Tuesday October 14 Ag News

Expert Analysis Says EPA Water Rule Would Harm Nebraska Agriculture

 

The impact of EPA’s proposed “Waters of the U.S.” rule would be “significant” and “cause cost increases, confusion and uncertainty to agricultural producers” according to a new analysis conducted by the former director of Nebraska’s Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ), Mike Linder. Agriculture members of the Common Sense Nebraska coalition chartered the analysis to evaluate Nebraska specific impacts of the EPA’s proposed “Waters” rule on farmers and ranchers, said Steve Nelson, president of the Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation, Oct. 14.

 

“Mike Linder has over 25 years of experience in environmental law, environmental issues, permitting and compliance, and policy. He headed up NDEQ from 1999 through 2013. We wanted expert in-state analysis of what EPA’s proposal would mean for Nebraska agriculture and his analysis has validated concerns agriculture groups and others have expressed since EPA first introduced the proposal,” said Nelson.

 

The rule is based in an attempt by EPA to fix a wetlands permitting program which is cumbersome and lengthy.  But, in the process, the proposed rule creates problems in other areas of the Clean Water Act (CWA). The analysis verifies concerns by agriculture groups that EPA’s rule would create broad reaching federal jurisdictional authority for the agency to regulate Nebraska waterways and water features.

 

“Nebraska is comprised of over 77,000 square miles of area with over 92 percent of that area used for agricultural purposes. There are an infinite number of scenarios that call for good judgment in determining whether or not a particular water body is or should be subject to federal CWA jurisdiction. This rule would impose a blanket jurisdictional determination over thousands of acres of private property. The effect would be to impose unnecessary property restrictions and uncertainty as to what that actually means to a farmer or rancher,” Linder wrote.

 

Agriculture groups have also raised concerns about the EPA rule confusing and duplicating efforts by the State of Nebraska to protect water quality. Such duplication was clearly evident in the case of EPA’s unnecessary aerial flyovers of livestock farms, where well over 90 percent of Nebraska’s livestock farms were found to be in compliance with CWA requirements. 

 

“The State of Nebraska has developed a surface water discharge permitting system that is now built on forty years of implementation. EPA’s rule was intended to fix one problem. However, the solution they’ve offered will cause many more,” wrote Linder.

Of additional concern to Nebraska are the rule’s possible impacts on the regulation of groundwater.

 

“Nebraska agriculture should also be concerned about the potential for groundwater sources to be treated as “Waters of the United States.” The CWA was not meant to cover groundwater and it should be excluded from jurisdictional coverage. There are many areas in Nebraska where there is a hydrological connection of surface and ground water. The proposed rule needs to be more explicit as to what subsurface connections are covered, if any. The impact of this interpretation is critical for Nebraska agriculture,” Linder wrote.

 

The 10-page analysis provides numerous additional examples of how EPA’s proposal would create uncertainty surrounding the applicability of CWA programs which could harm farmers and ranchers and cause confusion and uncertainty between state and federal regulatory authorities.

 

“EPA continues to claim there will be minimal impact to farmers and ranchers from this rule. That is clearly not the case despite EPA’s public relations efforts to persuade lawmakers and the public otherwise. We felt it was imperative an individual, who knows EPA and Nebraska’s environmental programs, evaluate the impact of this proposal.  It’s critical Nebraskans join our campaign to “ditch the rule” to push back against EPA’s overreach,” said Nelson.  

 

EPA is accepting public comment on the “Waters” rule through Nov.14. Comments can be made by visiting ditchtherule.fb.org.

 

Linder’s analysis is available by visiting Common Sense Nebraska on Facebook.

Nebraska farmers return from trade missions in Asia

Two members of the Nebraska Corn Board recently returned from trade missions in Asia promoting U.S. corn and red meat. Brandon Hunnicutt, farmer from Giltner, Neb. and district 3 director on the Nebraska Corn Board (NCB) participated in the U.S. producer’s mission to Japan and Korea with the U.S. Grains Council (USGC). David Bruntz, farmer from Friend, Neb. and district 1 director on NCB participated in a trade mission with the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) in Japan and China.

While in Japan and Korea, Hunnicutt traveled with farmers and USGC staff to engage key buyers and end-users, providing insights on the current U.S. corn crop condition as well as the global supply and demand outlook. Japan and Korea are two key markets for U.S. corn, yet, a high level of engagement with the industry, trade and government is still needed to defend U.S. market share.

