Monday December 22 Ag News

Fremont Corn Expo Jan. 8: Strategies to Stay Competitive

Information to improve corn production, marketing, and utilization will be the focus of the Jan. 8 Fremont Corn Expo.  The program will help farmers and agribusiness professionals plan for the upcoming growing season.  Topics and exhibits will offer strategies to help growers remain competitive in the corn industry.

Registration for the free event begins at 8 a.m. with a complimentary waffle breakfast sponsored by Fremont Area Chamber Agribusiness Council and Partners. The expo, to be held from 8:50 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. at the main arena at Christensen Field in Fremont, is designed for growers, crop consultants, agronomists, seed corn representatives, and others. A complimentary lunch will be served to participants courtesy of Dodge and Colfax County Farm Bureau.

Ruth MacDonald, professor and chair of the Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition at Iowa State University, will present the keynote address: "Fact and Fiction about GMO in Food."

Her research has examined the dietary factors in cancer progression, specifically breast, colon, and prostate cancer, and her teaching has been on societal impacts on food systems and nutritional aspects of oncology. A registered dietician, she has studied  how selected dietary botanical supplements and phytoestrogens alter cancer cell development and has identified a role for estrogen receptors in colon cancer risk.

The program is based on topics identified by corn growers as important to their farming operations, including:
-    Revenue Risk, Forward Contracting, and Crop Insurance with Cory Walters, UNL ag economist;
-    Economic Impact of Expanding Livestock Production with Eric Thompson, UNL economist;
-    Utilizing the Precision Ag Tools You Already Have with Joe Luck, UNL precision ag engineer; and
-    a panel discussion with area farm managers and ag lenders on farming in 2015 with lower commodity prices.

The expo also will include updates on the Nebraska Corn Checkoff, NE Corn Growers Association, and ag industry.

A special nitrogen applicator certification training will be conducted for Lower Platte North Natural Resources District producers at 2:45 p.m.

After the Corn Expo at 3 p.m., USDA-Farm Service Agency Dodge County Director Bryan Ralston will address decisions producers and landowners need to make within the New Farm Bill.

For more information contact Nebraska Extension Educator Nathan Mueller at 402-727-2775 or nathan.mueller@unl.edu.

The Fremont Corn Expo is sponsored by Nebraska Extension, Colfax-Dodge County Corn Growers, Nebraska Corn Growers Association, Nebraska Corn Board, Fremont Area Chamber Agricultural Business Council and Partners, Dodge and Colfax County Farm Bureau, First National Bank Fremont, and other area agribusinesses.



Land Application Training Days Offered in January/February

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension workshops at nine extension offices across the state in January and February will provide livestock and crop farmers with information on how to turn manure nutrients into better crop yields while protecting the environment.

Re-certification will be during the first two hours of the day-long Land Application Training. Dates, times and locations include:
            Jan. 26 – 9 a.m., 128 N. Sixth St. Suite 100 (Extension Office), O'Neill   
            Jan. 27 – 9 a.m., 4502 Avenue I (Boardroom at the Extension Center), Scottsbluff
            Jan. 27 – 9 a.m., 250 S. Eighth Ave. (Courtroom), Burwell
            Jan. 29 – 9 a.m., 2345 Nebraska Ave. (Extension Office), York
            Jan. 29 – 9 a.m., 200 S Lincoln St. (Courthouse), West Point
            Feb. 3 – 9 a.m., 210 E. 23rd St. (Pinnacle Bank Meeting Room), Columbus
            Feb. 4 – 9 a.m., 1002 Plum Creek Parkway (Extension Office), Lexington
            Feb. 5 – 9 a.m., 412 N. State St. (Library Meeting Room), Osmond

Livestock producers with livestock waste control facility permits received or renewed since April 1998 must be certified. A farm must complete an approved training every five years, and farm personnel responsible for land application of manure are also encouraged to attend.

The workshops will help livestock producers put to use the nutrient management planning requirements of Nebraska's Department of Environmental Quality regulations and increase the economic value of manure, said Leslie Johnson, UNL AMM coordinator. Participants who attend the day-long event will receive NDEQ Land Application Training Certification.

This in-depth, one-day class targets newly permitted livestock operations. Operations that have already attended this initial training, but will need re-certification, may attend the morning portion of the training.

Attendance during the morning of one of the Land Application Training workshops will fulfill NDEQ requirements for re-certification of producers who have completed the initial land application training five or more years ago.

