Thursday October 8 Ag News

WORLD’S LARGEST FOOD SHOW, BULGARIAN EMERGING MARKET FOCUS OF NDA TRADE VISIT

Buoyed by an Emerging Markets Program grant from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA), the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) is sending representatives to Europe to promote Nebraska’s agricultural exports. The trip, Oct. 9-16, includes stops in Bulgaria and Germany.

“The grant funds allow us to open up new opportunities for the emerging market in Bulgaria, while at the same time allowing us to utilize our NDA promotional funds to cultivate our relationships in the broader European market,” said NDA Director Greg Ibach. “With the current low commodity prices, increasing ag exports is a priority for Nebraska.”

The $70,000 grant award will be used for the trip and several other projects in Bulgaria scheduled to take place through July 2016. This is the first time Nebraska has received a USDA Emerging Markets Program grant.

“While our main focus in Bulgaria will be promoting soybeans and soy meal, we also have a great opportunity to promote other Nebraska commodities,” Ibach said. “Bulgaria represents a stepping stone to sell our agricultural products in several Eastern European emerging markets.”

During the Bulgaria stop, Ibach and an NDA staff member will meet with some of the top ranking officials in the Bulgarian Parliament, including the Bulgarian president’s chief of staff and agricultural advisor.

While in Germany, the Nebraska contingent will include Pat Knobbe, who is a cattle feeder from Cuming County and a representative of the Nebraska Beef Council. The group will attend Anuga, one of the largest food trade shows in the world. The event is being held in Cologne and attracts over 7,000 exhibitors from 108 countries.

Ibach will make appearances at several well-known American food company booths to assist in promoting Nebraska agricultural products. The Nebraska group also will conduct promotional outreach with Albers Food, one of Europe’s top beef distributors. Knobbe will participate in a special Albers marketing campaign, as well as give a presentation at an Albers’ hosted promotional event.

“Albers is a great customer of beef from Nebraska,” said Knobbe. “Being part of the marketing campaign to promote our products to European consumers is an unbelievable opportunity. I’m also excited to be able to tell the story of how we raise our premium-quality beef from Nebraska to Albers representatives.”

Nebraska’s agricultural exports to Europe in 2014 were roughly $506 million. The state’s exports to Bulgaria in recent years have been minimal.



NE Soybean Association Selects 2016 Young Leader

Wade Walters of Shickley, NE has been selected as the Nebraska Soybean Association’s (NSA) 2016 DuPont Pioneer Young Leader.

The Young Leader Program is sponsored by the American Soybean Association and DuPont Pioneer Hi-Bred.  It is designed to recognize and strengthen leadership in the agricultural community as well as cultivate producer leaders who are shaping the U.S. soybean industry.

Wade Walters and his wife Abby are involved in the family farming operation in Fillmore County where they raise corn, soybeans, seed corn and have a cow/calf operation. Wade holds a Bachelor degree in Agribusiness- Ag Banking and Finance option  and a Minor in Grazing Livestock Systems.  Wade is a member of the NE Soybean Association, American Soybean Association, NE Farm Bureau and NE Corn Growers where he serves as the president of the local chapter.  He served as a Council member for the Nebraska Agricultural Youth Institute and is a graduate of the NE Corn and Soybean Mentor program and participated in the United Soybean Board’s See For Yourself Program.   He is involved in his local church, American Legion Post and is a participant in the Fillmore County Odegeo Leadership project.  Wade considers  the top issues facing the soybean industry  are being able to develop enough demand both domestically and internationally to support the continued growth in production of soybeans  here in the United States.  Wade said “we also need to be able to have the freedom to operate as we currently do without more regulations harming our business.” 

Wade will join the 2016 class of DuPont Pioneer Young Leaders, which is made up of selected leaders from each soybean producing state to participate in an educational leadership experience in early December at Pioneer headquarters in Johnston, IA.  He will complete the second part of training March 1-4, 2016  in New Orleans, LA  in conjunction with the annual Commodity Classic.

NSA Young Leader committee chairman, Jason Lavene of Bertrand says “this program has been instrumental in helping to identify and develop some of the top soybean industry leaders in the state.  Several past winners have gone on to serve in leadership positions with our state and national organizations.”



