Wednesday September 30 Ag News

NEBRASKA SEPTEMBER 1, 2015 GRAIN STOCKS

Nebraska old crop corn stocks in all positions on September 1, 2015 totaled 182 million bushels, up 29 percent from 2014, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. Of the total, 51.0 million bushels are stored on farms, up 6 percent from a year ago. Off-farm stocks, at 131 million bushels, are up 41 percent from last year.

Old crop soybeans stored in all positions totaled 15.6 million bushels, more than double last  year’s holdings. On-farm stocks of 2.65 million bushels are up 83 percent from a year ago. Off-farm stocks, at 13.0 million bushels, are up 145 percent from 2014.

Old crop sorghum stored in all positions totaled 908,000 bushels, down 30 percent from 2014. On-farm stocks of 125,000 are down 26 percent from a year earlier, while off farm holdings of 783,000 are down 31 percent from last year.

Wheat stored in all positions totaled 56.0 million bushels, down 15 percent from a year ago. On farm stocks of 5.80 million bushels are down 42 percent compared to 2014 and off-farm stocks of 50.2 million bushels are down 11 percent from last year. On-farm oats totaled 1.70 million bushels, up 70 percent from 2014.



IOWA GRAIN STOCKS REPORT

Iowa corn stocks in all positions on September 1, 2015, totaled 372 million bushels, up 39 percent from September 1, 2014, according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Grain Stocks report. Of the total stocks, 34 percent were stored on-farm. The June 2015-August 2015 indicated disappearance totaled 505 million bushels, 10 percent above the 460 million bushels used during the same period last year.

Iowa soybeans stored in all positions on September 1, 2015, totaled 37.3 million bushels, up 73 percent from the 21.6 million bushels on hand September 1, 2014. Of the total stocks, 28 percent were stored on-farm. Indicated disappearance for June 2015-August 2015 is 88.3 million bushels, 22 percent more than the 72.6 million bushel sused during the same quarter last year.

Iowa oats stocks stored on-farm on September 1, 2015, totaled 3.1 million bushels, up 35 percent from September 1, 2014.



USDA:  Corn Stocks Up 41 Percent from September 2014
Soybean Stocks Up 108 Percent
All Wheat Stocks Up 10 Percent

Old crop corn stocks in all positions on September 1, 2015 totaled 1.73 billion bushels, up 41 percent from September 1, 2014. Of the total stocks, 593 million bushels are stored on farms, up 28 percent from a year earlier. Off-farm stocks, at 1.14 billion bushels, are up 48 percent from a year ago. The June - August 2015 indicated disappearance is 2.72 billion bushels, compared with 2.62 billion bushels during the same period last year.

Old crop soybeans stored in all positions on September 1, 2015 totaled 191 million bushels, up 108 percent from September 1, 2014. Soybean stocks stored on farms totaled 49.7 million bushels, up 133 percent from a year ago. Off-farm stocks, at 142 million bushels, are up 101 percent from last September. Indicated disappearance for June - August 2015 totaled 436 million bushels, up 39 percent from the same period a year earlier.

Based on an analysis of end-of-marketing year stock estimates, disappearance data for exports and crushings, and farm program administrative data, the 2014 soybean production is revised to 3.93 billion bushels, down 41.7 million bushels from the previous estimate. Planted area is revised down
425,000 acres to 83.3 million acres, and harvested area is revised down 470,000 acres to 82.6 million acres. The 2014 yield, at 47.5 bushels per acre, is down 0.3 bushel from the previous estimate. A table with 2014 acreage, yield, and production estimates by States is included on page 17 of this report.

All wheat stored in all positions on September 1, 2015 totaled 2.09 billion bushels, up 10 percent from a year ago. On-farm stocks are estimated at 647 million bushels, down 9 percent from last September. Off-farm stocks, at 1.44 billion bushels, are up 21 percent from a year ago. The June - August 2015 indicated disappearance is 716 million bushels, up 1 percent from the same period a year earlier.

