Thursday December 10 Ag News

John Temme, Wayne County Wins NFBF Young Farmers and Ranchers Discussion Meet Contest

John Temme, who manages his family dairy farm near Wayne, was announced as the winner of the Nebraska Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Discussion Meet contest during the membership luncheon at the organization’s 98th Annual Convention held Dec. 8 in LaVista, Neb.

The family farm is home to 900 milk cows, 15 employees, and 1100 acres of row crops. In addition to the dairy operation he and his wife, Molly, are part owners in Jolly Cow Calf Ranch which specializes in raising bottle calves for dairies. When John isn’t busy managing cows and employees he helps his wife with her coffee house and serves on various boards. He currently serves as the vice president on Wayne County Farm Bureau and is the Dairy representative on Nebraska Farm Bureau’s State Legislative Policy Committee. He received the top score of five contestants who advanced to the final round of the Discussion Meet contest.

Competitors in the annual contest must be prepared to speak on any number of agriculture-related topics; the selected question is announced a short time prior to each round of the contest. Rather than debating, contestants work to develop a solution to a problem being discussed, building on each other’s contributions.

Temme received $500, an iPad and an all-expense-paid trip to the American Farm Bureau Convention in Orlando, Florida, in January 2016, to compete in the contest at the national level.



NEBRASKA SOYBEAN DAY AND MACHINERY EXPO IS DEC. 17

    The 2015 Nebraska Soybean Day and Machinery Expo on Dec. 17 will assist soybean producers in planning for next year's growing season.

    The expo, from 8:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m., will be in the pavilion at the Saunders County Fairgrounds, 635 W. First St. in Wahoo.

    Presenters include University of Nebraska-Lincoln researchers and specialists, Nebraska Soybean Board representatives, soybean growers and private industry representatives.

    David Kohl, professor emeritus of agricultural economics at Virginia Tech, will present on megatrends in agriculture and global economics. Tina Barrett, executive director of the Nebraska Farm Business Association, will discuss Nebraska's farm financial outlook. John Frihauf, senior field biologist with BASF, will present on combatting waterhemp, palmer amaranth and marestail. Nebraska Extension Educator Keith Glewen will provide information on the Nebraska On-Farm Research Network as he presents "Discovering Production Answers On Your Farm, What Could be New in Your Toolbox?"

    The expo also will include an update on the Nebraska Soybean Checkoff association information.

    Producers will be able to visit with representatives from seed, herbicide, fertilizer and equipment companies and view new farm equipment during a 30-minute break at 9:45 a.m.

    A complimentary lunch will be served at noon. The Saunders County Soybean Growers Organization requests that each participant donate one or more cans of nonperishable food to the food pantry.

    Registration is available the day of the expo at the door. There is no registration fee. For more information about the program or exhibitor information, visit http://ardc.unl.edu/nebraskasoyexpo, call (800) 529-8030 or e-mail kglewen1@unl.edu. 

    This program is sponsored by Nebraska Extension in UNL's Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, the Nebraska Soybean Board, Saunders County Soybean Growers Organization and private industry.



Nebraska Farmers Union 102nd Annual State Convention Highlights Released

Nebraska Farmers Union (NeFU) completed their 102nd annual state convention held in Grand Island at the Midtown Holiday Inn December 4-5.  The convention theme was:  “Old Values and New Visions for the 21st Century”. 

NeFU Convention Delegates Elect Officers.  John Hansen was re-elected to his 14th two-year term without opposition.  Hansen’s 26 years at the helm as president is the longest in the organization’s 102 year history.  Elton Berck served 17 years from 1957 to 1974.

Three NeFU Board of Directors elections were held.  Jim Knopik of Belgrade was elected to in his first three-year term in District 2, replacing retiring Director Carol Schooley of Grand Island.  Vern Jantzen of Plymouth was re-elected in District 4 to his 7th three-year term.  Graham Christensen of Omaha was elected in District 6 to his first term replace retiring Director Dennis Buse of West Point.  All three Directors elected were unopposed.

Gus Von Roenn of Omaha and Dr. Merlin Friesen of Filley were elected to represent NeFU as delegates to the upcoming National Farmers Union Convention in Minneapolis, Minnesota March 5-8, 2016.  Justin Orem of Lincoln and David Mohlman of Red Cloud were elected first and second alternates.

