Wednesday June 24 Ag News

NEBRASKA EXTENSION TO HOST WEED MANAGEMENT FIELD DAY

Growers, crop consultants and educators are encouraged to attend Nebraska Extension's Weed Management Field Day from 8:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. July 1 at the South Central Agricultural Laboratory in Clay Center.

The field day will include on-site demonstrations of new technology and new herbicides for corn and soybeans. An early morning tour will focus on weed management in corn followed by a tour of weed management in soybeans. Field experiments will provide information for weed control options using several herbicide programs.

"Several new technologies are coming to the market, including Enlist Corn and Soybean, Roundup Ready 2 Xtend Soybean and Balance Bean," said Extension weed management specialist Amit Jhala.

The field day will provide the opportunity to see weed control and crop safety in new herbicide-resistant soybean varieties.

Three Certified Crop Advisor Continuing Education Units are anticipated in the integrated pest management category.

There is no cost to attend the field day, but participants are asked to register at http://agronomy.unl.edu/weedresistmgt.

The South Central Agricultural Laboratory is five miles west of the intersection of Highways 14 and 6, or 13 miles east of Hastings on Highway 6.



Farmland Leasing Meetings Will Increase Understanding of Rental Agreements

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is hosting multiple farmland leasing meetings during July and August at various times and locations throughout Iowa. The annual meeting is offered to address questions that land owners, tenants or other interested individuals have about leasing farmland.

“More than half of Iowa’s farmland is rented, and strong landlord/tenant relationships are important for the long-term viability of Iowa’s valuable farmland,” said Ann Johanns, program specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach. “Iowa farmland cash rental rates decreased by $14 an acre from 2014 to 2015; every district in Iowa showed a decline in reported rental values. The decreases ranged from $24 in Central Iowa to $4 in northeast Iowa. Northeast Iowa reported the highest average in 2015 at $273, and the lowest district value was $187 in south central Iowa.”

The three-hour workshop is designed to assist landowners, farm tenants and other agri-business professionals with current issues related to farmland ownership, management and leasing arrangements. Attendees will gain understanding of current cash rental rate surveys and factors driving next year’s rents such as market trends and input costs. Additional information on the 2014 Iowa State Land Value Survey, 2014 Farm Bill, flexible leases, Corn Suitability Rating Index (CSR2) and Iowa’s Nutrient Reduction Strategy will be presented.

Each registrant will receive a 100-page workbook with resources regarding land leasing agreements such as surveys, sample written lease agreements and termination forms and many other publications.

The leasing meetings being held across Iowa are facilitated by farm management specialists with ISU Extension and Outreach. A listing of county extension offices hosting the meetings will be available on the ISU Extension and Outreach online calendar for July and August, and at Ag Decision Maker.

For registration information, contact the local ISU Extension and Outreach county office. Preregistration is encouraged, as an additional $5 fee will be added if registering fewer than two calendar days before the meeting date.

The Ag Decision Maker leasing section also provides useful materials for negotiating leases, information on various types of leases, lease forms and newly updated Decision Tools.



Ricketts Comments on TPA Passage

Today, Governor Pete Ricketts and Nebraska Department of Agriculture Director Greg Ibach commented on the approval of Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) by the U.S. Senate. This vote sends TPA to President Barack Obama’s desk for his consideration.

“This is a good day for Nebraska. As I have said from the beginning of my governorship, one of my top priorities is to Grow Nebraska, and that means creating jobs and expanding businesses,” said Governor Ricketts. “Increasing exports is one way to do that. With Trade Promotion Authority now in the President’s hand, we are closer to completing trade agreements that open up more opportunities for Nebraska to increase our exports and thus grow our economy.”

“Over the past several months, I have said how important passing TPA was to Nebraska in regard to opening up more export opportunities,” continued Ricketts. “Over 20 agriculture organizations joined me in echoing that sentiment. Today’s passage of TPA in the U.S. Senate moves us a step closer to completing trade agreements that will be important to all aspects of our state’s economy. I want to thank Nebraska’s Congressional Delegation for staying united on this issue and voting yes on TPA legislation.”

“Nebraska agriculture has a great deal at stake when it comes to foreign markets,” said Director Ibach. “With over $6 billion in exports last year, including $1 billion in beef products alone, the scope of importance of trade is without question. With Trade Promotion Authority, U.S. negotiators will have more credibility to finalize negotiations on TPP and continue moving forward on T-TIP for the benefit of Nebraska agriculture and the overall economy.”

