Tuesday January 6 Ag News

Definite Advantages to Calves Born in the First 21 Days of the Calving Season
Steve Tonn, UNL Extension Educator, Washington County
As the calendar turns over, cow calf producers begin to think about the upcoming spring calving season.  The length of the calving season is important, but when the calves are born during the calving season is also important. There are definite advantages for calves born in the first 21 days of the calving season.  The most obvious benefit is the ability to market larger, more uniform groups of heavier calves, resulting in a larger payoff at sale time.

However, the advantages of having calves born early extend beyond the simple differences in weaning weight.  Research from the University of Nebraska conducted by Dr. Rick Funston, has demonstrated that steer calves born in the first part of the calving season had higher valued carcasses with greater marbling scores (UNL Extension 2010 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report http://beef.unl.edu/nebeefcattle2010). In addition, his work also shows that heifer calves born during the first 21 days of the calving season had greater weaning, pre-breeding and pre-calving body weight.  There were  also a greater percent cycling before breeding and greater pregnancy rates compared to heifers born in the third period (UNL Extension Beef Cattle Report http://beef.unl.edu/nebeefreport2012).

Early calving also has an impact on the cow.  Early calving cows are more likely to become pregnant in the next breeding season and early calving heifers tend to remain in the herd longer than heifers calving after the first 21 days.  University of South Dakota research by L.K. Kill et al.  in 2012 (http://www.appliedreprostrategies.com/pdfs/2012ARSBC_04MouselProceedings.pdf) on a group of 2,195 South Dakota producer owned cattle showed that the average time early calving heifers remained in the herd was 5.1 years compared with only 3.9 years for heifers that calved after the first 21 days.  In a group of 16, 549 cattle managed at the USDA Meat Animal Research Center, heifers calving in the first 21 days, second 21 days, and later had an average longevity of 8.2, 7.6, and 7.2 years, respectively.  These two studies show that early calving heifers have at least a one-calf lifetime advantage compared with late-calving heifers.  Added to this one-calf lifetime advantage was the extra weaning weight at the end of the breeding season that accumulated to the weight of an additional calf.  Therefore heifers calving in the first 21 days of the calving season had the equivalent of a two-calf lifetime advantage over those heifers that calved after the first 21 days of the calving season.

Nutrition, herd health, management, and fertility can influence calving distribution.  Although every herd has its own unique circumstance, here are some performance benchmarks for each calving period:
·        65 percent born by the end of the first 21-day period
·        90 percent born by the end of the second 21-day period
·        95 percent by the end of the third 21-day period

Questions to consider:
  - How many of my calves are born in the first 21 day calving period? 2nd 21 days? 3rd 21 Days?
  - Am I keeping back replacement heifers born in the first 21 days?
  - How can I increase the percentage of my calves born in the first 21 days?

For more beef cattle information check out the Nebraska Extension Beef Web Site:  beef.unl.edu. 



Register by Jan. 12 for 'Farm Succession and Estate Planning'

There is a Farm and Ranch Business Succession and Estate Planning Workshop at the York Country Club, Jan. 15.

Our increasing older average age of farmers and ranchers in Nebraska dictates that there is, and will continue to be, a transition to the next generation of producers and the need for estate planning. This succession will require some guidance to avoid the pitfalls that may come with that transition. To help with that process the UNL Extension Office in York County is hosting a Workshop on Farm and Ranch Business Succession & Estate Planning on at the Country Club located at 1016 W Elm St, York. The workshop will be from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., with registration and coffee at 8:30 a.m. A lunch will be provided.

The workshop and meal will be free to the public but you must pre-register by Jan. 12.

For details and to pre-register call the Rural Response Hotline at 1-800-464-0258 or contact the York County Extension Office in York at 402-362-5508 or email Gary Zoubek at gary.zoubek@unl.edu.



NCGA Research and Business Development Action Team Looks at the Future

The Research and Business Development Action Team reviewed ongoing projects and investigated additional research funding proposals during its recent meeting in St. Louis.