This portion of the workshops will consist of a two-hour program including updates on changing regulations and other manure management topics, such as protecting herd health with biosecurity, pathogens found in manure and the manure value calculator spreadsheet that was released in 2012. Farm staff responsible for implementing the farm's nutrient plan are also encouraged to attend.

Pre-registration is required for all workshops. A $60 fee per operation (includes one representative) will be charged for the day-long Land Application Training workshops plus a $15 fee for each additional participant to cover local costs including lunch.

The Land Application Training Re-certification portion of the workshop is $30 for each participant.

These workshops are sponsored by the UNL Extension AMM Team which is dedicated to helping livestock and crop producers better utilize our states manure resources for agronomic and environmental benefits.

For additional information on these workshops and other resources for managing manure nutrients, visit http://manure.unl.edu or contact Johnson at 402-584-3818, email ljohnson13@unl.edu.



Farm Bill Computer Decision Aid Workshop

The Texas A&M Agricultural and Food Policy Center and Nebraska Extension are teaming up to present a comprehensive Farm Bill Decision Aid computer workshop.  The hands-on training for farm managers, bankers, insurance agents, farmers, and landlords will be held Wednesday, January 14 at the Nebraska Innovation Campus Conference (NIC) Center, 2021 Transformation Drive in Lincoln.

The 2014 Farm Bill Commodity provisions are complex and nationally recognized ag economists Brad Lubben, UNL, and James Richardson, Texas A&M University, will lead the training. Richardson is the author of a new, cutting edge computer decision tool endorsed by USDA: the Texas A&M Computer Decision Aid. Attendees will learn how to use the program and interpret results and learn how managing risk is integrated into the model. Participants are encouraged to bring their own iPad, tablet, or laptop computer.Online pre-registration is open until Wednesday, January 7 at http://go.unl.edu/farmbill.

The Texas A&M web-based, software tool is intended for educational use; the insurance tool features will work through the 2018 crop year.  The output uses 500 pseudo random possibilities and involves statistical probability analysis of future outcomes.  A new crop insurance tool integrated into the decision-aid model will be of interest to all users.

The workshop is from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. with registration and refreshments starting at 8:15 a.m. at the new NIC auditorium.  The $30 registration fee includes the noon meal, refreshments, and meeting materials.
As a result of attending this hands-on meeting, workshop participants will have a much better understanding of the economic implications and complex decisions of updating yields, keeping the old base or reallocation of base, choosing ARC-I, ARC-CO, PLC or PLC plus SCO.  Nebraska farm examples will be used. In the afternoon Nebraska Extension teaching assistants will answer individual's questions.

Information needed to use the Decision Aid tool includes: the August 2014 Farm Service Agency (FSA) letter or FSA 156EZ or similar worksheet from FSA and a 10-year crop insurance production report history worksheet from your insurance agent.

For more information, contact Extension Educator Randy Pryor at 402-821-2151 or rpryor1@unl.edu. Further meeting details and agenda are at http://bit.ly/1wh96bm.  



Register Now for Weed and Insect Resistance Workshops
Stevan Knezevic, UNL Extension Weeds Specialist

Weed and insect resistance pose yield and economic challenges for today's farmers. Learn about the importance of herbicide and insecticide resistance management, mode of action, and how to use the Site of Action Numbering System to reduce the potential for weed resistance in Nebraska.

Workshops will be offered at four locations:
    Feb. 3 in Fremont
    Feb. 4 in Nebraska City
    Feb. 5 in Hastings
    Feb. 6 in Grant

This four-hour workshop starts with several speaker topics for discussions and then active involvement of attendees. Topics will include: Insect Resistance, Herbicide Tolerant Crops, Herbicide Mode of Action and Site of Action Groupings, How Weed Resistance Develops, Weed Resistance in Midwest and Nebraska. There also will be a hands-on exercise on weed control problems.

Workshop speakers are members of the UNL Weed Science and Entomology teams, including: Stevan Knezevic (lead), Amit Jhala, Greg Kruger and Julie Peterson. This workshop is sponsored by an educational grant from the United Soybean Board.

Preregister online. Cost for the workshop is $30. For more information contact host county educator, or myself (sknezevic2@unl.edu), or my secretary, Wendy Winstead (wwinstead2@unl.edu). 

All programs start at 9 a.m. local time.

