Monday June 15 Ag News

Governor’s European Trade Mission Focuses on Bioscience Industries in Denmark

Gov. Ricketts’ 30-member Nebraska trade team is nearing the end of its meetings in the European Union. After beginning the mission in Italy, the delegation held strategic meetings in Belgium and Denmark focused on the bioscience industry.

In Brussels, the Governor met with executives from Ghent Port Company, TOTCO, Sygenta Brussels, and a consultant for Belgian Biodiesel Board to promote Nebraska’s biofuels industry and build relations between firms in Europe and the U.S.

“Nebraska has a powerful resume to attract these types of companies.  Now, we have to get out there and pound the pavement,” Gov. Ricketts said. “The bioscience industry is growing very rapidly as technological advances make way for innovative products and uses. We want to be positioned for more growth in this area and let companies know Nebraska is open for business.”

“Bioscience companies offer a tremendous opportunity for Nebraska agriculture by adding value to the products we are already producing,” said Nebraska Agriculture Director Greg Ibach, who attended the meetings in Brussels. “We have had great success in working with top international companies in the area of biosciences, and we want to build on that momentum.”

The Governor and delegates were briefed at the U.S. Embassy about potential business opportunities with Denmark, including best prospect areas for exports to Denmark and opportunities for Nebraska to attract more Danish investments.

The mission then traveled to Novozymes world headquarters outside of Copenhagen, where a company tour showcased the production of unique enzymes and microbial products used in the animal nutrition, agriculture, and biofuels industries.

While at Novozymes, Gov. Ricketts, the United States Ambassador to Denmark, and Novozymes management hosted an invitation-only roundtable on renewable fuels and bio-products.

Nebraska delegates presented U.S. market trends and regulations to the group, with a focus on co-products, revenue opportunities, and biorefinery developments.  The group also summarized opportunities for businesses in the U.S. that partner with Nebraska and its companies.

The Nebraska team showcased the dynamic interaction between the corn, cattle, and ethanol sectors and their important roles in Nebraska’s success in agriculture.  Nebraska’s ethanol industry employs 1,300 people and serves as the second-largest ethanol producer in the United States. Nebraska’s 25 ethanol plants produced 1.8 billion gallons of ethanol in 2014.

Nebraska roundtable participants included: Gov. Ricketts, Department of Economic Development Director, Brenda Hicks-Sorensen, KAAPA President and Nebraska Ethanol Board representative, Paul Kenny, Green Plains Energy COO, Jeff Briggs and American Laboratories Inc. Vice President of Sales, Bret Wyant.

European company executives included: Novozymes, Dong Energy, Leifmark, Renew Energy, DuPont, and U.S. Embassy Representatives.

In the afternoon, the Governor and mission members met with Novozymes CEO Peder Holk Nielsen and Executive Vice Presidents of Business Development and Supply Operations Thomas Videbaek and Thomas Nagy. The discussion focused on business development and international expansion.

Novozymes is the world leader in bio-innovation and leading manufacturer of enzymes, microorganisms and biopharmaceutical ingredients. Together with customers across more than 30 industries, the company creates tomorrow’s industrial bio-solutions to improve its customers' businesses and global resources. Novozymes’ product diversity includes removing trans-fats in food and the advancement of biofuels to power the world. The company invests nearly 14 percent of its global revenue in research and development annually.

In May 2012, Novozymes opened its newest advanced manufacturing plant in Blair, NE, which is dedicated to making enzymes for renewable fuels. With more than 100 full-time employees, 400 hired for construction and $200 million in private investments, the Blair plant is the largest and most sophisticated of its kind in the country. Novozymes chose Blair and the United States over countries like China in part because of strong policies like the Renewable Fuel Standard. A video and graphic are available.

Gov. Ricketts discussed Nebraska’s unique characteristics and benefits that make it an ideal location for the bioscience industry, as well as how the state can partner with Novozymes to succeed in these efforts.

As an industry, bioscience has grown its employment base in Nebraska by 10 percent since 2007.  By 2012, the industry employed more than 15,000 people across 938 businesses. Nebraska has specialization in three of the five major bioscience subsectors: agricultural feed stocks and chemicals; bioscience-related distribution; and medical devices and equipment.

