Tuesday June 30 USDA Acreage & Stocks Reports + Ag News

NEBRASKA ACREAGE REPORT

Nebraska corn growers planted 9.3 million acres, unchanged from last year, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Biotechnology varieties were used on 96 percent of the area planted, unchanged from a year ago. Growers expect to harvest 8.90 million acres for grain, down 1 percent from last year.

Soybean planted area is estimated at 5.2 million acres, down 4 percent from last year’s total. Of the acres planted, 95 percent were planted with genetically modified, herbicide resistant seed, unchanged from a year ago. Acres expected to be harvested are 5.15 million, down 4 percent from a year earlier.

Winter wheat seeded in the fall of 2014 totaled 1.5 million acres, down 3 percent from last year. Harvested acreage is forecasted at 1.3 million acres, down 10 percent from a year ago. 

Alfalfa hay acreage to be cut for dry hay is 800,000 acres, down 4 percent from 2014. Other hay acreage to be cut for dry hay is 1.80 million acres, up 3 percent from last year.

Sorghum acreage planted and to be planted, at 250,000 acres, is up 19 percent from a year ago. The area to be harvested for grain, at 220,000 acres, is up 38 percent from last year.

Oats planted acres increased to 110,000 acres, up 22 percent from the previous year. Area to be harvested for grain, at 30,000 acres, is up 10,000 acres from a year ago.

Dry edible bean planted acres increased to 170,000 acres, up 3 percent from last year. Harvested acres are estimated at 157,000 acres, also up 3 percent from previous year.

Proso millet plantings of 80,000 acres are down 33 percent from a year ago.

Sugarbeet planted acres, at 48,000, are down 1,000 acres from last year.

Oil sunflower acres planted decreased to 19,000, down 6,000 acres from last year. Non-oil sunflower
planted acreage is estimated at 10,000 acres, down from 1,000 acres a year ago.

Fall potato acres planted declined to 14,000 acres, down 1,000 acres from previous year. Harvested
acreage is forecasted at 13,800 acres, also down 1,000 acres from the year earlier.


Iowa Acreage Report

Corn planted for all purposes in Iowa is estimated at 13.7 million acres, up 100,000 acres from the March intentions and equal to the 2014 planted acreage according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Acreage report. Corn to be harvested for grain is forecasted at 13.3 million acres. Producers also reported the percent of genetically modified (GM) seed varieties used to plant the 2015 corn acres. The percent of corn acreage planted to insect resistant (Bt) varieties is esitmated at 5 percent, herbicide resistant only varieties were planted on 8 percent of the acres, and stacked gene varieties were planted on 80 percent of the acres. Overall, 93 percent of the corn was planted to GM seed.

Soybean acreage planted is estimated at 10.0 million acres, down 100,000 from the March intentions, but 100,000 more than the 2014 planted acreage. Soybean acreage to be harvested is forecasted at 9.92 million acres. Based on reports from producers, 96 percent of the soybean acres were planted with herbicide resistant GM seed.

Acres to be harvested for hay is estimated at 1.17 million acres, up 15,000 from the March estimate and 10,000 acres above 2014. Of the total, 820,000 acres of Alfalfa will be harvested and 345,000 acres of other hay will be cut for dry hay.

Acreage seeded to oats is estimated at 125,000 acres, down 15,000 from the March intentions and 20,000 acres below 2014. If realized, this would be the second lowest planted acreage on record for Iowa, exceeding only the 2011 record low of 120,000. Oat acreage to be harvested for grain is estimated at 55,000 acres, matching 2014 for the second lowest harvested acreage and just 5,000 more than the record low set in 2011.

Acres seeded to winter wheat last Fall is estimated at 24,000 acres, 2,000 acres below 2014. Acres to be harvested for grain is forecasted at 18,000 acres, up 3,000 from 2014.



