Wednesday August 26 Ag News

Ag Committee Hearings On Dairy Growth and Brand Law in Grand Island

Senator Jerry Johnson, Chairman of the Legislature's Agriculture Committee, announced that the Committee will conduct a public hearing on September 4th at the Grand Island City Council Chambers.  The city council chambers are located at 101 East 1st Street in Grand Island, near the intersection of HWY 30 and South Locust Streets. 

The committee will hear testimony for two interim study resolutions.  Interim study resolution LR 270 introduced by Senator Ken Schilz of Omaha directs the committee to examine the fee structure supporting the functions of the Nebraska Brand Committee.  LR 214 introduced by Senator Johnson asks the Committee to examine means to implement recommendations of a study of Nebraska’s dairy industry completed in November last year by the Department of Agriculture at the direction of the Legislature.  Both study resolutions were introduced earlier this year during the 2015 legislative session. 

Last session, the Legislature approved LB 85 which increases the maximum inspection fee that may be charged for brand inspections performed by the Brand Committee.  While the Legislature approved the additional fee authority, debate on LB 85 sparked discussion about the need to examine the revenues supporting the Brand Committee and to explore means to diversity its funding base.  The LR 270 study is also intended to initiate discussions on other ways the Brand Committee might be able to provide value and service to producers. 

LR 214 was introduced as a forum to follow up the Dairy Growth and Development Study, completed by the Department of Agriculture as directed by LB 914 enacted in the 2014 legislative session.  The report identified avenues for growth in both dairy production and processing in Nebraska and includes recommendations of the Director.  A link to the report is available at http://nebraskalegislature.gov/reports/agriculture.php from the website of the Agriculture Committee or may also be accessed from the home page of the Department of Agriculture http://www.nda.nebraska.gov/promotion/dairysurvey.pdf.

According to Senator Johnson, growth in Nebraska’s dairy sector has been stagnant, but there are opportunities for expansion and reason for optimism that Nebraska can attract new investment in dairy farms and dairy processing facilities.  “We need the direct economic benefits that dairy production brings, and an expanded dairy sector would be a much needed diversification of our agricultural base.”  Senator Johnson said he hopes that the interim study can provide guidance for initiatives that can help support the dairy industry in the next legislative session. 

The hearing for LR 270 will begin at 11:00 a.m. and the hearing for LR 214 will begin at 1:15 p.m..  At the conclusion of the hearings, the committee’s schedule includes time for members of the Committee to visit to the State Fair where the committee will be hosted by the Grand Island Chamber of Commerce and the State Fair Board.




Stalk and Ear Rot Diseases Developing Early in Few Fields
Tamra Jackson-Ziems, NE Extension Plant Pathologist

Much of the 2015 Nebraska corn crop experienced prolonged stress and sometimes wounding earlier this season. While most of the crop looks good, we are beginning to see early evidence of problems developing, in particular, stalk and ear rot diseases. Producers should watch for early symptoms and consider monitoring high risk corn fields for stalk and ear rot diseases as harvest approaches. 
Weakened stalks have already become evident in some corn.  Remember that high winds can lead to lodged corn where stalks have become weakened by stalk rot diseases and other problems.  Crop stress during the 2015 growing season has and will likely contribute to the development of some stalk rot diseases.  Pay special attention to fields that have one or more risk factors for stalk rot diseases and lodging:
    Higher yielding hybrids
    Lost leaf area (due to leaf diseases, hail, etc.)
    Excessive rainfall/ponding anytime during season
    Stalk wounding, usually by hail
    High planting populations
    Thin stalks
    Tall hybrids with ears set high on plant

Scouting for Stalk and Ear Rot Diseases
The first indication of a problem could be the early, and sometimes rapid, discoloration of the corn plant turning from green to brown or gray.  Individual plants or patches of several plants may be affected. Affected plants often have stalks that are hollow and easily crushed by hand or bent using the "push or pinch" test.  Stalk rots can occur at any point in the stalk from the crown at/below the soil line all the way to the tassel.  Rotting that occurs at an upper node and kills only the upper plant parts is referred to as "top rot" and does not necessarily cause lodging of the whole plant. However, degradation of the stalk below the ear can lead to plant lodging and losses during harvest.