One area of bioscience of particular interest to the agriculture industry is the transformation of natural organisms into industrial products. These can range from renewable fuels to bioplastics to industrial enzymes.

Hicks-Sorensen said companies at the roundtable discussion are top prospects because the biosciences sector generally brings high-paying technical jobs into the marketplace.

“Bioscience companies like Novozymes create high-paying jobs in a rapidly growing industry. Their presence in Nebraska builds off of our strength as the nation’s second largest producer of ethanol, while diversifying the state’s economy and providing more job opportunities to Nebraskans. We want to continue working with Novozymes and other companies in the industry to make Nebraska more competitive in the modern economy,” said Hicks-Sorensen.

Gov. Ricketts is also meeting with members of the Danish American Business Forum (DABF). Hicks-Sorensen and members of the Nebraska delegation joined DABF members at a roundtable breakfast meeting this morning.

Established in 1997 by prominent Danish business leaders and the U.S. Embassy, DABF was created to help Danish companies connect and share experiences about building success within the U.S. market. Membership is comprised of more than 100 Danish companies interested in expanding or investing in the United States. DABF-sponsored events throughout the year focus on specific investment-related issues and are particularly beneficial to companies expanding to the NAFTA region.

U.S. Ambassador to Denmark Rufus Gifford is hosting Gov. Ricketts and the delegation at his residence for an evening meeting. The event will feature Nebraska beef courtesy of MetaFoods, LLC, Atlanta, Ga., Greater Omaha Packing Company, Omaha, Neb., and Emborg Catering, Aalborg, Denmark.

Approximately 60 Danish business leaders are attending the event to interact with the Nebraska mission members and learn more about the state as an investment location.

Novozymes CEO will speak about the company’s investment and operations in Nebraska and explain why it serves as an ideal location for companies to consider when entering the U.S.

Gov. Ricketts’ remarks point out Nebraska’s friendly business climate, quality of life, strong workforce, and logistical advantages.  One of Nebraska’s new attractions for bio-based businesses is the University of Nebraska’s Innovation Campus.

Gov. Ricketts said trade team leadership will actively follow up on the relationships that were established during the entire mission.



Weed Management Field Day July 1 at Clay Center

View on-site demonstrations of new weed control technologies and herbicides at the Weed Management Field July 1 at Clay Center. The event, which will be held at the South Central Ag Lab (SCAL), begins at 8:30 and ends at 1 p.m. after a free lunch.

The first morning tour looks at weed control in corn. Demonstrations of new technologies and tours of weed control projects will include:
-    Comparison of Herbicide Programs for Weed Control in Corn
-    Herbicide Programs in 2,4-D plus Glyphosate-Resistant Corn (Enlist™)
-    Dose Response of Acuron™ Applied PRE for Weed Control in Corn
-    Anthem® Maxx Applied PRE in Corn
-    Evaluate Weed Control and Crop Response of Solstice™
-    Corvus® Followed by DiFlexx™ or Laudis™ plus DiFlexx for Weed Control in Corn

The second tour, starting at 10:30 a.m., includes demonstration of new technologies and herbicides for weed control in soybean, including:
-    Comparison of Herbicide Programs for Weed Control in Soybean
-    Herbicide Programs in Dicamba plus Glyphosate-Resistant Soybean
-    Herbicide Programs in 2,4-D plus Glyphosate-Resistant Soybean (Enlist™)
-    Weed Control in Isoxaflutole-Resistant Soybean (Balance® Bean)
-    Authority®/Anthem®/Marvel™ for Weed Control in Soybean
-    Importance of Soil Residual Herbicides for Weed Contol in Soybean

The UNL South Central Ag Lab is 7.5 miles west of Hwy 14 and Hwy 6 Intersection, or 13 miles east of Hastings on Hwy 6.

For more information about this event, see the Weed Management Field Day program flyer or contact Amit Jhala, amit.jhala@unl.edu , 402-472-1534.  Pre-registrations are requested for a lunch count. To pre-register, contact Sharon Hachtel, SCAL, shachtel1@unl.edu, 402-762-4403



CONTROLLING THISTLES BY DIGGING AND GRAZING
Bruce Anderson, UNL Extension Forage Specialist

               Musk thistles are coming into full bloom.  There are few options now to prevent their seed from spreading.  Today, let me share some personal experience.

