earlier.

Prices Paid Index Unchanged
The October Index of Prices Paid for Commodities and Services, Interest, Taxes, and Farm Wage Rates (PPITW) is at 112 (2011=100). The index is unchanged from September, but 6 points (5.7 percent) above October 2013. Lower prices in October for concentrates, feed grains, diesel, and gasoline offset higher prices for feeder cattle, milk cows, feeder pigs, and supplements.



IFBF Webinar on Grain Bin Safety, Emergency Response Nov. 5

The U.S. Department of Labor has classified the grain handling industry as "high hazard," meaning workers can readily be exposed to numerous serious and life-threatening hazards ranging from fires and explosions to entrapment and suffocation. The Iowa Farm Bureau Federation's (IFBF) Margin Management Series continues with a live, grain bin safety webinar on Nov. 5 at 1 p.m.

Dan Neenan, director of the National Education Center for Agricultural Safety (NECAS), will present important information on grain bin safety as well as rescue information. Understanding grain bin safety protocol and proper preparation is essential for everyone on the farm. The webinar will provide valuable information for everyone involved in the farm operation, including how to respond to an emergency. Webinar participants will have the opportunity to ask Neenan specific questions via text during the webinar.

"Farming can definitely be a dangerous profession, and grain storage is an area where having the latest information and training can be extremely helpful," said Ed Kordick, IFBF commodity services manager. "We invited Director Neenan to share the latest safety information with members to ensure everyone involved in the farming operation are well equipped with the latest grain bin safety information to keep everybody safe on the farm."

There is no need to pre-register for the event. Farmers can access the webinar from their home or farm office by going to www.iowafarmbureau.com, clicking the webinar banner and entering the forum as a guest on the day of the event. Interested attendees are encouraged to test their computer's compatibility and connection prior to the webinar by clicking the webinar banner. For more information, contact Kordick at ekordick@ifbf.org.



Renewable Energy Group Expands REG Energy Services Offerings in Northeast and Midwest

Renewable Energy Group, Inc. is expanding its division that sells heating oil and petroleum diesel along with biodiesel blends by offering additional biofuel blends in New York, Minnesota and Iowa, the company announced today.

REG Energy Services, LLC will offer ultra-low sulfur heating oil and diesel (ULSHO/ULSD) blended with up to 20 percent biodiesel at its New Hyde Park, NY terminal. In addition, ULSD blended with biodiesel will be offered at Minnesota terminals in Alexandria, Mankato, Roseville and Rochester and Iowa terminals in Mason City and Des Moines. This adds ULSD to REG's existing biodiesel offerings at those locations.

This is the first time REG Energy Services will offer biodiesel fuel blends along the Magellan Midstream Partners terminal system in Iowa and Minnesota. Iowa has a 4.5 cent per gallon incentive for retailers utilizing blends of 5 percent and above. Minnesota has a B5 requirement in the winter when using ULSD and B10 during the summer months.

"This expansion of REG Energy Services provides further access to our fuel portfolio in the Northeast and Midwest markets where we will now offer biodiesel fuel blends in addition to REG-9000™ biodiesel," said Gary Haer, REG Vice President, Sales and Marketing. "Biodiesel blended fuel provides a convenient solution that further improves REG's ability to better meet our customers' needs and growing demand, while enhancing America's energy and food security, and our environment."

REG now offers fuel at 34 locations across the US.



Pork Industry Launches New Common Audit to Ensure Animal Care and Food Safety

After 18 months of industry collaboration, the National Pork Board announced that a new common swine industry audit platform for pork producers, packers and processors is now certified by the Professional Animal Auditor Certification Organization (PAACO) and is available to the public. The new audit tool builds on the existing Pork Quality Assurance® Plus (PQA Plus®) program and expands it to serve as a single, common audit platform for the pork industry.

The overarching goal of the common audit process is to provide consumers greater assurance of the care taken by farmers and pork processors to improve animal well-being and food safety. The concept of a common audit was first introduced at the 2013 National Pork Industry Forum and reintroduced last June at the World Pork Expo in Des Moines, where a coalition of packers and pork producers explained how the audit is a credible and affordable solution for improving animal well-being.

