Cooperators Needed for UNL Extension On-Farm Research Studies
Keith Glewen, UNL Extension Educator, Saunders County
Farm operators and industry representatives interested in evaluating the performance of in-fields applications of fungicides, micronutrients and growth promotors in corn and soybean production can contact the Nebraska On-Farm Research Network to learn how this can be done using their own equipment or by aerial application. Contact Nebraska Extension Educators, Laura Thompson @ laura.thompson@unl.edu Nathan Mueller @ nathan.mueller@unl.edu or Keith Glewen @ kglewen1@unl.edu Information is also available at http://cropwatch.unl.edu/farmresearch.
NEBRASKA EXTENSION OFFERS CROP MANAGEMENT CLINICS
Agribusiness professionals and crop producers will take a close look at field conditions, research and techniques during the University of Nebraska's Crop Management Diagnostic Clinics.
The 2015 clinics include: July 14, precision agriculture; July 15, mid-summer diagnostic clinic; Aug. 26, physical, chemical and biological properties of soil; and Aug. 27, late season clinic.
"Benefits of the crop management and diagnostic clinics include one-on-one attention, on-site plot demonstrations, interaction with other participants, discussions about cutting-edge research and an opportunity to earn continuing education credits through the Certified Crop Adviser (CCA) program," said Keith Glewen, Nebraska Extension educator.
> July 14 topics include: Thermal Infrared Imaging for High Spatial and Temporal Resolution of Crop Water Stress Monitoring of Corn; Mobile Apps for Crop Production; Project SENSE, Demonstrating In-Season Crop Canopy Sensor Based N Application; Pesticide Spray Application Considerations; Technologies for Improving In-Season Applications; Technologies for In-Season Crop Scouting; and Future Agricultural Data Collection, Management and Usage. Seven and a half CCA credits are available.
> July 15 topics include: Weed Control; Insect Scouting in Traited and Untraited Corn; Nematodes and Diseases of Corn and Soybean; How Water Quality Issues Could Change the Nebraska Landscape; The Herbicide Mode of Action Challenge; and Early Season Hail Damage in Corn. Eight and a half CCA credits are available.
> Aug. 26 topics include: Management Considerations to Improve the Physical, Chemical and Biological Properties of Soil; Measuring Bulk Density, Porosity and Infiltration; Physical Soil Properties; Cover Crops for Improving the Soil; What is Soil Biology?; Soil Characteristics, Productivity and Landscape Position; and Chemical Soil Properties. Seven and a half CCA credits are available.
> Aug. 27 topics include: Late Season Disease Diagnosis and Update; Double Duty Cover Crops: Improving the Soil and Producing Forage; Applied Soybean Physiology: Why Soybeans Do What They Do; The Future of Row Spacing and Corn Plant Populations; Evaluating Hail Damage in Corn; and Crop Scene Investigation (CSI). Nine CCA credits are available.
The clinics begin with 7:15 a.m. registration at the Agricultural Research and Development Center near Mead and start at 8 a.m. Participants will meet at the August N. Christenson Research and Education Building.
Early registration is recommended to reserve a seat and resource materials. Cost for one clinic is $170 for those registering at least one week in advance and $220 after.
For more information or to register, contact Nebraska Extension CMDC Programs, 1071 County Road G, Ithaca, NE 68033, call (800) 529-8030, fax (402) 624-8010, e-mail cdunbar2@unl.edu or visit the http://ardc.unl.edu/training.shtml.
Current National Drought Summary - July 2, 2015
A strong ridge over the west and a deep trough over the east dominated the weather this past week. Record high temperatures were recorded over much of the west, with many locations reaching temperatures in the 110 degree range during the week. The heat along with very dry conditions over the last 30 days has elevated the fire risk over much of the west. From the Midwest into New England, several storms tracked through the region, bringing rain to much of the area. Some areas of the Midwest recorded more than 5 inches of rain in the last week. Along with the rain, cooler than normal temperatures prevailed. Spotty convective precipitation was common in the southeast, where temperatures were above normal this week. Rain in Texas helped to keep this area cooler than normal for the week. Much of the central plains was dry and warmer than normal into the Dakotas.
Great Plains
This was a fairly dry week over the region, with just spotty precipitation along the foothills in Colorado, the Panhandle of Nebraska, and into southwestern South Dakota as well as west Texas. Except for the areas that received the most rain, temperatures were above normal in most places with departures of 2-4 degrees above normal. There were not any changes in the regional drought depiction this week.
Midwest
A wet and cool week over the region brought heavy rain from Iowa to Ohio. The last several weeks have been wet enough to allow improvements over Kentucky, Indiana, Ohio, and Minnesota. For Kentucky, a full category improvement was made in the northern, central, and eastern portions of the state. D0 was removed from Indiana and Ohio while the D0 in northern Minnesota was reduced in size. The wet and cool weather has caused numerous planting delays, especially for soybeans.