USDA:  Corn Planted Acreage Down 2 Percent from 2014
Soybean Acreage Up 2 Percent
All Wheat Acreage Down 1 Percent
All Cotton Acreage Down 18 Percent

Corn planted area for all purposes in 2015 is estimated at 88.9 million acres, down 2 percent from last year. This represents the lowest planted acreage in the in the United States since 2010.

Soybean planted area for 2015 is estimated at a record high 85.1 million acres, up 2 percent from last year. Area for harvest, at 84.4 million acres, is also up 2 percent from 2014 and will be record high, if realized. Record high planted acreage is estimated in Kentucky, Minnesota, Ohio, Pennsylvania,
and Wisconsin.

All wheat planted area for 2015 is estimated at 56.1 million acres, down 1 percent from 2014. The 2015 winter wheat planted area, at 40.6 million acres, is down 4 percent from last year and down less than 1 percent from the previous estimate. Of this total, about 29.6 million acres are Hard Red Winter, 7.61 million acres are Soft Red Winter, and 3.44 million acres are White Winter. Area planted to other spring wheat for 2015 is estimated at 13.5 million acres, up 4 percent from 2014. Of this total, about 12.6 million acres are Hard Red Spring wheat. Durum planted area for 2015 is estimated at 1.95 million acres, up 40 percent from the previous year.

All cotton planted area for 2015 is estimated at 9.0 million acres, 18 percent below last year. Upland area is estimated at 8.85 million acres, down 18 percent from 2014. American Pima area is estimated at 148,000 acres, down 23 percent from 2014.



NEBRASKA JUNE 1, 2015 GRAIN STOCKS

Nebraska corn stocks in all positions on June 1, 2015 totaled457 million bushels, up 3 percent from 2014, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Of the total, 220 million bushels are stored on farms, up 16 percent from a year ago. Off-farm stocks, at 237 million bushels, are down 7 percent from last year.

Soybeans stored in all positions totaled 53.9 million bushels, up 46 percent from last year. On farm stocks of 15.0 million bushels are near three times more than that of a year ago, and off-farm stocks, at 38.9 million bushels, are up 18 percent from 2014.

Wheat stored in all positions totaled 17.3 million bushels, up 25 percent from a year ago. On-farm stocks of 1.1 million bushels are over three times more than that of 2014 and off-farm stocks of16.2 million bushels are up 20 percent from last year.

Sorghum stored in all positions totaled 1.58 million bushels, down 54 percent from 2014. On farm stocks of 260,000 are up 30 percent while off farm holdings of 1.32 million are down59 percent from last year.On-farm oats totaled 420,000, up 40 percent from 2014.



Iowa Grain Stocks Report

Iowa corn stocks in all positions on June 1, 2015, totaled 877 million bushels, up 20 percent from June 1, 2014,according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Grain Stocks report. Of the total stocks,55 percent were stored on-farm. The March 2015 - May 2015 indicated disappearance totaled 597 million bushels, 22 percent above the 489 million bushels used during the same period last year.

Iowa soybeans stored in all positions on June 1, 2015, totaled 126 million bushels, up 33 percent from the94.2 million bushels on hand June 1, 2014. Of the total stocks, 40 percent were stored on-farm. Indicated disappearance for March 2015 - May 2015 is 140 million bushels, 23 percent more than the 114 million bushels used during the same quarter last year.

Iowa oats stocks stored on-farm on June 1, 2015, totaled 700 thousand bushels, up 27 percent from June 1, 2014.



USDA:  Corn Stocks Up 15 Percent from June 2014
Soybean Stocks Up 54 Percent
All Wheat Stocks Up 28 Percent

Corn stocks in all positions on June 1, 2015 totaled 4.45 billion bushels, up 15 percent from June 1, 2014. Of the total stocks, 2.28 billion bushels are stored on farms, up 22 percent from a year earlier. Off-farm stocks, at 2.17 billion bushels, are up 9 percent from a year ago. The March - May 2015 indicated disappearance is 3.30 billion bushels, compared with 3.16 billion bushels during the same period last year.