Similarly, an early sign of ear rot disease is the early discoloration of the ear husk or even evidence of white, cottony mold on the outside. Affected ears also may droop sooner if the shank has been weakened, allowing the ear to tip over. Inside the husks, fungal growth may be evident on the ear or between the kernels, which also may be discolored.

Push/Pinch Stalk Test
As corn begins to senesce and harvest approaches, you can conduct push or pinch tests to evaluate stalk strength. Walking through a field, randomly select a minimum of 100 plants representing a large portion of the field.  To test for stalk rot you may choose to push the plant tops away from you approximately 30° from vertical.  If plants don't snap back to vertical, then the stalk has been compromised by stalk rot.

An alternative method is to use the pinch test to evaluate plants for stalk rots.  Pinch or squeeze the plant at one of the lowest internodes above the brace roots.  If the stalk crushes easily by hand, its integrity is reduced by stalk rot and it will be prone to lodging. If more than 10% of plants exhibit stalk rot symptoms, harvest that field before other fields at less risk to reduce the chance of plant lodging and the potential for yield loss.

Similarly, when scouting for ear rot diseases, you must open the husks to inspect the ear and kernels for discoloration or fungal growth.

Several fungi are common in our production fields and can opportunistically cause stalk rot diseases in stressed plants. Several fungal and bacterial pathogens can cause stalk rot diseases. The more common ones are summarized in Corn Disease Profile II: Stalk Rot Diseases and in greater depth in Common Stalk Rot Diseases of Corn. Likewise, some of the same fungi that cause stalk rot disease can also cause ear rot diseases and are summarized in Corn Disease Profile III: Ear Rot Diseases and Grain Molds .

Management
Nothing can be done at this point in the season to stop stalk or ear rots in corn. Affected plants will continue to degrade and weaken over time.  You can minimize your losses by identifying which fields have the worst stalk rot diseases and harvesting those fields first.

Consider harvesting or chopping fields that are heavily impacted by stalk rots first to minimize losses that can occur after lodging. Avoid storing grain from fields with ear rot diseases. If necessary, it can be stored for a short time if cooled and dried to less than 15% moisture within 48 hours of harvest to slow mold growth. 

If you are in doubt about the identity of a disease or cause of another plant problem, you can submit a sample to the UNL Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic (PPDC) for diagnosis.  For more information about these and other plant diseases or for instructions and forms for submitting samples to the PPDC, visit the clinic site on CropWatch.unl.edu.



USDA Rural Development Awards Funding to 23 Nebraska Recipients to Assist with Energy Needs

Twenty-three Nebraska applicants have been selected to receive $486,026 in grants from USDA Rural Development through the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP).  Funds will be used to install renewable energy systems and make energy efficiency improvements that will promote energy conservation.

“Through these projects, energy consumption will be reduced, thereby making more dollars available to be kept within rural Nebraska and assisting the state’s rural economy,” said Nebraska State Director Maxine Moul, USDA Rural Development.  “Enough energy will be generated or saved to power 217 homes.”

Eligible agricultural producers and rural small businesses may use REAP funds to make energy efficiency improvements or install renewable energy systems, including solar, wind, renewable biomass (including anaerobic digesters), small hydroelectric, ocean energy, hydrogen and geothermal.  Additional information on the Rural Energy for America Program may be found at http://www.rd.usda.gov/programs-services/rural-energy-america-program-renewable-energy-systems-energy-efficiency/ne or contact Jeff Carpenter, jeff.carpenter@ne.usda.gov; (402) 437-5554.

Detailed below by county aren some of the energy projects selected from Nebraska’s allocation of funding. Funding is contingent upon the recipient meeting the conditions of the grant agreements.