"As an industry, we know that our customers are demanding a higher level of integrity from the pork industry's quality assurance processes and procedures," said John Johnson, chief operating officer of the National Pork Board. "We are encouraged by the broad support we have received from our industry partners to develop this tool, which has now gained third-party certification.”

To help avoid duplicative, costly and inefficient audit programs that are commonplace in some countries, this new tool is designed to:

• Meet individual company and customer needs.
• Be focused on outcome-based criteria that measure and improve animal welfare.
• Provide clarity to producers about audit standards and expectations.
• Minimize duplication and prevent over-sampling.
• Ensure greater integrity of the audit process through consistent application.
• Provide an objective, science-based platform to facilitate continuous improvement in animal care.

The new common audit framework has several key components, including a new audit tool, instructions for auditors, biosecurity protocols and a platform that will allow audit results to be shared to prevent duplicative audits. The audit tool was beta-tested on farms across the country and is ready for implementation by farms and processing plants across the United States.

"The industry has come together on this audit platform with the goal of better serving the needs of farmers, packers, processors, retail and food service providers and consumers," Johnson said. "This is not a Pork Checkoff program, but rather an initiative that has been led by producers and packers working together to enhance animal care and pork safety. We're grateful to everyone who worked on this effort for their leadership."

The Industry Audit Task Force included producers, veterinarians representing the American Association of Swine Veterinarians and packer representatives from Cargill, Farmland/Smithfield, Hatfield, Hormel, JBS, Seaboard, Triumph and Tyson.

"As packers, we operate between our suppliers - the pork producers - and our customers - those who are selling pork to consumers," said Chris Hodges, chairman of the Packer Processer Industry Council and senior vice president of fresh pork at Smithfield-Farmland. "The eye of the public is on where their food comes from and how it is raised. Meeting the demands of our customers, while still appreciating the challenges of our producers is tough. We are very pleased that these tools will be available to the pork industry to demonstrate the progress we continue to make with on-farm animal care."

Hodges added that the National Pork Board cannot fully deploy the standards of the program without the direct involvement of packers and processors. Many packers have agreed to support the new common industry audit, which means they will utilize the common audit standard when conducting third-party audits.

"This approach has never been more critical," said Emily Erickson, a member of the Industry Audit Task Force and a pig farmer from Jackson, Minn. "As pork producers, we know that we must do more to reassure consumers about our commitment to improving animal care. At the same time, we need a clear and consistent approach that can ensure we're doing the right thing every day for our animals, our farmers and our customers. This new framework delivers on that promise."

National Pork Board President Dale Norton, Bronson, Mich., agreed. "As a pork producer, I am excited because this announcement of a common platform sets a clear vision that challenges the status quo and meets domestic and international consumer needs," Norton said. "It's the right tool at the right time to ensure we provide high-quality pork from well-cared for pigs."

Pork producers and allied industry can learn more about the common industry audit by going to www.pork.org/commonaudit. 



Annual survey of pork producers begins Nov. 6

The Pork Checkoff will soon conduct its annual survey of pork producers. Each November, the National Pork Board implements the research project to gather important producer information, gauge attitudes and opinions and chart progress against Pork Checkoff goals and projects. The input, thoughts and opinions of America’s pork producers are critical to building research, education and promotional programs that deliver value to the marketplace.

The current survey project will begin Nov. 6 and should continue throughout the month. If you receive a call from a producer, please confirm the project is underway. VuPoint Research, a public opinion research company, is conducting the survey project.




Registration Open for AFBF's Annual Convention

Online registration is now open for the American Farm Bureau Federation's 96th Annual Convention and IDEAg Trade Show, which will be held Jan. 10-14, 2015, in San Diego.

The full Farm Bureau member registration fee is $100 and includes the IDEAg Trade Show and Young Farmer & Rancher competitive events (Saturday, Jan. 10 through Monday, Jan. 12), general sessions, workshops and the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture Silent Auction.

Non-members may pay $10 in advance for a one-day registration to attend the IDEAg Trade Show and Foundation Silent Auction on Saturday, Jan. 10.