“Trade agreements provide opportunities to improve our trading relationships with many countries that already appreciate our product, as well as breaking down barriers to access markets in new countries,” Ibach continued. “In the past several years, I have had the opportunity to take part in several international trade missions on behalf of Nebraska agriculture. I know our products have the quality consumers around the globe are looking for.”



NeFBF on Senate Passage of Trade Promotion Authority
Steve Nelson, Nebraska Farm Bureau President

“International trade is vital to the future prosperity of Nebraska farm and ranch families and Nebraska’s broader economy as a whole. The Senate’s vote earlier today to send Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) legislation to the President is a step forward in ensuring Nebraska agriculture commodities and Nebraska agriculture products will have the opportunity to reach consumers beyond our nation’s borders.”

“While we are excited about the prospects of growth opportunities for Nebraska agriculture through trade agreements that will result through the passage of TPA, it’s important that we also remember trade has been, and always will be, about the opportunity to build and strengthen relationships with other nations, helping both grow our economic future and enhancing national security for our country. We thank U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer and U.S. Sen. Ben Sasse for their votes in support of TPA legislation.”

“We urge the President to move swiftly in signing TPA legislation into law so the U.S. can be a viable partner and negotiator in major trade discussions like those taking place with the Trans-Pacific Partnership, involving nations throughout the Asia Pacific region and the Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership with the European Union.”



Iowa Soybean Association recognizes U.S. Senate’s passage of Trade Promotion Authority

Tom Oswald issued the following statement as president of the Iowa Soybean Association. Oswald farms near Cleghorn in northwest Iowa...

“The U.S. Senate’s passage of legislation extending Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) to President Obama bodes well for the thousands of Iowans who depend on ag-related employment and the farm families who provide our food, fuel and fiber.

“We urge the president’s prompt signage of this important legislation. The timing is critical as farmers struggle to manage anticipated record commodity supplies with drastic declines in market prices.

“TPA is a catalyst for opening international markets for U.S. soybeans. Nearly one of every three rows of soybeans grown in Iowa are destined for export representing a value of nearly $3 billion. By reducing export barriers, new opportunities emerge for selling soybeans as well as pork, beef and other agricultural commodities to customers around the world.

“Access to international markets is critical given rising global affluence. As living standards grow, so does demand for protein. Iowa and U.S. farmers are recognized worldwide as reliable suppliers of high-quality soybeans. TPA will facilitate greater movement of U.S. domestic soybean supplies to global customers and that bodes well for Iowa’s economy.”



ASA Commends Senate on Passage of Trade Promotion Authority

The farmer leaders of the American Soybean Association (ASA) praised the Senate for a vote today that advances trade promotion authority (TPA) to President Barack Obama’s desk, and called on the president to sign the bill as quickly as possible, citing the importance of TPA in creating and strengthening international trade agreements.

“Today, the Senate voted to bring the U.S. back to the international bargaining table,” said ASA President and Texas soybean farmer Wade Cowan. “With negotiators fully equipped and empowered, we no longer have to miss out on the global network of trading partnerships that continues to grow, even in our absence.”

Cowan pointed to the importance of the Senate’s vote in moving toward finalizing negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

“Most immediately, the Senate’s vote puts us back on track in terms of finalizing a Trans-Pacific Partnership that includes vital export markets for U.S. soybeans and meats, as well as the developing markets that grow in their demand for American soy every day,” Cowan said. “We can now move to enact a high-standard TPP that further opens valuable markets and doesn’t put our farmers at a disadvantage.”

Soybeans represent the nation’s most important agricultural export, and Cowan highlighted the crucial role international trade plays in the industry, as well as the many benefits trade yields for the country.

“The U.S. exports roughly 60 percent of the soybeans we grow. That investment in overseas markets creates demand here at home, and translates to real dollars for farmers and rural communities,” Cowan said. “Plus, for the nation as a whole, trade both creates and sustains jobs. Every billion dollars in U.S. agricultural exports supports almost 7,000 American jobs. An administration equipped with TPA is better able to represent this essential component of our economy at the bargaining table, and the Senate deserves a big ‘thank you’ for helping to make it happen.”



Trade Promotion Authority Bill Goes To Obama

With today’s passage by the Senate of legislation granting the president authority to enter and finalize free trade agreements, the National Pork Producers Council called on U.S. trade negotiators to conclude the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), an Asia-Pacific regional trade deal.