Butler
-          Pete C Schmit and Sons, Ltd. - $34,750 – Install a 25 kW wind turbine to replace existing energy source.

Cedar
-          Kvols, Rod - $19,920 – Replace existing grain dryer with a more efficient model.

Dodge
-          Ortmeier, Michael J. - $5,439 – Diesel irrigation motor conversion and variable frequency drive.

Holt
-          Braun’s IGA, Inc. - $18,651 – Replace coolers in grocery store.
-          The Alley/Millie’s Coffee - $10,240 – Replace existing windows and install an insulated roofing system to an existing building.

Merrick
-          Central City Scale, Inc. - $18,750 – Install a 25 kW photo voltaic solar system on an existing building to replace existing energy source.
-          D Bar K, P.C. - $18,750 – Install a 25 kW photo voltaic solar system on an existing building to replace existing energy source.
-          Williams, Billy Monte - $24,558 – Install a 25 kW photo voltaic solar system on an existing building to replace existing energy source.



Iowa Part of National Avian Flu Surveillance Effort

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources is participating in a national surveillance effort to test waterfowl for the presence of avian influenza. Testing began this summer as part of the DNR's annual waterfowl banding work and will continue with hunter harvested ducks this fall and winter.

The project is coordinated by the USDA Wildlife Services that is targeting watersheds by season. This fall, hunters in the Upper Mississippi, Iowa, Skunk and Wapsipinicon River watershed and the Chariton and Grand River watershed may be asked to have samples collected from their harvested ducks. Later this winter, the focus shifts to the Missouri and Little Sioux River watershed.

"We are targeting dabbling ducks -- teal, gadwall, widgeon, mallards are the highest priority and hope to fill our sample quotas on the opening day of regular duck season," said Orrin Jones, waterfowl biologist with the Iowa DNR.

Watersheds were selected based on the likelihood that dabbling ducks would be intermingling with other ducks and were assigned quotas to determine if avian influenza is present in the watersheds: 60 samples, 80 samples and 140 samples, respectively.

Collection takes only a few minutes and no hunter information is taken. Hunters can be notified of the results if they choose.

While the sample collection is focused on specific watersheds, Jones asked that hunters from all parts of the state call the DNR if they find five or more dead ducks in an area.

"That is a situation we would like to investigate," Jones said.

Hunters concerned about avian influenza should avoid taking ducks that appear sick or unhealthy or are acting odd, and should clean, rinse and cook it thoroughly. Hunters should also avoid eating, drinking or smoking while field dressing the fowl. According to the Centers for Disease Control, the risk of becoming sick from a duck contaminated with avian influenza is very low.



Ethanol Supply Flat, Output Drops

U.S. ethanol stocks were little changed while domestic production plants throttled back output to the slowest pace since early May during the week-ended Aug. 21, data released Wednesday, Aug. 26, by the Energy Information Administration shows.

U.S. ethanol supply totaled 18.6 million barrels (bbl) on Aug. 21, holding near the lowest inventory level of the year for the third consecutive week. That's still more inventory than the year prior when supply totaled 17.3 million bbl.

U.S. ethanol plant production eased 13,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 952,000 bpd during the week profiled, the lowest output rate since the week-ended May 8. U.S. ethanol plant output averaged 961,000 bpd during the four weeks ended Aug. 21, up 40,000 bpd, or 4.3%, compared with year prior.

Refiner and blender net inputs of ethanol, a proxy for ethanol demand, eased 5,000 bpd to 903,000 bpd during the week under review. Ethanol inputs averaged 905,000 bpd during the four weeks ended Aug. 21, 26,000 bpd, or 3.0%, above the comparable year-ago period.

Implied gasoline demand tumbled 516,000 bpd to 9.189 million bpd during the week-ended Aug. 21, with gasoline supplied to market averaging 9.567 million bpd during the four weeks through this past Friday, up 5.8% versus year prior.



U.S. regulator sued for withholding information on GMO crops

A food safety advocacy group sued an arm of the U.S. Department of Agriculture on Tuesday, saying it illegally withheld public information on genetically engineered crops.

