Thursday January 29 Ag News

Ricketts Announces the 27th Annual Governor’s Ag Conference

Gov. Pete Ricketts today announced the schedule for his inaugural Governor’s Ag Conference.  The 2015 event will be held Wednesday and Thursday, March 4th-5th at the Holiday Inn and Convention Center in Kearney.  This year will mark the 27th anniversary of the conference.

“I am excited to shine a spotlight on agriculture and the issues facing our state’s top industry because agriculture’s ongoing success is important to all of Nebraska,” said Gov. Ricketts.

Topics to be covered include international trade, expansion of value-added agriculture, farm transitions to the next generation, and federal regulatory and policy issues impacting Nebraska farms and ranches.

The conference begins at 3:30 p.m. on Wednesday, March 4th, with a panel who will discuss the importance of planning the transition of a farm operation from one generation to the next.

The conference will resume at 9:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 5th.  Speakers include: Mr. Jim Wiesemeyer,  a Washington, DC-based policy expert with Informa Economics; Mike Dwyer, with the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) Foreign Agricultural Services (FAS) Global Policy Analysis Division; and John Heck, the senior vice president of The Scoular Company and Randy Thelen, the senior vice president of economic development for the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce.

Wiesemeyer will cover federal policy issues impacting agriculture, while Dwyer will give an overview of emerging markets for Nebraska exports.

Heck and Thelen will discuss a recent effort by the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce to study ways to build value-added agriculture opportunities in Omaha.

“The Chamber has taken a serious look at this issue and developed a strategic plan to implement the findings of the value-added study,” Gov. Ricketts said. “They recognize that such growth helps all of Nebraska be successful, and I am excited they have chosen the Ag Conference to introduce this plan to the public.”

“It is an exciting time to be involved in the agriculture industry,” said Nebraska Department of Agriculture Director Greg Ibach.  “The conference is a great way to come together as an industry and gain insight into what we might expect in the future and the challenges we will have to meet along the way.”

Other activities will include the “Celebrate Nebraska Agriculture” reception. The reception begins at 6:00 p.m. March 4, featuring a wide variety of Nebraska food products, and entertainment by Jolene Brown.

Anyone interested in agriculture issues is invited to attend. A $100 registration fee covers participation at activities on both Wednesday and Thursday. Registration and additional information is available online at www.nda.nebraska.gov, or by calling NDA toll-free at (800) 831-0550.



Row Crop Herbicides Can Limit the Use of Row-crop Ground for Forage Production
Mary Drewnoski, UNL Beef Systems Specialist
Amit Jhala, UNL Weed Management Specialist

The herbicides used on cash crops can affect not only whether the residues of that cash crop should be grazed or harvested for feed but also if a secondary crop (cover crop) planted after the cash crop can be used for forage.

If you graze or harvest forage from cropland then there are two restrictions related to herbicides that you need to consider.

1) If you are going to be grazing or harvesting the crop or its residues then you need to look at the grazing/harvest restrictions posted on the herbicide.
2) If you want to grow a forage crop after your cash crop then you need to look at the crop rotation intervals (plant back restriction) on the label.

A pesticide label is a legal document and the instructions must be followed to avoid violating federal law. If a rotation restriction is listed on the label but not for the species you plan to plant you must follow the restriction listed for “other crops” or the longest rotation restriction listed on the label. Unfortunately, this often limits the use of brassicas such as turnips and radishes as they are not often listed on labels.

Products containing atrazine (Aatrex, Anthem ATZ, Breakfree ATZ, Harness Extra, Lexar EZ etc.) are commonly used in corn for weed control. The restriction for grazing/harvesting corn silage or corn residue itself is only 45 days in many of these products. However, products that contain atrazine restrict the planting of any crop other than corn or sorghum until the following year and restrict the planting of spring seeded small grains, small seeded legumes, and grasses the year following application. Thus if atrazine is used on corn ground, then you should not use any cover crop for forage; however, you can plant a cover crop assuming the risk of crop failure due to potential of atrazine carryover injury. The potential of a herbicide for carryover injury is hard to predict because it depends on several factors, including rate of herbicide applied, soil texture, pH, rainfall, and the half-life of the herbicides (the time it takes for 50% of the active ingredient to dissipate).

