Wednesday November 11 Ag News

Farm Bill Education Meeting November 24 in West Point
Larry Howard, UNL Extension Educator, Cuming County

University of Nebraska Lincoln Extension and the Farm Service Agency (FSA), are teaming up to provide educational meetings about the 2014 Farm Bill.  The local meeting is set for Monday, November 24 from 1-4:00 p.m., and will be held at Nielsen Community Center in West Point.

All farm operators and land owners are invited to attend.  FSA will inform participants about the sign-up process for the Farm Bill including the documentation needed and the deadlines for sign-up.  UNL Extension will provide information about the decisions that will need to be made for base acre reallocation, yields updates, and for the Agricultural Risk Coverage (ARC) vs. Price Loss Coverage (PLC) program selection.

It should be helpful to attend one of the meetings to get insight on the options everyone has with the 2014 Farm Bill.  Farm Operators and Land Owners will have three main steps to signing up.  One is to review their current base acre allocations which is occurring at this time.   Secondly, a decision about re-allocation of base acres will need to be made.  Finally, the program selection will involve the ARC or PLC program.  ARC is the revenue safety net program similar to the recent ACRE program and PLC is the price safety net program.  With ARC, the options will be an Individual ARC coverage vs. a County ARC coverage.  With PLC, the available Supplemental Coverage Option (SCO) will be discussed.  Decisions made for this Farm Bill sometime in 2015 will be final for the duration of the Bill.

Farm Bill Education Meetings are being held in most Nebraska Counties.  Other meetings in our area include:
November 24 - Tekamah - City Auditorium - 1315 K St. Tekamah - 9-Noon
December 2 - Pender - Pender Fire Hall - 314 Maple St. Pender - 9-Noon
December 9 - Norfolk - NECC LLC - 601 E Benjamin Ave, Norfolk - 9-Noon
December 10 - Stanton - Community Bldg. - 1109 Ivy Str. Stanton - 1-4:00
December 10 - Wayne - Wayne Fire Hall - 510 Tomer Dr. Wayne - 9-Noon
December 15 -  Fremont - Location TBD - 9-Noon

For more information or assistance contact your local FSA or UNL County Extension Office.  For information about the 2014 Farm Bill, go to www.farmbill.unl.edu or .www.fsa.usda.gov/farmbill



Cuming County 4-H Livestock Judging Team Participates at the American Royal

The Cuming County 4-H program was represented at the American Royal 4-H Livestock Judging Contest in Kansas City, MO during the week of October 29-31.  According to Larry Howard, UNL Extension Educator in Cuming County, the team won the right to represent Nebraska during the Nebraska State 4-H Livestock Judging Contest last June.

The Cuming County 4-H Livestock Judging team placed seventh (7th) overall and was 6th place in Swine.  Team members were Blake Guenther, Connor Klitz and Braxton Deets of West Point and Brent Miller of Lyons.  Individually, Blake placed 21st overall and was 18th in Swine; Connor placed 23rd overall and 17th in both Swine and Beef; Brent placed 28th overall and was 6th in Sheep/Goat; Braxton placed 38th overall.

The team sponsors for the trip were Brian Guenther and Kevin Klitz.  The team received funding from the Nebraska 4-H Foundation and the Cuming County 4-H Foundation and the use of the vehicle from the Cuming County Extension Board.



LARGE INDOOR FARM SHOW IS CLOSER TO HOME THAN YOU THINK

No need to travel to Louisville, KY to see a large indoor farm show when the next biggest indoor show is right in your backyard in Lincoln, Nebraska.  Th 8th Annual Nebraska Power Farming Show is stuffd with ag-related products and services and utilizes all the buildings at the Lancaster Event Center. The Event Center consists of fie linked buildings providing 9.2 acres (400,000 sq. ft) of indoor displays.

The demand for booth space was the largest ever. At show time there were over 90 companies on the waiting list. We rearranged one of the buildings to add 54 more booths but that wasn't even close to accommodate the number of companies that want to attend, says Tom Junge, Show Director. The show will feature approximately 900 companies and 2304 booths.

Due to limited space, show management focuses on having only ag-related displays and seeks out top quality exhibitors. Ths year we wanted to look at the latest electronics/precision ag technology and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, says Junge. The show will have 4 to 5 companies displaying either the copter or airplane type UAVs. Attendees will fid many new electronics and apps that will add convenience and provide more information to producers. The show also emphasizes equipment displays. Farmers and ranchers don t want to come to a show to look at literature. They want to kick tires, states Junge.