Hunnicutt observed that the Japanese and Korean buyers and end-users were very pleased to hear about this year’s abundant, high-quality U.S. corn crop that will be available for export in the coming year.

“One of the most important things we, as the American farmer, need to remember is how important it is to raise a high quality crop that the world wants,” said Hunnicutt. “Many times we tend to worry about yield. After spending some time with our ag friends in Japan, I have come to appreciate the need to make sure that the quality of crop I am producing is the highest quality corn crop I can produce.”

Hunnicutt was one of the farmer-spokesmen on the mission who presented on technology in farming to a seminar in Japan that was attended by more than 160 end-users and importers. This delegation helped build on the established relationships between the United States and two of its key international markets, stressing the importance of trade and promoting the United States as the preferred, reliable, long-term supplier of quality corn and related products.

Dave Bruntz returned from Japan and China with a similar message on the importance of establishing relationships with key end-users of U.S. agricultural products. The trade mission objectives with USMEF were to allow U.S. producers to personally communicate their farming practices and commitment to production of safe, high-quality food to international buyers, interacting with livestock producers in Asia, and observing the manner in which U.S. pork and beef are merchandised overseas.

While in Japan, Bruntz’s team gave presentations on U.S. farming practices at a USMEF seminar in Tokyo, which was attended by more than 600 meat buyers from across all sectors of the Japanese food industry. The seminar focused on soil sustainability, the seed used to produce feedgrains, and the specific feeding formulations and processes that allow the U.S. industry to produce such high-quality meat.

“Our Japanese customers and across the world want to know the details of how U.S. meat is produced,” said Bruntz. “They were glad to have U.S. farmers there to ask us questions, but they also wanted us to know to ‘keep the meat coming’!”

The reliable, high-quality supply of U.S. meat was prevalent at a blogging event held with young, Japanese food bloggers, predominantly women.

“They were interested in our production systems of both beef and pork, but love the U.S. products,” said Bruntz.

In China, the delegation gathered in Beijing for the 2014 U.S.-China Swine Industry Symposium. This was the third year for the symposium, with this edition focusing on livestock nutrient management with more than 200 attendees, including industry representatives, agricultural policy makers, animal health experts and university researchers.

They also met with government and industry officials in China and continued on-going discussions about corn, distillers grains and biotechnology. Bruntz reported that there was plenty of dialogue on resolving trade barriers to export beef into the country.

“The U.S. has been free of any BSE cases for 10 years,” said Bruntz. “As producers of crops and livestock, we want to gain relationships with end users in China to build trust and gain respect to open up markets for U.S. ag products.”

Hutchens to Receive USMEF Distinguished Service Award

Don Hutchens, who recently concluded a long career as executive director of the Nebraska Corn Board, has been named the 2014 recipient of the U.S. Meat Export Federation’s (USMEF) Distinguished Service Award.

Established in 1991, USMEF’s Distinguished Service Award is given to an individual in the red meat industry who exemplifies the exceptional dedication and outstanding capabilities responsible for the federation’s success. It will be presented Nov. 6 at the USMEF Strategic Planning Conference in Arlington, Virginia.

Hutchens joined the Nebraska Corn Board, a longtime USMEF member organization, in 1987. But his interest in global agricultural trade goes back even further.

“I first became very aware of the impact of international trade in the early 1970s, when I had just returned to the farm from college, and just as the Russians began buying large amounts of U.S. wheat,” Hutchens said. “The impact on the marketplace was very evident, and it made me realize even in the 1970s and 80s, that the U.S. represented such a small portion of the world’s population and there was no way we could consume everything we produced.”

At that time, his family farm had only a small cow/calf operation. But Hutchens realized that he had to add value to the corn he was growing, so he began feeding hogs.

“That value-added lesson I learned early on – it’s a big reason why I’ve always been a strong advocate of USMEF,” he explained. “Meat exports allow those in the grain industry to put a higher value on the commodity we produce, and it’s a win-win for both the grain industry and the livestock industry.”

Hutchens spent two years with the Nebraska Department of Agriculture – including a portion of that time as the agency’s director – before assuming the helm of the Nebraska Corn Board, where he quickly became active in USMEF.

