Monday November 3 Ag News

UNL and FSA to Host Series of Meetings on 2014 Farm Bill

UNL Extension and the USDA Farm Service Agency (FSA) are joining to provide educational meetings across the state on the 2014 Farm Bill.

It's important that growers have information they need as decisions regarding commodity program selection are complex and will last for the duration of the farm bill. These meetings will primarily focus on the Base Reallocation and Yield Update decision, as well as the ARC and PLC programs.

Topics will include:
-    The farm bill program sign-up process, including documentation needed and deadlines
-   Base, yield and commodity program decisions; considerations for your operation
-  How to calculate farm program payments
- Online decision-aid tools to help you determine which program is best for your operation. Input data specific to your operation and examine various options

The full meeting schedule is now available on the UNL Department of Agricultural Economics Farm Bill website at https://agecon.unl.edu/farm-bill-meetings.   



Nebraska Cattlemen Announce New Director of Communications

Nebraska Cattlemen today announced Shannon Kingery of Lincoln was hired as Director of Communications. Kingery began the position October 27, 2014 and is responsible for internal and external communications, including media relations. She previously served four years as Director of Communications for the Nebraska Attorney General’s Office.

“Nebraska Cattlemen’s positive impact is felt by farmers and ranchers across the state,” said Kingery. “I’m excited to join such a vital organization and put my experience to work in support of Nebraska’s cattle industry.”

Kingery graduated with Highest Distinction from Nebraska Wesleyan University in 2010 with a B.S. in Organizational Communication.

"I'm very pleased Shannon has been selected to join the talented group of NC staff members who work hard every day to serve the NC membership,” said NC Executive Vice President Pete McClymont. “In this age of instantaneous media demands, her strong work experiences and talents will be a tremendous benefit to our members."

Earlier this year, Kingery served as a U.S. delegate to China and Taiwan in an American Council of Young Political Leaders diplomatic exchange program sponsored by the U.S. State Department. Prior to working in Nebraska state government, she was a reporter/staff writer for a daily newspaper in her hometown of Jacksonville, Arkansas. She currently lives in Lincoln with her husband and two children.

Kingery can be reached at the Nebraska Cattlemen’s Lincoln office at 402-475-2333 or skingery@necattlemen.org.



REMOVE NET WRAP AND TWINE
Bruce Anderson, Extension Forage Specialist, University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Is twine or net wrap good feed?  Obviously not, but it can cause health problems if animals eat too much of it.

Feeding hay is work.  To lighten the work load feeding hay, we often take short cuts and leave some twine or net wrap on the bales.  And whether we want them to or not, animals eat some of that twine.

A few years ago I shared with you information I had received from Dr. Dee Griffin, veterinarian at the Great Plains Veterinary Education Center in Clay Center, about the potential for twine to accumulate in the rumen of cattle and cause obstruction.  Recent research at North Dakota State University has confirmed this risk and provided further information on what happens to twine when cattle eat it.

In a series of experiments, the North Dakota research first showed that neither plastic net wrap nor biodegradable twine get digested by rumen microbes.  Sisal twine, however, does get digested, although quite a bit more slowly than hay.

In another study net wrap was included in the ration fed to steers for an extended period of time.  Then, 14 days before the steers were harvested the net wrap was removed from the feed to learn if the net wrap eaten earlier might get cleared out of the rumen and digestive system.  Turns out it was still in the rumen even after 14 days.

So what should you do?  First, remember that it doesn’t appear to be a health concern very often.  And cows obviously are more at risk than feedlot animals.  So, it might be wise to remove as much twine, especially plastic twine, as can be removed easily from bales before feeding.  Twine in ground hay may be less of a problem since more of it is likely to pass completely through the animal.

Think about how shortcuts and work-reducing actions you take this winter might affect your animals.  Then act accordingly.



Why You'll Want to Sample for SCN This Fall
John WIlson, UNL Extension Educator, Burt County
Loren Giesler, Extension Plant Pathologist

$45 million.  That's how much Nebraska soybean farmers are estimated to have lost to soybean cyst nematodes (SCN) last year.

