Thursday April 23 Ag News

UNL TO BREAK GROUND ON NEW VETERINARY DIAGNOSTIC CENTER

The University of Nebraska-Lincoln is scheduled to break ground on a new Veterinary Diagnostic Center April 29 on UNL's East Campus. The groundbreaking is scheduled for 4 p.m. with a reception afterward in the Ken Morrison Life Sciences Research Center, 4240 Fair St. 

The VDC, Nebraska's only accredited veterinary diagnostic lab, improves animal health through diagnostics and disease surveillance, protecting the state's livestock industry. The center develops cutting-edge testing methods and supports food safety and biomedical research. It works with public health officials to diagnose animal diseases that can lead to human illnesses and processes samples submitted by the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission to monitor and prevent the spread of wildlife diseases such as rabies and Chronic Wasting Disease.

The center provides testing services to professionals and organizations across the nation and is considered a national center of excellence for testing of certain diseases in livestock. The VDC and its staff also teach UNL students, who get to experience real-world lessons in its labs.

Don Reynolds, director of the UNL School of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, said there is a great need for an updated facility. "We need to modernize to ensure that we protect animal health in the state of Nebraska."

The current center was built in 1975 and is insufficient to meet modern needs. The center's shortcomings include space limitations, poor ventilation and building design that carries increased risk for cross-contamination of contagious pathogens and pathogen exposure.

The Nebraska Legislature approved the new center in 2012. The project cost is $44.7 million, of which $4.1 million is coming from private funds. The other $40.6 million will be appropriated over 10 years in financial bonds.

The new center is projected to be completed by the end of 2017.

Chancellor Harvey Perlman, NU Foundation President Brian Hastings and NU Vice President and IANR Vice Chancellor Ronnie Green are scheduled to attend the groundbreaking celebration.



IBACH ENCOURAGES COMMUNICATION BETWEEN HERBICIDE APPLICATORS, SPECIALTY CROP PRODUCERS

As trees and plants green up and soil temperatures rise across the state, farm operations of all sizes and types are getting into full swing of planting season.

Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) Director Greg Ibach is encouraging anyone who will be applying herbicide products during this busy season to be mindful of best management practices and use good communication with their neighbors.

“It’s important for our commodity crop farmers and our growing sector of specialty crop farmers to work together so everyone can be successful,” Ibach said. “Herbicide applications are critical for corn and soybean production, but there are a number of specialty crops, such as grape vines, that are sensitive to these products.”

One way that farmers can open the door of communication is through Driftwatch™. This website is a free, voluntary service that allows those with pesticide sensitive crops, organic crops and beehives to report their locations. Herbicide applicators can review the site to gain an understanding of the locations of specialty crops in their area.

“For example, Nebraska’s vineyards are currently beginning ‘bud break,” or the official start of the vines’ annual growth cycle, so these plants are extremely vulnerable right now,” Ibach said. “It’s also time for our commodity crop growers to ready their fields for planting, including herbicide applications. Communication between all parties right now is important to ensure successful crop production for everyone.”

Applicators also can register on the Driftwatch™ website, facilitating email notifications to the applicator when a new sensitive crop site is registered in their local area.

The Driftwatch™ website can be found online at http://www.fieldwatch.com/specialty-crop-registry.html. The Nebraska Department of Agriculture monitors the Driftwatch™ site for the state. For questions about it, contact Craig Romary with NDA at (402) 471-2351.



This Arbor Day put more green in spring with American Ethanol

From creating a cleaner air environment to forming windbreaks that stabilize the soil, planting trees is a sustainable effort that all Nebraskans are encouraged to participate in this Arbor Day. Also joining this sustainable effort again this year is American Ethanol through its partnership with NASCAR® and its NASCAR Green initiative.

The goal of the NASCAR Green initiative is to reduce the sport’s environmental footprint by championing sustainable behaviors to their millions of fans. The NASCAR Green initiative has grown into some of the largest renewable energy projects in the world. Leading the way is NASCAR’s highly successful biofuels program.  Four years ago the sport kicked off this program by committing to use Sunoco Green E15, a fuel blended with 15 percent American-made ethanol from American-grown corn. The Clean Air program is another notable NASCAR Green initiative where American Ethanol has committed to planting 10 trees for every American Ethanol green flag waved in all three NASCAR racing series.

“NASCAR has the largest sustainability platform in professional sports and American Ethanol is a key part of the sport’s efforts to reduce its carbon footprint,” said Jon Holzfaster, a farmer from Paxton, Nebraska, director on the Nebraska Corn Board and chairman of National Corn Growers NASCAR Advisory Committee. “American Ethanol and trees offer a great one-two punch for the environment. The massive tree planting effort, combined with the more than seven million miles these high-performance cars have raced on American Ethanol, has helped the sport reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 20 percent.”

Through the course of one mature tree’s lifetime, it absorbs one metric ton of carbon dioxide –the same amount of carbon dioxide emitted by a NASCAR Sprint Cup Series® car driving 500 miles.

In 2014, the 14.3 billion gallons of ethanol produced in the United States reduced greenhouse gas emission on our roads and highways by 40 million metric tons.  That’s equivalent to removing 8.4 million cars from the road.

NASCAR Green initiative includes everything from recycling racing tires and engine oil, to cleaning up emissions by planting trees and using 15 percent ethanol fuel blend, made from American grown corn.

To date, NASCAR Green’s Clean Air Tree Planting Program has planted 371,582 trees. This is enough to completely offset carbon emissions for all three NASCAR national racing series for the past five years plus the next 40 years.