“I chaired a USMEF communications committee back then that allowed me to become deeply involved in the organization’s strategic planning process,” he said. “This was extremely beneficial for me, because I was able to rub elbows with, and learn so much from, some of the great leaders of the U.S. livestock and grain industries, as well as the packing and processing sectors.”

USMEF Chairman Mark Jagels, who represented the Nebraska Corn Board on the USMEF Executive Committee, says Hutchens’ involvement with USMEF definitely benefitted him and his fellow corn board members.

“From the time I first became a member of the Nebraska Corn Board, Don was always trying to push us – to stretch us past our comfort zone,” Jagels said. “He has always been a great proponent of investing checkoff dollars internationally, and Don encouraged me early on to get involved with USMEF. I give him a lot of credit for me being asked to serve as a USMEF officer and the great experience I have had with this organization.”

Hutchens was also instrumental in building broad support for USMEF in the feedgrain and oilseed sectors.

“It was through Don’s leadership that the Nebraska Corn Board became one of the first commodity groups to invest in U.S. meat exports,” said Gary Marshall, CEO of the Missouri Corn Merchandising Council. “But his efforts didn’t stop at the Nebraska border. Don always encouraged other state corn and soybean programs to support USMEF, and he is truly one of USMEF’s strongest champions.”

Hutchens added that the opportunity to personally observe international programs and activities is one of the reasons he encourages active involvement in USMEF.

“If there is one thing that really left an indelible mark on me, it is that USMEF allowed me to actually see and experience the international marketplace and get a taste for how our products are received there,” he said. “It’s important that producers get the opportunity to do this, but it’s also very valuable for state executives and their staff members. They’re dealing not only with producers, but also the policy makers and media in their state. So it’s important that they be able to convey firsthand information about how checkoff dollars are being used effectively for international marketing, delivering value for all of U.S. agriculture.”

Conservation Pays in Tough Times

Dan Gillespie, NRCS No-till Specialist

Fall is upon us now and full focus is on harvesting our crops. Good crop yields have led to lower commodity prices that we haven’t seen in some time, putting a stress on the profitability of cash grain operations. The Natural Resources Conservation Service has assistance available to implement both cultural and structural conservation practices that can be helpful in maintaining that profitability. An important concept to keep in mind is that good conservation can be the gift that keeps on giving.

The time, labor, and fuel savings that continuous no-till systems offer are the first step to maintaining a low cost production operation on your farm. The Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) provides incentives for farmers to adopt this new environmentally and economically friendly grain production system. Incentive payments are available for three years of this transition period to help with equipment purchases or modification.

Cover crops are pervasive in the farm media sector these days with every farm magazine featuring a story or two. Living cover crops keep the soil biological communities in your field active before and after the cash crops are planted and harvested, accelerating the buildup of soil organic matter. Organic matter is the house in which bacteria, fungi, and protozoa live and feed in, making soil nutrients plant available. Earthworm populations grow rapidly when you have living roots in the soil. Increasing organic matter by 1 percent in a foot of soil will increase the water holding capacity in that foot by two thirds of an inch. This will be important as we experience sparser and increasingly intense rainfall events.

Cover crops also augment a continuous no-till system to eliminate soil erosion so the process of healing degraded soils can begin. You don’t start to rebuild topsoil until you stop losing topsoil. EQIP has a very attractive cover crop incentive available that will help a farmer in the early learning years of using living covers. Incentives are available for up to three years on cropland that is in a continuous no-till system.

Running irrigations systems when the water isn’t needed by the crop is an unnecessary expense and can leave soils in a saturated state. This can be damaging to crop development and leave less room in the soil profile to capture and store free rainfall. Installing soil moisture monitoring equipment and a flow meter will give you a more accurate picture of what you need to apply and how much you actually did apply. EQIP has incentives available to purchase flow meters, install electronic soil moisture monitoring systems, and adopt Irrigation Water Management (IWM) practices.

Inefficiently operating irrigation systems can also be a stealthy profit robber. The drought of 2012 exposed many farmers to the yield shortfalls that worn out sprinklers and systems can cause. There are incentives available for pumping plant modifications like replacement, re-bowling or impeller repairs to improve system efficiency.

Gravity flow systems use much more water than necessary to raise a crop and distribute the water unevenly. EQIP has incentives for conversion from gravity flow to more water efficient sprinkler systems and for converting older high pressure sprinkler systems to low pressure systems.