Soybeans stored in all positions on June 1, 2015 totaled 625 million bushels, up 54 percent from June 1, 2014. On-farm stocks totaled 246 million bushels, up 126 percent from a year ago. Off-farm stocks, at 379 million bushels, are up 28 percent from a year ago. Indicated disappearance for the March - May 2015 quarter totaled 701 million bushels, up 19 percent from the same period a year earlier.

Old crop all wheat stored in all positions on June 1, 2015 totaled 753 million bushels, up 28 percent from a year ago. On-farm stocks are estimated at 155 million bushels, up 60 percent from last year. Off-farm stocks, at 597 million bushels, are up 21 percent from a year ago. The March - May 2015 indicated disappearance is 388 million bushels, down 17 percent from the same period a year earlier.

Old crop Durum wheat stocks in all positions on June 1, 2015 totaled 25.9 million bushels, up 20 percent from a year ago. On-farm stocks, at 10.3 million bushels, are down 20 percent from June 1, 2014. Off-farm stocks totaled 15.6 million bushels, up 79 percent from a year ago. The March - May 2015 indicated disappearance of 11.8 million bushels is down 29 percent from the same period a year earlier.

Old crop barley stocks in all positions on June 1, 2015 totaled 78.7 million bushels, down 4 percent from June 1, 2014. On-farm stocks are estimated at 20.9 million bushels, 10 percent above a year ago. Off-farm stocks, at 57.7 million bushels, are 9 percent below June 1, 2014. The March - May 2015 indicated disappearance is 39.6 million bushels, 1 percent above the same period a year earlier.

Old crop oats stored in all positions on June 1, 2015 totaled 53.7 million bushels, 117 percent above the stocks on June 1, 2014. Of the total stocks on hand, 15.1 million bushels are stored on farms, 56 percent higher than a year ago. Off-farm stocks totaled 38.6 million bushels, 157 percent above the previous year. Indicated disappearance during March - May 2015 totaled  5.71 million bushels, compared with 10.4 million bushels during the same period a year ago.

Grain sorghum stored in all positions on June 1, 2015 totaled 33.2 million bushels, down 64 percent from a year ago. On-farm stocks, at 2.92 million bushels, are down 35 percent from last year. Off-farm stocks, at 30.3 million bushels, are down 66 percent from June 1, 2014. The March - May 2015 indicated disappearance from all positions is 86.7 million bushels, up 4 percent from the same period last year.



Blu-Jet Announces New Distributor Addition - Riggins Ag

BLU-JET is proud to announce the addition of Riggins Ag Solutions as a new Fertilizer Application Equipment distributor. Riggins will cover Nebraska and Kansas, with storefronts in Mead, NE and Hastings, NE.

Riggins Ag Equipment was founded in 1988 in Missouri and has recently merged with Brokaw Supply to create Ag Solutions Group. In the new venture, John Flaugh (former President of Riggins Ag) will serve as President, and Dave Nelson (former President of Brokaw Supply) will serve as Vice President.

“By combining our more than 110 team members, it will allow us to continue to strengthen and enhance the customer experience by bringing the added value of expanded scope and reach to every sales, service, and parts interaction,” stated Nelson.

“The valued customers and partners of each dealership should see very little change in those who call on them or in processes that they are accustomed to,” affirmed Flaugh, “and if they do see changes over time, it will be with improvements that benefit them and make their experience with use even better.”



Corn Disease Update — Scouting Recommended
Larry Howard, UNL Extension Educator, Cuming County

Northern corn leaf blight (NCLB) has been confirmed in several fields in Iowa and in eastern Nebraska.   Cool to moderate temperatures and moisture favor infection by Exserohilum turcicum, the fungus causing this disease. Weather conditions, including cloudy days, moderate temperatures (64-81°F), high humidity, and frequent rainfall will favor further infection and spread of this and other fungal pathogens that survived in infected corn residue.   Like most other diseases caused by pathogens in residue, lesions may develop on the lower leaves first and continue to develop on leaves higher up the plant as long as conditions are favorable.   NCLB lesions can grow to be larger, cigar-shaped lesions with rounded ends. These can be confused with Goss's bacterial blight lesions; however, NCLB lesions can develop fungal spores that make them appear darker and/or dusty. 