The good news is that loss will decrease in 2014. The bad news is that's because the price of soybeans is lower, not because SCN is any less common.

SCN is a microscopic roundworm that attacks the soybean root and can have a devastating effect on yields.

SCN is the state's leading nemesis to achieving top soybean yields. It has been identified in 56 counties that produce over 90% of Nebraska's soybeans. If you totaled the yield losses of all other soybean diseases in Nebraska, the number would be much less than the damage from SCN alone.

Related losses can occur from two diseases on the increase in Nebraska soybean fields: sudden death syndrome (SDS) and brown stem rot (BSR). A field can have either of these diseases without having SCN or it can have SCN without having either of these diseases, but if a field has SCN in a field or even part of a field, it is more likely to have SDS or BSR in those areas of the field where SCN is present.

What makes SCN such a problem is yields can be reduced 20 to 30 percent with no visual signs on the plant. Plants can appear normal and healthy, but suffer significant yield losses. In fact, often the first indication of an SCN infestation is a soybean yield that seems to hit a plateau or even start decreasing while corn yield in the field continues to increase.

If SCN caused lesions, distorted growth, holes in the leaves, or some other plant abnormality, it would be much easier to convince people to check for it; however, it is microscopic most of its life and doesn't produce distinct signs on the aboveground plant.

There is only one time during SCN's 25-30-day life cycle that it is visible: when the cyst or female is swollen with several hundred eggs and can be seen on the outside of the root. These cysts are very small, much smaller than a Rhizobia nodule, and lighter in color during the growing season. As plants mature, the cysts turn darker and become even more difficult to see.

Testing for SCN This Fall
The best way to determine if you have a problem with SCN is to take a soil test. (See SCN Sampling is Part Science, Part Art.)  If you discover SCN in your field, switch to a resistant variety the next time you plant soybean.

Unlike other nematodes, you can test for SCN year-round; however, most samples are taken after harvest for several good reasons:
-    This is generally a time of year when other farm activities are not as demanding.
-   This is typically when soil samples are taken for the following year's fertilizer recommendations. You can take a few more soil probe cores from a field, mix them together, then split the sample and send in half for your fertilizer recommendations and half for an SCN analysis.
-    Poor yielding soybean fields, or even areas within a field, are fresh in your mind and can help you identify fields or areas you want to sample. Yield maps can be very helpful.
-    If sampling a soybean field, pull your samples a couple inches to the side of the old soybean row. This way you are sampling through the root system and you are more likely to detect SCN if it is there.
-    If you are sampling a corn field or other crop residues that will be going to soybeans next year, just take random samples. The advantage of doing this is, if you detect SCN in your fields, you can select varieties resistant to SCN.

Free Sample Analysis
The Nebraska Soybean Board has provided funding for SCN soil analyses since 2005 for Nebraska farmers, field scouts, and others. This is a great way to get a return on your checkoff dollars for your farm. Contact your local UNL Extension office for the bags for your free soil analysis, a service that would usually cost about $25.

Expanded Benefits to Controlling SCN
In the past eight years, 29 UNL Extension research trials have shown an average six bu/ac yield advantage for SCN-resistant varieties in SCN-infested field when compared to top yielding susceptible varieties. Besides increasing yields, resistant varieties reduce SCN reproduction while susceptible varieties allow SCN levels to increase, sometimes dramatically. A lower SCN density in the soil reduces the direct negative impact from nematodes feeding on the plant as well as reducing the incidence of sudden death syndrome (SDS) or several other soybean diseases.

Don't contribute to the losses that Nebraska soybean farmers experience from SCN. Sample your fields for SCN and manage your fields if you do find it. Interested in increasing your soybean yields? The answer is in the bag.



Movie Goers Seek Clean Fuel Solutions

Renewable fuels hit the big screen with a one-time screening of the documentary “Pump” at the Mary Riepma Ross Media Arts Center Nov. 12. The 88-minute film will be shown at 7 p.m.

“Pump,” which is narrated by Jason Bateman, explores America’s dependence on oil and its effect on the economy. The documentary demonstrates how biofuels like ethanol offer consumers a cheaper, cleaner alternative to gasoline.