ADM & QLF Form Liquid Feed Joint Venture
Archer Daniels Midland Company and Quality Liquid Feeds, Inc. announced that the two companies have entered into a 50-50 joint venture for the production and sale of liquid feed supplements for livestock. The joint venture consists of four liquid feed production facilities formerly owned by ADM-in Twin Falls, Idaho; Billings, Montana; Fremont, Nebraska; and Johnstown, Colorado-as well as the Loomix brand.
The new venture, which will be called Alliance Liquid Feeds, will serve portions of the Western United States. Quality Liquid Feeds continues to be owned by the Berg family and will continue to market QLF-branded liquid feed supplements out of their 12 facilities in the Midwest, East and Southwest United States.
"One of the ways we are increasing earnings power at ADM is by partnering with other great companies," said Brent Fenton, president, ADM Animal Nutrition. "In this case, we're joining with a strong partner in QLF, which allows us to expand our capabilities while simultaneously reducing the capital we have invested in the liquid feed business. Customers will benefit from the combined expertise, resources and efficiency of the joint venture, and our shareholders will benefit from the improved returns we expect from the business. And by combining resources, we expect to see significant advancements in operational efficiencies, from capital reduction to supply chain enhancements to sales/margin improvements."
QLF CEO Cory Berg said the venture allows them to expand into markets that they had their sights on for a number of years.
"The new company will benefit from QLF's expertise and 38 years of experience producing and supplying liquid feed 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year," Berg noted. "At the same time, it provides us a strong partner in ADM, with its overwhelming supply of ingredients, experience and knowledge in supply chain management, research, and industry connections."
Existing Loomix customers will see a seamless transition as the new business continues to offer high-quality products, strong customer service and, eventually, new products.
Wilbur-Ellis Acquires The Seed House in Nebraska
Wilbur-Ellis Company's Agribusiness Division, which has extensive business enterprises in precision agriculture technology and the distribution and marketing of plant protection, seed and nutritional products, announced it has acquired the assets of The Seed House Inc., a professional seed company located in O'Neill, Neb.
The Seed House supplies row crop and cover crops seeds to local growers and agribusiness retailers. The acquisition will strengthen Wilbur-Ellis' position in the seed market in the Midwest. The Seed House will continue to operate under its current name.
"The Seed House and its staff have built a quality business that aligns well with Wilbur-Ellis' growth plans in the seed arena," said David Ferrell, national director, seed technology for Wilbur-Ellis. "Their team shares similar values to our company, including a dedication to helping customers. We look forward to building on the strengths and professionalism that they have already established, along with introducing new tools to help their customers succeed in this rapidly changing and challenging agricultural climate."
Don O'Bryan, co-owner of The Seed House, will continue to serve as the manager for the business, noted Ferrell.
SINGLE WIRE CROSS FENCES
Bruce Anderson, UNL Extension Forage Specialist
Cross fences are one of my favorite tools. They are a major part of grazing management packages and are especially valuable in situations like drought or stockpiling.
I like cross fences. They give us a method to control when and where our animals graze and, maybe more importantly, when and where they don’t graze.
But when I say cross fence, what do you visualize? Maybe it’s your opinion that the only fence worth having is a 4-strand barbed wire fence. Or maybe two or three electric smooth wires will do.
What about a single electric hot wire cross fence? I use this type of cross fence most of the time. For several reasons. For starters, they’re cheap. Sometimes it doesn’t cost a thing, except for electricity, if using the wire and posts and charger that are used around corn stalk fields during winter. But even if you buy new wire and posts and leave them in place permanently, the cost is small.
Secondly, they’re easy to build and take down. No scratches from barbed wire. No multiple trips back and forth to put up each wire and stretch it tight enough. No worry about crossing or tangling wires. And most important of all, they work! At least most of the time.
Single wire cross fences aren’t fool proof. In tall grass, it might not be seen. I add an electric tape sometimes for visibility. A second wire might be needed for grounding when it’s dry. Also, deciding the height can be tricky. High enough for calves to walk under? If lower, what happens when a calf gets pushed to the other side? And on uneven ground, you might need extra posts or a second wire to avoid gaps.
Yes, cross fences are a great tool. But sometimes deciding what type to build is the biggest challenge.
DELEGATES SELECTED TO ATTEND THE 44th ANNUAL NAYI
The Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) today announced the selection of nearly 190 Nebraska high school juniors and seniors to attend the 44th annual Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute (NAYI) next week from July 6-10 on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s East Campus.
“This is one of the largest NAYI delegations in the 44-year history of the Institute,” said NDA Director Greg Ibach. “NAYI is designed to educate youth about agriculture, how to get involved in the agricultural industry, as well as about the numerous career opportunities available to them in the future. The week also will provide the delegates an opportunity to network with industry leaders, top-notch speakers, and agricultural representatives.”
During the five-day Institute, the delegates will participate in agriculture policy discussions, agricultural career explorations, and group discussions. Motivational speakers, a farm management program, and a media experience will help the delegates develop leadership potential, strengthen their pride in Nebraska’s agricultural industry and enable them to help tell the story of agriculture, Ibach said.