Margo Hamilton of Lincoln was re-elected to the NeFU Foundation Board of Directors from the membership. Ben Gotschall of Raymond was elected to represent the NeFU Foundation Board from the NeFU Board of Directors.  John Hansen’s term as President of NeFU coincides with his term on the NeFU Foundation Board.

President’s Award Given to Retiring NeFU Director Dennis Buse of West Point.  NeFU President John Hansen presented Dennis Buse with the President’s award at the Friday night banquet.  In his presentation remarks Hansen noted that Dennis had willingly stepped up and did what was needed to be done to represent organization during his 12 years of service on the NeFU board, and the many years he served as District 6 President.  “When our organization needed to be represented at National Farmers Union Conventions, State Conventions, National Farmers Union Fly-Ins, or Legislature Lobby days, when asked, Dennis Buse willingly did what needed to be done.  His dedication and years of service are noted and appreciated,” Hansen said.

Friday morning featured a panel discussion “The Unsolved Property Tax Problem Continues”.  Open Sky Executive Director provided the facts about Nebraska’s tax system.  Legislature Revenue Committee member Senator Al Davis reported on the status of property tax reform proposals being considered by the Revenue Committee.  The property tax issue continues to be at the top of the NeFU organization’s legislative list of priorities.  Many good questions were fielded and answered.

Friday noon luncheon speakers were Senator Al Davis and NFU Government Affairs Representative Barbara Patterson.  Senator Davis provided a legislative preview of issues of interest that will be considered in the upcoming 60 day short legislative session.  In addition to property tax relief issues, he said that Senator Ken Schilz’s LB176 that would repeal the state’s current ban on pork processor direct ownership and production of hogs in Nebraska would continue from the last session.  Barbara Patterson provided a summary of some of the top issues National Farmers Union were working on in Washington, including mandatory price reporting, Country of Origin Labeling, and consideration of the Trans Pacific Partnership proposal. 

The first of two Friday afternoon workshops was “The Nebraska Beginning Farmer & Rancher Network Farm Succession Series—A Workshop on Farm and Ranch Business Succession & Estate Planning”.  Joe Hawbaker and David Goeller facilitated the popular and well attended workshop.

Later Friday afternoon the “Resiliency Begins with our Soils” workshop with USDA Nebraska Natural Resources and Conservation Services Agronomist Mike Kucera focused on soil building and the impact cropping patterns have in that process.  Healthy soils store many times more water and are much less likely to erode.

National Farmers Union President Roger Johnson gave the keynote banquet speech Friday night.  He highlighted the priorities of NFU including appropriate inclusion of agricultural carbon sequestration in climate change solutions, the status of Country of Origin Labeling, and the problems with current trade policy.

“The NeFU Farm Solar Report” panel discussion highlighting NeFU leaders and members kicked off the Saturday morning program.  After Art Tanderup from  Neligh presented a power point of his solar installation, Martin Kleinschmit of Hartington, Jim Knopik of Fullerton, Graham Christensen of Omaha, and Michael Shonka of Omaha shared their experience with solar installations, and discussed the need to update the state’s net metering policies for farm level solar and small wind installations.  There was a lot of interest in this topic.

The “Is our Trade Policy Working?” panel with NFU President Roger Johnson, NFU Government Affairs Representative Barbara Patterson, and NeFU President John Hansen explained in detail how currency manipulation more than offsets any potential gains in tariff reductions.  The balance of trade data shows consistent and massive balance of trade deficits since 1994.  The cumulative trade shortfall is over $9 trillion.  NFU President Roger Johnson said that trade policy is more times than not geopolitical considerations overshadow the actual trade provisions and commercial considerations.

USDA Nebraska Farm Service Administration Executive Director Dan Steinkruger updated the convention on the implementation of the new farm program, and the challenges budget cuts have on their delivery system.

A panel of landowners in the path of the Keystone XL pipeline described their struggles over the past 8 years.  Lynda Buoy of Bassett, Art Tanderup of Neligh, and Susan and Bill Dunavan of York described the bullying tactics used against them, why they stood their ground, and many new understandings of the importance of coalition building and organizations.  NeFU President Hansen praised the landowners for their courage, and success.

NeFU Programs Manager Jeremiah Picard and NeFU President Hansen led a report on NeFU’s new “Big Red Worms” project.  The vermiculture project diverts food waste from some Lincoln Public Schools, brew pubs, and restaurants.  It is then mixed with a variety of cellulosic materials, composted and fed to red wiggler worms.  The final product is castings, which will be marketed as vermicompost to gardeners, vineyards, and specialty crop producers.  The vermicompost helps build soil health, nutrient availability and productivity while reducing food waste.  It is estimated that 16% of the Lincoln landfill materials by volume are food waste products.

