Tuesday February 17 Ag News

DOMINA TO DISCUSS 'AGRICULTURE'S CHANGING FACE' FRIDAY AT UNL

David A. Domina, trial lawyer at Domina Law Group in Omaha, will present "Consolidation, Merger, Market Domination and Agriculture's Changing Face" at 2 p.m. Feb. 20 in the Hardin Hall auditorium, 33rd and Holdrege streets on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's East Campus. The seminar is free and open to the public.

"Mr. Domina has a unique perspective to guide our thinking about landscapes in Nebraska," said Larkin Powell, professor of conservation biology and animal ecology in UNL's School of Natural Resources. "Through his legal work with private landowners in Nebraska, he understands the connection between concerns of Nebraska's farmers and the need to support conservation efforts. We have invited Mr. Domina to improve our understanding of how market forces and the structure of the agriculture industry result in changes to farms and ranches."

More than 95 percent of Nebraska is owned by private landowners, so the landscapes of Nebraska are largely created by piecing together farms and ranches, Powell said.

"And, we know that the size of farm fields, the level of out-of-state land ownership, and market demands are very influential forces that affect water, soil and wildlife conservation," he said. "If conservationists in Nebraska want to be successful, we must understand markets, industry and economics -- because conservation in Nebraska takes place on private lands that are managed by farmers and ranchers."

Domina graduated from the University of Nebraska College of Law in 1972. He has active bar admissions in Nebraska, Missouri, Michigan and New York, and has argued in courts across the United States. Domina formed Domina Law Group more than 35 years ago. He has tried about 330 cases to jury verdict, argued approximately 250 state and federal appeals and appeared in court in 43 states.

UNL's School of Natural Resources hosts a series of public seminars during the spring semester. More information can be found at http://go.unl.edu/snrseminars.



NE Corn Board to Meet

The Nebraska Corn Board will hold its next meeting on Monday, March 9 at UNL East Campus to hear updates on proposed research projects and Tuesday, March 10 at Embassy Suites.

The board will address regular board business and consider funding requests.  The meeting is open to the public.  A copy of the agenda is available by writing the Nebraska Corn Board, PO Box 95107, Lincoln, NE  68509, or calling either 402/471-2676 or 800-NECORN1.



Farmer awareness of nutrient reduction strategy spikes, finds ISA survey

Farmer awareness of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy nearly doubled during the past year according to a statewide survey of more than 350 farmers funded by the soybean checkoff.

This familiarity, say farm and environmental leaders, is key to increasing the pace and scale of adoption of on-farm conservation practices proven to have a positive impact on water quality.

The telephone survey was conducted Dec. 17-19 by Iowa-based CampaignHQ and commissioned by the Iowa Soybean Association (www.iasoybeans.com). It found 69 percent of the 353 farmers surveyed were familiar with the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy, up sharply from just 39 percent in 2013.

Approved by the Iowa Legislature in 2013, the strategy is a science- and technology-based framework to assess and reduce nutrients from point and nonpoint sources to Iowa waters and the Gulf of Mexico.

With specific respect to non-point sources, including agricultural land uses, a suite of infield and edge-of-field practices will need to be implemented to achieve a 41 percent load reduction in nitrogen and 29 percent reduction in phosphorous to meet the aspiring 45 percent reduction goal included in the strategy.

Roger Wolf, ISA director of Environmental Programs and Services (EPS), said a strong upturn in awareness of the strategy bodes well for achieving its goals and improving overall environmental performance.

“Awareness is the precursor to engagement,” Wolf said. “Now, it’s about providing farmers with the technical assistance and resources needed to transform this awareness into action.”

The ISA survey supports this approach. When asked what information is most valuable to encourage greater participation in the strategy, 73 percent of respondents said providing additional analysis about the cost and effectiveness of individual practices. Sixty-eight percent cited additional information about the strategy while 62 percent value opportunities to view on-farm demonstration practices. Sixty-one percent want more technical assistance.

ISA President Tom Oswald said EPS is uniquely poised to provide farmers with the information they need to act. He raises corn and soybeans near Cleghorn.

