Tuesday March 17 Ag News

2015 National Agriculture Week & Agriculture Day
Larry Howard, UNL Extension Educator, Cuming County

This week is National Agriculture Week and is celebrated March 15 – 21, 2015 and it is a time when producers, agricultural associations, corporations, universities, government agencies and countless others across America take time to recognize and celebrate the abundance provided by American agriculture. This year’s Ag Day theme is “Agriculture: Sustaining Future Generations.”  March 18 is the 42nd anniversary of National Ag Day, celebrating agriculture and all those who feed our world, care for crops and livestock, and bring awareness to agricultural production.

The demand on American agriculture is growing as fast as the world population.  Today each farmer produces food and fiber for 154 people, compared to just 19 people in 1940. Farmers and ranchers represent just 2% of the population, but the agriculture industry accounts for 1 in 4 Nebraska jobs.  As the world population soars, there is even greater demand for the food, fiber and renewable resources produced in the United States.

Agriculture provides almost everything we eat, use and wear on a daily basis, and is increasingly contributing to fuel and other bio-products. Each year, members of the agricultural industry gather together to promote American agriculture. This effort helps educate millions of consumers.

By far, the most effective part of this program is the role you play in helping spread the word. A few generations ago, most Americans were directly involved in or had relatives or friends involved in agricultural-related activities. Today, that is no longer the case. That is why it is so important that we join together at the community level which carries our message a great deal further than any one of us can do alone.

The National Ag Day program believes that everyone should:
- understand how food, fiber and renewable resource products are produced.
- value the essential role of agriculture in maintaining a strong economy.
- appreciate the role agriculture plays in providing safe, abundant and affordable products.
- acknowledge and consider career opportunities in the agriculture, food, fiber and renewable resource industries.

It is important to take a few minutes to share your agriculture story with someone else so they have a better understanding of what you do.



Raising Nebraska Celebrates National Ag Week 

In celebration of National Ag Week, Raising Nebraska is hosting an Ag Day Open House on Saturday, March 21, 2015 from 10:00 am to 1:00 pm.  This is a free event open for the public.  Guests will enjoy interactive engagement stations that allow participants to learn more about agriculture through an activity, getting their questions answered, and feeling excited about Nebraska agriculture.
 
Raising Nebraska is an interactive experience like no other. From science and innovation, to community and culture, and even the global economy, Nebraska’s agricultural experience touches everyone. Through this incredible 25,000-foot interactive exhibit, you actually become part of it – in ways you never imagined and that you’ll never forget.

Raising Nebraska is located in the Nebraska Building on the Nebraska State Fairgrounds at 501 E Fonner Park Rd, Grand Island, NE 68801.  For more information on Raising Nebraska, visit www.raisingnebraska.net.

This event is open to the public. 



Experience the Power of Red

High school sophomores and juniors can learn about the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at the Experience the Power of Red Spring Edition Open House Thursday, April 2, 2015.  The open house, held on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's East Campus, gives students the chance to hear about the college's 29 academic programs and two pre-professional programs, said Laura Frey, UNL college relations director. They can also meet current UNL faculty, staff and students.

"They get to explore career opportunities and just become familiar with UNL in general," she said.

The open house will begin at 8:30 a.m. with refreshments and a browsing session, when students can get a brief introduction to each department in the college. Following a welcome at 9:15 a.m., students and parents will attend academic sessions that offer more in-depth information about each academic program. The event finishes with lunch and a scholarship drawing at 11:45 a.m. Optional tours of both UNL campuses start at 1 p.m.

Academic interest areas featured at the open house include agribusiness/agricultural economics; agricultural education/agricultural journalism/hospitality, restaurant and tourism management; agronomy; animal science; applied science; biochemistry; food science and technology; food technology for companion animals; forensic science; grazing livestock systems; horticulture; insect science; mechanized systems management/agricultural engineering/biological systems engineering; microbiology; natural resources, including applied climate science, environmental restoration science, environmental studies, fisheries and wildlife, grassland ecology and management, natural resources and environmental economics and water science; PGA golf management; plant biology; turfgrass and landscape management; veterinary science; and the Engler Agribusiness Entrepreneurship program.

For more information or to register, visit http://casnr.unl.edu/visitday.