“Nebraska can especially celebrate this accomplishment in April with our unique commemoration of Arbor Day, which began in Nebraska,” said Kim Clark, director of biofuels development for the Nebraska Corn Board. “This year marks the 144th anniversary of Arbor Day which is a Nebraska tradition to promote the ideals of community life and conservations of natural resources through the planting of trees. There is no better connection than to celebrate corn farmers’ commitment to the environment with their support of American Ethanol and Arbor Day in planting trees.”

American Ethanol is a partnership with National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) supported by corn checkoff investments and ethanol plant members of Growth Energy.



Dairy Producers Elected to Promotion Leadership

Dairy farmer board members of Midwest Dairy Association have elected officers at the corporate level and in the organization’s eight divisions.  Jerry Messer, Richardton, N.D., will continue to lead the organization as corporate chairman.  Allen Merrill, Parker, S.D., and Bill Siebenborn, Trenton, Mo., will extend their service as vice chairman and first vice chairman, respectively.  Additional executive team members are Ken Herbranson of Clitherall, Minn., secretary, and Dan Grunhovd of Gary, Minn., treasurer.

Elections took place at the Midwest Dairy Annual Meeting held in conjunction with a national dairy promotion forum in Scottsdale, Ariz.

The Corporate board also elected Lowell Mueller, Hooper, Neb., to represent on the United Dairy Industry Association (UDIA) board, replacing Doug Nuttelman of Stromsburg, Neb., who vacated his seat earlier in 2015. Other national UDIA directors for Midwest Dairy elected last fall include Messer and Merrill, as well as:
    Pam Bolin, Clarksville, Iowa;
    Christine Sukalski, LeRoy, Minn.; and
    Suzanne Vold, Glenwood, Minn.

New members elected by their Divisions to the Midwest Dairy Corporate board include:
    David Jarden, Staunton, Ill.;
    Al Steffens, Clermont, Iowa;
    Tom Walsh, DeGraff, Minn.;
    Rita Young, Plainview, Minn.;
    Mary Temme, Wayne, Neb.;
    Kenton Holle, Mandan, N.D.; and
    Marv Post, Volga, S.D.;

Division Board officers and new members are as follows:

Nebraska Division
    Chairman – Lowell Mueller, Hooper;
    Vice Chairman – Deb Eschliman, Ericson; and
    Secretary/Treasurer – Dean Engelman, Jansen.
    Dwaine Junck, Carroll, and Mike Amen, Norfolk, were seated as new dairy farmer members of the Nebraska Division board, while Rob Jackson, representing Grassland/West Point Dairy is a new ex officio member.

Iowa Division
    Chairman – Dan Hotvedt, Mabel, Minn.;
    Vice Chairman – Bruce Brockshus, Ocheyedan;
    Secretary – Pam Bolin, Clarksville; and
    Treasurer – Larry Shover, Delhi.
    Joel Ysselstein, Rock Valley, Iowa, was seated as a new member of the Iowa Division Board.

lllinois Division
    Chairman – Bill Deutsch, Sycamore;
    Vice Chairman – David Jarden, Staunton;
    Secretary – Ardath DeWall, Shannon; and
    Treasurer – Glen Meier, Ridott.
    Kappy Koch, Tremont, was seated as a new member of the Illinois Division board.

Mo-Kan Division
    Chairman – Byron Lehman, Newton, Kan.;
    Vice Chairman – Steve Strickler, Iola, Kan.;
    Secretary – Donna Telle, Uniontown, Mo.; and
    Treasurer – Curtis Steenbock, Longford, Kan.

Minnesota Division
    Chairman – Ken Herbranson, Clitherall;
    Vice Chairman – Dan Grunhovd, Gary;
    Secretary -  Suzanne Vold, Glenwood; and
    Treasurer – Ron Rinkel, Hillman.
The Minnesota Dairy Promotion Council, a quasi-governmental group with the same board members, elected the following:
    Chairman – Kathleen Skiba, North Branch;
    Vice Chairman – Barb Liebenstein, Dundas;
    Secretary – Debi Clasemann, Long Prairie;
    Treasurer – Christine Sukalski, LeRoy; and
    Executive member at-large – Peter Ripka, Ogilvie.

North Dakota Division
    Chairman – Jerry Messer, Richardton;
    Vice Chairman – Terry Entzminger, Jamestown;
    Secretary – Rita Mosset, Linton; and
    Treasurer – Lilah Krebs, Gladstone.

Ozarks Division
    Chairman – Nathan Roth, Mountain Grove, Mo.;
    Vice Chairman – Marilyn Calvin, Mt. Vernon, Mo.;
    Secretary – Lloyd Gunter, Conway, Mo.; and
    Treasurer – Alfred Million, Tahlequah, Okla.
    Charles Fletcher, Purdy, Mo., was seated as a new member of the Ozarks Division board.

South Dakota Division
    Chairman – Jim Neugebauer, Dimock;
    Vice Chairman – Mike Frey, Claremont;
    Secretary – Allen Merrill, Parker; and
    Treasurer – Gary Jarding, Alexandria.
    Todd Pennings, representing Davisco Foods International, was seated as a new ex officio member of the South Dakota Division board.



MONSANTO'S FRALEY DISCUSSES AGRICULTURAL INNOVATIONS, CHALLENGES

The public gathered Tuesday at Nebraska Innovation Campus to hear from Monsanto Executive Vice President and Chief Technology Officer Robert Fraley during the final Heuermann Lecture of the 2014-2015 season.

The lecture was titled "2050: Agriculture's Role in Mitigating Global Challenges."