"This team is charged with investing in scientific knowledge to ensure ever-increasing opportunities for corn growers," said team Chair Tom Mueller, a corn grower in Illinois. "While the impact of what we do today won't even be felt for 10 to 15 years from now, putting a little NCGA muscle behind promising research could provide the necessary support for industry to develop new products for the marketplace."

At the meeting, the team reviewed new proposals involving breeding desired crop capabilities through chromosome duplication and technologies for the removal of nitrogen and phosphorous from field runoff.

The team also was briefed by NCGA's Washington staff on the depth and breadth of the gap between science and public opinion on the issues of biotechnology and climate change.

At the team's request, NCGA became a member of the Center for Biorenewable Chemicals, funded by the National Science Foundation, which combines biocatalysis with chemical catalysis to produce precursor chemicals for bio-based products and materials.

"CBiRC uniquely facilitates the collaboration of biological and chemical catalysis research which otherwise takes place on parallel paths of discovery instead of using this interdisciplinary approach," said Mueller.

In addition to Mueller, team members include Vice Chair Larry Hoffman of North Dakota,  Board Liaison Bob Bowman of Iowa, Phillip Gordon of Michigan, Paul Herringshaw of Ohio, Dennis Maple of Indiana, Bruce Rohwer of Iowa, Greg Schneider of Missouri, Scott Sperry of South Dakota, Roger Sy of Illinois, Bob Timmons of Kansas, Daniel Wesely of Nebraska, Chad Willis of Minnesota, and state affiliate staff representative Mark Sponsler of Colorado. NCGA staff for the team includes Director of Research and New Uses Richard Vierling, Ph.D.; Manager of Public Policy and Regulatory Affairs Clint Raine; and Administrative Assistant Sandra Wright.



SowBridge and PorkBridge Program Registrations Now Open

Registrations for two successful distance education programs for specific segments of the pork industry are now open at Iowa State University. SowBridge, for people who work with boars, sows and their litters, begins its seventh year, and PorkBridge, for those affiliated with grow-finish facilities, begins its ninth year, both in early February 2015.

Iowa State University animal science professor and extension swine specialist Ken Stalder said suggestions from subscribers help maintain the value of both programs for future participants.

“Each year we ask participants in both programs for suggestions on topics and speakers, and are happy to provide current content on topics that people are interested in,” Stalder said. “These programs provide our subscribers with the opportunity to hear directly from experts on topics of current interest, and to contact those experts following the individual sessions.”

Stalder, who also is the Iowa contact for the programs, said the programs offer accurate and timely information on a variety of topics through a regular schedule. In addition, the registration fee has not increased for either program.

“SowBridge participants pay just $250 for the 12 monthly sessions in that program, and PorkBridge costs $125 for the six sessions held every other month for a year,” Stalder said. “And, for each program, entities with more than one location may pay lower fees for each subsequent registration from that same entity.”

Each registration provides access to one phone line per session and all program materials for each registration. Stalder said materials, delivery process, and program costs are slightly different for those with non-U.S. mailing addresses, and encouraged potential subscribers from outside the U.S. to contact Sherry Hoyer at Iowa Pork Industry Center by phone at 515-294-4496 or email shoyer@iastate.edu for more information.

Registrations for both programs are due Jan. 16, 2015, to ensure materials receipt for the first session of each.

Before each session, subscribers will receive an email message with links to download the materials for that session. This is a change from delivery for past years.

“We’re trying to be more efficient with our resources and materials,” Stalder said. “Some survey participants told us they don’t want or need CDs, and we know that many computers no longer have CD drives. However, subscribers can still receive the CDs by marking that box on the registration form.”

Most participants will call a toll-free conference line to listen to and interact with presenters. SowBridge sessions are held on the first Wednesday of each month at 11:30 a.m. Central Time and last approximately 45 minutes. PorkBridge sessions generally are set for the first Thursday of every other month, beginning at noon Central Time and lasting for about 90 minutes.

The audio portion of all sessions for both programs is recorded and links to download those recordings are sent to all subscribers for that specific program after each session.

More information on SowBridge, including a link to the program brochure, is available on the IPIC website for SowBridge, http://www.ipic.iastate.edu/sowbridge.html. The website also has a section for PorkBridge, http://www.ipic.iastate.edu/porkbridge.html, including that brochure. Iowa residents who want more information on either program can call IPIC at 800-808-7675.