               A couple weekends ago I spent some time pulling and digging musk thistles out of my pastures at home.  Yes – I get them, too.  But not very many.  I don’t have a lot of pasture so it took me only a couple of hours to remove all the thistles I could find.  So don’t feel too sorry for me.

               I rent a pasture adjacent to my land.  This pasture has a lot fewer thistles now compared to what it had a few years ago before I started using it.  The previous tenants used to spray a lot for thistles.  So how am I getting thistles controlled without any spraying?

               One thing I did in my own pasture was spray the thistles the first year because thet were so thick I couldn’t possibly control them by hand.  But I don’t like spraying and I definitely don’t like spending the money needed for spraying.  So in subsequent years, all I’ve done is pull and dig.  Plus, I pick off the open blossoms and carry them home to destroy since viable seeds sometimes still develop even after digging.

               Maybe more important is my grazing management.  I move cattle on a timely basis to keep my grasses and legumes healthy, thick, and regrowing vigorously.  Then, they do most of the work controlling thistles for me by offering no bare ground or unshaded area for new thistle seedlings to get started.  Change didn’t happen overnight, but after just a couple years the thistles became just a minor hassle.

               And that’s my secret – reduce seeds available and enhance competition.  Try it yourself and you, too, may have fewer thistles in a few years.



NE Corn Board to Meet

The Nebraska Corn Board will hold its next meeting on Monday, June 29, 2015 at The Leadership Center in Aurora and June 30, 2015 at the Raising Nebraska Building, State Fairgrounds in Grand Island.  

The meeting on Monday, June 29th, will be strategic planning; with the Board conducting regular board business, considering funding requests and setting the budget for fiscal year 2015-2016 on Tuesday, June 30th.  The meetings are open to the public.  A copy of the agenda is available by writing the Nebraska Corn Board, PO Box 95107, Lincoln, NE  68509, or calling either 402/471-2676 or 800-NECORN1.



UNMC study shows vitamin D protects bones in mice exposed to agricultural dust; may have implications for ag workers

You’ve probably heard it a thousand times – drink your milk. In the future, you may also hear – take your vitamin D.

A small study led by the University of Nebraska Medical Center found evidence that may contribute to the growing knowledge of benefits of vitamin D.

Researchers found that mice exposed to hog barn dust over three weeks had a statistically significant reduction of bone loss – 5 to 20 percent. But they had no bone loss if they received a high dose supplementation of vitamin D.

It’s well known that agriculture workers have high rates of airway inflammatory diseases including asthma-like disorders and chronic bronchitis and high rates of musculoskeletal diseases, including bone fractures.

One of the study goals was to see if high dose supplementation of vitamin D would help protect against the adverse outcomes due to inhaling dusts in the agricultural environment. Though they did find a slight effect on reducing inflammation in the lungs of mice, they found a statistically significant effect on protecting the bones.

“We found if we gave vitamin D, the mice didn’t get bone loss,” said Jill Poole, M.D., associate professor in the UNMC Department of Internal Medicine and principal investigator of the study published in the scientific journal, Immunology Research. “There was some benefit of reducing inflammation in their lungs, but it completely protected their bones. This is important because emerging data in humans suggests that generalized chronic lung inflammation is a risk factor for osteoporosis and fractures.”

Dr. Poole said she was surprised to see that lung inflammation can cause such profound bone changes.

“In the study we controlled for diet in the mice,” she said. “We know vitamin D helps bones, but it also appears to help bones in the presence of inflammation, and it had a direct effect on the bones.

“Vitamin D changes molecules that respond to the dust, and through this response, we think vitamin D may be helpful in lessening bone loss brought on by agricultural dust. My goal is to find therapies that farmers can use to reduce the consequences of agricultural dust exposure and improve their health. Musculoskeletal problems are huge.”

Dr. Poole’s message to those who work in agricultural dust environments is wear a protective respiratory equipment.