Current National Drought Summary
www.droughtmonitor.unl.edu

Record rains and flooding inundated much of eastern and central South Carolina and extreme southeastern North Carolina as a very slow moving upper-air low over the Southeast funneled tropical moisture from Hurricane Joaquin (stalled over the central Bahamas) into the southern Atlantic Coast region for several days. More than 10 inches of rain fell on the eastern half of South Carolina, and well over 20 inches drenched east-central sections of the state. During the first 6 days of October, maximum Carolina storm amounts totaled 26.88 inches at Mt. Pleasant, SC, and 22.25 inches at Calabash, NC. Heavy rains (more than 2 inches) also fell across much of the eastern third of the Nation, easing or eliminating lingering short-term drought and dryness. An unsettled weather pattern in the West and High Plains also brought unseasonably heavy rains to parts of California, the Great Basin, Southwest, and northern third of the Rockies and Plains. Tropical moisture from former Pacific Hurricane Marty fueled heavy rains in New Mexico and west Texas. Wet weather continued across most of Alaska and Hawaii easing drought and dryness while light to moderate showers across southern Puerto Rico maintained conditions. In sharp contrast, mostly dry weather occurred throughout the Pacific Northwest, Great Plains, and Mississippi Valley. Ever since record wet May and June rains eliminated long-term drought in Texas and Oklahoma, very little precipitation has fallen in parts of the southern Great Plains and lower Mississippi Valley since early July, creating large short-term (at 2- and 3-months) deficits and extreme drought, especially from eastern Texas into central Mississippi.

Northern and Central Plains
A slow-moving frontal system, embedded with waves of low pressure and ample moisture to work with, produced unseasonably heavy precipitation from the Southwest northeastward into the northern Plains. The greatest amounts in the Plains included 1-2 inches in central Montana, western South Dakota, and north-central Nebraska. Most of this area, however, was drought free, except for D0 in eastern and central Montana and southwestern South Dakota where the abnormal dryness was reduced. In contrast, drier weather affected eastern sections, and D0 was expanded as short-term shortages increased.

Midwest
Most of the region saw little or no precipitation except for the Ohio Valley (Ohio, southern Indiana and Illinois, and most of Kentucky) where 1-3 inches of rain fell on the eastern halves of Kentucky and Ohio, and parts of southern Indiana and Illinois. These rains were enough to reduce or eliminate short-term deficits and improve D1 and D0 by a category in these same areas. In contrast, where little or no rain fell, short-term dryness (D0) expanded based upon 60- and 90-day shortages. This included central and western Missouri into northeastern Kansas, the UP of Michigan into northern Wisconsin, and western Minnesota (into southeastern North Dakota and northeastern South Dakota). In these areas, 90-day percentages were between 25-75%, and accumulated deficits were 2-6 inches, with a new D1(S) in central Missouri where 90-day shortages reached 6-8 inches.

Looking Ahead
For the upcoming 5-day period (October 8-12), mostly light (0.25-0.75 inches) precipitation will occur in the eastern third of the Nation, with totals of up to 1-1.5 inches possible in the northern Rockies, Great Lakes region, central Appalachians, and eastern Florida. Farther west, heavy precipitation (1-3 inches) is expected in the southern High Plains and Rio Grande Valley, and 2-7 inches in western Washington. Elsewhere, little or no precipitation is expected. Temperatures across the lower 48 States will average above normal, especially in the West and Plains.

For the ensuing 5 days (October 13-17), the odds favor above-median precipitation from the Southwest northeastward into the central Corn Belt, and throughout the southern two-thirds of Alaska. In contrast, sub-median precipitation is favored in the Northwest and Southeast. A strong tilt toward above-normal temperatures is expected in the western half of the U.S., with lower but still above-normal odds in the eastern half of the nation. Alaska also favors above-normal temperature chances, especially in the south.



Ag Decision Maker Offers Updated Farm Lease Agreement Tools

Negotiating leases can be complicated, especially for farmers and land owners who are unsure of future grain prices, yields and government payments. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach’s Ag Decision Maker website has updated information on various types of leases and forms to make the process easier for farmers and renters.

“This year’s lower grain prices are forcing many farmers to revise their budgets in an effort to remain profitable,” said Alejandro Plastina, assistant professor of economics and extension economist with Iowa State University. “Where can farmers cut costs without impacting yields? One way to cut costs and save money may be by negotiating cash rents to a sustainable level.”