NeFU delegates set policy.  NeFU delegates adopted the 2014-2015 NeFU policy Saturday afternoon along with seven special orders of business.  The new policy and the Special Orders of Business will be posted on the NeFU website as soon as they have gone through the final edits at:   www.nebraskafarmersunion.org.



Moo University Workshops Set

What a pregnant cow is worth is the focus of the I-29 "Moo-University" annual winter workshop series. The I-29 Dairy Outreach Consortium is hosting the workshop at these five locations in 2016:
-- Jan. 11 - Baymont Inn & Suites, Mandan
-- Jan. 12 - Codington Expo Building, Watertown, S.D.
-- Jan. 13 - Pizza Ranch, Pipestone, Minn.
-- Jan. 14 - Sioux County Extension office, Orange City, Iowa
-- Jan. 15 - Lifelong Learning Center at NECC, Norfolk, Neb.

"This workshop is a great opportunity for dairy producers to learn more on a variety of popular dairy subjects," says J.W. Schroeder, North Dakota State University Extension Service diary specialist and member of the consortium. "Featured topics include synchronization, optimizing genomics and genetics technologies, profit-driven personnel management techniques, performance records and the economics of reproduction decisions."

The consortium consists of Extension personnel from NDSU, the University of Minnesota, South Dakota State University, Iowa State University and the University of Nebraska, and members of the Minnesota Dairy Initiative, South Dakota Dairy Producers, Iowa State Dairy Association and Nebraska State Dairy Association.

The agenda will be the same at all five locations. The workshops open with registration at 9 a.m. and run until 3:30 p.m.

The registration fee is $50 if paid by Dec. 31. After that date, the fee is $65.

College and technical school students can attend for $20 ($25 after Dec. 31).

The Milk Producers Association of North Dakota, South Dakota Dairy Producers, Western Iowa Dairy Alliance and Nebraska State Dairy Association will pay the $50 fee for their members.

Register online at igrow.org/store/. For more information, contact Schroeder at (701) 231-7663 or jw.schroeder@ndsu.edu.



NCTA adds agricultural certificate programs

Hands-on learning opportunities in welding and agricultural chemical application got a boost last week in Nebraska’s higher education programs.

Come January, students enrolled in agricultural welding or agricultural chemical application at the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture (NCTA) can earn an undergraduate certificate, announced Ron Rosati, dean at NCTA.

“Industry input indicates there is a strong demand in Nebraska for skilled individuals in these two fields,” Rosati said. “NCTA received approval for these programs last week from the Nebraska Coordinating Commission on Post-Secondary Education. “

Students can complete a certificate program within one academic year or pursue another year of instruction to earn an associate degree.

“We are excited that students are able to enter these areas of education and seek employment in technical trades,” Rosati added. “NCTA serves an important role in preparing students with an affordable, quality education for careers in agricultural professions.”

Brad Ramsdale, Ph.D., is agronomy professor and division chair responsible for overseeing the two new certificate programs.

“The Agricultural Chemical Application Certificate is based on input from our industry advisors,” Ramsdale said. Producer-owned cooperatives and other agricultural chemical businesses need well-trained individuals with applied knowledge and skills.

Courses include precision farming, pest management, pesticide certification, agricultural chemical application, equipment principles and preventative maintenance.

“Students will be able to successfully complete Commercial Applicator License exams and enter the workforce with a well-rounded educational experience,” Ramsdale added.

NCTA has been working diligently on expanding the agricultural mechanics program through updates in classroom equipment and the addition in 2014 of the Irrigation Technician Certificate program, Rosati noted, “And, as a result, student interest and enrollment has grown.”

Dan Stehlik, an alumnus, joined the faculty this fall in agricultural mechanics. He brings decades of classroom and lab experience as an agricultural educator in Nebraska and Kansas.

“Dan has a proven record in preparing students to pass certification exams from the American Welding Society,” Rosati said. NCTA’s program includes arc welding, oxyacetylene welding, TIG, MIG, cutting, blueprint reading, and metal project construction techniques.