Although the study is limited because it involved mice and didn’t measure exposure over a long period of time, Dr. Poole suggests taking vitamin D.

“As a bone protective strategy, people particularly with underlying respiratory disorders and symptoms, might want to consider taking over-the-counter supplemental vitamin D3 – 2,000 to 4,000 IUs daily as long as they don’t have any other health problems,” she said. “If they do have health problems, they should first talk to their doctor before taking the vitamin.”

Dr. Poole said the mouse model in the study is the first animal model linking inhalant agriculture organic dusts to causing systemic bone deterioration.

Studies in humans are warranted to determine vitamin D levels in agricultural workers, and if vitamin D supplementation could improve health outcomes, she said.



Farmers, Homeowners Can Help Pollinators Prosper
Craig Derickson, Nebraska State Conservationist

This week is National Pollinator Week. So why do pollinators warrant their own week of celebrations? That’s easy - Food. One out of three bites of food can be attributed to these important creatures – such as bees, butterflies, moths, birds, beetles, bats, and a few other small mammals.

Pollinators provide crucial assistance to fruit, vegetable and seed crops as well as other plants that produce fiber, medicine and fuel. For many plants, without the help of pollinators, they would be unable to reproduce.

But as you may know, pollinators are in trouble. Many are seeing decreasing populations because of habitat loss, disease, parasites and pesticide use.

But there’s good news. There are simple ways you can help. It can be as easy as selecting high-quality pollinator plants for your garden. To find the best plants for your area, visit the websites of NRCS partners at the Xerces Society Pollinator Conservation Program or Pollinator Partnership.

The plight of pollinators has also gained national attention. The White House recently released its Strategy to Promote the Health of Honey Bees and Other Pollinators. The USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service plays a big role in that strategy.

If you operate a farm or ranch, NRCS can help you create habitat for pollinators. This not only benefits pollinators, but also provides ample perks for the farmers and ranchers, too. More pollinators can increase crop yields.

Pollinators can be increased by planting wildflowers in and around fields and choosing the right cover crops. NRCS offers more than three dozen conservation practices that assist in building healthier landscapes for pollinators. NRCS can also help fund the implementation of these practices.

Habitats used by pollinators attract beneficial insects (insects that eat crop pests), and they may provide habitat for other wildlife, reduce soil erosion, and improve water quality. As you can see, pollinators and healthy habitat for pollinators help keep the ecosystem healthy. In fact, if you are putting in conservation practices to prevent soil erosion or protect stream banks, consider including wildflowers, shrubs and trees that support pollinators.

Learn more about how farmers and ranchers are doing their part to aid pollinators: www.nrcs.usda.gov/pollinators.



NORTHEY TO VISIT CASS, BUENA VISTA AND O’BRIEN COUNTIES JUNE 17

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today announced that he will be visiting Cass, Buena Vista and O’Brien Counties on Wednesday, June 17.

Northey will address an FFA Field Day for the Future in Lewis, speak at the grand opening for Farm Nutrients in Rembrandt, attend an avian influenza support/prayer dinner in Albert City and speak at Iowa Corn Growers BBQ in Sheldon.

The details of the visits follow here:  Wednesday, June 17, 2015
Cass County – 12:00 p.m., speak to FFA Field Day for the Future, ISU Armstrong Research Farm, 53265 Hitchcock Ave., Lewis
Buena Vista County – 4:00 p.m., speak at Farm Nutrients grand opening, 4949 Highway 71, Rembrandt
Buena Vista County – 5:30 p.m., attend avian influenza support/prayer dinner, Sunset Park, 420 Cherry St., Albert City
O’Brien County – 7:45 p.m., speak Iowa Corn Growers BBQ, Sheldon City Park, between 4th and 6th Aves., south of Highway 18, Sheldon

Northey, a corn and soybean farmer from Spirit Lake, is serving his third term as Secretary of Agriculture. His priorities as Secretary of Agriculture are promoting the use of science and new technologies to better care for our air, soil and water, and reaching out to tell the story of Iowa agriculture.



Iowa Soybean Association to host water quality open house July 1 in Ankeny

Iowa soybean farmers invite central Iowans to take part in a water quality open house Wednesday, July 1, 3-5 p.m. at the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) campus in Ankeny.

