Monday December 14 Ag News

Livestock Mortality Composting Event POSTPONED!!
Amy Millmier Schmidt
NE Extension Livestock Bioenvironmental Engineer

The Livestock Mortality Composting Demonstration Event scheduled for tomorrow, December 15, at the UNL Agricultural Research and Development Center is being postponed due to weather. The area received approximately 4” of rain in the past two days making the compost site inaccessible. Since the live demonstration of composting activities is a pivotal component of our program, we have made the decision to reschedule. The new date for this event is Wednesday,  January 20, 2016 and it will begin at 10:00 am and conclude by 2:00 pm as originally planned.

If you will not be able to attend on this new event date, please contact Amber Patterson (apatterson6@unl.edu or 402-472-1646) to remove your name from the registration list. We apologize for the inconvenience, but look forward to offering the full event when the weather is (hopefully) more cooperative.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at the phone number (402) 472-0877  or email aschmidt@unl.edu. 



NEBRASKA EXTENSION PROVIDES TRAINING FOR PRIVATE PESTICIDE APPLICATORS

    Private pesticide applicators holding licenses that expire in 2016, as well as anyone seeking first-time private applicator certification, can contact their local Nebraska Extension office for information on pesticide safety education training sessions that begin in January.

    Licensed private pesticide applicators can buy and use restricted-use pesticides in their farming operations after completing this training. About 7,000 private applicators statewide are eligible for recertification in 2016.

    "The main topics that applicators will learn about are Nebraska's pesticide laws and regulations, the pesticide label, personal safety, the worker protection standard, environmental protection, integrated pest management, pesticides and application, application equipment and equipment calibration," said Nebraska Extension pesticide safety educator Clyde Ogg.

    Private applicators needing recertification in 2016 should receive a letter notifying them of that fact from the Nebraska Department of Agriculture in mid-December. The letter includes a bar code, which eliminates the need to complete the standard NDA application form for those wanting to recertify.

    "All who are eligible for recertification will also be notified by their local Nebraska Extension office of recertification training sessions in their area," Ogg said.

    Applicators should check their licenses for the expiration date. If it expires in 2016 and they have not yet received a letter from NDA, contact them at 402-471-2351 or 877-800-4080.

    Nebraska Extension provides the educational training for recertification, while NDA is responsible for licensing. The cost of extension training is $30 per person.

    For a list of training sessions, sites and dates, contact the nearest Nebraska Extension office or go online to http://pested.unl.edu/classes, where applicators will find pesticide education sites for private applicators listed by county.

    There is also the option of becoming certified or recertified through completion of a self-study course, either hard copy or online. The hard copy self-study manual is available at local extension offices, and the online course can be purchased at http://marketplace.unl.edu by going to the pesticide education section. The cost for both self-study courses is $60.

    "After completing private applicator training, certification applications will be sent to NDA, who will then send a bill to the applicator for the state license fee," Ogg said.

    For more information, visit http://pested.unl.edu.



FEEDING ALFALFA AS A PROTEIN SUPPLEMENT
Bruce Anderson, NE Extension Forage Specialist

               Feeding more alfalfa hay than cattle need gets expensive.  Save money by feeding just enough alfalfa to provide the protein your animals need.

               Cattle often need extra protein when their winter diet is based on corn stalks, prairie hay, straw, or winter range.  The protein supplement you chose is important, both in its effectiveness and its cost.  Many cheap protein sources contain mostly urea and other forms of non-protein nitrogen.  These supplements may not be used very effectively when cattle are eating mostly low energy winter forages.

               Supplements containing mostly all-natural protein may be better. All-natural protein feeds the microbes in the rumen so they can digest more fiber from your forage.  And many times the cheapest natural source of protein is alfalfa, even when hay price is high.

               Keep costs down by determining how much extra protein your cows actually need.  Both a forage test for protein and a close estimate of how much your cows are actually eating are needed to be accurate.  Then you can work with a local extension educator, a nutritionist, or use your own skills to calculate how much more protein is needed.

               Most winter forage diets need between one-half and one pound of extra protein per day.  Since the forage test of your alfalfa will tell you how much protein it contains, you can calculate how much alfalfa to feed each day, or every other day, to keep cows healthy and productive.  This could come from as little 2 pounds of hay when feeding very high protein alfalfa to cows needing only a little extra protein to as much as 8 to 10 pounds when using low quality alfalfa for cows on a very low protein diet.

               It may not sound like a big difference, but when you feed just two or three pounds each day per cow, the savings add up fast.



CVA Receives Precision Impact Award

On December 4, 2015, Central Valley Ag Cooperative (CVA) was awarded the Precision Impact Award at the Agricultural Retails Association (ARA) Conference. A total of three national awards were given out, CVA was selected to receive the award for the Plains-West Region.

The Precision Impact Award is presented to the retailer that has the biggest impact on their company, customers and the environment through their Precision Ag and New Technologies. AgProfessional, the ARA and MapShots AgStudio ® are the sponsors of the Precision Impact Award providing an outlet to show the public that ag retailers using precision ag technology are promoting good stewardship and are responsible environmentalists.

“This achievement is because of our employees,” said Glen Franzluebbers, CVA Director of Professional Ag Services. “Without their dedication, passion and hard work, this award would not have been possible.”



