Friday September 11 Ag News

NEBRASKA CROP PRODUCTION REPORT

Based on September 1 conditions, Nebraska's 2015 corn crop is forecast at 1.64 billion bushels, up 2 percent from last year, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Acreage harvested for grain is estimated at 8.90 million acres, down 1 percent from a year ago. Average yield is forecast at a record high 184 bushels per acre, up 5 bushels from last year.

Soybean production in Nebraska is forecast at a record high 288 million bushels, up slightly from last year. Area for harvest, at 5.15 million acres, is down 4 percent from 2014. Record yield is forecast at 56 bushels per acre, up 2 bushels from a year ago.

Sorghum production of 21.6 million bushels is up 64 percent from a year ago. Area for grain harvest of 220,000 acres is up 38 percent from last year. Yield is forecast at 98 bushels per acre,up 16 bushels from last year. This would tie the record yield set in 1994.

Sugarbeet production is forecast at 1.23 million tons, down 8 percent from 2014. Area for harvest, at 47,000 acres, is up 2 percent from last year. Yield is estimated at 26.2 tons per acre, down 2.9 tons from a year ago.



IOWA CROP PRODUCTION REPORT 

Iowa corn production is forecast at 2.41 billion bushels, 2 percent above the 2014 production but down slightly from the August forecast according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Crop Production report. If realized, the production would tie 2009 for the highest on record. Based on conditions as of September 1, yields are expected to average 181 bushels per acre, an increase of 3 bushels per acre from last year but down 2 bushels from the August forecast. If realized, the yield will be tied with 2004 and 2009 as the highest on record. Acres harvested for grain remain unchanged at 13.3 million acres.

Soybean production is forecast at 526 million bushels, up 2 percent from the August forecast. If realized, this would be the highest soybean production on record, slightly above the 525 million bushels produced in 2005. The September 1 forecast yield is 53 bushels per acre, 1.5 bushels above 2014 and 1.0 bushel above the August forecast. If realized this would be the highest soybean yield on record, 0.5 bushel above 2005. Area harvested remained unchanged at 9.92 million.

All crop forecasts in this report are based on September 1 conditions and do not reflect weather effects since that time. The next production forecasts, based on conditions as of October 1, will be released on October 9.



USDA:  Corn Production Down Less Than 1 Percent from August Forecast
Soybean Production Up Slightly

Corn production is forecast at 13.6 billion bushels, down 4 percent from last year's record production and down less than 1 percent from the August forecast. Based on conditions as of September 1, yields are expected to average 167.5 bushels per acre, down 1.3 bushels from the August forecast and down 3.5 bushels from 2014. If realized, this will be the second highest yield and third largest production on record for the United States. Area harvested for grain is forecast at 81.1 million acres, unchanged from the August forecast but down 2 percent from 2014.

Soybean production is forecast at 3.94 billion bushels, up slightly from August but down 1 percent from last year. Based on September 1 conditions, yields are expected to average 47.1 bushels per acre, up 0.2 bushel from last month but down 0.7 bushel from last year. Area for harvest in the United States is forecast at a record 83.5 million acres, unchanged from August but up less than 1 percent from 2014.



Water meters:  a management tool to protect existing users

The Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD) is discussing changes to their Groundwater Management Plan to more efficiently and effectively promote sound stewardship of groundwater.  These changes will help the LENRD in its mission to conserve, develop, and manage the water resources of northeast Nebraska.

     While multiple changes to the Groundwater Management Plan are anticipated, the first proposed change is to require flow meters on all irrigation wells.  Once the meters are installed, the LENRD will consider allocations throughout the district.  Cost-share assistance for purchasing and installing flow meters is available this year.  The signup deadline is October 16th.  Producers are encouraged to visit their local NRCS office to take advantage of this opportunity.

     Water meters are a valuable tool for the LENRD and producers for measuring water use.  The meters will provide data to better understand crop  irrigation needs.  This data, along with UNL’s crop irrigation requirement research will be used to develop reasonable, allocations.  If allocations are in place, the meters will provide an equitable and impartial measurement for all irrigators.