The informal, conversational and come-and-go event will provide a unique opportunity to view technologies and on-farm practices that improve environmental performance and to visit one-on-one with the farmers who use them.

Environmental and agricultural experts also will be on hand to answer questions about nutrient management, watershed planning and water quality trends and monitoring.

“There’s a lot of conversation about water quality and progress being made by farmers to reduce nutrient and sediment movement,” said Kirk Leeds, ISA’s chief executive officer. “We welcome the dialogue and look forward to welcoming those who care about the topic as much as farmers.”

An open house, he added, provides a convenient way for central Iowans to visit with farmers about water issues, see first-hand the tools and practices they’re using on the land and to highlight the cooperative approach that’s needed to continue making progress.

Practices to be showcased include cover crops, aerial imagery, bioreactors, oxbow restoration and conservation tillage. Farmers will be available to discuss their experiences using the practices and answer questions. Tours of ISA’s accredited water quality lab will be provided and light refreshments will be served.

“The ISA is about action and there’s momentum on the side of progress as more and more farmers across Iowa participate in ISA’s water monitoring programs and adopt more conservation practices,” Leeds said. 

“Iowa farmers are committed to improving our natural resources because they want to succeed in the greatest challenge Iowa has ever faced,” he added. “We must act boldly and decisively, guided by cooperation and empowered by investments in research and technology as well as the adoption of more conservation practices in more places.”

The event is open to the public and there’s no cost to attend. Please RSVP by June 26 to Mary Whitcomb at 515-334-1027 or mwhitcomb@iasoybeans.com.



NCBA Hosts Webinar: Preparing Cattlemen for Changing Antibiotic Use Regulations

With recent guidance from the Food and Drug Administration on antibiotic use in livestock, NCBA Producer Education will be hosting a live webinar as part of the NCBA Cattlemen's Webinar Series: Preparing Cattlemen for Changing Antibiotic Use Regulations. This webinar is free for cattle producers, but space is limited.

When:  Tuesday, June 23 at 6 p.m. MST (7 p.m. CST)
Who:  Dr. Mike Apley, DVM PhD, Professor of Production Medicine and Clinical Pharmacology, Kansas State University.
Dr. Craig Lewis, DVM MPH, Veterinary Medical Officer, Food and Drug Administration Center for Veterinary Medicine.
Where:  You can register at www.BeefUSA.org. 



USDA Opens Enrollment Period for Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage Safety-Net Programs

U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced that eligible producers may now formally enroll in the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs for 2014 and 2015. The enrollment period begins June 17, 2015, and will end Sept. 30, 2015.

"The extensive outreach campaign conducted by USDA since the 2014 Farm Bill was enacted, along with extending deadlines, is central to achieving an expected high level of participation," said Vilsack. "We worked with universities to simplify these complex programs by providing online tools so producers could explore how program election options would affect their operation in different market conditions; these tools were presented to almost 3,000 organizations across the country. The Farm Service Agency also sent more than 5 million educational notices to producers nationwide and participated in over 4,880 educational events with more than 447,000 attendees. I am proud of the many committed USDA employees who worked hard over the last several months to provide producers support to help them make these important decisions."

The new programs, established by the 2014 Farm Bill, trigger financial protections for agricultural producers when market forces cause substantial drops in crop prices or revenues. More than 1.76 million farmers have elected ARC or PLC. Previously, 1.7 million producers had enrolled to receive direct payments (the program replaced with ARC and PLC by the 2014 Farm Bill). This means more farms have elected ARC or PLC than previously enrolled under previously administered programs.

Nationwide, 96 percent of soybean farms, 91 percent of corn farms, and 66 percent of wheat farms elected ARC. 99 percent of long grain rice farms, 99 percent of peanut farms, and 94 percent of medium grain rice farms elected PLC. For data about other crops and state-by-state program election results go to www.fsa.usda.gov/arc-plc.

Covered commodities under ARC and PLC include barley, canola, large and small chickpeas, corn, crambe, flaxseed, grain sorghum, lentils, mustard seed, oats, peanuts, dry peas, rapeseed, long grain rice, medium grain rice (which includes short grain and sweet rice), safflower seed, sesame, soybeans, sunflower seed and wheat. Upland cotton is no longer a covered commodity.