CVA Announces New Board of Directors

On November 23, 2015, Central Valley Ag Cooperative (CVA) hosted their Annual Meeting for member-owners to review the fiscal year, and to announce the newly elected Board of Directors. At the meeting, CVA reported $22.04 Million in Local Net Profit, $33.38 Million in Total Profit and returned $11.5 Million in patronage to Member-Owners with 50% being paid in cash. Over the fiscal year $14.02 Million was paid out in cash patronage, equity redemptions, and estates. Not only was patronage a benefit for member-owners; $37.79 Million was reinvested in assets to better serve their needs.

“We believe that the Cooperative business model requires a balanced approach; balancing service, profit, patronage, equity redemption, and reinvestment,” said Carl Dickinson, CEO of CVA. “We are proud of our performance in each of these areas.”

To maintain this balanced approach, Central Valley Ag relies on it’s Board of Directors. It is their responsibility to position CVA for future success and profitability for member-owners. The Board of Directors is made up of local, agricultural businessmen who are recognized for their industry expertise, as well as economic and community development skills. An election was held for the Board of Directors and the results were announced at the meeting.

Normal business on the cooperative was conducted at the meeting by the current Board Chairman, Dave Beckman.

A copy of our annual meeting report is available here.... http://www.cvacoop.com/about/annual-report/. 



 NEBRASKA HORTICULTURE

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) released the 2014 Census of Horticultural Specialties report, which shows that horticulture operations in Nebraska sold a total of $48.5 million in floriculture, nursery and specialty crops in 2014, up 41 percent compared to 2009. The number of horticulture operations in Nebraska increased 4 percent during this time to 148.

The Census of Horticultural Specialties is part of the larger Census of Agriculture program. It provides information on the number and types of establishments engaged in horticultural production, value of sales, varieties of products, production expenses and more. All operations that reported producing and selling $10,000 or more of horticultural crops on the 2012 Census of Agriculture were included in this special study.



Iowa Farmland Values Fall for Second Consecutive Year

Average Iowa farmland value is now estimated to be $7,633 per acre — having dropped in value for the second consecutive year. Per acre value declined $310, or 3.9 percent, since last year’s survey. Farmland values have now fallen almost 13 percent from the historically high 2013 values.

Land values were determined by the 2015 Iowa Land Value Survey, which was conducted in November by the Center for Agricultural and Rural Development at Iowa State University and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Results from the survey are similar to results by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago and the Realtors Land Institute.

The $7,633 per acre, and 3.9 percent drop in value, represents the state as a whole, although values are also determined by crop reporting districts (district hereafter) and each of Iowa’s 99 counties individually according to low-, medium- and high-quality farmland ratings.

Farmland values hit a historic peak of $8,716 per acre in 2013, but declined 8.9 percent to $7,943 the following year. The drop in value this year is smaller than that of last year, but now marks the third time values have fallen since 2009.

The 3.9 percent decline may seem less than what many people speculated, but according to Wendong Zhang, assistant professor of economics at Iowa State University who led the survey this year, this is not out of line due to a mix of factors, including a lot of cash in hand for many farmers, market expectation of this decline early on, robust livestock returns and strong recreational demand. Despite decreasing again, farmland values are still more than twice the reported values from 10 years ago, and almost 14 percent higher than 2011 values.

For the third year in a row, Scott and Decatur counties reported the highest and lowest farmland values, respectively. Decatur County reported a value per acre of $3,514, a drop of $73, or about 2 percent, from last year’s report. Scott County reported the highest value at $10,918 per acre, however, values there declined about $700 per acre, higher than this year’s statewide average, and just over 6 percent from last year.

The largest district-wide decrease in farmland value was North Central Iowa, which reported a drop of 6.7 percent, bringing farmland values there down to $7,962 per acre. Mitchell and Floyd counties, in the Northeast portion of the state, reported the largest percentage drops in value at 8.6 percent; and Black Hawk County, also in the Northeast district reported the largest dollar decrease with a loss of $784 per acre. The district with the highest overall farmland value is Northwest Iowa at $9,685 per acre, and the lowest is South Central at $4,397 per acre.

The value of all qualities of farmland fell across the state, with high-quality farmland losing 5 percent ($490 per acre) of its value, medium-quality land falling 3.2 percent ($232 per acre) and low-quality farmland falling 0.9 percent ($44 per acre). Statewide averages for high-, medium- and low- quality farmland are now $9,364, $7,127 and $4,834 per acre, respectively.

The only district to show an increase in values as a whole was Northwest Iowa, which reported values 0.7 percent higher than last year. Clayton and Allamakee Counties, located in the Northeastern portion of the state, reported the largest percentage increases with a 2.9 percent gain.

Of respondents that listed positive and/or negative factors influencing farmland values, low interest rates and high yields were the most commonly cited positive factors and lower commodity prices were the most frequently cited negative factor. High input prices, an uncertain agricultural future and cash/credit availability were also cited as negative factors.

With stagnant commodity prices, declining farm income forecast, a slowing Chinese economy, and a potential increase in interest rates, the Iowa farmland market appears to have peaked for the foreseeable future, and seems to continue drifting sideways to slightly lower. However, as Zhang put it, “It will most likely be an orderly adjustment as opposed to a sudden bubble burst. Most farmers will be able to weather the storm as the market prices find a new equilibrium, but farmers and land owners who bet on the high commodity prices lasting and aggressively expanded or borrowed heavily will face significant problems in the months ahead.”