Durum wheat stocks in all positions on September 1, 2015 totaled 73.8 million bushels, up 28 percent from a year ago. On-farm stocks, at 44.4 million bushels, are up 15 percent from September 1, 2014. Off-farm stocks totaled 29.4 million bushels, up 54 percent from a year ago. The June - August 2015 indicated disappearance of 34.3 million bushels is up 93 percent from the same period a year earlier.

Barley stocks in all positions on September 1, 2015 totaled 219 million bushels, up 22 percent from September 1, 2014. On-farm stocks are estimated at 136 million bushels, 39 percent above a year ago. Off-farm stocks, at 82.9 million bushels, are 1 percent above September 2014. The June - August 2015 indicated disappearance is 74.4 million bushels, 11 percent below the same period a year earlier.

Oats stored in all positions on September 1, 2015 totaled 93.3 million bushels, 26 percent above the stocks on September 1, 2014. Of the total stocks on hand, 47.2 million bushels are stored on farms, 14 percent higher than a year ago. Off-farm stocks totaled 46.1 million bushels, 40 percent above the previous year. Indicated disappearance during June - August 2015 totaled 50.0 million bushels, compared with 20.7 million bushels during the same period a year ago.

Old crop grain sorghum stored in all positions on September 1, 2015 totaled 18.4 million bushels, down 46 percent from a year ago. On-farm stocks, at 1.90 million bushels, are down 3 percent from last year. Off-farm stocks, at 16.5 million bushels, are down 49 percent from September 1, 2014. The June - August 2015 indicated disappearance from all positions is 15.9 million bushels, down 73 percent from the same period a year ago.

Old crop sunflower stocks in all positions on September 1, 2015 totaled 238 million pounds, up 19 percent from a year ago. All stocks stored on farms totaled 44.1 million pounds and off-farm stocks totaled 194 million pounds. Stocks of oil type sunflower seed are 79.2 million pounds; of this total,
33.4 million pounds are on-faRm stocks and 45.8 million pounds are off-farm stocks. Non-oil sunflower stocks totaled 158 million pounds, with 10.7 million pounds stored on the farm and 148 million pounds stored off the farm.



2015 NEBRASKA SMALL GRAIN ACREAGE AND PRODUCTION

Winter wheat production is estimated at 46.0 million bushels, down 35 percent from last year. The area harvested for grain totaled 1.21 million acres, down 17 percent from 2014. Planted acreage totaled 1.49 million, down 4 percent from a year earlier. The yield is 38.0 bushels per acre, down 11.0 bushels from last year.

Oat production is estimated at 2.68 million bushels, up 34 percent from 2014. Area harvested for grain, at 40,000 acres, is up 33 percent from last year. Planted acreage totaled 135,000, up 23 percent from a year earlier. Average yield is a record 67.0 bushels per acre, down 13.0 bushelsfrom 2014.



IOWA SMALL GRAIN SUMMARY

OAT production is estimated at 4.16 million bushels, up 18 percent from last year, according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Small Grains 2015 Summary. Oats planted, at 125,000 acres, is down 14 percent from last year. Harvested area for grain is 57,000 acres, up 4 percent from 2014. Oat yield, at 73.0 bushels per acre, is up 9 bushels from last year.

WINTER WHEAT production, at 780,000 bushels, is up 6 percent from last year. Planted acreage, at 20,000, is down 23 percent from 2014. Winter wheat harvested area is 15,000 acres, unchanged from last year. Winter wheat yield, at 52.0 bushels per acre, is up 3 bushels from 2014.



USDA Small Grains 2015 Summary

All wheat production totaled 2.05 billion bushels in 2015, up 1 percent from the revised 2014 total. Area harvested for grain totaled 47.1 million acres, up 2 percent from the previous year. The United States yield is estimated at 43.6 bushels per acre, down 0.1 bushel from the previous year. The levels of production and changes from 2014 by type are winter wheat, 1.37 billion bushels, down less than 1 percent; other spring wheat, 599 million bushels, up less than 1 percent; and Durum wheat, 82.5 million bushels, up 53 percent.