Feb. 3 — Fremont,  First State Bank and Trust Company, 1005 E 23rd St, Fremont; for more information contact host educator Nathan Mueller, 402-721-2500, nathan.mueller@unl.edu
Feb 4 — Nebraska City, Kimmel Education and Research Center, 5985 G Road; for more information contact host educator Gary Lesoing, 402-274-4755, gary.lesoing@unl.edu
Feb 5 — Hastings, Adams County Fairgrounds, 947 S Baltimore Ave; for more information contact host educator Ron Seymour, 402-461-7209,  ron.seymour@unl.edu
Feb 6 — Grant, Perkins County Fairgrounds building, 100 Garfield Ave; for more information call  Kathy Mailend, 308-352-7580, perkins-county@unl.edu, or Strahinja Stepanovic, 402-318-1124, sstepanovic2@unl.edu.



Enhancing the Value of Water through Advanced Irrigation Management

Getting the most value from your irrigation water will be the focus of the Center Pivot Irrigation Management Short Course, a day-long class hosted by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension.

Topics will include:
-    sprinkler package selection,
-    soil water management, and
-    pumping plant performance.

Also, irrigation industry representatives will be available to discuss the latest in center pivot irrigation technology.

Feb. 9 — Scottsbluff
Panhandle Research and Extension Center
To register, call 308-632-1276 or email pmartin2@unl.edu

Feb. 10 — Holdrege
Ag Center on the Phelps County Fairgrounds
To register, call 308-995-4222 or email Phelps-County@unl.edu

Feb. 11 — Central City
4-H Building on the Merrick County Fairgrounds
To register, call 308-946-3843 or email Merrick-County@unl.edu

The day begins with check-in at 9 a.m. and speakers from 9:30 a.m. to 3:15 p.m. The program is free but participants are asked to pre-register so appropriate materials and lunch can be provided. To register, contact the host site.



Central Plains Irrigation Conference

The tri-state Central Plains Irrigation Conference will be held in Colby, Kan., Feb. 17-18. It is sponsored by the Central Plains Irrigation Association with members in Colorado, Kansas, and Nebraska.

The day will begin with registration from 8:30 to 10 a.m. Feb. 17 and end at 3 p.m. Jan. 18. Speakers from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Kansas State University, Colorado State University, and USDA-ARS will present technical and general sessions on a variety of topics including
-    optimizing crop water productivity in a variable climate,
-    the potential of technology and precision agriculture,
-    how to measure and improve irrigation water management,
-    sensor technologies,
-    groundwater issues,
-    crop options for deficit irrigation,
-    subsurface drip irrigation, and more!

Exhibitor and participant registration forms are available on the CPIC website at http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/sdi/REvents/cpia.html. 

For more information contact Donna Lamm, CPIA executive assistant, at 785-462-7574, or 462-7140, or e-mail at donnalamm@yahoo.com.  The conference has applied for continuing education credits for CCAs.



NCTA builds cattle owners with Heifer Link

Students beginning their own beef cattle enterprises while in college are relying on solid genetics and the annual multiplier effect.

Since 2007, students at the Nebraska College of Agriculture in Curtis have had the chance to learn hands-on cattle production, beef science, and agribusiness planning through a specialty program called the 100 Beef Cow Ownership Advantage.

Once completing their 100 Cow “capstone” course at the end of their second year in college, the graduates are fully prepared to seek financing through their commercial lenders or from the USDA’s Farm Service Agency with low-interest rate loans.

Beginning in 2015, however, thanks to donors and mentors across the state, these students can actually begin hands-on work toward a beef herd while still in college through NCTA’s new Heifer Link program.

After successfully completing an application process, the approved students will be assigned a yearling breeding heifer from the NCTA nucleus herd for their final semester on campus.  Recipients will assume responsibilities for nutritional and reproductive management.

“Then, when they graduate in May, 2015, they will be able to leave campus with a bred heifer to start their herd,” explains Fred Bruning, a Bruning, Neb., banker, cattleman and originator of the Heifer Link project.

He saw the value of NCTA’s technical courses and strong production emphasis while his son, Reiss, attended NCTA.  Reiss went on to obtain a bachelor’s degree from Kansas State University and today is back home, farming and operating the family’s cattle business.

“We wanted to give something back to NCTA, and to help young producers get their start in cattle production in Nebraska,” Fred Bruning explains. He and Reiss are donating the first heifer to the project.

Heifer Link advisors (which includes several longtime Nebraska beef producers) believe the project will enable anywhere from 7-15 students a year to meet the course criteria.  Livestock management or 100 Cow students are eligible to apply and put in some “sweat equity” to receive a breeding heifer.

