Monday March 23 Ag News

Nebraska Farm Bureau Says Prompt Action Needed on Trade Promotion Authority

Congress should act quickly to grant the President Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), as Nebraska farmers, ranchers and the state’s broader economy has much to gain, said Nebraska Farm Bureau President Steve Nelson, March 23. Every U.S. President since 1974 has been granted TPA, providing them the power to secure trade agreements with foreign partners.

“U.S. farmers and ranchers increasingly rely on agriculture exports for their livelihoods. Roughly 20 percent of U.S. farm income now comes from foreign exports,” said Nelson. “Exports aren’t just critical for agriculture, but also for Nebraska’s manufacturing sector. Nebraska exported nearly $7.9 billion worth of goods in 2014 alone.”

Food and agricultural products make up the bulk of Nebraska’s exports with over $3.5 billion worth of products being exported to dozens of countries around the globe.

“Granting the President TPA will continue to open up opportunities for agriculture and other Nebraska sectors. The U.S. is currently negotiating new trade agreements with some of the world’s largest and fastest-growing economies, including Europe and 11 Asia-Pacific nations, through the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (T-TIP) and the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP),” said Nelson.

TPA for the President helps to ensure that long-negotiated trade agreements are not subject to numerous Congressional amendments and conditions that must then be taken back and forth to the negotiating table, while still allowing Congress to work with the President to set negotiating objectives.

“The passage of TPA and the approval of free trade compacts help drive economic growth and level the playing field for American farmers and ranchers internationally. It’s critical Congress move quickly to secure TPA,” said Nelson.



Nebraska Corn Board Vacancies

Notice is hereby given that the terms for three members of the Nebraska Corn Development, Utilization and Marketing Board will expire June 30, 2015. The members represent Districts 6, 7, and 8.

District #6 Includes the counties of Hayes, Frontier, Gosper, Phelps, Kearney, Hitchcock, Red Willow, Furnas, and Harlan.      (Note: Dennis Gengenbach, the current District 6 director, has indicated that he will pursue re-appointment.)

District #7 Includes the counties of Boyd, Holt, Antelope, Garfield, Wheeler, Boone, Platte, Valley, Greeley, and Nance.     (Note: David Merrell, the current District 7 director, has indicated that he will pursue re-appointment.)

District #8 Includes the counties of Sioux, Dawes, Box Butte, Sheridan, Scotts Bluff, Banner, Kimball, Morrill, Cheyenne, Garden, Deuel, Cherry, Keya Paha, Brown, Rock, Grant, Hooker, Thomas, Blaine, Loup, Arthur, McPherson, Logan, Custer, Keith, Lincoln, Perkins, Chase, and Dundy.      (Note: Jon Holzfaster, the current District 8 director, has indicated that he will pursue re-election.)

Appointments to the board for Districts 6, 7 and 8 are made by the Governor. Any candidate for appointment may place his or her name on the candidacy list by filing a petition with the Nebraska Corn Board. Qualified candidates include those individuals who are citizens of Nebraska, are at least 21 years old, have been actively engaged in growing corn in Nebraska for a period of five years, and derive a substantial portion of their income from growing corn. Board members who currently represent these districts are also eligible to re-petition.

Petitions may be obtained by writing the Nebraska Corn Board, P.O. Box 95107, Lincoln, NE 68509-5107 or by calling (800) 632-6761 or email janet.miller@nebraska.gov. A candidacy petition must carry the signatures of at least 50 corn producers from that district. All petitions must be received by the Corn Board no later than 5:00 p.m. on Friday, May 15, 2015. Faxed copies do not qualify.



Chemigation Training to be held April 3rd at ARDC

Nebraska Extension will conduct a chemigation certification training session at the ARDC near Mead on April 3rd at 9:30 a.m. 

Producers who plan to apply crop nutrients and pesticides through irrigation systems during 2015, including those whose 2014 permits expired Dec. 31, are required to attend a training session and pass the test administered afterward.  Requirements for initial certification and recertification are the same.

