Tuesday April 29 Ag News

Final Chemigation Training Date Changed To May 20 In Norfolk
Larry Howard, UNL Extension Educator, Cuming County

The final chemigation training date for 2015 has been set for Wednesday, May 20 at 9:00 am at the Lifelong Learning Center located at 601 E. Benjamin Avenue in Norfolk. Please note this is a date change from previous listings.

A chemigation certification is required for those who apply fertilizers or pesticides through an irrigation system. This training is good for an initial certification and also for those who need to recertify.  On-line training is available but only for those re-certifying. The training will last approximately 2 ½ to 3 hours including required testing.  Tests can be checked the day of training. There is no fee for this program.

Pre-registration is not required, but it does help in planning for the number attending and room setup. Please plan to arrive 10-15 minutes before start of program to check in. If possible, bring a small calculator when coming to the training.  All training materials will be available on the day of the training, or can be requested for study prior to the training.  If you would like to pre-register, or want study materials, please call 402-370-4000.



NEBRASKA EXTENSION OFFERS MAY FIELD CROP SCOUT TRAINING

A May 12 Nebraska Extension training course will provide crop scouts an opportunity to enhance their skills.

The training is designed for entry-level scouts who will work for crop consultants, industry agronomists or farm service centers in Nebraska and neighboring states, said Keith Glewen, Nebraska Extension educator.

The course is from 8:25 a.m. to 5 p.m. with registration at 8 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 Doctor of Plant Health program 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, 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 the program is $155, which includes lunch, refreshment breaks, workshop materials and instruction manual. Attendees should register one 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 six Certified Crop Advisor Continuing Education Units is anticipated in the integrated pest management (4.5), 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, NE, 68033, call (402) 624-8000, fax (402) 624-8010, email cdunbar2@unl.edu or visit http://ardc.unl.edu/training.shtml.

The training is part of the Nebraska Extension Crop Management Diagnostic Clinics and is sponsored by extension in the university's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources.



High School Students Test Skills and Knowledge in Conserving Natural Resources at State Envirothon

Competition is tough at the annual Nebraska Envirothon and you’re invited to see it all go down! The 2015 State Envirothon will be held on Wednesday, April 29th at Camp Comeca in Cozad, Nebraska. Media is welcome to attend! This competition tests high school students’ knowledge of Nebraska’s natural resources. Students test on topics like soil, aquatics, forestry, wildlife, range and policy. The competition also gives students an opportunity to create a proactive plan for sustaining our agriculture and forests.

The Nebraska Envirothon shows people of all ages that no matter how young or old you may be, you can always make a difference in protecting people’s lives, property and the future of Nebraska’s natural resources.

“Many times, these students walk away from this competition on a mission to make a difference,” said Terry Martin, President of Nebraska Association of Resources Districts. “You can tell each competitor cares about keeping our state beautiful and healthy for decades to come.”

Student teams, consist of five members. Each team first competed in one of seven regional contests around the state. The winners of each region and the next seven overall highest scoring wildcard teams get the opportunity to compete at the state level. Test questions are not only written, but many require hands-on observations, measurements and calculations at the test sites.

This year there will be 12 schools and 13 teams competing at the State Envirothon. High schools participating are: Concordia High School in Omaha, Sidney High School in Sidney, Boone Central High School in Albion, West Point-Beemer High School in West Point, York High School in York, Ogallala High School in Ogallala, Logan View High School in Hooper, Millard South High School in Millard, Milford High School in Milford, Aurora High School in Aurora, North Bend High School in North Bend, Chadron High School in Chadron and Creek Valley High School in Chappell.

The winning team will receive recognition from the Nebraska Association of Resources Districts. NARD is the annual sponsor of the Nebraska Envirothon. Each team member on the winning team will be awarded a $500 scholarship by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln to be used towards a major in the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources at the university. Other sponsors and supportersfor this year’s Envirothon include: FYRA Engineering, Natural Resources Conservation Services (NRCS), Midwest Laboratories, Nebraska Forest Service, Monsanto Water Utilization Learning Center, Farm Credit Services of America, Platte River Recovery Implementation Program, HDR, Olsson Associates, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and University of Nebraska-Lincoln School of Natural Resources.