Development and spread of NCLB prior to tasseling could substantially reduce corn yield, particularly as lesions develop and expand, killing leaf area that's necessary for grain fill later. It is most important to protect leaves at the ear leaf and above that contribute the most to grain fill. In some fields, the disease has already reached leaves 8-9. With the early development of NCLB now, it might be necessary to make a foliar fungicide application to slow disease spread in susceptible hybrids and protect uninfected leaf tissue.

Lesions develop several days after infection occurs.   Thus, it is possible that one to two leaves are already infected above the highest leaf on the plant that has recognizable lesions. To determine if a fungicide application is economical for you, consider:
·    corn price,
·    yield potential,
·    cost of treatment, and
·    disease severity.

Corn disease control ratings for a number of commercial fungicides were made by the multi-state Corn Disease Working Group.  These are included in the “Guide for Weed Management in Nebraska with Insecticide and Fungicide Information” EC 130 that is available at local Nebraska Extension offices.

No treatment thresholds have been established for NCLB. However, you can assess your risk for developing yield-limiting disease severity by considering the high-risk factors listed below. Having more of these high risk factors will increase the likelihood of increasing severity of NCLB and getting a return on the cost of a fungicide application:
·    Poor hybrid disease rating(s) for NCLB (consult seed catalog or company representatives for ratings)
·    Early disease development, especially during pre-tassel growth stages
·    Continuous corn
·    History of severe NCLB
·    Substantial corn residue
·    Weather forecast for humid/wet weather and moderate temperatures

Scout fields now and frequently to monitor for development of NCLB and other diseases. The NCLB rating provided by your seed company for your hybrid(s) will help you anticipate whether the disease may become severe. In fields currently affected by NCLB, it will be important to consider this disease in the future when making hybrid selections and other management decisions. Crop rotation, tillage, and other practices may be particularly helpful in these fields to break the disease cycle. For more information see Northern Corn Leaf Blight https://www.extension.purdue.edu/extmedia/BP/BP-84-W.pdf, a publication from Purdue University.



Nebraska Counties Designated as Presidential Disaster Due to May and June Storms

Farm Service Agency (FSA) State Executive Director, Dan Steinkruger, announced 12 Nebraska counties have been designated as primary natural disaster areas due to severe storms, tornadoes, straight-line winds, and flooding.  Those counties are Cass, Dundy, Gage, Jefferson, Lancaster, Lincoln, Morrill, Nuckolls, Otoe, Saline, Saunders, and Thayer.

These counties were declared a Presidential Major Disaster on June 25, 2015, based on storms occurring from May 6, 2015 to June 17, 2015.  This designation authorizes Emergency (EM) Loans for eligible producers.  Steinkruger stated, “Producers in these twelve counties are encouraged to contact their local FSA Service Center for detailed information about available programs and updated disaster designations.”

In addition to the Emergency (EM) Loan Program, the FSA has other loan programs and disaster assistance programs which can be considered in assisting farmers to recover from their losses.

Contact your local FSA Service Center or access additional information about FSA Disaster Assistance and Farm Loan programs at www.fsa.usda.gov.

While this release pertains to the availability of FSA programs, other federal agencies such as FEMA (Federal Emergency Management Agency) and SBA (Small Business Administration) may also offer assistance to the public.  Information is available from these two agencies at the following websites: www.fema.gov and www.sba.gov.



CONTROL POTATO LEAFHOPPERS IN ALFALFA
Bruce Anderson, UNL Extension Forage Specialist

               Potato leafhoppers are starting to injure alfalfa in many areas.  Scouting for these insects and protecting your alfalfa from injury may be needed in your fields.

               Potato leafhoppers are tiny, yellowish-green, wedge-shaped insects.  They blow into our region from the southeast from late spring through mid-summer.  Leafhoppers turn alfalfa yellow and stunt growth, and they especially hurt new seedlings.