The lawsuit, brought by the Center for Food Safety (CFS) against the USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), claims the regulator has routinely failed to respond as required to requests for records that relate to many concerns with the GMO crops.

The lawsuit accuses the agency of violating the Freedom of Information Act dozens of times, unlawfully withholding information for more than 13 years. APHIS had no immediate response.

In particular, the lawsuit alleges that the agency failed to respond as required to requests for records related to new GMO regulations that APHIS proposed in 2008 but withdrew earlier this year.

The lawsuit also accuses the agency of failing to respond as required to inquiries about the handling of experimental genetically engineered wheat that was found growing uncontrolled in an Oregon field in 2013. That incident led to lost U.S. wheat export sales as foreign markets feared contaminated supplies.

The lawsuit says APHIS has also failed to respond to requests or withheld records it sought about the handling of other experimental crops that the group believes have escaped review and regulation.

The requests have covered GMO wheat, rice, alfalfa, sugar beets, bent grass, corn and other GMOs. Delays in providing information have run years for some requests, and violated federal law covering the release of public information, according to the lawsuit.

For years, advocacy groups, lawmakers and others critics have harshly criticized U.S. regulation of GMOs as too lax. APHIS has been cited in government auditing for oversight lapses. Some GMO contamination events have led to food recalls and disrupted trade.

In July, the White House directed APHIS and the two other U.S. agencies that oversee biotech crop products, the Environmental Protection Agency and the Food and Drug Administration, to improve and modernize their regulatory framework to boost public confidence.

The CFS lawsuit, filed in federal court in Washington, asks the court to declare APHIS's actions unlawful and order the agency to produce the records by date to be set by the court. CFS also asks that the court supervise the regulator for compliance.

The Freedom of Information Act provides for the release of federal agency records when requested, with certain exemptions and provisions, and imposes strict deadlines on government agencies to respond.



Last Chance for Good Steward Recognition Nominations
 
Monday is the deadline for the National Corn Growers Association's Good Steward Recognition nominations. State affiliates, as well as industry and organizational partners, are urged to submit qualified growers dedicated to production standards that deliver high sustainable yields with extraordinary conservation and environmental benefits. 

"Practical solutions are what drive the adoption of best practices on the farm," said Don Glenn, chairman of NCGA's Production and Stewardship Action Team. "Discovering new methods for improving soil health, preserving water quality and improving the profitability of farming makes everyone take notice. This is why we recognize individuals who excel at demonstrating leadership in sustainable corn production."

NCGA is looking for a farmer who implements best management practices validating environmental stewardship, efficiency and productivity. One award recipient will be selected from nominees submitted by NCGA state affiliates and other corn industry and organizational partners.

Nominees will need to demonstrate their superior commitment to sustainability through the application of best management practices and innovation, have a history in adopting technological advancements, exhibit effective communication skills and work with farm data such as farm level mapping software, GPS guidance systems and yield monitoring.

Required criteria for nomination:
    NCGA member in good standing
    In compliance with FSA/NRCS HEL and wetland provisions
    Implements conservation tillage practices of no-till or strip-till
    Demonstrates agricultural innovation
    Possesses excellent communication and networking skills

 Best management demonstration includes:
    Irrigation (if applicable)
    Cover crops
    Soil erosion control
    Nutrient management
    Water quality

NCGA will process all submitted nominations returned to kassoff@ncga.com and starbuck@ncga.com.  Submission forms are available at www.ncga.com/goodsteward. Experts in the field of agricultural conservation, environment and sustainability will select a Good Steward Recognition recipient. Nominations are due close-of-business August 31, 2015. The selected grower announcement occurs during the 2016 Commodity Classic in New Orleans, Louisiana, March 2-5, 2016. 



Syngenta comments on Monsanto announcement

The Board of Syngenta confirms that it received a verbal proposal from Monsanto to acquire the company at a price of CHF245 in cash and a fixed ratio of 2.229 Monsanto shares per Syngenta share. At market close on August 25 this equated to a price of CHF 433 per Syngenta share.