Those that rent ground for residue or cover crop grazing should talk with the grower to be sure that the herbicides applied allow use of the forage for feed. Your cattle may not be affected by grazing the forage where a chemical with a grazing restriction/crop rotation restriction is on the label, but there may be other concerns such as problems with the chemical residues in the meat. Sometimes studies were actually conducted to know there is a safety concern. In other cases, the chemical company may not have chosen to conduct all the studies required for labeling. If that’s the case, the government requires the strongest restrictive language be placed on the label. Without the proper tests being conducted the risk for toxicity to cattle or herbicide residues in the meat are unknown. Thus, beef producers should follow these restrictions as part of their Beef Quality Assurance Program thereby “insuring a safe, wholesome, and healthy beef supply.”

Bottom-line, if you want to graze/bale crop residues or produce a secondary forage crop, plan your herbicide regimen with these restrictions in mind. For more information about herbicide grazing/harvest restrictions or crop rotation intervals, refer to 2014 Guide for Weed Management in Nebraska (EC 130). It is available to purchase at marketplace.unl.edu.



FFA members return from educational, cultural experience in South Africa

FFA members recently returned from a 14-day educational and cultural experience in South Africa.

Members participated in the 2015 International Leadership Seminar for State Officers, an annual, international opportunity through the National FFA Organization for past and present state FFA officers. The experience allows FFA members to experience foreign culture, learn about international agriculture and become more knowledgeable of the global marketplace.

Seventy-five past and present FFA officers representing 23 states left the U.S. on Jan. 4. The contingent traveled throughout five of the country’s nine provinces while surveying the agricultural landscape. FFA officers met with government and U.S. Embassy officials to learn about U.S.-South African trade relations, toured a host of crop and livestock operations, met with business and industry leaders and explored big-game reserve Kruger National Park as well as Robben Island, the former prison where Nelson Mandela was incarcerated for 18 years of his life. The group also met with producers and consumers of various economic classes to better understand local culture and food purchasing decisions. The most gripping encounter came with a visit to an impoverished settlement area in Soweto township outside Johannesburg.

Prior to departing the United States, the students completed ten weeks of online coursework related to cross-cultural adaptability. The program was made possible by corporate sponsors Bunge North America and John Deere.

Those who participated in the experience include: Lacey Newman of Tallassee, Ala.; AJ Cannon of Seaford, Del.; Evan Davis of Laurel, Del.; Jana Caracciolo of Clermont, Fla.; Mylie Feaster of Plant City, Fla.; Victoria Harris of Valrico, Fla.; Brandon McKee of Okeechobee, Fla.; Angie Patino of Sebring, Fla.; Austin Polk of Bell, Fla.; Logan Kelly of Coon Rapids, Iowa; Abrah Meyer of Readlyn, Iowa; Lee Thomsen of West Des Moines, Iowa; Michael Tupper of Ionia, Iowa; Renee Kinzinger of New Athens, Ill.; Andrew Klein of Amboy, Ill.; Willow Krumwiede of Pittsfield, Ill.; Cody Morris of Lerna, Ill.; Kyle Apley of Olsburg, Kan.; Taylor Green of Gypsum, Kan.; Jeffrey Hadachek of Cuba, Kan.; Bethany Schifferdecker of Girard, Kan.; Simon Chantelle of Morland, Kan.; Richard Mathis of Amite, La.; Christen Wall of Holden, La.; Monica Aguilar, Mass.; Brianna Mann of Stoneham, Mass.; Jenell Eck of Henderson, Md.; Jeni Lacko of Frederick, Md.; Ashley McAfee of Smithsburg, Md.; Taylor O'Guinn of New Windsor, Md.; Tori Poole of Brunswick, Md.; Hannah Schantz of Fallston, Md.; Valerie Earley of Wykoff, Minn.; Dalton Kampsen of New London, Minn.; Erin Larson of New Richland, Minn.; Kyla Mauk of Howard Lake, Minn.; Jack Roessler of St. Charles, Minn.; Tony Buchanan of Silver Creek, Miss.; Shelbie Dalton of Byhalia, Miss.; Neela Andres of Bozeman, Mont.; Caitlin Creighton of Missoula, Mont.; Breanna Bregel of Carrington, N.D.; Bryce Lynne of Plaza, N.D.; Katie Vculek of Crete, N.D.; Paige Dexter of Amelia, Neb.; Colton Flower of Scottsbluff, Neb.; Blair Hartman of Champion, Neb.; Amanda Lambrecht of Kennard, Neb.; Brandon Nichols of Bridgeport, Neb.; Ben Rice of Firth, Neb.; Andrea Wach of Wauneta, Neb.; Hope Cahill of Tinton Falls, N.J.; Ben Wainwright of Cream Ridge, N.J.; Kait Isaac of St. Johnsville, N.Y.; Brady Rogers of Hurleyville, N.Y.; Ashley Willits of Copenhagen, N.Y.; Sydney Snider of Moscow, Ohio; Brecklin Milton of Ontario, Ore.; Ian Oppenlander of Madras, Ore.; Meghan Stadeli of Silverton, Ore.; Kaden Eisenbraun of Quinn, S.D.; Nicole Hamilton of Hitchcock, S.D.; Nick Baker of Cookeville, Tenn.; Susan Cowley of Fayetteville, Tenn.; Amy Morgan of Cookeville, Tenn.; Elena Smith of Drummonds, Tenn.; Daniel Black of Winchester, Va.; Brittany Bowman of Mount Jackson, Va.; Garrett Coffey of Woodstock, Va.; Alice Cox of Radford, Va.; Zach Jacobs of Swoope, Va.; Morgan Smith of Abingdon, Va.; Ryan Williams of Blackstone, Va.; Megan Miller of Buckley, Wash.; and Connor Anderson of Clear Lake, Wis.