Since its inception in 1971, NAYI has reached well over 5,000 youth from across Nebraska. The Institute is the longest-running agricultural youth institute of its kind in the nation. Delegates are able to attend the Institute free of charge because of the generous donations of numerous agricultural businesses, commodity groups and agricultural organizations.
First Name Last Name Hometown
Manuel Acosta Bayard
Jack Allen Elm Creek
Dalton Anderson Virgina
Eleanor Aufdenkamp North Platte
Caleb Bauer McCool Jct.
Scott Benes Valparaiso
Kenedy Biltoft Hartington
Sydney Boden Ord
Hannah Borg Allen
Cooper Breinig Arapahoe
Marlys Brenning Culbertson
Mitchell Brester Dodge
Dannyl Bromander Eustis
Morgan Brown Henderson
Paige Bruns Springview
Luke Burbach Hartington
Kortini Burnett Shelton
Danea Buschkoetter Campbell
Emmet Caldwell Edgar
AJ Carlson Loomis
Allysa Catt Panama
Fina Choat St. Edward
Logan Cloudt Blair
Kailey Conway Campbell
Bailey Cooper McCook
Christy Cooper Waverly
Cash Cosgrove Bassett
Chris Coulter Bassett
Hanna Cronk Page
Jordan Crosley Wilsonville
Madison Crowe McCook
Alex Cumming St. Edward
Brooke Dahlkoetter Ashland
Sarah Dannehl Bertrand
Margaret Derr Amherst
Claire Dressman Superior
Ellie Dupree Elm Creek
Ben Dush Elba
Erika Eckhardt Sterling
Haley Ehrke Orleans
Justin Evert Dodge
Colton Fangmeier Hebron
Kyra Farmer Linwood
Rodger Farr Curtis
Olivia Fiala Ulysses
Emma Franklin Wallace
Brody Garner York
Joshua Garner York
Cheyenne Gerlach De Witt
Sydney Glatter Sumner
Juan Gomez Wallace
Christina Grubbs Harrisburg
Kaitlyn Hanvey Center
Jessica Hartman Champion
Jesse Havenridge Franklin
Craig Hebda Silver Creek
Grant Hedba Silver Creek
Darren Hegemann Howells
Hunter Helman David City
Justin Henry North Platte
Jordan Henry Cozad
Whitney Heuermann Central City
Megan Homolka Swanton
Josh Hornung Davey
Hannah Hosick Curtis
Clarissa Hunt Kearney
Ryan Husa Liberty
Shane Jiskra Swanton
Gabrielle Joe Bruning
Catherine Jones Bellevue
Madison Jones Papillion
Nataline Jones Stapleton
Kacie Jurgens Miller
Logan Kalkowski Omaha
Jeffrey Katz Springfield
Marissa Kegley Kearney
Anna Kelley Papillion
Cheyenne Kems Yutan
Stephanie Kersten Gretna
Jacob Klingelhoefer Amherst
Vanessa Knutson Palmyra
Amanda Kowalewski Gothenburg
Wyatt Kowalski Wilber
Gage Kraeger Avoca
Ronald Kramer West Point
Sean Krebs Clearwater
Emily Lambrecht Pierce
Camille Larson Plattsmouth
Allyson Lawson Hayes Center
Kaitlyn Lennemann Stamford
Cadrien Livingston Orchard
Michaela Marcy Holdrege
Heather Martin Ainsworth
Lani Martin Pleasanton
Nicolas Maughan Meadow Grove
Rebecca McKay Pender
Charles Metzger Lincoln
Brent Miller Lyons
McKayla Mogensen Cedar Rapids
Allyson Mohr Kennard
Rio Mohrmann Deshler
Zack Moore Bartley
Matthew Morton Nehawka
Tyler Morton Fremont
Megan Murdoch Nehawka
Bryan Murphy Tecumseh
Laura Nelms Benkelman
Nick Nelson Ceresco
Ashley Neujahr Lincoln
Katie Nolles Bassett
Hailey Paxton Stuart
Kylie Peter Trenton
Bailey Petersen Miller
Kara Philips Bertrand
Amanda Pischel O'Neill
Rudy Pooch Tecumseh
Emily Puls Emerson
Michael Purcell Cook
Matthew Rahjes Elwood
Halle Ramsey Sidney
Regan Rasmussen Riverdale
Paige Reimers Boelus
Kayla Reynolds Litchfield
Ellen Rice Murray
Elizabeth Ruskamp North Bend
Savannah Schafer Nehawka
Jaythan Scheideler Scotia
Wyatt Schiermeyer Geneva
Jacob Schlick Fairfield
Lauren Schmidt Deshler
Payton Schmidt St. Paul
Mirissa Scholting Louisville
Ryan Schroeder Wisner
Hunter Schroeder West Point
Brayden Schultis Plymouth
Tayma Sebek Hampton
Hannah Settje Raymond
Jayde Shankland Bassett
Mickayla Sheets Wallace
Andi Shellhase Ord
Renae Sieck Martell
Trevor Smith Oxford
Jaydn Smith Grand Island
Kevin Sousek Malmo
Jack Spilker DeWitt
Miles Stagemeyer Page
Blake Stengel Shickely
Nicole Strand Wauneta
Grant Suddarth York
Jonathan Swanson Wahoo
Jessica Swantek Genoa
Collin Swedberg North Platte
Sheridan Swotek Lincoln
Garret Talcott Bennet
Sydney Taubenheim Amherst
Kaitlin Taylor Holdrege
Jack Taylor Taylor
Zach Temple Holdrege
Samantha Teten Johnson
Sarah Thiltges Rulo
Collin Thompson Eustis
Charlotte Tvrdy Lincoln
Kaylee VanGrinsven Ashland
Sam Varney Syracuse
Jacob Vogel Dodge
Caleb Vonderfecht Hebron
Shane Vorderstrasse Plymouth
Patrick Vossler Friend
Tanya Wasson Kearney
Lindsay Weber Cook
Josie Weise Jansen
Leah Werner Davenport
Mackenzie White Sutherland
Cody Whitehead Geneva
Vanessa Whitmore Shelby
Emma Wiebelhaus Fordyce
Rachel Wieseman Osceola
Luke Wilke Holdrege