               An early symptom of leafhopper damage is a triangular or V-shaped yellow or purple area at the tip of alfalfa leaves.  This discoloration is caused by a toxin the leafhopper injects into the alfalfa plant as it sucks out plant juices.  As feeding continues, the entire plant can turn yellow and growth may stop.

               Check fields at least weekly for leafhoppers before symptoms appear.  Don’t wait!  If you detect leafhoppers early and they are still present, insecticides can kill them easily.  You may need to spray a couple times, though, since leafhoppers can migrate from other fields and reinfect your sprayed field.

               However, if your alfalfa already is yellow and stunted, do not spray. Instead, first mow your alfalfa to remove affected plant tissue and to stimulate new growth.  Unmown plants might not grow much more all year, lowering yield and potentially leading to stand loss over winter.  After mowing newly seeded fields, spray insecticide when regrowth begins to protect that growth.  But don’t automatically spray established stands.  Instead, scout new regrowth at least weekly for leafhoppers.  If they reappear, then use insecticides before much damage occurs.

               More information, especially about threshold levels and insecticides to help you protect your alfalfa from potato leafhoppers is available on-line and at local extension offices.



NORTHEY ENCOURAGES FARMERS TO UPDATE INFORMATION ON IOWA HAY AND STRAW DIRECTORY

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today encouraged Iowa hay and straw producers to register or update their listing on the Iowa Hay and Straw Directory.  The directory lists Iowa producers with hay and straw for sale, as well as organizations and businesses associated with promoting and marketing quality hay and straw.

“The directory has been a great tool for both buyers and sellers and we hope farmers will take the time to review and update their information so that it remains a valuable resource,” Northey said.  “This directory can serve as a critical link for those producing hay and those looking to buy, so we encourage Iowans to take advantage of this free directory.”

The listing is available to interested buyers throughout the nation, however only sellers from within Iowa can be included on the list.

Names are gathered throughout the year with added emphasis now that hay harvest has started. Sections within the Hay and Straw Directory include “Forage for Sale,” “Forage Auctions,” “Hay Associations,” “Forage Dealers,” “Hay Grinders” and “Custom Balers.”

Farmers interested in listing should visit the Department’s website at www.IowaAgriculture.gov.  An application form can be found by going to the “Bureaus” link and then selecting “Agricultural Diversification and Market Development.”  Then click on “Hay & Straw Directory” on the right side of the page under “Directories.”

For those without internet access, please call the Hay/Straw Hotline at 800-383-5079.  The Department will fax or send a printed copy of the application to be filled out.

The Department is also supporting the Iowa Crop Improvement Association’s “Iowa Noxious Weed Seed Free Forage and Mulch Certification Program.”  Through this program Iowa forage and mulch producers can take advantage of many emerging market opportunities for “Certified Weed Free” products.  For more specific information on this program producers should contact the Iowa Crop Improvement Association at 515-294-6921.  More information can also be found by visiting http://www.iowacrop.org/Weed_Free.htm.



Iowa Extends Disaster Proclamation for Bird Flu

Iowa Gov. Terry Branstad Monday announced that he is extending the State of Disaster Emergency in response to the avian flu outbreak through July 31. This is the second extension the governor has made to the original disaster proclamation. The governor's original disaster declaration was set to expire May 31, but he extended it until July 1. The latest disaster proclamation can be read here.

The extension comes less than two weeks after Branstad requested a Presidential Disaster Designation for four Iowa counties hit by the virus. In bipartisan fashion, members of Iowa's Congressional Delegation wrote a letter to President Obama encouraging him to grant the governor's request on June 19.

The proclamation of disaster emergency does the following:

1. Activates the disaster response and recovery aspect of the Iowa Homeland Security and Emergency Management Department's (HSEMD) Iowa Emergency Response Plan.