By 2050, the food supply needs to be doubled. This comes at a time when the world is facing challenges such as an increasing population, changing diets, limited farmland and a changing climate.

Despite those challenges, Fraley is confident the needs of the future can be met. "The reason I believe this is possible is that there is an absolute tidal wave of new innovation coming into agriculture," he said. "Innovation from biology, data science and information technology is converging across all aspects of production agriculture."

Fraley and other agriculture leaders are exploring new innovations that can help farmers produce more food on less land, while also identifying ways to improve soil health and the environment.

Today scientists are able to identify every gene in a corn or soybean plant. This is used to build combinations to use genetic diversity to map and tag genes from around the world. Being able to use a universe of breeding programs and map genes from other sources drives yield and productivity. "Breeding has changed more in the last five years than it has in the last 5,000," Fraley said.

Fraley is proud of the safety ratings over 30 years of testing of genetically modified crops. About 2,000 peer-reviewed reports document the general safety and nutritional profile of foods and feeds from GMO crops. Every major scientific body and regulatory agency in the world has concluded GMO products are safe.

Biotech crops were approved in 37 countries and planted by over 18 million farmers in 27 countries in 2013. According to Fraley, technology has increased yields by 20 percent, reduced pesticide use by 30 percent and increased farmer productivity, which is why 95 percent of the corn and soybean producers in this country have utilized the technology. 

Fraley said now is the time to have the dialogue about the acceptance of these innovations and the important role they will play for food and energy security in the future. "It's an important time for all of us to understand both the challenges and the opportunities that we're facing in agriculture."

Known as one of the pioneers in agricultural biotechnology, Fraley has been involved in ag research since the early 1980s. He has been with Monsanto for more than 30 years and oversees the company's global technology division, which includes plant breeding, plant biotechnology, ag biologicals, ag microbials, precision agriculture and crop protection.

Fraley, named a World Food Prize Laureate in 2013, is the fourth Heuermann Lecture participant with that distinguished honor. Previous World Food Prize Laureates to speak were Catherine Bertini, Per Pinstrup-Andersen and M.S. Swaminathan.

Heuermann Lectures in the Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources at UNL are possible through a gift from B. Keith and Norma Heuermann of Phillips. The Heuermanns are longtime university supporters with a strong commitment to Nebraska's production agriculture, natural resources, rural areas and people. Lectures stream live at http://heuermannlectures.unl.edu and are archived at that site soon afterward. They also air on NET2 World at a later date.

The 2015-2016 Heuermann Lectures are scheduled to be announced in June.



Red Meat Production Up 7 Percent From Last Year

Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.06 billion pounds in March, up 7 percent from the 3.81 billion pounds produced in March 2014, according to USDA's monthly livestock slaughter report today.

By State (million pounds, % of March '14)
Nebraska ......:     601.8     -      107%      
Iowa .............:     608.6     -      116%      
Kansas ..........:     412.2     -      104%      

Nationwide, beef production, at 1.93 billion pounds, was slightly below the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.38 million head, down 3 percent from March 2014. The average live weight was up 30 pounds from the previous year, at 1,348 pounds.

Veal production totaled 6.9 million pounds, 21 percent below March a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 39,700 head, down 26 percent from March 2014. The average live weight was up 18 pounds from last year, at 295 pounds.

Pork production totaled 2.11 billion pounds, up 14 percent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 9.89 million head, up 14 percent from March 2014. The average live weight was unchanged from the previous year, at 285 pounds.

Lamb and mutton production, at 14.3 million pounds, was up 8 percent from March 2014. Sheep slaughter totaled 204,600 head, 8 percent above last year. The average live weight was 140 pounds, up 1 pound from March a year ago.

January to March 2015 commercial red meat production was 11.9 billion pounds, up 1 percent from 2014. Accumulated beef production was down 3 percent from last year, veal was down 24 percent, pork was up 7 percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was up 1 percent.



Iowa Corn Checkoff Holds Director Elections

Since 1978, Iowa corn growers have elected their peers to serve on the Iowa Corn Promotion Board (ICPB) to oversee the investment of funds generated by the Iowa corn checkoff.  As established by Iowa Code, a portion of the board seats are up for election each year.

On July 21, 2015 corn growers in Crop Reporting Districts 4 (West Central), 5 (Central), 8 (South Central) and 9 (Southeastern) can vote at their local county extension office for their representation on the ICPB for a 3-year term. The Board’s primary activities include domestic and foreign market development, research into new and value-added corn uses, and education about the corn industry. 

Other corn producers within districts 4, 5, 8 and 9 who have produced and marketed 250 bushels of corn or more in Iowa in the previous marketing year (September 1, 2013 to August 31, 2014) and are interested in running for a position may still file a petition with the ICPB. Petitions can be obtained by contacting the ICPB office and must contain the signatures of 25 corn producers from the same district as the prospective candidate. Completed and notarized petitions must be delivered to the ICPB office no later than 4:30 p.m. on May 1, 2015. Once all grower petitions have been received, a final list of candidates will be generated and all names will be listed on the election ballots.