SowBridge is sponsored by a group of 11 state universities – including Iowa State – from the major swine producing states.



Iowa Soybean Association Research Conference slated for Feb. 19 in Ames

Iowa farmers, agronomists and others interested in using the results of crop production and environmental research to improve their competitiveness and profitability are encouraged to attend the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) Research Conference.

The event will be held Thursday, Feb. 19, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Iowa State University’s Scheman Building in Ames. Registration is open at www.isafarmnet.com.

Nearly 40 breakout sessions and a variety of experts will headline this year’s conference, formerly the On-Farm Network® conference. They will include representatives of ISA’s On-Farm Network, Environmental Programs and Services (EPS) and Analytics teams, academia and industry.

“This is the conference where farmers come together and talk about current research that directly bolsters soybean productivity and improves environmental quality,” said Roger Wolf, ISA EPS director.

Topics to be addressed include crop, nutrient and pest management, the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy, soil and water quality, sustainability, cover crops and technology. There will be several farmer-led panel discussions along with researcher-led presentations. Certified crop advisors will be eligible to receive credit for sessions attended.

An attendee dinner and forum will precede the conference on Feb. 18 from 5:30 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Gateway Hotel and Conference center in Ames.

“There is always something cutting edge at the conference,” said Tom Oswald, ISA president and conference attendee. “I come home with information that helps me understand new innovations in technology and practices.”

Registration prior to Feb. 5 is $50 for trial participants and $100 for non-participants; after Feb. 5, $100 for trial participants and $125 for non-participants. The dinner Feb. 18 is $20 for all attendees.

For additional event information or to register, visit www.isafarmnet.com or call 515-334-1033.



Soybean Checkoff offers U.S. farmers opportunity to learn where soybeans go beyond the elevator

Many soybeans have been delivered to the elevator, but where will they go next? The soy checkoff invites farmers to find the answer to this question and learn about the impact that U.S. soy’s biggest customers make on farmers’ bottom lines during this year’s See for Yourself program.

From now until April 4, all U.S. soybean farmers over the age of 18 can apply for the United Soybean Board’s (USB’s) eighth annual See for Yourself program by visiting the USB website, www.UnitedSoybean.org/SeeforYourself. The program is scheduled for July 24-31.

Besides introducing the program participants to their customers and showing them the results of their checkoff investment, See for Yourself also allows the soy checkoff to learn about U.S. soybean farmers’ perspective of checkoff-funded projects.

“It’s not every day farmers have the chance to see the activities of their checkoff up close and draw their own conclusions at the same time,” says Keith Tapp, chair of the USB Audit and Evaluation Committee, which sponsors See for Yourself. “See for Yourself is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

Each year, the checkoff selects 10 soybean farmers from around the country to see and evaluate the work of the checkoff firsthand. Participants come from diverse backgrounds and farming operations, but all have one thing in common: the desire to learn more about how their checkoff dollars are being invested.

Accompanied by checkoff farmer-leaders, the participants meet a variety of customers, both domestic and international, and see a variety of sites that represent end uses for U.S. soy, such as animal agriculture, the food industry, industrial uses and more.




Informa Sees Record US Corn, Soy Crops

Informa Economics projected record amounts of U.S. corn and soybean output for the 2014/15 season in a Tuesday report.

Corn production is forecast at 14.425 billion bushels, surpassing the 2013/2014 season's record crop, on yields of 172.7 bushels an acre, Informa said in the report. Soybean output is projected at 3.969 billion bushels on yields of 47.6 bushels an acre, also an all-time high, the agricultural research company said.

The firm didn't alter forecasts for U.S. acres planted with corn or soybeans, but said small alterations should be expected in the U.S. Department of Agriculture's monthly supply-and-demand report due out on Jan. 12.

Informa pegged all wheat production at 2.026 billion bushels, down from last year's 2.135 billion. Winter wheat output is seen at 1.378 billion bushels, lower than the 1.543 billion harvested by U.S. farmers in 2014, Informa said.