PQA Plus, TQA, and NePPA Regional Meetings Offered in Columbus & Beatrice

The Nebraska Pork Producers Association will be conducting PQA Plus and TQA certification classes on March 31, 2015 at the River’s Edge Convention Center (Ramada Inn), 265 33rd Avenue, Columbus. PQA Plus and TQA Certification classes will also be held on April 2, 2015 in Beatrice at the Holiday Inn Express, 4005 N 6th Street. TQA certification will begin at 12:30 p.m. followed by PQA Plus at 3:00 p.m.

Initial certification or renewal of a current, unexpired PQA Plus or TQA certification can be obtained at these face-to-face trainings. Certifications are good for three years. There is no charge for these certification classes and you can register at www.nepork.org. Pre-registration for the certification sessions is preferred, however walk-ins are also welcome. If you have any questions, please contact Dee Petersen at dee@nepork.org or call 1 888 627 7675.

Immediately following the conclusion of the PQA Plus certification classes, NPPA will be hosting the Regional Producer Meetings. Dr. Larry Coleman will be the guest speaker and his topics will be: Increasing Employee Engagement - A discussion of how managers/owners could increase employee engagement to facilitate better animals care on their farms. Group Housing and High Sow Productivity. Friends or Foes? - A discussion of a new farm employing large pens to house sows instead of traditional stalls.  The farm set-up and production results of this new system will be discussed.

The Regional Producer workshops will run approximately three hours and will begin at 5:30 p.m. with a social and dinner included at each location.  The Regional Producer Meetings are being hosted by NPPA’s Gold and Silver Allied Members and there is no cost. Registration is required for the Regional Producer workshops and is available on-line at www.nepork.org or by calling (402) 472-2563.



Ethanol 2015: Emerging Issues Forum Features Key Business Issues and Trends

Ethanol and biofuel experts from across the nation will be in Omaha for the annual Ethanol 2015: Emerging Issues Forum held April 16-17 at the Magnolia Hotel.

The two-day forum, which is in its 10th year, is arranged for ethanol producers and others integrally involved in production, technology, policymaking and marketing of ethanol and its co-products. The forum runs from 1-5:30 p.m. Thursday and 8 a.m. to noon Friday.

Paul Argyropoulos, senior policy advisor to the Office of Air Quality and Transportation at the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is the featured speaker April 16.

Argyropoulos will address EPA’s plans for the final rule on Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) volumes for 2014 and plans for 2015 and 2016. In addition, he will address issues associated with the RFS including steps EPA is taking to get the RFS back on track.

“Paul is as knowledgeable as they come on these issues and we are absolutely delighted that he will be able to join us this year,” said Todd Sneller, Nebraska Ethanol Board administrator. “He has worked on fuel and air quality programs for more than 20 years and with new ozone standards, the Tier 3 program and fuel economy standards all impacting the future of ethanol . It is a very timely addition to the program.”

Other topics during the forum include ethanol marketing challenges; domestic and international ethanol marketing opportunities and barriers; emerging trends in ethanol co-products; low carbon fuel standards; and integrating technology for efficiency, profitability and sustainability.

More than 120 ethanol industry leaders are expected to be in attendance. Online registration and a detailed agenda are available at www.ethanol.nebraska.gov. Registration is open until 5 p.m. April 13. Scholarships also are available to university students and can be accessed online.

The Ethanol 2015: Emerging Issues Forum is presented by the Nebraska Ethanol Board, Clean Fuels Development Coalition, American Coalition for Ethanol, Association of Nebraska Ethanol Producers and the Nebraska Ethanol Industry Coalition.



Blair's Woodhouse Ram Among First In Nation

When Ram trucks celebrated America's farm and ranch families with a two minute commercial featuring Paul Harvey during the 2013 Super Bowl, they created a relationship with those families like no other truck maker ever had.

Today, Ram dealers are proud to announce the next generation of that relationship. Endorsed by the National Agriculture In The Classroom Organization, Ram welcomes Woodhouse Ram, Blair NE, to the  ranks of Certified Agriculture Dealership. A first of its kind in the truck industry, this certification lets farm and ranch families know staff at this dealership understands the uniqueness of their business. It also signals the dealerships commitment to the timing of wheat harvest, calving season and third cutting hay by adjusting parts of its operations to accommodate the unique demands of each commodity, and every season.

To become a Certified Agriculture Dealership, Woodhouse Ram was required to select at least three team members to successfully complete a curriculum prepared by it's agriculture partners. The program recommended one each from Sales, Parts or Service. Your Certified Agriculture Specialists at Woodhouse Ram are: Todd Fisher, Brett Miller and Brady Fernau.