Jake Wilkins Ainsworth
Kevin Williams Blue Hill
Mckinley Wilson Yutan
Lydia Wiseman Hershey
Nicole Woita Valparaiso
Cara Wolverton Seward
Haley Zabel Firth
Cody Zumpfe Friend
NAYI is coordinated by the Nebraska Agricultural Youth Council (NAYC), which is comprised of 21 college-age men and women selected by NDA.
Water quality efforts showcased at Iowa Soybean Association open house
Farmers are embracing conservation practices that will help meet the goals of the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy, according to state and industry officials who attended the Iowa Soybean Association’s (ISA) water quality open house July 1 in Ankeny.
“ISA has made significant contributions to move the needle forward on the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy,” said Roger Wolf, director of ISA’s Environmental Programs and Services. “From our vantage point, we are advancing the science and practices laid out in the strategy with producers, landowners and various stakeholders throughout the state.”
Wolf said ISA has been involved in nine Water Quality Initiative projects, created various watershed plans, partnered to install pollinator and wildlife habitats in addition to the implementation of various conservation practices. Of the 40 bioreactors in Iowa, ISA has helped install and integrate 22, providing significant results and setting the stage for many more to be installed across the landscape.
This progress was highlighted by environmental experts at ISA’s open house with nearly 100 guests including Iowa House Rep. Kevin Koester (District 38). Judging by what he learned about water quality efforts at the ISA open house, Koester said he’s confident the strategy will work.
“There is no intelligent resistance to us staying the course on this process,” Koester said. “Your farmer members are funding your initiatives to improve our state. This was a great visit."
Iowa soybean farmers are fully committed to supporting the strategy to achieve its goals. In fiscal year 2015, ISA invested $1.2 million in soybean checkoff funds, which was leveraged with $1.4 million in federal, state and local funding. This investment supports 26 active ISA-led water quality projects and 17 water monitoring projects that includes 115 farmers and 436 sites — 220 tile lines and 169 streams and 47 other sites.
ISA water quality activities, such as water testing through ISA’s state certified testing lab, were showcased at the open house.
“We have seen tremendous progress in the short time that the strategy has been in effect,” Wolf said. “There is commitment, engagement and alignment of ag and urban entities that need to pull the rope to improve water quality in this unprecedented strategy. This is a multi-decade effort given Iowa’s landscape, variable weather and rich soils. Farmers are proud of the work they’re doing and they realize much more needs to be done. We want the public to know we’re serious.”
The two-year-old initiative is a science-based effort to reduce nitrate and phosphorous loads in Iowa waterways by 45 percent from point and nonpoint sources, which will help curb water pollution entering the Mississippi River and eventually the Gulf of Mexico.
“It's early to judge the program other than all indicators say this is the right path,” Koester said.
ISA President Tom Oswald of Cleghorn said the open house demonstrated ISA’s dedication to water quality improvement. The huge floor-to-ceiling map with thousands of dots throughout the state depicting ISA’s on-farm agronomic and water quality projects and research efforts shows the organization’s reach, he said.
“We’re testing and implementing water quality and soil health practices all over the state,” said Oswald, a big proponent of no-till farming that curbs erosion. “Improvement will take time, but there’s no excuse not to try.”
Manure Spill Investigated in Plymouth County
A manure spill at Plymouth Dairy about four miles east of Merrill was being investigated by the Iowa Department of Natural Resources on Wednesday afternoon.
Shortly after 7 a.m., it was discovered that manure being pumped was flowing around a settling basin rather into it. It is believed that an early morning electrical outage may have caused the line to plug. An unknown amount of manure flowed across a corn field into a small, unnamed tributary of Plymouth Creek. The operator constructed three dams to the tributary to stop the flow of any manure from going further downstream.