Following the screening, there will be a short panel discussion. Doug Durante, Clean Fuels Development Coalition executive director, and Dan Duncan, Nebraska Innovation Campus executive director, will discuss renewable energy and answer audience questions.

“Consumers aren’t always aware of their fuel options at the pump and the impact their choice could have on the environment, economy and public health,” said Todd Sneller, Nebraska Ethanol Board administrator. “We hope attendees leave the theater with a better understanding of biofuels and renewable energy.”

Although “Pump” is being shown nationwide on a small scale, it has received positive reviews.

“‘Pump’ is quite entertaining, drawing together colorful archival footage, interviewed experts and ordinary folk, as well as sojourns to China (in the wake of its economic boom now the world’s largest market for cars) and Brazil (whose shift to ethanol production brought prosperous energy dependence), in a lively, professional package,” said Variety magazine.

“Pump” and the panel discussion are sponsored by the Nebraska Ethanol Board, Association of Nebraska Ethanol Producers and Urban Air Initiative. Admission is free and open to the public.  Attendees should RSVP to rsvppump@gmail.com to receive free popcorn with admittance.



Iowa Learning Farms to Host November Cover Crop Workshops

Iowa Learning Farms and Practical Farmers of Iowa will host several cover crop workshops across Iowa in November.

Workshop topics range from using cover crop mixtures, selecting the right cover crop, using cover crops to enhance soil and water quality, cover crop effects on soil health and more. Local farmers who are using cover crops on their fields, and experts from Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, the USDA-National Laboratory for Agriculture and the Environment, and Practical Farmers of Iowa are workshop speakers.

The cover crop workshops include:
-    Nov. 12: Wallace Learning Center at the Armstrong Research Farm, Lewis - 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; RSVP by Nov. 7
-    Nov. 18: Borlaug Learning Center, at the Northeastern Research Farm, Nashua - 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; RSVP by Nov. 13
-    Nov. 19: Fire Department Building, 104 S. Main, Kanawha - 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; RSVP by Nov. 14
-    Nov. 20: Rob Stout farm, 2449 Hemlock Ave., Washington - 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.; RSVP by Nov. 14.  This workshop will also cover bioreactors.
-    Nov. 25: Truro Community Building, 100 S. Main Street - 11 a.m.-1 p.m.; RSVP by Nov. 23

All workshops are free and include a complimentary lunch. Please RSVP to Iowa Learning Farms, 515-294-8912 or email: ilf@iastate.edu.

Cover crops are growing in popularity in Iowa. Research shows that when cover crops are added to a corn-soybean rotation, they can help reduce nitrogen and phosphorus loads entering water bodies, increase soil organic matter and reduce soil erosion. When cover crops are used in combination with other conservation management practices, point and nonpoint source pollution is reduced in Iowa waters and downstream.



National FFA Organization Selects 2014-15 Officers to Conclude 87th National FFA Convention & Expo

Students from Georgia, Arkansas, Colorado, Tennessee, Kentucky and New Mexico have been elected by delegates from throughout the United States to serve on the 2014-15 National FFA Officer team.

Andy Paul of Georgia, an agricultural education major at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College, was elected president. Victoria Maloch of Arkansas, an agricultural business and pre-law major at University of Arkansas, will serve as secretary.

Kristen Schmidt of Colorado, an animal science and agricultural business major at Colorado State University, was elected central region vice president and Stephen McBride of Tennessee, an agricultural business major at University of Tennessee at Martin, will serve as southern region vice president.

Ruth Ann Myers, an agricultural education major at University of Kentucky, was elected eastern region vice president and Caleb Gustin of New Mexico, an agricultural business and agricultural economics major at New Mexico State University, will serve as western region vice president.

Each year at the National FFA Convention & Expo, six students are elected by delegates to represent the organization as National FFA officers. Delegates elect a president, secretary and vice presidents representing the central, southern, eastern and western regions of the country.

National officers commit to a year of service to the National FFA Organization. Each travels more than 100,000 national and international miles to interact with business and industry leaders, thousands of FFA members and teachers, corporate sponsors, government and education officials, state FFA leaders, the general public and more. The team will lead personal growth and leadership training conferences for FFA members throughout the country and help set policies that will guide the future of FFA and promote agricultural literacy.