Senate lawmakers voted 60-38 to approve Trade Promotion Authority (TPA), which defines objectives and priorities for trade agreements the United States negotiates and establishes consultation and notification requirements for the president to follow throughout the negotiation process. Once trade negotiators finalize a deal, Congress gets to review it and vote – without amendments – yes or no on it. Congress has granted TPA to every president since 1974, with the most recent law being approved in August 2002 and expiring June 30, 2007.



The House approved TPA last Thursday by a 218-208 vote.

“We applaud Congress for approving TPA, which is imperative for finalizing free trade agreements that boost U.S. exports and create U.S. jobs,” said NPPC President Dr. Ron Prestage, a veterinarian and pork producer from Camden, S.C. “Now we need U.S. trade negotiators to get the best deal possible from the other TPP countries and to finalize one of the most significant regional trade agreements ever.”

The TPP talks among the United States and 11 Pacific Rim countries would generate 10,000 U.S. jobs tied to pork exports, according to Iowa State University economist Dermot Hayes. The U.S. pork industry would see exponential growth in exports to the TPP countries.

“U.S. trade negotiators now have the leverage they need to close the TPP negotiations,” Prestage said. “The U.S. pork industry needs TPP to continue growing our exports.”

Since 1989 – the year the United States began using bilateral and regional trade agreements to open foreign markets – U.S. pork exports have increased 1,550 percent in value and 1,268 percent in volume. The United States shipped more than $6.6 billion of pork to foreign destinations in 2014. The U.S. pork industry ships more pork to the 20 nations with which the United States has Free Trade Agreements than to the rest of the world combined.



Senate Finalizes TPA, Sends to President's Desk
 
Today, the Senate took the final vote needed to send Trade Promotion Authority to the President for his signature. Passing by a vote of 60-38, National Cattlemen's Beef Association President Philip Ellis hails the final passage.

“NCBA appreciates the support of the Senate on final passage of Trade Promotion Authority, a fundamental step to securing future free-trade deals that will allow beef producers greater access to foreign markets. Cattlemen and women have seen tremendous value in trade, exporting over $7.1 billion worth of U.S. beef in 2014, which alone accounts for over $350 in added value per head of cattle in the United States. This value is not just from increased demand, but also from adding value to variety meats that have very limited value here at home. As the demand for U.S. beef continues to grow around the world, the future success of the beef industry rests in our ability to meet foreign demand without inference of tariff and non-tariff trade barriers. With TPA passed, the U.S. can focus on finalizing trade agreements like the Trans-Pacific Partnership that will give us greater access to consumers throughout the Pacific Rim.”



NCGA: TPA “A Huge Victory” for Corn Farmers

The National Corn Growers Association today celebrated passage of the Bipartisan Congressional Trade Priorities and Accountability Act of 2015 (TPA-2015) in the Senate, following last week’s vote in the House of Representatives.

“Today is a huge victory for America’s corn farmers and the entire agricultural industry,” said Chip Bowling, a Maryland farmer and president of NCGA. “Ag exports are a major driver of the U.S. economy, supporting more than one million jobs. With greater market access, American farmers and ranchers can do even more. Thank you to both the Senate and the House of Representatives for passing Trade Promotion Authority. We look forward to a quick signature by the President.”

“With major trade negotiations underway in the Asia-Pacific region and Europe, today’s vote could not have come at a better time. The U.S. is back in the driver’s seat, negotiating the best possible deal for American farmers and livestock producers in these and other future trade agreements,” said Bowling.

“We know TPA is critical to concluding trade agreements with Pacific Rim countries, the European Union and in other markets that represent demand for our grain over the next generation,” said Ron Gray, an Illinois farmer and chairman of the U.S. Grains Council, the corn industry’s overseas market development organization. “Trade policy that works for agriculture sets the rules of the road for our efforts around the globe. We are excited to work with negotiators to conclude these agreements and with buyers to increase their use of our products.”



Wheat Growers Commend Trade Commitment

The Senate once again affirmed its commitment to world trade today by passing legislation to reauthorize Trade Promotion Authority with a 60-38 vote. NAWG President Brett Blankenship issued the following statement:

“Wheat farmers commend the Senate and the House of Representatives for renewing their commitment to trade and reauthorizing Trade Promotion Authority. As the U.S. leads the world in wheat exports, the international marketplace is critical for the agricultural economy. This TPA vote reaffirms America’s commitment to expanding agricultural trade and provides the tools necessary to develop strong trade relationships that are crucial to the success of the U.S. wheat industry. We are grateful for the bipartisan vote and the efforts completed to move the bill to the President’s desk. We urge the President to sign the bill quickly and to utilize this authority to expand market access in Trans Pacific Partnership countries.”



