Monday January 12 Ag News

Managing Cropping Challenges Workshop

The Northeast Research and Extension Crops Team is hosting upcoming programs designed to help local producers with challenges they are encountering with crop production.  The day-long programs will be Jan. 27-29 in various locations throughout northeast Nebraska.  Topics covered include:
 ·    “Making the Most of Your Fertilizer Dollars”
 ·    “Decisions for 2014 Farm Bill”
 ·    “Nozzle Technology and Product Update”
 ·    “Ensuring Efficient Center Pivot Management”
 ·    “Update on Weed Resistance in Nebraska”

Attending the program will meet all the requirements for private pesticide recertification or initial training.  All programs begin at 8:50 a.m. and end at 3 p.m. If you are needing to recertify for your private pesticide license, the program will end at 3:45 pm.  Dates and locations are:
 ·    Jan. 27, Albion, Boone County Fairgrounds (Casey’s Building)
 ·    Jan 28, Bloomfield, Community Center
 ·    Jan 29, Pender, Firehall

The cost is $45 with private pesticide training and $20 without. Lunch will be provided.  Preregistration is not required but it is appreciated. To preregister call the Holt County Extension Office at 402-336-2760.
    


Resistance Problems Not Limited to Weeds and Insects
John Wilson, UNL Extension Educator
Loren Gielser, UNL Extension Plant Pathologist

It is easy to see when weeds or insects develop resistance to a herbicide or insecticide. The weeds or insects are easy to spot in the field. Even some plant diseases are becoming resistant to some fungicides, as evidenced by the infected plants in the field.

A harder place to detect resistance may be when soybean cyst nematodes, SCN, start to overcome the benefits of using a soybean variety with a particular source of resistance to SCN.

Of the hundreds of SCN-resistant soybeans available to producers, the vast majority use the same source of resistance, PI88788. The explanation for this is simple: This is the easiest source of resistance to breed in and still maintain high yielding varieties. (This is done with traditional plant breeding techniques, not GMOs.)  And for many years in many fields, those varieties did just what they were supposed to do. They limited SCN reproduction and allowed soybean growers to lower high SCN egg counts or to keep low counts low while maintaining yields.

Managing SCN is all about numbers. If you have SCN in your field, you will never be able to eliminate it., at least not with today's management options. Rather, the goal is to reduce that number as much as possible. SCN populations are measured by egg density, the number of eggs in 100 cc's of soil. For a reference point, that's about enough soil to fill a pop can one-third full.

A certain portion of any SCN population in a field will reproduce on any source of resistance. There is no source of resistance that eliminates all nematodes from reproducing.

When the same source of resistance is used whenever soybeans are planted in a field, the same selection pressure is placed on those nematodes remaining in the soil. And just like when the same herbicide or same insecticide is used over and over, the nematodes that can survive on the PI88788 source of resistance multiply in the soil and the population numbers can increase!

There is a test to determine whether the nematodes in your field are resistant, however, the test is slow, expensive, may not tell the whole story, and generally is  not recommended. The easier way to monitor the effectiveness of your SCN-resistant soybeans is to test for SCN about every six years. If your first test was in the fall following a soybean crop, test five or six years later in the fall after soybeans.

If the numbers are holding steady or declining, your management plan is working. If the SCN numbers increase between tests, you may need to consider a longer rotation with non-host plants (alfalfa may be a good choice if it fits in your rotation) or you may need to look for a soybean variety with another source of resistance. However, these varieties make up less than 3% of all SCN-resistant varieties available.

Many soybean growers have asked about the effectiveness of seed treatments to reduce SCN numbers in the soil. To date, these products have shown varying results in their effectiveness against SCN. However, new products continue to come on the market and the University of Nebraska and other universities will continue to test their efficacy. One thing should be noted about seed treatments: No seed treatment is intended to take the place of genetic resistance in combating SCN. They should only be used on resistant varieties for SCN-infested fields.

To see how SCN resistant varieties performed in their ability to yield and effectively reduce SCN reproduction, see the Disease Management section under CW Soybeans to get results from the past couple years of trials (http://cropwatch.unl.edu/plantdisease/soybean). You also may want to review the results of similar trials conducted by Iowa State University (http://www.isuscntrials.info/).