The timing of the show is what makes it so popular. Farmers and ranchers come from across the region to take advantage of enticing year-end buying specials. Just as they come to buy, the exhibiting companies are looking to sell. Junge says, It creates a real exciting atmosphere for both sides. Show hours are 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thrsday. Admission and parking are FREE. Attendees are encouraged at the show entrances to sign-up for the show newsletter and for the chance to win $1000 worth of seed corn or soybeans given away each day by show sponsor Stine Seed.

The show is produced by the Iowa-Nebraska Equipment Dealers Association in conjunction with local Nebraska and Iowa farm equipment dealers. This year the show is sponsored by Farm Credit Services of America, Bayer CropScience, Stewart-Peterson Group, Stine Seed, AuctionTime.com, KRVN/KTIC Radio and Midwest Messenger.



USMEF Elects New Officer Team

On Nov. 7, 2014, the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) concluded its annual Strategic Planning Conference in Arlington, Virginia, with election of new officers. Leann Saunders of Castle Rock, Colorado, is USMEF chair, succeeding Mark Jagels of Davenport, Nebraska.

Saunders is co-founder and president of Where Food Comes From, an agricultural and food verification and certification company. Saunders previously worked for PM Beef Holdings, where she developed the first-ever USDA Process Verified Program for U.S. beef. She also worked as a purchasing specialist for McDonald’s Corporation and for Hudson Foods.

Saunders remains actively involved in her family’s ranching and stocker operations and is part owner of the Mayfield Heritage Cattle Company in Animas, New Mexico. In her address to USMEF members, Saunders said her ranching background shaped the values and perspective she brings to the position of USMEF chair.

“I grew up on a cow/calf operation in southwestern Colorado, and my father was a first-generation rancher,” she explained. “You don’t hear about that happening very often, because it’s very difficult to do. During my childhood, he worked two – and sometimes three – jobs, always with the goal of becoming a full-time cattleman. He also had the full support of my mother and my grandparents, which was critically important. So those values of hard work and perseverance that my parents and grandparents instilled in me – I hope to pass them along to my children.”

Saunders has been involved with USMEF for more than 15 years, and says one aspect of the organization she values most is its ability to provide private sector companies with unparalleled market intelligence. She said members also benefit greatly from the wide range of perspectives represented within USMEF.

“It is the rich diversity of USMEF that really makes it such an exceptional organization,” she said. “USMEF gives us the opportunity to see issues from different vantage points, get together and make a decision, align on that decision and move forward together.”

Roel Andriessen of Dakota Dunes, South Dakota, is the new USMEF chair-elect. He is the senior vice president responsible for Tyson Fresh Meats’ international sales group.

Vice-chair Bruce Schmoll is a soybean and corn producer from Claremont, Minnesota. He has represented the oilseeds producing sector on the USMEF Executive Committee and is a past president of the Minnesota Soybean Growers Association.

The newest member of the USMEF officer team is Dennis Stiffler, Ph.D., who will serve as secretary-treasurer. Stiffler is chief executive officer of Mountain States Rosen and has represented the lamb producing and feeding sector on the USMEF Executive Committee. He is based in Bronx, New York.



Senate, House Ag Committees Will See New Leadership

In the wake of major Republican gains in the mid-term elections, both the House and Senate agriculture committees will see new leadership, according to the National Milk Producers Federation. With Republicans assuming control of the Senate beginning in January, Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.) is likely to be the new chair of the Senate ag committee. The current senior Republican on the committee, Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), is expected to lead the Senate Appropriations Committee. The current committee chair, Sen. Stabenow (D-Mich.), will become the panel's senior Democrat.

In the House, both agriculture committee chair U.S. Rep. Frank Lucas (R-Okla.) and senior Democrat Collin Peterson (D-Minn.) were reelected. However, Lucas is term limited as chair, paving the way for Rep. Mike Conaway (R-Texas) to be the farm panel’s new chair. Peterson, who withstood his strongest challenge in years, will remain as senior agriculture committee Democrat.