Dairy Groups Commend Senate for Passing TPA Legislation, Clearing It for President’s Signature

The National Milk Producers Federation and the U.S. Dairy Export Council today thanked the Senate for passing and sending to the White House new Trade Promotion Authority (TPA) legislation.

The two dairy groups also praised Senate passage of complementary Trade Adjustment Assistance legislation to help those who lose jobs as a result of trade. They urged the House to quickly approve TAA and send it to the president as well.

NMPF and USDEC said Trade Promotion Authority is crucial to negotiating a better deal for dairy farmers in the pending Trans-Pacific Partnership, as well as in future free trade agreements. They urged the president to sign the bill, which passed the House last week, as soon as possible.

“The U.S. dairy industry has been a strong advocate for TPA,” said NMPF President and CEO Jim Mulhern. “In turn, we have seen a broad level of support for TPA from many members of Congress in dairy districts and states. TPA now must be used by our negotiators to conclude a positive outcome for U.S. dairy producers in TPP so that we are able to realize the net trade benefits that a strong agreement could offer to the industry.”

USDEC President Tom Suber added, “To remain competitive globally, our sector needs trade agreements that maximize our export opportunities across the wide range of dairy products produced in the United States. We are confident that TPA will help the United States effectively pursue that path and expect our trade negotiators to insist on nothing less than balanced agreements with positive results for our industry.”

Both groups also thanked three leading legislators — Senators Orrin Hatch (R-UT) and Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Representative Paul Ryan (R-WI) — for playing key roles in drafting and steering TPA through Congress successfully. Hatch is chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, and Wyden is senior Democrat on that committee. Ryan is chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee.

TPA, which expired in 2007, is important to the U.S. dairy industry because the United States now exports the equivalent of one-seventh of its milk production.



Biodiesel Supporters to Press EPA on Renewable Fuel Standard

Two dozen biodiesel representatives are slated to testify at an EPA hearing Thursday on the agency’s latest proposal establishing volumes under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS).

The industry leaders, coming from states across the country, planned to thank the EPA for increasing volumes in the latest proposal while calling for further growth in the final rule set to be released in November.

Bob Morton, co-owner of Newport Biodiesel in Rhode Island and a member of the National Biodiesel Board’s governing board, planned to highlight biodiesel’s success as an Advanced Biofuel under the RFS and to emphasize biodiesel’s potential for significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions under the RFS.

“We appreciate that EPA has improved the numbers and that the volumes increase with time; however, the volumes remain well below what the industry can produce and they are far from an aggressive approach to expanding biodiesel production and thereby significantly reducing greenhouse gas emissions,” Morton says in his prepared testimony. “There is little we can do regarding 2014 and 2015, but we can take a more aggressive stance in 2016 and 2017.”

NBB Vice Chairman Ron Marr, director of government affairs at Minnesota Soybean Processors, planned to emphasize the industry’s strong potential for growth with the right policy.

“Our message to EPA is simple,” Marr says in his prepared testimony. “The biodiesel industry has, can and will deliver on the goals of the RFS, particularly those for Advanced Biofuels. We are poised to expand production and continue building this industry with the right policy signals, but we need stronger biodiesel and Advanced Biofuels volumes in the final rule to make that happen.”

Made from an increasingly diverse mix of resources such as recycled cooking oil, soybean oil and animal fats, biodiesel is a renewable, clean-burning diesel replacement used in existing diesel engines without modification. It is the first and only commercial-scale fuel produced across the U.S. to meet the EPA’s definition as an Advanced Biofuel - meaning the EPA has determined that it reduces greenhouse gas emissions by more than 50 percent when compared with petroleum diesel.

Biodiesel falls under the Biomass-based Diesel category of the RFS, which is a subset of the overall Advanced Biofuels category. The EPA proposal, which is slated to be finalized in November, would gradually raise biodiesel volumes by about 100 million gallons per year to a standard of 1.9 billion gallons in 2017. Because of biodiesel’s higher energy content, this would count as 2.95 billion ethanol equivalent gallons under the RFS. The overall Advanced Biofuel standard would rise to 3.4 billion ethanol equivalent gallons in 2016. NBB had requested more aggressive growth to a biodiesel standard of 2.7 billion gallons by 2017, along with additional growth in the overall Advanced Biofuel category.