Green Plains Reports First Quarter 2015 Financial Results

Green Plains Inc. (Nasdaq:GPRE) announced today its financial results for the first quarter of 2015. Net loss for the quarter was $3.3 million, or ($0.09) per diluted share, compared to net income of $43.2 million, or $1.04 per diluted share, for the same period in 2014. Revenues were $738.4 million for the first quarter of 2015 compared to $733.9 million for the same period in 2014.

"As we indicated in February, U.S. ethanol industry margins were compressed during the first quarter of 2015 as energy prices declined. Domestic and global ethanol prices have adjusted to remain very competitive with wholesale gasoline," said Todd Becker, President and Chief Executive Officer. "Consumer demand for transportation fuels has continued to strengthen providing a more positive outlook for the balance of the year."

"Industry fundamentals remain solid domestically and internationally, driven by increases in U.S. fuel consumption and global protein consumption. Based on the current forward curve, we expect profitable results for the first half and full year of 2015," stated Becker.

During the first quarter, Green Plains' ethanol production totaled 232.5 million gallons, or approximately 92.4% of its daily average production capacity. Non-ethanol operating income from the corn oil production, agribusiness, and marketing and distribution segments was $19.0 million in the first quarter of 2015 compared to $41.1 million for the same period in 2014.

"Our expansion projects to add 100 million gallons of annual ethanol production capacity at several of our existing plants are going well," stated Becker. "We also remain focused on completing our proposed initial public offering of Green Plains Partners LP which will own our downstream ethanol transportation and storage assets."

Green Plains had $420.5 million in total cash and equivalents and $154.2 million available under committed loan agreements at subsidiaries (subject to borrowing base restrictions and other specified lending conditions) at March 31, 2015. First quarter 2015 EBITDA, which is defined as earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, was $18.8 million compared to $94.1 million for the same period in 2014.

2015 First Quarter Business Highlights
    On March 9, 2015, Green Plains Inc. announced that its newly-formed subsidiary, Green Plains Partners LP (the "Partnership"), has confidentially submitted a draft registration statement on Form S-1 with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The registration statement is for a proposed underwritten initial public offering ("IPO") of common units representing limited partner interests in the newly-formed Partnership. It is anticipated that the IPO will raise approximately $200-$250 million in gross proceeds; however, the date, number of common units to be sold and the price range for the proposed IPO have not yet been determined and are subject to a number of factors, including market conditions. It is expected that the initial assets of the Partnership will consist of Green Plains' downstream ethanol transportation and storage assets located in 12 states throughout the Midwest and Southeast United States.

    The Board of Directors of Green Plains Inc. declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.08 per share on the Company's common stock on February 5, 2015. The dividend was paid on March 20, 2015.



USDA extends comment period for ACEP interim rule

Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Chief Jason Weller announced that the U.S. Department of Agriculture will extend the deadline to provide public comment on the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program’s (ACEP) interim rule until May 28, 2015.

“We extended the comment period for the ACEP rule to give our partners, landowners and the public additional time to comment on a rule that will be used to implement USDA’s premier conservation easement program on private agricultural lands,” Weller said.

ACEP is designed to help landowners protect working agricultural lands and wetlands. The 2014 Farm Bill consolidated three previous conservation easement programs into ACEP to make it easier for diverse agricultural landowners to fully benefit from conservation initiatives.

NRCS administers ACEP, a voluntary program created in the 2014 Farm bill to protect and restore critical wetlands on private and tribal lands through the wetland reserve easement component. ACEP also encourages farmers, ranchers and non-industrial private forest landowners to keep their private and tribal land in agricultural use through the agricultural land easement component. ACEP also conserves grasslands, including rangeland, pastureland and shrubland.