     Flow meters, allow for an accurate, standard measuring system from one producer to the next to measure groundwater use.  Flow meters are also a water management tool that will help irrigators to manage their irrigation applications efficiently, and apply the proper volume of water to the field at the right time.  Meters will  accurately measure the volume of water being applied to help prevent over irrigation.

     The goal of this program is to keep the district from implementing drastic changes to water policy during drought conditions.  The drought of 2012 prompted the district to make difficult decisions over a short period of time, addressing urgent water shortage conditions.  Having meters in place will allow the district to set allocations during times of drought.  Overall, this is the most fair and equitable management tool that  allows both producers and the LENRD to best manage our finite resource of water.  Water meters will allow the district to address water shortage concerns from year to year and keep the economic engine of northeast Nebraska running.

     LENRD General Manager, Mike Sousek, said, "Using meters in not necessarily for managing groundwater under normal conditions, but planning for the infrequent challenges during extreme drought that will allow for protection of all existing uses, and in areas allow for the expansion of uses, providing continued economic benefit to the region, and maximizing the overall benefit for northeast Nebraska and improving the quality of life for its residents."



Nebraska Soybean Board Takes on “Yield-Robber” at Husker Harvest Days

Farmers attending Husker Harvest Days can visit the Nebraska Soybean Board booth to learn how to contain a pest blamed for reducing soybean yields across much of the state. Soybean cyst nematode (SCN) is a small, worm-like creature that feeds on the roots of soybeans. They’re found throughout central and eastern Nebraska. But farmers can take steps to limit their impact.

University of Nebraska Extension Plant Pathology Specialist Loren Giesler will be at the Nebraska Soybean Board booth each day of Husker Harvest Days. Giesler’s display illustrates how soybean cyst nematodes attack soybean plants. He says farmers aren’t always aware of infestations because plants don’t show visible signs of the pest.

“Soybean cyst nematodes cost Nebraska soybean growers millions of dollars every year,” Giesler said. “The only way to reduce that is to identify infested fields. We’re here to help farmers determine if they have SCN, and discuss ways to address the problem.”

The Nebraska Soybean Board is providing free soil sample bags at Husker Harvest Days. Giesler says farmers can send samples to UNL for analysis. Test results are provided free of charge.

“We’re looking forward to seeing soybean growers at Husker Harvest Days,” said Victor Bohuslavsky, executive director of the Nebraska Soybean Board. “It’s important to take on this invasive and expensive pest.”

Husker Harvest Days is held at Grand Island, Neb. Sept. 15–17. The Nebraska Soybean Board booth is located in booth 8 inside the commodities groups building. Follow Nebraska Soybean Board on Facebook and Twitter for updates on Husker Harvest Days as well as tips and information for Nebraska farmers.



Platte Valley Cattlemen Outlook Meeting is September 21st
Jarad Drinnin, President, Platte Valley Cattlemen

As the weather changes and the choppers start rolling, it can only mean one thing… the next Platte Valley Cattlemen meeting is here! On Monday, September 21st at Wunderlich’s we are planning to have our annual Outlook meeting starting with a social hour at 6:00 p.m. and our meal to begin at 7:00 p.m.

We want to thank the Frontier Coop for the meal sponsoring and also thank Pinnacle Bank for sponsoring the social hour. Our featured speaker for the night will be Howard Laube.  Howard is with The Andersons Inc. He is a merchandiser in their Iowa office.

We look forward to seeing everyone on the 21st!




Northeast Nebraska farmers win appeal in grain elevator case

(AP) _ The Nebraska Supreme Court has reversed the state Public Service Commission’s ruling in the case of two farm operations whose claims were denied when a Pierce grain elevator was shut down last year.

The high court said Friday that the commission wrongly denied the claims of Curt Raabe and James and Diane Herian, all of Pierce County.

It ordered Raabe be paid his $88,500 claim to cover a check issued to him days before the elevator closed. The court also ordered the Herians be compensated for nearly 28,000 bushels of corn they had stored at the failed elevator.