On the policy front, the Republican election left uncertain the prospects for congressional action on comprehensive immigration reform next year. NMPF and other farm organizations have pledged a major push on immigration in 2015. However, if any major reform legislation passes in the Republican-controlled Senate, it is likely to be somewhat different from the 2013 Senate bill, which was backed by NMPF.

That bill included an historic agreement ensuring that dairy farmers could both maintain their current workers and have the workforce needed to meet future needs.

Meanwhile, since the summer President Obama has indicated that, in the absence of congressional action on the issue, he would take administrative action before the end of 2014 to address the status of undocumented immigrants.



USDA World Ag Supply and Demand Report - November 10, 2014

WHEAT: U.S. wheat supplies for 2014/15 are decreased 10 million bushels based on updated production estimates for the states resurveyed following the September 30 Small Grains report.  Adjustments to production in these states, where significant acreage remained unharvested in early September, lowers production estimates for Hard Red Spring (HRS) wheat and durum. The change results in corresponding decreases in ending stocks. The projected range for the 2014/15 season-average farm price is narrowed 10 cents on both the high and low end to $5.65 to $6.15 per bushel.

Global 2014/15 wheat supplies are lowered 1.1 million tons with decreased production offsetting higher beginning stocks. World production is lowered 1.3 million tons led by a 1.0-million-ton decrease for Australia, a 0.8-million-ton reduction for Egypt, and a 0.5-million-ton reduction for Kazakhstan. Partly offsetting is a 1.4-million-ton increase for EU. Changes for Northern Hemisphere countries reflect updated harvest reports and government statistics. Australia is lowered on persistent dryness in portions of the southeast that continued through October.  Global wheat consumption for 2014/15 is lowered 1.4 million tons due mainly to reductions for Egypt food and feed use, which stem from changes to their bread subsidy program. Global wheat imports are lowered 1.3 million tons to 153.4 million. Egypt imports are lowered 0.8 million tons due to the new subsidy program that will change consumption patterns. South Korea imports are lowered 0.4 million tons on reduced feed quality wheat imports; China, Pakistan and Russia imports are each lowered 0.3 million tons. Partly offsetting the reductions are 0.3-million-ton increases for both Mexico and Turkey imports. The largest exporter decrease is 1.0 million tons for Australia on a smaller crop. Kazakhstan and Serbia exports were each lowered 0.2 million tons also due to smaller crops. A 0.3-million-ton increase in Turkey exports was partially offsetting.  Global wheat ending stocks for 2014/15 are raised 0.3 million tons to 192.9 million, mostly on higher stocks for EU.

COARSE GRAINS: U.S. feed grain production for 2014/15 is lowered this month as lower corn, barley, and oats output more than offsets a small increase for sorghum. Corn production is forecast 68 million bushels lower, but still a record at 14,407 million bushels. The national average corn yield is reduced 0.8 bushels per acre to 173.4 bushels. Small decreases in barley and oats production reflect the resurvey of producers who reported unharvested acreage in early September for the Small Grains report. Sorghum production is raised 4 million bushels with a higher forecast yield.

U.S. corn use for 2014/15 is projected slightly higher with a 5-million-bushel increase in expected food, seed, and industrial (FSI) use. Corn used in ethanol production is projected 25 million bushels higher with a reduction in expected sorghum use for ethanol and the strong pace of weekly ethanol production reported so far for the marketing year. Mostly offsetting this increase is a 20-million-bushel reduction in other food and industrial use. Projected corn ending stocks are lowered 73 million bushels. The projected range for the season-average farm corn price is raised 10 cents on each end to $3.20 to $3.80 per bushel.

Sorghum exports for 2014/15 are projected 10 million bushels higher on continued strong demand.  Higher sorghum prices, driven by the strong pace of export sales and shipments, reduce the attractiveness of sorghum used in ethanol production and drive this month’s reduction in projected sorghum FSI use. Sorghum feed and residual use is raised 5 million bushels with the increase in production. The projected sorghum season-average farm price range is raised 20 cents on each end to $3.15 to $3.75 per bushel. The projected 2014/15 season-average farm prices for barley and oats are also raised this month based on prices reported to date.

