Monday October 13 Ag News

New UNL Class on Soybean Breeding for Disease Resistance
Kathy Schindler, UNL Department of Agronomy and Horticulture

A new distance education class studying the effects of water molds on soybeans is being offered through UNL's Department of Agronomy and Horticulture. Breeding for Disease Resistance, a case study on Oomycete diseases in soybeans, is available as a self-paced graduate course for one credit.

The course (AGRO 496/896) fits the needs of traditional graduate students specializing in plant breeding and genetics, employees in the seed industry who are earning a Plant Breeding and Genetics professional certificate, and as a Continuing Education Unit (CEU) for Certified Crop Advisers (CCA).

"This class has the potential to benefit learners in a number of ways," said Don Lee, professor of agronomy and plant breeding, who teaches the course. "First, the online environment uses a variety of media to help the learner work online. Second, they learn to apply both basic genetic ideas and the latest discoveries by soybean geneticists and pathologists to understand how products in the soybean seed marketplace are different. This difference can be important to farmer customers who have problems with Phytophothora disease."

"Finally, the learner can use the learning environment in PASSeL (Plant and Soil Science eLibrary) as a free learning resource, or they can enroll in a course and get credit for their learning accomplishments," Lee said. "These credits can apply to both their Certified Crop Advisor continuing education or to the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture's Professional Certificate in Plant Breeding. Both are important credentials for their profession."

Because this is a distance education course, it offers flexibility for professionals and students alike. While it follows the UNL academic calendar, the fact that it's a self-paced class allows professionals to take the class during the off-growing season. Graduate students like the course because they can finish the course earlier in the semester before homework, papers, and tests are due for other classes.

Oomycetes (commonly called water molds) are a group of several hundred plant pathogens (including Phytophthora sojae). According to Leah Sandall, instructional designer for the course, yield loss to Phytophthora root rot is ranked second behind soybean cyst nematodes.

"With certain soil and weather conditions, Phytophthora can be pretty devastating to a soybean field and to a farmer's pocketbook," Sandall said.

Wet fields provide an excellent environment for Oomycetes. The pathogen can infect seeds, seedlings, and plants during all stages of growth. Symptoms usually appear one to two weeks after heavy rains and are most common on soils that are poorly drained. Plants have brown discoloration, lose leaves, and wilt.

Key management steps to minimize the impact of Oomycetes include:
-    increasing seed treatment rates,
-    using the right genetics,
-    increasing drainage and
-    minimizing compaction.

This class focuses on using the right genetics.

Information learned in this soybean course can be applied to other plants that are susceptible to Oomycetes. Other high-profile plants susceptible to the pathogens are corn, rice, wheat, potatoes, and other vegetables.

For more details about the course, visit the Plant and Soil Science eLibrary at http://passel.unl.edu/communities/oomycete.



GAVILON GROUP NAMES NEW CEO

President and Chief Executive Officer of The Gavilon Group, LLC, Greg Heckman, has announced his decision to leave Gavilon after a tremendously successful 30-year career with the company. Chief Operating Officer Jim Anderson has been named president and chief executive officer, effective immediately, and will work with Heckman to transition responsibilities through Dec. 31, 2014.

"I am confident in the company's ability, under Jim's leadership, to continue to grow and change to meet the needs of the marketplace."

Heckman's leadership and vision helped to define Gavilon even before the company was formed in 2008, influencing the sale of ConAgra Trade Group and formation of Gavilon. At the helm of the newly independent company, he devoted the next five years pursuing an aggressive growth strategy on the heels of the global economic downturn and firmly established Gavilon as one of the top Grain Majors in the U.S. In 2012, Gavilon announced the sale of its agricultural business to Marubeni Corporation, one of the largest general trading companies in Japan, which was completed in July 2013.

"I have had the most remarkable journey with my team at Gavilon and am so proud of what we have accomplished together," said Heckman. "I am confident in the company's ability, under Jim's leadership, to continue to grow and change to meet the needs of the marketplace."

Anderson brings a wealth of industry experience and international expertise to the role. Prior to joining Gavilon in 2010, he was chief executive officer and member of the board of directors at United Malt Holdings (UMH), where he drove innovation and change across its seven companies to increase shareholder value. Prior to UMH, he spent 11 years in senior management roles at ConAgra Foods, where he met and worked with Heckman.

"Greg has made significant contributions to this company, and we would not be where we are today without his vision and leadership," said Anderson. "It has been a privilege to work alongside him, and I look forward to continuing his legacy by maximizing our potential."

The Gavilon Group, LLC connects producers and consumers of feed, food and fuel, linking agricultural supply with demand through its global supply chain network. The company provides origination, storage and handling, transportation and logistics, marketing and distribution, and risk management services to customers and suppliers across the globe.