The Public Service Commission closed Pierce Elevator Inc. in March 2014, after a bank discontinued financing the operation. More than 200 farmers filed claims worth $9.7 million against the company.



2015 Beef Pit a Success

The 2015 Nebraska State Fair marked the 32nd year of the Nebraska Cattlemen Beef Pit and once again, the Beef Pit served over 22,000 delicious prime rib, roast beef and BBQ beef sandwiches to hungry fairgoers utilizing more than 10,000 pounds of beef during the 11 day event.

“We had a great 11 day run at the Fair this year.  It’s exciting to promote our industry at the Fair and see the public enjoy our product,” said Meghan Anderson, who along with her husband Troy chair the NC Beef Pit Committee.  “We also are very appreciative of all the volunteers that come out to help us serve our great beef sandwiches.”

The Beef Pit utilizes over 350 volunteers that donate their time to prepare and serve the beef meals during the fair and without the help of these volunteers, the Beef Pit could not be the great success it has been over the years.



NC Encouraging Members to Attend Transportation Hearings

The movement of agricultural products and commodities is essential to Nebraska’s beef producers. The Legislature’s Transportation and Telecommunications Committee will hold a series of hearings across the state to discuss three legislative resolutions important to Nebraska’s agricultural community.  LR 313 will examine the process utilized by the Nebraska Department of Roads in design and construction of an expressway system. LR 317 is a review of Nebraska “Rules of the Road” regarding weight limits and definitions of vehicles operated on public roads. And LR 318 is a comprehensive study of Nebraska’s state and local road system including funding sources for highways, roads and bridges.

Hearings will take place on the following dates and in the locations listed:

Wednesday, September 16
1:30 p.m. - Lifelong Learning Center, Northeast Community College, 801 East Benjamin Ave., Norfolk
LR318 (Smith) Interim study to conduct a comprehensive study of Nebraska's state and local roads system
LR313 (Scheer) Interim study to examine the process utilized by the Dept. of Roads in the design and construction of the Nebraska expressway system

Thursday, October 1
1:30 p.m. – Kneale Administration Building, Grand Island Public Schools, 123 South Webb Rd., Grand Island
LR318 (Smith) Interim study to conduct a comprehensive study of Nebraska's state and local roads system
LR317 (Smith) Interim study to review the Nebraska Rules of the Road and provisions which establish maximum weight limits

Monday, October 5
1:30 p.m. – Lied Scottsbluff Public Library, 1809 3rd Ave., Scottsbluff
LR318 (Smith) Interim study to conduct a comprehensive study of Nebraska's state and local roads system
LR313 (Scheer) Interim study to examine the process utilized by the Dept. of Roads in the design and construction of the Nebraska expressway system

Tuesday, October 6 
9:30 a.m. – Lied Scottsbluff Public Library, 1809 3rd Ave., Scottsbluff
LR317 (Smith) Interim study to review the Nebraska Rules of the Road and provisions which establish maximum weight limits

Thursday, October 22
1:30 p.m. – Crete City Hall Council Chambers, 243 East 13th St., Crete
LR318 (Smith) Interim study to conduct a comprehensive study of Nebraska's state and local roads system
LR317 (Smith) Interim study to review the Nebraska Rules of the Road and provisions which establish maximum weight limits

Thursday, December 3
1:30 p.m. - Room 1113, State Capitol, Lincoln
LR318 (Smith) Interim study to conduct a comprehensive study of Nebraska's state and local roads system
LR317 (Smith) Interim study to review the Nebraska Rules of the Road and provisions which establish maximum weight limits

In 2014, NC created a Transportation Task Force to discuss issues members face in transporting product across the state.  Many of the issues the task force reviewed will be discussed during the hearings for these three legislative resolutions. The task force met last fall and held a conference call recently to review NC policy and prepare for the hearings.  Nebraska Cattlemen is developing talking points about the three resolutions and will provide testimony at the hearings as they take place.  We encourage members to attend the meetings in your area and share your story with the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee.