Global coarse grain supplies for 2014/15 are projected 1.6 million tons higher as the U.S. reduction is more than offset by higher foreign output. Foreign corn production is raised 1.4 million tons with increases for EU, Ukraine, and Mexico more than offsetting reductions for China and Kenya. World mixed grain production is raised 1.3 million tons with an increase for EU on higher reported area and yields, mostly in Poland and Germany. World barley output is raised 0.6 million tons with increases for EU and Algeria more than offsetting small reductions for Kazakhstan and the United States. Sorghum production is raised for Mexico, but lowered for Argentina, leaving foreign production up slightly. Rye production is lowered for EU.

Global coarse grain consumption for 2014/15 is lowered 1.1 million tons. Corn use is lowered for China, but raised for EU, Ukraine, and Mexico. Barley feed use is raised for China, but lowered for Ukraine. Sorghum use is raised for Mexico and China. Corn imports are lowered for EU, China, and Japan, but raised for Iran and South Korea. Corn exports are lowered for Argentina and Brazil, but raised for Ukraine. Barley and sorghum imports are raised for China. Barley exports are raised for Canada and Ukraine. World corn ending stocks are projected 0.9 million tons higher with the U.S. reduction more than offset by increases for Mexico, Brazil, Ukraine, China, and Argentina.

OILSEEDS: U.S. oilseed production for 2014/15 is projected at 117.2 million tons, up 0.9 million from last month on increased soybean, peanut, and cottonseed production. Soybean production is forecast at 3,958 million bushels, up 31 million on higher yields. The soybean yield is projected at a record 47.5 bushels per acre, up 0.4 bushels mainly on gains for Iowa and South Dakota. Soybean supplies for 2014/15 are projected 1 percent above the October forecast. U.S. soybean exports for 2014/15 are raised 20 million bushels to 1,720 million reflecting the record pace of export sales through late October. Soybean crush is raised 10 million bushels to 1,780 million mostly due to increased soybean meal exports. Domestic soybean meal consumption is reduced slightly in line with changes in the 2013/14 balance sheet. Soybean ending stocks are projected at 450 million bushels, unchanged from the previous forecast. Soybean and soybean product prices for 2014/15 are unchanged from last month. The U.S. season-average soybean price range is projected at $9.00 to $11.00 per bushel. Soybean meal and soybean oil prices are projected at $330 to $370 per short ton and 34 to 38 cents per pound, respectively.

Global oilseed production for 2014/15 is projected at a record 528.9 million tons, up 0.5 million from last month. Higher soybean and rapeseed production are only partly offset by a lower sunflowerseed forecast. Global soybean production is projected at a record 312.1 million tons reflecting the increase for the United States. Global rapeseed production is raised to 70.7 million tons on a record EU harvest. Gains for EU are partly offset by a reduction for Australia where dry conditions in the southeast have reduced yield prospects. Global sunflowerseed production is reduced 0.4 million tons to 39.8 million on lower forecasts for Russia and Kazakhstan which are partly offset by gains for EU and Serbia. Other changes include reduced cottonseed production for China and Australia.

Global oilseed trade for 2014/15 is projected at 134.6 million tons, up 0.6 million from last month. Increased soybean exports from the United States and Ukraine and increased rapeseed exports from Canada account for most of the change. Global oilseed crush is projected higher mainly on gains for soybeans in the United States, China, Ukraine, and South Korea. Partly offsetting is a reduction in soybean crush for Argentina. Rapeseed crush is raised for EU and China. Global oilseed ending stocks are projected lower at 103.0 million tons on reduced rapeseed stocks in Canada and Australia.

LIVESTOCK, POULTRY, AND DAIRY: The forecast for total meat production in 2014 is raised from last month, but the forecast for 2015 is lowered. Beef production is higher in 2014 but lowered for 2015. Cattle feeders are expected to raise animals to heavier weights in 2014 and 2015, but this is more than offset by a slower pace of marketings in the second half of 2015. Pork production is forecast lower in both 2014 and 2015 as hog weights are expected to reflect a more rapid movement of animals through finishing barns. Broiler production is raised for 2014 and 2015 as producers have expanded at a more rapid rate. Turkey production for 2014 is raised, reflecting September slaughter data, but the forecast for 2015 is unchanged. Egg production is raised for 2014 based on September data and the forecast for 2015 is raised as favorable returns are expected to stimulate a more rapid expansion.