Current candidates are as follows:

USDA Crop Reporting District #4 (Woodbury, Ida, Sac, Calhoun, Monona, Crawford, Carroll, Greene, Harrison, Shelby, Audubon, and Guthrie)
    -Larry Buss, Harrison County
    -Brent Drey, Sac County

USDA Crop Reporting District #5 (Webster, Hamilton, Hardin, Grundy, Boone, Story, Marshall, Tama, Dallas, Polk, Jasper, and Poweshiek)
    -Mark Kenney, Polk County
    -Roger Zylstra, Jasper County

USDA Crop Reporting District #8 (Madison, Warren, Marion, Union, Clarke, Lucas, Monroe, Ringgold, Wayne, and Appanoose)
    -Don Hunerdosse, Warren County
    -Corwin Fee, Marion County

USDA Crop Reporting District #9 (Mahaska, Keokuk, Washington, Louisa, Wapello, Jefferson, Henry, Des Moines, Davis, Van Buren and Lee)
    -Lance Bell, Washington County
    -Wayne Humphreys, Louisa County

Anyone who has produced and marketed 250 bushels of corn or more in Iowa in the previous marketing year is eligible to vote in the election.  Producers unable to visit the extension office on July 21 may vote by absentee ballot.  Absentee ballots are available by request May 29 – June 29 by contacting the Iowa Corn office at 515-225-9242 or iowacorn.org. Absentee ballots must be postmarked no later than July 21. 



Branstad, Reynolds, Northey, Durham Encourage Trade

Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad, Lt. Gov. Kim Reynolds, Sec. of Agriculture Bill Northey and Iowa Economic Development Authority director Debi Durham Tuesday sent a letter to Iowa's congressional delegation encouraging the passage of Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), reforming and reauthorizing the Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im Bank) and authorizing market-opening trade to encourage economic development and family income growth. The letter can be read here.

Since 2010, Iowa's exports have increased by nearly 39% from $10.87 billion in 2010 to $15.1 billion in 2014.

"Lieutenant Governor Reynolds and I are proud that Iowa's exports reached record levels last year at over $15 billion, increasing our state's exports by nearly 39 percent since 2010," said Branstad. "If we are to continue this strong growth -- which creates jobs and increases Iowa family incomes -- we know that Congress and the President must continue to look for opportunities to expand the global market for high-quality Iowa products."

"As I prepare to lead a trade mission to Brazil this week, I am reminded that the United States should be a global leader in breaking down trade barriers, as great nations embrace trade," said Reynolds. "Our nation should welcome a more transparent, rules-based system of trade around the world that helps our businesses, workers, and farmers excel in a dynamic, global economy."

The Brazil mission that Reynolds is leading is comprised of visits to Sao Paulo and Ribeirão Preto. Highlights for the mission include exploring foreign direct investment opportunities, meetings with government and industry association officials, briefings on Brazil's trade market and Growing Iowa's Global Partnerships events. Iowa companies will participate in meetings specific to their market entry or expansion needs.

"The Iowa Economic Development Authority continues to look to international trade and investment to expand economic development opportunities here in Iowa," said Durham. "Since the governor and lieutenant governor took office, over $11 billion in private capital investment has occurred in our state. Congress' ability to continue opening global trade markets will mean more jobs through high-quality economic development projects."



Farm Bureau Calls for Renewed, Reliable Grain Inspection Standards

The American Farm Bureau Federation urged Congress today to reauthorize the Grain Standards Act. South Carolina Farm Bureau President David Winkles called the act critical to ensuring the integrity and reliability of America’s grain trade, in his testimony before a House Agriculture subcommittee.

“Our grain inspection system has earned worldwide recognition as being reliable and impartial,” Winkles said. But U.S. grain trade was jeopardized when a labor dispute led to the shutdown of grain inspection services out of the Port of Vancouver last summer. These disruptions bring chaos to the marketplace and threaten customer relationships that have taken years to build: farmers, local businesses and consumers around the world pay the price.

Farm Bureau believes it is essential to have a contingency plan in place to ensure that official grain inspection activities still occur regardless of service disruptions. “We need to have a reliable third party inspection and grading program for emergency situations to assure both seller and buyer that every contract can be expected to be fulfilled in a timely manner,” Winkles said.



Growth Energy Commends Bipartisan Senate Letter to EPA

Following a bipartisan letter signed by 37 Senators, which urges the EPA to revisit their proposed 2014 Renewable Volume Obligation (RVO) rule and release a final rule which reflects volumes consistent with Congress’ intent, Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy, issued the following statement:

“This letter is a clear message to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – that we must have a strong, a robust Renewable Fuel Standard to help move our nation forwards in terms of alternative energy development. In no uncertain terms this strong bipartisan coalition of Senators have indicated that they are closely watching the EPA as they seek to finalize this rule and that any changes which would undercut the congressional intent or role of the RFS will be met with intense scrutiny and strong objection.

“Furthermore, these Senators have outlined the importance the RFS plays in creating jobs, strengthening rural America and reducing our dangerous addiction to foreign oil. They have outlined the critical role that the RFS plays in securing energy independence and that its continued success is essential to ensuring the certainty necessary for continued progress in alternative fuel development as well as the necessary infrastructure to be able to make these fuels commercially available.

“Not only is this a clear message to the EPA, but to Congress as well. This broad coalition has signaled their unwavering support for the RFS making it clear that any attempts at repeal or reform will be met with resolute resistance and ultimately fail.”



U.S. Sorghum Exports Projected to Be 10 Times Larger Than In 2011/2012

The U.S. Grains Council projects that U.S. sorghum exports for the 2014/2015 marketing year will be 10 times larger than just a few years ago, during the 2011/2012 marketing year. This sizeable increase is mostly attributable to China, which has had surging demand since receiving its first bulk shipment on Oct. 13, 2013.

“In 2011, the Council along with the United Sorghum Checkoff Program (USCP) recognized China’s potential demand for U.S. sorghum and, in 2012, we provided technical seminars and assistance to help the industry understand the value of U.S. sorghum,” said USGC Manager of Global Trade Alvaro Cordero. “Since then, China’s demand for sorghum has grown to unprecedented levels.”