"A cold front carrying below-zero temperatures is forecast to move across key winter-wheat producing states this coming week," Informa said in its report. "Snow cover helps minimize potential damage to winter wheat (commonly referred to as winterkill); however, wheat can be damaged with subzero temperatures, particularly if subzero temperatures stay for an extended period."

All cotton production is estimated at 15.9 million bales, each weighing 480 pounds, a 23% jump from a year earlier, the report said.



Urea Prices Continuing to Move Lower

Retail fertilizer prices tracked by DTN for the last week of December 2014 show urea's move to the low side is continuing. The nitrogen fertilizer slipped 5% compared to a month earlier and had an average price of $461 per ton. It's the third week in a row that retail prices of urea showed significant movement.

Six of the eight major fertilizers had slightly lower prices compared to a month earlier while the remaining two were up just marginally.

In addition to urea, DAP, potash, anhydrous, UAN28 and UAN32 were all also lower in price compared to the previous month, but none were down significantly. DAP had an average price of $564/ton, potash $485/ton, anhydrous $706/ton, UAN28 $322/ton and UAN32 $353/ton.

The remaining two fertilizers were higher in price compared to a month earlier, but again these moves were fairly small. MAP had an average price of $593/ton and 10-34-0 $575/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.50/lb.N, anhydrous $0.43/lb.N, UAN28 $0.57/lb.N and UAN32 $0.55/lb.N.

Half of the eight major fertilizers are now double digits higher in price compared to December 2013, all while commodity prices are significantly lower from a year ago. DAP, MAP, 10-34-0 and anhydrous are all now 14% higher. In addition, urea, potash and UAN28 are all 2% higher compared to last year.

One nutrient is still lower compared to retail prices from a year ago. UAN32 is 2% less expensive from a year previous.



USDA Dairy Products Production:  November 2014 Highlights

Total cheese output (excluding cottage cheese) was 949 million pounds, 2.9 percent above November 2013 but 3.3 percent below October 2014. Italian type cheese production totaled 410 million pounds, 5.1 percent above November 2013 but 3.7 percent below October 2014.  American type cheese production totaled 372 million pounds, 4.5 percent above November 2013 but 2.9 percent below October 2014.  Butter production was 136 million pounds, 4.7 percent below November 2013 and 5.7 percent below October 2014.

Dry milk powders (comparisons with November 2013)
Nonfat dry milk, human - 151 million pounds, up 48.9 percent.
Skim milk powders - 30.6 million pounds, down 45.5 percent.

Whey products (comparisons with November 2013)
Dry whey, total - 70.1 million pounds, down 5.5 percent.
Lactose, human and animal - 93.7 million pounds, up 8.0 percent.
Whey protein concentrate, total - 44.9 million pounds, up 3.9 percent.

Frozen products (comparisons with November 2013)
Ice cream, regular (hard) - 52.6 million gallons, down 0.5 percent.
Ice cream, lowfat (total) - 26.4 million gallons, up 5.1 percent.
Sherbet (hard) - 2.75 million gallons, up 9.6 percent.
Frozen yogurt (total) - 4.00 million gallons, down 10.9 percent.



USDA Observes Kick Off of the International Year of Soils

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today begins its celebration of the International Year of Soils to highlight the importance of healthy soils for food security, ecosystem functions and resilient farms and ranches.

"Healthy soil is the foundation that ensures working farms and ranches become more productive, resilient to climate change and better prepared to meet the challenges of the 21st century," Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack said during an event today at USDA headquarters. "We join the world in celebrating this living and life-giving resource."

With an increasing global population, a shrinking agricultural land base, climate change and extreme weather events, the nations of the world are focusing their collective attention to the primary resource essential to food production-the soil. The United Nation's Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), working within the framework of the Global Soil Partnership, spearheaded the adoption of a resolution by the UN General Assembly designating 2015 as the International Year of Soils. The year of awareness aims to increase global understanding of the importance of soil for food security and essential ecosystem functions.