UNL Extension Program - Crop Scout Training for Pest Managers

A University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension crop scout training course will provide crop scouts an opportunity to enhance their skills.

The training is designed for entry level scouts who will be working for crop consultants, industry agronomists or farm service centers across Nebraska and neighboring states, said Keith Glewen, UNL Extension educator.

The course is from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. with registration at 8:30 a.m. March 6, 2014 at the university’s Agricultural Research and Development Center near Mead, Neb.

“Past participants have given the training high marks and state that the knowledge gained from attending greatly enhanced their scouting skills,” Glewen said.

Topics include: how corn and soybean plants grow and develop; soybean and corn pests; insect quiz; plant morphology; using a key to identify weed seedlings; identifying weeds; crop diseases and quiz; and nutrient deficiencies.

Some of the benefits registrants stated the training provided included practical/working knowledge and better accuracy in field scouting, Glewen said. “Other participants appreciated the hands-on, practical format.”

Certified Crop Adviser credits have been applied for and are pending . Watch for fees to be posted in the near future.

For more information or to register, contact the ARDC, CMDC Programs, 1071 County Road G, Ithaca, Neb., 68033, call (402) 624-8000, fax (402) 624-8010, e-mail cdunbar2@unl.edu or visit the Web at http://ardc.unl.edu/cmdc.shtml.

The training is part of the UNL Extension Crop Management Diagnostic Clinics and is sponsored by Extension in the university’s Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.



Ag Land Lease Considerations for 2015
Allan Vyhnalek, UNL Extension Educator

During uncertain financial times such as these, tension can develop between landlords and tenants who become unsure as to whether their lease arrangement is fair. The best way to build mutual trust through these periods is to develop a clear two-way channel of communication and put any understandings in a written lease.

Lease agreements — cash rent or crop share — should clearly outline who is responsible for which expenses. They should include a termination date and outline expectations for tillage, mowing, fences and weed control. Landlords should also discuss the current and future goals of the operation as well as the rising costs they are facing. Tenants should report planting dates, disease or insect pressure, moisture events, irrigation use, yield, unexpected expenses, and price received to landowners.

Some tenants may try to skimp on inputs for 2015. Landlords should consider lease provisions that allow for soil tests to be completed at the end of the lease. If the test results indicate a deficiency of certain nutrients, the landlord should be compensated. Likewise, if the tenant has just invested in improving the soil fertility and is now removed from the lease, a provision should be in place to have that tenant compensated for his investment that will be utilized by the next tenant.

Ownership of irrigation equipment also may need to be addressed.  In Nebraska there seems to be quite a bit of variance in which party owns the equipment. In a typical cash farmland lease, the landlord owns all irrigation equipment.

Nevertheless, in many cases, the tenant is bearing the cost of installing equipment, most notably, providing the center pivot. When the tenant is providing part of the irrigation equipment, the rent should be lowered to reflect the contribution of the tenant.

In some cases the landlord has made no contribution to buying or maintaining the irrigation equipment, but feels entitled to irrigation cash lease rates. This is simply not appropriate. In this case, the landlord has a "good" dryland or rainfed farm and should get very good dryland rent, but not irrigated cash rental rates.

Subleasing and hunting rights also may need to be addressed in the lease. In some cases the landlord is fine with the tenant sub-leasing the crop ground, hay, or cornstalks. In other cases, the landlord does not want to allow that.  This should be discussed and noted in the written lease. For cropland, the hunting rights belong to the tenant unless the landlord specifically holds the rights out of the lease.



2015 Sorghum Symposium

Thursday, January 22, 2015
Midtown Holiday Inn, 2503 S. Locust Street
Grand Island, NE

The 2015 Sorghum Symposium is a farmer-focused educational program designed to provide information and resources to help farmers make informed production and management decisions for their operation.