With the initial curriculum complete, the Woodhouse team will now participate in a continuing education effort that synchronizes their learning with everything important to Eastern Nebraska agriculture, as it happens. Ongoing education, combined with what Specialists learned through the initial curriculum, will allow the dealership to become a real-time partner with area agriculture by proactively anticipating and meeting the changing demands of its family farm customers.

The Certified Agriculture Dealership designation is important to the areas non-farm truck buyers, too.  Agriculture is widely known for battle testing equipment under the toughest of conditions. Experts at Woodhouse Ram, and the farms they support, will be able to provide buyers of any influence first hand knowledge of the products capabilities from their own on-farm experiences.

Woodhouse Ag Specialist, Todd Fisher sums it up best: Appreciation for agriculture s needs has set deep roots with this dealership, and the Ram brand. The RamCAD program was built with input from educational experts, agriculture experts, family farmers & ranchers so our dealership can offer the industry something more&a partnership that understands, and adjusts to those needs at every level.



ASA DuPont Young Leaders Explore Issues, Marketing During Final Phase of Training

The 31st class of ASA DuPont Young Leaders completed their training, Feb. 24 – 28, 2015 in Phoenix, Ariz. in conjunction with the annual Commodity Classic Convention and Trade Show.

“The DuPont Young Leader Program fills a critical role in the soybean industry by identifying new and emerging leaders and then training them to be strong voices and advocates for agriculture,” said Wade Cowan, ASA President. “We’re grateful to DuPont Pioneer and DuPont for their commitment to this program and for helping secure the future of the soybean industry. After spending time with this year’s class, I can assure you the soybean industry is in good hands.”

While in Phoenix, the Young Leaders participated in leadership and marketing training, issues updates and discussion and were recognized at ASA’s annual awards banquet.

The 2015 class of ASA DuPont Young Leaders participating in the Phoenix training includes: Kyle Bridgeforth, Ala.; Dave McEacheren, Canada; Nick Wurl, Ill.; Adam & Hannah Steen, Ind.; Morey & Rhonda Hill, Iowa; Andrew & LaVell Winsor, Kan; Andrew & Jenny Alford, Ky.; Brennan & Serena Gilkison, Ky,; Odis & Tammy Hill, La.; Matthew Doss & Stephanie Francis, Mich.; Aaron Yaggie, Minn.; Ryan & Wendy Wondercheck, Minn.; John Mark Looney, Miss.; Bill Hayen, Mo.; Amanda & Dustin Fairley, Neb.; Brent Svoboda, Neb.; Brad Macauley, N.Y.; Christopher & Cherish Naylor, N.C.; Jarred Billadeau, N.D.; Dan & Cindy Sturgill, Ohio; Cliff & Hailey Barron, S.C.; Antron Williams, S.C.; Brandon Wipf, S.D.; John Dodson & Kristi Kosman, Tenn.; Glenn & Amanda Dye, Va.; and Brad & Nicole Kremer, Wis.

“Commodity Classic provided an ideal venue for the ASA DuPont Young Leaders to continue to strengthen their leadership skills and learn more about the policies that impact agriculture,” said DuPont Pioneer Sr. Industry Relations Manager Randy Wanke. “We have been very impressed with the caliber of the 31st class of Young Leaders and greatly appreciate ASA’s commitment to leadership development.”



National Biodiesel Day reaffirms fuel’s benefits to economy, environment, farmers

National Biodiesel Day recognized March 18 is a year-long call to action to use more of the renewable fuel to the benefit of Iowa’s economy, environment and rural communities.

The Iowa Soybean Association echoed the Iowa Biodiesel Board’s (IBB) challenge to every farmer in Iowa to request greater offerings of the fuel by distributors and to commit to increasing biodiesel usage in their farm operations.

Ed Ulch, who farms near Solon and serves as an ISA director, said biodiesel is a valuable asset for Iowa and an appropriate product to tout today and every day.

“Iowa is the nation’s largest producer of biodiesel and farmers are among the beneficiaries,” he said. “It’s an advanced biofuel made from agricultural byproducts and co-products that creates demand for what we grow, burns cleaner than regular diesel while delivering quality performance regardless of the season.”

According to research conducted by Informa Economics, biodiesel adds 74 cents to the per-bushel price of soybeans. Livestock farmers benefit, too. Soybean meal feed costs are lowered by at least $25 per ton due to the increased demand for soybean oil. The biodiesel industry also creates demand for animal fats.