Sorghum Checkoff Referendum Results Resoundingly Supportive

The referendum on the continuation of the Sorghum Checkoff passed by an overwhelming 96.5 percent reported today by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Marketing Service.

“Results from the referendum indicate sorghum farmers across the nation believe in the work the Sorghum Checkoff is doing,” said Sorghum Checkoff Chairman Dale Murden. “This was a very important vote and signals the Checkoff is providing results and advancing the industry in a way that leads to farmer profitability.”

The Sorghum Checkoff referendum, hosted by USDA-AMS, was held by producer vote March 23 through April 21, 2015, and yielded 1,160 votes in favor and 42 votes against the continuation of the Sorghum Checkoff with Texas and Kansas producing the largest voter turnout. Votes were received from 18 states.

“The sorghum industry is at a turning point,” said Tim Lust, Sorghum Checkoff and National Sorghum Producers CEO, “and we’re pleased to see we have vast support from sorghum farmers who are the foundation of our industry.”

“Our organizations are working hard for the sorghum industry and the American farmer,” Lust said. “These results reaffirm positive momentum in the industry and signal we are on the track to do great things on behalf of sorghum farmers.”



National 4-H, CME Group Launch State Fair Commodity Carnival

CME Group -- the world's leading futures exchange - and the National 4-H Council -- America's largest youth development organization are partnering for a third consecutive year to bring their popular and award-winning Commodity Carnival fair experience to more than 100 state and county fairs in nine states this summer. An interactive and educational game about the business of agriculture, the Commodity Carnival teaches young fairgoers how to manage the costs and risks associated with bringing an animal - this year, a hog - to market. Beyond the fairgrounds and throughout the year, the Commodity Carnival mobile app, Risk Ranch, enables people of all ages to try their hand at agricultural risk management from their mobile devices, as well as online.

"Fairs have been mainstays of America's heartland since the 1840s, and our CME Group heritage in commodities markets goes back almost as far. We are pleased to return to these fairs with our Commodity Carnival game to teach young agriculture participants the importance of risk management," said CME Group Executive Chairman and President Terry Duffy. "With 4-H, we are able to reach young audiences and provide them the tools to kick-start their thinking about food production and the risks that farmers and ranchers face -- knowledge that will become crucial as global demand for food increases in the coming decades."

"We are constantly seeking new ways to empower and educate today's young people," said Jennifer Sirangelo, president & CEO, National 4-H Council. "The Commodity Carnival has proved an invaluable tool for expanding the agriculture and economic education of both rural and urban youth, and the game teaches elements of business that are applicable beyond farming. Our partnership with CME Group allows us a unique opportunity to prepare the next generation of farmers and business leaders for the complexities of the marketplace," Sirangelo said.

The Commodity Carnival, developed in 2013 by the Ohio State University Extension, will travel to nine states during fair season this year: Michigan, Ohio, Texas, Illinois, Minnesota, Iowa, South Dakota, Nebraska, and Wisconsin. Fairgoers also can go to www.cmegroup.com/4Hcarnival to find participating fairs that will be hosting the Commodity Carnival this summer and fall and to find out how to share their fair experiences online with 4-H fans and members, as well as fair enthusiasts across the country.

The Risk Ranch app is available all year long in any location and can be downloaded from Google Play or the App Store, or accessible from www.cmegroup.com/4Hcarnival. Since its launch, Risk Ranch has earned multiple awards -- including Best Children's App and Parents' Choice Approved Award Winner.

The partnership between CME Group and National 4-H Council is a part of CME Group's ongoing educational efforts around markets and risk management. This year, CME Group completed its 12th annual CME Group Trading Challenge, a global contest that gathered more than 500 teams of students from 37 countries to compete in a simulated trading competition. In May of this year, CME Group and Discovery Education partnered to debut Econ Essentials, a free program that explores the important and ever-changing variables that affect our global economy. The program offers free resources for high school classrooms that help teachers explain basic economic principles through the lens of energy, agricultural, and financial markets.