The official notice of the proposed ACEP interim rule can be found in the Federal Register. The original deadline date to submit public comments on the ACEP interim rule is Tuesday, April 28, 2015.  Electronic comments must be submitted through regulations.gov during the 30-day extended comment period. Comments also can be hand carried or mailed to Public Comments Processing, Attn: Docket No. NRCS-2014-0011, Regulatory and Agency Policy Team, Strategic Planning and Accountability, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Natural Resources Conservation Service, 5601 Sunnyside Avenue, Building 1-1112D, Beltsville, MD 20705.



Retail Fertilizer Prices Steady

Retail fertilizer prices tracked by DTN continue a steady trend for the third week of April. Even 10-34-0, which had some upward price movement due to tight supplies earlier, did not see any large price moves this week.

Fertilizers showing slight price increases compared to a month earlier included DAP, with an average price of $570 per ton, MAP $598/ton, potash $491/ton, 10-34-0 $650/ton and anhydrous $711/ton.

The three remaining fertilizers DTN tracks were lower compared to the previous month, but again the move down was minor. Urea had an average price of $453/ton, UAN28 $329/ton and UAN32 $371/ton.

The urea average price is near the historic low of $450/ton, which according to the DTN index, happened in the fall of 2013. The lowest urea price over the five-year history of the index was below $400/ton for a few months in late summer 2010.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.49/lb.N, anhydrous $0.43/lb.N, UAN28 $0.59/lb.N and UAN32 $0.58/lb.N.

Prices for 10-34-0 starter fertilizer continue to be significantly higher than year-ago levels, with average prices 23% above April 1014. Anhydrous and potash are 3% more expensive compared to a year earlier.

The remaining five nutrients are now lower compared to retail prices from a year ago. DAP is 3% lower, MAP is 4% less expensive, UAN28 is down 7%, UAN32 is now 8% less expensive and urea is 18% less expensive from a year previous.



U.S.-Peruvian FTA Creates Favorable Environment for U.S. Corn

The U.S.-Peru trade promotion agreement has been instrumental in boosting bilateral trade in food and agricultural products since it went into force on Feb. 1, 2009, including spurring new sales of U.S. commodity corn, according to a U.S. Department of Agriculture Global Agricultural Information Network report released April 8.

"The increase in the export of U.S. corn to Peru provides another outstanding example of how free trade agreements can open markets, creating real opportunity for America's corn farmers," said John Linder, an Ohio farmer who chairs the National Corn Growers Association's Trade Policy and Biotechnology Action Team.

"With NCGA pushing for policies like Trade Promotion Authority and favorable trade agreements and, once those policies are in place, USGC building markets abroad, the possibilities for farmers are growing by the day. These markets not only help build demand for U.S. corn but also support American jobs and benefit the U.S. economy as a whole."

This marketing year alone, Peru has outstanding sales and accumulated exports of more than 75 million bushels of U.S. corn as of April 16, compared to only 43 million bushels last year at the same time.

"The U.S. Grains Council has been particularly active in Peru promoting U.S. corn for the past several years," said USGC Regional Director for the Western Hemisphere Marri Carrow. "Peruvian buyers are becoming more sophisticated in purchasing grains but have indicated they have a preference for U.S. corn. This trade agreement is a great example of how reducing trade barriers to create mutually beneficial trade partnerships increases opportunities for U.S. products."

Currently, two-thirds of U.S. farm exports to Peru receive duty-free treatment. U.S. corn still has a tariff rate quota of 27.9 million bushels, which was filled within the first week of 2015. While this TRQ is in the process of being phased out over the next nine years, sales of U.S. corn are continuing because of the PTPA.

"With last year's drop in agricultural commodity prices, the price ban system was activated," Carrow said. "Due to Peru's PTPA commitments, it could not fully assess the variable levy mandated by the price ban system against U.S. corn. This gave U.S. corn an advantage over corn sourced from other suppliers, including Argentina and Brazil."