Ag Decision Maker specialists say tenant and landowners are in negotiation on leases through the winter months. “The deadline to terminate a lease was Sept. 1, but many lease negotiations will go on now through early next year,” said Ann Johanns, program specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach.  “It helps to get rental agreements decided early so the tenant can plan for those acres when purchasing inputs for next year.”

The Ag Decision Maker website has leasing decision tools to help farmers, according to ISU Extension and Outreach farm management specialist Kelvin Leibold. “There are resources on the website to help when updating or negotiating a lease. If you are seeking help with rental agreements, our extension farm management specialists can help address questions that landowners, tenants or other agri-business professionals may have about current issues related to farmland ownership, management and leasing arrangements,” he said.

Johanns said that more than half of Iowa’s farmland is rented and strong landlord and tenant relationships are important. Typical Iowa farmland cash rental rates decreased by $14 an acre from 2014 to 2015; every district in Iowa showed a decline in reported rental values. The decreases ranged from $24 in central Iowa to $4 in northeast Iowa – which reported the highest average in 2015 at $273, and the lowest district value was $187 in south central Iowa. Recent surveys (Realtors Land Institute, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago) have shown continued declines in land values, and that trend will appear in 2016 rental values as well.
Other considerations

While the rental rate often is the main discussion point when it comes to lease negotiations, there are other factors the tenant and landowner also may want to consider this year. If the lease has been done over a handshake or by phone in previous years, consider putting it in writing for 2016. Also, consider having a discussion on conservation practices, either those being done by the tenant that the landlord may not be aware of or new practices that the parties might be interested in implementing. Additional information including lease supplements for adding long-term improvements such as conservation practices or tile drainage can be found on the Ag Decision Maker website.



National Pork Board Announces First America’s Pig Farmer of the Year Award Winner

The National Pork Board announced today that Keith Schoettmer, a pig farmer from Tipton, Indiana, is the recipient of its first-ever America’s Pig Farmer of the YearSM Award.  The award is designed to recognize a pig farmer who excels at raising pigs using the We CareSM ethical principles and connects with today’s consumers about how pork is produced.

“We are pleased to have Keith represent America’s pig farmers, and we look forward to the dialog he will create as he travels around the country,” said Derrick Sleezer, National Pork Board president and pig farmer from Cherokee, Iowa. “It’s important that we connect with today’s consumers about how we raise their food in an ethical and transparent way. Keith’s interest in sharing his farm’s story – and putting a face on today’s pig farming – will help us reach this goal.”

Schoettmer and his wife Darla founded his family farm, Schoettmer Prime Pork, in 1987. They’ve grown the farm steadily over the years with their community’s values in mind and now raise about 22,000 pigs annually with the help of several full-time employees.

“I’m honored to receive this award from the National Pork Board,” said Schoettmer. “I couldn’t do what I do every day without the help of family and employees, so this award signifies a collective recognition of what we do every day on the farm to care for our pigs, our people and the planet.”

Schoettmer was selected as the first winner of America’s Pig Farmer of the Year after passing a third-party audit of on-farm practices and going through a series of written and oral interviews conducted by subject-matter experts. He has achieved excellence in all aspects of pig farming, including animal care, environmental stewardship, employee work environment and outstanding community service.

The panel of expert judges met in early September with the final four finalists. The panel included Dr. Robin Ganzert, president and CEO of the American Humane Association; Carlos Saviani, vice president of the World Wildlife Fund’s (WWF) U.S. food team; Mitzi Dulan, a registered dietitian and a nationally recognized nutrition and wellness expert to the Kansas City Royals; Chris Soules, a farmer from Arlington, Iowa, and a television star from The Bachelor and Dancing with the Stars; and Dr. Jodi Sterle, an associate professor of animal science at Iowa State University and a nationally known youth advisor in livestock exhibition.

As a judging panel member, Ganzert said, “Today, more than ever, it is important not only to point out where progress is needed, but to recognize when we get it right. The farmers I met with are working to give America’s families food that is safe, affordable, abundant and in line with their values.”

Schoettmer said, “I am proud of the hard work my fellow farmers put into producing safe, high-quality food. I look forward to sharing my personal farm story with consumers to help them understand the care that goes into today’s pork production.”

To learn more about Schoettmer’s farm and the America’s Pig Farmer of the Year Award, visit www.porkcares.org.