The 2014 beef import forecast is raised on the pace to date. The forecast for 2015 is unchanged from last month. Beef exports for 2014 are updated to reflect September data; the 2015 forecast is unchanged. Pork imports are raised for 2014, but are unchanged for 2015. Pork exports for 2014 are lowered to reflect September data, but the forecast for 2015 is unchanged. Broiler exports are raised for 2014 and 2015 on strength of demand. The turkey export forecast for 2014 is lowered based on September data.

Cattle price forecasts for 2014 and 2015 are raised from last month on continued demand strength. The hog price forecasts for 2014 are lowered on weaker demand, but 2015 prices are unchanged. Broiler and turkey price forecasts for 2014 and 2015 are unchanged. Egg price forecasts for 2015 are reduced on higher production.

The milk production forecast for 2014 is increased from last month as growth in milk per cow has increased. However, for 2015, the production forecast is lowered as the expansion in cow numbers and growth in milk per cow are expected to be more moderate. Export forecasts for 2014 and 2015 are lowered as U.S. dairy products, especially on a skim solids basis, remain less competitive in world markets.

Cheese and nonfat dry milk (NDM) prices are raised for 2014, reflecting current price movements, but the price forecasts for 2015 are lowered as domestic supplies are expected to be relatively large. Butter prices are reduced for both 2014 and 2015 based on prices to date and weaker expected exports. Whey prices are unchanged from last month. The Class III price for 2014 is raised on stronger cheese prices, but weaker cheese prices in 2015 result in a lower expected Class III price. The Class IV price is lowered for 2014 as lower butter prices more than offset a higher NDM price. For 2015 both butter and NDM prices will be weaker, resulting in a lower Class IV price forecast. The all milk price is raised to $24.15 to $24.25 per cwt for 2014, but is lowered for 2015 to $18.85 to $19.75 per cwt.



USDA Reports Provide Some Surprises

Based on the worn adage that "big crops get bigger," analysts generally expected the USDA's November Crop Production report to contain larger forecasts for the size of the current U.S. corn and soybean harvest. According to a University of Illinois agricultural economist Darrell Good, the soybean production forecast was larger, but the corn forecast was smaller than the October forecast.

"The U.S. soybean crop is now forecast at 3.958 billion bushels, 31 million bushels larger than the October forecast," said Good. "The U.S. average yield is forecast at 47.5 bushels, 0.4 bushel larger than the October forecast. Yield forecasts changed by a bushel or two for the majority of states, with smaller forecasts in six of the 29 states. Production forecasts were not changed for the rest of the world. In the November World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report, the USDA increased the forecast of both the domestic crush and exports during the current marketing year so the forecast of year-ending stocks remains at 450 million bushels, or 12.4 percent of projected consumption. The domestic crush should be supported by strong soybean meal demand, particularly in the export market, and by favorable crush margins. The pace of soybean export sales and shipments also supports the larger export forecast. The marketing-year average price is still forecast in a range of $9 to $11. Current spot prices in the eastern Corn Belt are near the midpoint of that range," Good said.

Good said that the U.S. corn crop is projected at 14.407 billion bushels, 68 million bushels smaller than the October forecast. The U.S. average yield is forecast at 173.4 bushels, 0.8 bushel below the October forecast. The yield forecasts declined by five bushels in Minnesota, three bushels in Kansas, and two bushels in Iowa. "The change in the production forecast is relatively small, but is in the opposite direction of the expected change," Good said. He added that the projection of both corn and total coarse grain production in the rest of the world was increased slightly, with declines in the projections of Chinese and Argentina coarse grain production more than offset by increases for the European Union and Mexico.

The USDA forecast of marketing-year consumption of corn for ethanol production was increased by 25 million bushels, but the forecast of corn for other food and industrial uses was reduced by 20 million bushels. Marketing-year consumption is forecast at 13.66 billion bushels, which would leave year-ending stocks at 2.008 billion bushels or 14.7 percent of projected consumption. The projection of marketing-year exports remains at 1.75 billion bushels, but as Good pointed out last week, the current pace of both export sales and shipments are trailing the pace needed to reach that projection.

"In today's WASDE report, the USDA lowered the forecast of current marketing-year exports from both Argentina and Brazil by a total of 59 million bushels, but increased the export projection for the Ukraine by 20 million bushels and lowered the forecast of Chinese imports by 20 million bushels," Good said. "The forecast of the marketing-year average farm price was projected in a range of $3.20 to $3.80, 10 cents higher than the October forecast. Current spot-cash prices in the eastern Corn Belt are near the low end of that range."