In the 2015 survey, over 75 percent of respondents thought land values in their territory would continue to decline next year. The majority predicted the decline would be either less than 5 percent or between 5 and 10 percent. The magnitude of the predicted drop depends on the location—areas relying heavily on corn and soybeans could see a bigger decrease.

The survey was initiated in 1941 and is sponsored annually by Iowa State University. Only the state average and the district averages are based directly on the Iowa State survey data. The county estimates are derived using a procedure that combines the survey results with data from the U.S. Census of Agriculture.

The Iowa Land Value Survey is based on reports by agricultural professionals knowledgeable of land market conditions such as appraisers, farm managers, agricultural lenders and actual sales. It is intended to provide information on general land value trends, geographical land price relationships and factors influencing the Iowa land market. The 2015 survey is based on 514 usable responses providing 708 county land values estimates. The survey was made available online for the first time this year, and 55 percent of participants chose this method as opposed to the traditional paper survey.

A new web-portal has been developed at http://www.card.iastate.edu/farmland/ to pool various sources of Iowa farmland values and offer visualization tools like charts and interactive county maps.



Seminars, tradeshow and networking at 2016 Iowa Pork Congress

The Iowa Pork Producers Association announces that the 2016 Iowa Pork Congress will be held on Jan. 27 and 28 at the Iowa Events Center in Des Moines.

The nation's largest winter swine tradeshow and conference will be held in Hy-Vee Hall with show hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Jan. 27 and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Jan. 28.

"One has to merely look at the list of seminars and exhibitors to know this is "the show" and why Iowa Pork Congress draws from such a wide area of the country, said IPPA President David Struthers, a pig farmer from Collins. "IPPA works hard each year to keep the show informative, educational and valuable for attendees."

IPPA is offering eleven "free" business seminars and covering a wide range of topics presented by some of the pork industry's leading experts. IPPA legal counsel Eldon McAfee will present his always popular regulations and nuisance case update on Jan. 27. Dr. Steve Meyer will provide a price and profitability outlook the same day. On Jan. 28, Dave Stender of Iowa State University will help producers prepare for the new Common Swine Industry Audit.

Panel discussions on pit foaming and producer safety, controlling emerging swine health challenges, alternative energy opportunities, what you can do to improve water quality and how you can decrease the impact of Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome will be presented both days as well.

The keynote speaker is Dr. Patrick Moore of Ecosense. "The Sensible Environmentalist" will Discuss "Agriculture, Human Health and the Environment" on Jan. 27 at 2:15 p.m. Moore has been a leader in the environmental movement for 40-plus years and his policy is based on science and logic.

Hog farmers also will be able to obtain or renew their PQA Plus and TQA certifications, and a certification session for confinement site manure applicators is being offered.

Hy-Vee Hall is sold out with 285 swine-specific companies occupying more than 530 booth spaces. Attendees will discover that many international companies are among the vendors exhibiting again this year. Everything hog farmers need to be successful in pork production and more can be found at the tradeshow.

IPPA will welcome attendees to the Pork Information Plaza on the north tradeshow floor where guests can visit with Iowa's pig farming leaders and representatives from the National Pork Board, National Pork Producers Council and other affiliated organizations.

Many other activities and events will be held in association with Pork Congress during the week. The annual IPPA Taste of Elegance contest and reception will start the week on Jan. 25. The IPPA Annual Meeting will be held on Tuesday, followed by the Kickoff Reception and Auction. The Pork Congress Banquet is on Wednesday evening.

The 8th annual Youth Swine Judging contest will be held on Jan. 28 at the Iowa State Fairgrounds. 4-H and FFA members from around the state can learn more about the industry and compete for valuable scholarships.

"This is our 44th annual convention and tradeshow and we're very proud of the event and the number of exhibitors and pig farmers the event attracts each year," Struthers said. "We try to provide value for all attendees and ensure that everyone has something to take away that will help them in the future."
 
Registration
Pig farmers can pre-register to attend Pork Congress through Jan. 8, 2016. IPPA members can attend the tradeshow and conference at no cost by registering by the deadline. Register at www.iowaporkcongress.org or by using the form in the November issue of the Iowa Pork Producer magazine.

Non-IPPA members can save $5 off of the normal $10 admission cost by registering online by the deadline. Registrations will be accepted after the deadline through each day of the show, but the cost will be $10.

For more information, contact IPPA at (800) 372-7675 or visit www.iowaporkcongress.org.



 Smart Marketing Strategies for 2015 Corn and Soybean Crops

The latest in a series of Iowa State University Extension and Outreach videos on crop marketing explores how producers can obtain the best prices for their crops using different storage and pricing strategies.

In “Five Grain Marketing Strategies & Tools for the 2015 Crop,” Steve Johnson, farm management specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach, describes how corn and soybean prices fared at a north central Iowa terminal elevator over a 25-year period. The greatest average return for corn was to store after harvest on the farm unpriced, which gives farmers the ability to hold their grain and sell at a higher cash price the following July.

“On-farm storage always beats commercial storage because commercial storage is more than twice as expensive,” he said. “But in some years, even storing bushels on-farm unpriced wasn’t the most profitable strategy.” He recommends that farmers consider incorporating other marketing tools because selling crops at the highest price doesn’t always mean that they will generate the most return given the costs associated with storage. 