"The 96th Annual Convention and IDEAg Trade Show offers a preview of the future of agriculture," said John Hawkins, AFBF's senior director of conventions and events. "The IDEAg Interconnectivity Conference, thought-provoking educational workshops, and precision agriculture and technology displays will provide exciting opportunities for attendees to get a sneak peek at what's next in agriculture."

About 7,000 Farm Bureau members from across the nation are expected to gather for the convention, where they will hear from distinguished leaders and participate in a grassroots policy setting process that will guide the American Farm Bureau Federation through 2015.

AFBF President Bob Stallman will give his annual 'State of Farm Bureau' address to members at the opening general session of the convention on Jan. 11. On Jan. 12, Commander Rorke Denver will give the general session keynote address, and acclaimed late night TV host Jay Leno will give the closing session keynote address.



ASA Urges Elimination of Argentina DETS

The American Soybean Association (ASA), the National Oilseed Processors Association (NOPA) and the North American Export Grain Association (NAEGA) sent comments this week to the United States Trade Representative (USTR) identifying significant barriers to U.S. exports, particularly on the trade distorting impact of Argentine Differential Export Taxes (DETs) and the artificial advantage they provide to soybean products exported from that country.

Argentina’s system of DETs within the soy sector includes the highest tax rate for raw products like soybeans, lower rates for processed products like soybean meal and oil and the lowest rate for the most processed soy product, soy-based biodiesel. This creates economic incentive for processing the beans in Argentina and exporting the value-added products rather than the raw beans; therefore DETs have distorted the competitive balance among soybean processors globally and have enabled Argentina to become the world’s largest exporter of soybean meal and oil.

The groups stated in comments to USTR, that while U.S. exports of soybean products achieved another strong year in 2013, they could be significantly higher and reach a greater global market share, if the U.S. soybean industry did not have to compete with Argentina’s DETs.

“Robust exports of soybean and soybean products are critical to the prosperity and profitability of the entire U.S. soybean value chain (biotech companies, seed companies, transportation industries, soybean farmers, oilseed processors and exporters),” the comments state. “Expanded volumes of U.S. soybean exports (especially value-added products such as soybean meal, soy oil and soy biodiesel) translate to an increased number of high-quality U.S. jobs.”

The comments also included findings of a 2013 study by the LMC International Report prepared for the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) and United Soybean Board (USB). According to the study, DETs affect the global balance of crushing capacity because countries can chose to import (or export) either soybeans or their products and as Argentina shifts its exports away from soybeans towards their products, due to the DET advantage, importers and other exporters are forced in the opposite direction.

“The DETs therefore assist crushers in Argentina to the disadvantage of crushers elsewhere. Over a long period they have encouraged additional investment in crushing capacity in Argentina and have tilted exports from the country away from beans towards their products,” the groups state. “By exporting more meal and oil than it would have done otherwise, Argentina has altered crushing decisions around the world.  This has affect Argentina’s competitors (primarily Brazil and the U.S.), as well as countries which import soybeans and their products. This is because such governmental incentives distort normal market signals and competition among crushers.”

The groups concluded by urging immediate action to eliminate Argentine’s use of DETs on soybeans and soybean products, which ASA believes are inconsistent with WTO obligations and since they’ve been left unchecked, continue to spread across other agriculture products to countries such as Russia, Ukraine, Malaysia, Indonesia and possibly Uruguay.



USDA to Extend Comment Period on Argentina Beef Import Rule

Senators John Hoeven and Amy Klobuchar Thursday announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health and Inspection Service (APHIS) will extend the comment period for its proposed rule for importing Argentine beef through December 29, 2014. Hoeven and Klobuchar wrote to USDA to encourage an extension of the comment period to ensure that the rule is properly assessed in light of previous cases of foot and mouth disease in Argentina.

The proposed rule would allow beef from northern Argentina to be imported into the United States, which is particularly concerning to U.S. livestock groups due to Argentina's past cases of foot and mouth disease, which affects cloven-hooved animals including cattle, sheep, bison and goats. Extending the comment period will allow greater opportunity for USDA to address concerns and to ensure herd safety in the United States.



Brazil's Mato Grosso Soy Planting Advances 20 Percentage Points

Soybean planting in Mato Grosso -- Brazil's No. 1 producing state -- advanced 20 percentage points over last week after showers returned to break a month-long dry spell.