National Corn Growers and National Farmers Union Release White Paper on Farm Income & RFS, Urge for Strong Final Rule

This morning, farmers from the National Corn Growers Association and the National Farmers Union announced the release of their white paper on how the EPA’s proposed rule on the Renewable Fuel Standard is threatening farm income and rural economies across the United States.

On the call, farmers and agriculture leaders spoke to the harm that uncertainties surrounding the renewable fuel volume standards are causing to America’s hardworking farmers and ranchers. You can listen to a recording of the call here.

Roger Johnson, President of the National Farmers Union said, “The EPA’s proposed rule and the uncertainty around it have frozen investment in rural communities and sources of income for farmers in the advanced and cellulosic biofuels industry at a crucial time.”

“Already, the new industry has suffered a $13.7 billion shortfall in investment because of uncertainty around the RFS. That cuts off a long-term potential for supplemental farm income, and causes job loss in rural communities. The economic and environmental benefits of advanced biofuels cannot be realized without a strong RFS.”

President of the National Corn Growers Association Chip Bowling said, “Our country’s farmers and biofuels producers have met the challenges of the RFS, investing in renewable fuel production and creating jobs in rural America that can’t be outsourced to other countries. Thanks to the RFS, we are helping to reduce foreign oil dependence with clean, secure American-made renewable fuel.”

“However, the EPA’s weakened proposed rule has hurt farm income across the country – the USDA has projected net cash income for American farmers and ranchers to decline by 26 percent this year. Now is not the time to break our commitment to America’s farmers. It’s time to put forth a strong RFS so we can continue moving our country forward and bolster farm income in our rural communities.”

The RFS has been an American success story since it became law in 2005. Corn farmers have led the way to major growth in the ethanol industry, increasing production through investments in technology, improved yields, and sustainable practices. This has created more than 852,000 jobs nationwide, particularly in rural communities, as well as higher farm incomes across the country. But escalating uncertainty and the EPA’s weakened proposed rule have cost the renewable fuel industry – shuttering ethanol facilities and threatening the livelihoods of our farming communities.

Now, the U.S. Department of Agriculture has projected net farm income for American farmers and ranchers will decline by 50 percent by the end of 2015 from the peak levels of 2013. This is the lowest net farm income level in almost a decade. And it will only continue to get worse unless the final rule gets back on track.

The EPA’s decision to weaken the RFS has had significant consequences for America’s farmers, but it’s not too late. The EPA can and must put out a strong RFS come November 30.



Growth Energy Praises National Corn Growers Association and National Farmers Union’s Work to Highlight the Importance of the RFS to Farm Income

This morning, the National Corn Growers Association and the National Farmers Union held a press call where they unveiled a white paper discussing the importance of the RFS and how it is directly tied to farm income. The white paper outlines how the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) proposed Renewable Volume Obligations for 2014, 2015 and 2016 will drastically cut back ethanol production, resulting in a direct decrease in farm income. Tom Buis, co-chairman of Growth Energy, has commended both organizations for highlighting this critical issue for rural America and released the following statement:

“Farm income has already declined this year and the proposed reduction of the RVOs under EPA’s proposed RFS rule will only further drive down farm income, putting a severe strain on America’s rural economy. The past several years of inaction by EPA have resulted in significant uncertainty among producers, stifling growth, innovation and the necessary investment to move toward next generation fuels from the farm.

“I commend both the National Farmers Union and the National Corn Growers Association for bringing this issue to the forefront to ensure that communities across rural America can continue to grow and prosper. Homegrown ethanol is a win for all of America, our national security, energy security, economy, environment and consumers! It is time for EPA to recognize that the RFS is the most successful energy policy our nation has ever adopted.”



 USDA Deputy Secretary Harden Announces $17 Million to Support America's Beginning Farmers and Ranchers

 The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) today announced more than $17 million in grants for organizations that will develop training and provide other resources for beginning farmers and ranchers across the nation. The awards are made through the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program, which is administered by USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture (NIFA).

"When new farmers and ranchers start their operations, the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program can help them implement tested strategies and new ideas that in turn benefit all of us by reducing food insecurity, growing economic opportunities, and building communities," said Deputy Secretary Krysta Harden. "Today, we are partnering with organizations who recognize that an investment in our beginning farmers and ranchers is also an investment in our future."

The Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program was first established by the 2008 Farm Bill and was continued in the 2014 Farm Bill. The program provides support to those who have farmed or ranched for less than 10 years. NIFA awards grants to organizations throughout the United States that implement programs to train beginning farmers and ranchers, which may take place through workshops, educational teams, training, or technical assistance.

The 2014 Farm Bill mandated that at least five percent of BFRDP funding must support veterans and socially disadvantaged farmers. This year, more than 15 percent of the funded projects have a substantial component that supports veterans and farming, while about 50 percent of the projects focus mainly on socially disadvantaged farmers and ranchers.

Since 2009, 184 awards have been made for more than $90 million through the Beginning Farmer and Rancher Development Program. These awards are part of USDA's deep commitment to empowering beginning farmers and ranchers across America.

Fiscal year 2015 grants include:
    Auburn University, Auburn, Ala., $711,213
    Tuskegee University, Tuskegee, Ala., $459,914
    University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, Ark., $681,459
    Planting Justice, Oakland, Calif., $708,700
    American Farmland Trust, Washington, D.C., $669,796
    Hmong National Development, Washington, D.C., $711,623
    University of Idaho, Moscow, Idaho, $506,122
    Chicago Horticultural Society, Chicago, Ill., $712,500
    Global Garden Refugee Training Farm, Chicago, Ill., $71,080
    Iowa State University, Ames, Iowa, $698,393
    Kentucky State University, Frankfort, Ky., $493,467
    Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association, Unity, Maine, $709,713
    The Greening of Detroit, Detroit, Mich., $100,000
    Hmong American Farmers Association, St. Paul, Minn., $712,500
    Mississippi Delta Council for Farm Workers Opportunities, Inc., Clarksdale, Miss., $681,628
    Winston County Self Help Cooperative, Jackson, Miss., $538,271
    Legal Aid of Nebraska, Omaha, Neb., $654,902
    Land for Good, Inc., Keene, N.H., $641,222
    Rutgers University, New Brunswick, N.J., $460,170
    Center of Southwest Culture, Inc., Albuquerque, N.M., $100,000
    Hawthorne Valley Association, Ghent, N.Y., $693,918
    Oregon State University, Corvallis, Ore., $664,892
    Dakota Rural Action, Brookings, S.D., $225,079
    South Dakota State University, Brookings, S.D., $706,907
    University of Texas - Pan American, Edinburg, Texas, $712,500
    Arcadia Food, Inc., Alexandria, Va., $100,000
    Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va., $656,903
    University of Vermont, Burlington, Vt., $720,989
    Organic Seed Alliance, Port Townsend, Wash., $251,237
    Tri-State Local Foods, Inc., Huntington, W.V., $100,000
    Easter Seals Wisconsin, Inc., Madison, Wisc., $496,914
    Southwest Badger Resource Conservation & Development Council, Platteville, Wisc., $219,274
    University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisc., $187,379
    Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service, Spring Valley, Wisc., $310,419



DAIRY FARMERS OF AMERICA BREAKS GROUND ON NEW PLANT IN GARDEN CITY, KANSAS

Today, Dairy Farmers of America (DFA) officially announced plans to build a dairy ingredients plant in Garden City, Kansas. In a ceremony at its 156-acre site in Garden City, representatives from the Cooperative were joined by Kansas Gov. Sam Brownback, city and state officials and the area’s dairy farmers to break ground on the facility. The state-of-the-art plant will produce whole, skim and nonfat dry milk powder, as well as cream, and is a partnership between DFA and 12 of its member farms in Southwest Kansas.

Slated for operation by the end of 2017, the 214,000-square-foot plant, located at 330 S. Highway 83 in Garden City, will bring 60 new, full-time jobs to the area.

Once complete, the plant will receive 4 million pounds of milk a day from regional dairy farms. This will help support the industry’s continued growth in Southwest Kansas and will meet the rising demand for U.S. dairy both domestically and globally.

“We are excited to have this plant located in Garden City,” said Michael Lichte, vice president for dairy marketing and business planning at DFA. “The construction of this plant not only fits with our global ingredients strategy, but also provides a local home for DFA members’ milk in the Southwest region, which was much needed as many local farms were sending their milk to other areas of the country.”

The Garden City plant’s groundbreaking ceremony kicked off with a welcome from DFA Garden City program manager Alan McEntee as well as a presentation from the Garden City Honor Guard. Additional speakers at the ceremony included Gov. Brownback, Mayor of Garden City Janet Doll and Chairman for the Southwest Area and DFA member investor Dan Senestraro.