Headquartered in Omaha, Neb., Gavilon employs 2,000 people at nearly 300 facilities and offices worldwide.



Iowa Gets Wetter, Cooler Conditions

September brought an additional inch over normal rainfall to Iowa. Rain was unseasonably heavy across the southern third of the state during the first half of the month. Year-to-date precipitation has been greater than normal across the vast majority of the state, with 2014 ranking as the 12th wettest year among 142 years of records.

Meanwhile, year-to-date statewide average temperature has been the lowest since 1979, resulting in unusually low evaporation. Iowa subsoil moisture as of Oct. 5, as surveyed by the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service, has been greater only twice -- in 2007 and 2010 -- among the past 20 years.

The October issue of Water Summary Update discusses how geology, hydrogeology, pumping records and computer models are used in the state's plan for sustaining groundwater during drought years. For a thorough review of Iowa's water resource trends, go to www.iowadnr.gov/watersummaryupdate.

The report is prepared by the technical staff from the Iowa DNR, the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, IIHR--Hydroscience and Engineering and the U.S. Geological Survey, in collaboration with The Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department.



Help Farmers Cope with Stress

Farm life with its country setting often is idealized, but as the complications and pace of agriculture have increased, so have the physical and mental demands on farmers. Safety and stress during harvest season cannot be ignored, says Margaret Van Ginkel, an Iowa State University Extension and Outreach family life program specialist and Iowa Concern Hotline coordinator.

“Farmers deal with everyday tasks of money management, decision-making and equipment maintenance,” Van Ginkel said. “Worry over large debt loads, government regulations, pest outbreaks, animal disease, negative publicity, rapid change within the industry and lack of control over the weather add stress and safety risks.”

Van Ginkel noted that farmers work long hours in isolation near their home environment, leaving them no place to escape the stressors, which makes it easy to see why farming ranks as one of the most stressful occupations in the United States.

“The physical and mental stress of farming can take a toll on a person’s health,” Van Ginkel said. “Ignoring those signs of stress can lead to fatigue and depression, increasing the risk for accidental injuries, poor decision-making, physical illness and more.”

The long days and late nights of harvest can lead farmers to push their limits to get crops out of fields, but research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention confirms that breaks can help increase concentration and alertness while reducing the risk for farm accidents.

“Get out of the tractor, get out of the combine,” said Van Ginkel. “Take fifteen minutes to eat a sandwich on the tailgate of the pickup with your wife or kids. It will recharge your energy and help you think clearly again.”

Van Ginkel says there are physical signs of stress to look for in yourself or a co-worker. She references the Ag Decision Maker publication Managing Farm Business and Family Stress when she points out physical signs of stress include an increase in headaches, lingering fatigue, disrupted sleep patterns and more frequent illness; emotional signs include frequent anger and irritability.

Recognize signs of stress
Although adults involved in the agriculture industry may not come out and verbally share they are under financial or emotional stress, there are signs they may be in need of help, Van Ginkel said. These signs can be observed by friends, neighbors, veterinarians, physicians, clergy, teachers and other community members.

Suzanne Pish, a social-emotional health extension educator with Michigan State University Extension, encourages those living in rural communities to look for the following signs of chronic, prolonged stress in farm families:
-    Change in routines. The farmer or family no longer participates in activities they once enjoyed such as church, 4-H or visiting at the local diner.
-    Care of livestock declines. Animals might show signs of neglect or abuse.
-    Increase in illness. Stress puts people at higher risk for upper respiratory illnesses (colds, flu) or other chronic conditions (aches, pains, persistent cough).
-    Increase in farm accidents. Fatigue and the inability to concentrate can lead to greater risk of accidents.
-    Decline in farmstead appearance. The farm family no longer may take pride in the way farm buildings and grounds appear, or no longer have time to do the maintenance work.
-    Children show signs of stress. Children from families under stress may act out, show a decline in academic performance or be increasingly absent from school. They also may show signs of physical abuse or neglect.

“Many farmers who are used to working things out for themselves might be resistant to sharing their problems with others. Although asking for help might go against the nature of a strong, self-reliant farmer, obtaining support for stress-related problems usually provides the most effective and durable solutions,” Van Ginkel said. “It’s important to encourage and refer individuals and families under farm-related stress to needed resources.”

Call the Iowa Concern Hotline
Iowans can call the ISU Extension and Outreach Iowa Concern Hotline, 800-447-1985, for help and referrals for dealing with stress. The Iowa Concern website at www.extension.iastate.edu/iowaconcern/ has a live chat feature as an additional way to talk with stress counselors. Agencies and professionals serving individuals and families can contact local ISU Extension and Outreach offices about Iowa Concern hotline number business cards available for distribution.



Pork Checkoff Recommends Getting Vaccinated for the Flu 

In anticipation of this flu season, the Pork Checkoff is reminding producers, farm personnel, veterinarians and others who have contact with pigs to get the seasonal flu vaccination as soon as possible to help protect human and pig health. The flu season can start as early as October and can last through May.