GRAZE TO KEEP GRASS HEALTHY
Bruce Anderson, UNL Extension Forage Specialist

               Pastures sometimes have lots of weeds remaining this time of year.  It’s tempting to graze hard enough to use those weeds, but is this actually good for the pasture?

               Many pasture weeds can provide satisfactory protein and energy for cattle when eaten, but cattle avoid them due to poor palatability.  That’s why they’re weeds!  If pressed hard enough, though, cattle will eat many of them when there is nothing else to eat.  While this gets rid of the weeds temporarily, if might not be healthy for the pasture.

               Every pasture has millions of weed seeds in the soil and the potential to become weedy.     Since some pastures stay relatively clean while other pastures become weedy, other factors undoubtedly influence the weed population.  Simply grazing or controlling weeds by spraying or cutting does little to prevent weeds from coming back again unless these other factors are changed to better support desirable plants.

               To control weeds, it is much more important to manage grazing to support healthy desirable plants than to weaken or remove unwanted weeds.  Grazing that allows sufficient leaf area to remain following grazing that supports rapid regrowth, allows good winterizing, and holds snow and rain moisture on the land rather than running off will benefit the desirable grasses and legumes.  Giving pasture plants adequate time to recover after grazing before grazing again is another way to improve or maintain pasture health and strengthen the competitive ability of desirable plants.

               Weeds in a pasture can indicate that the pasture itself and the desired plants in it are not in a healthy condition.  For improvement to occur, controlling weeds is not enough.  Changing management to strengthen desired grasses and legumes also is essential.



VESICULAR STOMATITIS DIAGNOSED IN SCOTTS BLUFF COUNTY HORSE

A case of Vesicular Stomatitis (VS) has been confirmed in a horse in Scotts Bluff County, Nebraska, by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA). State Veterinarian Dr. Dennis Hughes said today the horse and other livestock on the farm have been placed under quarantine.

VS is a viral disease which primarily affects horses and cattle, but can also affect sheep, goats and swine. The virus that causes VS, Vesicular Stomatitis Virus (VSV), typically harbors in southern Mexico in the winter months, and periodically moves north into the United States. At this time, VSV has affected horses and cattle in Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming and South Dakota. In affected livestock, VSV causes blister-like lesions to form in the mouth and on the dental pad, tongue, lips, nostrils, hooves and teats. As a result of the lesions, infected animals may refuse to eat and drink, which leads to severe weight loss.

Hughes is urging producers with animals that might be experiencing these symptoms to contact their veterinarian immediately.

“Vesicular Stomatitis is typically transmitted in two primary ways, biting insects and midges, and nose-to-nose contact between a non-infected and infected animal,” said Dr. Hughes. “The best ways to reduce the chance of VS infection is to reduce the population of flies, mosquitoes and other biting insects as much as possible, and to isolate infected animals from uninfected animals.”

In recent months there have been several reported cases of VS confirmed in areas of Wyoming, Colorado and South Dakota that border the Nebraska Panhandle. Nebraska’s last confirmed cases of VS were last November in two cows in Wheeler County. Nebraska’s last major outbreak of the disease was in 2005.

According to Hughes, the positive diagnosis might trigger animal import regulations in other states. Producers moving livestock from Nebraska into another state are encouraged to contact the state veterinarian’s office in the state of destination to learn about specific import requirements.

Hughes said that due to the VS finding, he and officials for the AKSARBEN Stock Show and Rodeo, scheduled for Sept. 24-27, in Omaha, have agreed to put in place new requirements for horse and cattle exhibitors. Horses arriving at the show from anywhere within Nebraska will need to have seen a veterinarian within 48 hours. The 48-hour rule also will apply to any cattle coming to the show from the Nebraska Panhandle counties. These counties include Banner, Box Butte, Cheyenne, Dawes, Deuel, Garden, Kimball, Morrill, Scotts Bluff, Sheridan and Sioux.

Hughes is encouraging managers of other upcoming horse and cattle exhibitions or shows in the state to consider enacting similar requirements.