Livestock producers can find assistance in EQIP for developing prescribed grazing systems that improve the quality of grazing lands and increase soil health. Cost share funding is available for watering facilities for wildlife or livestock, installing cross fencing, tanks, and pipelines. There are also attractive incentives to reseed cropland to introduced or native grass plantings for forage production.

Structural practices such as terraces, water and sediment control basins, grassed waterways, and dams are also funded by EQIP. The cultural practices talked about above all work well along with the structural practices, taking the protection of our cropland soils to an even higher level.

For more information on all of these attractive EQIP incentives please call or stop in your local USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Nebraska Cattlemen Tells USDA: Don’t Hijack the Checkoff

Today, Nebraska Cattlemen along with National Cattlemen's Beef Association as well as 42 state cattlemens’ associations sent a letter to Agriculture Secretary Vilsack, urging him to cease any efforts to establish an additional beef checkoff under the 1996 General Commodity Promotion, Research and Information Act. Nebraska Cattlemen President Jeff Rudolph, Cozad, says cattle producers in Nebraska are highly concerned this effort will harm the success of the current checkoff and erode producer support.

“Cattlemen and women will under no circumstances support any attempt to supplement, replace, or enhance the Beef Checkoff with the 1996 Act,” said Rudolph. “The Beef Checkoff has served our industry well, it is supported by 4 out of 5 producers, and it returns $11.20 for every dollar producers invest.” The return on investment (ROI) of beef checkoff assessments study by Cornell University concluded the ROI for each dollar invested in the Beef Checkoff Program between 2006 and 2013.

Rudolph added, “The trust producers have for the Beef Checkoff is rooted in the producer oversight stipulated by the 1985 Act, as opposed to federal government control that is the basis of the 1996 Act.”

Secretary Vilsack announced to representatives of various stakeholder groups on Sept. 30 that he intended the USDA’s Agriculture Marketing Service to begin drafting a proposed rule to implement a supplemental checkoff under the 1996 Act.

“The foundation of the 1985 Beef Checkoff is the participation of state beef councils,” said Rudolph. “In Nebraska, producers elect state beef council directors. Through the state beef councils, and through grassroots producers invest and direct programs that build demand for their product and help direct research and promotion dollars on the state and national level. By comparison, the 1996 Act is a top down, federally controlled program that not only fails to recognize the role of the states, but places the control and administration of promotion dollars in the hands of bureaucrats in Washington D.C. We oppose greater government control of our industry and heavy-handed, federally-mandated action by giving more power to the federal government.”

Forty-Five Cattlemens’ Associations Tell USDA: Don’t Hijack the Checkoff

Today, 45 state cattlemens’ associations representing more than 170,000 cattle breeders, producers and feeders sent a letter to Agriculture Secretary Vilsack, urging him not to issue an Order for a supplemental beef checkoff under the 1996 General Commodity Promotion, Research and Information Act. Bob McCan, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association president and Victoria, Texas, cattleman says the strong turnout of signatories to this letter demonstrate the concern across the country with the Secretary’s stated intention. “Our state affiliates sent a clear message to the Secretary that they do not want a supplemental checkoff under the 1996 Act,” said McCan. “NCBA stands firmly behind our grassroots producer organizations and we will do everything we can to support their efforts. The checkoff belongs to cattlemen, not to the USDA or any administration.” Grassroots producers have been the cornerstone of the Beef Checkoff Program since it was first enacted in 1985. There is no required element of the 1996 Act that increases grassroots influence in national checkoff efforts. Furthermore, the 1996 Act assures no protection to state beef councils, and gives much greater power to the federal government. “The Beef Checkoff is a non-political, non-partisan structure designed by cattle producers to increase and support beef demand,” said McCan. “The Beef Checkoff serves all beef producers, nationwide, and the recent efforts by Secretary Vilsack do not serve the interests of producers, they only serve to politicize and polarize the industry. We are focused on how the Beef Checkoff can do more to support cattlemen and women; the Administration has focused on how they can use the Beef Checkoff for political spoils and to increase the control of the federal government.”

Nebraska Cattlemen Association Supports Sasse

Today the Nebraska Cattlemen Association announced its support for U.S. Senate candidate Ben Sasse.

 

“I’m honored to have the support of the Nebraska Cattlemen who work hard to make Nebraska the largest cattle feeding state in the nation,” said Sasse. “Nebraskans deserve a leader who will take that same determination, hard-work, and common-sense approach to the Senate.”