In its initial proposal in November 2013, the EPA called for holding the biodiesel standard flat at 1.28 billion gallons through 2015 – an effective cut from actual annual production in 2013 and 2014 of about 1.8 billion gallons.

Biodiesel is produced in nearly every state in the country and is supporting more than 62,000 jobs.



'Rally for America' Thursday at Kansas City EPA Hearing

Scores of corn growers and ethanol supporters from more than a dozen states will converge on Kansas City, Kan., Thursday. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will hold a public hearing on its proposal to slash nearly 4 billion gallons of corn-based ethanol from the Renewable Fuel Standard through 2016.

Members of the Missouri Corn Growers Association, Kansas Corn Growers Association, Iowa Corn Growers Association, Nebraska Corn Growers Association, National Corn Growers Association, Renewable Fuels Association, Growth Energy, local ethanol plants and other industry partners, are coming together to show EPA that rural America supports renewable fuels.

The EPA is hosting a public hearing regarding the proposed decrease in renewable fuel levels. The hearing begins at 9:30 a.m. A Rally for Rural America will be held in conjunction with this hearing. It begins at 11:30 a.m. at the Jackson Reardon Center, 520 Minnesota Ave., Kansas City, Kan.

Officials slated to attend the rally include: Iowa Governor Terry Branstad; Missouri Governor Jay Nixon; Missouri Director of Agriculture Richard Fordyce; Missouri Corn CEO Gary Marshall; Missouri Corn Growers Association President Kevin Hurst; Tom Buis, Growth Energy CEO; Geoff Cooper, Renewable Fuels Association; and National Corn Growers Association President Chip Bowling.



Ethanol Stocks Plummet, Output Climbs

Ethanol stocks in the United States fell by nearly 900,000 barrels (bbl), or 4.3%, to a 5-1/2 month low of 19.8 million bbl in the week-ended June 19, trimming the nation's year-over-year surplus to 1.7 million bbl, or 9.1%, according to a report released Wednesday, June 24, by the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

The EIA report also showed domestic production increased 14,000 barrels per day (bpd), or 1.4%, to a record high of 994,000 bpd last week. Year-over-year output was up nearly 6.0%.

Blender inputs, a gauge for ethanol demand, eased from a record high last week, falling week-on-week by 10,000 bpd, or 1.1%, to 902,000 bpd, while 1.2% higher year over year.

EIA data showed implied demand for gasoline continued to be volatile, spiking 479,000 bpd to 9.655 million bpd last week, while up 9.6% year over year.



Department of Energy Invests in the Future of Sorghum

The U.S. Department of Energy has recently announced it will be investing $30 million in sorghum research through the Transportation Energy Resources from Renewable Agriculture (TERRA) program, one of two new programs providing a more secure and sustainable energy future.

"This investment is critical for the sorghum industry's future," said J.B. Stewart, National Sorghum Producers Board Chairman. "Producer investments alone cannot move the industry forward. We must have government and private industry investment. We applaud DOE for making such a vital commitment to our rapidly growing industry."

The TERRA program seeks to develop technologies that can increase the precision, accuracy and throughput of energy crops breeding. Doing so will enable more detailed measurements of phenotyping, plant physiology and more sophisticated bioinformatics for gene discovery and trait association.

"This underscore's something we strongly believe in," said Clayton Short, Renewables Committee Chair for the United Sorghum Checkoff Program. "Sorghum is a genetically diverse crop ripe for improvement. The DOE realizes this and we are excited to see what additional opportunities this leads too."

This is one of the largest investments the sorghum industry has seen to date and will have a significant impact on the future of sorghum. A total of six projects were funded through the DOE at universities and research institutions across the nation. The project locations are Clemson University, Purdue University, Texas A&M AgriLife Research and Extension, University of Illinois, Pacific Northwest National Laboratory and the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center.

NSP and the Sorghum Checkoff continue to invest in relationships with DOE, private industry and researching universities and will keep members updated as research progresses and results are published.



Improved Grazing Conditions Limit Lightweight Placements
Tim Petry, Livestock Economist, North Dakota State University Extension Service

USDA-NASS released the monthly Cattle on Feed Report on June 19. Cattle and calves on feed for slaughter market in the U.S. for feedlots with capacity of 1,000 or more head totaled 10.6 million head on June 1, 2015. That number was 0.6% higher than last year, and just under the average 0.9% increase that a pre-report survey of market analysts expected.