The tributary is very shallow and it is not believed that a fish kill occurred as a result of the spill
The DNR is continuing to investigate the incident as well as providing guidance on the cleanup effort.
Roberts Announces Witnesses for July 7 Avian Flu Hearing
U.S. Senator Pat Roberts, R-Kan., chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, announced witnesses for the Committee's hearing on the impacts of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza on the U.S. poultry sector.
The @Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza: The Impact on the U.S. Poultry Sector and Protecting U.S. Poultry Flocks@ hearing will take place July 7 beginning at 3 p.m. in 328A Russell Senate Office Building, Washington, D.C. The witnesses include:
Panel I
-- Dr. John R. Clifford, Deputy Administrator, Animal Plant Health Inspection Service, Veterinary Services, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Washington, D.C.
-- Dr. David Swayne, Laboratory Director, Southeast Poultry Research Laboratory, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, Athens, Ga.
Panel II
-- James R. Dean, Chairman, United Egg Producers, Sioux Center, Iowa
-- Ken Klippen, President, National Association of Egg Farmers, Collegeville, Penn.
-- Brad R. Moline, Manager, Owner, Moline Farms LLC, Manson, Iowa
-- Rob Knecht, President, Vice President of Operations, Michigan Allied Poultry Industries and Konos, Inc., Martin, Mich.
-- Dr. Thomas Elam, President, FarmEcon LLC, Carmel, Ind.
The hearing will be webcast live on ag.senate.gov.
More Fall Bird Flu Monitoring
(AP) -- The federal government announced plans Thursday to step up monitoring wild birds for avian influenza this fall to provide an early warning of any resurgence of a disease that devastated poultry farms in the Upper Midwest.
The U.S. Department of Agriculture issued a pair of plans aimed at minimizing the impacts on domestic poultry flocks if any bird flu viruses return or mutate in migrating waterfowl and other wild birds.
"The early detection of avian influenza remains key to controlling its spread and minimizing its effects," Dr. John Clifford, the USDA's chief veterinary officer, said in a statement.
The H5N2 strain has cost poultry producers around 48 million birds since early March, according to USDA figures, hitting Iowa egg producers and Minnesota turkey growers especially hard. Iowa hasn't recorded a new case in over two weeks, while Minnesota's last case was reported nearly a month ago. Still, officials in those states said this week that they aren't ready to declare the threat over.
As part of the USDA's plans, federal and state biologists will collect around 41,000 samples from apparently healthy wild birds from targeted areas from coast to coast through March 31. The samples will be taken mostly from ducks shot by hunters, but also from live-caught birds, fecal samples collected from waterfowl habitats and a wide variety of wild birds that are found dead.
Migratory waterfowl are natural carriers of bird flu viruses and don't normally get sick from them. But highly pathogenic strains such as H5N2 are lethal to domestic poultry.
A USDA report last month concluded that wild birds, which shed flu viruses through their droppings, introduced H5N2 to farms in the Midwest, and that lapses in biosecurity and other factors -- possibly including the wind -- contributed to its spread. No human infections have been detected in the U.S.
While the outbreak has disrupted egg supplies and led to higher egg and roasting turkey prices, it has actually resulted in cheaper chicken-meat prices because many other countries have imposed import restrictions, the USDA said in a separate report last month.
Informa Sees 13.4 BB Corn Crop, 3.8 BB Bean Crop
Private analytical firm Informa Economics lowered its production estimates for corn and soybeans in a report on Thursday.
Farmers will grow 13.41 billion bushels of corn in 2015 with an average national yield of 165.4 bushels per acre. Production is 152 million bushels lower than Informa's June estimate, reflecting USDA's recent acreage estimates and a 1 bpa decline in average yield.
Informa also estimated this year's U.S. soybean production at 3.81 billion bushels with a yield of 45.1 bushels an acre. Informa's soybean estimate is 64 mb lower than its previous forecast, but the yield is essentially unchanged from its previous forecasts as increases in the Western Corn Belt mostly offset reductions in the Eastern Corn Belt and Missouri.
Sorghum production came in at 555 mb, up 70 mb from Informa's previous report and, if realized, would be 122 mb larger than last year's crop. The bulk of the increase is due to the boost in acres in last week's report and a 3.1 bpa increase in yield to 71.4 bpa.
Informa made minor changes to winter wheat production compared to USDA's production estimates from early June. Hard red winter wheat production is now seen up 2 mb to 889 mb, soft red winter wheat down 20 mb to 394 mb, and winter white is seen down 10 mb at 194 mb.
Soy Growers Talk Freedom to Operate During Annual IOPD, ISGA Meetings
U.S. soy leaders joined oilseed grower representatives from around the world this week in Chicago, Ill. to discuss the freedom to operate issues producers are facing and how they can work together to address those issues.
The annual International Oilseed Producers Dialogue (IOPD) meeting, hosted by the U.S. soy family, was held in the United States for the first time in six years and welcomed participants from 11 major oilseed producing countries spanning North America, South America, Europe, Australia, and Malaysia.
