Tuesday May 5 Ag News

BE READY FOR FIRST CUTTING
Bruce Anderson, Nebraska Extension Forage Specialist

               Got all your corn planted?  Working on the beans?  Don’t look now, but alfalfa harvest is approaching fast.

               You’ve been busy planting crops and getting work done with the late start this spring.  But don’t relax just yet because your alfalfa soon may be ready to cut.

               Looking at alfalfa in Nebraska this past week, I wouldn’t be at all surprised to see many growers getting ready to start cutting.  In fact, some folks that need high quality for their dairy cows or for a cash crop may already have started cutting, and others should be looking for the next available good weather period.

               Being aggressive on the first cutting is critical if high forage quality is needed.  Alfalfa’s forage quality changes faster during the first spring growth than at any other time of the year.  Plants are maturing and temperatures are increasing; both cause quality to decline.  So don’t delay if quality is needed.

               But what about alfalfa for beef cows?  That might be a little different story, especially if you need to rebuild hay reserves.  Normally we get our highest total yield by waiting until alfalfa is near full bloom.  Not only is yield highest, this also uses what soil moisture is available for most efficient alfalfa growth.  In dryland fields you may need quite a bit more rain for good summer and fall harvests since many deep subsoils remain dry.  But with a good first cut you at least will have some hay of good enough quality to feed your beef cows next winter.

               Timing of hay harvest is important whether your needs are for high quality or for high yield.  With alfalfa becoming ready to cut soon this spring, don’t miss your best time.




Nebraska senators vote for livestock friendly development

(AP) _ Nebraska counties looking to expand livestock operations could receive extra funds for planning and improving infrastructure under a bill that cleared a first-round vote in the Legislature.

Senators voted 37-0 Monday on a measure (LB-175) by Sen. Ken Schilz of Ogallala that would funnel $1.5 million to counties approved by the Nebraska director of agriculture as livestock friendly.

Schilz says the measure puts the control in the hand of local authorities to seek out the livestock friendly designation and apply for grants.

During debate, some senators tried to expand the bill to other agricultural operations, with specific emphasis on certified organic food systems. But Schilz says broadening the language could detract from the emphasis on livestock development.



Pellet Technology USA Offers PowerFeed™ Pellets to Select Group of Cattle Feeders

Pellet Technology USA (PTUSA) announced the commercial launch of PowerFeedTM Pellets, which in a recent 300 head/84 day cattle feed trial, increased final body weight of cattle an average of 65 pounds when fed up to 1% of body weight in comparison to grazing alone.

This most recent of feed trials by the Gretna Nebraska based company was designed with the objective of combatting the reduced availability of quality pasture land, a growing cow-calf herd and the known volatility of ethanol industry byproducts.

"When Pellet Technology USA processes underutilized residues and commodities, adds nutritional value, and implements quality controls to produce a consistent feed, we help farmers and cattlemen work from one producer to another in the most efficient way possible … because every acre and every head counts," said founder and COO, Russ Zeeck.

As Pellet Technology USA is bringing PowerFeedTM Pellets to the market, they are simultaneously launching what they have termed the Voice & Value Program. This program is a way for cattle feeders that could use an advantage on quality feed to align with PTUSA's Gretna, Nebraska facility. The program allows for feeders to have a voice in the company's future product lines as well as a way for PTUSA to build a conversation with their cattle feeder customers.

"Too many times cattle feeders don't get asked questions or feed suppliers don't listen to what feeders need. Pellet Technology USA is interested to know, for example, "How are the cattle taking to the feed? Does it handle and keep well? Does the product improve efficiency in the producers operation? The consumer isn't the only one with a voice in the food chain and we want to hear what the cattle feeder has to say," says Joe Luna, PTUSA's Manager of Business Strategy. 

When Pellet Technology USA looks to the future and consistency of the industry's feed supply, the company seeks open conversations with farmers, feeders, retailers and all industry parties. Pellet Technology USA has a vision to bridge the gaps up and down the value chain in order for the entire industry to adapt to a quickly changing landscape and thrive beyond it.

The Voice & Value Program will begin as a cattle feeder based platform that will offer promotional contracting terms to regional cattle feeders who participate. The program is available to cattlemen who meet eligibility requirements. To participate in the Voice & Value Program, cattle feeders will need to complete the application listed at http://www.pellettechnologyusa.com/PTUSA/vvp or contact PTUSA at (402)509-8776 for more information.

"Cattle feeders who want to shape the industry and get ahead of the trends to come should be a part of it," comments, Zeeck.




