Tuesday May 12 Ag News

NDA WORKING ON HIGHLY PATHOGENIC AVIAN INFLUENZA IN NEBRASKA

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) in conjunction with the United States Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS) has confirmed the presence of highly pathogenic H5N2 avian influenza (HPAI) in a commercial layer flock in Dixon County.  The flock of 1.7 million chickens is located within the Central flyway where this strain of avian influenza has previously been identified.

“Unfortunately, Nebraska has joined a long list of states currently dealing with highly pathogenic avian influenza,” said NDA Director Greg Ibach.  “We are working closely with our counterparts at USDA APHIS, as well as all of our Nebraska state agency partners to ensure we are following proper protocols to address this situation. The goal is to quarantine the flock and attempt to control and contain the virus as quickly as possible.”

According to Ibach, the farm has been quarantined and the birds on the property will be depopulated. NDA will work with Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality to ensure proper disposal of dead birds.

The Centers for Disease Control considers the risk to people from HPAI H5 infections to be low.  Proper handling and cooking of poultry and eggs to an internal temperature of 165 degrees kills the virus.  Eggs from this facility are processed and go through pasteurization, eliminating product consumption risk.  This is an egg laying facility and therefore the chickens are not consumed.   

“We are moving expeditiously on this case in an effort to protect the collective Nebraska poultry industry,” Ibach said. “We will need the assistance of all poultry producers, large and small, to help with this process.”

NDA will be establishing a perimeter around the farm, and as is the USDA protocol, visiting all locations within a 6.2 mile radius that may have poultry. Ibach is asking Nebraska poultry producers to follow strict biosecurity measures on their farms and to monitor their flocks for symptoms of the virus and notify NDA immediately if they suspect any problems. All bird owners, whether commercial producers or backyard enthusiasts, should prevent contact between their birds and wild birds, and report sick birds or unusual bird deaths to State/Federal officials, either through NDA by calling 877-800-4080 or through USDA’s toll-free number at 1-866-536-7593.

As part of the existing USDA avian influenza response plans, federal and state partners as well as industry are 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.

Additional information on HPAI can be found online at www.nda.nebraska.gov. Information is available for producers, media and the general public.



Senate Fails to Advance Trade Promotion Authority
Steve Nelson, Nebraska Farm Bureau President

“Earlier today the Senate had the opportunity to begin debate on a bill to grant the Obama Administration Trade Promotion Authority (TPA). Failure by the Senate to advance the legislation is a major blow to Nebraska farm and ranch families and Nebraska’s agriculture economy. Agriculture trade is directly tied to the prices farmers and ranchers receive for agricultural commodities and is a major factor in farm income.”

“Nebraska is a leading producer and exporter of agricultural products, ranking 5th among the 50 U.S. states in the value of its agricultural exports. Opportunities to further Nebraska’s agricultural trade opportunities are undeniably linked to the passage of TPA, given that 90 percent of the world’s consumers of agricultural commodities and products reside outside of the United States.”

“The passage of TPA is critically important, particularly as the U.S. works to negotiate major trade agreements including the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) with 11 Asia-Pacific nations and the Trans-Atlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (T-TIP) which involves the European Union. Those agreements present significant opportunities in which to advance the movement of Nebraska agricultural commodities and goods into foreign markets.”

“Failure to advance TPA could very much leave Nebraska farmers and ranchers on the outside, looking in, as trade deals for agriculture commodities will be made with or without U.S. participation.”

“We thank U.S. Senator Deb Fischer and U.S. Senator Ben Sasse for their votes in support of TPA. We hope the Senate leaders will lay aside their political differences and advance legislation to expand economic opportunities for Nebraska farmers and ranchers.”



HAY STORAGE
Bruce Anderson, UNL Extension Forage Specialist

               Hay harvest is or soon will be in full swing.  You might get some of your hay made without rain damage but will it stay that way?

               We worry alot about rain damage before we get hay put up, don't we?  Isn't it kind of funny, then, that we store that hay outside with little protection?  The fact is that most rain damage on our hay occurs after the hay has been put up!

               Research in northeast Nebraska showed that hay stored outside lost over ten percent of its total weight between summer haying and winter feeding. And it gets worse with hay carried over a second year.  One-fourth of the hay weight can be lost after a year and a half of outside storage.

               Maybe worse still, the protein and TDN concentration in the hay that remains also is much lower.  Over 40 percent of the protein and over one-third of the TDN that was originally in the hay when it was put up was no longer available for livestock when that hay was fed a year and a half later.