American Soybean Association (ASA) President Wade Cowan and United Soybean Board (USB) chair Bob Haselwood co-chaired the meeting that was organized by ASA’s and USB’s implementor of international marketing programs — the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC).
Oilseed producers worldwide face some common issues that challenge their ability to produce healthy, affordable food and be successful. These include communicating effectively with consumers and policy makers about today’s agriculture, restrictions on the use of crop protection products, slow approvals in major export markets for new varieties enhanced through biotechnology, and changing biofuel standards to name just a few.
Featured speakers included, Charlie Arnot from the Center for Food Integrity, Richard Jackson of the Center for Strategic and International Studies, Nancy Kavazanjian from the U.S. Farmers and Ranchers Alliance (USFRA) and David Hightower of The Hightower Report.
An International Soy Grower Alliance (ISGA) meeting was held prior to and in conjunction with IOPD XVIII. ISGA is an alliance of soybean-producing countries that account for over 90 percent of world soybean production and trade. ISGA includes soybean producer organizations from the United States, Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, and Canada. ISGA discussions focused on working to obtain more timely approvals of new biotech soybean varieties in key markets, including China and the European Union.
WOTUS Rule to Take Effect August 28
The Obama administration's new definition of WOTUS was published in the Federal Register on Monday, June 29 and will take effect August 28, 2015. The rule redefines what ditches, wetlands, streams and other features are subject to regulation under the anti-pollution law. There are arguments saying the final rule is more expansive than when it was originally proposed in 2014. The rule sets July 13, 2015, as the start of a 60-day window for judicial review. Thirteen states have already filed lawsuits against the EPA including North Dakota, Missouri, Nebraska, South Dakota, Alaska, Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico and Wyoming.
NCBA and PLC Join with Coalition to File Suit against EPA and Army Corps
Today, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and Public Lands Council, along with other producer and land use groups, filed a complaint in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas against the EPA and Army Corps over their “waters of the United States” final rule.
“The WOTUS rule remains a top priority for our producers and for all landowners nationwide,” said Philip Ellis, NCBA president and Chugwater, Wyo., cattleman. “While cattlemen have long asked for greater clarity around the Clean Water Act, this rule does the opposite, rendering jurisdictional determinations so vague and subjective that our members cannot possibly make a determination as to what basic ranching activities will subject them to criminal and civil penalties under the Clean Water Act. We remain committed to working with the administration, Congress and through the courts to stop this rule.”
The complaint charges that this rule by the EPA and the Corps exercises broad control over land use, far beyond what Congress authorized in the Clean Water Act. Moreover, the ambiguity and breadth of this rule violates the U.S. Constitution.
“As cattle producers and landowners, we are extremely concerned by this regulatory overreach by EPA and the Corps,” said Brenda Richards, PLC president and Idaho rancher. “Litigation is a last resort to exercise our rights against regulation, but producers have determined that this is a necessary step. Several states filed similar litigation requesting injunctive and declaratory relief from this administration’s regulatory rampage.”
Similar suits have been filed by officials representing 27 states, all within two days of the rule’s publication on June 29.
NCBA and PLC’s other co-plaintiffs are the American Farm Bureau Federation, American Petroleum Institute, American Road and Transportation Builders, Leading Builders of America, National Alliance of Forest Owners, National Association of Home Builders, National Association of Manufacturers, National Corn Growers Association, National Mining Association, and National Pork Producers Council.
Groups File Lawsuit To Vacate ‘WOTUS’ Rule
On the 239th anniversary of the Second Continental Congress declaring the fledgling United States should be free from an oppressive, oversized government, the National Pork Producers Council and 13 other organizations filed a lawsuit asking a federal court to vacate a new Clean Water Act (CWA) regulation that will bring under federal jurisdiction “a staggering range” of land and water and adversely affect numerous agricultural and business activities.
The final “Waters of the United States” (WOTUS) rule was issued May 27, 2015, by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers ostensibly to clarify the agencies’ authority under the CWA over various waters. Currently, that jurisdiction – based on several U.S. Supreme Court decisions – includes “navigable” waters and waters with a significant hydrologic connection to navigable waters. The WOTUS rule would broaden that to include, among other water bodies, upstream waters and intermittent and ephemeral streams such as the kind farmers use for drainage and irrigation. It also would encompass lands adjacent to such waters.
In their suit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas against EPA and the Corps of Engineers, the agricultural and business groups said the final rule “bears no connection” to the CWA and violates provisions of the U.S. Constitution. They also allege that in writing the rule the agencies misinterpreted the Supreme Court’s decisions on CWA jurisdiction and subverted the notice-and-comment process by failing to seek public comments on scientific reports used to write the regulation and on major revisions of the proposed rule, conducting an inadequate economic analysis and engaging in an advocacy campaign during the comment period. (Click here to read the complaint.)
Similar lawsuits have been filed by the attorneys general of 27 states.