Livestock market operation suspends sales for summer

(AP) _ Officials say Nebraska Livestock Sales of Norfolk has suspended its summer schedule.  Jim Barta owns the operation, and he said Monday that, “due to the declining number of cattle in the area, we are going to go with seasonal sales at the livestock market.”

Sales recently were cut to two days a week from three.

In March 2006 the market was sold by the Emrich family and Don Balfany of Norfolk to the Barta family, of Fremont. The Bartas own other livestock markets, including Nebraska Livestock Sales operations in Alma, Blue Hill, Ericson, O’Neill and Tecumseh.



Agriculture Industry’s Champion Growers Show Producers How to Increase Yields and Profits at Conklin Pro Grower Day Events

Kip Cullers, world-record holder for soybean production, and Jerry Cox, 24-time National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) winner, will give progressive producers an inside look at valuable information on new agriculture technologies and specific recommendations for this growing season for corn, soybeans, hay and wheat at Conklin Pro Grower Day events, scheduled across the nation for late spring/early summer.

“These regional events have been scheduled to demonstrate what Conklin’s AgroVantage System has to offer those looking to take their yields to the next level,” explained Charles W. Herbster, Conklin Owner and Chief Executive Officer.  “What a great way to introduce farmers to the benefits of adding AgroVantage System products to their management practices yet this year, and introduce a new foliar fertilizer Kip Cullers’ has developed with Conklin. Growers are encouraged to take advantage of this unique agricultural event that can have a tremendous impact on this growing season.”

As a fifth-generation farmer from Nebraska, Herbster realizes the impact agriculture has on the world and is committed to providing proven products with the Conklin AgroVantage System that lowers input costs and increases profits.  In addition, he brings his first-hand knowledge to all Conklin products and tests each new formula on his farms located in Falls City, Neb., before it is released for sale.

Conklin AgroVantage is one of the most advanced and proven crop management systems on the market today.  Developed through more than three decades of field trials and national research, Certified Crop Advisors and progressive producers recommend and use Conklin’s AgroVantage System—and that number continues to grow.

National and state yield champions Cullers and Cox will introduce others to the crop management system of choice for today’s top producers as scheduled key speakers at Conklin Pro Grower Day events, which will include field plot tours and provide the opportunity for producers to learn from top growers.

“Improving yields is something every farmer aims to do year after year.  Doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results is the definition of insanity.  I’m not afraid to try new things as well as new products to help me continue to take my yields to the next level,” said Cullers.  “I’m teaming up with Conklin to try to improve yields for every farmer in America.  At these Conklin Pro Grower Day events, you can learn how Conklin’s AgroVantage System will benefit your farming operation for years to come.”

“By following Conklin’s AgroVantage recommendations, our input costs aren’t skyrocketing the way they would with a conventional program,” added Cox, who has captured the most national wins through NCGA of anyone today.  “Using the AgroVantage System, we’ve seen our overall farm average corn yields increase by 95 bushel per acre (BPA) from 2001 through 2014.  My highest contest yield implementing the AgroVantage System has increased 100 BPA, from 249 BPA to 349 BPA!”

Guest speakers at the upcoming series of Conklin Pro Grower Day events may vary by location.  Former Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman will attend many of these meetings scheduled across the country.  As the state’s longest-serving governor, Heineman was presented with several opportunities after leaving office.  With a real understanding of the importance of agriculture in America, he chose to work with the Conklin Company and its owners, Mr. Charles W. and Judy Herbster, who are on a mission to keep the American farmer in business and profitable.

“Over the past few months, I have been traveling with Charles, as well as top producers Kip and Jerry, and sharing with others what the Conklin AgroVantage System can do for their yields.  I have not experienced anyone more passionate about helping other growers,” said Heineman.  “These champions use their experience in the industry and with AgroVantage System products to help propel farmers’ yields above and beyond their expectations.  It is a great chance to learn from this unbeatable team!”

Top producers and guest speakers will share how Conklin’s AgroVantage System can boost the genetic potential of crops, increase yields and maximize return on investment in this series of Conklin Pro Grower Days, which compliments Conklin’s Regional AgroVantage Field Days scheduled each fall.  Regional Field Days allow growers to see firsthand the benefits of the AgroVantage System through test plots and hear from local growers as well as award-winning farmers.  Following the growing season, Conklin schedules a series of Pro Ag trainings where thousands have learned how to grow their profits and enhance their yields by putting the experts’ knowledge to work for them and taking the guesswork out of diagnosing nutrient requirements for their crops.