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) World Agriculture Supply and Demand Estimates (USDA) report released in April bumped U.S. sorghum exports up by 1.2 million metric tons (50 million bushels) from its March projections, to a total of 8.8 million tons (350 million bushels).

“Conservative estimates indicate U.S. sorghum growers will plant 7.9 million acres, an increase of 11 percent over last year, to meet this growing demand,” Cordero said. “If these estimates are accurate, even with the increased supply and domestic use decreasing slightly, ending stocks will only be 457,000 tons (18 million bushels), a decrease of more than 50 percent from last year. This means that USDA is estimating almost 75 percent of this year’s sorghum crop will be exported.”

While these reports are strictly estimates for the coming marketing year, the Council believes there are still opportunities for growth in the Chinese feed grain market and will continue its efforts in China to build awareness of U.S. sorghum’s value to buyers and end-users.



Beckham named K-State College of Veterinary Medicine Dean 

Following a national search, Kansas State University has named Tammy Beckham as its next dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine, effective Aug. 2.

Beckham is currently the director of the Institute for Infectious Animal Diseases, or IIAD, a Department of Homeland Security Center of Excellence in College Station, Texas. Since 2010, she has led the IIAD's efforts to perform research and develop products to defend the nation from high-consequence foreign animal, emerging and zoonotic diseases.

Beckham also has served as director of the Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, or TVMDL, an agency of the state of Texas and member of the Texas A&M University System. She has provided leadership for TVMDL’s two full-service laboratories and two poultry laboratories, and directs one of the highest volume animal diagnostic labs in the country.

"I am excited to welcome Dr. Beckham as the 12th dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine," said April Mason, Kansas State University provost and senior vice president. "She is recognized as an international expert in the diagnosis of foreign animal diseases and will be a tremendous leader to help guide us toward our goal of becoming a Top 50 public research university by 2025."

Previously, Beckham was director of the Foreign Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, a part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Plum Island Animal Disease Center in New York. Her responsibilities included managing the diagnosis of animal diseases, overseeing diagnostic test development for a nationwide animal health diagnostic system, and coordinating efforts with the Department of Homeland Security, the National Animal Health Laboratory Network and other entities.

Beckham succeeds Ralph Richardson, who has served as the College of Veterinary Medicine's dean since 1998. Richardson will transition to a faculty position in the college.

"The positive momentum at Kansas State University is very exciting," Beckham said. "I am honored to have been chosen to be the next dean, and I look forward to leading the College of Veterinary Medicine as we leverage that momentum to serve our stakeholders and work to become a Top 50 public research university by 2025."

A magna cum laude graduate of Auburn University, Beckham earned her Doctor of Veterinary Medicine degree in 1998. She also holds a doctorate in biomedical science from Auburn, received in 2001 while she served as a captain in the U.S. Army. She served at the Army's Medical Research Institute for Infectious Diseases in Frederick, Maryland, where she helped develop improved techniques for detecting deadly pathogens such as Ebola and Marburg viruses.

Beckham is chair of the Foreign and Emerging Disease Committee of the United States Animal Health Association and has served on many committees within animal health and veterinary diagnostic associations throughout the United States. She also has been an adjunct professor in the Department of Veterinary Pathobiology at Texas A&M University's College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Services.

Beckham has authored numerous publications, including those appearing in the Journal of Veterinary Diagnostic Investigation, Journal of Clinical Microbiology, Journal of Comparative Pathology and Laboratory Investigation, among others. She routinely acts as a subject matter expert at international meetings and maintains partnerships with international scientists and world reference laboratories.



USDA Awards Almost $3 Million in Research Grants to Increase Food Security Through Improved Livestock Health

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) today announced three grants designed to boost food security by minimizing livestock losses to insects and diseases. The awards to support research, education, and Extension efforts were made through NIFA's Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), which is authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill.

"These grants will allow scientists to discover the new tools and technologies necessary to deal with the threats insects and pathogens pose to livestock production in our nation, which ultimately benefit consumers through abundant, affordable food." said Sonny Ramaswamy, NIFA director.

NIFA made the awards through the AFRI Food Security challenge area, which seeks to increase sustainable food production. Priority was given to projects that will improve prevention, early detection, rapid diagnosis, or recovery from new, foreign, or emerging diseases or arthropods (like fleas and ticks) that have the potential to cause major impacts on food security. NIFA will make additional awards later this spring through the AFRI Food Security challenge area that focus on minimizing crop losses by arthropods and diseases.

The fiscal year 2014 awards are:
-    Mississippi State University, Mississippi State, Miss., $47,464 – To create a portable computer and communication center for training veterinary students, graduate students, practicing veterinarians, and other food production stakeholders to use system dynamics modeling, other forms of stochastic and deterministic modeling and health data management or analysis software to protect livestock from pests and disease.
-    Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, $1,460,000 - Develop knowledge-based integrated approaches to detect, control, and prevent poultry respiratory diseases in the United States through new and improved diagnostic tools, vaccines, and novel preventive measures.
-    University of Vermont, Burlington, Vt., $1,480,000 - Reduce the impact of new, emerging and foreign pests and diseases to domestic production of cattle, swine and small ruminant foods and byproducts.

Today's grants include research on alternatives to antimicrobials, such as improved vaccines, which could lead to a decrease in antimicrobial use. Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) has been an area of focus during the past two decades as USDA plays a dual role in protecting animal agriculture and public health. Recognizing AMR as a potential and serious threat, USDA's AMR activities focus on surveillance; research and development; and education, extension, and outreach.