Oat production is estimated at 89.5 million bushels, up 27 percent from the revised 2014 total of 70.2 million bushels. Yield is estimated at 70.2 bushels per acre, up 2.3 bushels from the previous year and represents a new record high for the United States. Harvested area, at 1.28 million acres, is 23 percent above last year.

Barley production is estimated at 214 million bushels, up 18 percent from the revised 2014 total. Average yield per acre, at 68.9 bushels, is down 3.8 bushels from the previous year. Producers seeded 3.56 million acres in 2015, up 17 percent from last year. Harvested area, at 3.11 million acres, is up 25 percent from 2014.



President Obama Wednesday Night Signs Seven Bills into Law, Including Ag Reauthorizations

On Wednesday, September 30, 2015, the President signed into law:

H.R. 23, the "National Windstorm Impact Reduction Act Reauthorization of 2015," which reauthorizes the National Windstorm Impact Reduction Program through FY 2017, and makes modifications to the Program;

H.R. 719, the "Continuing Appropriations Act, 2016" which provides fiscal year 2016 appropriations for continuing projects and activities of the Federal Government through, Friday, December 11, 2015; requires the Transportation Security Administration to implement changes to come into compliance with existing Federal law concerning criminal investigator positions; and requires the Department of Homeland Security to provide a variety of security-related updates and reports to the Congress;

H.R. 2051, the "Agriculture Reauthorizations Act of 2015," which extends the Livestock Mandatory Reporting Act of 1999; reauthorizes certain authorities of the United States Grain Standards Act; and authorizes appropriations for the National Forest Foundation;

H.R. 3614, the "Airport and Airway Extension Act of 2015," which extends authorization for Federal Aviation Administration programs and related revenue authorities for six months, through March 31, 2016;

S. 230, which transfers to the Yukon-Kuskokwim Health Corporation a specified parcel of Federal land in Bethel, Alaska, by warranty deed;

S. 501, the "New Mexico Navajo Water Settlement Technical Corrections Act," which modifies and makes technical corrections to current law relating to the Navajo water rights settlement in the State of New Mexico; and

S. 2082, the "Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2015," which extends certain expiring authorities affecting veterans and their families, including:  health care; benefits; homelessness; and miscellaneous authorities; and amends various VA authorities related to medical facilities projects.



Senate Hearing Reviews Army Corps’ Role in WOTUS
 
Today the Senate Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Fisheries, Wildlife and Water held a hearing on the Army Corps of Engineers’ participation in the “waters of the United States” regulation. The subcommittee focused on internal memos released by the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee. While the memos show the Corps leadership having serious concerns with the science underlying the WOTUS rule, Jo Ellen Darcy, Assistant Secretary of the Army insisted, as co-author, the Corps supported the final rule. 

The hearing provided ample opportunity to highlight the issues raised in the memos and the gulf between the Corps and EPA in the arbitrary standards used in the final rule. Philip Ellis, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association president and Chugwater, Wyo., cattleman, said the arbitrary nature of this rule poses a danger to all land uses.

“This rule is clearly not based on science, nor does it relate to keeping our waters clean,” said Ellis. “It is a transparent land grab by the administration and EPA. Cattlemen and women will continue to oppose this rule in Congress and in the courtroom. This rule and the flawed rulemaking process underlie the need for legislation to withdraw the rule and compel the agencies to work with all stakeholders.”

The WOTUS rule became effective in all but 13 states on August 28. A Federal Circuit Judge in North Dakota granted a temporary preliminary injunction on implementation of the WOTUS rule in the case brought by the 13 states before his court. Since enforcement of the rule, 31 states and numerous stakeholders, including the NCBA and Public Lands Council, have engaged in 22 lawsuits challenging EPA’s transparent lack of authority to regulate all waters in the United States.

NCBA and PLC support S. 1140, the Federal Water Quality Protection Act, bipartisan legislation that would direct the EPA to withdraw the final WOTUS rule and work with stakeholders in drafting a new rule to clarify the Clean Water Act.