“Conklin Pro Grower Day events are just one more tool in the toolbox for farmers to take advantage of what top growers and champion producers have already learned,” shared Herbster.  “Don’t miss the opportunity to hear Kip and Jerry at the upcoming Conklin Pro Grower Days across the country to learn about how the Conklin AgroVantage System and Kip Cullers’ Nutrient Compass Foliar Fertilizer can impact your yields.  This meeting is sure to make a difference in your bottom line.”

Conklin Pro Grower Day events already scheduled for 2015 include:
·        May 19 – Platteville, Wis.
·        May 20 – Hastings, Neb.
·        May 28 – Emporia, Va.
·        May 30 – Geneseo, Ill.
·        June 2 – Plymouth, Ind.
·        June 3 – Plain City, Ohio
·        June 10 – Milton, Pa.
·        June 12 – Fargo, N.D.

Visit www.ProGrowerDay.com for specific location details.




THREE MORE PROBABLE CASES OF HPAI IN NORTHWEST IOWA

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship is responding to three probable cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) in commercial poultry farms in Buena Vista and Sioux counties.  These three new cases would join 25 cases of the disease in Iowa that were previously announced. State officials have quarantined the premises and once the presence of the disease is confirmed, all birds on the property will be humanely euthanized to prevent the spread of the disease.

    Buena Vista 9 – Turkey farm that has experienced increased mortality.  An estimate on the number of birds at the site is still pending. Initial testing showed it positive for H5 avian influenza.  Additional confirmatory testing is pending from the APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames.

    Buena Vista 10 – Turkey farm that has experienced increased mortality.  An estimate on the number of birds at the site is still pending. Initial testing showed it positive for H5 avian influenza.  Additional confirmatory testing is pending from the APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames.

    Sioux 4 – Commercial laying operation with an estimated 60,000 birds that has experienced increased mortality.  Initial testing showed it positive for H5 avian influenza.  Additional confirmatory testing is pending from the APHIS National Veterinary Services Laboratories (NVSL) in Ames.

    As the Department receives final confirmations of the disease updated information will be posted to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s website at www.iowaagriculture.gov/avianinfluenza.asp.

    The Center for Disease Control (CDC) and Iowa Department of Public Health considers the risk to people from these HPAI H5 infections in wild birds, backyard flocks and commercial poultry, to be low.  No human infections with the virus have ever been detected and there is no food safety risk for consumers.



2015 Iowa Livestock Enterprise Budgets Available from ISU

Careful budgeting is key when making purchases for livestock operations. A new publication by Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, Livestock Enterprise Budgets for Iowa – 2015 (File B1-21), contains estimates of production costs for common livestock enterprises in Iowa. Estimates are intended to reflect average or above-average levels of management using common types of technology.

“Livestock investment summaries are available for beef herds, sheep flocks, Grade A dairies and swine production litters,” said author Shane Ellis, farm management specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach. “Inputs such as price of grain, silage and vitamins, or price per pound for livestock weights are averaged during the year and listed for helping producers develop their farm livestock operation budgets."

The 22-page booklet is available online at Ag Decision Maker's site, www.extension.iastate.edu/agdm/ and includes various budget tables for livestock enterprises. For example: a budget for beef cattle production is measured by a “cow/calf” unit. Information for the entire herd is then computed by multiplying the input’s price by the size of the herd.

Each budget tool contains estimates for fixed and variable costs. Most costs occur each year such as depreciation, interest, taxes, and insurance on facilities, breeding livestock, and livestock equipment and facilities. An example of cost estimates for interest averages one-half the original value of facilities over its lifetime, or 5 percent annually. Other costs vary according to the level of production. For these types of estimating, interest may be calculated on feed and other variable costs for one-half the production period.

Lee Schulz, assistant professor and Extension and Outreach livestock economist with Iowa State University, explained how operating costs like labor and feed needs are used to calculate and analyze budgets for finding a value of production returns. “Producers can enter projected estimates for these types of inputs and the sale price of the animal to calculate the complete enterprise cost," he said. "Even if producers don’t have the prices readily available, the publication offers suggestions for calculating returns."

Page 2 of the publication offers estimates for prices of operation inputs and suggested sale prices for livestock are available on the Ag Decision Maker website as Livestock Planning Prices. Producer teaching activities and decision tool spreadsheets for specific livestock also are available for making computer calculations or to calculate individual situations and can be printed.

Data were drawn from farm record summaries, feed consumption research and price projections and are intended to be used for planning purposes only. For individual farms, expected costs and input requirements based on past results should be substituted whenever possible.