Program highlights include:
¨ Long Range Weather Outlook - Al Dutcher, UNL, State Climatologist
¨ WHY and HOW to Plant Sorghum - Dr. Bob Fanning, SDSU Extension
¨ Sorghum s Growing Market Demand - US Grains Council Representative
¨ New Management Practices for Sorghum - Dan Berning, DuPont Pioneer
¨ Use of Humic Acid Residue Breakdown & Yield - Mick Godekin, United Suppliers
¨ Results of On-Farm Research - Application of Sugar on Sorghum
¨  Jenny Rees, UNL Extension
¨ Producer & Marketing Panel - Q & A Session with growers and grain merchandisers
¨ NeGSPA Annual Meeting - will include checkoff update and chance for public input
¨ Commercial Exhibits
¨ Certified Crop Advisor CEU's have been applied for

Register by email to sorghum.board@nebraska.gov OR Call: 402-471 -3552.   There is no charge to attend the Sorghum Symposium and lunch is included.   Registration begins at 9:00 AM!!



TS Bank Ag Summit 2015

In the midst of economic uncertainty and market volatility, producers are faced with farming in the future while maintaining the values of the past. TS Bank is hosting an Ag Summit in conjunction with QBE NAU Country, AgriVision, Heartland Co-op, and SIRE on Thursday January 22, 2015 at the Hilton Garden Inn, at 2702 Mid America Dr., Council Bluffs, IA 51501, from 6:00 p.m.- 8:30 p.m.

This year’s keynote speaker is Kevin Van Trump. He is Chairman of Farm Direction, an international organization assembled to bring the finest and most current agricultural thoughts and strategies directly to the world's top producers. Kevin is a leading expert in agricultural marketing and analysis; he also produces an award-winning and world-recognized daily industry ag wire called "The Van Trump Report."

TS Bank’s Josh Guttau, CEO and CFO, and Kevin Forristall, Chief Risk Officer, will also be presenting on a cutting-edge investment analysis and wealth management opportunity.  Registration is free and open to the public. A complimentary dinner will be provided.

Space is limited so call today and invite a neighbor or friend. Register online at https://agsummit2015.eventbrite.com, or call TS Bank at 712-487-3000 to reserve your seat by January 19.



Iowa Power Farming Show is Feb 3-5

Farmers in the heartland don’t need to travel far to marvel at the best and latest farm equipment, high tech electronics and precision ag technology—not when the Iowa Power Farming Show lures the biggest names and newest innovations to Des Moines for three days each winter.

This year’s show—which takes place February 3-5 at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines—will feature more than 780 ag-related companies. With nearly 1840 total booths, it’s the third largest indoor farm show in the U.S. In total, the expanse of exhibitor displays covers 7 acres, 3 buildings and 6 floors.

“The show is about quality exhibitors from every category showcasing the best and latest products and services they have to offer,” said Tom Junge, director of the Iowa Power Farming Show. “Attendees coming to the show know they’re going to see the future of farming and agriculture.”

New electronic devices stand out this year at the show. The latest entry in agriculture is the use of robotic aircraft that captures overhead images of crops and provides growers a cost effective method to identify areas of concern.

Other new electronics include web-based tools that farmers can use to development the best precision business plan for each field and farming operation. The software provides the tools needed to quickly collect and use machine-generated data and to characterize crop budget scenarios across different managment zones.

Junge said farmers who come to see their favorite brands won’t be disappointed. The lineup of exhibitors once again features a veritable “Who’s Who” in farm equipment. The list includes tractor manufacturers Case IH, Challenger, John Deere, Kubota, Mahindra, Massey Ferguson, McCormick, New Holland and Versatile. Farmers will also see lots of exciting new products, as featured in the “New Product” section of the show program.

Seminars begin at 10:45 a.m. each day in two seminar rooms so farmers will have additional educational opportunities. Four firms will discuss the transition of the family farm and the changing tax implications.

The Stewart-Peterson Group will provide an outlook on commodity prices and marketing advice. In addition, Calcium Products will discuss sulfur deficiency in the Upper Midwest. The latest information on UAVs will also be presented.

Show hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday and Wednesday, and 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Thursday.