A poll of more than 360 Iowa soybean farmers conducted earlier this winter by the ISA finds room for increased biodiesel consumption. Forty-one percent of nearly 360 farmers surveyed said they use biodiesel in the farming operations. “Not readily available” was the primary reason cited for not using the fuel followed by concerns about its performance in cold weather (29 percent). However, availability has improved the last several years due to favorable state legislation.

Biodiesel experts say blends of up to 20 percent can be successfully used in cold temperatures, as long as the biodiesel and diesel meet high quality standards. In winter, blends should be treated and handled for cold weather, using similar methods to treating the No. 2 grade of diesel fuel.

IBB officials say the fuel can be used in any diesel engine in blends of up to 20 percent (B20). All of the major Original Equipment Manufacturers producing engines and equipment for the U.S. agricultural market support B20 or higher in their warranty position statements. Biodiesel blends such as B5 (5 percent biodiesel) can restore needed lubricity to Ultra Low Sulfur Diesel, helping to extend engine life.

Biodiesel blends are also usually cost-competitive due to strong state legislation passed in Iowa, Ulch said.

March 18 is the birthday of Rudolf Diesel, the man who invented the engine that bears his name.  He ran early models on peanut oil and was a visionary for renewable fuel. 



Consumers’ Everyday Tasks Help Cut Carbon on National Biodiesel Day

National Biodiesel Day is celebrated on March 18 -- the anniversary of Rudolf Diesel’s birthday.  Diesel, born in 1858, was a true pioneer. When Diesel developed the first diesel engine it ran on a biofuel, peanut oil. In fact, he envisioned a time when vegetable oils would one day be as important as petroleum among transportation fuels.

In the U.S. today, diesel engines move approximately 90 percent of the nation's goods. Last year nearly 1.8 billion gallons of cleaner burning biodiesel was in the mix, replacing petroleum diesel, and working with clean diesel technology to reduce carbon emissions even further. As a result, consumers, just doing what they do – buying stuff, eating stuff, using stuff – helped support biodiesel and reduce carbon.

But those who want to do more to support the advanced biofuel can. It is as easy as joining the Biodiesel Alliance. Alliance members range from farmers to fleet managers, and from trade organizations to municipal agencies and local businesses. Biodiesel Alliance members have easy access to news and information about biodiesel and related topics. Sign up is free and a click away.

“Biodiesel works behinds the scenes to deliver a better alternative. It is here now, working today across the country to improve our environment, support our economy and protect energy security,” said Steven J. Levy, Chairman for the National Biodiesel Board. “It is impressive what we have achieved in ten years and clear that responsible policy and industry innovation is working to expand access to America’s Advanced Biofuel while benefitting consumers.”



Family Farms are the Focus of New Agriculture Census Data

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) reports that family-owned farms remain the backbone of the agriculture industry. The latest data come from the Census of Agriculture farm typology report and help shine light on the question, "What is a family farm?"

"As we wrap up mining the 6 million data points from the latest Census of Agriculture, we used typology to further explore the demographics of who is farming and ranching today," said NASS Statistics Division Director Hubert Hamer. "What we found is that family-owned businesses, while very diverse, are at the core of the U.S. agriculture industry. In fact, 97 percent of all U.S. farms are family-owned."

The 2012 Census of Agriculture Farm Typology report is a special data series that primarily focuses on the "family farm." By definition, a family farm is any farm where the majority of the business is owned by the operator and individuals related to the operator, including through blood, marriage, or adoption. Key highlights from the report include the following five facts about family farms in the United States:

Five Facts to Know about Family Farms
1. Food equals family – 97 percent of the 2.1 million farms in the United States are family-owned operations.

2. Small business matters – 88 percent of all U.S. farms are small family farms.

3. Local connections come in small packages – 58 percent of all direct farm sales to consumers come from small family farms.

4. Big business matters too – 64 percent of all vegetable sales and 66 percent of all dairy sales come from the 3 percent of farms that are large or very large family farms.

5. Farming provides new beginnings – 18 percent of principal operators on family farms in the U.S. started within the last 10 years.

"Whether small or large - on the East Coast, West Coast, or the Midwest - family farms produce food and fiber for people all across the U.S. and the world," said Hamer. "It's due in part to information such as this from the Census of Agriculture that we can help show the uniqueness and importance of U.S. agriculture to rural communities, families, and the world."

The 2012 Census of Agriculture Farm Typology report classifies all farms into unique categories based on three criteria: who owns the operation, whether farming is the principal operator's primary occupation, and gross cash farm cash income (GCFI). Small family farms have GCFI less than $350,000; midsize family farms have GCFI from $350,000 to $999,999; and large family farms have GCFI of $1 million or more. Small farms are further divided based on whether the principal operator works primarily on or off the farm.