“Adaptive management has always been an important part of agriculture,” Oswald said. “Now is the time for farmers to target specific practices and plans in order to achieve our overall goals for productivity and the environment. The EPS team at ISA has 15 years of experience with these practices and can help Iowa farmers meet their goals.”

 “There is urgency to adopt more conservation practices in more places and at a quicker pace to demonstrate progress,” Wolf said.

“To achieve results, it’s critical to be thoughtful in how we proceed,” he added. “This includes improving overall nutrient and land management in combination with tailoring the use of cover crops, bioreactors, saturated buffers, buffer strips and other practices to proper soil types, hydrology and geology.”

Wolf said this is going to be a monumental task and is going to take some time, but the approach is gaining momentum. Last year, nearly 2,400 farmers and land owners invested $22.5 million on conservation practices to prevent soil erosion and improve water quality, of which $13 million came out of farmers’ own pockets.

When asked what environmental practices they currently use, 89 percent of respondents to the ISA survey said grassed waterways followed by conservation tillage (69 percent), no-till (61 percent) and terraces (57 percent). Buffer strips were used by 53 percent of respondents while 21 percent said they’ve planted cover crops.



Northey Honored by National Association of Clean Water Agencies

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey received a National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) National Environmental Achievement Award for excellence in Public Service. Northey is the first state secretary of agriculture to receive the award.

NACWA's Public Service Award is presented to current or former elected or appointed public officials at the local, state and federal level of government who have demonstrated exemplary commitment and service to their community, the environment and to NACWA.

Northey was selected for this honor for his leadership in establishing and growing the Iowa Water Quality Initiative and for working in a collaborative manner with both point sources and nonpoint sources to improve water quality. More information about the Iowa Water Quality Initiative can be found at www.CleanWaterIowa.org.

"It is an honor to receive this recognition from such a distinguished organization that has a long history of working on water quality issues," Northey said. "Our approach has always been to work together with point sources to address water quality, an issue we all care about. This award is an opportunity to highlight the tremendous work that has been done in Iowa and to showcase our leadership role nationally in addressing water quality."

NACWA represents the interests of more than 300 public agencies and organizations that have made the pursuit of scientifically based, technically sound and cost effective laws and regulations their objective. NACWA members serve the majority of the sewered population in the United States and collectively treat and reclaim more than 18 billion gallons of wastewater daily. More information about the organization can be found at www.nacwa.org.

Iowa members are the Ames Water & Pollution Control Department, Cedar Rapids Utilities Department and City of Des Moines.

The National Environmental Achievement Awards annually recognize individuals and member agencies that have made outstanding contributions to environmental protection and wastewater management.

Northey was recognized at the 2015 NACWA Winter Conference at the Belmond Charleston Place Hotel in Charleston, SC.



National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic Opens Friday in Des Moines
Upland hunters, farmers, sport dog owners, conservationists, and outdoor enthusiasts will gather this weekend at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines for the 2015 National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic. This year’s event, presented by Federal Premium Ammunition, is expected to draw more than 20,000 attendees.

Daily admission tickets are available for purchase at the door of the event—ten dollars for ages 17 and older, five dollars for youth ages 6-16, and open for children ages 5 and younger. Attendees may also purchase a three-day weekend pass at the door for thirty-five dollars. Running concurrently at the Iowa Events Center is the Iowa High School Athletic Association Duals & State Wrestling Tournament, and a wrestling tournament ticket gets attendees half off admission to National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic.

National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic will kick off on Friday at 12:15 p.m. with the one-of-a-kind Bird Dog Parade featuring 35 different sporting dog breeds that leads to the event’s ribbon cutting ceremony. Doors officially open Friday at 1 p.m. and close at 9 p.m. Saturday hours are 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., while Sunday hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

2015 National Pheasant Fest & Quail Classic Weekend Highlights:
    Seminars on the hour, every hour, all weekend long, on bird dog training, wild game cooking, upland hunting and upland habitat management – See full seminar schedule.

    Hundreds of hunting and outdoor industry exhibitors – see full exhibitor list.

    Top professional dog trainers, including Tom Dokken, Bob West, Delmar Smith, Rick Smith and more – 200+ years of dog training experience.