"It's always wise for producers and swine farm workers to reduce the risk of getting sick and bringing influenza to the farm or workplace by getting vaccinated," said Dr. Lisa Becton, director of swine health information and research science and technology for the Pork Checkoff. "Vaccination for influenza is another way that demonstrates the industry's We Care approach to protecting employees, animals and public health."

Becton recommends other practices to reduce the spread of infection among workers and of the pigs with human influenza viruses. Among them is modifying sick-leave policies to encourage workers to stay away from the farm if they are sufferingfrom acute respiratory infections. "Virus shedding is at its peak when the clinical illness is most severe, but people may remain 'contagious' as long as the symptoms last, from three to seven days," she said.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, all people over six months of age should be immunized for influenza each year.

At the farm level, attention to good building ventilation and good hygiene can help reduce transmission of flu viruses.

Specifically, Becton says producers should make sure curtains and fans are in working order, look at bird-proofing their buildings, perform routine cleaning and disinfection of barns and incoming supplies and strictly enforce other biosecurity practices, such as the use of farm-specific clothing and footwear. Focusing on biosecurity practices not only can help prevent the entry of influenza, but also other diseases such as Porcine Epidemic Diarrhea Virus.

"Monitoring herd health daily and contacting the herd veterinarian immediately is very important if influenza is suspected," Becton said. "Rapid detection of influenza can help in timely implementation of appropriate strategies to better manage sick pigs."

You can find more influenza related information at http://www.pork.org/flu or at www.cdc.gov/flu.



USDA: Pork Output Slips Slightly in 2014

Pork production for 2014 has been reduced from last month as slower gains in carcass weights during the second half of the year more than offset the higher-than-expected fourth-quarter slaughter.

September's projected pork production for 2014 was 22,774 billion pounds, which is slightly higher than October's 22,759 billion pounds.

In its latest World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report, the USDA raised its forecast for production in 2015. It is expected that a greater number of hogs will be available for slaughter in 2015 due to higher farrowing intentions and a more rapid forecasted recovery in pigs per liter.

September's projected pork production for 2015 was at 23,325 billion pounds. October's projections for 2015 increased to 23,925 billion pounds.

Higher carcass weights also are expected for 2015.

Projected hog prices stayed about the same from September to October this year, going from between $77 to $77.60. Projected prices for 2015 dropped, however, from between $67 and $73 down to between $63 and $68.



Sales of Smaller Tractors Very Active Last Month

According to the Association of Equipment Manufacturer's monthly "Flash Report," the sale of all tractors in the U.S. for September, 2014, were up 21% compared to the same month last year.

For the month, two-wheel drive smaller tractors (under 40 HP) were up 31% from last year, while 40 & under 100 HP were up 28%. Sales of 2-wheel drive 100+ HP were down 7%, while 4-wheel drive tractors were down 15%.  Combine sales were down 18% for the month.

For the nine months in 2014, a total of 160,438 tractors were sold which compares to 153,337 sold thru September, 2013 representing a 5% increase year to date.

For the nine months, two-wheel drive smaller tractors (under 40 HP) are up 9% over last year, while 40 & under 100 HP are up 7%. Sales of 2-wheel drive 100+ HP are down 9%, while 4-wheel drive tractors are down 15%.

Sales of combines for the first nine months totaled 6,375, a decrease of 17% over the same period in 2013.



Brazil Soy Planting Slow

Dry weather across the Center-West region continues to delay Brazilian soybean planting.

As of Friday, planting of the Brazilian 2014-15 crop was 7% complete, slightly behind the 8% registered at the same point last year and the five-year average of 9%, according to AgRural, a local farm consultancy.

Planting did move forward from the 3% registered a week before as farmers in the southern state of Parana got back into the fields after an easing of the heavy rains that fell on the region in the first week of October.

Parana had planted 20% of its crop as of Friday, progress of 12 percentage points on the week but still behind the 24% planted at the same point last year.

Last week's hot, dry weather in Mato Grosso, the No. 1 soybean state, further reduced already-low soil moisture levels and farmers may have to replant some of their early crops, said AgRural.

Planting in the state was 8% complete as of Friday, down from 10% at the same time last year and the five-year average of 14%.

In Mato Grosso do Sul, planting reached 9% as of Friday, down from 11% in 2013.

In Goias, farmers have been holding off from planting due to the lack of rain and the lack of precipitation in short-term forecasts. The state has planted just 1% of its projected 2014-15 soybean area.

According to Somar Meteorologia, a local weather service, no rains are forecast for Brazil's soybean regions until Wednesday, but a front bringing precipitation will move up through western Parana and western reaches of the Center-West in the second half of the week. From Oct. 19 onward, the Center-West will receive heavy rainfall, it said in a report.