“Until the weather gets cold, eliminating transmission vectors like flies and mosquitoes, there is still a chance that we could see a spread of the disease,” Hughes said. “Requiring a health check within two days before shows where animals comingle will help protect against such spread.”

For more information on VS visit: http://www.nda.nebraska.gov/animal/diseases/vs/index.html. 



 American Ethanol Powered Boat Wins Top Prize at Lake of the Ozarks Shootout

American Ethanol made a huge splash at the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout in central Missouri, the largest unsanctioned boat race in the Midwest. More than 100,000 spectators gathered to watch nearly 100 boats race along the one-mile course, but only one boat was crowned as the “Top Gun”—the American Ethanol 51-foot Mystic Powerboats catamaran. The boat was named after its fuel sourced and logged a top speed of 208 mph.

“The American Ethanol catamaran definitively proved that ethanol and marine engines are more than compatible,” said Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy. “The team chose to run on ethanol because the fuel performs better and burns cooler than regular gasoline. Unsurprisingly, the second place boat was also powered by homegrown American ethanol,” Buis said.

The driver of the boat, Myrick Coil, said, “This boat accelerated harder than any boat I have ever been in. It was also the biggest boat I have ever driven. Those two things usually don't go together!"

John Cosker, owner of Mystic Powerboats, added, “All of our hard work leading up to the event paid off when the boat came alive off of the start line and rocketed to a clocked speed of 208 mph. It showed America the power behind American Ethanol.”

The owner of the boat, Don Onken, echoed these sentiments and noted that, “We showcased the potential of American Ethanol at this event, and I’m proud of what we were able to accomplish together. There’s only one thing left to do—figure out how to go faster next year.”



The Andersons Names Bowe CEO; Anderson to Remain Chair

After an extensive search, The Andersons, Inc. announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Pat Bowe, formerly corporate vice president of Cargill, Inc., to succeed Mike Anderson as president and chief executive officer, effective Nov. 2. Anderson will remain as the company's chairman of the board. Bowe will also be appointed to The Andersons Board of Directors.

Bowe has more than 35 years of experience in the agricultural sector. In his most recent role as corporate vice president for Cargill's Food Ingredient and Systems Platform, he was responsible for strategy, capital allocation decisions, customer relationship management, as well as leading key sourcing and business excellence initiatives. During his time at Cargill, Bowe held a variety of leadership positions at the company, both domestically and abroad, including oversight of the company's Corn Wet Milling operation. He has extensive experience in leading large organizations with particular expertise in commodity and futures trading, acquisitions and joint ventures, process improvement, strategic sourcing, capital management, and establishing and maintaining strong customer relationships.

"We are pleased to name someone of Pat's caliber as our next CEO of The Andersons," said Mike Anderson. "Pat is an accomplished executive with a proven track record of delivering results and he brings extensive global experience in the agricultural sector as well as broad expertise in strategy design, team development, and establishing customer partnerships. We are confident Pat is the ideal leader to carry on the proud tradition of the company my grandfather founded. He joins a dedicated and talented Andersons leadership team that is well positioned to build on our strong foundation and take the Company into the future."

Bowe said, "I am excited to have the opportunity to lead such an outstanding organization. I have long admired The Andersons and I look forward to capitalizing on the unique opportunities that lie ahead for the Company."

Bowe served at Cargill, Inc. as one of the leaders of the company's Food Ingredients and Systems business since 2007. Prior to joining Cargill's Corn Milling Division, Bowe managed the copper trading desk for Cargill Metals Division and worked as a trader and analyst for Cargill Investor Services at the Chicago Board of Trade. In addition to his Cargill experience, Bowe also worked as a cash grain merchant for Louis Dreyfus Corp. in Springfield, Ill., and Phil O'Connel Grain Co., in Stockton, Calif.. early in his career. Bowe earned his bachelor's degree in political science from Stanford University, Palo Alto, Calif. He went on to earn a master's degree from Stanford's Food Research Institute. He and his wife will be relocating to the Maumee, Ohio, area in the near future.