USDA Confirms More H5N2 in Iowa, N.D., Minnesota, Wisconsin

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic H5N2 avian influenza (HPAI) in additional six flocks in Iowa, North Dakota, Wisconsin and Minnesota. No human infections with the virus have been detected at this time. CDC considers the risk to people from these HPAI H5 infections in wild birds, backyard flocks and commercial poultry, to be low. USDA's National Veterinary Services Laboratories confirmed HPAI H5N2 in the following counties and states:
-- Sac County, Iowa (April 24) -- 33,900 turkeys
-- LaMoure County, N.D. (April 24) -- 71,500 mixed poultry
-- Jefferson County, Wisc. (April 24) -- 1.03 million chickens, 2nd detection in this county
-- Kandiyohi County, Minn. (April 24) -- 42,900 turkeys, 18th detection in this county
-- Kandiyohi County, Minnesota (April 24) -- 67,000 turkeys, 19th detection in this county
-- Chippewa, Minn. (April 24) -- 68,000 turkeys

The affected premises have been quarantined and birds on the property will be depopulated to prevent the spread of the disease. Birds from the flock will not enter the food system.

The United States has the strongest AI surveillance program in the world. As part of the existing USDA avian influenza response plans, Federal and State partners as well as industry are responding quickly and decisively to these outbreaks by following these five basic steps: 1) Quarantine -- restricting movement of poultry and poultry-moving equipment into and out of the control area; 2) Eradicate -- humanely euthanizing the affected flock(s); 3) Monitor region -- testing wild and domestic birds in a broad area around the quarantine area; 4) Disinfect -- kills the virus in the affected flock locations; and 5) Test -- confirming that the poultry farm is AI virus-free. USDA also is working with its partners to actively look and test for the disease in commercial poultry operations, live bird markets and in migratory wild bird populations.

For more information about the ongoing avian influenza disease incidents visit the APHIS website. More information about avian influenza can be found on the USDA avian influenza page. More information about avian influenza and public health is available on the CDC website.



Tyson Foods Strives to Eliminate Human Antibiotics From Broiler Chicken Flocks by 2017

Tyson Foods, Inc. (NYSE: TSN) said today it is striving to eliminate the use of human antibiotics from its U.S. broiler* chicken flocks by the end of September 2017. The company will report annually on its progress, beginning with its fiscal 2015 Sustainability Report.  Tyson Foods has already stopped using all antibiotics in its 35 broiler hatcheries, requires a veterinary prescription for antibiotics used on broiler farms and has reduced human antibiotics used to treat broiler chickens by more than 80 percent since 2011.

“Antibiotic resistant infections are a global health concern,” said Donnie Smith, president and CEO of Tyson Foods. “We’re confident our meat and poultry products are safe**, but want to do our part to responsibly reduce human antibiotics on the farm so these medicines can continue working when they’re needed to treat illness.”

“Given the progress we’ve already made reducing antibiotics in our broilers, we believe it’s realistic to shoot for zero by the end of our 2017 fiscal year. But we won’t jeopardize animal well-being just to get there. We’ll use the best available treatments to keep our chickens healthy, under veterinary supervision,” Smith said.

Tyson Foods is also forming working groups with independent farmers and others in the company’s beef, pork and turkey supply chains to discuss ways to reduce the use of human antibiotics on cattle, hog and turkey farms. Those groups will begin meeting this summer.

Tyson Foods’ international business is committed to taking similar measures on antibiotic use in its global chicken operations but has not set a timeframe.

Will Not Compromise Animal Well-Being; Need Alternatives to Human Antibiotics on Farm
Tyson Foods plans to work with food industry, government, veterinary, public health and academic communities, and provide funding, to accelerate research into disease prevention and antibiotic alternatives on the farm. The company is also getting input from its Animal Well-Being Advisory Panel, which is made up of independent advisors.