America's Pig Farmer of the Year award application process is even easier and faster

To encourage even more pork producers to apply for the America's Pig Farmer of the Year award, the National Pork Board has made the application process even easier by eliminating the video requirement and replacing it with two photos.

This streamlined application process will make it easier and faster for producers to apply for America's Pig Farmer of the Year.

Also, the actual off-farm time commitment for the winner is most likely to be about 14 days over the course of a year. Additional days might be for on-farm visits by guests of the National Pork Board who want to learn more about how the recipient produces wholesome, high-quality pork. As always, busy times of the year, such as harvest and planting, would be taken into account.

With just a few farm records in hand, such as the farm's premises identification number, most producers should be able to fill out the application in about an hour - perhaps something to keep in mind if wet weather causes planting delays.

Interested producers can find all award-related information at www.americaspigfarmer.com and get application help at (800) 711-0747.




EPA sends biofuels volumes targets to White House

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has sent blending targets for the country’s renewable fuels program to the White House for review ahead of a fast-approaching June 1 deadline for publicly releasing its proposal, according to industry sources.

The EPA has sent proposed volume requirements for 2014, 2015 and 2016 to the White House Office of Management and Budget, the sources said. The OMB had not yet indicated on its website that it had received the RFS documents. An EPA spokeswoman declined to comment.

The EPA agreed to a June 1 deadline to issue targets for 2015 as part of a lawsuit settlement agreement with two oil industry groups over delays in the agency’s target-setting.

The agency also said it would propose 2016 volumes by June 1 and that it planned to re-propose 2014 requirements.



EPA Exempts Monsanto's New Bt Soybean From Residue Limits

The Environmental Protection Agency announced a final rule recognizing that a soybean developed by Monsanto genetically engineered to produce an insecticidal protein is safe to humans in any expected exposure.

Monsanto's product is a soybean genetically engineered to express the protein naturally produced by the bacteria species known as Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). The plant itself produces the protein that kills insects when they try to eat the plant, allowing farmers limit the practice of spraying pesticides.

EPA granted an exemption from the requirement to establish a maximum permissible level for residues of the Bt protein, Cry2Ab2, in or on soybean, according to the final rule written by EPA's Jack Housenger, director of the Office of Pesticide Programs.

The final rule was to be published in the Federal Register on Tuesday.



Netflix Now Streaming 'Farmland' Documentary

The feature-length documentary "Farmland" is now available for streaming on Netflix.com. With 57 million subscribers worldwide, Netflix is considered a premium destination for documentaries and is an opportunity to extend the reach of the film across the United States and into Canada.

"I'm thrilled that 'Farmland' has found a new home at Netflix," said Academy Award-winning director James Moll. "There's a lot of interest out there in the next generation of farmers and ranchers, and Netflix is a great venue to meet and be inspired by these six hard-working Americans."

"Farmland" was produced with the support of the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance, and provides viewers with a firsthand glimpse inside the world of farming and ranching by depicting the lives of six young farmers and ranchers.  In addition to streaming on Netflix, the film is currently screening on major college and university campuses across the nation. Additional campuses interested in holding a screening can submit requests at FARMLANDfilm.com.

The film also continues to be available for rent and purchase at Walmart retail locations nationwide, Walmart.com, and via digital download on iTunes, Amazon Instant Video, Blockbuster On-Demand, Sony PlayStation, Vudu.com, Xbox and YouTube.



Deadly overturn another reason to ‘Keep Kids Away from Tractors’

What began as “quality time” for a 56-year-old man and his 7-year-old grandson ended with both dead following a tractor overturn. The grandfather was attempting to pull a tree out of the ground with a chain when the tractor flipped over backwards.

The incident on a western New York farm, near Wales Center, on May 3, underscores the danger of allowing extra riders on tractors, particularly young children. Of the estimated 100-plus farm-related deaths to children each year, most will die in incidents involving tractors and other machinery.

The tragedy mirrored an incident in 2013 on a Minnesota farm, which also claimed the lives of a grandfather and grandson.

Incidents such as these led to the Childhood Agricultural Safety Network’s national campaign to “Keep Kids Away from Tractors,” which states that it is never okay for a child younger than 12 years to be on a tractor. The earliest a child should be on a tractor is when he or she is old enough to take and pass tractor safety educational classes, according to the network. And a child should never be an extra rider.