“The final rule is vague and fails to let regulated parties know when their conduct violates the law,” said NPPC President Dr. Ron Prestage, a veterinarian and pork producer from Camden, S.C. “We’re asking the court to find the rule arbitrary, capricious, an abuse of discretion and not in accordance with law; and to find that it’s unlawful because it’s contrary to constitutional rights and powers, inconsistent with the agencies’ statutory authority under the CWA and was promulgated without following procedures required by law. The bottom line is we want the court to set aside the rule.
“We all want clean water,” Prestage said, “but this rule isn’t about clean water, it’s about EPA and the Corps taking over private property, growing the size of government and micromanaging hundreds of farming and business activities.”
NPPC is backing bills now making their way through Congress that would require EPA and the Corps of Engineers to withdraw the WOTUS rule and to work with affected parties, including farmers, on a new regulation.
ASA Signs Brief Opposing Vermont’s Biotech Labeling Law
The American Soybean Association (ASA), along with the National Corn Growers Association, the National Cotton Council and the Corn Refiners Association signed an Amici brief supporting the Grocery Manufacturers of America (GMA) and others in challenging Vermont’s law requiring that food products containing biotech ingredients be labeled.
The law, enacted in 2015 and due to go into effect in June 2016, would require food manufacturers to place a pejorative “contains GMO” label on products sold in Vermont. ASA and other farm organizations are supporting GMA’s argument that the law would disrupt interstate commerce and be expensive for consumers, who would pay the cost of labeling and repackaging products sold in Vermont.
ASA is an active member of the Coalition for Safe Affordable Food, which is supporting federal legislation to establish a voluntary national standard for labeling non-GMO products, and to preempt state biotech labeling laws.
Ethanol providing a few extra bucks in people’s pockets
More drivers in the United States are expected to hit the road for the long 4th of July holiday weekend than any time in the past eight years, and they should notice an extra benefit after they fill up at the pump – more money left over to spend on food, fireworks and beverages.
“People are traveling more because gas prices are about a dollar a gallon less than last year,” says ACE Senior Vice President Ron Lamberty, “American drivers are paying $11 billion a month less at the pump. That’s almost $40 bucks a month for every man, woman and child in the U.S.”
Lamberty says ethanol production gains made possible by the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) are a big help in lowering the price of gas.
“Ethanol costs less than gas, so adding ethanol lowers the price of gas,” Lamberty explained. “And when people can use more ethanol in fuels like E15 or E85, that’s more competition for gasoline. That forces oil companies to lower their prices to compete, and that’s why they badmouth ethanol and the RFS.”
Lamberty warns that oil interests are lobbying Congress and the EPA to eliminate or dramatically weaken laws that allow ethanol to compete with gasoline. “People are saving money on gas and walking around with a few extra bucks in their pockets, while Big Oil lobbyists and Congress are saying ‘the system is broken.’” Lamberty said. “Apparently the system is broken unless we’re all broke. If people have a little more spending money and Congress thinks they’d better “fix” that, we’re in trouble.”
Why Long-Range Planning?
In today’s global marketplace, every successful cattle producer and importer knows the importance of planning when it comes to succeeding in their businesses. The same value holds true for the producers and importers who volunteer to make decisions about how to invest folks’ hard-earned dollar-per-head investments into the Beef Checkoff Program.
Those decisions are not made in a vacuum. In fact, every decision about investing checkoff dollars into beef promotion, research, education, information and foreign-market development aimed at building consumer demand for beef is directly tied to long-range planning.
In whole, checkoff planning is an integration, of sorts, between research of various types – beef-safety, human-nutrition, product-enhancement, and consumer-market research – because they all come together to provide a roadmap for the future of the beef community.
So how does research help with long-range planning?
- Provides basis for all checkoff programs
- Keeps us on right track and in tune with trends/hones in on needs
- Provides understanding of global marketplace
- Maintains highest levels of safety and quality
- Prepares us for worst-case scenarios
- Measures strengths and weaknesses in existing programs
What is the process for planning checkoff expenditures?
> Market Research – Where it all begins. Consumers drive beef demand, so they are in charge. Market research goes directly to the source of what it is that they want and expect from our end products. This is critical in defining what is most important to accomplish and tells us how and to whom to deliver specific beef resources.
> Beef Industry Long Range Plan – Developed every three to five years by representatives from various segments of the industry based on research of consumer trends and market forecasts, by segment. The checkoff targets those Long Range Plan goals that require promotion, research, information and foreign-market development programs that are appropriate for checkoff funding and develops a quarterly “scorecard,” which combines with a Long Range Plan Advisory Group annual review to ensure that checkoff programs stay on track and make meaningful progress toward the goals of the Long Range Plan.
> Annual Industry Scan – Annual review of the latest consumer market research to identify consumer trends and perceptions about beef and the beef industry. Identifies demand drivers, such as taste, value, nutrition & health, safety, and convenience.