The purpose of AFRI is to support research, education, and Extension work by awarding grants that address key problems of national, regional, and multi-state importance in sustaining all components of food and agriculture. AFRI is NIFA's flagship competitive grant program authorized under the 2014 Farm Bill and supports work in six priority areas: 1) plant health and production and plant products; 2) animal health and production and animal products; 3) food safety, nutrition and health; 4) bioenergy, natural resources and environment; 5) agriculture systems and technology; and 6) agriculture economics and rural communities.



USDA’s Building Blocks for Climate Smart Agriculture & Forestry – Fact Sheet

Today, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced a comprehensive and detailed approach to support farmers, ranchers, and forest land owners in their response to climate change. The framework consists of 10 building blocks that span a range of technologies and practices to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, increase carbon storage, and generate clean renewable energy. USDA’s strategy focuses on climate-smart practices designed for working production systems that provide multiple economic and environmental benefits in addition to supporting resilience to extreme weather, reduced emissions and increased carbon storage.

Through this comprehensive set of voluntary programs and initiatives spanning its programs, USDA expects to reduce net emissions and enhance carbon sequestration by over 120 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent (MMTCO2e) per year – about 2% of economy-wide net greenhouse emissions – by 2025. That’s the equivalent of taking 25 million cars off the road, or offsetting the emissions produced by powering nearly 11 million homes last year.

President Obama has made clear that no challenge poses a greater threat to future generations than climate change. The effects of climate change can no longer be denied or ignored – last year was the planet’s warmest year recorded, and 14 of the 15 hottest years on record have happened this century. All over the country, Americans, including farmers and ranchers, are already facing devastating impacts – from severe floods to extreme heat and drought to increased challenges due to wildfires, disease and pests. That’s why the President has taken historic action to cut the carbon pollution that drives climate change and protect American communities from the impacts. And throughout this week, the Administration has announced new steps to address the threat of climate change and protect the people and places climate change puts at risk.

In executing the new initiative announced today, USDA will use authorities in the 2014 Farm Bill to provide incentives and technical assistance to farmers, ranchers, and forest land owners.

Specifically, USDA will encourage actions that promote soil health, improve nutrient management, and conserve and enhance forest resources on private and public lands. In addition, USDA will redouble efforts to improve energy efficiency, develop renewable energy, and use biomass both as a liquid fuel and to contribute to heating, cooling, and electric needs. Through this comprehensive set of voluntary programs and initiatives spanning its programs, USDA expects to reduce net emissions and enhance carbon sequestration by over 120 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent (MMTCO2e) per year – about 2 percent of economy-wide net greenhouse emissions – by 2025. That’s the equivalent of taking 25 million cars off the road, or offsetting the emissions produced by powering nearly 11 million homes last year.

USDA’s strategy will be based on the following principles:

Voluntary and incentive-based: Farmers, ranchers, and forest land owners are stewards of the land. USDA has a track record of successful conservation though voluntary programs designed to provide technical assistance for resource management. These efforts fit within USDA’s approach of “cooperative conservation.”

Focused on multiple economic and environmental benefits: To be successful, the proposed actions should provide economic and environmental benefits through efficiency improvements, improved yields, or reduced risks.

Meet the needs of producers: This strategy is designed for working farms, ranches, forests, and production systems. USDA will encourage actions that enhance productivity and improve efficiency.

Assess progress and measure success: USDA is committed to establishing quantitative goals and objectives for each building block and will track and report on progress.

Cooperative and focused on building partnerships: USDA will seek out opportunities to leverage efforts by industry, farm groups, conservation organizations, municipalities, public and private investment products, tribes, and states.

In connection with today’s announcement, the following groups are announcing early actions and commitments in support of USDA’s approach:

Field to Market
Over the next 18 months, Field to Market will work with their more than 70 member organizations across the agricultural supply chain to update a series of farm level sustainability metrics, including a more refined methodology for measuring progress in reducing greenhouse gas emissions from commodity crop production. Through the development of a next generation of sustainability assessment tools, Field to Market and their members will partner with growers at the field level to track environmental impacts, identify opportunities for continuous improvement, and help deliver sustained reductions in greenhouse gas emissions from U.S. cropland per unit of output. To achieve these outcomes, Field to Market members will continue scaling their supply chain engagement with a goal of enrolling 50 million acres of U.S. commodity crop production in the Field to Market program by 2020.

The Fertilizer Institute
Over the next three years, The Fertilizer Institute and industry partners intend to more than double existing investment in 4R nutrient stewardship research, outreach and implementation, providing up to $6 million in total support to improve nutrient stewardship. Nutrient stewardship using the 4Rs (the right nutrient source applied at the right rate, the right time and in the right place) helps optimize inputs, improve water quality and reduce emissions from fertilizer applications. Optimized fertilizer use by farmers is necessary for food and nutrition security, safeguarding natural resources and ecosystems, and increasing productivity of existing arable land to slow encroachment on natural habitats.

The Nature Conservancy and Walt Disney Company
The Nature Conservancy and USDA are collaborating to enroll 2,000 acres in a program to reforest marginal cropland in the Lower Mississippi Alluvial Valley by 2017, including 600 acres in the next six months. The collaboration is made possible in part by a financial contribution from Disney. Through the collaboration, private funding from Disney coupled with USDA conservation payments allow landowners to reforest their land, resulting in carbon sequestration and habitat restoration. To date, the collaboration has enrolled and reforested over 600 acres to demonstrate a replicable model that can be scaled up by others to achieve even broader impact. The carbon sequestration resulting from the project has been certified under the Verified Carbon Standard, and the carbon credits associated with the increase in biomass on the enrolled properties will be transferred to Disney, to help them achieve a portion of their voluntary greenhouse gas emissions reduction goals.