The campaign has upset some parents and farm owners. Riding a tractor with parents, or grandparents, is considered a childhood tradition in many rural areas. During the past year, however, a number of fatal, high-profile incidents have underscored the danger of allowing children -- some just toddlers -- to ride on a lap, sit on a fender, or stand on the axle. In an eye-blink a child can fall in the path of a tire, mower or other implement. The mere presence of a child is a distraction to the adult operating the tractor.

And a cab is no guarantee of safety. Some of the most traumatic incidents have occurred when a child has fallen out of a cab. Closed cab doors can pop open when the tractor hits a rut or rock, or when a child reaches out to steady himself and inadvertently hits the door handle. A 5-year-old Kansas girl fell to her death in a moving combine header when window glass shattered.

The Childhood Agricultural Safety Network is a coalition of more than 50 health, safety and youth organizations who advocate for child safety on the farm. The network urges individuals and groups to incorporate its resources in their safety initiatives. An archived webinar, posters, radio ads and more information can be found at www.childagsafety.org.

The message may be controversial and blunt, but the lives it saves will be worth it. Remember -- “It’s easier to bury a tradition than a child.”



Wheat Tour faces low first day yield projections

Participants from all over the globe traveled to Kansas to participate inthe Hard Red Winter Wheat Quality Tour, sponsored by the Wheat Quality Council. Scouts traveled the state and experienced conditions ranging from ankle deep mud to bone dry fields.

The tour hosted 92 participants in 21 vehicles traversing 6 routes, even venturing a smidge into Nebraska. The participants stopped at 284 locations, an increase from 271 last year.

Wet fields and rainy skies did not translate to better wheat conditions. This year's Day 1 expected average yield of 34.3 was slightly lower than last year's Day 1 average of 34.7, despite higher expectations. This is also the lowest Day 1 average since 2001 when scouts reported an average of 32.6 bushels per acre.  Last year's crop was ultimately the lowest Kansas harvest in 30 years totaling 246 million bushels.

Many of the scouts reported seeing similar issues statewide, which include drought stress (despite the rain and sludge during the tour),  stripe rust, winter kill and pest infestations such as aphids.

"I think the rain made bad wheat look not quite as bad," said Jim Shroyer, retired wheat extension specialist for K-State Research and Extension (KSRE). "This rain was easily worth millions of dollars for this year's wheat crop."

The expected yields reflect the USDA National Agricultural Statistics Service's (NASS) Kansas Crop Progress and Condition report, rating just 27 percent good to excellent wheat.



Informa Sees Lower Wheat Output

Informa Economics trimmed its forecast for U.S. winter wheat output, according to the latest report by the private agricultural firm.

In a forecast released on Tuesday, Informa projected winter wheat production at 1.486 billion bushels, a decline of 12 million bushels from its previous forecast. But the forecast would represent an increase of about 108 million bushels over the previous year.

The forecast is watched widely in the agricultural sector and comes as some have worried that dry weather earlier in the year would hamper the crop. The report reflected some of those concerns. Informa projected a yield of 44.2 bushels per acre, a decline of 1.9 bushels per acre versus its previous forecast.

In a separate report, Informa projected Brazil's corn production this year at 80.3 million metric tons, an increase of 5.6 million tons above its previous forecast. It also increased its estimated soybean-production forecast for Brazil by 1.5 million tons to 94.5 million tons.



ASA Calls for Assurances on Grain Inspection in Reauthorization of Grain Standards Act

In response to several high-profile work stoppages that disrupted the flow of grain through the supply chain, American Soybean Association (ASA) Director Bill Gordon testified before the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry today in Washington, calling on the committee to help ensure that grain inspections under the Grain Standards Act remain both mandatory and continuous, even in the event of a work stoppage due to strike or lockout. Gordon’s testimony comes as Congress weighs reauthorization of the Grain Standards Act of 1976, under which official inspections are required for all export shipments.

“Our industry and our foreign customers are highly dependent on having a reliable and transparent export inspection and marketing system,” said Gordon in his testimony. “It is critical that the requirement for mandatory official inspection of exported grains and oilseeds under the Grain Standards Act be maintained.  In addition, there must be no question that, in the event of a disruption of services, FGIS will continue to be required to step in to ensure the reliability and reputation of the U.S. inspection and weighing system.”

Gordon, who farms in Worthington, Minn., testified on behalf of ASA, and had support from the American Farm Bureau Federation, National Corn Growers Association, National Association of Wheat Growers, and National Barley Growers Association. In his testimony, Gordon pointed specifically to last summer’s longshoremen strike at the Port of Vancouver that disrupted inspection of shipments for more than a month before the State of Washingtion, which had been delegated responsibility to carry out grain inspections at the port by FGIS, resumed its duties. Gordon called on the committee to establish a timeline for FGIS to step in and provide inspection in disputes like the one in the Pacific Northwest last summer.