               What does this mean?  Well, it means that protecting your hay, especially your better quality hay, from weather damage during storage will save you feed and money.  Tarps, plastic, and even sheds will pay for themselves in just a few years by saving hay and nutrients.

               If uncovered storage is your only option, place bales and stacks on an elevated site with good drainage so moisture doesn't soak up from the bottom.  Don't stack round bales or line them up with the twine sides touching – rain will collect where they touch and soak into the bale.  Also, allow space for air to circulate and dry hay after rain.

               Pencil it out for yourself.  Once you see how much tonnage and how many pounds of protein and TDN you lose each year, I think you'll be looking for ways to cut your storage losses as well.



Cuming County 4-H Council and 4-H Foundation to Meet

May 14 is the date for the next Cuming County 4-H Council meeting. It will also serve as a meeting for the Cuming County 4-H Foundation.  The meeting will be held in the Courthouse Meeting Room beginning at 7:00 p.m.  Nancy Glaubius, President of the Council, will preside at the meeting.  Members of the 4-H Council are: Alicia Rehak, Bernie Ruskamp, Anne Ausdemore, Sarah Rolf, Dan Hakel, Terry Buderus, Kara Sweeny, Jordan McKay, Chris Schiller, Kendra Paasch, Sophie Glaubius, Alex Linder, and Christina Sindelar.  Topics of discussion will include: Country Kitchen managers and food stand details from Kara Sweeny, Terry Buderus, Sophie Glaubius and Kendra Paasch; silent auction details; clover college topics; report on funding for 2015 and 2016 from Nancy Glaubius; and camp scholarships.



Record Number of BQA Certifications

More than 2,100 producers across the country became Beef Quality Assurance (BQA)-certified thanks to the recent program supported by Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. (BIVI). That is the highest number in the program’s four-year history, and means that nearly 22,000 producers have taken advantage of these free offers to sign up for the BQA certification program. Through its sponsorship of the BQA certification program, BIVI provides financial support for the Beef Cattle Institute, which developed the certification module.

The checkoff-funded BQA program is important to the cattle industry, as it provides producers a set of best practices for producing quality beef. It also assures consumers that the beef they eat is both safe and wholesome.

“Being BQA-certified gives me and the packer I work with the confidence that I am treating my animals correctly. Most importantly, certification gives consumers the confidence that I am doing everything I can to ensure the health and nutritious value of the beef they purchase,” says Scott Niess, cow-calf producer from Osage, Iowa and member of the checkoff’s Safety Subcommittee. “We need to be upfront with our animal husbandry practices, and BQA certification allows us to do that. It’s an overall statement of confidence to the industry and consumers.”

The BQA certification modules are customized to fit the specific needs of each segment of the cattle industry – cow-calf, stocker, feedyard and dairy operations. The program covers best management practices, such as proper handling and administration of vaccinations and other products; elimination of injection-site blemishes; and low-stress cattle-handling principles. Although the free certification period has passed, it’s never too late to proclaim your commitment to quality and become BQA-certified through your state trainings or online at www.bqa.org.



Fertilizer Prices Fairly Steady Again

Retail fertilizer prices are not changing much, according to retailers tracked by DTN for the first week of May 2015. No fertilizer registered significantly lower or higher price levels compared to a month earlier.

Six of the eight major fertilizers were higher in price compared to a month prior, but these moves were fairly slight, including 10-34-0 which had been appreciating significantly for several months. DAP had an average price of $570/ton, MAP $598/ton, potash $491/ton, 10-34-0 $653/ton, anhydrous $711/ton and UAN32 $371/ton.

Two fertilizers were lower compared to the previous month but, again, the move down was fairly minor. Urea had an average price of $457/ton and UAN28 $331/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.50/lb.N, anhydrous $0.43/lb.N, UAN28 $0.59/lb.N and UAN32 $0.58/lb.N.

Only one of the eight major fertilizers are double-digits higher in price compared to May 2014, all while commodity prices are significantly lower from a year ago. 10-34-0 is 33% higher compared to last year.  Two other fertilizers are slightly more expensive compared to a year earlier. Potash is 3% more expensive while anhydrous 2% more expensive compared to a year earlier.

The remaining five nutrients are now lower compared to retail prices from a year ago. DAP is 4% less expensive, MAP is 5% lower, UAN28 is down 6%, UAN32 is now 9% less expensive and urea is 18% less expensive.



National FFA Convention Extends Agreement with Indy

The National FFA Organization is negotiating with Indianapolis hospitality officials to bring its massive annual convention back to Indianapolis for three more years than expected, the organization announced.