Equilibrium Capital Group, Church Pension Group, and Threshold Group
Equilibrium Capital Group is announcing the kickoff of the Wastewater Opportunity Strategy—an effort to accelerate the development and growth of bio-digesters and bio-gas facilities that convert food and farm waste, major sources of methane emissions, into productive economic value in rural communities. Phase I of the strategy upon full deployment is expected to process over 150 million gallons of wastewater per year, generate over 350 million kilowatt hours of renewable energy equivalents annually, produce 2 million hours of employment for skilled construction workers and approximately 130 permanent jobs, strengthen farms and food processing facilities located in up to 35 communities, and reduce over 2 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions. Equilibrium is being joined in this work by Church Pension Group, an investment arm of the Episcopal Church, and Threshold Group, an investment management office for families and foundations.

The Arbor Day Foundation
The Arbor Day Foundation is announcing plans to work with 19 different utility partners in 17 states and the District of Columbia in 2015 to place 40,000 trees into the hands of tree planters through the Energy-Saving Trees program. The 2015 Arbor Day Foundation Energy-Saving Trees utility partners are Atlantic City Electric, Baltimore Gas and Electric, Black Hills Energy, Black Hills Power, CenterPoint Energy, Colorado Spring Utilities, ComEd, Cheyenne Fuel Light and Power, Delmarva Power, Idaho Power, Nebraska City Utilities, Omaha Public Power District, Oncor, PGE, Pepco, Peco, Sacramento Municipal Utility District, Unitil, and Wiregrass Electric Cooperative. To date, nearly 80,000 trees have been distributed nationwide through the Energy Saving Trees program, engaging nearly 50,000 homeowners, and yielding a projected cumulative environmental impact of 171,397 MwH saved, 156,367 metric tons of carbon sequestered, 2,206,991 Therms saved, and $1.8 million leveraged by participating electric utility partners.

Walmart, United Suppliers, and the Environmental Defense Fund
As part of the existing commitment from Walmart to eliminate 20 MMT of greenhouse gas emissions from its supply chain by 2015, EDF has worked with companies including General Mills, Smithfield, and United Suppliers to help Walmart meet its emissions reduction goals through optimized fertilizer management. Over the past year, United Suppliers, in collaboration with EDF, created SUSTAIN to guide the use of technologies for improving nutrient management. United Suppliers recently set a goal of enrolling 10 million acres in the program by 2020, and is committed to developing systems to track and manage participation.

Green Diamond Resource Company and the Forest Policy Forum
The Forest Policy Forum, a group of 14 forest industry companies and trade groups, with the counsel of conservation organizations, led by Green Diamond Resource Company, announced today a set of principles for ensuring the forest sector--from landowners to manufacturers--can contribute meaningfully to mitigating climate change. The principles focus on the current contributions and additional steps the sector can take to maintain and grow productive and managed forests in the U.S. that will sustain forest carbon, properly evaluate the many carbon benefits derived from use of forest products manufactured using biomass energy and sequestering carbon themselves, and include appropriate policy, research, market solutions, and innovation across the sector.

The American Forest Foundation
The American Forest Foundation (AFF) is announcing a new partnership with the US Forest Service to expand work in the West engaging woodland owners in wildfire mitigation which helps reduce carbon emissions from catastrophic wildfires and also helps, over the long-term, increase the carbon storage of these forests. The partnership, that includes roughly $390,000 in support from the US Forest Service which AFF will match, will seek to engage 20,000 woodland owners in four landscapes where critical watersheds are facing high wildfire threats, to complete thinning and other restoration activities that will mitigate wildfire threats.

The Trust for Public Land and the Forest Climate Working Group
The Forest-Climate Working Group (FCWG), a coalition of forest landowner, industry, government, academic, and conservation organizations is announcing plans to develop a toolkit to help states accomplish state-level carbon reductions by tapping the power of forests and forest products. Supported by $300,000 in funding from The Trust for Public Land, the new FCWG toolkit will include two elements: 1) science-based metrics to help states link incentives to expected carbon benefits from specified forest practices on private forestland and increased utilization of forest products; and 2) model policy mechanisms that could be adopted by states to structure and deliver forest carbon incentives and track program-level carbon benefits achieved through these incentives.

The Lyme Timber Company
The Lyme Timber Company is announcing that it will list 46,500 acres of Florida timberland with the California Air Resources Board, the agency charged with administering the state's greenhouse gas reduction program.  Under California's cap-and-trade program, regulated emitters of greenhouse gases may purchase carbon offset credits from out of state to satisfy a portion of their compliance obligation.  This is the second project listed by Lyme Timber and the company is exploring opportunities to list other properties in the future. In order to qualify for the sale of carbon offset credits under California's program, a project must maintain or increase carbon stocks on forested land relative to baseline levels. This is typically achieved by reducing harvest levels and promoting native forests comprised of multiple ages and mixed native species. Lyme’s Florida holdings, which are adjacent to the Lower Suwannee National Wildlife Refuge and other conserved areas, provide sustainably harvested wood to local sawmills and provide jobs in this economically-distressed region.  Lyme’s Florida holdings also help increase coastal resiliency by acting as a natural buffer against sea-level rise and storm surge.

USDA’s strategy is made of these 10 building blocks:

Soil Health: Improve soil resilience and increase productivity by promoting conservation tillage and no-till systems, planting cover crops, planting perennial forages, managing organic inputs and compost application, and alleviating compaction. USDA aims to increase no-till implementation from the current 67 million acres to over 100 million acres by 2025.