Farmers may register online at www.iowapowershow.com and save $3 on their admission (Admission is $6). When registering, they will also be participating in the 2015 Planting Intention Survey conducted by AgriSource. Parking and shuttle are free at Iowa Cubs-Principal Park.

The show is produced by the Iowa-Nebraska Equipment Dealers Association in conjunction with local Iowa farm equipment dealers and sponsored by Farm Credit Services of America, Ag Leader Technology, AuctionTime.com, Bayer CropScience, Stewart-Peterson Group, Stine Seed and Sukup.



Iowa Learning Farms January Webinar Features Ag Secretary Northey

Iowa Learning Farms begins its fifth year of monthly webinars with Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey. The webinar will be live on a special date and time: Tuesday, Jan. 27 at 4 p.m.

ILF program manager Jacqueline Comito and Northey will discuss agriculture in Iowa and what its future may hold. As Northey begins his third term in this position and is a farmer himself, he knows the farmers of Iowa and the ag industry inherently. Webinar participants will be able to converse with Northey during the webinar, by typing their questions through the chat function of the Adobe Connect software.

ILF webinars are live broadcasts held on the third Wednesday of each month at 1 p.m. The webinars are free and all that is needed to participate is a computer with Internet access. To connect to the webinar, go to: https://connect.extension.iastate.edu/ilf/ at the start of the webinar and log in through the “guest” option.

ILF has hosted a monthly webinar since January 2011. All the past webinars are archived and can be watched anytime at http://www.extension.iastate.edu/ilf/Webinars/. There are over 45 webinars to view on a wide range of topics including soil erosion, cover crops, buffers, bioreactors and farmer perspectives. The webinar archives are also available in podcast through iTunes.



New Corn Coproducts Fact Sheet Series Available from Iowa Beef Center

In an effort to extract more value from the corn kernel, new technological advances in the ethanol-making process have resulted in coproduct feedstuffs that are compositionally different from those produced through earlier, more traditional methods. Coproducts can be vital components of beef cattle diets, and Iowa Beef Center director Dan Loy said it’s important for producers to understand what’s available and how best to use them.

“The most abundant of these feeds — distillers grains with solubles — can vary widely in oil concentration due to the process used,” Loy said. “Moisture and nutrients also can vary depending on the plant and the process used. On the horizon is the increased use of technologies that may also extract corn fiber from the products.”

While all of these factors may impact the feeding value of ethanol coproducts for livestock, including beef cattle, it is imperative to highlight that these feeds still can have significant economic and nutritional value. Loy, who also is a professor in animal science at Iowa State University, said corn coproducts in Iowa and the upper Midwest can and do play a key role in economical and efficient beef rations, as long as research continues to evaluate the most effective use of these products.

“That’s why we developed this series of six new fact sheets on changes in coproducts and the subsequent effects on nutritional and economic value for beef cattle,” Loy said. “Each fact sheet provides specific relevant updated information on these changes and suggestions on how producers can effectively incorporate these changes into low cost effective nutritional programs.”

All six of the publications in this series, “Ethanol Coproducts for Beef Cattle,” have been peer-reviewed and offer the latest information based on research and demonstration projects. All are available for download at no cost through individual links at http://store.extension.iastate.edu/Product/IBCR200A.

Here are the publication numbers, titles, authors and topic summaries:

    IBCR 200A, “The Process and Products,” by Erika Lundy and Dan Loy. This publication includes a review of the ethanol process and new nutrient composition tables based on recent analysis and research.

    IBCR 200B, “The Changing Distillers Grains for Feedlot Cattle,” by Erika Lundy and Dan Loy. Included in this review of current and recent cattle feeding studies is a summary of comparisons between distillers grains that vary in oil content and the resultant change in feeding value.

    IBCR 200C “Factors Affecting the Economics of Coproducts in Cattle Rations” by Dan Loy and Erika Lundy. Various approaches to determining economic value of corn coproducts are reviewed in this publication.

    IBCR 200D, “Distillers Grains for Beef Cows,” by Taylor Geppert and Patrick Gunn. This publication provides an overview of the use of distillers grains as a cost effective supplementation strategy for beef cow rations utilizing medium-low quality forages.