2. Authorizes the use and deployment of all available state resources, supplies, equipment, and materials as are deemed reasonably necessary by the Iowa Secretary of Agriculture and Land Stewardship (IDALS) and Iowa HSEMD in order to do the following:

A. Track and monitor instances of confirmed highly pathogenic avian influenza throughout the state of Iowa and the country,

B. Establish importation restrictions and prohibitions in respect to animals suspected of suffering from this disease,

C. Rapidly detect any presumptive or confirmed cases of highly pathogenic avian influenza within Iowa's borders,

D. Contain the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza within our state through depopulation, disinfections, and disposal of livestock carcasses,

E. Engage in detection activities, contact tracking, and other investigatory work to stop the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza within our state, and

F. Eliminate the disease in those disaster counties where it has been found and lessen the risk of this disease spreading to our state as a whole.

3. Temporarily authorizes the Iowa HSEMD, the Iowa Department of Transportation (DOT), the Iowa Department of Public Safety (DPS), the Iowa Department of Natural Resources (DNR), Iowa Department of Public Health (IDPH), other state agencies, and local law enforcement agencies and private contractors employed by the same to remove and/or dispose of live animals and animal carcasses on publicly or privately owned land when those live animals and/or carcasses threaten public health or safety.

4. Authorizes the Iowa HSEMD, the Iowa DOT, the Iowa DPS, the Iowa DNR, IDPH, other state agencies, and local law enforcement agencies to implement stop movement and stop loading restrictions and other control zone measures as are reasonably deemed necessary, including establishing buffer zones, checkpoints, and cleaning and disinfecting operations at checkpoints and borders surrounding any quarantine areas established by the IDALS or at any other location in the state of Iowa, in order to stop the spread of this contagious disease.

5. Authorizes state agencies to assist the IDALS in disinfection, depopulation, and livestock carcass disposal efforts.

6. Temporarily waives restrictions to allow for the timely and efficient disposal of poultry carcasses.

7. Temporarily suspends the regulatory provisions pertaining to hours of service for commercial vehicle drivers hauling poultry carcasses infected with or exposed to highly pathogenic avian influenza or while hauling loads otherwise related to the response to this disaster during its duration, subject to certain conditions outlined in the disaster proclamation.



Tell Us Your Conservation Story and You Could Be a Winner

Have you moved beyond basic conservation tillage toward more sustainable practices like strip-till or no-till? Do you grow cover crops? Have you taken steps to reduce soil loss or improve water quality? Tell us about your accomplishments, and you may win a Conservation Legacy Award.

All U.S. soybean farmers are eligible to enter to win a Conservation Legacy Award. The award recognizes U.S. soybean farmers who distinguish themselves through outstanding environmental and conservation practices, while remaining profitable. Entries are judged on soil management, water management, input management, farmstead protection and conservation and environmental management. Three regional winners and one national winner are selected.

Award Winners Receive:
• An expense paid trip for two to Commodity Classic, March 3-5, 2016, in New Orleans, La.
• Recognition at the ASA Awards Banquet at Commodity Classic.
• A feature on your farm and conservation practices in Corn & Soybean Digest and a special online video.
• New – Potential opportunity to join other farmer-leaders on a trip to visit international customers of U.S. soybeans.

The Conservation Legacy Awards are sponsored by the American Soybean Association, BASF, Corn & Soybean Digest, Monsanto and the United Soybean Board/soybean checkoff.  More information on past winners of the award and how to submit your application is available here... https://soygrowers.com/award-programs/conservation-legacy/.   All applications must be submitted by Sept. 1, 2015.



Members Named to Seven Agricultural Trade Advisory Committees

U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and United States Trade Representative Michael Froman today announced the appointment of 129 private-sector members to the Agricultural Policy Advisory Committee (APAC) and six Agricultural Technical Advisory Committees (ATACs).

"USDA and USTR rely on the individuals who serve on these committees to provide their expert advice on U.S. trade policy and priorities," said Vilsack. "They are an invaluable asset as we work to enact trade agreements and trade policies that deliver the greatest economic benefit for U.S. agriculture and for our nation as a whole," Vilsack said. "The last six years have been the strongest in history for U.S. agricultural exports, with international sales of American farm and food exports totaling $771.7 billion. Those exports now support more than a million quality American jobs. As we negotiate new trade agreements in Asia and Europe we will rely on APAC and ATAC members' expertise and knowledge to bring home the best possible deals."