    Wild Game Cooking Stage – Recipe ideas from four nationally acclaimed chefs, including blogger/author Hank Shaw and Tyler Viars, a former participant on MasterChef.

    Shed antler hunting seminars – Legendary dog trainer Tom Dokken will highlight the rapidly growing sport of hunting for shed deer antlers using bird dogs. Seminars at 6 p.m. Friday and noon on Saturday.

    Water Quality, Agriculture & Wildlife Special Session on the Habitat Stage. Session at 2 p.m. Saturday will discuss the intersection of agriculture and conservation practices that promote soil health, clean water and wildlife habitat.

    Pheasants Forever National Banquet on Saturday night. Largest Pheasants Forever banquet in the country will feature keynote speaker Robert Bonnie, Under Secretary, Natural Resources and Environment, U.S. Department of Agriculture.

    Youth Village for the kids – Airsoft/archery ranges, dog training, fish simulator & more.

    Landowner Habitat Help Room – Wildlife habitat management plans for landowners who consult with Pheasants Forever Farm Bill wildlife biologists.

    Outdoor celebrities, including Benny Spies (signing autographs 2 p.m. – 6 p.m. Friday in the South Dakota Outdoors booth) and Scott Linden (seminars daily on the Upland Bird Hunters Stage).



USDA Secretary to Keynote Commodity Classic
20th Annual Event Kicks Off Next Week

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack will make his sixth visit to Commodity Classic, the annual convention and trade show for corn, soybean, wheat and sorghum growers. The secretary will deliver a keynote address to several thousand farmers and ag allies during the event’s General Session, to be held Friday, Feb. 27, in Phoenix, Arizona.

“We’re thrilled to be welcoming Secretary Vilsack back to Commodity Classic,” said National Corn Growers Association President Chip Bowling. “With so much going on in our nation’s capital that impact their lives, the audience will be eager to get his report on the top issues facing our growers, such as trade and the farm bill. He always provides an experienced, deep-inside-Washington perspective.”

“Secretary Vilsack has been a strong voice and advocate for agriculture, and we’re looking forward to his joining us once again at Commodity Classic, where he can not only speak to growers but hear from them as he visits our trade show,” said American Soybean Association President Wade Cowan. “We’re grateful for his support on the recent farm bill and his leadership on other policy actions that affect our members. Secretary Vilsack understands and appreciates our role in making America great.”

Secretary Vilsack was appointed by President Barack Obama as the 30th Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and took office in January 2009. He was reappointed soon after the president’s re-election in 2012. Previously, Vilsack served two terms as governor of Iowa.

The 20th annual Commodity Classic takes place Feb. 26-28, 2015, at the Phoenix Convention Center. Established in 1996, Commodity Classic is America's largest farmer-led, farmer-focused convention and trade show, produced by the National Corn Growers Association, American Soybean Association, National Association of Wheat Growers and National Sorghum Producers. Starting in 2016, the Association of Equipment Manufacturers and many of its members will be joining the event.



FAA Releases Draft Rules for Commcercial Use of UAVs

The U.S. aviation regulator proposed rules for commercial drone flights that would lift some restrictions but would still bar activities such as the delivery of packages and inspection of pipelines that have been eyed by companies as a potentially breakthrough use of the technology. Reuters reports that the long-awaited draft rules from the Federal Aviation Administration would require unmanned aircraft pilots to obtain special pilot certificates, stay away from bystanders and fly only during the day. They limit flying speed to 100 miles per hour (160 kph) and the altitude to 500 feet above ground level.

The rules also say pilots must remain in the line of sight of its radio-control drone, which could limit inspection of pipelines, crops, and electrical towers that are one of the major uses envisioned by companies.

The FAA acknowledged the limitation but said those flights could be made possible with a secondary spotter working with the pilot of the drone.

The draft rules, nearly 10 years in the making, still must undergo public comment and revision before becoming final, a process expected to take at least a year, Reuters reports.

If they survive in their current form, they would be unlikely to help Amazon.com in its quest to eventually deliver packages with unmanned drones, since they require an FAA-certified small drone pilot to fly the aircraft and keep it in line of sight at all times - factors not envisioned in the online retailer's plan.