To access all the data products from the Census typology report, including Highlights, infographics and maps, visit www.agcensus.usda.gov.



To Avoid Harvest Surprises, Know Before You Grow

Know Before You Grow As planting season gets underway in southern parts of the country, the National Corn Growers Association reminds growers to visit its updated version of the "Know Before Your Grow" website. The newly revamped site offer growers important new information to help inform planting decisions in light of the release of new seed varieties currently unapproved in some export markets.

"In a globalized agricultural economy, it is important that farmers understand the delicate balance that must be struck between ensuring access to the technologies while also safeguarding export markets remain open to U.S. corn," said NCGA Trade Policy and Biotechnology Action Team Chair John Linder, an Ohio farmer. "Both biotechnology and export markets play a key role in maintaining profitability. Making decisions based in solid information will be key to maintaining profitability moving forward."

NCGA stands solidly true to its policy in maintaining all new events must have approval in the United States and Japan prior to release. Additionally, the trait provider must be actively pursuing approval in all other markets for U.S. corn.

NCGA urges members to examine the traits approved in export markets prior to planting. With current gaps in trait approvals abroad, farmers should make well-informed planting decisions to avoid potentially difficult situations should elevators again decide not to accept corn with these traits at harvest.

Growers should read their grower agreements before planting and communicate with their grain buyers. This is why NCGA works with technology providers to publicize regular updates on the approval status of these events. 



Animal Agriculture Tells House: It’s Time to Ditch the Rule
 
Today, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association Past President Steve Foglesong testified before the House Committee on Agriculture Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry at their hearing titled, “Waters of the U.S. Rulemaking and its Impact on Rural America.” Foglesong, from Astoria, Illinois, raises and feeds cattle and hogs in addition to growing corn, soybeans and hay on his Black Gold Ranch and Feedlot. Foglesong testified to the subcommittee on behalf of animal agriculture, urging Congress to act in order to prevent the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers from finalizing their “waters of the U.S.” rule.

“Let’s be clear - everyone wants clean water,” said Foglesong. “Farmers and ranchers rely on clean water to be successful in business. But, expanding the federal regulatory reach of the EPA and Army Corp does not equal clean water. After reading the proposed rule, I can say that only one thing is clear, the proposed rule and its definitions are ambiguous.”

The proposed rule by the EPA and Army Corps would expand the definition of “waters” giving federal control over land features if a U.S. regulator could subjectively distinguish a bed, bank, and ordinary high water mark.

“We are currently feeding cattle and hogs, and I also graze cattle on my land,” said Foglesong. “I have seasonal streams running through my pastures and fields, as well as many ponds, lakes, and ditches. It appears to me that many of these features could now become federal waters under this proposed rule. If they are ‘waters of the U.S.,’ I will need a 404 or 402 permit to conduct everyday ranching activities near those areas.”

Foglesong also addressed concerns, not only from the agriculture standpoint, but also as a family-owned business; specifically that the agencies did not reach out to small businesses to determine the economic impact this rule would have under the Regulatory Flexibility Act. The proposed rule was drafted without outreach to the agriculture or small business communities.

“There was zero outreach to us in the agriculture community before the rule was proposed,” said Foglesong. “And despite what the EPA and Army Corps are saying, they did not have a meaningful dialogue with the small business community as a whole. We want to continue to do our part for the environment, but this ambiguous and expansive proposed rule does not help us achieve that.”

NCBA and others in animal agriculture are calling on the EPA and the Army Corps to withdraw the “waters of the U.S.” proposed rule and then engage in a serious and meaningful dialogue with the agricultural and business communities to find the necessary solution that will provide the clarity and certainty we require.



Meat Export Expectations for 2015
John D. Anderson, Deputy Chief Economist, American Farm Bureau Federation

Exports are an important component of demand for all three of the major meat species.  According to the most recent data, exports of beef, pork, and chicken amounted to 21 percent, 19 percent, and 11 percent of production, respectively, in 2014.  All of these figures are high by historic standards, but none is a record for the share of production exported.  Figure 1 shows exports as a share of total production for beef, pork, and chicken from 1984 through 2015 (forecast).