A question that has surfaced the last couple of years is how can cattle on feed numbers be above previous years when the cow herd was declining with smaller calf crops being produced. Now that beef herd rebuilding has started the same question relates to the increased heifers that are being retained for breeding purposes and not entering feedlots.

Several contributing factors have enabled feedlots to maintain cattle on feed inventories. Record high feeder cattle prices and the increasing $US value have caused increasing imports from Mexico and Canada. Demand for dairy steer calves by the beef feedlot industry has increased, and resulted in declining calf slaughter throughout 2014. That trend is continuing in 2015.  Furthermore, lower feed costs and the record high feeder cattle prices have caused cattle to be kept in feedlots longer and fed to record high weights. A result is more stability in inventories but decreased marketings from feedlots.

That was evident in the report, where marketings of fed cattle during May totaled 1.711 million head, 8.3% below 2014. May marketings were the lowest since NASS started the series in 1996. Marketings were very close to the pre-report survey of analysts.

Placements into feedlots during May totaled 1.714 million head, 10.2% below 2014. Improved moisture conditions in much of the U.S., with the far western states certainly the exception, contributed to the decline in placements in a couple of ways. First, producers that were forced to liquidate cows due to drought are now keeping more heifers for replacement purposes. Second, the improved grazing conditions allow the lighter-weight feeder cattle to stay on pasture and not be marketed. For example 355,000 head in the under 600 lb category were placed on feed compared to 435,000 last year, an 18.4% decline. Placements weighing 600-699 lbs were down 10.3%, with 700-799 lbs down 17.9%, while the over 800 lb category was the same as last year.

Each Monday afternoon from May through October, USDA-NASS releases pasture and range conditions by state in its weekly Crop Progress report. A percentage rating in categories of very poor, poor, fair, good, and excellent is reported. The latest report for the week ending June 21 showed 65% of pastures and ranges in the U.S. where rated good to excellent. That compares to 55% last year. In North Dakota, where I am, 79% were rated good and excellent. Oklahoma, which has been suffering with dry conditions for several years, has received beneficial moisture this year and now has a 68% rating of good and excellent. Contrast that to drought stricken California with only 35% of pastures and ranges reported good and excellent.



Fertilizer Prices Stuck in Neutral

Retail fertilizer prices remain steady, according to dealers tracked by DTN for the third week of June 2015. No fertilizers were substantially lower or higher compared to a month earlier, the same neutral position markets have registered for several months.

Five of the eight major fertilizers were lower in price compared to a month prior, but again these moves to the low side were fairly minor. Potash averaged $490 per ton, 10-34-0 $642/ton, anhydrous $706/ton, UAN28 $330/ton and UAN32 $369/ton.

Three fertilizers edged higher compared to the previous month, but the move was slight. DAP averaged $571/ton, MAP $597/ton and urea $467/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.51/lb.N, anhydrous $0.43/lb.N, UAN28 $0.59/lb.N and UAN32 $0.58/lb.N.

Only one of the eight major fertilizers is double digits higher in price compared to June 2014, all while commodity prices are significantly lower from a year ago. 10-34-0 is still 14% higher compared to last year.

Two fertilizers are slightly more expensive compared to a year earlier. Both potash and anhydrous are 1% more expensive compared to last year.

The remaining five nutrients are now lower compared to retail prices from a year ago. DAP is 4% less expensive, MAP is 5% lower, UAN28 is down 7%, UAN32 is now 8% less expensive and urea is 13% less expensive from a year earlier.



National FFA Organization’s Washington Leadership Conference Teaches Importance of Growth, Leadership, Community Service

Thousands of FFA members from throughout the country are converging on Washington, D.C., this summer to analyze their personal skills and interests, develop leadership skills and create a meaningful community-service plan that will make a difference in their home communities.

More than 2,100 students are registered for the 2015 Washington Leadership Conference, the second-largest student experience that the National FFA Organization hosts each year. Created in 1969 and held annually in Washington, D.C., this year’s conference began June 2 at the Omni Shoreham.

Through July 26, FFA members will spend a week under the guidance of educational professionals, counselors and professional FFA staff. In workshops, seminars and small groups, students will focus on identifying and developing their personal strengths and goals and undergo comprehensive leadership training that will help them guide their local FFA chapters.

Students will also analyze the needs of their communities back home, develop a wide-ranging and high-impact community-service initiative and implement their plan with the help of their FFA chapter upon return home. Students in recent years have organized food and clothing drives, volunteer campaigns, educational outreach initiatives and more.