“Kansas has always been a key player in dairy and agriculture as a whole,” said Gov. Brownback. “With this new plant, we are literally breaking new ground for our state and strengthening Kansas’ footprint on a global scale, which is truly exciting.”



September’s CWT Export Sales Contracts Top 13 Million Pounds of Dairy Products

Cooperatives Working Together member cooperatives last month captured 52 contracts to sell 13.104 million pounds of dairy products to customers in 19 countries. The 3.4 million pounds of American-type cheeses, 6.5 million pounds of butter and 3.2 pounds of whole milk powder will be shipped from September 2015 through March 2016.

These sales contracts bring the 2015 CWT totals through August to 47.1 million pounds of cheese, 25.7 million pounds of butter, and 35.6 million pounds of whole milk powder. In total, CWT assisted transactions will move the equivalent of 1.272 billion pounds of milk, on a milkfat basis, to customers in 35 countries on five continents. These totals are adjusted for contract cancellations.



 FARM Program to Launch Social Properties, New Website at Annual Meeting

To help dairy marketers and farmers feed consumers’ hunger for information about where their food comes from, the National Dairy FARM Program will be launching a new website this month. To help share the story of animal care on America’s dairy operations, this October, the FARM Program will be releasing a new suite of communications resources that includes a brand new, consumer-friendly and updated website; a catchy, modern, animated video explaining the program and a blog to talk about animal care.

The FARM Program will also be active on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram to cross-promote the content from dairy farmers and co-ops that are active on social media, especially when they’re mentioning or discussing topics that pertain to animal care. This activity is supported by Dairy Management Inc.

The new education tools come at a time when the number of consumers who say animal welfare is important has grown since 2013 from 17% to 31%.  Today, more than 93% of the domestic milk supply comes from farms that participate in the National Dairy FARM Animal Care Program.



Workshop in South Dakota Tuesday will examine stewardship of antimicrobial drug use in food animals

There is still time to register for the workshop on stewardship of medically-important antimicrobial drug use in food-producing animals planned for Tuesday, Oct. 13, at the Journey Museum, 222 New York Street, Rapid City, SD.

Organized by Farm Foundation, NFP, the workshop is an opportunity for participants to gain a comprehensive understanding of two Guidance for Industry (GFIs) issued by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the use of medically-important antimicrobial drugs in food-producing animals, as well as the FDA's revised Veterinary Feed Directive (VFD). These actions mean some drugs will see label changes allowing only therapeutic uses, and use of some drugs will require veterinary oversight in the form of a veterinarian's prescription, direct administration by a veterinarian, or a veterinary consultation on disease management protocols. 

The Oct. 13 workshop, which will be 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. MDT, is targeted to all pork, cattle, poultry and sheep producers, as well as veterinarians and feed suppliers in South Dakota, North Dakota, northeast Wyoming, northwest Nebraska, eastern Montana, and western Minnesota. The workshop is also an opportunity for the staff of state and federal agencies, colleges of veterinary medicine and the Cooperative Extension Service to gain insights into the changes, and tools needed to meet the requirements.

Representatives from FDA and USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service will be at the workshop to answer questions and gain feedback from participants. The program will also include comments from Adam Schuchhardt of the Intertribal Agriculture Council, and Christopher Chase, DVM, as well as a regional feed supplier. Breakout sessions will allow producers, veterinarians and feed suppliers to discuss the management challenges ahead.

There is no charge to participate. Advance registration is requested but not required. Registration can be completed online or by going to the Farm Foundation website. 

To gauge awareness of the changes being put in place by FDA, and to learn more about the potential implications of these changes, Farm Foundation is asking stakeholders to complete a brief survey. The survey is open to all livestock producers, feed suppliers and veterinarians, whether or not you attend the workshop. CLICK HERE to complete the survey. Survey results will only be gathered and reported in the aggregate. Survey results will be shared with workshop participants.

The Rapid City workshop is one of 12 Farm Foundation is conducting across the country. Comments gathered at the workshops will be the basis of a report assessing the economic and physical challenges facing producers as they implement the GFIs and revised VFD. Informational and educational needs will also be evaluated, as well as the role of veterinarians in monitoring and managing antimicrobial drug use. The report will be presented at a national summit to be convened by Farm Foundation in late fall 2015. 