NCBA Chief Veterinarian Addresses Joint Public Meeting Regarding Antimicrobial Data Collection
 
Today, Kathy Simmons, DVM, Chief Veterinarian, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, delivered comments before a joint public meeting of the Food and Drug Administration, United States Department of Agriculture, and Center for Disease Control addressing antimicrobial use and resistance data collection.

“NCBA believes that a clear strategy for data collection, analysis and reporting must first be established before moving forward with the data collection process in order to provide information that correctly represents actual antimicrobial drug use in food-producing animals,” said Dr. Simmons, adding that antimicrobial use data collection needs to be revised. “We agree that the antimicrobial drug sales and distribution data currently collected by FDA under ADUFA does not equate to antimicrobial drug use in food-producing animals. We are appreciative of the desire of the agencies to obtain broad stakeholder involvement and collaboration in the process to seek the best possible options available for collecting and analyzing on-farm antimicrobial drug use information.”

NCBA has a long history supporting antimicrobial stewardship that directs responsible antibiotic use in all sectors of the beef cattle industry. This commitment dates back to the first release of the Beef Producer Guidelines for Judicious Use of Antimicrobials in 1987, which is still utilized in an updated form by producers today.

“We do not believe that the reduction in the volume of antimicrobial drugs used in food-producing animals should be used as the sole measurement for the success of a judicious antimicrobial drug use strategy,” said Simmons. Instead, “there must be a way to link antimicrobial drug use metrics with the reason for drug use and animal population parameters rather than simply reporting aggregate quantities for which the only goal is reduction.”

Additionally, Simmons cautioned FDA on privacy concerns, stating that ensuring the anonymity of participants and safeguarding the information gathered in the system is of utmost importance to cattle producers.

As the conversation continues in Washington D.C., NCBA will remain engaged. Cattlemen and women appreciate the efforts of FDA to help bring more transparency and increased granularity to the antibiotic sales data for food-producing animals as well as the collaborative approach FDA is taking between industry users, federal agencies, and animal health companies.



Rabobank: Beef Traded Volumes Reaching Quota Limits

New Zealand and Australia beef exports to the U.S. are set to reach their quota limits in Q4. Meanwhile, global economic conditions--such as the appreciation of the U.S. dollar and the depreciation of the yuan and the real--are having an impact on beef trade, according to the Rabobank Beef Quarterly Q3.

A strong U.S. dollar has led to a reduction in U.S. exports and support for U.S. imports, while a weakening Chinese economy and devaluation of the yuan are curbing beef prices in China, and the devaluation of the real is expected to support Brazilian exports in the coming months.

"With little change expected in major beef-trading economies in the coming quarter, other than a possibility of the U.S. FOMC raising interest rates, a strong U.S. currency is expected to continue to affect global beef trade," according to Angus Gidley-Baird, senior animal protein analyst at Rabobank.

Highlights from the report include:

-- New Zealand and Australia exports to the U.S. are reaching quota limits, which--combined with the availability of supply in the U.S.--will result in some short-term softening in the Australian and New Zealand markets.

-- There has been little progress in trade developments in the quarter. Australia is still awaiting parliamentary processes to enact the China FTA, Brazil is still progressing towards a trade protocol with the U.S., and the Trans Pacific Partnership (TTP) remains in negotiation.

-- Russia has extended its ban on agricultural products from the EU, the U.S., Canada, Norway and Australia by another year.



EIA: Ethanol Stocks, Demand Fall

Total ethanol inventories fell last week despite higher domestic plant production, the U.S. Energy Information Administration reported on Wednesday, Sept. 30.

The report showed ethanol stocks fell 118,000 barrels (bbl), or 0.6%, to 18.782 million bbl during the week-ended Sept. 25 while down 0.2% versus a year ago.

The report showed domestic ethanol production rose 5,000 barrels per day (bpd) to 943,000 bpd while up 62,000 bpd or 7.0% year-on-year.

Blender inputs, a gauge for ethanol demand, fell last week by 11,000 bpd, or 1.2%, to 881,000 bpd while up 2.2% versus a year earlier.

There were no ethanol imports recorded last week, the report showed, after 44,000 bpd of ethanol was imported to the East Coast a week prior.