As a two-year technical school with a statewide mission, NCTA awards either an Associate of Science (A.S.) or Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree.   Majors are agribusiness management systems, agricultural production systems or veterinary technology, in addition to general studies courses in support of the agricultural majors.



Iowa Cattlemen support COOL Repeal

At this week’s Iowa Cattle Industry Convention, the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association (ICA) members adopted new policy supporting a full repeal of Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling.

ICA currently has three policy-making committees that deal with legislative or regulatory issues and work to recommend policy for the ICA. These committees are all chaired by volunteers who are knowledgeable about the issues and have a strong desire to improve the environment for the cattle industry in Iowa.

Members of the Beef Products policy committee sent a strong message to congressional members on Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling. The language below was adopted by membership at the convention.

WHEREAS, mandatory Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) on meat products has been implemented in the U.S.; and

WHEREAS, there are concerns that the current COOL policy has been challenged by World Trade Organization (WTO) members and major trading partners of U.S. beef.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association support full repeal of the current Mandatory Country of Origin Labeling legislation.

Members of the Beef Products committee voted unanimously to remove the existing Country of Origin Labeling policy that supported a voluntary program before adopting the new policy.

“Our previous Country of Origin Labeling policy was adopted in light of the 2014 World Trade Organization ruling that found the U.S. out of compliance with its trading partners. At that time our members felt a voluntary program that exempted producers from program expenses was a good fit. Now we recognized that a full repeal is our only option,” said Justin Rowe, Beef Products Committee Chair.

The new policy was adopted at the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association Annual Meeting on Wednesday, December 9. Members of the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association reviewed 47 policies during the annual event for consideration to renew, expire, or adopt. Newly adopted policies focused on the Nutrient Reduction Strategy, Iowa Beef Checkoff, and Chicago Mercantile Exchange Feeder Cattle Index.



CME Group Modifies Cattle Requirements

Effective December 18, CME Group Inc. will require all live cattle delivered against live cattle futures to be born and raised in the U.S. The amendment is intended to provide clarity as to the existing delivery requirements of the live cattle futures contract if the U.S. Congress and the U.S. Department of Agriculture repeal the Country of Origin Labeling law for beef and pork, the company said in a statement.

"The amendments are being made as the timing of legislation and a final United States Department of Agriculture rule repealing COOL for beef and pork has not been determined, but we believe it important to provide certainty to the marketplace as to existent requirements," CME Group noted in the statement.

CME says the purpose of these rule changes is to maintain the status quo in an uncertain policy environment, since the current U.S. origin requirement is dependent on COOL being in place.

During the next several months, the company said it intends to engage with the industry to discuss whether non-U.S. origin cattle should be allowed for delivery against the CME live cattle futures contract for contract months subsequent to the April 2017 contract month. Until a determination is made, however, CME Group said it will suspend listing additional CME live cattle futures and options contract months.

The new requirement will apply to current trading contract months through April 2017.



USGC Leaders Assess Sub-Saharan Africa As Next Frontier For U.S. Grain Exports

Leaders from the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) traveled to Tanzania and South Africa this week to assess the supply and demand situation for food and agricultural products in the Sub-Saharan Africa region and look for long-term opportunities for the Council to engage there.

The group traveling included Chairman Alan Tiemann, a farmer from Nebraska; Vice Chairman Chip Councell, a farmer from Maryland; President and CEO Tom Sleight; Senior Director of Global Programs Cary Sifferath; Manager of Global Development Programs Anne Zaczek; and consultant Heiko Köster, who helps manage USGC programs in both countries.

Their first stop, in Tanzania, included visits to the Tanzanian Central Veterinary Laboratory and the USGC office in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania; meetings with the local poultry industry including farm tours and a stop at the Tanzania Poultry Show; discussions with poultry associations; and meetings with the feed industry in the area.

“With its large and rapidly growing populations and enormous resource base, Sub-Saharan Africa has the potential to be an important market in the future,” Tiemann said. “During our travel, we examined how the Council can continue to be a part of the area’s development in addition to its ongoing work in Tanzania.”

In the spring of 2014, the Council launched the Tanzania Food For Progress (FFP) program to develop the poultry and feed industries in that country. The program is fully funded by a USDA Foreign Agriculture Service (FAS) Food for Progress grant.

The objective of the program is to sustainably enhance the capacity of the commercial poultry and feed milling industries in Tanzania by helping local leaders develop a professional poultry association and self-sustaining feed quality lab.