After engaging with Monsanto on their latest approach, the Board unanimously rejected their revised proposal. It significantly undervalued the company and was fraught with execution risk. Furthermore, recent market volatility highlighted the significant risk for Syngenta shareholders resulting from the structure of this proposal. In addition, certain key issues were not addressed by Monsanto in sufficient detail to allow Syngenta to make a proper assessment of the proposed new entity, which would have been 30 percent owned by Syngenta shareholders.

In particular, Monsanto did not provide sufficient clarity on the following four issues:
1.    Their estimate of total cost and revenue synergies
2.    Their assumptions regarding net sales proceeds of seeds and traits
3.    The nature and extent of regulatory covenants that they were prepared to offer
4.    The assessment of risks and benefits from a tax inversion to the United Kingdom

Michel Demaré, Chairman of Syngenta, said: “We engaged with Monsanto in good faith and highlighted those key issues which required more concrete information in order to continue a dialogue.  We take note of Monsanto’s decision.  Our Board is confident that Syngenta’s long-term prospects remain very attractive with a leading portfolio and a promising pipeline of new products and technologies. We are committed to accelerate shareholder value creation.”



Monsanto Drops Bid for Syngenta

Monsanto Co. dropped its $46 billion bid for Syngenta AG after the Swiss agribusiness giant rejected a sweetened offer, dashing chances of a union that would have reshaped the global market for seeds and pesticides. The Wall Street Journal reports that the surprise disclosure on Wednesday capped four months of aggressive pursuit by St. Louis-based Monsanto, which Syngenta had consistently rebuffed even as some of its shareholders pressured the Swiss company to negotiate.

The deal's demise forestalls what some analysts anticipated, and some farmers feared, would be another round of consolidation in the global marketplace for crop seeds and chemicals, a sector currently dominated by six top firms.

Dropping the bid marks a high-profile defeat for Monsanto Chief Executive Hugh Grant, who spent much of the spring and summer pitching the deal to investors. The combination of Syngenta's position in pesticides with Monsanto's seeds business offered 'transformative' potential, he had said, and the deal was his most ambitious expansion plan in 12 years at the helm.



NASS Delays 2014 Organic Survey Report

USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service is delaying release of the 2014 Organic Survey report, originally scheduled for Aug. 31 at noon ET. More time is needed for data review and analysis to assure the highest quality data. A new release date will be announced on Sept. 8.

When published, the 2014 Organic Survey report will provide valuable, detailed, objective information to help determine the scope and economic impact of organic production in the United States. The survey is a program of the Census of Agriculture and is a complete inventory of all known organic producers in the United States that are certified, exempt from certification, and those producers transitioning to organic production.

The survey gathered information about organic farming and ranching activities, including:

-- Production of field crops, vegetables, fruits, tree nuts, berries, livestock and poultry;

-- Production practices such as pest management, cover crops, crop rotation, rotational grazing, conservation tillage, water management and buffer zones;

-- Production expenses;

-- Marketing practices, including wholesale, retail and direct-to-consumer sales; and

-- Value-added production and processing.



WDE Dairy Cattle Entries Due Aug. 31

World Dairy Expo is right around the corner and the deadline for dairy cattle entries is fast approaching. All entries must be submitted by midnight (CDT) on Monday, Aug. 31, 2015 to avoid late fees. Paper entries must be postmarked by that date as well. Late entries will be accepted until the day of the show at an increased rate (online late entries close Sept. 13, 2015).

Entry forms are available online through the Dairy Cattle Entry System or for print on the Expo website. Additional entry information, schedule of events, rules and changes/additions can be found in the Premium book, available on the Expo website. 

Display booth space, end-cap display, stalling requests, discounted exhibitor passes, 2018 Futurity entries, 2016 judge nominations and Dairy Cattle Exhibitor Committee representative nomination forms can all be found on the online entry system as well. Youth fitting and showmanship contest entries may also be submitted.    