EIA data showed implied demand for gasoline dropped 194,000 bpd during the week-ended Sept. 25 to 9.021 million bpd, yet was 4.2% higher than the same week a year ago.



Former Senator Jim Talent Announces Americans for Energy Security and Innovation to Expand Support for Renewable Fuel Standard

Former Senator Jim Talent today launched a new group aimed at building and expanding support for the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). Americans for Energy Security and Innovation (AESI) will focus its efforts on building support for a stronger RFS to reduce our dependence on foreign oil from unfriendly nations and stimulate domestic innovation and economic development in the biofuels sector.

“I was one of the prime movers behind passage of this critical legislation ten years ago, when President George W. Bush signed the Renewable Fuel Standard into law,” said former Senator Jim Talent. “I believe that biofuels are the most feasible replacement for oil as automobile fuel, and that we need a strong RFS so that private investors can develop the biofuels industry with adequate assurance that their potential market won’t be destroyed by manipulations from the foreign oil cartel.”

The RFS has been successful policy over the past decade – with 10 percent of the nation’s fuel supply now coming from cost-competitive biofuels. The industry has also created more than 850,000 well-paying jobs in rural America and across the country. However, the Obama Administration’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) took a step backwards this May when they proposed the annual blending targets to lower levels than were intended when the RFS was enacted into law. These proposed standards jeopardize the already frozen $13.7 billion in existing investments in advanced biofuels, while threatening to ship future investments – and jobs – overseas.

“The Obama Administration’s justification for these lowered levels use a criteria that is not included in the EPA’s clearly defined statutory waiver authority. The RFS has been the only consistent and effective energy policy that Washington has produced. Yet, the Obama Administration plans to ax the only policy we have on the books that actually works to wean us off our dependence on fuels controlled by foreign oil cartels, while creating jobs at home.”

AESI will work to create an environment to prevent regulations and restrictions to the renewable fuel industry by increasing support and mobilizing elected officials to support our efforts.



Growth Energy Welcomes Announcement of the Launch of Americans for Energy Security and Innovation, Further Protecting the RFS

 In response to the announcement of the formation of a new, pro-biofuels group that will advocate for and support the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) to ensure a robust renewable fuels industry, Tom Buis, CEO of Growth Energy, issued the following statement:

“We are pleased that Americans for Energy Security and Innovation have joined the important fight to ensure that the RFS is protected and that America has a strong, robust and resilient renewable fuels industry.

“Former Senator Jim Talent from Missouri has always been a true advocate for renewable fuels and rural America. I am confident that Senator Talent and Americans for Energy Security and Innovation will be effective in the battle to improve our environment, create jobs in America that cannot be outsourced and reduce our dangerous dependence on foreign oil and fossil fuels, all while providing consumers with a choice and savings at the pump.”



More than 60,000 Expected to Converge on Louisville Oct. 28-31 for 2015 National FFA Convention & Expo

The 2015 National FFA Convention & Expo will celebrate its last year of its three-year run in Louisville beginning Oct. 28. More than 60,000 FFA members and guests from throughout the United States are expected at this year's event, which runs through Oct. 31.

The convention and expo will bring an estimated economic impact of $40 million, making it the largest convention for Louisville this year. Attendees will stay in 136 hotels within a 60-mile radius of Louisville. After this year, the convention and expo will move to Indianapolis from 2016-2024.

“Amplify” is the theme for this year’s convention and expo. "With the opportunities we are given in our lives, we must take action and share the message of agriculture with others," said 2015-16 National FFA President Andy Paul, a student at Abraham Baldwin Agricultural College in Georgia. “It's time we all amplify our voice when it comes to the message of agriculture, and boost our impact.”

Nine general sessions will draw FFA members together at the Kentucky Exposition Center. Students will have countless opportunities to engage exhibitors from more than 450 corporations, organizations and colleges at the expo inside the center. Other events will be held at venues downtown, in the suburbs and beyond.

This year marks the 85th anniversary of the National FFA Creed as well as the 50th anniversary of the merger of New Farmers of America, an agricultural organization for African-American students, with the National FFA Organization.