As of Friday, farmers had planted 40.5% of Mato Grosso's projected soybean area, according to the farm-sponsored Mato Grosso Agricultural Economy Institute (IMEA).

However, planting remains well behind schedule. At the same time last year, some 71.7% of the crop had been planted.

Parana, Brazil's No. 2 producing state, saw planting move forward nine percentage points to 47% complete as of Thursday, according to the agricultural department in the southern state. But that compares unfavorably with the same point last year when some 58% of the crop had been planted.

In the center-north, which includes big planting municipalities such as Sorriso, Nova Mutum and Lucas do Rio Verde, planting was 47.3% complete.

The northeast of the state, a fast-growing soy region, received less rain and planting lags badly there. According to IMEA, only 18.2% of the crop had been sown.

If rains return to the east and remain light elsewhere, the majority of planting could be complete in two weeks.



Fall Wheat Conference Anchors Busy Meeting Season

With the 2014 wheat crop in the bins and sowing of the 2015 winter wheat crop well underway, the U.S. wheat industry is embarking on a busy schedule of meetings around the world. This is a chance to review the experiences of the immediate past to help the industry continue to improve and support its customers into the future.

After a successful North Asia Marketing Conference with customers from Japan, Korea and Taiwan the week of Oct. 13, U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) President Alan Tracy travelled to Brazil to speak at the Brazilian wheat industry (ABITRIGO) conference. There he suggested that wheat buyers should carefully monitor the world corn market as well as wheat to help weather volatile price swings. Tracy also reviewed how consumer-facing U.S. wheat organizations defend against the gluten-free phenomenon. 

This week, USW farmer directors and staff are in the state of New Mexico for the Fall Wheat Conference. The USW and the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) boards hold joint meetings twice each year, including at this conference. In addition to the individual boards of directors meetings, there is a full schedule of committee meetings, including joint committees on biotechnology and international trade.

Consolidating the final 2014 grade and functional data for all six U.S. wheat classes was challenging this year with a late harvest. Yet, as they have for decades, USW and its partner organizations are now sharing the data at USW’s annual series of Crop Quality Seminars. These events will continue into November and USW has posted final data for soft red winter and hard red winter wheat at www.uswheat.org/cropQuality, and will soon publish complete data for all six classes. For more information about the Crop Quality Seminars and 2014-crop quality data, contact your local USW representative.

Alan Tracy will continue his international travels in November, first to speak at the Latin American Millers Association (ALIM) annual meeting in Dominican Republic. USW Vice President of Overseas Operations Vince Peterson will also speak at ALIM where 2014/15 Chairman Roy Motter, from Brawley, CA, will represent U.S. wheat farmers. Tracy then will deliver what USW considers an important speech at the IAOM Middle East and Africa Region Annual Meeting in Cape Town, South Africa, in early December. He then continues to Saudi Arabia for a speaking engagement at the International Grains Forum.

Annual domestic wheat farmer meetings start Nov. 13 when state wheat associations from Oregon, Washington and Idaho meet together. State wheat organizations continue to meet through early December and USW will send representatives to most of those meetings to report on the successes and challenges of the past calendar year.  



Farmers and Ranchers Encouraged to Make Their Voices Heard

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is encouraging farmers and ranchers to make their voices heard by voting in the upcoming Farm Service Agency (FSA) County Committee elections. FSA Administrator Val Dolcini announced that beginning Monday, Nov. 3, 2014, USDA will mail ballots for the 2014 elections to eligible producers across the country. Producers must return ballots to their local FSA offices by the Dec. 1, 2014, deadline to ensure that their vote is counted.

“The role and input of our county committee members is vital as we implement the 2014 Farm Bill,” said Dolcini. “New members provide input and make important decisions on the local administration of FSA programs. We have seen promising increases in the number of women and minority candidates willing to serve on county committees, helping to better represent the diversity of American agriculture.”

FSA County Committee members provide an important link between the local agricultural community and USDA. Farmers and ranchers elected to county committees help deliver FSA programs at the local level, applying their knowledge and judgment to make decisions on commodity support programs; conservation programs; indemnity and disaster programs; emergency programs and eligibility. County committees operate within official regulations designed to carry out federal laws.