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 or follow us on Facebook and Twitter (@WDExpo or #WDE15) for more information.



Non-Corrosive N-BOUND™ stabilizer offers new option for anhydrous ammonia 

Eco Agro Resources (EAR) introduces N-BOUND™ nitrogen stabilizer as an alternative to current nitrapyrin formulations to control denitrification and leaching. Unique PENXCEL technology delivers a proven nitrogen stabilizer, Dicyandiamide (DCD), in a non-corrosive liquid formulation. This product is not classified as a restricted use pesticide, and does not impact soil bacteria in the same way as the industry standard product.

Fertilizer dealers have the flexibility to introduce N-BOUND directly into the tank or use metering systems. Eco Agro Resources conducted tests with manufacturers of pumps for filling tanks and metering devices for anhydrous equipment. All tests have confirmed that the product is non-corrosive and works well with these the systems in field tests.

Norm Davy, Chief Marketing Officer for Eco Agro Resources explains, "Anhydrous ammonia users like to stabilize their nitrogen, but have experienced corrosion of their equipment and would prefer a product that wasn't a restricted use pesticide. Now they have an option to use non-corrosive N-BOUND stabilizer in their fall and spring applications. In all tests conducted with various anhydrous equipment manufacturers, N-BOUND stabilizer has proven non-corrosive and was accurately metered through standard systems.

N-BOUND stabilizer is a breakthrough liquid formulation that makes handling easy. Davy has heard from retailers and growers who have witnessed nitrogen losses due to wet weather in 2015 that they want a new option. "N-BOUND opens up possibilities for growers and retailers never available before. Our liquid formulation blends fast, provides a safer alternative than the current restricted use treatment, and eliminates the hassle of corrosion."

The N-BOUND product can also be used on urea and in liquid UAN. This provides extra flexibility to retailers who offer a range of nitrogen fertilizer options with nitrification inhibitors.



Fall-Applied Phosphorus: A Rooted Investment

As commodity prices decrease and input prices continue to rise, farmers are seeking more efficient strategies for meeting a high yield goal that is in line with their production budgets. Fertilizer purchased in the fall is often discounted at lower prices, and when treated with AVAIL® Phosphorus Fertilizer Enhancer, return on fertilizer investments can be maximized.

After a fall application of AVAIL-treated phosphorus (P), the nutrient protection of AVAIL reduces tie up of that essential plant nutrient in the soil through the spring. With more available P, AVAIL can help boost crop yield results in corn, soybeans, wheat and alfalfa at a wide range of fertilizer application rates.

Research from the University of Minnesota, Kansas State University and the University of Illinois has shown AVAIL increases yield potential, regardless of the rate at which P is applied. Trials with AVAIL combined with dry P fertilizer documented strong corn yields are maintained even when P rates are reduced.

“Prices are important to farmers right now, and they will continue to be price sensitive throughout the fall season as we make our fertilizer recommendations,” says Scott Coon, executive vice president of agronomy for West Central Cooperative in Ralston, Iowa. “We are having that conversation with our customers this fall – adding AVAIL in the mix allows us to make a confident recommendation for possibly lowering phosphorus rates and saving them some money.”

Many other benefits can be found from applying P this fall, including saving time on workload during the planting season and a greater potential of soil incorporation into the root zone due to winter moisture.

Fall-applied phosphorus will remain in the soil for spring-planted crops, as phosphorus is generally an immobile nutrient,” said Ryan Bond, Ph.D., vice president, marketing & technical development at Verdesian. “The real issue is, phosphorus is bonding with positive ions during the winter, causing it to become fixed in the soil and unavailable to crops. The use of AVAIL focuses on improving the efficiency of your applied phosphorus and can help keep the nutrient from being tied up in the soil come time for planting and the following growing season.”

For the strongest ROI, Verdesian Life Sciences recommends developing a nutrient management plan with the International Plant Nutrition Institute’s 4R approach: use the right fertilizer source and apply at the right rate, place and time.