FDA's GFI 209 and GFI 213 call on animal drug sponsors of approved medically-important antimicrobials administered through medicated feed or water to remove production uses (i.e., to promote growth or improve feed efficiency) from their product labels, and bring the remaining therapeutic uses of these products--to treat, control, or prevent disease--under the oversight of a veterinarian. Manufacturers of products containing these medically-important antimicrobial drugs have voluntarily agreed to submit changes to their product labels to comply with the GFIs. FDA's revised VFD addresses the increased veterinary oversight of medicated feeds called for by GFI 209 and 213. 

Farm Foundation is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization that has been serving agriculture, the food system and rural communities since 1933. Farm Foundation is a non-advocacy organization--it does not lobby or advocate positions. The Foundation's action comes in bringing industry leaders together to address evolving issues that will shape the future of the industry. Stewardship of medically-important antimicrobial drugs in food-producing animals is just such an issue.

In addition to Farm Foundation's leadership, individual producers and many companies are providing financial support for this educational effort. These include JBS United, Hormel Foods Corporation, Jennie-O Turkey Store, Rose Acre Farms, Elanco Animal Health, J.R. Simplot Company, Irsik Farms, Hardin Farms, C-ARC Enterprises, National Pork Producers Council, the National Pork Board, North American Meat Institute, the National Turkey Federation, Iowa State University College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, Western Dairy Association,. BARN Media and the National Western Stock Show.



 Vilsack, Football Coach and Millennial Marketing Expert Head Speaker List for NMPF’s Annual Meeting

What do the Secretary of Agriculture, former Notre Dame football coach Lou Holtz, and a world-renowned magician have in common?

All are appearing at the National Milk Producers Association's annual meeting at the Marriott World Center in Orlando October 26-28. The 2015 meeting agenda, which is nearly complete, also includes a marketing expert specializing in millennials, and panel discussions on two of the hottest issues in dairy farming, humane animal care and renewable energy.

NMPF’s annual meeting is held jointly with the National Dairy Promotion and Research Board and the United Dairy Industry Association. The core general session program opens Tuesday, October 27, with the three-hour NMPF Town Hall, at which attendees learn about the Federation’s activities and question staff on the future of the dairy industry.

Millennial marketing expert Jeff Fromm, president of FutureCast, speaks after lunch Tuesday, followed by the panel discussion animal care. Invited panelists include representatives from McDonalds, Starbucks, Kroger supermarkets and Schreiber Foods. Chobani and Walmart are confirmed.

After the panel discussion, NMPF Chairman Randy Mooney and President and CEO Jim Mulhern will present their report on the Federation and its priorities and that evening a Welcome to Florida reception will feature the winners of NMPF’s annual cheese contest.

Wednesday, October 28, opens with the renewable energy panel discussion, featuring Steve Rowe, CEO of Newtrient LLC, a consortium of organizations dedicated to reducing dairy’s environmental footprint. Among other things, Newtrient LLC, helps dairy farmers capture economic value from agricultural by-products.

Tom Vilsack, the longest serving agriculture secretary in nearly 50 years, speaks later in the morning, followed by Tom Gallagher, CEO of Dairy Management Inc.

Holtz, one of the most successful college football coaches of all time and a former ESPN analyst, is the closing lunch speaker and magician Bill Herz is the entertainment for the evening banquet. 

In between these major events are board meetings, a dairy bar, networking and sightseeing opportunities, and a raffle to raise money for NMPF’s scholarship program.

Reservations at the Marriot World Center are still available on a space and rate available basis. Attendees can register for the meeting up to the last minute, but a late fee will be charged. See NMPF’s website for the latest registration and hotel information... http://annualmeeting.dairy.org/#/Summary. 



NWF Launches Inaugural National Wheat Yield Contest

The National Wheat Foundation (NWF) launched the first National Wheat Yield Contest in more than 20 years this week, publically announcing the official contest rules and opening registration. The highly anticipated yield competition is made possible by the generous support of industry category partners BASF, Monsanto, John Deere and WinField.

“We have been eagerly awaiting the launch of the National Wheat Yield Contest and look forward to U.S. wheat farmers competing with the best available technology to demonstrate how they can increase productivity, drive innovation and enable knowledge transfer between growers,” said NWF Chairman Dusty Tallman, a wheat grower from Brandon, Colo.