Licensed chemigators can apply pesticides or fertilizer through their irrigation systems.  You must attend the entire class and pass a 50 question multiple choice test to be eligible for certification.  Upon successful completion of the class, chemigators may renew individual site permits administered by the local Natural Resource District (NRD) office.

Review of study materials prior to the training session is encouraged.   If you have misplaced your chemigation notebook you may request materials from one of the instructors at the bottom of this page.  Individuals attending for the first time are encouraged to request training materials prior to training. 

Training and testing will take approximately 3 hours. On the day of training please bring your Chemigation Training Manual, Calibration Workbook, a No. 2 pencil, and a calculator. There is no charge for the manuals or training. 

For more information, please contact Aaron Nygren at 402-352-3821. 



Innovative Youth Corn Challenge Entry Deadline April 1

The entry deadline is fast approaching for the 2015 Nebraska Innovative Youth Corn Challenge, co-sponsored by Nebraska Extension and the Nebraska Corn Board.

Do you know one of tomorrow’s top corn producers? Encourage youth you know to test their knowledge and skills, competing with other youth to explore new corn production methods. They might even win a cash prize. This contest, open to 4-H members (age 10 and older as of Jan. 1) or FFA members (in school), guides participants through all aspects of corn production, as well as agricultural careers related to corn production.

As a team, youth will be challenged to implement a production practice different than normal to determine if it increases yield. Economics and sustainability of the practice also will be considered. Yields, cropping history, and production information will be collected in the Corn Yield Challenge management summary.

Cash prizes and plaques will be given to the first, second, and third place teams. First place will receive $1,000, second place will receive $500, and third place will receive $250.  Sustainability, crop scouting, and "extra mile" awards also will be given, each worth $200.   

To participate, youth must complete and return an entry form by April 1 to the Fillmore County Extension Office. Enter online or download an entry form at http://cropwatch.unl.edu/cropwatch-youth/cornchallenge and mail to the Fillmore County Extension Office, 972 G.  St., Geneva, 68361-2005.



ARDC - Mead to Host a Field Crop Scout Training May 12th 

A May 12 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, Nebraska Extension educator.

The course is from 8:25 a.m.-5:00 p.m. with registration at 8:00 a.m. at the university’s Agricultural Research and Development Center near Mead.

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

Topics and presenters include: How Corn and Soybean Plants Grow and Develop - Keith Glewen, Nebraska Extension educator; Soybean and Corn Insect Management - Wayne Ohnesorg - Nebraska Extension entomologist; Using Knowledge of Plant Morphology and a Seedling Identification Key to ID Weeds - Josh Miller, Doctoral Student, UNL DPH and Plant Pathology and Rodrigo Werle, Doctoral Student, UNL Weed Science; Crop Diseases and Quiz - Tamra Jackson-Ziems, Nebraska Extension Plant Pathologist, Kyle Broderick, UNL Graduate Student; and Kelsie Musil, UNL Graduate Student; and Keith Glewen, Nebraska Extension educator.

“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.”

Cost for this program is $155. Fees include lunch, refreshment breaks, workshop materials and instruction manual. Registrants should preregister 1 week in advance to reserve their seat and to ensure workshop materials are available the day of the training session. Updated reference materials are included in this year’s take home instruction manual.

A total of 5.5 Certified Crop Advisor Continuing Education Units is anticipated in the integrated pest management (4.0), crop management (1.0) and fertility/nutrient management (.5) categories.

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, email cdunbar2@unl.edu or visit http://ardc.unl.edu/training.shtml. 



 4 Steps to Ensuring Forage Stand Success
Amy Timmerman – Extension Educator

When a forage stand fails, it's expensive. It costs more money to reseed the stand and lost production from today's high value land adds up quickly. Before planting alfalfa, grass, or other forages this spring, take the steps needed to provide the best chance for successful establishment.
The following steps may vary a little from farm to farm and field to field, but will apply to most fields:

 1.    First, make sure the field is suitable for whatever you intend to plant. Seeding alfalfa in an area that frequently gets flooded or has standing water is not likely to produce long-term success. Next, soil test and add recommended fertilizer and lime before planting.
 