The final USDA production estimates for corn and soybeans will be released in January while projections of marketing-year consumption, ending stocks, and average price will be updated monthly through the marketing year. In addition to the final yield estimates, there will be some interest in the final estimates of harvested acreage.

Good said that the difference between the current National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) estimates of planted acreage of corn and soybeans and planted acreage reported by the USDA's Farm Service Agency (FSA) last month are historically large.

"NASS estimates are much larger than the FSA estimates, particularly for corn," Good said. "The FSA will release an updated report of planted and prevented acreage on Nov. 13. If the gap between the two estimates remains large, there will be some expectation that the final NASS acreage estimates to be released in January (based on the December Agricultural Survey) will be smaller than the current estimates.

"If current production and consumption forecasts are actually verified, the big story this year will be that extremely large corn and soybean crops resulted in less than burdensome year-ending stocks," Good said. "The modest level of stocks relative to the consumption base opens the door for a tighter supply and consumption balance for the 2015-16 marketing year, particularly for corn. If consumption next year remains near the projected level for this year, a corn crop less than 13.66 billion bushels would result in a drawdown in stocks," he said. With a national average yield at the trend value of 163 bushels per acre, harvested acreage would have to increase by about 700,000 acres to produce a crop greater than 13.66 billion bushels. Similarly, with acreage at this year's level, the national average yield would have to be at 164.4 bushels to produce a crop of 13.66 billion bushels.

The soybean picture is a little different. "If soybean consumption next year continues at the level projected for this year, a crop less than 3.615 billion bushels would result in a drawdown in year-ending stocks," Good said. "A trend yield of 44.3 bushels per acre would require harvested acreage of only 81.6 million to produce a crop of 3.615 billion bushels. That is 1.8 million fewer acres than expected to be harvested this year.

"While the large harvest this year will keep prices at relatively low levels, particularly for corn, the odds now favor prices that will be profitable for both corn and soybean producers in 2015-16," Good said.



Brazil's Ag Ministry Pegs 2014-15 Soy Crop At 89.3 MMT To 91.7 MMT

Brazil's agriculture ministry refined its forecast for 2014-15 soybean output in its latest crop report.

Production is pegged at a record 89.3 million metric tons to 91.7 million metric tons, a slightly tighter range than the 88.8 mmt to 92.4 mmt forecast in October but with a similar center point.

The official figure for the world's No. 2 crop is at the low end of the range of forecasts for the current crop, which go as high as 96 mmt.

Production is seen growing 3.7% to 6.5% from last year on a 2.3% to 5.1% increase in area.

The report, compiled by the Ministry's Conab crop supply company, highlighted the delays in Center-West planting and the efforts of farmers to plant quickly over the last couple of weeks with the return of rains to ensure the maximum possible portion of the crop gets in the ground during the ideal planting window.

First-crop corn production was pegged at 27.9 mmt to 29.5 mmt in the November report, virtually the same as in October but down 6.8% to 11.8% on last year as farmers switch to soybeans and reject negative margins expected for the grain this year.



China Soybean Production Falls

China's soybean crop in 2014-15 is 1% smaller than last year's crop at 12.45 million metric tons (457 million bushels) compared to last year's 12.56 mmt (462 mb) crop, a recent survey shows.

China's domestic soybean production has been trending downward for years, but this year's crop is actually larger than many expected thanks to good growing conditions in northeast China, the country's top soybean production area.

"We were expecting a much lower output in the summer time because of the decrease in planted acreage and drought conditions in middle China," said Zhonghua Wang, an analyst in Beijing. Wang's output estimation was 9.6 mmt (325 mb) earlier this year.

China's soybean acreage declined 9% year over year to 17.7 million acres, the lowest since 1992. Last year Chinese farmers planted 19.5 million acres. The most China ever planted was 23.7 million acres in 2004.

"The lower planting acreage was due to competition from corn and rice," Wang said. "Last year's profit for soybean production in Heilongjiang Province, China's largest soybean producing region, was around $251 per acre, while the profits for corn and rice are as high as $484 and $680 per acre."



Verdesian Life Sciences Announces New Seed Inoculant Product for Soybeans

Verdesian Life Sciences, LLC (Verdesian) has announced the latest addition to its portfolio of seed enhancement products — Preside™ CL, a new soybean seed inoculant, available for the 2015 growing season.