“While Sub-Saharan Africa is not a major feed grains market, its large population and open-ended growth potential continue to command our attention,” Sleight said. “Our program in Tanzania was one of our first steps toward helping this market find a sustainable path forward. This week, we looked for new opportunities for USGC engagement in this region’s burgeoning markets.”

To this end, the group also traveled to South Africa, where they found a potential near-term opportunity for exports.

“Right now, El Niño is in full force in South Africa, which has created a severe drought,” Sleight said. “Their corn production has dropped considerably, which may create opportunities for sales of yellow and white corn and distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS) into this market.”

With their return to the United States Thursday, the mission participants will begin to determine how best to serve the particular needs of this market based on the information they gathered.



ASA Announces 2016 Class of DuPont Young Leaders

The 32nd class of American Soybean Association (ASA) DuPont Young Leaders began their leadership journey at DuPont Pioneer headquarters in Johnston, Iowa, last week.

The Johnston training session was the first phase of a program designed to identify new and aspiring leaders and provide them with opportunities to enhance their skills and network with other growers. Representatives from 23 states and Canada participated in training that included educational and skill-building components.

“The ASA DuPont Young Leaders Program identifies and trains new and much needed leaders for the soybean industry,” said ASA President Wade Cowan (Texas). “The program provides training and helps them grow their peer network, which strengthens our industry and allows us to work collaboratively in our local, state and national organizations. This year’s class is exceptional; they’re engaged, talented and passionate about agriculture. The program continues to have an enormous impact on not only the soybean industry but all of agriculture.”

The 2016 ASA DuPont Young Leaders are:  Brady Peek, Ala.; Derek Holden &Amanda Crangle, Ark.; Jeff and Dianne Barlow, Canada; Aaron & Melanie Thompson, Del.; Brian Ogletree, Ga.; Alan Hill, Ill.; John Wildermuth, Ind.; Ethon Smith, Iowa; Matthew Atkinson & Mary Ann Ross, Kan.; Ben & Katie Furnish, Ky.; Adam & Lindsey Hendricks, Ky.; Vincent Cannatella, La.; Nik Morris, La.; Mike Opificius, Mich.; Rodd & Jamie Beyer, Minn.; Taylor & Rebecca Tesch, Minn.; Paul Muirhead, Miss.; Andrew & Jennifer Lance, Mo.; John & Stephanie Thompson, Mo.; Wade Walters, Neb.; Brett Medlin, N.C.; Greg & Monica Gussiaas, N.D.; Luke Ryan, Ohio; Patrick Burch & Grace Walter, S.C.; Joshua & Kara Kayser, S.D.; Don Holbert, Tenn.; Brett Wightman, Va.; John Mills, Va.; and Rochelle & Evan Schnadt, Wis.

“It was a privilege to meet this year’s enthusiastic class of DuPont Young Leaders, who will take on the challenges and opportunities that face American agriculture,” said Steve Reno, Vice President, Regional Business Director – U.S. & Canada.  “We look forward to watching them continue to develop their leadership skills throughout the remaining parts of the program.”



New Chair Focuses on Profit Opportunities for Soybean Farmers

 Jared Hagert, soybean farmer from Emerado, North Dakota, has been elected by his fellow United Soybean Board (USB) farmer-directors to lead the national soy checkoff in 2016. Hagert will be the first chair to implement the board’s new Long-Range Strategic Plan, which emphasizes soybean innovation for farmer profit opportunities, including continued high oleic development, soybean-meal-quality improvements and technological advances to maximize on-farm profitability.

“The best use of checkoff funds is to invest in programs that provide value back to all U.S. soybean farmers,” Hagert says. “To maximize profit opportunities for our farmers, we need to look beyond the bushel and focus on our end users. Meeting their needs will help to drive demand for our crop now and in the future.”