RFA to CARB: Use Real-World Data to Revise ILUC Analysis

The Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) submitted comments on Monday calling on the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to revise its Low Carbon Fuel Standard (LCFS) re-adoption proposal to reflect recent scientific advances and new empirical data regarding the actual impacts of biofuels on global land use patterns.

In comments submitted to CARB Chairwoman Mary Nichols, RFA noted that while steps have been taken to slightly improve the program in the re-adoption proposal, RFA remains “deeply concerned by several aspects of the proposal,” noting that CARB’s inclusion of a flawed indirect land use (ILUC) change analysis “threatens the long-term durability of the LCFS program.”

RFA points to the central role that grain-based ethanol has played in LCFS compliance over the past four years, noting that nearly 60 percent of all LCFS credits were generated by ethanol. Yet, despite the vital importance of grain ethanol to the program, the proposed ILUC penalty assessed against corn ethanol “will make the use of most grain ethanol infeasible for compliance as early as 2016.”

The comments explain that “CARB’s ILUC analysis remains technically and methodologically flawed, and grossly overstates the land use impacts associated with biofuels expansion.” RFA points to a recent study by Iowa State University that finds the world’s farmers have responded to increased demand for crops by using existing cropland more efficiently—not by converting native forest and grassland to cropland, as assumed by CARB. RFA notes that, “For the first time, we have real-world data that provides important insight into actual market responses to increased biofuels demand and higher crop prices.” Accordingly, RFA calls on CARB to “take into account the new CARD/ISU research” and use the real-world data to “immediately re-calibrate” the land use model used to derive penalties against biofuels.



Most Retail Fertilizers Still Higher

Retail fertilizer prices tracked by DTN for the second week of February 2015 continue to show little price movement in either direction. This trend has been in place for months.

Seven of the eight major fertilizers were higher compared to a month earlier but none of the seven were up any importance. DAP had an average price of $569/ton, MAP $597/ton, potash $488/ton and urea $473/ton. 10-34-0 had an average price of $589/ton, UAN28 $330/ton and UAN32 $370/ton.

One fertilizer was lower compared to a month ago, with anhydrous just slightly lower. The nitrogen fertilizer had an average price of $707/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.51/lb.N, anhydrous $0.43/lb.N, UAN28 $0.59/lb.N and UAN32 $0.58/lb.N.

Two of the eight major fertilizers are now double digits higher in price compared to February 2014, all while commodity prices are significantly lower from a year ago. 10-34-0 is 17% higher while anhydrous is 14% more expensive compared to year earlier.

DAP and MAP are both 8% more expensive and potash is 4% more expensive compared to a year earlier.

Three nutrients are now lower compared to retail prices from a year ago. UAN28 is down 3% while UAN32 is now 4% less expensive and urea is 7% less expensive from a year previous.



Berkshire Reveals New Stake in Deere

Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway Inc. sold off nearly $4 billion worth of shares in Exxon Mobil Corp. during the fourth quarter, a move likely spurred by the collapse in oil prices that have hurt profits at energy companies including Exxon.

Berkshire sold about 41 million shares of Exxon, having initially bought the stock in the third quarter of 2013 and adding to it slightly in later quarters. The position made Berkshire one of Exxon's largest shareholders. Exxon, the biggest U.S. oil company, said earlier this month it was looking for ways to cut costs as profit fell during the fourth quarter. Berkshire also sold off a small position in ConocoPhillips and cut its stake in National Oilwell Varco Inc., an oil and gas drilling equipment maker, by about 18%. The disclosures were made Tuesday in a regulatory filing required of investors who manage more than $100 million.

Berkshire also revealed a new $1.5 billion stake in farm-equipment maker Deere & Co. The position was built up beginning in the third quarter of 2014, but Berkshire had requested confidential treatment from the SEC earlier. The stock was likely picked by Berkshire Chairman and CEO Mr. Buffett, who has said that the smaller stock picks in the firm's portfolio are likely those of his two investment managers, Todd Combs and Ted Weschler, while the larger positions are his.

The two managers collectively oversee about $18 billion of Berkshire's stock portfolio, which stood at $109 billion in the fourth quarter.