 2.    Next is one of the most important steps: Prepare a firm seedbed. Walk across the field before planting. You should sink no deeper than the soles of your shoes or boots. Bounce a basketball on your seedbed.   If the ball won't bounce back up, your seedbed is to too soft.   Firm it some more with a flat harrow, roller, or maybe an irrigation.
 
 3.    One of the most common causes of poor forage stands is planting too deep. Most forage seeds are very small and should be planted no more than one-fourth to one-half inch deep on heavy or fine textured soils or one-half to one inch deep on sands or coarse textured soils.
 
 4.    Lastly, control weeds. Tillage during seedbed preparation, burndown herbicides before planting, preplant incorporated herbicides, postemergence herbicides, and even mowing are all possible methods.



PUT CARRYOVER HAY TO GOOD USE
Bruce Anderson, UNL Extension Forage Specialist

               The open winter left many of you with more hay left over than expected.  Save some of that hay in case of drought, but any extra hay might provide extra value if it is used strategically.

               Get extra value from carryover hay by using that hay in ways that will be valuable especially to you.  Usually that means feeding hay instead of something else that would be more expensive.  Another option, though, is to feed hay so you can make other resources more profitable.

               For example, replace old, thinning alfalfa fields with new seedings this spring.  Then use carryover hay to substitute for lost yield during this seeding year.  Future hay yields from new fields should be more abundant and reliable.

               Or how about adding legumes to cool-season grass pastures or hay meadows.  We usually lose some forage production during the year of legume establishment as you control competition from the existing sod, but your carryover hay can be fed instead as needed.  Better grazing and future meadow production should be the result.

               Another possibility that would be especially useful this year is to feed hay a little longer this spring before turning cows out to pasture.  Or maybe feed this hay mid-summer to provide extra rest and recovery for your pastures, increasing their productivity.  Grass weakened by heavy grazing the past couple of years then will get extra time to recover before experiencing this year’s stress of grazing.

               You also could use less fertilizer on pastures or haylands and make up for the reduced production with your carryover hay.  Or chop less silage and use hay next winter instead.

               If you think about other ways you can use that hay yourself, maybe you, too, can find its extra value.



NE Corn Board Presents Awards of Recognition and Achievement

The Nebraska Corn Board presented its annual awards to five exceptional individuals during its Cooperator and Awards Dinner recently.

For twenty-four years, the Nebraska Corn Board has acknowledged incomparable representatives in the livestock and ethanol industries, as well as awarding an individual in the media. The Ag Achievement award is the pinnacle of awards given to an individual who has helped develop Nebraska’s corn industry and agriculture over time. Additionally, the Nebraska Corn Board presented a new award this year in the agribusiness category.

The Livestock Industry Appreciation Award was given to Joan Ruskamp, farmer, blogger, community leader, and CommonGround volunteer from Dodge, Nebraska. Ruskamp was selected for this award based upon her outstanding commitment to Nebraska agriculture and continued enthusiasm to share her story with her urban counter-parts.

“I know that volunteering for CommonGround is a big commitment and we really appreciate her willingness to do this and do it so well,” said Debbie Borg, farmer from Allen, Nebraska and director on the Nebraska Corn Board. “Joan has the wonderful ability to share her story with consumers and help them not only understand, but appreciate the value of the livestock industry in Nebraska. She was very deserving of this award.”

The Ethanol Industry Appreciation Award recognizes a producer or person in the industry who has worked hard to develop ethanol markets and expand demand for ethanol in the state while appreciating the value of the corn checkoff and its involvement in ethanol market development. The recipient of this year’s award was Duane Kristensen, with Chief Ethanol Fuels, Inc. Kristensen was selected for his leadership in Nebraska as well as his involvement and engagement in ethanol advocacy groups on a statewide, national, and global basis.