The Nebraska Cattlemen Association is the largest livestock production organization in the state.

“The Nebraska Cattlemen Political Action Committee is thrilled to support Ben and looking forward to his common-sense approach to solving problems in the Senate,” said Jeff Rudolph, president of Nebraska Cattlemen.  “Ben has listened to Nebraska’s beef community and understands the challenges we face and what it takes to keep agriculture strong.”

Established in 1968, the Nebraska Cattlemen advance the future of Nebraska’s Beef industry by investing in research and education programs. In 2014, Nebraska surpassed Texas as the nation’s top cattle feeding state and, in 2013, Nebraska led the country in commercial red meat production.

“My daughters actually think they could deliver a calf now, we’ve spent so much time with cattlemen over this past year,” joked Sasse. “With EPA regulations, broken promises, and the constant threat of higher taxes and more red tape, livestock producers know that Washington has lost touch with rural America. It’s time to rein in bureaucrats, tell the truth about our government’s debt crisis, and reform the tax code in a way that levels the playing field for everyone.”

Sasse has now received the support of Nebraska’s two largest agriculture organizations: the Nebraska Farm Bureau and the Nebraska Cattlemen Association.

The Nebraska Farm Bureau endorsed Sasse on April 30, 2014, during the Republican Senate primary, and again on June 26, during the general election. The only other time the Nebraska Farm Bureau endorsed in a statewide primary was when it endorsed Dave Heineman in his bid for Governor in 2006.

On August 25 at the Nebraska State Fair, the Nebraska Cattlemen hosted the third of this year’s four official U.S. Senate debates.

USDA Announces 19 USB Farmer-Director Appointments

Nineteen farmer-leaders will be sworn in as directors of the United Soybean Board (USB) in December, after their recent appointments by U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack.

The 19 soybean farmers from across the United States include five new appointees and 14 returning directors. These volunteer farmers invest soy checkoff funds on behalf of all U.S. soybean farmers in projects to increase the value of U.S. soybean meal and oil, ensure U.S. farmers and their customers maintain the freedom and infrastructure to operate, and meet the needs of U.S. soy’s customers.

“We’re looking forward to welcoming these new and returning farmer-leaders to the board,” says Jim Call, USB chairman and soybean farmer from Madison, Minnesota. “We know that they will work with their fellow USB directors in wisely investing checkoff dollars for the benefit of all U.S. soybean farmers.”

Appointed farmer-leaders include:

• Angela M. Dee, Aliceville, Alabama*
• Robert L. Stobaugh, Atkins, Arkansas*
• Dwain L. Ford, Kinmundy, Illinois*
• Michael A. Beard, Frankfort, Indiana*
• Larry K. Marek, Riverside, Iowa*
• Thomas E. Oswald, Cleghorn, Iowa
• Craig M. Gigstad, Valley Falls, Kansas*
• Keith N. Tapp, Sebree, Kentucky*
• Belinda L. Burrier, Union Bridge, Maryland
• Herbert N. Miller, Niles, Michigan
• Scott G. Singlestad, Waseca, Minnesota*
• James D. Sneed, Senatobia, Mississippi*
• George L. Rone, Portageville, Missouri
• Mike G. Korth, Randolph, Nebraska
• Daniel J. Corcoran, Piketon, Ohio*
• Ellie W. Green, Lynchburg, South Carolina*
• Robert J. Metz, Peever, South Dakota*
• David E. Nichols, Ridgely, Tennessee*
• Thomas P. Rotello, Navasota, Texas*

*Indicates returning director

All appointees serve three-year terms, beginning Dec. 11, when they’ll be sworn in at USB’s annual meeting in St. Louis. Qualified State Soybean Boards (QSSBs) nominated all of the appointees.

 

United States Wins WTO Trade Enforcement Dispute for American Farmers

United States Trade Representative Michael Froman announced today that the United States has won a major victory at the World Trade Organization (WTO) on behalf of U.S. farmers, including the U.S. poultry industry.   A WTO dispute settlement panel has found in favor of the United States in a dispute challenging India’s ban on various U.S. agricultural products – such as poultry meat, eggs, and live pigs – allegedly to protect against avian influenza.   The panel agreed with the United States that India’s ban breached numerous international trade rules, including because it was imposed without sufficient scientific evidence.