The National FFA Convention & Expo, which attracted 64,000 visitors last year, is already scheduled for a pair of three-year stints in Indianapolis, from 2016 to 2018 and from 2022 to 2024. It is set to wrap up a three-year stay in Louisville later this year with its 88th annual convention.

But FFA organizers say they are dropping their contractual option to hold the event in Louisville again from 2019 to 2021. "After careful evaluation by the FFA board of directors, the board has made the decision that FFA will not return to Louisville for 2019-21," the Indianapolis-based organization said in a written statement. "As a result of this decision, the organization is currently in negotiations with Indianapolis to host the National FFA Convention & Expo from 2016-2024."

Convention organizers said Indianapolis was more capable of handling the convention because it offers more meeting space and hotel rooms.

Indianapolis is no stranger to the annual convention. It hosted the event for the first time in 2006 and kept it six more years, until 2012. It was the city's largest annual convention during the seven-year stay.

The 2012 event drew 56,176 attendees, had an estimated economic impact of $38 million and used about 50,000 hotel room nights.



Carefully Follow and Understand Label Directions
Misreading product labels plays a large role in residue violations

Reading and understanding product labeling is vital for taking care of your cattle and protecting dairy wellness. Labels explain what the products are supposed to do, how to use them and which animals are approved for their use. Extra-label drug use, except under the direction of a veterinarian, is not only prohibited but also a major contributor to drug residue violations.

“The labeling of products contains usage and safety information, and it’s important producers strictly adhere to the labeled instructions when they are treating cattle,” said Gary Neubauer, DVM, senior manager, Dairy Technical Services, Zoetis. “Some products are approved for use only in nonlactating dairy cattle, which means they cannot be used in females over 20 months of age, including dry cows. Understanding these label classifications is part of avoiding residue violations.”

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) offers these definitions:

    Nonlactating dairy cattle: These classes of dairy cattle have not yet, or would never, produce milk for human consumption. This includes replacement dairy heifers and calves under 20 months of age and dairy bulls. The term nonlactating dairy cattle does not include dry dairy cows. Dry dairy cows have previously produced milk for human consumption and will again in the future after completion of the dry period between lactations.

    Lactating dairy cattle: This refers to a dairy breed animal that’s more than 20 months of age. This includes springing heifers and dry cows.

“This is a human food safety issue,” Dr. Neubauer said. “There is the potential for residues of drugs labeled for use in nonlactating dairy cattle to be present in milk of the treated cows, as well as in the tissue of the calves born to the treated cows. These products should be stored separately to reduce as much potential for confusion as possible.”

In addition to making sure these products are used only in the appropriate class of animals, Dr. Neubauer recommends following these important aspects of on-label use:
· Use products only for indicated diseases
     o   Each product is approved by the FDA for particular diseases and conditions.
     o   To avoid increasing the risk of a residue violation, do not use products for reasons other than their approved use.

· Use the proper dosage of a product
     o   Underdosing can lead to an ineffective treatment or disease relapse.
     o   Overdosing increases the risk of a residue violation.

· Use the correct route of administration
     o   Switching from one administration type to another dramatically changes how quickly and effectively the product is absorbed by the animal.

· Administer products for appropriate duration of therapy
     o   Discontinuing treatment early can lead to ineffective treatment or disease relapse.

· Choose products with low-residue risk profiles
     o   This provides better flexibility and control of management decisions on the dairy operation.

As you work with your veterinarian to review management practices for avoiding milk and meat residues, the Milk and Dairy Beef Drug Residue Prevention manual from the National Milk Producers Federation also serves as a valuable educational tool and resource for drugs approved for use in nonlactating and lactating dairy cattle.

For more information about working with your veterinarian to reduce violative drug residues on your dairy, visit AvoidResidues.com. There, you’ll also find information about Zoeits products that carry the Residue Free Guarantee. 



U.S. Tractor Sales Rose in April, Combines Fell

According to the Association of Equipment Manufacturer's monthly "Flash Report," the sale of all tractors in the U.S. for April 2015, were down .1% from last year.  For the month, two-wheel drive smaller tractors (under 40 HP) were up 18% over last year, while 40 & under 100 HP were up 9%. Sales of 2-wheel drive 100+ HP were down 20%, while 4-wheel drive tractors were down 54%.  Combine sales were down 34% for the month.

So far this year, a total of 24,238 tractors were sold which compares to 22,372 sold thru April 2014 representing a 8% increase.  By class, two-wheel drive smaller tractors (under 40 HP) are up 8% over last year, while 40 & under 100 HP are up 2%. Sales of 2-wheel drive 100+ HP are down 17%, while 4-wheel drive tractors are down 47%.  Sales of combines for the first four months of this year totaled 1,588, a decrease of 42% over the same period in 2014.