If that forecast is confirmed, farmers will be able to plant soybeans in ample time to allow a second crop of corn afterward.



Sources: CP Sought CSX Merger

Canadian Pacific Railway Ltd. approached CSX Corp. about a combination that would unite two of North America's largest railroad operators, said people briefed on the matter, as the boom in North American energy reshapes the railroad industry.

CSX rebuffed the overture, made in the past week, the people said, and it isn't clear whether CP will persist.

But talk of a combination of such giants shows just how far the railroad business has come roaring back, as rails become ever-more-critical to moving North America's new abundance of oil.

North American railroads have been a major beneficiary of the energy boom, hauling millions of barrels of crude oil. Rail has stepped in where oil fields are developed but pipelines can't be built, including places like North Dakota, Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Canada's Atlantic Coast.

The half-dozen major railroads operating in the U.S. generated $2.15 billion hauling crude in 2013, up from $25.8 million in 2008, according to federal data.

A CP-CSX deal would give rise to an industry giant with a combined market value of about $62 billion and, potentially, an increased ability to exploit the North American energy boom.

CSX-controlled rails run from the Midwest to refineries on the U.S. East Coast, but the railroad lacks direct access to North Dakota oil fields. CP does have access to North Dakota oil-loading terminals. A deal would potentially create a single railroad operator that could haul crude from oil fields all the way to fuel-making plants in the Northeast.




Kleckner Award Winner Passionate About Bridging the Gap with Consumers

When you visit London, if you find yourself on The Tube, you’ll be cautioned to “Mind the Gap”. This means to be careful about the step between the subway platform and the train. There’s another dangerous gap in London and around the world, between agriculture and consumers. It’s a gap of understanding.

Ian Pigott is a fourth generation farmer from the United Kingdom and the recipient of the 2014 Kleckner Trade & Technology Advancement Award. Pigott has used that observation to propel him to action in opening lines of communication with consumers, a mission to close the gap.

Pigott farms 1,800 acres, a mere 20 miles from the City of London and 13 million people. It’s clear that his proximity to all of those consumers shapes his understanding of the importance of communicating openly about farming. And here consumers and farmers have been distant from each other for longer, perhaps five generations.

In 2006 Pigott founded Open Farm Sunday. It’s a day where more than 400 farmers throw open their gates and welcome consumers, free of charge. This takes place annually the second Sunday in June and so far, more than 1.5 million consumers have participated.

Open Farm Sunday has three objectives:
-    In welcoming visitors, we show ourselves as an industry that’s open and proud.
-    It’s a great story that appeals to the national media.
-    It creates a united platform for all sectors of farming to stand together with one goal – promoting farming as it is.

Pigott sees the education of today’s consumers and tomorrow’s policy makers as integral to the challenge of feeding 9 billion people by the year 2050. With an eye toward the future, Pigott recently started TheFarmschool.

TheFarmschool brings two to three schools to the Pigott farm each week, where students learn the good news story about agriculture, the relationship between science and nature. He says as schools appreciate the benefits of outdoor learning, we in agriculture should make the most of this opportunity.

Another platform for Pigott is the disconnect between scientific research and agriculture that’s happened in the UK. To change this, Pigott invites researchers out of the laboratory and onto his farm. He also invites farmers to meet with the scientists to share stories and challenges. He pictures Dr. Norman Borlaug in this kind of an environment, not in a laboratory, but out in a wheat field, sleeves rolled up – talking with farmers.

One more agenda: Future Farmers
Pigott says in the UK, farming and being a farmer is in vogue. Farmers are used in marketing campaigns to sell everything from pickup trucks to beer.

Pigott has put a lot of his time into Bright Crop, a cross industry initiative to promote careers within farming and food to 14 to 18-year-olds. He stresses the importance of connecting with teachers so they understand how agriculture and science are intertwined.

Ian Pigott: UK Farmer: “In the UK, we estimate that we need an additional 75,000 new entrants in the next six to eight years to fill the vacant positions. Without education, children will not challenge these stereotypes.”

All of these platforms, Pigott believes, help us in our global quest to feed the world.
-    Communicating with consumers
-    Communication with school children and teachers
-    Building a dialog between farmers and researchers
-    Attracting future employees to agriculture

Ian Pigott will receive the 2014 Kleckner Trade & Technology Advancement Award on Tuesday, October 14 in Des Moines, Iowa at a Global Farmer Awards Dinner hosted by Truth About Trade & Technology and CropLife International. The award is given annually since 2007 and recognizes a global farmer who exemplifies strong leadership, vision and resolve in advancing the rights of all farmers to choose the technology and tools that will improve the quality, quantity and availability of agricultural products around the world. It was established to honor Dean Kleckner, Chairman Emeritus of the organization.