“(W)e encourage the Committee to engage (USDA) on whether it has discretion … to clarify when and how it will act to resolve a disruption of export inspection services by delegated state agencies,” said Gordon. “If this discussion is in any way inconclusive, we recommend the Committee strengthen the language in the Act requiring FGIS to take action according to a fixed timetable based on a number of hours rather than days or weeks. We further recommend that any state agency that withdraws services be suspended until the Department completes a review that confirms the agency is capable of resuming services without further interruption.”

“Our grain inspection and weighing system is a fundamental guarantee to our foreign customers that supplies of U.S. grains and oilseeds will be officially inspected and not be disrupted,” Gordon added. “Reauthorization of the Grain Standards Act presents an opportunity to correct the uncertainties in the system that have come to light in the last two years.” 



NFU Supports Clean Reauthorization of Grain Standards Act

National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson this week urged the Senate to pass a clean reauthorization of the U.S. Grain Standards Act, calling the current system “the world’s gold standard.”

“Today’s framework, overseen by the Federal Grain Inspection Service (FGIS), is the world’s gold standard and our export partners have faith in that standard,” said Johnson in a letter to Chairman Pat Roberts, R-Kansas, and Ranking Member Debbie Stabenow, D-Michigan, of the U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. “For a penny a bushel we have a cost-effective system that ensures consistency, reliability and accuracy. Our members have faith in the current system and as such request a clean reauthorization of the Grain Standards Act for a period of no less than 10 years.”

Johnson highlighted the continued drive towards privatization of the U.S. grain inspection system, a move that would weaken the strong reputation of U.S. exporters.

“The most concerning issue for our members is the continued drive towards the privatization of our grain inspection system,” said Johnson. “This nation’s trading partners trust the existing system, and changes to this system that result in inspections being conducted by entities other than the federal government or a delegated state agency would diminish the trust that has taken decades to build.”

Johnson also raised a number of concerns related to the House Agriculture Committee’s U.S. Grain Standards Act Reauthorization Act of 2015, including the elimination of the agriculture secretary’s discretion to send in inspectors, the timeframe in which FGIS must respond to a disruption, and the higher prominence give to designated inspection services.

Johnson did note that, “We are deeply concerned over the secretary’s failure to act during the 2014 disruption at the Port of Vancouver,” however he stated, “the secretary, in any administration, needs to maintain discretion during such situations.”



Land O’Lakes, Inc. Announces First Quarter Results

Land O’Lakes, Inc. today announced first quarter financial results, reporting quarterly net sales of $3.8 billion and net earnings attributable to Land O’Lakes of $99.4 million for the period ending March 31, 2015. While results were down compared to 2014’s record first quarter, this year’s performance stands as one of the strongest first quarters for the company.

“Overall profits saw a dip in comparison to 2014 first quarter results, primarily due to the cyclical nature of milk prices. This market volatility has had a substantial, negative impact on the first quarter inventory values and financial results,” stated Chris Policinski, Land O’Lakes, Inc. President and CEO. “Despite this impact, we are very pleased with the underlying fundamentals of our business as volume, share and new product performance continue to be strong across most all of our portfolio. Our value-added products, continued innovation and growth investments continue to drive solid earnings.”

Business dynamics contributing to first quarter results included strong results in animal feed, which includes Purina Animal Nutrition. Pre-tax earnings increased significantly over the same quarter in 2014 due to volume growth and improved formula feed margins.

The crop inputs segment, which includes WinField Solutions, also reported strong performance for the quarter, with strong volumes in alfalfa and favorable seed margins. These effects were partially offset due to strong shipments in the fourth quarter of 2014.

The company’s dairy foods segment was affected by declining global milk powder and cheese markets but saw strong performance in the company’s LAND O LAKES® butter products and high volumes and margin strength in Foodservice. Following 2014’s record profit and volumes, the first quarter of 2015 showed a continued trend of strong volume and continued share growth in retail branded butter and superspreads.



ADM Reports First Quarter Adjusted Earnings of $0.77 per Share

Archer Daniels Midland Company (NYSE: ADM) today reported financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2015.

The company reported adjusted earnings per share1 of $0.77, up from $0.55 in the same period last
year. Adjusted segment operating profit1 was $883 million, up 12 percent from $789 million in the
year-ago period. Net earnings for the quarter were $493 million, or $0.77 per share, and segment
operating profit1 was $855 million.