For soybeans, the most profitable route was a basis contract, which yielded a slightly better average price than storing the crops on-farm unpriced. (Basis is the difference between the daily local cash price and the nearby futures price on the Chicago Board of Trade.)

Johnson’s source was a study of cash prices at a north central Iowa terminal grain elevator compiled by Farm Futures magazine. Terminal elevators receive grain after it has been inspected and weighed at other terminals and then transfer the grain to another processor, often the final destination.

The video highlights a study comparison for both on-farm and commercial storage of corn and soybeans unpriced from harvest until July. Four marketing strategies and tools are compared to measure net profit or loss: 1) storage hedge using July futures; 2) store and buy a July put option; 3) a minimum price contract (sell and buy a July call option); and 4) a basis contract (sell and buy a July futures contract).

Other crop marketing strategies and tools are explained in further depth in a series of 12 instructional videos available at https://www.extension.iastate.edu/agdm/info/icc.html. They range from four to 16 minutes in length, and include everything from an introduction to crop marketing to futures hedging.

“Understanding the basics can get producers that much closer to selling and buying at the right time and price,” Johnson said.

The video series was developed as part of the Iowa Commodity Challenge in partnership with the Iowa Farm Bureau. This includes an online market simulation game to learn risk management tools such as futures and other options. Participants market 75,000 bushels of corn and 25,000 bushels stored at a central Iowa elevator. All marketing actions must be completed by March 9, 2016 when the net cash price minus commercial storage costs will be determined.

“The game gives players a chance to look at commodity markets and how they work over the course of several months,” Johnson said. “It reflects what is happening in real world markets and gives participants the opportunity to try various strategies and use marketing tools such as futures and options.”

For more information about the Iowa Commodity Challenge, link to the site at www.tinyurl.com/IowaLearn.  



Iowa Forage and Grassland Council Conference Moves to January

By moving the date and location of the annual Iowa Forage and Grassland Council Conference, the IFGC board of directors hopes to provide attendees with more opportunity for grazing and forage discussions. The event is set for Jan. 21-22 at the Iowa State University Alumni Center, just south of Stephens Auditorium at the Iowa State Center in Ames. Registration begins at noon with the first session at 12:30 p.m. on Jan. 21, and adjourns at 11:30 a.m. on Jan. 22. The Practical Farmers of Iowa conference immediately follows, starting at noon.

ISU Extension and Outreach beef specialist Joe Sellers said IFGC is partnering with PFI to offer a full slate of producer and industry expert speakers on a variety of topics at the conference.

"The first day features five informational sessions, a producer panel on grazing cover crops and a discussion of current feed and forage topics," he said. "The second day includes two sessions and a contract grazing producer panel, as well as the IFGC annual meeting and award recognition."
Conference sessions, topics and speakers

Jan. 21
    "Land Use Decisions with Marginal Farm Ground" Sellers, ISU; Brian Peterson, chair of the Southern Iowa Forage and Livestock Committee
    "Results of my SARE producer grazing project" Jeff Liston, Turtle Creek Angus, Lovilia
     "Report on Brazilian Beef Production" Erika Lundy and Dan Loy, Iowa Beef Center, ISU; Dave Miller, IFBF
     "Management to Improve Pasture Plant Diversity and Production" Bruce Anderson, forage specialist
    "Implications of Grazing Management on Soil Health and Environmental Quality" Jim Russell, ISU
    Break and catered dinner
    "Producer Panel on grazing cover crops"
    "Discussion of current beef and forage topics: Leopold Cow Systems Project, CRP changes, Grassland easements, Managing Fescue"

Jan. 22
    Registration, coffee and pastries
    IFGC annual meeting and awards
    "Management to Establish and Maintain Alfalfa" Bruce Anderson, forage specialist
    "Stockpiling forages, strategic supplementation" Jim Elizondo, grazing consultant
    "Producer panel on contract grazing"
    Adjournment

Conference registration
"Thanks to support from the North Central Sustainable Agriculture Research and Education program, the Leopold Center for Sustainable Agriculture, the Iowa Beef Center and many forage partners of IFGC, the cost to attend is low," Sellers said. "To attend both days of the IFGC conference or the PFI conference, members pay just $40 in advance or $50 at the door. Non-members pay $60 or $70 respectively."

Single day rates for members are $25 in advance or $35 at the door, with non-members paying $35 in advance or $45 at the door. The 2016 IFGC dues (year runs from Jan.1 to Dec. 31) are $35 for producers and the public, and $90 for industry, and can be paid on the registration form, he said.

The registration form is available on the IBC website http://www.iowabeefcenter.org/events/IFGCconfreg2016.pdf.

For more information, contact Sellers by phone at 641-774-2016 or by email at sellers@iastate.edu.



Iowa Cattlemen’s Association Recognizes Outstanding Individuals

Every year, the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association recognizes an outstanding commercial producer that continually goes above and beyond and “gives their all” to make the beef industry the best it can be. This year, ICA is proud to recognize Larry Johnson of Maquoketa, Iowa. Larry and his wife Mary Lou run a diversified operation focusing on cow-calf and finishing cattle, as well as maintaining around 2,500 acres of corn, soybeans, hay, and pasture ground.

Larry has served as a board member and vice-president of the Jackson County Cattlemen and as the Northeast Regional Vice President for the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association. He has won several awards and hosted legislators from Washington, DC on his farm, as well.