Helena Helps Solve Pest and Disease Management Challenges with Four New Products:

Helena Chemical Company introduces Avaris® 2XS, Ruckus™ LFR® insecticide, Sinister™ and Troubadour™, new crop protection solutions designed to help agricultural producers overcome a diverse range of insect, weed and disease threats.

Avaris 2XS fungicide protects crop health with two modes of action for broad-spectrum disease control on a variety of crops including corn, soybeans, cereals, vegetables and tree crops. Avaris 2XS combats disease with a combination of two industry-leading active ingredients—azoxystrobin and propiconazole. Azoxystrobin acts systemically for preventative, long-term crop protection, while propiconazole starts working on contact for fast, curative control.

Avaris 2XS enhances spray application performance with a patented coformulated Fungicide Activation System. Using exclusive technology, the coformulation system is designed to replace or supplement the need for additional spray adjuvants. It improves spray coverage and increases uptake of active ingredients without increasing run-off. It also increases spray adhesion to plant surfaces, while reducing evaporation. As a spray mix partner, Avaris 2XS improves compatibility with foliar fertilizers.

Avaris 2XS has demonstrated a high margin of crop safety in field tests. Its low-foam formulation is free of APE and organosilicon surfactants. Avaris 2XS is an EPA-registered fungicide for use on nearly 25 crops.

Ruckus LFR insecticide supports crop development with broad-spectrum insect control and nutritional-use efficiency benefits of Asset Formulation Technology (AFT). Ruckus LFR insecticide defends seed and roots from soil insects with season-long protection, allowing healthier, more productive root growth. It is formulated with bifenthrin, an industry-proven active ingredient, to control all species of corn rootworms, armyworms and cutworms, as well as wireworms, grubs, maggots and other seedling pests that GMO traits cannot.

Ruckus LFR insecticide promotes a well-established root system with AFT. AFT is a patented, EPA-registered inert ingredient that improves fertilizer availability. It increases the solubility and root absorption of nutritional products, while providing a humectant effect that reduces spray deposit evaporation. It also improves the physical and chemical stability of the spray mix.

Ruckus LFR insecticide is a liquid, at-plant insecticide that mixes easily with most starter fertilizers. It helps manage insect resistance, and it provides protection for refuge-in-bag hybrids. Ruckus LFR insecticide is an EPA-registered restricted use insecticide for use on a variety of crops in T-band or in-furrow applications.

Sinister selective herbicide kills hard-to-control broadleaf weeds with quick knockdown and long-lasting residual control. Sinister is a unique, concentrated acid formulation of fomesafen, containing up to 35 percent more active ingredient per gallon than standard salt formulations. It provides effective pre-emergent and post-emergent control of broadleaf weeds, including glyphosate and ALS-resistant pigweed in soybeans, cotton, potatoes, dry beans and snap beans.

Sinister improves spray application performance with a coformulated adjuvant system designed to enhance plant coverage, reduce evaporation and increase weed uptake of glyphosate when added as a tank-mix partner. It also improves tank-mix compatibility with glyphosate, as well as other tank-mix partners such as paraquat.

Sinister has stability in cold temperatures and is less likely to be affected by hard water antagonisms. It contains foam reduction agents and can be applied at low rates due to a high concentration of active ingredient. Sinister is an EPA-registered herbicide for use on more than 50 broadleaf weeds in soybeans, cotton, potatoes, dry beans and snap beans.

Troubadour insecticide targets worms with long-term, pest-specific control in multiple crops including almonds, citrus, grapes, cotton, alfalfa, peanuts, vegetables and ornamental plants. Troubadour is a molt-accelerating compound (MAC) designed to eliminate worms without disrupting beneficial insect predators, parasites, mites or bees. Worms that ingest Troubadour begin to molt or shed their skin, but are unable to complete the cycle. Without the ability to shed their old skin, worms generally stop feeding within 24 hours of eating and starve to death.

Troubadour is not systemic and must be ingested by worms to be effective. To ensure thorough coverage and retention, Troubadour contains a coformulated adjuvant system that works as a spreader/sticker to improve spray droplet coverage and wash-off resistance. It also features a patent-pending deposition aid that minimizes the formation of driftable fines in order to enhance application efficiency.

Troubadour is compatible with other pesticides as a tank-mix partner. It features a low-foam formulation that is free of APE and organosilicon surfactants. Troubadour is an EPA-registered insecticide for use on lepidopteran insects in nearly 300 crops.