The convention and expo will kick off with keynote speaker Rick Rigsby during the opening sessions on Oct. 28 and 29. On Friday morning, past state FFA officer Amberley Snyder will share her message with FFA members on how she overcame adversity, and that evening, Brad Montague, who developed the idea for Kid President, will share his story.

Throughout the week, students will attend more than 70 leadership and personal growth workshops. FFA members will tour industry destinations, including Papa John’s international headquarters, Ford’s Louisville assembly plant, Churchill Downs and more.

FFA members will roll up their sleeves and participate in several planned community-service initiatives starting Oct. 29 as part of the National Days of Service. FFA members will pitch in and help a host of local organizations, including YouthBuild Louisville, where young adults realize their potential through the development of life and job skills; The Parklands of Floyds Fork, where the goal is to build a world-class, systemic addition to Louisville's park system; and Louisville Grows, Inc., an organization promoting urban agriculture and forestry.



Center for Food Integrity Planning Annual Summit

Consumers expect transparency from today's food system, and new research from The Center for Food Integrity details what they want to know, from whom they want to hear it and how they expect to access information. Research results and new transparency best practices for the food system will be presented at the 2015 CFI Food Integrity Summit: A Clear View of Food Transparency, Nov. 17-18 in New Orleans.

The Summit will bring together leaders in the food industry, government, academia and non-governmental organizations for an honest evaluation of consumer trust in the food system. Research by CFI shows that transparency is key to building trust.

"Transparency is no longer optional. It's a consumer expectation for those in today's food system," said Charlie Arnot, CEO of The Center for Food Integrity. "We are going to take an in-depth look at what that means and how to go about achieving it."

As part of the research, a quiz posted on the CFI Facebook page invites consumers to discover their "food personality" by answering questions about their favorite weekend restaurant or typical lunch. They're also encouraged to provide additional feedback on food system transparency at www.TransparencyTable.org by answering open-ended questions like, "What do you want to know about the food you and your family eat?" and "What would you like food entities to be more transparent about?"

Results are being collected through Oct. 1. The comments will be combined with quantitative data from CFI's annual consumer research to develop transparency best practices for the food system.

The Summit will be held at the historic Roosevelt New Orleans Waldorf Astoria. More information and a registration link can be found at www.foodintegrity.org.



NEW N-BOUND™ stabilizer for urea, UAN and anhydrous offers option to protect nitrogen

Eco Agro introduces N-BOUND™ nitrogen stabilizer as a breakthrough for protecting nitrogen against loss in the soil, due to denitrification and leaching. Unique PENXCEL technology delivers a proven nitrogen stabilizer, Dicyandiamide (DCD), for applications not possible with previous formulations.

Norm Davy, Chief Marketing Officer for Eco Agro explains, "Using PENXCEL technology, we have engineered a formulation that can be applied to three different nitrogen sources to protect against loss. First, on urea we can add our fast-drying stabilizer and keep the granules flowing freely. Second, in UAN, N-BOUND eliminates the floating clumps of powder and settling hassles." Davy continues, "And third, for anhydrous ammonia, growers can use non-corrosive N-BOUND stabilizer in their fall and spring applications, either blended into the tank or metered in line." In all tests conducted with various anhydrous equipment manufacturers, N-BOUND stabilizer has been proven non-corrosive and was accurately metered through standard systems.

N-BOUND stabilizer is a breakthrough for a stabilizer with limited use because of its handling characteristics. Davy recounts the challenges. "With the original powder DCD you have a real hard time mixing it into fertilizer. While DCD delivered results at a research level, without a viable formulation, the market never developed. It was just too difficult."

Davy thinks growers and retailers will now give this stabilizer another try. "N-BOUND opens up possibilities for growers and retailers never available before. We make it easy to use with a liquid formulation that blends fast and eliminates the hoisting of heavy bags of powder into a tank".
The N-BOUND product can also be combined with N YIELD™ urease inhibitor that protects against losses into the air from surface applications of urea and UAN. Fertilizer dealers can customize the blend as local conditions change.