“Duane’s dedication to the ethanol industry and continued efforts to expand the demand of ethanol globally has been influential for the industry,” said Dennis Gengenbach, farmer from Smithfield, Nebraska and secretary-treasurer on the Nebraska Corn Board. “Duane’s leadership has been powerful around the world. He’s traveled to over twenty countries promoting Nebraska and the role of ethanol in agriculture.”

The Media Appreciation Award was presented to Mike LaPorte, with KRVN Rural Radio, for his efforts in routinely sharing agriculture’s story and his knowledge and understanding of agriculture’s important role to our state’s economy. LaPorte has been with KRVN for 25 years and has been a Farm Director for the last 19 years.

“Mike’s background in agriculture gives him a unique perspective on his reporting and has helped him develop a great format for telling our story,” said David Merrell, farmer from St. Edward, Nebraska and vice chairman of the Nebraska Corn Board. “He is one of the first media sources that the Nebraska Corn Board reaches out to. We know that Mike will truthfully and openly reveal the facts of not only the corn industry, but all of Nebraska’s agriculture.”

The recipient of this year’s Ag Achievement award was Mark Jagels, farmer from Davenport, Nebraska and past chairman of the Nebraska Corn Board and U.S. Meat Export Federation. Jagels was chosen for his outstanding dedication to agriculture and admirable goals in expanding exports and moving the state forward in its agricultural ambitions.

“Mark’s leadership and commitment to Nebraska agriculture is evident through his service on a local, state, national, and international level,” said Alan Tiemann, farmer from Seward, Nebraska and past chairman of the Nebraska Corn Board. “He has played an instrumental role in representing agriculture on the international level by helping expand the opportunities for both corn and livestock.

As the newest award category, the Agribusiness Appreciation Award, identifies a Nebraska agribusiness that recognizes and appreciates the mission of the Nebraska corn checkoff program, shows proven leadership in explaining the benefits of the checkoff and its investments and supports Nebraska agriculture. The recipient of this inaugural award went to Bill’s Volume Sales. Accepting the award on behalf of Bill’s Volume Sales was Bill Pullen, founder and former owner.

“Bill’s Volume Sales is a highly respected company in the agriculture industry and a long-time supporter of the Nebraska corn checkoff,” said Jon Holzfaster, farmer from Paxton, Nebraska and director on the Nebraska Corn Board. “Bill’s Volume has gone above and beyond to help their customers and keep our Nebraska corn farmers in business. We appreciate the company’s continued support and dedication to Nebraska agriculture.”



Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Week Is March 22-28

During March 22-28, 2015, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is celebrating the land-grant mission of putting the university’s research and resources to work throughout the state of Iowa.

“Iowa State University is your lifelong partner,” said Cathann Kress, vice president for ISU Extension and Outreach. “Iowa State educates more college-age Iowa students than any other university. ISU Extension and Outreach provides the ‘wrap around’ and educates more Iowans. Last year more than 1 million people directly benefited from our programs.”

ISU Extension and Outreach extends the university’s resources geographically with offices and staff serving every county. ISU Extension and Outreach educational programs cover the entire lifespan, from Iowa’s youngest to oldest residents.

“Education and partnerships are how we solve problems and prepare for the future. ISU Extension and Outreach Week is one way we say ‘thank you’ to the many volunteers, community leaders, organizations, agencies and other partners who support ISU Extension and Outreach work in Iowa,” Kress said.

ISU Extension and Outreach is a statewide educational network supported by Iowa State University, local county governments and the United States Department of Agriculture. Every county in Iowa has an elected extension council that decides how to support ISU Extension and Outreach educational programs at the county level.

“We’re focused on feeding people, keeping them healthy, helping their communities to prosper and thrive, and turning the world over to the next generation in better shape than we found it,” Kress said. “Because what Extension and Outreach helps people do for themselves, achieves the greatest results.”