The Iowa Beef Breeds Council named Douglas and Glenda Schroeder of Clarence the 2016 Iowa Outstanding Seedstock Producer of the Year at the Iowa Cattle Industry Convention in December. The purpose of the Iowa Seedstock Producer award is to honor outstanding seedstock producers in the cattle industry each year.  Record keeping, industry participation and leadership, merchandising programs, and herd improvement are some of the areas essential to the seedstock industry and also criteria that go into the seedstock producer selection process.

Doug and Glenda’s leadership is also seen through a variety of educational programs and breed associations. Doug served on the American Angus Association board from 2008 to 2014 and was chair of the Certified Angus Beef committee in 2014. While having served as the President of the Iowa Angus Association and Eastern Iowa Angus, Doug is now treasurer of the Cedar County Cattlemen’s Association and sits on the ICA board as cow calf representative. Glenda has served as president of the Iowa and Eastern Iowa Angus Auxiliary and currently serves as treasurer for the latter. Doug and Glenda were both Iowa Jr. Angus Advisers for 13 years and had the opportunity to be chairs of the 2000 and 2008 National Junior Angus Show.

This year’s recipient of the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association Hall of Fame award is Nancy Degner. Nancy was nominated by the Iowa Beef Industry Council (IBIC) as a shining example of an individual that has given over 40 years of service to the Iowa beef industry. During her time with the Iowa Beef Industry Council (IBIC), Nancy has shown the uncanny ability to make a connection with each and every person she has come in contact with. It is this passion, integrity, and honesty that make Nancy such a great promoter of beef, beef producers, and the beef industry as a whole.

Nancy began working for the Iowa Beef Industry Council in 1975. She used her background as a home economics teacher to educate consumers about beef, often appearing on television to demonstrate recipes and cooking methods. Nancy became the Executive Director of IBIC in 2003, and saw the organization through many challenges, including the lean finely textured beef controversy of 2012.  The Iowa Cattlemen’s Association and Iowa Beef Industry Council thank Nancy for her service and her many contributions to the Iowa beef industry.



Bovine Trich Found in South Dakota
(SD Animal Husbandry Board)

A reproductive disease of cattle that can be economically devastating for ranchers has been diagnosed in three South Dakota cattle herds. Bovine trichomoniasis, or trich, has recently been diagnosed in two Oglala Lakota county cattle herds and one herd that operates in Corson and Ziebach counties.

Trichomonas foetus is transmitted between cows and bulls during breeding, and can result in early term abortions. Producers are often unaware of the problem until the disease is well established in the herd. Signs that the disease may be present in a herd include a high number of open cows, cows showing signs of heat when they should be pregnant, and the presence of many late-calving cows.

Steps producers can take to help prevent their herd from becoming infected include: First, only purchase and use virgin bulls for breeding, if non-virgin bulls will be used they must be tested negative for Trichomonas foetus prior to breeding. Timely pregnancy testing of females and prompt removal of open cows to be sold for feeding and slaughter will also decrease the risk of disease spread. Finally, maintain good border fencing to help keep livestock in their respective pastures and avoid unintentional commingling of animals.

In cooperation with the cattle industry the South Dakota Animal Industry Board has implemented rules in an effort to help prevent trichomoniasis in cattle:
1. Prior to being sold, loaned or leased in South Dakota for breeding purposes any non-virgin bull must be tested negative for trichomoniasis;
2. Any non-virgin bull entering South Dakota must be tested negative for trichomoniasis;
3. No non-virgin and non-pregnant female cattle may be imported, loaned, leased nor acquired for breeding purposes in South Dakota.

Cattle producers with concerns about trichomoniasis should contact their herd veterinarian or the South Dakota Animal Industry Board at 605-773-3321.



GAO says EPA Violated Federal Law to Subvert Public Opinion
 
In a decision today from the non-partisan Government Accountability Office, the GAO found that the Environmental Protection Agency violated federal law in promoting the agency’s “waters of the United States” rule. The decision found the EPA engaged in covert propaganda and grassroots lobbying to support the WOTUS rule. Philip Ellis, National Cattlemen’s Beef Association president, said this report confirms what producers have long suspected: an agency with a radical agenda.

“The WOTUS rule is a flawed rule from a flawed process, and we thank Senator Inhofe (R-Okla.) for calling attention to this clear violation of the law,” said Ellis. “The EPA’s zealous advocacy of their rule in violation of federal law shows the extremes to which this administration will go to subvert public opinion in favor of their far-reaching environmental agenda.”

The GAO decision finds that the EPA’s use of Thunderclap, in which a single social media message can be shared across multiple Facebook, Twitter and Tumblr accounts at the same time, was a prohibited use of EPA’s appropriations for unauthorized publicity or propaganda purposes.

“From the start, the EPA’s use of social media and particularly Thunderclap, raised concerns with stakeholders opposed to the WOTUS rule,” said Ellis. “The use of these messages, without attribution to the agency, was clearly intended to deceive the public to engage in the spread of EPA’s propaganda without consideration of the rulemaking process. By crafting the social media message to appear grassroots, the EPA misused tax-payer funds to support expansion of federal jurisdiction.”

The GAO also found that the agency’s website links to policy engagements on the Natural Resources Defense Council and Surfrider Foundation webpages constituted grassroots lobbying in violation of the grassroots lobbying prohibition.