USDA Announces Commodity Credit Corporation Lending Rates for November 2014

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) today announced interest rates for November 2014. The CCC borrowing rate-based charge for November is 0.125 percent, unchanged from 0.125 percent in October.

The interest rate for crop year commodity loans less than one year disbursed during November is 1.125 percent, unchanged from 1.125 percent in October.

Interest rates for Farm Storage Facility Loans approved for November are as follows, 2.125 percent with seven-year loan terms, unchanged from 2.125 percent in October; 2.375 percent with 10-year loan terms, down from 2.500 percent in October and; 2.500 percent with 12-year loan terms, down from 2.625 percent in October. The interest rate for 15-year Sugar Storage Facility Loans for November is 2.625 percent, down from 2.750 percent in October.



NCGA, EPA Talk WOTUS at Farm Visit

NCGA president Chip Bowling hosted nearly a dozen staffers from the Environmental Protection Agency for a tour and information session Friday at his farm in southern Maryland.

The visit was part of a series of meetings between NCGA and the EPA connected to the proposed Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule. Bowling was joined by NCGA CEO Chris Novak and Vice President of Public Policy Jon Doggett.

"We wanted to give them a view of what actually happens on the farm," said Bowling. "Our members have a lot of uncertainty and concerns with the proposed rules. We are working with the EPA to ensure that the final proposal provides clarity and addresses those concerns."

During the tour, EPA staff were shown areas that could be regulated under the proposal as currently written, including drainage ditches, grass waters that are dry most of the year, and low spots on fields where water pools.

Bowling said it is important to work with the EPA and give farmers a voice during the rule-making process. "We want to have a seat at the table when these rules are being developed," said Bowling.

EPA staffers described the tour and ensuing conversation as educational and productive.

"I know they learned something, as did we," said Bowling. Bowling also used the opportunity to highlight advances in farming operations over the past three decades, and what that has meant for conservation and environmental impact. "Ninety-nine percent of my farm friends do what I do," said Bowling. "We have no problems with erosion or ditch damage. We've become more efficient and are doing more with less."

EPA is accepting comments on the proposed rule through Friday, November 14. More than 200,000 comments have been submitted to date. NCGA urges farmers to make their voices heard, and join us in calling on the EPA to fix the rule. They can do so by visiting www.ncga.com and clicking the link under "Take Action."



Fall Wheat Conference Wraps Up in New Mexico

The 2014 Joint Fall Wheat Conference of the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) and U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) concluded Saturday in Santa Ana, N.M. The four-day meeting brought together wheat growers from around the country to discuss upcoming issues and to plan for the year ahead.

“It is a sign of the strength of the grain chain that we had so many great representatives of wheat in one place. I am very satisfied with the progress we made on how we can better advance the U.S. wheat industry,” said NAWG president, Paul Penner, farmer from Hillsboro, Kan. “I appreciate our partners at USW and the strong relationship we continue to have.”

The National Wheat Foundation also met during the meetings to discuss current projects and programs. Throughout the conference, board members of NAWG and USW were able to meet and discuss issues ranging from biotechnology, trade policy, and environmental and renewable resources. During the sessions, wheat industry partners presented and discussed current issues impacting production, distribution, and trade, as well as what challenges and promises the future may hold.

Thanks to the NAWG industry partners who were part of the meetings, including: BNSF, BASF, CoBANK, Dow AgroSciences, FMC, John Deere, Monsanto, Syngenta, Arcadia Biosciences, Bayer CropScience, Cargill and U.S. Custom Harvesters Inc.

The next joint meeting will be held January 27-31 in Washington, D.C.



Nation's Soy Growers to Hail Sen. Pat Roberts as Soy Champion

The American Soybean Association (ASA) will present its Soy Champion Award to Sen. Pat Roberts of Kansas. The award is given twice yearly to recognize exemplary representation of soybean farmers and soy-related issues by elected officials.