The following farmer-leaders will be joining Hagert as executive committee members to oversee USB’s profit-building programs:
- USB Vice Chair: John Motter, Jenera, Ohio
- USB Secretary and Oil Target Area Coordinator: Jimmy Sneed, Hernando, Mississippi
- USB Treasurer: Delbert Christensen, Audubon, Iowa
- USB Past Chair: Bob Haselwood, Berryton, Kansas
- USB Meal Target Area Coordinator: Mike Beard, Frankfort, Indiana
- USB Sustainability Target Area Coordinator: Nancy Kavazanjian, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
- USB Supply Action Team Lead: Bill Beam, Elverson, Pennsylvania
- USB Marketplace Action Team Lead: John Dodson, Halls, Tennessee
- USB Demand Action Team Lead: Lewis Bainbridge, Ethan, South Dakota
- USB Audit & Evaluation Committee Chair: Keith Tapp, Sebree, Kentucky

Members of the Strategic Management Committee (SMC) will ensure that program goals align with the checkoff’s strategic objectives. Farmer-leaders who will serve on the SMC include:
- SMC Chair: Bob Haselwood, Berryton, Kansas
- Delbert Christensen, Audubon, Iowa
- Larry Marek, Riverside, Iowa
- John Motter, Jenera, Ohio
- Ron Ohlde, Palmer, Kansas
- Jacob Parker, Columbia, North Carolina

In addition to electing a new slate of officers, 17 checkoff farmer-leaders were sworn in. Five of these directors are new to the board, with 12 returning.



Delaware’s Wilkins Assumes Presidency of American Soybean Association

Richard Wilkins, a farmer from Greenwood, Del., assumes the role of president of the American Soybean Association (ASA) following his confirmation earlier this afternoon by the ASA Board of Directors at their annual winter meeting in St. Louis. Outgoing president Wade Cowan from Brownfield, Texas, moves to the position of chairman of the ASA board, and Ron Moore of Roseville, Ill., was elected to serve as vice president.

“I’m honored to serve as president of this wonderful team of farmers, and I’m excited to move forward with what is a very full agenda for the year,” said Wilkins.

“Richard is a smart leader who has a great purchase on how our industry can engage with our partners in other walks of agriculture to make sure we’re all successful,” said ASA CEO Steve Censky.

With his election as vice president, Moore is now in line to be the association’s president in 2016.

“These are an extremely important next few years for our industry,” said Moore. “The soybean industry and agriculture as a whole will need continuity and strength in its leadership, and I’m excited to continue that here at ASA.”

Also elected to form ASA’s nine-member governing committee were Secretary John Heisdorffer from Keota, Iowa; and At-Large Governing Board Members Bret Davis of Delaware, Ohio, Kevin Hoyer of West Salem, Wisc., Kevin Scott of Valley Springs, S.D., and Sam Butler of New Hope, Ala.. Current Treasurer Davie Stephens of Wingo, Ky., was elected to serve a second term in the same position.

Rotating off the ASA governing committee is outgoing chairman Ray Gaesser of Corning, Iowa, who will remain on the ASA board for the remainder of his term as director.

“Helping to guide this organization has been a real joy for me, and I am proud of how far we’ve come,” said Gaesser, during whose presidency ASA successfully advocated the passage of the 2014 Farm Bill.

“Ray deserves a great deal of credit for the strong advocacy ASA has provided for soybean farmers over the last three years, and we’re a better organization for it,” said Wilkins.

ASA’s meeting also served as a venue to celebrate the retirements of former president Steve Wellman of Nebraska, former treasurer Bob Henry of Kansas, and directors Dennis Bogaards of Iowa, John Rivers of South Carolina and Walter Godwin of Georgia.

Assuming positions on the Board as new members at the meeting are Charles Atkinson of Kansas, Cliff Barron of South Carolina, Ken Boswell of Nebraska, and Dean Coleman of Iowa. The meeting also represents the first ASA meeting for directors Pam Snelson of Oklahoma, and Steve Yoder, Jr., of Florida.



Apply for the 2017 Corn Board Today

The National Corn Growers Association Nominating Committee will be accepting applications from members for the 2017 Corn Board for only a few more weeks.  Through the Corn Board, members can become an integral part of the organization's leadership. Click here for the application, which provides complete information on requirements, responsibilities and deadlines.

"Through my years on the Corn Board, I have enjoyed working with the talented, dedicated volunteers who step forward to lead this organization," said NCGA Chairman and Nominating Committee Chair Martin Barbre. "The willingness of farmers to step forward as volunteer leaders is crucial to NCGA's continued success. A true grassroots organization, NCGA relies upon farmers to volunteer for leadership, helping to shape policy and drive efforts. Serving on the Corn Board empowers farmers and allows them to play an active role in shaping their industry and our collective future."

The NCGA Corn Board represents the organization on all matters while directing both policy and supervising day-to-day operations.  Board members serve the organization in a variety of ways.  They represent the federation of state organizations, supervise the affairs and activities of NCGA in partnership with the chief executive officer and implement NCGA policy established by the Corn Congress. Members also act as spokespeople for the NCGA and enhance the organization's public standing on all organizational and policy issues.