    IBCR 200E, “Handling and Storage Considerations,” by Patrick Gunn, Taylor Geppert and Dan Loy. Small- to medium-sized beef producers can effectively utilize wet corn coproducts through long-term storage strategies outlined in this publication.

    IBCR 200F, “Avoiding Negative Effects of High Dietary Sulfur,” by Mary Drewnoski, Dan Loy and Stephanie Hansen. Through nutritional management techniques outlined in this publication, cattle feeders can feed higher levels of distillers grains that contain elevated sulfur concentrations.



2015 NCBA Trade Show Breaks another Record
 
2015 Cattle Industry Convention-goers will not want to miss the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) Trade Show in San Antonio, Texas, Feb. 4-7. With 337 companies in attendance, this is the largest, most advanced trade show for the cattle industry. Every year groundbreaking technologies and ideas are introduced at the event, in addition to expert demonstrations on topics that will benefit cattlemen and women from across the nation.

“This is going to be our largest NCBA Trade Show to date, with nearly 6 acres of exhibit space, and something for everyone in the cattle industry,” said NCBA President and Victoria, Texas cattleman Bob McCan. “Now more than ever, it’s critical for cattlemen and women to stay apprised of current industry technology and innovative concepts to help optimize their operations.”

Highlights of the Trade Show include:

Demonstration Area -This area will feature NCBA’s Beef Quality Assurance program Stockmanship & Stewardship. These sessions will teach handling methods that improve gathering, penning, chute work and hauling on horseback. Much of the emphasis is placed on ways to increase cattle performance by reducing handling stress. Interactive discussions will show how cattlemen can actually shape consumers’ perception of beef. Cattle handling experts Curt Pate and Ron Gill will teach each of these informative sessions.

Efficient, Low Stress Cattle Handling with Stock Dogs on Wednesday, February 4th only. Don’t miss this entertaining and educational session presented by the National Cattle Dog Association.

Learning Lounge - NCBA Trade Show presents the NCBA Learning Lounge. These 30 minute "lightning sessions" will offer busy attendees valuable educational tips. The Learning Lounge is where attendees can stop in and enjoy informal, face to face talks and hands-on technology education in small intimate theater like setting right on the trade show floor.

Nacho Ordinary Party - It's a Fiesta
Wednesday, February 4
Sponsored by MICRO, Co-sponsored by Farm Credit, New Holland & Certified Angus Beef
Nacho Ordinary Party - Fajitas, Margaritas, salt and lime, that’s right it’s Fiesta time. Kick off the 2015 NCBA Trade Show with a Texas Fiesta.

Texas Uncorked - a Texas Wine Reception
Thursday, February 5
Enjoy a wine walk through the Trade Show sampling some great Texas wines.

Texas Tapped - a Texas Beer Reception
Friday, February 6
Enjoy some tasty Texas Beer on tap in the Trade Show.

For more information, or to register, go online to www.BeefUSA.org. 



National Pork Board Names Chris Hodges as Chief Executive Officer

Chris Hodges, a pork industry leader with substantial senior management experience in agriculture, will join the National Pork Board as its new chief executive officer on Feb. 16. Currently based in Kansas City, Hodges is senior vice president – business development of Smithfield Farmland.

“When I first joined what was then Farmland Industries as a grain division manager, I joined a farmer cooperative,” said Hodges. “Over the years, I have grown to understand the needs and challenges facing pork producers. From product marketing to disease management to sustainability, I look forward to working with the National Pork Board staff and Board to develop the tangible tools and grassroots programs on behalf of America’s pig farmers.”

Hodges brings to the Pork Checkoff decades of in-depth knowledge and innovation in marketing pork to key U.S. food retailers and into international markets. Much of his fresh pork marketing experience includes direct producer outreach and involvement related to adopting on-farm practices specifically designed to improve overall meat quality. His last day with Smithfield will be Feb. 13, upon which he will move to Des Moines to lead the Pork Checkoff.

“For the past 30 years, Chris has dedicated his career to the pork industry, building and leading teams to meet the emerging demands for protein in both the U.S. and international market place,” said Dale Norton, president of the National Pork Board and a pork producer from Bronson, Mich. “He knows this industry so well and, over the years, has given back through volunteering his time and expertise in several areas.”