“When we look to Capitol Hill for leaders that understand the everyday challenges that farmers face, Pat Roberts has distinguished himself as among our best advocates, year after year," said ASA Vice President Bob Henry, a farmer from Robinson, Kan. "In his time as House Agriculture Committtee Chair, and Senate Agriculture Committee Ranking Member, Sen. Roberts has continued to demonstrate a fluent understanding of the complex farming issues, not just for Kansas farmers, but for farmers in all corners of soybean country."

Sen. Roberts was first elected from Kansas’ “Big First” congressional district in 1980 to the House of Representatives, where he would go on to serve as chairman of the House Agriculture Committee. Roberts was elected to the Senate in 1996, where he served farmers as ranking member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry.

“Most importantly, Sen. Roberts has gone to the mat time and time again to protect the risk management and safety net framework that helps to keep American farmers producing from year to year, even in the face of disastrous weather and generational drought,” Henry added. “He’s always been there for us; ready and available to meet in Washington, or join us on our farms to see what’s actually happening on the ground. He understands and champions our issues because he knows their importance to us as Kansas farmers, and for that we’re very grateful.”

ASA will present the award to Sen. Roberts later in the year.



Beef Demand Update and Context ...
Glynn T. Tonsor, Associate Professor, Dept. of Agricultural Economics, Kansas State University

The Choice Retail Beef and All Fresh Beef Demand (AFBD) Indices for the third quarter of 2014 each rose by 3.9%.  There now have been year-over-year increases in the AFBD Index in 16 of the last 17 quarters (only exception was Q1.2014).

To better understand the AFBD note this recent demand increase reflects per capita consumption declining by 4.6% and real (inflation-adjusted) prices increasing by 11.3% ($5.51/lb nominal price).  If real prices would have increased by 7.1% then the AFBD index would have been unchanged from the third quarter of 2013.  The fact prices increased more than this 7.1% "no demand change" level signals that beef demand improved notably.

 This most recent illustration provides one of multiple historic examples of how beef demand can improve when per capita consumption declines highlighting critical concepts.  First, despite fairly wide-spread confusion on the topic, per capita consumption is not demand as consumption alone says little about the value consumers place on beef offerings.  In fact, there have been periods of beef demand declining when per capita consumption has increased because prices had to notably fall to move product.  Second, the realized 11.3% price increase exceeding the index suggested price of 7.1% that corresponds with no change in beef demand clearly signals ongoing demand enhancement.  That is, while consumers are being offered less beef currently (largely reflecting well noted production reductions), there is nothing forcing consumers to pay "this much more" for beef and the fact they are voluntarily do so is a very positive thing for all industry stakeholders.

Given the generally tight cattle and hence beef situation, cattle producers would be realizing historically high prices with a flat or stable beef demand environment.  What is critical to really appreciate is that this tight supply situation has been coupled with an extensive period of demand improvement.  This ongoing demand enhancement has provided yet another factor "pulling up" cattle and beef prices.  Like many other economists, yours truly believes many things can be explained by understanding supply and demand factors.  The sooner beef industry stakeholders appreciate the critical role of both the better as decision making and overall industry viability will correspondingly improve.  At some point in the future the support of tight supplies will mitigate and the ability to understand and act upon demand signals will only be further heightened.



NFU Says Congress Should Ignore Scare Tactics of Recent Anti-COOL Letter

National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson today urged Congress to ignore a recent letter signed by groups who are using scare tactics to derail Country-of-Origin Labeling (COOL), a law popular with both consumers and family farmers alike.

“This letter was organized by groups who have opposed COOL from day one and demonstrates that they understand they have lost the battle over this issue in the public arena,” said Johnson. “We urge Congress to ignore the overblown rhetoric of the letter and stay the course on COOL,” he said.

The letter comes on the heels of a recent World Trade Organization (WTO) ruling that the implementation of the law remains unbalanced between consumer information and production costs and will need further changes. “The WTO has already ruled that the COOL law is compliant and this ruling shows that USDA’s current rule is one more step in the right direction, but may not have gone far enough in providing sufficient information to consumers,” he said. Johnson noted that talk of retaliation is premature and the WTO process required to even consider such actions would likely be a year from concluding. “There is simply no rush to take rash action,” he said.