“One of our core values is to serve as responsible stewards of animals – we will not let sick animals suffer,” Smith said.  “We believe it’s our responsibility to help drive action towards sustainable solutions to this challenge by working with our chicken, turkey, beef and pork supply chains.” 

Smith said today’s announcement will not materially affect the company’s financial performance.



Dow AgroSciences, Arcadia Biosciences and Bioceres Collaborate to Develop and Commercialize Soybean Traits

Dow AgroSciences LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company (NYSE: DOW), Arcadia Biosciences, Inc., and Bioceres, S.A., announced today an agreement to develop and commercialize innovative traits in soybeans. The collaboration leverages Dow AgroSciences’ technology, regulatory expertise and commercial seed capabilities with a leading soybean abiotic stress platform and unique grower relationships in South America represented by Verdeca LLC, a joint venture between Arcadia and Bioceres.

Under the collaboration, the companies will develop new soybean traits using Dow AgroSciences’ EXZACT™ Precision Technology platform to generate soybean trait stacks. These stacks will combine Verdeca’s agronomic performance and product quality traits with Dow AgroSciences’ herbicide-tolerant and insect-resistant traits. The EXZACT Precision Technology platform will facilitate the development of multiple trait stacks with greater degrees of precision and speed-to-market. This collaboration is expected to result in products that provide soybean growers around the world with unique and powerful options to achieve greater yields and improved on-farm economics. Dow AgroSciences has developed the EXZACT Precision Technology platform under an exclusive license and collaboration agreement in plants with Sangamo BioSciences, Inc.

This advancement comes at a time when soybeans are grown on more than 110 million hectares globally and are the world’s fourth-largest crop. Growth in global population, combined with more people joining the middle-class in countries such as China and India, creates an ever-increasing demand for dietary protein from soybeans.

“Soybean farmers are looking for productivity, and this collaboration holds great promise for the technology we can offer them,” said Tim Hassinger, president and CEO of Dow AgroSciences. “Our own expertise, combined with Arcadia’s leadership position in abiotic stress traits and Bioceres’ strong relationship with large soybean growers, presents a unique opportunity for greater yields.”

“As more traits become available to be integrated into superior seed products, seed companies and trait collaborators face the challenge of deploying these solutions in a time-effective and cost-efficient manner. This collaboration will help us meet this challenge by deploying validated agronomic and crop protection technologies through the EXZACT platform, precisely stacking traits which could speed-up technology integration,” said Federico Trucco, CEO of Bioceres.

“Dow AgroSciences is one of the most respected names in our industry, with a traits pipeline that is second to none,” said Eric Rey, president and CEO of Arcadia Biosciences. “The open architecture of the Dow AgroSciences/Arcadia/Bioceres collaboration is the first of its kind, and represents the future of efficiently packaging and delivering a complete suite of high-value traits to growers.”



Sukup Manufacturing Acquires DanCorn

Sukup Manufacturing Co., a world leader in grain drying, storage and handling will acquire DanCorn, a leading dealer of the same in Denmark, as well as internationally. DanCorn is the exclusive distributer of Sukup products in all of northern Europe and is located in Hedensted, Denmark.

"As Sukup Manufacturing Co. has been able to expand and grow, our dealers have also grown bigger and shared in our success. DanCorn is an example of the benefit of a mutually strong and lasting partnership," stated Steve Sukup, CFO of Sukup Manufacturing Co.

This acquisition will be of significant benefit to both Sukup Manufacturing Co. and DanCorn A/S. Sukup Manufacturing is a continuously expanding company, growing over eight times since 2002.

DanCorn has experienced tremendous success with the introduction of Sukup (American) style grain drying and storage systems to Northern Europe, where this style is now considered the norm. DanCorn is looking to expand and develop their customer base, and with the new ownership by Sukup Manufacturing Co., they will have a renewed focus on increasing market growth throughout Northern Europe.