“The Army Corps’ of Engineers has raised concerns that the EPA exaggerated the scientific basis for their jurisdictional determinations, the courts have twice found rationale to halt implementation of the rule, and both Chambers of Congress have taken action to withdraw the rule,” said Ellis. “It is time for Congress to act to fully defund implementation of the WOTUS rule and bring accountability to the EPA.”

The GAO’s general counsel has advised the EPA to report the violations and the costs associated with the violation of the law to the President and Congress as required by the Antideficiency Act.



Statement by Bob Stallman, President, American Farm Bureau Federation, Regarding GAO Legal Opinion Finding EPA Violated Law Regarding WOTUS

“A legal opinion today by the U.S. Government Accountability Office finds that the Environmental Protection Agency broke the law with its social media and grassroots lobbying campaign advocating for its own Waters of the U.S. rule. It’s clear from this report that EPA orchestrated this matter in a biased fashion. Now it’s up to Congress to clean up this mess by including a corrective measure in the omnibus bill now taking shape on Capitol Hill.

“Courts already have declared serious doubts about the legal authority for the rule. Now that it has become clear that the agency used illegal tactics to manufacture ill-informed support for the rule, Congress should act immediately to prohibit implementation of this rule, which is the product of an unlawful and misguided process.

“We applaud U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Chairman Jim Inhofe for asking GAO to conduct this investigation. The GAO findings vindicate those, like the American Farm Bureau Federation, who have claimed all along that EPA’s tactics advocating for this rule stepped past the bounds of proper agency rulemaking. EPA was focused only on promoting the rule rather than hearing good-faith concerns from a wide cross-section of Americans. The public deserves better when important matters of public policy are at stake.”



Massive Wave of Education Offered at Cattlemen’s College in San Diego Jan. 26-27
 
A rapidly changing cattle market is unforgiving when it comes to dealing with producers who won’t – or can’t -- meet its many challenges. Education is critical – and why Cattlemen’s College has become the premier learning event for the nation’s cattlemen and women. The 23rd Cattlemen’s College, sponsored by Zoetis and conducted by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, will be held in conjunction with the Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show in San Diego Jan. 26-27, 2016.

                Planning for the future is a big part of the event. For instance, what will the nation’s cow herd look like five years from now? Five of the nation’s leading cattle industry experts will explore the topic as the Cattlemen’s College kicks off Jan. 26, looking at numerous possibilities, including which cattle genetics will be discounted and which will receive premiums, the pros and cons of buying and leasing land, and the industry’s new technologies that are – and will soon be – offered to cattlemen.

                   Among societal changes occurring that involve the industry is feeding a growing world population, and Dr. Robert Fraley, executive vice president and chief technology officer for Monsanto, will provide a keynote Cattlemen’s College address Jan. 27 that is certain to provoke thought and discussion. Fraley will examine critical challenges to feed more people with less land, less water and a changing climate.

                A popular feature of Cattlemen’s College is its broad range of topics of specific interest to all aspects of the cattle industry, and that will again be offered in 2016 with 18 different classes in six education tracts: Healthy Cattle – Healthy Ranch, Advances in Cattle Nutrition, Industry Hot Topics, Your Business – Our Industry, Evolving Beef Production and Creating the Future. These classes will be offered from 8:15 a.m. to 11:45 Jan. 27, and be followed by a lunch at which “pupils” can visit one-on-one with the “instructors” to gain even more personalized information.

                “No matter where in the cattle industry you operate, these sessions will have something of value for you and your operation,” according to Josh White, NCBA executive director of producer education. “We’re gathering some of the leaders in the industry to share their knowledge and expertise. Guidance they will provide will help each of us maximize our profitability in a constantly shifting industry.”

                Early registration for Cattlemen’s College – which attracted more than 1,400 people last year – ends Jan. 4, 2016. Tickets to the 2016 event are $195 per person, with discounted tickets available for college students. For more information on the event’s classes and sessions, go to www.beefusa.org/cattlemenscollege.



Brazil Soy Planting 93% Complete; Cerrado Dryness a Worry

Planting of the Brazilian soybean crop is reaching a close with hot, dry conditions across the Cerrado continuing to concern.  Fieldwork was 93% complete as of Friday, back on the five-year average of 98% for this time of year, according to AgRural, a local farm consultancy.

In Mato Grosso, the No. 1 soybean state, planting is 99% complete with the only work outstanding some replanting in the east. In the big-producing north of the state, irregular rainfall continues and some farmers expect significant losses. In the south and west of the state, rainfall is more regular.

Across the rest of the country, crops are in good condition.  In Goias and Mato Grosso do Sul, crops are virtually all in the ground and in good condition.

In the south, farmers in Parana report crops are looking healthy. In Rio Grande do Sul, growers took advantage of drier weather to spray for Asian rust fungus, which has been making an early appearance due to the heavy rains there.AgRural pegs the Brazilian soy crop at 99.7 million metric tons (mmt). Industry group Abiove on Monday raised its estimate for the 2015-16 soy crop to 99.4 million metric tons from its previous estimate of 98.6 million tons.



Argentina Removes Some Ag Export Taxes

Argentine President Mauricio Macri said Monday that his government will eliminate export taxes on some agricultural products, dismantling one of his predecessor's key economic policies.