"Most people don't realize that just beneath our feet lies a diverse, complex, life-giving ecosystem that sustains our entire existence," said Jason Weller, chief of USDA's Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). "We are helping producers unlock the power of soil health as part of an important and very successful national campaign. Our campaign demonstrates our renewed commitment to soil conservation and soil health."

NRCS is coordinating activities to mark USDA's involvement in the International Year of Soils. Nearly 80 years ago, NRCS, formerly the Soil Conservation Service, was created to improve the health and sustainability of our nation's soils. The agency's original mission continues to this day – providing assistance to producers looking to improve the health of the soil on their land.

Working with the Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) and other partners, NRCS will be showcasing the importance of soil with monthly themes created by SSSA:

January: Soils Sustain Life
February: Soils Support Urban Life
March: Soils Support Agriculture
April: Soils Clean and Capture Water
May: Soils Support Buildings/Infrastructure
June: Soils Support Recreation
July: Soils Are Living
August: Soils Support Health
September: Soils Protect the Natural Environment
October: Soils and Products We Use
November: Soils and Climate
December: Soils, Culture and People

Conservation that works to improve soil health is one of the best tools NRCS has to help landowners face these impending challenges – and maintain and improve their productivity with the use of soil management systems that includes cover crops, conservation tillage and no-till and crop rotations. These systems reduce sediment loss from farms and ranches, buffer the effects of drought, flood and other severe weather; sequester carbon and create biodiversity in our rural landscape.

"International Year of Soils provides an opportunity for us to learn about the critical role soil conservation and improved soil health play in the economic and environmental sustainability of agriculture," Weller said.



Dates announced for 2015 grassroots ACE fly-in

As the 114th Congress is sworn-in today, the American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) is confirming plans to meet with lawmakers and key Administration officials during the group’s 7th annual fly-in, also referred to as the ‘Biofuels Beltway March.’

The ethanol group will be holding their annual grassroots fly-in March 24-25, 2015.

“With more than seventy new members in Congress and concerns over EPA’s implementation of the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), there is no better time for people who have a stake in the success of the ethanol industry to join fellow grassroots advocates for ACE’s fly-in,” said ACE Executive Vice President Brian Jennings.

At the 2014 “Biofuels Beltway March,” eighty people from all walks of life, including farmers, fuel retailers, students, and bankers, joined ethanol producers to meet with representatives from the White House, EPA, and USDA.  The group also met with 160 congressional offices.

“In addition to a large crop of incoming freshmen, just a small fraction of current lawmakers were in office when the original RFS was enacted in 2005 and modified in 2007 by Congress. Our fly-in is an important opportunity to highlight how America is benefiting from the RFS, the successful development of cellulosic ethanol, and the reliability and progress of E15 and higher ethanol fuel blends,” said Jennings.

The official host hotel of the ACE fly-in will be The Hyatt Regency on Capitol Hill. To register, or to find out more details about the ACE fly-in, contact Shannon Gustafson via email at SGustafson@ethanol.org.



FORTIX® Fungicide Receives Registration for Use in Winter and Spring Wheat

Arysta LifeScience North America, LLC and Cheminova, Inc. today announce that FORTIX® Fungicide, jointly produced and marketed by both companies, has received registration for use in winter and spring wheat.

FORTIX combines two best-in-class fungicide chemistries fluoxastrobin, the fast-acting strobilurin from Arysta LifeScience, and flutriafol, the longest lasting triazole from Cheminova. In wheat, it is recommended that growers apply FORTIX at flag leaf to control and protect against diseases including leaf rust, stripe rust, stem rust, powdery mildew, septoria leaf and glume blotch, and tan spot.

“We believe FORTIX with its broad spectrum, dual action chemistry will protect the flag leaf like no other in wheat,” says Hugh MacGillivray, head of marketing-North America, Arysta LifeScience. “Growers can spray FORTIX and expect quick and consistent disease management. It stops disease from progressing.”

“Growers who use FORTIX at flag leaf are applying the right product at the right time to protect yields. FORTIX is the right choice,” says Deneen Sebastian, marketing director-North America for Cheminova. She notes that its active ingredients move throughout the plant to provide complete protection at a critical time for kernel development. 