“This is a major victory for American farmers.  The WTO panel agreed with the U.S. case that India lacks any scientific basis to restrict U.S. agricultural products, including U.S. poultry products.  Our farmers produce the finest – and safest – agricultural products in the world,” said Ambassador Froman.  “This is the fourth major WTO victory the U.S. has announced this year as we continue to unlock economic opportunity for our workers, farmers, and businesses.  This victory affirms the Administration’s commitment to ensuring WTO Members play by the rules, and that America’s farmers, workers and businesses get the fair shot they deserve to sell Made-in-America goods under WTO rules.”

 

“Our farmers and producers deserve a level playing field – and this dispute reflects that we will accept nothing less,” said Secretary Vilsack.   “I am pleased that the WTO Panel determined that India’s ban on poultry is inconsistent with its commitments under the WTO SPS Agreement.  USDA will work in close partnership with USTR to ensure that U.S. poultry producers and processors have access to this important market.”

Study Measures Propane Used for Grain Drying

 

The cost of drying corn — especially the propane bills — add significant expense at harvest time. According to a case study conducted by Mark Hanna, agricultural engineer for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, propane accounts for more than 90 percent of the energy used in high-temperature corn drying.

“Considering that propane makes up such a large proportion of the energy needed for drying, farmers may want to compare their own propane consumption to the measurements from the case study,” Hanna said.


Led by Hanna, three ISU Research and Demonstration farm locations collaborated to measure the propane and electricity used for grain drying during the 2013 harvest season. The participating ISU farms included the Northeast farm near Nashua, Armstrong farm near Atlantic, and Ag 450 teaching farm near Ames. Additional support for this project was provided by a grant from the Iowa Energy Center.


A new publication from ISU Extension and Outreach illustrates the results of their efforts. Energy consumption during grain drying (PM 3063C) is available to download from the Extension Online Store, www.extension.iastate.edu/store.


“The case study shows that total energy consumption during drying was primarily affected by the initial moisture content of the corn,” Hanna said. “Initial corn moisture content and air temperature will be different this year but we plan to collect additional measurements this fall.”


Hanna was recently honored with the Dean Lee R. Kolmer award for his career achievements in applied research at Iowa State University. For more information about his farm energy efficiency research and outreach, visit http://farmenergy.exnet.iastate.edu or follow @ISU_Farm_Energy on Twitter.


The Farm Energy publications are part of a series of farm energy efficiency resources developed by ISU Farm Energy. This outreach effort aims to help farmers and utility providers to improve on-farm energy management and to increase profitability in a rapidly changing energy environment.

CWT Assists with 432 Thousand Pounds of Cheese

   

Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) has accepted 2 requests for export assistance from Dairy Farmers of America (DFA), and Northwest Dairy Association (Darigold) to sell 422,106 pounds (196 metric tons) of Cheddar cheese, to customers in Asia. The product will be delivered December 2014 through January 2015.

Year-to-date, CWT has assisted member cooperatives in selling 86.622 million pounds of cheese, 48.240 million pounds of butter and 37.847 million pounds of whole milk powder to 43 countries on six continents. These sales are the equivalent of 2.161 billion pounds of milk on a milkfat basis.

Assisting CWT members through the Export Assistance program, in the long-term, helps member cooperatives gain and maintain market share, thus expanding the demand for U.S. dairy products and the U.S. farm milk that produces them in the rapidly growing world dairy markets. This, in turn, positively impacts U.S. dairy farmers by strengthening and maintaining the value of dairy products that directly impact their milk price.

Cheminova Launches BESTOW™ Herbicide

Cheminova, Inc. today announced the launch of BESTOW™ Herbicide, which provides control of numerous grassy and broadleaf weeds including foxtail, lambsquarters, pigweed, smartweed and woolly cupgrass in field corn. BESTOW may also be used as a fallow treatment in the spring or fall when the majority of weeds have emerged and are actively growing. BESTOW may be applied preemergence and postemergence in field corn.

“BESTOW is flexible and affordable,” said Ken Phelps, Product Manager, Cheminova, Inc. “It’s another arrow in the quiver for field corn growers to use as a first application or as weeds emerge later in the season.”

The active ingredient in BESTOW is rimsulfuron and as such offers long lasting soil residual activity in labeled crop. An inexpensive herbicide alternative to Resolve® Q herbicide, BESTOW is packaged in 8 x 20 ounce bottles and is on sale now.