Macri said that export taxes would be eliminated for corn, wheat and meat, while his government would reduce taxes for soybean exports.

Macri said that the measure would boost agricultural production. The government is also hoping that the sale of the grains will provide it with much-needed dollars to bolster its rapidly dwindling central bank reserves.

The export taxes were a critical economic policy during the administrations of former president Cristina Kirchner and her late husband, Néstor Kirchner, during the past decade.

The export tax on soybeans will drop to 30% from 35%. The Kirchner administration used the tax revenue to fund expansive social programs, something the Macri administration has pledged to continue.



Stuffing a Stocking with a Drone? Don't Forget to Register!

The Federal Aviation Administration today announced that recreational users of unmanned aerial systems (UAS), or drones, must register their systems with the federal government via a new website, which goes live Monday, Dec. 21.

"Unmanned aerial systems can make farms safer, more efficient, and more environmentally friendly - and that helps everyone," said Maryland farmer Chip Bowling, president of National Corn Growers Association. "If you're stuffing a stocking with a hobby drone this holiday, take advantage of the free registration window and get it registered."

Anyone using a hobby UAS that weighs from 0.55 pounds up to 55 pounds is required to register as a UAS operator. Operators who purchased a UAS prior to Dec. 21 must register by Feb. 19. Anyone who purchase a UAS after Dec. 21 must register before they first fly outdoors. Drone registration will cost $5 per operator; however, the registration fee will be waived for the first 30 days.

"My message to unmanned aircraft operators is simple: It is in your best interest to register early," said Transportation Secretary Anthony Foxx.

Operators who complete the registration process will receive a printable certificate with a registration number. That registration number must be placed on each UAS. Each UAS operator must have his or her own registration number, but it can be applied to an unlimited number of systems. The registration is valid for 3 years.

Bowling urged the FAA to continue its work integrating UAS into the national airspace, beginning with finalizing the small UAS rule.

"UAS have important applications for agriculture, and we need rules and regulations that will put this technology in farmers' hands. The National Corn Growers Association has taken a leadership role on this issue from the beginning, working with the UAS industry, federal regulators, and others to find a way forward. Let's continue to work together on common-sense rules that create a culture of safety and responsibility, while ensuring farmers have the access, tools, and training to take full advantage of UAS technology," said Bowling.

The Association for Unmanned Vehicle Systems International estimates that agriculture will account for as much as 80 percent of all commercial UAS use. Applications of unmanned aerial systems include crop scouting; early detection of pest infestations and crop disease; more precise application of fertilizers and other crop inputs; and reducing the need for humans in potentially dangerous tasks.

For more information or to register your hobby drone beginning Dec. 21, visit www.faa.gov/uas/registration.



NFU Board of Directors Passes Motion Opposing Changes to the Farm Bill

The following resolution was adopted today by the National Farmers Union (NFU) Board of Directors, opposing changes to the Farm Bill through the 2016 Omnibus Appropriations Act:

“The National Farmers Union Board of Directors calls upon the U.S. Congress to pass a fiscal year 2016 appropriations act which does not make changes to 2014 Farm Bill spending levels. The current farm bill is a five year agreement that should provide policy certainty to agriculture for its duration.

“We strongly object to any legislative changes reopening the law in any fashion. Such action would undermine certainty at a time when farm income is rapidly eroding. USDA has forecasted a decline for the second consecutive year. Net farm income is expected to fall to $55.9 billion for 2015, which would be a decline of 54.7 percent over the past two years. 

“Congress has attempted to reopen the farm bill four times this year. The NFU Board of Directors strongly opposes such action and calls on Congress to allow the safety net to operate as designed for the benefit of agriculture and rural America.”

Upon passage of the resolution, NFU President Roger Johnson stated that, “Members of Congress from both sides of the aisle, farm leaders, family farmers and ranchers invested years of hard work and compromise that finally lead to the passage of the 2014 Farm Bill. This farm bill was meant to provide five years of policy certainty and adequate risk management tools for farmers and ranchers who face increasingly volatile markets and weather conditions.”



 CWT Assists with 5.2 million Pounds of Cheese and Whole Milk Powder Export Sales

Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) has accepted 13 requests for export assistance from Dairy Farmers of America, Northwest Dairy Association (Darigold), and Tillamook County Creamery Association who have contracts to sell 3.402 million pounds (1,543 metric tons) of Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheese, and 1.764 million pounds (800 metric tons) of whole milk powder to customers in Asia, the Middle East and South America. The product has been contracted for delivery in the period from December 2015 through June 2016.

Year-to-date, CWT has assisted member cooperatives who have contracts to sell 53.593 million pounds of cheese, 25.847 million pounds of butter and 40.715 million pounds of whole milk powder to thirty-five countries on six continents. The amounts of cheese, butter and whole milk powder in these sales contracts represent the equivalent of 1.373 billion pounds of milk on a milkfat basis. The totals have been adjusted due to cancellations.

Assisting CWT members through the Export Assistance program, in the long-term, helps member cooperatives gain and maintain market share, thus expanding the demand for U.S. dairy products and the U.S. farm milk that produces them. This, in turn, positively impacts all U.S. dairy farmers by strengthening and maintaining the value of dairy products that directly impact their milk price. Renewing this important program for 2016 through 2018 is currently underway. Cooperatives and individual dairy farmers interested in investing in their future can find membership at www.cwt.coop under the membership tab.