Last June at World Pork Expo, Hodges publicly endorsed the Pork Checkoff’s swine industry audit task force as it unveiled a single, common approach to streamline how pork is produced in the U.S. This new industry standard for auditing pork production aligns many diverse practices into a common protocol. It has been supported and accepted by pig farmers, packers, processors, retailers and others throughout the pork supply chain.

Hodges is also a retiring board member of the National Pork Producers Council. He served as chairman of its Packer Processor Industry Council since 2013.

Prior to his current role, Hodges advanced at Smithfield Foods – a $14 billion global food company and the world’s largest pork processor and hog producer. He previously served as senior vice president, fresh pork and industrial sales at Farmland Foods, and led the sales and marketing teams for its Smithfield® and Farmland® brands. His industry expertise includes business development, sales and marketing, retail and foodservice outreach, new equipment and processing specifications management, risk management, feed and grains oversight and developing integrated information and technology systems.

“As we move forward with the implementation of our new 2020 strategic plan, we feel confident that Chris is the right person to lead the organization,” Norton said. “He brings not only years of professional work experience, but first-hand knowledge and insight into our changing industry. We welcome him on board.”

Hodges’ first week on the job will include meeting with producer leaders at the National Pork Board’s annual unified research committee meeting, Feb. 17-19, followed closely by speaking at the National Pork Industry Forum in San Antonio, March 5-7.

Hodges, raised in Laurens, Iowa, is a graduate of Drake University, Des Moines, Iowa, with a focus in international relations. He also has a masters of arts in international affairs from Columbia University. Upon obtaining his graduate degree, Hodges was a project manager at the U.S Department of Agriculture, assigned to the U.S. Agency for International Development where he managed extension projects in international grain markets. He later earned a doctorate in agricultural and applied economics from the University of Minnesota.



NPPC on New National Pork Board CEO
CEO Neil Dierks

The National Pork Producers Council congratulates Chris Hodges on being chosen as Chief Executive Officer of the National Pork Board.

Chris brings a wealth of knowledge about and expertise on the pork industry that will benefit America’s pork producers.

NPPC appreciates Chris’s dedication to the pork industry, including his involvement in NPPC, and looks forward to continuing to work with him as the new leader of the National Pork Board.



More than Half of Nation's Dairy Producers Enroll in New Margin Protection Program

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that more than 23,000 of the nation's dairy operations – over half of all dairy farms in America – have enrolled in the new safety-net program created by the 2014 Farm Bill, known as the Margin Protection Program. The voluntary program provides financial assistance to participating farmers when the margin – the difference between the price of milk and feed costs – falls below the coverage level selected by the farmer.

"Enrollment far exceeded our expectations in the first year," said Vilsack. "We're pleased that so many dairy producers are taking advantage of the expanded protection. USDA conducted a lot of outreach to get the word out. When you compare the initial enrollment rate for the Margin Protection Program to the longstanding federal crop insurance program, where participation ranges from 30 percent to 80 percent depending on the crop, it's clear that these outreach efforts made a difference."

During the three months of the enrollment period, USDA conducted a robust education and outreach effort to the nation's dairy producers. The department held over 500 public meetings, sent out nearly 60,000 direct mailings, and conducted more than 400 demonstrations of the Web-based tool designed to help applicants to calculate their specific coverage needs.

Unlike earlier dairy programs, the Margin Protection Program offers dairy producers a range of choices of protection that are best suited for their operation. Starting with basic coverage for an administrative fee of $100, producers can select higher levels of coverage at affordable incremental premiums. More than half of applicants selected higher coverage beyond the basic level.

Dairy producers interested in enrolling in the Margin Protection Program for Fiscal Year 2016 can register between July 1, 2015 and Sept. 30, 2015.



MPP-Dairy Sign-up Reaction from NMPF

The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced today that more than half of U.S. dairy operations have enrolled in the new Margin Protection Program (MPP) for dairy in 2015, “an encouraging start to this crucial new safety net program for our industry,” said Jim Mulhern, President and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation.