Iowa’s 100 county extension offices will host activities throughout the week demonstrating how ISU Extension and Outreach is everywhere for Iowans as their lifelong partner. Iowans may contact their ISU Extension and Outreach county office for details about local events.

For more information about ISU Extension and Outreach, visit www.extension.iastate.edu or contact any county extension office.



IA FFA Member Celebrated at Fifth Annual White House Science Fair

A member of the National FFA Organization is being celebrated today at a White House event for students who excel in science.

Eric Koehlmoos, 18, of Iowa, is a member of the South O'Brien FFA Chapter in Paulina, Iowa. He was invited to the 2015 White House Science Fair that celebrates the accomplishments of student winners of a broad range of science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) competitions throughout the United States.

More than 100 of the nation's brightest young minds will be welcomed to the fifth White House Science fair. In the past, innovative inventions, discoveries and science projects have been showcased.

Koehlmoos won first place in his category and division, Power, Structural and Technical Systems, at the 2014 National FFA Agriscience Fair, an annual competition sponsored by Cargill, Bayer CropScience, John Deere, PotashCorp and Syngenta as a special project of the National FFA Foundation, during the National FFA Convention & Expo. The fair features the research and results of FFA members who plan on pursuing careers in the science and technology of agriculture. This accomplishment earned him the special White House invite.

Koehlmoos' project, "Grass to Gas," consisted of three years of research with prairie cordgrass and switch grass and their potential impact in the cellulosic ethanol industry.

"Because I come from a farm background, " Koehlmoos said, "I was very interested in the biofuel industry and the new cellulosic ethanol plants being built near my house."

During his three years of research, Koehlmoos found that both grasses produce nearly 200 more gallons of ethanol per acre than corn and wheat straw, two mainstream methods for ethanol production. He also discovered that when both grasses are pretreated with calcium hydroxide, ethanol yields are increased by as much as 80 percent and produces a byproduct that has higher protein values than corn distiller grains.

Koehlmoos plans to continue his research in college and would ultimately like to use these grasses to commercially produce ethanol in the Southern Plains, which would provide a sustainable solution to importing foreign oil while also not competing with the food supply.



DTN Ag Producer Confidence Reaches All-Time Low

Crop and livestock producers’ confidence about the direction of the agriculture economy has reached a historic low, according to the latest DTN/The Progressive Farmer Agriculture Confidence Index (ACI).

Since the last ACI survey in December, producer confidence has shifted from an optimistic rating of 103.4 to a pessimistic level of 98.8. The value of 100 is considered neutral. Values above 100 indicate optimism, whereas values below signify pessimism.

The confidence index, which surveyed 500 crop and livestock producers from Feb. 18 to March 2, measures the sentiments of crop and livestock producers on their overall agriculture sector impressions. The ACI is conducted three times each year – before planting, prior to harvest and after harvest. Producers also rate current and long-term input prices and net farm income to gauge their attitudes toward the present situation and future expectations.

“It’s the most pessimistic producer confidence reading yet,” said DTN Markets Editor Katie Micik, director of the confidence index. “The latest producer confidence rating marks the second time in the last three ACI surveys that producers’ confidence levels were pessimistic.”

A year ago, producer confidence stood at 106.9 then fell 99.8 in August 2014 for the first pessimistic rating since DTN/The Progressive Farmer began the ACI survey in April 2010.

“Concerns over stagnant or falling commodity prices, increased crop production and rising crop input costs contributed to crop producers’ pessimism,” Micik said. “But livestock producers’ pessimism increased as well. They are worried about the prospects of lower prices brought on by beef, pork and poultry expansion.”

Livestock producer confidence fell to 99.2 from 106.4 in December and a near record high of 116.4 last March. Crop producer confidence dropped from 101.9 four months ago to 98.4, the second lowest rating ever behind last August’s 96.3.