“The NCTA Heifer Link program offers a great jump start into the industry,” says Douglas Smith, NCTA animal science professor and Ag Production Systems division chair “The students have the benefits of making decisions under the watchful eye of animal science faculty and beef industry professionals.”

Since its inception, nearly 80 students have graduated from NCTA in either the 100 Beef Cow or 100 Acre Ownership Advantage programs.  Nearly a third of those are actively engaged in livestock ownership, Smith said. Some operate their own enterprises, while others are livestock managers.

NCTA Dean Ron Rosati recently unveiled highlights of Heifer Link to members of Nebraska Cattlemen and Nebraska Farm Bureau at their annual meetings.

Other presentations are planned next month with the Sandhills Cattle Association, based in Valentine, and with other supporters of beginning farmer and rancher efforts.

“We are excited to help young producers to leave campus with that first animal that is theirs to own and manage,” Rosati said. “They will get a calf the next year, and if it is a female bred with gender-selected semen to produce another heifer, for example, that multiplier affect can help grow that foundation herd quickly.”

Financial or animal gifts are handled through the University of Nebraska Foundation, with heifers becoming part of the NCTA spring-calving herd.  Financial gifts will help purchase a heifer from within the herd, or to assist in feed or other expenses while the animal is property of NCTA.

Upon graduation, the student assumes ownership of the taxable gift.

Advisory group member Bill Rishel of North Platte said not only will Heifer Link assist a beginning farmer or rancher, but it encourages individuals to “pay it forward” when able to do so with gifts back to the nucleus herd, and with their industry involvement.

“I would like to see these students develop a relationship with a heifer donor or with other mentors in the business. We can help a young person with advice, perhaps an internship, and the encouragement to become active in their local, state and national cattlemen’s organizations,” he said. 

“This is more than cattle ownership,” Rishel added. “Heifer Link is about youth development and becoming a viable part of the largest industry in Nebraska, thus enhancing the economic vitality of rural Nebraska and the state’s economy as a whole.”

Additional information about becoming a Heifer Link partner or for details on NCTA’s 100 Beef Cow Ownership Advantage, call 1-800-3CURTIS, or find the Heifer Link Specialty Program at ncta.unl.edu.



Iowa State Dairy Association to Hold 2015 Annual Meeting

The Iowa State Dairy Association (ISDA) will hold its 2015 Annual Meeting on Friday, January 9, 2015. The meeting will take place from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Centennial Oaks Golf Club, 19 Eagle Ridge Dr. in Waverly, Iowa. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m.; all current ISDA members are invited to attend. ISDA members, and anyone interested in the dairy industry is encouraged to attend and to explore opportunities of becoming a member.

This year our guest speakers are Mr. Doug Wilson, chief operating officer of Genex Cooperative, Inc., Shawano, Wisc., and Mr. Chuck Gipp, director of the Iowa Department of Natural Resources, Des Moines. Wilson will talk about the dairy industry in Iowa, while Gipp will provide information regarding Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Agency regulations for livestock operations. They will take questions from the audience. 

After the presentation, lunch will be provided and the business session will begin with officer reports and activity updates. Changes to ISDA policy will be discussed and voted on by the 2015 ISDA voting delegates. Current ISDA policy can be viewed on the ISDA website at www.iowadairy.org.

There is no cost to attend but please RSVP to Sue Ann Claudon by January 2, 2015, by calling (515) 330-7906 or emailing sueannc@iowadairy.org.



FSA Announces New Yield Data for Safety Net Calculations

U.S. Department of Agriculture Farm Service Agency (FSA) Administrator Val Dolcini today offered farmers new information to update program payment yields that will help them better select protections offered by the Agricultural Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs. The new programs, established by the 2014 Farm Bill, are cornerstones of the commodity farm safety, offering farmers protection when market forces cause substantial drops in crop prices and revenues.

“The Farm Bill provided landowners with the option of updating their farm program payment yields. This is the first time that many producers have been able to update yields since 1986,” said Dolcini. “We’ve worked with the Risk Management Agency to make available certified yield data that producers can use to better calculate how the new safety net programs can offer the best protection against market swings.”

Producers can check with their local FSA county office to see if data is available for them. This data belongs to the producer and only the producer associated with the crop insurance records will be provided this service. Updating yield history or reallocating base acres can occur until Feb. 27, 2015.