In the first quarter, the ADM team demonstrated their ability to leverage the strengths of our
diversified business model, said ADM Chief Executive Officer Juan Luciano. The Oilseeds team
capitalized on favorable market conditions and delivered outstanding results, with strong
performances in each region. In Ag Services, our recently created global trade desk (GTD) platform
drove higher merchandised volumes. Our new WILD Flavors and Specialty Ingredients business got
off to a great start toward achieving the cost and revenue synergies we identified last year. Together,
these performances helped deliver a good quarter overall, even as lower industry ethanol margins
limited earnings in Corn, and the strong dollar limited U.S. grain exports.

We have continued to advance the strategic plan we shared at our December investor day. In the
area of optimizing the core, we announced the acquisition of a Belgian oil bottling business, helping
us reach a wider customer base and creating a new output for our European crushing assets. And the
WFSI team has been working with customers as they developed and launched new products using
SCI, WILD and ADM ingredients. We had more than 200 joint customer engagements, building a
pipeline of more than 400 projects, resulting already in more than 30 revenue synergy wins, across a
number of regions and business units in Q1 alone. In the area of driving operational efficiencies, we
have already identified more than $200 million in run-rate savings opportunities, toward our goal of
$550 million in five years. And, in the area of strategic expansion, the corn processing business
expanded in high-growth geographies, with the acquisition of the remaining stake of corn wet mills in Bulgaria and Turkey, and an increased stake in a facility in Hungary.

First Quarter 2015 Highlights
" Adjusted EPS of $0.77 is consistent with the reported EPS.
" Agricultural Services increased $52 million as improved U.S. and global grain merchandising
results were partially offset by limited U.S. export competitiveness.
" Corn Processing decreased $124 million on lower ethanol production volumes and weaker industry
margins.
" Oilseeds Processing increased $153 million with record soybean crushing volumes in Europe and
North America and improved grain origination in South America.
" Wild Flavors and Specialty Ingredients earned $68 million in the first reporting period for this
business unit.
" Trailing four-quarter-average adjusted ROIC was 9.5 percent, up 250 basis points year over year
and 290 basis points above annual WACC of 6.6 percent.
" During the first quarter, the company returned $0.7 billion to shareholders through dividends and
the repurchase of 12 million shares.



ADM to Acquire Full Ownership of Black Sea Export Terminals

Archer Daniels Midland Company (NYSE: ADM) announced today that it has reached an agreement to acquire complete ownership of North Star Shipping and Minmetal, enhancing the company’s European origination and transportation network through the addition of export facilities at the Romanian Port of Constanta on the Black Sea. North Star and Minmetal operate grain elevators and bulk commodity storage and warehousing as well as port services, stevedoring operations and a shipping agency at the mouth of the Danube River. ADM was previously a partner in both North Star and Minmetal.

Among the assets included in the acquisition are:
    Ten vessel berths, including seven deep sea berths
    Port terminals with annual throughput capacity of up to 6 million metric tons
    On-site grain storage capacity of 330,000 metric tons
    Two floating cranes for direct barge-oceangoing vessel transfer
    Mobile shore cranes and equipment
    A vacuum discharge and ship loader
    An iron ore and coal terminal located on 21 hectares

“This acquisition helps us to meet our goal of strategic expansion though diversification and expansion of our trade and origination territory,” said Joe Taets, president of ADM Europe Middle East and Africa, and of the company’s Agricultural Services business unit. “We’ve talked about the potential to double the volume of our grain business. Here, we’re taking a great step in that direction with this strategic expansion of our European network. By becoming full owners of these facilities on the Black Sea, we’re building on the investments we have made in our Danube River network since 2011, which enhances our origination, logistics and export capabilities in Eastern Europe, and allows us to reach more customers around the globe.”

The Port of Constanta sits on the Black Sea at the mouth of the Danube River, and is one of the most strategically significant ports in the region. The Danube River outlet into the Black Sea makes the Port of Constanta the primary ingress and egress point for bulk commodities being traded into and out of Romania, Bulgaria, Serbia and Hungary.

In 2011, ADM announced a substantial expansion of its grain origination, storage, transportation and export operations along the Danube River. Today, the network includes eight elevators on the Danube, with two more under construction; two inland origination facilities; shallow water port facilities in Braila; and 50 barges and six tug boats. The new Constanta Port assets add to those origination, logistics and processing capabilities in Romania and Eastern Europe.