"The strength of our trade agenda is dependent on the advice and counsel we receive from our trade advisors," said Froman. "And, now is more important than ever as we pursue the most ambitious trade agenda ever for America's farmers, ranchers and businesses of all sizes. The individuals we are appointing today represent one of the most important sectors to America's export economy and will provide critical advice as we negotiate the Trans-Pacific Partnership, Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership, and work to expand export opportunities for American agriculture."

Congress established the advisory committee system in 1974 to ensure a private-sector voice in establishing U.S. agricultural trade policy objectives to reflect U.S. commercial and economic interests. The U.S. Department of Agriculture and the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative jointly manage the committees.

The APAC provides advice and information to the Secretary of Agriculture and the U.S. Trade Representative on the administration of trade policy, including enforcement of existing trade agreements and negotiating objectives for new trade agreements. The ATACs offer technical advice and information about specific commodities and products.

This group of committee members will serve until June 15, 2019. They will be supplemented by additional appointments over the next four years. Applications are encouraged at any time and will be reviewed periodically for additional appointments. A complete list of committee members and information about applying is available at www.fas.usda.gov/topics/trade-advisory-committees.



Handle Vaccines Properly

Maintaining herd health is of utmost importance to any successful swine operation. An infectious disease outbreak can cause economic devastation, and full recovery of a herd can take months.

“Vaccines are vital to disease prevention,” said Lucina Galina, DVM, managing veterinarian, Pork Technical Services, Zoetis. “But simply adhering to a stringent vaccination program does not ensure animals will be fully protected. Other factors contribute to a successful disease prevention program, including storing, handling and administering the product.”

Vaccine storage
Vaccines can lose their effectiveness if not stored at proper temperatures. Always store vaccines in a refrigerator with an airtight door and thermometer so the temperature can be checked regularly. For most products, the temperature should be between 35°F and 45°F.

Store vaccines in the center of the refrigerator, not in the door or at the bottom. The temperature in these areas is unstable and can affect the temperature of the vials. Place vials in order of their expiration date. Do not store other food or beverages in the refrigerator, and ensure it is cleaned monthly. Keep a record of this cleaning.

Before you vaccinate
Prior to administering vaccinations, calculate the amount of doses you will need. Inspect each vial to ensure it has not been tampered with or broken or has changed colors. Verify that it is the recommended temperature, and gently shake the vial to mix.

“The most important thing to do before you vaccinate any pigs is to assess their current health status,” Dr. Galina said. “Sick pigs might not get the full protection the vaccine offers if they already are fighting a disease or bacteria. If you have pigs that are sick, discuss the vaccination protocol with the herd veterinarian.”

In the pen
Gently shake the vial between administrations, and be careful not to contaminate the remaining doses. Use sterile or thoroughly cleaned needles to avoid transmitting the disease among animals or pens.

Use the appropriate needle based on the size of the pig. Change needles often to reduce the risk of injuries. Review the recommended pigs-per-needle guidelines with the herd veterinarian.

Safety first for you and the pigs
“Stress can reduce the immune system’s response and could result in loss of vaccine effectiveness,” said Dr. Galina. “Keep pigs calm and reduce other stress factors on the day of vaccination, such as multiple pen movements, excessive handling or transportation.”

Use proper technique to administer the vaccine in the correct area of the pig’s neck. Position the needle and syringe perpendicular to the neck.

If you accidentally inject yourself or another caregiver, thoroughly wash the wound with water, contact your doctor and report the incident to your manager and Zoetis representative.

Following protocol
Zoetis provides a full line of vaccines that help prevent disease. There also are helpful on-farm resources, such as posters that display proper handling, storing and administration techniques. Ask your local Zoetis representative how you can obtain these helpful visuals to ensure you’re providing the best disease prevention program for your pigs.