“Students who attend the Washington Leadership Conference learn their purpose, how to value people, how take action and the importance of serving others,” National FFA Organization CEO Dr. Dwight Armstrong said. “They leave with the knowledge and the confidence to act in ways that help their schools, communities and their country.”

During their time in Washington, FFA members will experience the history of the nation’s capital, touring landmarks including the Washington Monument, War Memorial, the National Mall, Arlington National Cemetery and the U.S. Capitol, among others. Many students also arrange meetings with members of Congress.

Agricultural education teachers attend the conference as well, learning how to motivate and help develop their students’ personal growth and leadership potential and how they can help maximize their local FFA chapters’ community-service initiatives throughout the year.

At the conclusion of each weekly session is a civic engagement activity where participants apply what they have learned at the conference to a real, hands-on service activity. In a partnership with Meals of Hope, students will pack approximately 60,000 highly palatable meals that will be delivered directly to the food insecure of Washington, D.C. Meals will include an oatmeal apple cinnamon mix as well as fortified macaroni and cheese.

The 2015 National FFA Organization's Washington Leadership Conference is sponsored through the National FFA Foundation by title sponsors Monsanto and CSX and by weekly sponsors TransCanada, Crop Production Services, Farm Credit and BNSF. For more, visit www.FFA.org.



 NFU Applauds Sen. Stabenow for Working Towards a Solution on COOL

National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson applauded Michigan Senator Debbie Stabenow (D) for her efforts to advance the stalemate on Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) with the release of her draft bill that would make COOL voluntary for beef and pork.

“NFU has always fought for and deeply believes in mandatory COOL because it is in the best interest of both producers and consumers. We also recognize that Congress has faced tremendous pressure to cave into Canada and Mexico’s demands, even though there are likely several months of the WTO process remaining,” said Johnson.

The bill, if enacted, should resolve the current dispute against COOL at the World Trade Organization (WTO) by both Canada and Mexico.  “A voluntary approach for beef and pork is a prescriptive solution to a very narrow problem identified by the World Trade Organization,” he said. “Furthermore, this approach is in concert with Canada’s own voluntary meat labeling process.”

“Despite strong public support for food labeling, some members of Congress are eager to repeal this law. NFU vehemently opposes repeal,” said Johnson.  “We thank Senator Stabenow for her leadership and insight on this issue. While NFU is not pleased that Congress is intervening in the WTO process, this approach is much improved from the House bill that would repeal COOL even beyond the scope of the WTO dispute,” he said. 



AGree Report Calls for Food & Ag Research Reform

AGree today unveiled a comprehensive report on food and ag research, Research & Innovation: Strengthening Agricultural Research, which includes nine recommendations to strengthen the impact of public research dollars by reforming the system and also makes the case for increased research funding. As a driver of innovation, research is essential to face down the consequential challenges of our time, ranging from water shortages to animal diseases, while also bolstering the U.S. economy. Targeting, tracking, and transparently sharing vital food and ag research will maximize the return on investment and build support for increasing that investment.

“We need to make a smart investment even smarter,” said Deborah Atwood, Executive Director of AGree. “The need to modernize our research system has long been discussed behind closed doors – now it’s time to have an open national conversation about needed changes.”

Sen. Debbie Stabenow, ranking member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, said, “Our nation’s agriculture industry is the most innovative and productive in the world largely because of our commitment to research. These recommendations underscore the importance of that investment.  That’s why I am proud of the work we did the Farm Bill by creating the new Research Foundation.  It is through these types of public-private partnerships, in addition to other smart strategies and targeted investments, that American agriculture will remain the gold standard throughout the world.”

Dan Glickman, AGree Co-Chair and former U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, said, “Important progress has been made in recent years to bolster food and ag research. Now we need to maximize return on the dollar, which begins with Congress holding a series of oversight hearings examining long-established federal funding models with fresh eyes. I’m pleased with the interest we’ve received from the Hill and eager to move this ball forward.”

Kathleen Merrigan, AGree Co-Chair and former U.S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, said, “Laser focus is needed to address the consequential challenges and opportunities facing the food and ag sector. Issues ranging from water shortages to antibiotic use and from nutrition to animal diseases demand sharply-focused, well-funded research. We need increased investment in food and ag research while we pursue opportunities to strengthen the research enterprise through reforms.”

Jim Moseley, AGree Co-Chair, former U.S. Deputy Secretary of Agriculture, and a long-time farmer noted, “The ag sector is constantly evolving, often driven by an innovative idea that requires validation by research. This direct correlation between research and our pace of progress across the food system – from natural resource management to consumer purchasing habits – should inspire a collective commitment to modernize our public research system.”