To be an eligible voter, farmers and ranchers must participate or cooperate in an FSA program. A person who is not of legal voting age, but supervises and conducts the farming operations of an entire farm may also be eligible to vote. Agricultural producers in each county submitted candidate nominations during the nomination period, which ended on Aug. 1, 2014.

Eligible voters who do not receive ballots in the coming week may pick one up at their local USDA Service Center or FSA office. The deadline to submit ballots is Dec. 1, 2014. Ballots returned by mail must be postmarked no later than Dec. 1, 2014. Newly elected committee members and their alternates will take office Jan. 1, 2015.

Nearly 7,700 FSA County Committee members serve in the 2,124 FSA offices nationwide. Each committee consists of three to 11 members elected by eligible producers. Members serve 3-year terms of office. Approximately one-third of county committee seats are up for election each year.

More information on county committees, such as the new 2014 fact sheet and brochures, can be found on the FSA website at www.fsa.usda.gov/elections. You may also contact your local USDA Service Center or FSA office. Visit http://go.usa.gov/pYV3 to find an FSA office near you.



ASA Issues Statement on Center for Food Safety Study on Soy in Infant Formula

Following the release of a study from the Center for Food Safety reported in Friday’s Statesman Journal in Salem, Ore., the American Soybean Association has released a statement on the safety of soy-based infant formula, and the tactics used by the activist special interest group CFS in the fight over GMO labeling in Oregon.

“Unfortunately, the dialogue from anti-technology activists and special interest groups like the Center for Food Safety continues to devolve. This time, the victim is science. CFS uses pseudoscience to try to needlessly scare parents away from foods that provide valuable protein to their children. In doing so, they place the health of Oregon children at risk, all in the name of winning votes for an upcoming ballot initiative to label GMOs.

”The CFS ‘study’ found that soy infant formula contains soy.  That should not be shocking news, but what is shocking is the inaccurate information the CFS gave about soy that is genetically modified.  There is a mountain of peer-reviewed science backing the safety of food with genetically modified ingredients. Nearly two decades and trillions of meals have been served globally since the advent of this technology without a single adverse health impact. The world’s esteemed food and health organizations and regulatory bodies—including The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the American Medical Association, the World Health Organization and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations—have repeatedly affirmed the safety of foods with GM ingredients, as has a unanimous scientific community.

“More than 95 percent of the nation’s soybeans are grown with the benefits of genetic modification. Farmers use this technology because it enables us to grow the soy that American consumers demand for their families, while using fewer natural resources and achieving the sustainable production practices that American consumers demand of us.

“It is irresponsible for special interest groups to suggest safety concerns, directly or by innuendo, about products containing GM soy ingredients. In this case, the CFS has chosen to play politics with children’s health, all in the name of votes.”



Dairy industry fights prostate cancer

November 1st marks the start of the MoDairy initiative’s second year. MoDairy, in support of the Movember Foundation, committed to raising awareness for men’s health issues, specifically prostate cancer, testicular cancer and male mental health, all through the power of the moustache.

Globally recognized as the leading global organization changing the face of men’s health, growing a moustache in the month of November reminds us of the health challenges facing a high proportion of males – specifically prostate cancer. Statistically, one in seven men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in their lifetime.

With the high potential of men being affected by prostate cancer, dairy farmers are also at risk. “Adding to the concern, dairy farmers have less awareness as to signs and symptoms, likely have less frequent medical examinations and simply are often more focused on the care of their cows and crops than they are of their own health,” says Amy Throndsen, director of international sales for DCC Waterbeds and founding member of MoDairy.

A group dedicated to supporting Movember, MoDairy is a small coalition dedicated to help dairy producers become more aware of their health.

“The goal of this growing coalition is to increase awareness of prostate cancer and build support throughout the dairy industry to help dairy farmers protect themselves with greater education, understanding and action to help keep their health in check,” says Ed Peck, president of Filament Marketing and member of MoDairy.

Combining humor and health, MoDairy is driving change by growing moustaches, sharing key statistics and encouraging dairy producers to contact their doctors for health screenings.