Wheat growers can compete in two primary contest categories: winter wheat and spring wheat. There will be two sub-categories for each category, respectively, for dry land and irrigated wheat production. Entrants must be a producer, at least 14 years of age and a member of their recognized state wheat grower association or, if from a state without a recognized state wheat grower organization, a member of the National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG). All contest entries must use certified or branded, and currently commercially available, wheat seed.

Five national winners will be recognized in each category and sub-category. Winners of the inaugural contest will be formally recognized at the 2017 Commodity Classic in San Antonio, Texas. For full contest rules and to enter the 2015-16 National Wheat Yield Contest, go to the NWF website at wheatfoundation.org.



New DuPont™ Canopy® Blend Herbicide Gives Updated Burndown Options for No-Till, Low-Till Soybean Acres

Soybean growers seeking flexible, effective broadleaf weed control have another option to add to their toolboxes. DuPont™ Canopy® Blend herbicide has received approval from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in time for use during the 2016 crop season.

Canopy® Blend combines two modes of action for effective burndown and residual control of difficult weeds before or at soybean planting. Effective in no-till and minimum-till production systems, Canopy® Blend helps manage weeds that would compete with emerging soybean plants for better early stand development.

 Formulated with proprietary DuPont extrusion/blending technology, Canopy® Blend is a dry, flowable, dispersible granular herbicide that is easy to measure and pour, mix and store. It is available in a new 100-ounce (6.25-pound) jug.

Growers and applicators familiar with DuPont™ Canopy® herbicide should review the Canopy® Blend label for application rates and recrop intervals, since application details for the two products are not identical.

“The innovative Canopy® Blend formulation meets grower needs for effective control of challenging weeds, including glyphosate-tolerant Palmer pigweed and marestail, while helping to avoid further resistance development,” said James Hay, business director, North America, DuPont Crop Protection. “And the easy-to-use formulation will save growers, retailers and applicators time and trouble as they address multiple crop production needs during the busy spring season. It’s another tool that will help achieve our combined goal of increasing production to feed the growing world population.”

This is the latest advancement from DuPont Crop Protection. “Canopy® Blend joins recently introduced DuPont™ Afforia™ and Trivence™ herbicides to give U.S. soybean growers even more options to address changing weed-control needs on their farms,” added Hay. DuPont has been recognized with 19 Agrow Awards, including the Best R&D Pipeline Award in 2013 and 2014.



AGCO Parts Offers Customers 15 Percent Parts Discount on Preventative Maintenance

AGCO Parts, part of AGCO Corporation (NYSE:AGCO) a worldwide manufacturer and distributor of agricultural equipment is pleased to introduce a limited time offer through its preventative maintenance program (PM360™) for customers taking their equipment to participating AGCO dealers for end of year preventative maintenance. Now through the end of 2015, customers can save 15 percent off genuine AGCO Parts purchased as a result of a PM360 inspection. PM360 is AGCO’s preventative maintenance program designed to ensure that our customer’s equipment is well maintained and ready to use when needed.

In conjunction with this limited time offer, AGCO Plus+ is offering 180 days of no interest and no payments for customers who purchase parts and service on their AGCO Plus+ card. Customers have the opportunity to not only receive 15 percent off their purchase with a PM360 inspection, but to also take advantage of 180 days of no interest and no payments by using their AGCO Plus+ account.

"AGCO is always working to support farmers and maximize their dollars," says Darren Parker, director of sales and marketing, AGCO Parts, NA. "The PM360 limited time offer of 15 percent off, is an excellent opportunity for customers to save while completing their post-harvest preventative maintenance. Coupling the 15 percent off with their AGCO Plus+ account and receiving no interest and no payments for 180 days is just another way that we can ensure farmers get the parts they need when they need them and ensure their equipment is running when it is most critical."

"Keeping equipment in top shape is key to having a successful harvest year in and year out," says Neal Generose, director of program management, AGCO Plus+. "PM360 is an excellent way for farmers to keep their equipment in peak operating condition and the 180 Day No Interest/No Payment Program through AGCO Plus+ is an excellent way for farmers to make sure they are maximizing their cash flow throughout the entire year."

This limited time offer of 15 percent off genuine AGCO Parts purchase with a PM360 inspection is valid through December 31, 2015. Farmers should contact their nearest participating AGCO dealer today to schedule a PM360 inspection.