Nitrogen Stewardship: Focus on the right timing, type, placement and quantity of nutrients to reduce nitrous oxide emissions and provide cost savings through efficient application.

Livestock Partnerships: Encourage broader deployment of anaerobic digesters, lagoon covers, composting, and solids separators to reduce methane emissions from cattle, dairy, and swine operations. USDA plans to support 500 new digesters over the next 10 years, as well as expand the use of covers on 10 percent of anaerobic lagoons used in dairy cattle and hog operations.

Conservation of Sensitive Lands: Use the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP) and the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP) to reduce GHG emissions through riparian buffers, tree planting, and the conservation of wetlands and organic soils. By 2025, USDA aims to enroll 400,000 acres of CRP lands with high greenhouse gas benefits, protect 40,000 acres through easements, and gain additional benefits by transferring expiring CRP acres to permanent easements.

Grazing and Pasture Lands: Support rotational grazing management, avoiding soil carbon loss through improved management of forage, soils and grazing livestock. By 2025, USDA plans to support improved grazing management on an additional 4 million acres, for a total of 20 million acres.

Private Forest Growth and Retention: Through the Forest Legacy Program and the Community Forest and Open Space Conservation Program, protect almost 1 million additional acres of working landscapes. Employ the Forest Stewardship Program to cover an average of 2.1 million acres annually (new or revised plans), in addition to the 26 million acres covered by active plans.

Stewardship of Federal Forests: Reforest areas damaged by wildfire, insects, or disease, and restore forests to increase their resilience to those disturbances. USDA plans to reforest 5,000 additional post-disturbance acres by 2025.

Promotion of Wood Products: Increase the use of wood as a building material, to store additional carbon in buildings while offsetting the use of energy from fossil fuel. USDA plans to expand the number of wood building projects supported through cooperative agreements with partners and technical assistance, in addition to research and market promotion for new, innovative wood building products.

Urban Forests: Encourage tree planting in urban areas to reduce energy costs, storm water runoff, and urban heat island effects while increasing carbon sequestration, curb appeal, and property values. Working with partners, USDA plans to plant an average of 9,000 additional trees in urban areas per year through 2025.

Energy Generation and Efficiency: Promote renewable energy technologies and improve energy efficiency. Through the Energy Efficiency and Conservation Loan Program, work with utilities to improve the efficiency of equipment and appliances. Using the Rural Energy for America Program and other programs, develop additional renewable energy, bioenergy and biofuel opportunities. Support the National On-Farm Energy Initiative to improve farm energy efficiency through cost-sharing and energy audits.



New Swine Feed App Unveiled

Hubbard Feeds was looking for a mobile application that would provide information about best-cost feeding programs and enhance their producer's ability to make good business and production decisions. The company worked with Paulsen's digital services division to develop the Swine Crush App to accomplish that.

The Hubbard Feeds team and the Paulsen development team brought together input and output costs involved in swine production, as well as geographic factors, to create accurate predictive formulas. The app was launched early this year, and Hubbard reports that results have been good and growing.

"Our primary job at Hubbard Feeds is to increase our customers' profitability and competitive advantage in the marketplace," Jamie Pietig, Hubbard Feeds nutritionist, said. "The biggest requests we receive from our customers are how to reduce risk and accurately project and protect future profits. The Crush App answers these questions and provides accurate, reliable, real-time information so producers can make marketing decisions based on sound information."

Pietig added that during field testing of the app, producers were impressed with the accuracy of feed cost and usage projections.

Hubbard reports that the number of Swine Crush App users grows every week. The Crush App was featured in the March edition of their E-Solutions email blast, and had one of the highest all-time open rates. The company will be promoting the app at the World Pork Expo and other events and meetings in the months ahead.



Zetor North America, Inc. Introduces New 150 horsepower Forterra HD

The new 150 horsepower Zetor Forterra HD is now available through dealers across North America.

Zetor brand has been present in the U.S. and Canadian markets since the late 1970s. The traditional Czech manufacturer of agricultural machinery, Zetor Tractors a.s., has expanded its range of farm tractors for the US and Canadian markets with the 150hp Forterra HD.  The objective was to introduce a high horsepower tractor with a four-cylinder engine offering fuel economy and low operating costs that no six-cylinder tractor with the same power can match, while also delivering the durability and reliability Zetor Forterra tractors have been known for almost 20 years. All that at a very attractive price.

Forterra HD tractors feature a unique combination of high power and torque, extreme fuel efficiency and high operator’s comfort.    Equipped with the top version of the proven and highly popular Zetor 4-cylinder engine with Zetor 16-valve technology, it is one of the most fuel efficient tractors on the world market. At the same time, Zetor inline injection pump and mechanical injectors are simple in design, and their long track record shows very low operating costs, high reliability, and long life expectancy, compared with common-rail systems. Engine balancing shafts make the HD engine run as smooth as any six-cylinder, while reducing noise levels.

Forterra HD is equipped with proven 30/30 power shuttle transmission introduced in 2012 in the HSX series. New for HD is PTO clutch control that automatically adjusts the startup speed depending on the implement for fast but smooth engagement at all times.

To enhance operator’s comfort, Forterra HD has a significantly extended wheelbase so the comfort is fully comparable to six-cylinder tractors.  The inside noise has been reduced by 3dBA.

A cab suspension and the new patented front axle with spring suspension are available as options. Standard four sets of remotes are controlled electronically by solenoid valves. Their controls along with most other controls and two electronic joysticks are newly arranged on the right side of the cab to underscore the new hi-tech design of the cab interior.