> Adaptation to demand drivers – Twice a year, producer leaders meet in committees based on the demand drivers defined in the Long Range Plan and the Industry Scan to plan for the coming months and year. The goal is to identify promotions and other projects that directly focus the findings of the Industry Scan and the goals of the Long Range Plan. See all program plans for the current fiscal year at FY15 Authorization Requests, and view proposed plans for FY16, by reviewing committee, in the My Beef Checkoff Meeting Center.
For more information about your beef checkoff investment, visit MyBeefCheckoff.com.
WDX Seminars Offer Educational Opportunities
World Dairy Expo Seminars offer attendees the opportunity to learn about the latest in dairy research and management practices from top industry experts. These free daily seminars will be held in the Exhibition Hall Mendota 2 meeting room. Continuing education credits can be earned, and all seminars will be available for viewing after the show on the Expo website. For full seminar biographies, visit worlddairyexpo.com.
Tuesday, September 29 at 1 p.m.
“The Time is Right for a Succession Plan”
Dan Rupar, Attorney, Ruder/Ware
Sponsored by: Badgerland Financial
Continuing Education Credits: ARPAS (1), RACE (1)
Wednesday, September 30 at 11 a.m.
“Feed Refusals: Waste or Cost of Doing Business?”
Dr. J.W. Schroeder, Associate Professor and Extension Dairy Specialist, North Dakota State University
Sponsored by: DeKalb
Continuing Education Credits: ARPAS (1), RACE (1)
Wednesday, September 30 at 1 p.m.
“Adding Value to Calves by Breeding to Beef”
Jerry Wulf, owner, Wulf Cattle
Sponsored by: Hubbard Feeds, Inc.
Continuing Education Credits: ARPAS (1), RACE (1)
Thursday, October 1 at 11 a.m.
“Defining Factors That Create a Quality Heifer”
Dr. Michael Van Amburgh, Cornell University
Sponsored by: Land O'Lakes Animal Milk Products Co.
Continuing Education Credits: ARPAS (1), RACE (1)
Thursday, October 1 at 1 p.m.
“Design Criteria for Robotic Milking Barns”
Jack Rodenburg, DairyLogix
Sponsored by: Bayland Buildings, Inc.
Continuing Education Credits: ARPAS (1), RACE (1)
Friday, October 2 at 11 a.m.
“Apps for Dairying: An Application for Calving Management”
Dr. Gustavo Schuenemann, Associate Professor, College of Veterinary Medicine – The Ohio State University
Sponsored by: Calf-Star
Continuing Education Credits: ARPAS (1), RACE (1)
Friday, October 2 at 1 p.m.
“Agroterrorism Threat Briefing and Roles of Law Enforcement”
Stephen Goldsmith DVM, WMD Directorate-Biological Countermeasures Unit, HQ, FBI
Sponsored by: Quality Liquid Feeds, Inc.
Continuing Education Credits: ARPAS (1), RACE (1)
Saturday, October 3 at 11 a.m.
“Lameness in Dairy Cattle: Causes and Consequences”
Dr. J.K. Shearer, Professor, Iowa State University
Sponsored by: Hoof Supervisor
Continuing Education Credits: ARPAS (1), RACE (1)
World Dairy Expo will be held Sept. 29 - Oct. 3, 2015 at the Alliant Energy Center, Madison, Wis. with this year’s theme of “Dairy in our DNA.” WDE, recognized as the meeting place for the global dairy industry, attracts more than 70,000 attendees from more than 90 countries each year. Visit worlddairyexpo.com.
2015/2016 NFU National Youth Advisory Council Elected
Six Farmers Union young adults have been elected by their peers to represent Farmers Union youth nationwide as the 2015/2016 National Youth Advisory Council (NYAC) to National Farmers Union (NFU). The elections took place at the 2015 NFU All-States Leadership Camp in Bailey, Colorado, last week.
“One of NFU’s priorities is to ensure the future of family farm agriculture and rural communities is in good hands,” said NFU President Roger Johnson, a former All-States Leadership Camp participant. “NYAC builds leaders in the agriculture industry and ensures the voice of younger generations is heard and is visible in what the organization does. NFU is proud to have these six young people representing their peers and the organization.”
The new NYAC consists of: Kiana Jean Brockel, South Dakota; Jesse Carlson, South Dakota; Andrew Cotter, Wisconsin; Alexandra Grace Farber, South Dakota; Karly Jane Held, North Dakota; and Ali Slaughter, Wisconsin. The group will represent thousands of Farmers Union youth across the country, attending events such as the 114th Anniversary NFU Convention and the 2015 Fall Fly-In, and helping to plan the next year’s 80th NFU All-States Leadership Camp.
“The NYAC program allows participants to gain invaluable leadership experience,” noted Johnson. “For the next year, these future leaders in American agriculture will serve as representatives for their peers, learn about the legislative process and lobbying, and present in front of hundreds of NFU members and press at the NFU convention.”
Welcome to the KTIC Agriculture Information blog!!! Check back here for the latest in ag news and information, from local events to international happenings and government reports that affect your operation. Please email with suggestions! -Chad Moyer, Farm Director, KTIC Radio
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