Crop and livestock producers remain slightly positive about their present conditions. However, this optimism has weakened significantly in three years. Since March 2012, producers’ attitudes about their current situation have fallen from a high of 140.2 to a record low of 109.1. Micik noted this prolonged decline continues to keep producers pessimistic about the future. After reaching a two-year high in December, producers’ expectations for the next 12 months dropped five points to 92.0 in March, just shy of the two-year average of 92.6.

“In previous surveys, Midwestern farmers tended to be more pessimistic than farmers in other regions. Now that sentiment has spread to other regions except the Southwest,” said Micik.

Midwest farmers had a pessimistic rating for confidence (96.3), present situation (95.5) and expectations (96.9), marking the first time ever that a single region did not have at least one optimistic score. Lead by uncertain cotton prices and acreage, Southeast farmers had a 94.2 confidence level, the lowest of any region. Southwest farmers’ confidence rating checked in at 107.7, down from 112.1 in December and the lowest rating in two years.

Rising crop input costs have producers troubled. According to the recent survey, 43 percent say current prices are bad. Another 38 percent say prices are normal, and less than 20 percent of survey respondents think current prices are good, the lowest score since the initial ACI survey in April 2010. While producers think current crop input prices are poor, 23 percent remain hopeful that these costs will improve 12 months from now, which is the highest rating for this category in the survey’s history. Thirty-six percent think prices will get worse while 41 percent say they will stay the same.

Over the past two years, producers’ sentiments toward current farm income has changed dramatically as commodity prices have dropped. In December 2012, 46 percent of producers felt their current farm income was good and just 15 percent replied bad. In the recent survey, 28 percent said current farm income was good, while 32 percent said it was bad, which is the highest rating in four years.

“Producers’ assessment of income one year down the road is even bleaker as 42 percent say income will be worse next year compared with 41 percent who think it will be the same. This is the first time more farmers have been pessimistic than neutral on the income outlook for the upcoming year,” said Micik.

Agribusiness Confidence Index
Agribusiness confidence, present situation and future expectations also dropped the past four months, just not as dramatically as producer confidence. Overall, agribusiness confidence remains optimistic, but it has eroded the past year. According to the DTN/The Progressive Farmer Agribusiness Confidence Index, which measured the sentiments of 100 agribusinesses from Feb. 19 to March 5, agribusiness confidence dropped to 104.7 from 105.5 in December and 107.3 last March.

Agribusiness perceptions of their current situation fell to the lowest level in two years. In the past year alone, agribusinesses’ view of their present situation has fallen from 121.6 last March to 114.5. Agribusinesses continue to be pessimistic about the future. Agribusiness expectations dropped to 98.0 from 99.2 last December.

“Agribusiness pessimism could be attributed to concerns by farmer-customers over rising input costs at a time when commodity prices have dropped the past 12 months,” said Micik. “Last spring 72 percent of agribusinesses felt sales were good. That number has now dropped to 50 percent. However, sales expectations for the next year have held steady with 90 percent predicting sales to get better or remain the same compared with 88 percent last March.”

As for agribusiness profitability, 40 percent view it as good, 52 percent normal, and 7 percent as bad. Because of concerns over tighter margins, Micik said, only 19 percent of agribusinesses believe profitability will get better the next 12 months, compared with 26 percent just four months ago. In addition, 32 percent of the agribusinesses surveyed expect overall prospects for their business to get better the next 12 months, which is down from 36 percent last December.



USDA Cold Storage Report Highlights
Highlights inventories as of Feb 28, 2015

Total red meat supplies in freezers were up 8 percent from the previous month and up 12 percent from last year. Total pounds of beef in freezers were up slightly from the previous month and up 20 percent from last year. Frozen pork supplies were up 15 percent from the previous month and up 5 percent from last year. Stocks of pork bellies were up 27 percent from last month but down 23 percent from last year.

Total frozen poultry supplies on February 28, 2015 were up 4 percent from the previous month and up 6 percent from a year ago. Total stocks of chicken were up slightly from the previous month and up 8 percent from last year. Total pounds of turkey in freezers were up 15 percent from last month and up  4 percent from February 28, 2014.