Vilsack on Finalization of COP 21 Deal

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today made the following statement on the finalization of the COP 21 deal in Paris: “The historic COP21 deal supports a better-nourished, stable, secure future for the United States and every nation. Thanks to a coalition of global leaders led by President Obama, our world is now working together to aggressively address climate change with action and results. The benchmarks outlined in the deal build on the ambitious climate smart strategy being implemented by U.S. farmers, ranchers and foresters in partnership with USDA and the Obama Administration. Our efforts to boost productivity, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and share best practices with counterparts around the world will help to address climate change and improve global resilience while continuing to meet global demand for food, fiber and fuel.”



NFU Applauds Obama Administration, International Leaders on Historic Climate Change Deal

National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson applauded the Obama administration and international leaders on reaching a historic and ambitious agreement that works to mitigate the potentially devastating effects of climate change on family farmers, ranchers and global food security.

“Climate change poses serious threats to the livelihoods of American family farmers and ranchers and to domestic and global food security,” said Johnson. “NFU applauds the ambitious benchmarks set forth in the Paris climate deal and thanks President Obama and his administration for their leadership and commitment to mitigating the worst effects of climate change.”

Nearly 200 nations signed the Paris climate deal over the weekend, “recognizing the fundamental priority of safeguarding food security and ending hunger, and the particular vulnerabilities of food production systems to the adverse impacts of climate change.”

“Increased weather volatility due to climate change inhibits family farmers and ranchers ability to reliably produce sufficient amounts of food and strains infrastructure and distribution systems,” said Johnson. “This deal highlights the importance of mitigating climate change for global food security and agriculture and calls for mitigation efforts that do not threaten food production.”

Johnson noted that the agreement provides a long-term framework for avoiding a 2 degree Celsius temperature increase from pre-industrial levels, and strives to limit the increase to 1.5 degrees Celsius if possible. Scientists believe any increase of more than 2 degrees Celsius may result in severe and irreversible consequences.

 “The deal sets an ambitious goal of limiting warming to 2 degrees Celsius that necessitates immediately and significantly curbing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions,” said Johnson. “Avoiding the worst impacts of climate change is necessary to ensure farmers can continue to enhance domestic and global food security.”

“NFU calls on world leaders to continue the momentum from Paris and implement meaningful steps to curb carbon emissions and mitigate climate change,” said Johnson.



USDA Nationwide Farm Management and Conservation Data Gathering Begins Second Phase

The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is contacting farmers and ranchers now through February 2016 as part of the second National Resources Inventory – Conservation Effects Assessment Project (NRI-CEAP-2) survey of agricultural producers’ conservation practices.

CEAP is a multi-agency study of the environmental impacts of conservation practices and programs on cultivated and non-cultivated agricultural lands. The survey will gather field management data and conservation implementation information from scientifically-selected National Resources Inventory (NRI) points on farms and ranches, nationwide. That information will be used to measure the environmental impacts associated with farm management and conservation practice implementation. USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) is the lead agency for the collaborative project; NASS conducts the CEAP survey under a cooperative agreement with NRCS.

“CEAP is a critical tool for quantifying the impacts of the good conservation work done by millions of farmers and ranchers partnering with USDA,” said NRCS Chief Jason Weller. “Results from CEAP assessments help to shape USDA policies and practices that improve voluntary conservation delivery and the resulting benefits on the landscape.”

Trained by NASS, enumerators or surveyors from the National Association of State Departments of Agriculture (NASDA) will interview approximately 23,500 farmers and ranchers in 2,150 counties throughout the continental United States to obtain field data for the NRI-CEAP-2 survey. The enumerators will gather data on management and conservation practices such as cropping and tillage methods, pesticide and livestock manure applications, and other field activities. Information gathered from the NRI-CEAP-2 survey will be used to evaluate changes that have occurred on the land since the first nationwide CEAP survey (NRI-CEAP-1), conducted in 2003-2006. These two surveys are the only two CEAP surveys conducted nationwide on cropland. The NRI-CEAP-2 survey will also include pastureland.

The entire survey process will take two years. Some producers will be surveyed through February 2016, and the rest in fall 2016 through the winter of 2017.

“The NRI-CEAP-2 survey gives producers a great opportunity to provide a more complete and accurate picture of the conservation and management practices they use on their lands and in their operations,” said NASS Administrator, Joseph T. Reilly. “While participation is voluntary, documenting the significant efforts made by farmers to conserve natural resources while producing food, fuel, feed, and fiber is very important. These findings encourage continued support for conservation programs that protect natural resources while respecting farmers’ livelihoods.”

This survey provides a way to capture the farmer’s or rancher’s voice, identify the conservation practices applied with or without formal participation in conservation programs, and document the current trends in voluntary conservation and farm management practices on the landscape. The survey data will be used in conjunction with sophisticated modeling approaches to determine the impacts adopted practices are having on resource concerns such as soil health and water quality. Project findings will be used to guide USDA conservation policy and program development and help conservationists, farmers and ranchers make more informed conservation decisions.

NASS safeguards the privacy of all respondents, ensuring that no individual operation or producer can be identified, as required by Federal law. Participants’ responses cannot be used for the purposes of taxation, investigation, or regulation (Title 7, U.S. Code, and CIPSEA, Public Law 107-347).