The USDA reported Monday that more than 23,000 dairy operations signed up for the program during the three-month window that ran until December 19, 2014. That sum represents about half of the overall number of dairy farms in America.

“The margin protection program is a welcome improvement to federal dairy policy, and comes at an important time to help farmers deal with what will be a more challenging economic outlook in 2015,” Mulhern said. “The MPP is now the only widely-available tool to help farmers protect against both lower milk prices and higher feed costs. It represents a new paradigm in shared responsibility between farmers and the government to cover the cost of that insurance.”

While the USDA has yet to release the volume of U.S. milk production covered under the program, anecdotal reports indicated that the sign-up extensions granted after Thanksgiving, coupled with a sharp downturn in milk price forecasts for 2015, encouraged additional participation prior to the December 19 cutoff.

NMPF expressed appreciation to the Agriculture Department for allowing additional opportunities for dairy farmers to insure themselves through the MPP.

“Secretary Tom Vilsack is to be commended for maximizing the opportunity for farmers to use this new tool,” Mulhern said.

He also thanked the leaders of the Agriculture Committees for establishing the MPP in the farm bill passed last year in Congress – in particular, Senate Ag Chair Debbie Stabenow, Ranking Republican Thad Cochran, along with House Ag Chair Frank Lucas, and Ranking Democrat Collin Peterson. These leaders, along with Senator Patrick Leahy, “fought for the new program, and helped establish a discounted premium rate for the program in 2015 to incentivize first-time enrollment,” Mulhern said.

The next MPP sign-up period will begin in six months, during an open season enrollment window for MPP coverage in calendar year 2016. That enrollment period will run from July 1 until September 30th.

NMPF established its www.futurefordairy.com website to help educate farmers about the program, and worked with USDA and a group of university agricultural economists during 2014 to explain the benefits of utilizing the Margin Protection Program.



 CWT Assists with 14.7 Million Pounds of Cheese and Butter Export Sales

Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) has accepted 28 requests for export assistance from Dairy Farmers of America, Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative, Michigan Milk Producers Association, Northwest Dairy Association, and Upstate-Niagara/O-AT-KA to sell 2.993 million pounds (1,817 metric tons) of Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese and 11.678 million pounds (746 metric tons) of 82% butter to customers in Asia, Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. The product will be delivered in January through July 2015.

These CWT-assisted sales by these member cooperatives are going to nine countries on four continents. The sales are the equivalent of 290.535 million pounds of milk on a milkfat basis.

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



BIVI FLEXcombo® swine vaccine now available in a 50-dose presentation

Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. (BIVI) makes it easier for producers and veterinarians to vaccinate pigs against porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2) and Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae with a single injection of FLEXcombo®.

FLEXcombo®, a member of the FLEX Family™ of vaccines, is now available in a 50-dose presentation, in addition to a 250-dose presentation, giving producers and veterinarians a choice of sizes that best fit their operations and number of pigs to vaccinate, with less wasted vaccine.

According to Sarah Jorgensen, FLEX brand manager for the BIVI Swine Division, the packaging and mixing process for the 50-dose FLEXcombo® is the same as what producers are used to with the larger presentation size. “The 50-dose FLEXcombo® package contains a 50-mL bottle of Ingelvac CircoFLEX® and 50 mL of Ingelvac MycoFLEX® in a 100-mL headspace bottle for easy mixing. The result is 100 mL of mixed vaccine, enough to treat 50 head with a single 2-mL injection,” she explains.

Producers and veterinarians have asked for a smaller presentation of FLEXcombo® so that they can better match vaccine quantity with the number of pigs they need to vaccine, while reducing the amount of left over vaccine.

“Customers now have more choice in product size to go along with the added convenience of vaccinating pigs against two of the most important respiratory diseases in swine, all with a single injection,” Jorgensen adds. “More importantly, customers using either presentation size of FLEXcombo® can reduce stress on both pigs and people while decreasing labor costs because of the need for fewer injections. This all results in greater compliance with the Pork Quality Assurance Plus® program and improved pork quality.”