Wheat is the third major crop for which FORTIX has received registration. In 2013, Arysta LifeScience and Cheminova launched FORTIX for use in corn and soybeans. In those crops, growers have praised FORTIX for its long-lasting control of major yield-robbing diseases.



Where's the Bacon?

Pork producers are gearing up to provide their customers with what they want--more pork and more bacon. According to a Purdue University Extension economist, the nation's hog producers have expanded the breeding herd by 4 percent and have already farrowed 3 percent more sows this past fall. The larger number of young pigs will begin to move pork production in early 2015 above levels from the previous year and could reach 7 percent higher by the end of 2015. Annual production may average 5 percent higher. This major increase comes after a series of years of smaller pork supplies dating back to 2007 when feed prices began to escalate and most recently due to significant baby pig death losses in 2014 due to PED.

"The breeding herd has grown over the past year by 212,000 animals, mostly in the center of the country," said Chris Hurt. "The Western Corn Belt breeding herd increased by 105,000 head, with numbers increasing by 55,000 in Missouri, 40,000 in Iowa, and 10,000 in Minnesota. The second largest growth region was the Southern Plains as that region recovers from the long-term drought. Both Texas and Oklahoma added 20,000 animals to the breeding herd. The third region of concentrated growth was the Central Plains, with Nebraska adding 15,000 animals and Kansas adding 10,000," he said.

Hurt said that PED appears to be continuing to cause death losses for the industry and remains one of the ongoing uncertainties for baby pig survival this winter.

"Clearly, PED can still have impacts on final 2015 pork supplies," Hurt said. To identify the effect of PED death losses, the estimated number of pigs per litter from USDA is compared to the expected number of pigs per litter based on recent five-year trends. That analysis suggests that baby pig death losses were greatest last January to March when losses were about 8 percent more than trend. During the warm weather months of July, August, and September those losses dropped to about 2 percent. The most recent information for October and November suggest the death losses are increasing again to 3 to 4 percent. If so, these are similar to the rates of loss in late 2013. Looking forward, even though PED continues to impact baby pig survival, the number of pigs per litter is expected to be higher by 2 to 3 percent during the first half of 2015.

"Pork production is expected to be up 1 percent in the first quarter of 2015, but 5 percent higher in the second quarter," Hurt continued. "That second-quarter increase will come from the 4 percent larger pig crop last fall and 1 percent higher marketing weights. Pork production in the last half of 2015 is expected to be 5 to 7 percent higher, driven by 3 to 4 percent larger farrowings this winter and spring, by higher weaning rates, and by small increases in market weights. For the year, these factors will provide about 5 percent more pork," he said.

Pork consumers had to bear much of the costs of the PED virus, which came at a time when pork supplies were already low due to an earlier period of extremely high feed prices. Retail pork prices reached a peak of $4.22 per pound in Sept. 2014, according to USDA, and have been dropping since, Hurt said. The general trend toward more affordable pork should continue throughout 2015.

"While pork producers suffered through PED death losses in 2014, they were rewarded with record-high hog prices and record profitability partially as a result of PED," Hurt said. "Hog prices averaged near $76 per live hundredweight, with estimated profit above all costs of $53 per head."

According to Hurt, hog prices for 2015 are expected to average about $60 per live hundredweight, a sharp drop from the $76 record of last year. But total costs of production are expected to be about $53, providing a strong $22 profit per head produced. Lower costs are being driven by the lowest feed costs in five years, as corn prices are expected to be at five-year lows and meal prices the lowest in the past four years. Hog prices are expected to average around $60 per live hundredweight in the first quarter of 2015, move to the mid-$60s in the second and third quarters, and finish the year in the low-to-mid $50s.

"The theme for pork producers in 2015 will be to strive to gain control over PED death losses and to continue to expand the breeding herd," Hurt said. "It is likely the breeding herd will continue to expand another 2 to 4 percent over the course of 2015.

"Producers may express some disappointment that the extraordinary profits of 2014 will not continue, but they also realize that 2014 was the aberration year that may only happen once in a lifetime," Hurt concluded. "Most will be happy to accept 2014 and 2015 as the best two consecutive profit years in modern hog production."