ADM, through its minority stake in North Star and through Minmetal—a separate 50-50 joint venture owned by ADM and North Star—previously owned approximately 45 percent of the Constanta assets.



USDA Dairy Products March 2015 Production Highlights

Total cheese output (excluding cottage cheese) was 987 million pounds, 1.8 percent above March 2014 and 11.3 percent above February 2015.  Italian type cheese production totaled 433 million pounds, 1.5 percent above March 2014 and 9.7 percent above February 2015.  American type cheese production totaled 388 million pounds, 1.7 percent above March 2014 and 10.6 percent above February 2015. 

Butter production was 162 million pounds, 3.0 percent below March 2014 but 3.5 percent above February 2015.

Dry milk powders (comparisons with March 2014)
Nonfat dry milk, human - 182 million pounds, up 8.7 percent.
Skim milk powders - 37.2 million pounds, down 14.1 percent.

Whey products (comparisons with March 2014)
Dry whey, total - 82.8 million pounds, up 15.8 percent.
Lactose, human and animal - 93.2 million pounds, down 6.9 percent.
Whey protein concentrate, total - 42.6 million pounds, down 5.3 percent.

Frozen products (comparisons with March 2014)
Ice cream, regular (hard) - 70.7 million gallons, up 3.5 percent.
Ice cream, lowfat (total) - 38.8 million gallons, up 10.1 percent.
Sherbet (hard) - 3.81 million gallons, down 6.2 percent.
Frozen yogurt (total) - 6.18 million gallons, down 5.4 percent.



Forest Service Chief Predicts "Above Normal" Wildland Fire Potential in Much of the West

 U.S. Forest Service Chief Tom Tidwell presented the Forest Service forecast on the upcoming 2015 fire season in testimony today before the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources. Forest Service researchers expect 2015 to continue the trend of above average fire activity.

"Above normal wildland fire potential exists across the north central United States and above normal wildland fire potential will threaten many parts of the West this summer," said Chief Tidwell. "We anticipate another active fire year, underscoring the need to reform our wildfire funding."

The forecast indicates there is a 90 percent chance that this year's Forest Service fire suppression costs will be between $794 million and $1.657 billion, with a median estimate of $1.225 billion, potentially forcing the diversion of funding from other vital programs to support suppression operations. Any costs above the median is greater than the "10 year average" and would force the Forest Service to leverage funding from other land management programs. Diverting funds to cover the cost of wildfire suppression affects other critical Forest Service programs and services, said Tidwell, including efforts to reduce wildfire risk through mechanical thinning, prescribed fires, and other means.

Wildfire suppression costs have increased as fire seasons have grown longer and the frequency, size, and severity of wildfires has increased due to changing climatic conditions, drought, hazardous fuel buildups, insect and disease infestations, nonnative invasive species, and other factors. Funding has not kept pace with the cost of fighting fire. Over the last 10 years, adjusting for inflation, the Forest Service has spent an average of almost $1.13 billion on suppression operations annually.

The President's Fiscal Year 2016 budget includes a proposal to reform the way that wildfire suppression is funded. Aligned with the Wildfire Disaster Funding Act, these reforms are necessary to ensure the Forest Service continues to deliver the full scope of its mission.

Chief Tidwell said the Forest Service has the capability and responsibility to protect life, property, and natural resources. The responsibility to respond to wildfire is not isolated to the Forest Service. It works extensively with partners within the Department of Interior (DOI) as well as State, tribal and local firefighting organizations to support wildland fire management operations. These cooperators are essential to ensuring that every wildfire receives an appropriate, risk informed, and effective response regardless of the jurisdiction.

Within the Fiscal Year (FY) 15 appropriation for Wildland Fire Management, the Forest Service will be able to mobilize approximately 10,000 firefighters for the upcoming fire season, as well as up to 21 airtankers available for operations on exclusive use contracts, additional air tankers available through "Call When Needed" contracts, and the capability to mobilize cooperator air tankers, if available, through agreements with the State of Alaska and Canada. In coordination with the military there are also eight Mobile Airborne Firefighting System-capable C-130's available to meet surge requirements, as well as an extensive fleet of more than 100 helicopters available to support operations.

The Forest Service has worked collaboratively with its partners to develop the National Cohesive Wildland Fire Management Strategy, of which fuel treatment is an essential component. In 2015, $32 million of the Hazardous Fuels appropriation was allocated to 50 projects in areas with a likelihood of high intensity fire within populated areas or near important watersheds for municipal water supply.