Preside CL opens the door for added nodules, bringing more nitrogen in and generating a healthier plant right from the start. The product provides four times more rhizobia than the competition, increasing the number of productive root nodules that fix more nitrogen for the plant.

“We’re in the business of providing farmers with the best start possible to their growing season, and this product pays off that promise, particularly as growers are planting as early as possible,” said J.J. Grow, chief executive officer for Verdesian. “We think soybean growers will appreciate the fact that Preside CL helps create strong, healthy plants that can withstand adversity early in the season.”

Preside CL also contains the Take Off® technology from Verdesian that improves the nutrient acquisition and utilization of the plant. This combination of technology helps soybeans produce up to 65 percent more nodule mass than soybeans treated with a conventional inoculant. More nodule mass and root development lead to better nitrogen utilization, which, of course, leads to more bushels in the bin.

The inoculant proves its worth in replicated field trials. Seeds inoculated with Preside CL reached canopy closure faster than those with conventional inoculants. Canopy row closure by pod set (R3 growth stage) helps the plant maximize light interception during the critical pod- and seed-filling period and also can reduce soil moisture loss.

For seed treaters, the efficiency with which Preside CL is applied also helps the product stand apart. It has low viscosity, which limits stickiness during application to the seed, reducing bridging on treating equipment and thus the time spent handling the seed. The low viscosity also translates to ease of planting for the grower.

The Preside CL package consists of only two liquid bladder components, compared to the competitive standard of three, for ease and simplicity. Speed of application is also improved for the applicator due to the low use rate and low viscosity of the formulation. This minimizes the drying time and further speeds up the application process.

“The ease of use, in addition to product efficiency, makes the new Preside CL a top choice for seed treaters and growers who are looking to harvest the full potential of today’s high-value seed,” said Jim Pullins, marketing manager for Verdesian Seed Treatments & Inoculants.



Limus® nitrogen management from BASF now available in the U.S.

It’s difficult to imagine where agriculture would be today had BASF chemists Fritz Haber and Carl Bosch not discovered how to harness the atmospheric abundance of nitrogen to create ammonia. The Haber-Bosch process has allowed growers to apply nitrogen-based nutrients, which is crucial to the fertile soil needed for today’s crop production. BASF has taken yet another step today in the field of nutrient management by announcing that Limus® nitrogen management will be available for sale in the U.S. for the 2015 growing season.

Limus nitrogen management can be blended with urea and UAN fertilizers to protect against volatilization and nitrogen loss, providing more than three weeks of protection. The patented formulation behind Limus nitrogen management combines two active ingredients that are more effective than a single inhibitor on urease enzymes found in soil, resulting in a decrease of nitrogen loss.

“Growers can lose over 40 percent of surface-applied urea due to volatilization within weeks of application,” said Nick Fassler, Product Manager, BASF. “This makes the window for growers to optimize protection of their fertilizer very critical.”

Reducing ammonia losses by more than 90 percent, Limus nitrogen management has demonstrated increased crop yields on average of 6 percent, according to 2013 replicated research, outperforming competitive products. In additional BASF research testing in controlled environments, untreated urea lost up to 35 percent of nitrogen 11 days after application. Urea fertilizer treated with Limus nitrogen management netted no more than 5 percent nitrogen loss. 

“Nitrogen is essential for optimal plant growth and maximizing yields,” Fassler said. “The nitrogen loss prevented by Limus nitrogen management protects plant nutrition, allowing crops to reach their maximum yield potential.”

The increase in efficiency that Limus nitrogen management can provide enhances optimal nitrogen availability in critical growth stages of plant development leading to more consistent yields. Growers who apply Limus nitrogen management can see an extended window of action and minimal nitrogen loss over a wide range of temperatures and humidity. This leads to increased flexibility in a grower’s nitrogen program.

“From a grower’s standpoint, when you make that application you want to ensure it’s there and it stays on its intended target,” Fassler said. “Limus nitrogen management provides growers with a solution for nitrogen optimization, helping to protect their investment.”

The science behind Limus nitrogen management stems from the very long history that BASF has in the nutrient management space. With more than 100 years of expertise in the fertilizer market, BASF can provide the best technology for each market need.