FSA also issued a reminder that from Nov. 17, 2014, to March 31, 2015, producers will make a one-time election of either ARC or PLC for the 2014 through 2018 crop years. For more information, producers are encouraged to make an appointment to go into their local FSA county office. To find a local FSA county office, visit www.offices.usda.gov. Additional information on the new programs is available at www.fsa.usda.gov/arc-plc.



NCGA DuPont New Leaders Program Announces Second Class

The National Corn Growers Association today announced the participants of the 2015 class of its NCGA DuPont New Leaders Program, now entering its second year of helping farming couples and individuals become better communicators and leaders. Thirty-five participants representing 16 states will be involved in the program next year.

"We're pleased to see this important program continue for a second year with DuPont's generous support," said Chip Bowling, NCGA president and a corn grower from Maryland. "NCGA has always believed that farmers themselves are the best leaders and spokespersons for agriculture, and this program is designed in particular for those just getting started in visible roles in the ag industry."

"There are many challenges in the agriculture industry today that may be overcome by growers getting involved and telling their stories in Washington D.C., their state governments and local communities," said Doug Dollison, Senior Manager Industry Relations, DuPont Pioneer. "We are proud to support the new leader program, which is teaching the very communications and leadership skills necessary for this success."

Those entering the 2015 NCGA DuPont New Leaders Program are: Brandon Dillard, Alabama; John Lee, Arkansas; John Harrell, Georgia; Jason and Kate Danner, Illinois; Colton and Jill Ringel and Christopher and Ashley Hudson, Indiana; Kyle and Jenna Ramsey and Casey and Katie Schleusner, Iowa; Lowell and Krystale Neitzel, Kansas; Michael and Megan Buckman, Kentucky; Jason and Angela McConnachie and Anthony and Carrie Kubik, Michigan; Brian and Secely Lehman, Missouri; David and Jana Jobman, Nebraska; Michael Howlett and Carly Metzger, New York; Cody and Ashley Sloan, Oklahoma; Thomas DuRant, South Carolina; Derek Giffin, Tennessee; and Jordan and Ashley Pool and Cole and Kyla Hamilton, Texas.

As in the 2014 inaugural year, the program will be implemented in three phases in 2015, with two plenary sessions: Iowa in late January and Washington in mid-July. At these sessions, participants will harvest knowledge of communications and leadership skills and issues confronting American corn growers. They also will have the opportunity to see leaders in action in our nation's capital and visit with their lawmakers. Between these two sessions, participants will be involved in national and state-level programs supporting American agriculture.



USDA Cold Storage Highlights

Total red meat supplies in freezers were down 3 percent from the previous month and down 10 percent from last year. Total pounds of beef in freezers were up 5 percent from the previous month but down 12 percent from last year. Frozen pork supplies were down 7 percent from the previous month and down 11 percent from last year. Stocks of pork bellies were up 21 percent from last month but down 30 percent from last year.

Total frozen poultry supplies on November 30, 2014 were down 15 percent from the previous month and down 7 percent from a year ago. Total stocks of chicken were up 6 percent from the previous month but down 6 percent from last year. Total pounds of turkey in freezers were down 51 percent from last month and down 14 percent from November 30, 2013.

Total natural cheese stocks in refrigerated warehouses on November 30, 2014 were up 2 percent from the previous month and up 2 percent from November 30, 2013.  Butter stocks were down 27 percent from last month and down 17 percent from a year ago.

Total frozen fruit stocks were down 3 percent from last month and down 5 percent from a year ago.  Total frozen vegetable stocks were down 5 percent from last month but up 3 percent from a year ago.



Obama Signs Tax Extenders Act Into Law

H.R. 5771: Tax Increase Prevention Act of 2014 which retroactively expands the Section 179 deduction limits through Dec. 31, 2014, has been enacted.

President Obama signed the bill into law on Friday. The new law reinstates the limit on Section 179 to $500,000 as well as reinstates 50% Bonus Depreciation.

The measure was passed by the House on Dec 3, 2014, the Senate on Dec 16, 2014, and signed into law by the President on Dec 19,2014.

Farm Equipment Magaize reports that only this 2014 tax year is covered by the measure. Technically, the bill is a one-year, retroactive extension of the tax breaks, even though it only lasts through the end of the month.



Rabobank REPORT:  Global FERTILIZER industry Q4 2014

Rabobank has issued a new report on the global fertilizer industry, looking at issues of price, supply and demand in key international markets.