Importantly, “the list of letter-signers included many commodity groups but it did not include the two largest general farm groups,” noted the Hagstrom Report yesterday. Johnson pointed out that the so-called ‘COOL Reform Coalition,’ is actually a Trojan horse with the mission of torpedoing the popular labeling. “American consumers have been crystal clear that they want to know where their food comes from and farmers and ranchers are proud to provide it,” said Johnson. “USDA and USTR should appeal the WTO decision,” he added.

Johnson urged Congress — which voted to support COOL on three separate occasions during the 2008 Farm Bill — to resist any attempts to make changes to the law during the upcoming Lame Duck session after next week’s elections. “Given the length of the WTO process and the variable outcomes that are possible for COOL, there is no reason for Congress to be stampeded into rash action based on fear mongering,” he said.



Brazil Soybean Planting Still Well Behind Schedule

Rains finally started falling in greater volume and with better coverage in the last days of October across Brazil's Center-West and Southeast regions, allowing farmers to accelerate soybean planting, according to AgRural, a local farm consultancy.

Brazilian soybean planting was 29% complete as of Friday, up 13 percentage points from the week before but well back from the 48% planted at the same time last year, said AgRural.

Farmers in the top-producing state of Mato Grosso took advantage of light rains and forecasts of further showers to plant quickly last week. The state's crop is 35% in the ground, up from 19% last week but well down from the 72% planted at the same stage last year.

In Parana, the No. 2 soy state, planting is 55% complete, slightly behind the 63% planted last year. Rain has fallen consistently on the top-producing western portion of the state, the planting delay is due to hot, dry weather in northern and southern reaches.

In contrast with the rest of the country, planting got off to a quick start in Rio Grande do Sul, the No. 3 soy state, where 18% of the soybean crop was in the ground as of Friday, compared with 8% the year before. Heavy rains have fallen across the southernmost state over the last month.

AgRural estimates Brazilian 2014-15 soybean area will rise 4.3% to 77.8 million acres and production will jump 10% to 94.9 million metric tons.



DuPont Pioneer and Raven Industries Enable Wireless Data Transfer between Encirca℠ Services and Raven Slingshot®

 DuPont Pioneer and Raven Industries today announced a collaboration to allow for the seamless flow of information generated through Pioneer Encirca℠ services to Raven Viper® 4 and other compatible field computers by leveraging Raven’s Slingshot® wireless connectivity solution. Encirca℠ services are whole-farm decision services offered by Pioneer to help growers improve their productivity and profitability on every acre. Raven is a global leader of precision agriculture field equipment, including Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) products, field computers and application controls.

In July, Pioneer launched its Encirca℠ Yield Nitrogen Management Service to help growers more efficiently manage one of their most important crop inputs.

“prec,” said Steve Reno, DuPont Pioneer vice president, business director – U.S. and Canada. “As yield monitors run this fall, growers are already thinking about the 2015 growing season. They want to know how much nitrogen will be needed for top yields next year. Encirca℠ Yield enabled with wireless data transfer makes that information instantly available and helps growers to be more efficient with input planning,” said Reno.

As part of this data exchange, growers can choose to have their Encirca℠ services prescriptions wirelessly transferred directly to compatible Raven controllers to be accurately applied in their fields, as well as to automatically report what was applied for future analysis.

“We are excited about the new addition of Pioneer Encirca℠ services to the list of decision agriculture and software solutions already compatible with Slingshot®,” said Paul Welbig, Raven Industries general manager of its Austin Technology Center and Slingshot operations. “The open architecture of Slingshot® easily enables great collaborators like Pioneer to provide their growers with technologically advanced solutions that help maximize yield.” 

The Slingshot® API, or Application Programming Interface, is an open and secure data connectivity platform that provides a simple way for software systems to connect with Raven controllers in the field utilizing wireless technology.

“This effort with Raven further advances our whole-farm, brand-neutral services strategy which, with the assistance of an Encirca℠ certified services agent, works with growers to analyze and use their data to positively improve their bottom lines,” said Reno.