Dietary Guidelines Committee Verbalizes Move to Limit Lean Meats
(from beltwaybeef.com)

When the meetings of the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Committee began, they started with the premise from prior years, that “common characteristics of dietary patterns associated with positive health outcomes include: higher intake of vegetables, fruits, whole grains, low-fat dairy, fish/seafood, legumes, lean meat, and nuts.”

However, at the last and final meeting of the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee in December, the committee made the unprecedented move of striking “lean meat” from the pattern associated with a healthy diet, implying a plant-based diet. This is a major departure, not only from the past guidelines, but from more than 30 years of nutritionally-accepted science and peer-reviewed studies.

Despite recent media coverage, it is important to remember that the Committee’s final report has not yet been publically released. We expect the Committee to release their report to the Secretaries of Health and Human Services and Agriculture in late January or early February. At that time, the Secretaries will have the opportunity to review the recommendations and request input and comments.

Following that, the recommendations will then be published in the Federal Register, with a comment period.



USW Insists on Uninterrupted Grain Inspections

Official U.A. export grain inspection procedures are well documented and uniform. Export elevators often receive an inspection report on each truck, rail car or barge delivered to their facility. The Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS) inspects wheat again at vessel loading as an independent, third party. Its sub-lot inspection system assures buyers that the quality loaded matches the quality stated in the contract.

Last year, unfortunately, circumstances related to a labor dispute disrupted official grain inspection services at an export elevator in the Pacific Northwest. Citing the “extremely troubling precedent” being set, 22 national, regional and state agricultural producer, commodity and agribusiness organizations, including U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) and the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG), urged USDA to take immediate action to restore official grain inspection and weighing services at the Port of Vancouver, WA.

That effort and pressure from several other sources helped end the dispute and restore official inspection and weighing operations. However, wheat farmers, including those serving on USW’s board of directors, want the government to provide assurance against the potential for similar problems in the future. At its Oct. 30, 2014, meeting in New Mexico, the USW board endorsed the following resolution concerning the interruption in service:

WHEREAS the U.S. Department of Agriculture is mandated under the U.S. Grain Standards Act to provide official inspection and weighing services for exports of U.S. grains and oilseeds.

THEREFORE be it resolved that U.S. Wheat Associates urges in the strongest terms that FGIS take whatever actions are necessary to immediately restore Official grain inspection and weighing service wherever and whenever it is disrupted, either by immediately replacing absent inspectors with FGIS Official personnel or with inspectors from available qualified providers, including other designated or delegated Official Agencies.

Last week, USW President Alan Tracy shared that resolution in a letter to Larry Mitchell, Administrator of USDA’s Grain Inspection, Packers and Stockyards Administration and FGIS.

“U.S. wheat producers fully support the important mission of USDA/FGIS and believe that the service provided is paramount to keeping wheat competitive in the international market now and in the future,” Tracy said. “We insist that uninterrupted service be delivered in a timely manner on demand by the grain industry.”