Total natural cheese stocks in refrigerated warehouses on February 28, 2015 were up 2 percent from  the previous month and up 5 percent from February 28, 2014.  Butter stocks were up 20 percent from last month and up 4 percent from a year ago.

Total frozen fruit stocks were down 9 percent from last month and down 5 percent from a year ago.  Total frozen vegetable stocks were down 7 percent from last month and down 2 percent from a year ago.



NASS - Livestock Slaughter Report Data Errors Found

The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) has discovered a data processing issue that caused multiple data errors in the March 19, 2015 Livestock Slaughter report. The March report, which contained February slaughter data, has been removed from the Internet and the parallel data removed from the Quick Stats database. The February 19, 2015 report and data reflecting January information remain available on line. NASS will announce the re-release of the March Livestock Slaughter report as soon as it is available. The Livestock Slaughter report contains monthly data on cattle, calves, sheep, lambs, hogs and pigs slaughtered in commercial and federally-inspected plants by state in addition to red meat production by species at the U.S. and state levels. All NASS reports are available at www.nass.usda.gov.



CWT Assists with 7.7 Million Pounds of Cheese and Butter Export Sales

Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) has accepted 18 requests for export assistance from Dairy Farmers of America, Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers, Northwest Dairy Association (Darigold), and Tillamook County Creamery Association who have contracts to sell 2.028 million pounds (920 metric tons) of Cheddar, Gouda, and Monterey Jack cheese and 5.677 million pounds (2,575 metric tons) of butter to customers in Asia, the Middle East, North Africa, and South America. The product has been contracted for delivery in the period from March through September 2015.

Year-to-date, CWT has assisted member cooperatives who have contracts to sell 19.764 million pounds of cheese and 24.692 million pounds of butter to twenty two countries on five continents. The amounts of and butter in these sales contracts represent the equivalent of 737.991 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.

The amounts of cheese and related milk volumes reflect current contracts for delivery, not completed export volumes. CWT will pay export assistance to the bidders only when export and delivery of the product is verified by the submission of the required documentation.



Brazilian Soy Harvest 59% Complete

Brazilian farmers had collected 59% of their soybean crop as of Friday, nine percentage points ahead of last week and only marginally behind the 63% harvested at the same point last year, according to AgRural, a local farm consultancy.

Clear skies across the south of the country allowed fieldwork to progress quickly last week.

Harvest efforts have begun to gain pace in the southernmost state of Rio Grande do Sul. The No. 3 producing state had collected 11% of the crop as Friday. The crop in the region looks good, although Asian rust issues and reduced rainfall in recent weeks is worrying some farmers.

In Parana, the No. 2 soy state, soybeans have been 68% collected with excellent yields reported.

In Mato Grosso, the harvest is nearly complete at 88% harvested, down from 92% at the same point last year. Showers during the course of the week did not affect fieldwork in the No. 1 soy state. Heavier rain did have an impact on fieldwork in neighboring Goias, though. The harvest moved forward just five percentage points to 77% complete in the No. 4 state.



Deadline Approaches to Renew Expiring Conservation Stewardship Program Contracts

Farmers, ranchers and forest landowners who signed Conservation Stewardship Program contracts in 2011 with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) have until Tuesday, March 31, 2015 to renew those expiring contracts.

These farmers, ranchers and forest landowners have the option to renew their existing contracts non-competitively if they are willing to adopt additional conservation activities aimed at helping them achieve higher levels of conservations on their operations, said Jason Weller, Chief of NRCS.

Changes in the 2014 Farm Bill will allow CSP participants with expiring contracts to renew them by exceeding stewardship thresholds for two or more existing natural resource concerns specified by NRCS or by meeting stewardship thresholds for at least two new natural resource concerns such as improving water quality or soil health.

About 9,300 contracts covering more than 12.2 million acres are nearing the end of their five-year term and can be renewed for an additional five years. The agricultural producer or forest landowner must complete all conservation activities contained in the initial contract before a renewal can be granted.