Major U.S. Livestock Producers Join Bion to Support Market-Driven Chesapeake Bay Strategy

Major producers and trade organizations in the nation’s dairy, beef, swine and poultry industries have joined together in support for Pennsylvania Senate Bill 724, Bion Environmental Technologies, Inc. (OTC QB: BNET), a provider of advanced livestock waste treatment technology, announced this week.

Pennsylvania Farm Bureau has also voiced its support of the legislation, which, when enacted, would establish a competitive bidding program to harness low-cost nutrient reductions that are projected to save Pennsylvania taxpayers $1.5 billion in annual Chesapeake Bay compliance costs.

The National Milk Producers Federation, whose cooperatives produce the majority of the U.S. milk supply, stated in a letter to Pennsylvania Governor Wolf’s administration and the Assembly leadership:

“The U.S. dairy producer community is increasingly focused on the challenge of developing cost-effective approaches to better manage nutrients, and we believe market-based programs such as this would help address these challenges. Through the concepts embodied in SB 724, Pennsylvania has the opportunity to adopt a unique approach that could serve as a model for other states.”

Mike McCloskey, a Vice Chairman of National Milk, recently testified in support of SB 724 at a PA Senate Majority Policy Committee hearing, where he stated, “This bill is extremely important to us, as a dairy industry. We have supported it as an entire U.S. dairy industry from the beginning…I assure you that your leadership will be followed by many, many states quickly, after you pass this bill. This is really the solution for farmers around the country to be innovative and become part of a solution we are not part of.” 

National Milk is joined in its support of SB 724 by other national dairy groups, including Dairy Farmers of America, Newtrient, LLC, and Land O’Lakes, who collectively represent the vast majority of the nation’s milk production and processing. Major regional dairy producers Fair Oaks Dairy and Kreider Farms, also one of the east coast’s largest egg producers, support the legislation and the market-driven voluntary strategy it represents.

JBS, the world’s largest animal protein company and second largest beef packager in the U.S., has expressed support for SB 724. Elliot Keller, General Manager of the JBS-Souderton facility, also testified at the Majority Policy Committee hearing, emphasizing that the bill would help farmers increase their herd size while meeting the ever-increasing environmental mandates from the federal government.

Pennsylvania missed its EPA-mandated 2013 targets and is projected to default on its 2017 nitrogen targets by 14.6 million pounds. A default by Pennsylvania will cascade, impacting Maryland and Virginia that are spending billions on compliance. A delegation of MD legislators recently petitioned EPA to take enforcement action against Pennsylvania for failure to comply with the mandates.  It is critical to Pennsylvania’s taxpayers that the state change its approach and get projects underway. Large scale solutions are needed to avoid the potentially severe economic sanctions for failure to meet the 2017 targets, which was described in a recent state Auditor General’s report.

Manure treatment technologies like Bion’s can produce verifiable nitrogen reductions that can be used to offset EPA mandates at approximately $8 per pound annually. The bipartisan 2013 Pennsylvania legislative study and the 2015 Maryland restoration financing strategy report estimated the average cost of alternatives at $43 to over $600 per pound annually.

Ed Schafer, Bion’s Vice Chairman and former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, said, “Much of the livestock industry and the low-cost, large-scale solutions it represents, is ready to make investments in nutrient reductions from waters flowing into the Bay. Their willing involvement will speed cleanup of these watersheds and provide dramatic savings for the taxpayer which will benefit both the industry and the consumer.

Adoption of the SB 724 strategy will create public policy that can help Pennsylvania meet Federal compliance mandates while reducing costs to the Commonwealth’s taxpayers.  Economic studies show a savings of up to $1.5B annually and also, by offsetting nutrient reduction costs, more than $100 million will flow into the agriculture and rural communities.  It is imperative for Pennsylvanians’ economy and quality of life that the Wolf administration and the legislature implement SB 724 or similar options that enable this approach to be implemented on a fast track.”