Clearly, exports have become an important part of the market for all of these products.  For chicken, exports became a really significant factor in the market with the fall of the Iron Curtain, which resulted in improved market access in eastern Europe and Russia.  For pork, exports really took off in the early 2000s, with a major boost from China as purchasing power in that country began to grow.  And, of course, beef exports grew more-or-less steadily through the 1990s before being severely set back at the end of 2003 with the discovery of the first U.S. case of BSE.

But what is as noticeable as the periods of growth in exports is the fact that exports (again, as a share of production) have not grown for the last few years.  In fact, for 2015, USDA's most recent forecast has exports declining for beef, pork, and chicken as a share of production as well as in total pounds.  In fact, if that forecast holds, it will be the second straight year in which exports of beef, pork, and chicken have all declined together.  That has really never happened - at least not since exports became a meaningful component of these markets.

Combined, beef, pork, and chicken exports in 2015 are currently forecast to decline by 485 million pounds (beef down 173 million pounds, pork down 108 million pounds, and chicken down 204 million pounds).  There have been larger annual declines in combined exports before.  In 2004, beef exports alone declined by over 2 billion pounds.  In 2009, following the Olympic-fueled boom in pork exports to China in 2008, pork exports fell by 572 million pounds.  In 2002, chicken exports fell by 748 million pounds due to Russia's first really serious export ban.  But it is unusual to see all three species decline together, and the combined 485 million pound drop in red meat/chicken exports will be, if realized, among the bigger year-over-year declines in the last twenty years.

Why the weakness in exports this year?  There are several factors at work.  For one thing, beef, pork, and poultry are historically quite expensive.  Relatively tight production, particularly when considered on a per capita basis, and strong domestic demand have helped push prices to record levels.  This alone would tend to reduce exports (ceteris paribus, of course).  Adding to the impact of higher prices for foreign consumers is a very strong dollar.  While it doesn't seem to be attracting as much attention this time around, the dollar is actually stronger on a trade-weighted basis that it was during the financial crisis in 2009.  This makes U.S. meat (and, in fact, all U.S. products) more expensive for foreign consumers in terms of their home currency.  Finally, the West Coast port disruptions got exports off to a very slow start this year.  Some of that ground may be made up as the year progresses, but it will not necessarily be easy to do.



Agnition Launches First Microbial Catalyst Soybean Seed Treatment

Agnition announced today that it has launched Commence® for Soybeans, a microbial catalyst seed treatment for soybeans that stimulates microbial activity for healthier soil and a superior growth environment. Increased microbial activity near the seed liberates nutrients that get soybeans off to a faster start and nurtures them throughout the growing season.

“We consistently see faster emergence and healthier and more robust soybean plants that stay ahead all year long,” said Agnition senior research manager Evan Johnson. “We bring value to the market through better plant health, and because our seed treatment stimulates microbial activity we provide value through healthier soil. Commence® not only provides an advantage to this year’s crop but also long-term value through increased soil health.”

Typical seed treatments are defensive and provide passive protection that is effective only when insect or disease pressure is present. Also, Commence® for Soybeans is not an inoculant. The active ingredients in Commence® for Soybeans are released in the soil after planting where they stimulate naturally occurring microorganisms to improve stand count, root structure and overall plant health.

“Our soybean seed treatment is active and goes out into the rhizosphere, the area around the root, and that’s where the plant gets all its nutrients for a much larger root structure. Commence® is an offensive seed treatment that positively affects the rhizosphere rather than a treatment that sits on the seed and waits for something to attack,” Johnson said.

Commence® for Soybeans is built on two exclusive technologies. Patented Microbial Catalyst™ technology increases the number and activity of soil microorganism that liberate the nutrients plants require to thrive. ProCoat™ encapsulation technology is a unique film-forming polysaccharide that adheres the active ingredients in Commence® to the seed and then releases them after planting for maximum benefit.

For several years, Commence® for Soybeans has undergone rigorous testing at Agnition Labs, the state-of-the-art Agnition greenhouse and farm trials. Johnson said the process ensures a product that works well in seed treaters and provides producers with a consistent advantage.

“We started working on Commence® for Wheat three years ago and at that time we decided to carry the technology forward to the soybean. After extensive lab, greenhouse and field research were conducted to optimize the formula and rates; we are confident that Commence® for Soybeans is a product that consistently improves soil and plant health,” Johnson said.

Agnition is a brand of Ralco, a third-generation family owned multinational company with distribution in more than 30 countries. A leading global provider of crop enhancement products, livestock nutrition and animal health products; Ralco supports large segments of the livestock, poultry, aquaculture and crop industries.