 An agricultural producer or forest landowner must meet the minimum criteria established by NRCS to renew an expiring CSP contract. Contract renewal also offers these agricultural producers and forest landowners an opportunity to add new conservation activities to meet their conservation goals and protect the natural resources on their farms, forests or ranches. The 2014 Farm Bill includes an expanded conservation activity list that now includes cover crops, intensive rotational grazing and wildlife-friendly fencing.

USDA’s largest conservation program by acreage, CSP pays participants for conservation performance — the better the performance, the higher the payment. Nearly 70 million acres have been enrolled in the program since its launch in 2009.

USDA offers financial and technical assistance to agricultural producers and forest landowners for the active management and maintenance of existing conservation activities and for carrying out new conservation activities on working agricultural land. Eligible lands include cropland, grassland, prairie land, improved pastureland, rangeland, non-industrial private forestland and tribal agricultural land. Applicants must have control of the land for the 5-year term of the contract.

CSP participants who wish to renew for an additional five years must submit an application indicating their intent to renew to their local NRCS office prior to March 31, 2015, the national deadline.

To learn more about CSP contract renewals, visit your local NRCS office.



Legislation Promotes Big Oil, Denies Consumer Choice

In response to S. 791, the American Energy Renaissance Act, legislation that was introduced last week by Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), which would seek to further our addiction to fossil fuels and eliminate consumer choice by repealing the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy, issued the following statement:

“The recent legislation introduced by Senator Cruz is not only shortsighted in terms of a comprehensive energy policy, but it seeks to stifle all production and growth of homegrown, sustainable biofuels that help create American jobs and reduce our dangerous dependence on fossil fuels. This legislation fails to factor in the important role biofuels play in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, while also providing consumers with a choice and savings at the pump.

“Senator Cruz seems to believe that he is exercising leadership by attacking the only energy policy that has contributed to our economic, energy and national security. Yet Senator Cruz fails to challenge or acknowledge the excessive subsidies oil companies have received for 102 years and counting at the expense of the American taxpayer. Let’s be clear – this is not ‘profiles in courage,’ this is pandering to Big Oil.

“He says there are no benefits from renewable fuels; however, the Renewable Fuel Standard has helped reduce our dependence on foreign oil by nearly 50 percent, from 60 to 33 percent, saved consumers at the pump, cleaned our air and revitalized our rural economy. Furthermore, his legislation is a direct attack on America’s farmers, the backbone of this nation, who are working overtime to feed the world and fuel America.

“In essence, Senator Cruz is proposing legislation that will take away the freedom of choice for consumers to choose higher performing, less expensive fuel for which there is clearly a demand.”



Global Meat Consumption Reaches 225 Million Tons in 2014

Euromonitor International released new market research on the global fresh food industry. The global meat market saw 3 percent volume sales growth in 2014 to reach 225 million tonnes, driven by growing demand in emerging markets.

"Increased prosperity and rising populations are key drivers for meat consumption in emerging markets," said Anastasia Alieva, head of Fresh Food Research at Euromonitor International. "For example, since 2009, India's annual disposable income has improved by 95 percent and meat consumption has increased by nearly 50 percent during the same time period."

Meat demand declined in developed markets, according to Euromonitor's fresh food data with recession-hit Greece experiencing the most severe decline of meat consumption in 2014, followed by Germany and the Netherlands. The U.S. has also registered negative growth of -1 percent last year. With health, ethical, sustainability and religious issues giving meat a bad name, a number of Western consumers are embracing vegetarianism and veganism or adopting a pescetarian, flexitarian or vegetable-oriented diet.

Additional findings from the new fresh food research shows poultry is the most popular type of meat in the world, increasing by 4% in volume terms to reach 85 billion tonnes consumed in 2014.

In China, demand of beef and veal has been stronger than demand of traditional pork in 2014 thanks to growing per capita disposable income.