In the report, published by Rabobank’s Food & Agribusiness Research (FAR) and Advisory group, the bank says that as the fertilizer supply appears set to outweigh demand globally, the forecast for Q1 2015 looks rather cloudy in terms of pricing.  While spring demand in the Northern Hemisphere will prevent prices from slipping significantly, Rabobank believes that lower farmer margins will incent farmers to be more prudent in fertilizer application, but a strong demand destruction is unlikely.

An increase in urea supply in the first quarter of 2015 will set the tone for global urea prices. Supply is likely to outstrip demand in Q1 2015 as rumored brand new capacity in Algeria and Egypt comes on-line and the just-announced change in Chinese export tariff is likely to boost urea availability. China will replace its tax seasons by a single flat tariff of 80 CNY/ton for urea.

“Chinese urea export availability could improve by another 10-15% in FY 2015, as China seems very close to abolishing its policy of separate tax windows,” says Rabobank analyst Suzanne Pera. “This would amount to 11.6- -12.1 million tons based for FY 2015.”

However, spring demand for urea in the Northern Hemisphere could prevent prices from slipping significantly, providing a floor for the global urea market. The Southern Hemisphere is mostly out of season, and demand is largely covered.

Spring demand in the Northern Hemisphere would normally provide upside in phosphates as well when combined with supply management. However, the new Chinese tax policy of 100 CNY/ton for DAP, will provide downside, as availability of phosphates would improve if prices decline significantly, some buyers might be inclined to lock in prices.

Meanwhile, the potash market is awaiting the outcome of negotiations between suppliers and China for the Q1 2015 price direction. Continued pressure on farmer margins in the U.S. and Europe is likely to drive spring potash applications lower by as much as 5%. Relatively high inventories and downward price pressure on grains and oilseeds will put a lid on further price increases.

“Reduced global demand and relatively high inventories in significant spot markets give China pricing power, despite producer-managed supplies and a flooding accident at one of the Russian mines,” says global strategist Dirk Jan Kennes.

Rabobank believes that for now the most likely scenario is that China will roll-over on its 305 USD/tonne CFR contract.

**PLEASE NOTE: Since this report was finalized in mid-December, China has, as predicted, changed its tax tariff to a single one throughout the year (80 CNY/tonne for urea, 100 CNY/tonne for DAP).



Register Now for the 2015 Soy Social and Auction

Registration for the ASA 2015 Soy Social and Auction is now open! Come join ASA and supporters as we come together for the 10th annual Soy Social and Auction, presenting the 2015 theme “Touchdown! Going All the Way for Soybeans.”

The auction is on Thursday, Feb. 26, at the Commodity Classic in Phoenix, Ariz. The American Soybean Association is celebrating the 10th anniversary of the ASA SoyPAC and the annual Soy Social and Auction.

• Individual First Sighting, Dinner and Auction – 5:30 p.m. $125 (before noon on Thursday, Feb. 26)
• Individual Dinner and Auction – 6 p.m. for $75 (before noon on Thursday, Feb. 26)
• Individual Auction Only – 7 p.m. for $45
• Couples First Sighting, Dinner and Auction – 5:30 p.m. for $240 (before noon on Thursday, Feb. 26)
• Couple Dinner and Auction – 6 p.m. for $140 (Before noon on Thursday, Feb. 26)
• Couple Auction Only – 7 p.m. for $90

Individuals who purchase Auction Only tickets will only be allowed to enter at 7 p.m. For 2015, ASA is offering the following ticket options for individuals and couples:

Each person who registers will be given a $50 SOYBUCKS voucher towards the purchase of a Silent Auction item. (Limited one per person). Limit four $50 vouchers towards the purchase of a Live Auction item ($200 maximum). Purchased item must be greater than or equal to the voucher total.

Commemorative 10-year lapel pins are also for sale for $10 apiece. Every pin purchase offers a chance to win a $1,000 cash gift card to be drawn on March 8, 2015.

ASA is pleased to welcome Syngenta as Premier Sponsor for the 10th annual Soy Social and Auction. For 2015, ASA is offering the following events to make the Soy Social and Auction a winning experience. Many thanks to our following corporate sponsors:

• Commemorative Hat and Apparel Auction – Renewable Energy Group
• Mystery Box Auction Item – Bayer CropScience
• Pre-Game Tailgating —Farm Credit
• Buffet—MacDon Industries
• Soybucks—Rabo Agrifinance

Online registration will close on Thursday, Feb. 19, 2015. Register onsite at Commodity Classic beginning on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2015 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Thursday, Feb. 26, 2015 from 8 a.m. to noon at the SoyPAC registration desk.