Emmy Simmons, AGree Co-Chair and former Assistant Administrator for Economic Growth, Agriculture and Trade for the U.S. Agency for International Development, said, “It is breathtaking to consider the increased impact we could have globally if we leverage every ag research dollar. Whether it’s addressing hunger or helping to grow stable economies on a foundation of dynamic agricultural development, research and innovation are critical to achieving the results that will assure our global future.”

The recommendations were developed based on meetings held across the country throughout a two year period involving more than 100 people. They were further informed by five Point of View papers commissioned by AGree, and guided by the direct engagement and insight of AGree Co-Chairs and Advisors.  They are:

    Scrutinize and modernize federal funding mechanisms for public research, education, and extension to foster innovation and maximize public benefits.

    Review and reset publicly-funded research priorities periodically, employing a transparent process with input from multiple stakeholders and end users to ensure that funds are focused on high-impact areas.

    Minimize duplicative efforts and unnecessary costs by assessing the existing research infrastructure and improving grant monitoring and tracking systems.

    Target public research funding to areas unlikely to be addressed by private industry.

    Increase Congressional oversight of the U.S. agricultural research enterprise.

    Make data, information, and findings from publicly-funded research accessible.

    Strengthen the role of the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Chief Scientist to help ensure the U.S. continues to serve as a global leader on food and agricultural research and innovation.

    Integrate research, education, and extension activities to promote coordination across each of these three interconnected elements at the university level.

    Maintain U.S. leadership and engagement in international food and agricultural research.

AGree’s next steps include convening a diverse coalition of thought leaders to coalesce around smart, long-term changes to the public food and agricultural research enterprise. AGree will also build partnerships to advocate for near-term changes to include re-examining USDA’s Research, Education and Economics (REE) mandate and practices. Finally, AGree stands ready to strengthen the ability of the new Foundation for Food and Agricultural Research (FFAR), outlined in the 2014 Farm Bill, to effectively engage multiple stakeholders in identifying research priorities and public-private partnership opportunities.



THE CLIMATE CORPORATION ANNOUNCES RECORD ADOPTION OF DIGITAL AGRONOMIC SERVICES PLATFORM

Today, The Climate Corporation, a division of Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON), announced that farmers have mapped more than 75 million row crop acres in their digital agriculture platform, up from 50 million acres in 2014. This significant acre adoption represents nearly 45 percent of all corn and soybean acres planted in the U.S. The company’s digital agriculture platform includes Climate Basic™, Climate Pro™ and FieldView® from Precision Planting. The company also announced Climate Pro, their premium web and mobile product offering, has grown considerably from its initial launch from 1 million acres last year to more than 5 million acres this year across the U.S.

Together these tools provide one account with multiple product offerings and access points. The farmer can log in on a tablet from his tractor, on a mobile phone as he scouts his fields, or on his desktop computer.

The company emphasized the importance of farmer adoption to the future success of this emerging platform. “The interest we’ve seen from farmers this year in our digital platform reinforces the impact these tools ultimately can have on our industry,” said Mike Stern, President and Chief Operating Officer for The Climate Corporation. “We want to be the digital platform of choice for farmers, and our growth this year is evidence that we’re well on that path,” said Stern.

Tim Malterer farms in Janesville, Minnesota and has experienced The Climate Corporation’s digital platform firsthand. “I have been using FieldView from Precision Planting on my farm for three years, and Climate Pro for two years, and I can’t even count the numerous insights these two products have brought to my operation,” said Malterer. “We have had great success using the Nitrogen Advisor in Climate Pro so far and are excited to utilize it to better manage how much nitrogen we need on a field-by-field basis. I am very excited as we move forward to see what new insights this unique technology will bring to my farm, and to watch it adapt and grow as my operation grows.”

Backed by the most powerful data science engine and extensive field trial network in the agriculture industry, the Climate Technology Platform™ combines data science with field science to feed and validate the predictive models that power the tools offered through the company’s digital ag platform. This season, The Climate Corporation has field experiments on more than 25,000 acres in 17 states across the U.S., including four Climate Research Farms across key corn growing states.

“As we continue to expand the extensive data and field science engine that powers our digital tools, we see tremendous potential for this platform to grow, providing additional solutions for farmers that help them increase production and use resources more efficiently,” Stern added.

To learn more about the services offered by The Climate Corporation, visit www.climate.com.