The U.S. wheat industry will continue to prove it is the world’s most reliable choice for wheat supplies and will be aggressive in its efforts to ensure that our market remains transparent and open.



NCGA Responds to World Resources Institute Study

The National Corn Growers Association today issued the following statement in response to a study released by the World Resources Institute.

Statement by Keith Alverson, South Dakota corn grower and a member of the Corn Board:

“This ‘new’ study is just more of the same, tired arguments Big Oil have been using for years. They simply are not true. In fact, numerous studies by independent, unbiased third parties have come to vastly different conclusions.

The fact is, ethanol is a very efficient energy source. When calculating the amount of energy used to produce ethanol, from farm to pump, ethanol represents a 40% net energy gain. No other energy source comes close. Ethanol is also better for the environment: reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 110 million metric tons, the equivalent of taking 20 million vehicles off the road.

There is more than enough corn to meet all demands: food, fuel, feed, and fiber. Our farmers have grown the largest 11 corn crops in history over the last 11 years – and we’re doing so more efficiently than ever. Since 1980, corn yields have increased by a remarkable 88%. According to the Field to Market Keystone Alliance for Sustainable Agriculture, over the last 30 years, corn farmers have significantly reduced the environmental impact of producing corn, including 30% less land, 44% less energy, and 53% less water. Corn used for ethanol also performs double-duty as fuel, and animal feed by-product – so we can operate even more efficiently.

It’s time to finally put these arguments to rest, and instead focus on continuing to grow American energy independence and invest in this clean, renewable fuel source.”



Former U.S. Trade Rep. Ron Kirk to Keynote the National Ethanol Conference

Former U.S. Trade Representative Ron Kirk will headline the upcoming National Ethanol Conference (NEC) in Grapevine, Texas, the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) announced today. The 20th annual NEC, which will take place Feb. 18–20, looks beyond America’s borders as many speakers will address the conference’s theme of “going global.” Mr. Kirk is scheduled to speak at 2:45 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 19.

Bob Dinneen, president and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association, touted Ambassador Kirk, noting, “Mr. Kirk is uniquely qualified to speak directly to this year’s conference theme ‘going global’. As we look to new horizons and expand into new markets, Mr. Kirk gives us a peek behind the curtain of world markets and trade relations. His valuable insight will help shine a spotlight on new opportunities for American-made biofuels and co-products all across the globe.”

Ambassador Kirk was appointed by President Barack Obama as the United States Trade Representative and served from 2009 to 2013. Born and raised in Austin, Texas, Kirk has close ties to the state as he gained his undergraduate and law degrees at Austin College and the University of Texas School of Law respectively. He joined Sen. Lloyd Bentsen’s staff before rising to the position of Texas Secretary of State and eventually becoming the Mayor of Dallas.

NEC will give attendees a chance to hear from key industry leaders on export markets as well as public policy, higher-level ethanol blends, rail transportation, and more. In line with the conference theme, NEC will host a panel titled “Going Global: Building Ethanol Demand Internationally.” The panel will be moderated by RFA’s General Counsel Ed Hubbard and will feature Eco-Energy’s Pedro Paranhos, Lakeview Energy’s Jim Galvin, Henrique Pacini of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service’s Mike Dwyer, and ePURE’s Robert Wright.

Early-bird registration concludes on Friday. More information and registration details can be found at www.NationalEthanolConference.com.



Potash Corp Profit Jumps 77%

Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan Inc. raised its quarterly payout on Thursday and said fourth-quarter earnings jumped 77%, fueled by record potash sales volumes and higher prices for all three of its key fertilizer nutrients.

The Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, fertilizer giant said the record pace of global potash shipments seen in the first nine months of the year continued into the fourth quarter, with strong demand in all key markets, especially offshore. The firm is the world's largest producer of potash.

Potash sales volumes reached a fourth-quarter record of 2.5 million metric tons, bringing the total for the year to 9.3 million tons, the company said. Nitrogen volumes were relatively flat, it noted, while phosphate sales volumes fell due to certain production challenges.

It said its average realized potash price during the quarter was $284 per ton.

Potash Corp.'s earnings jumped to $407 million, or 49 cents a share, in the latest quarter from $230 million, or 26 cents a year earlier. Sales rose 23% to $1.90 billion.