Applications are due Friday, January 8. Nominated candidates will be introduced at the March 2016 Corn Congress meeting, held in conjunction with the Commodity Classic in New Orleans, La. Corn Board members will be elected at the July 2016 Corn Congress in Washington, D.C., and the new terms begin Oct. 1.



Members of Congress, States and Business Urge Supreme Court to Review EPA's Latest Clean Water Act Overreach

A crush of supporters yesterday filed friend-of-the-court briefs, joining the American Farm Bureau Federation in urging the U.S. Supreme Court to hear arguments on the Environmental Protection Agency's plan to micromanage state land-use and development decisions under the guise of the Chesapeake Bay water quality "blueprint."

Filers included 92 members of Congress, 22 states, forestry groups represented by the Pacific Legal Foundation, and a broad cross-section of the U.S. economy represented by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Association of Manufacturers and the National Federation of Independent Business.

Farm Bureau members may choose from two dozen workshops covering a variety of topics and issues on Sunday, Jan. 10 and Monday, Jan. 11. Topics covered will include environmental regulations, the latest ag technology trends, trade, food safety and transparency, economic issues affecting today's farmers, and skills and ideas leaders can take home and apply at their county and state Farm Bureaus.

"The fact that so many voices are being raised in support of Supreme Court review shows the broad and severe threat that EPA's action here poses nationwide," AFBF President Bob Stallman said. "EPA has asserted powers that do not appear in any law written by Congress, and it has done so in the context of an iconic national treasure, hoping that will inoculate its power grab in the courts. We have faith that the nation's highest court will see this for what it is and hold EPA accountable to stay within its statutory authority."

Despite aggressive new commitments and water quality achievements by the six states in the Bay watershed in the mid-2000s, the EPA asserted federal control over the Chesapeake Bay recovery in its 2010 "blueprint." The new federal plan effectively gives EPA the ability to function as a super-zoning authority over local and state governments--dictating where homes can be built, where land can be farmed, and where commercial development can occur.

The plan will impose tens of billions of dollars in direct costs--with unknown economic impacts on local communities and economies. It also denies state and local governments and businesses the flexibility to adapt to new circumstances, instead locking in limits that can quickly become outdated but can only be revised by EPA. The lower courts upheld EPA's blueprint on the theory that it furthers the water quality goals of the Clean Water Act--despite the absence of words in the statute authorizing such federal action. A significant issue presented for the Supreme Court is the degree to which courts should defer to broad agency interpretations of their statutory power.

"The broad support for the Farm Bureau petition shows that deep concerns about the Bay blueprint go far beyond agriculture and far beyond the Bay region," said AFBF General Counsel Ellen Steen. "Members of Congress, states and business groups recognize that this illegal framework will be imposed throughout the country unless the Court intervenes. Given the enormous social and economic consequences, not to mention the grave questions about federalism and deference to agency overreaching, this is a case that cries out for Supreme Court review."



NFU Urges Congress to Pass a Clean Spending Bill

National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson called on Congress to pass a clean funding bill and uphold its promise for regular order. Reports of an omnibus impasse have largely hinged on an estimated forty riders including agricultural provisions related to Country-of-Origin Labeling (COOL), the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS), biotech labeling and other farm bill provisions.

“Congress promised regular order would be restored to the federal legislating process, but legislating through a federal spending bill is not what regular order looks like,” said Johnson. “NFU strongly urges Congress to keep the farm bill and other legislation important to family farmers and ranchers intact when passing a bill to fund the federal government.”

Johnson noted that Congress’ unwillingness to consider a compromise bill earlier this year has directly resulted in the World Trade Organization (WTO) giving Canada and Mexico the authority to retaliate against the U.S. NFU is strongly opposed to a potential COOL rider in the omnibus bill.

“It seems congressional leadership has no interest in protecting important consumer food labeling, and instead appears to want to repeal COOL and the “product of the U.S.’ definition that went along with it,” said Johnson. “This is completely unacceptable. Without this definition in law, U.S. consumers will once again be deliberately deceived at the grocery store, and U.S. ranchers will be left without a meaningful option to distinguish their products in the marketplace.”

On the issue of biotech labeling of food products, Johnson urged Congress to move forward with bipartisan negotiations in 2016 as opposed to a last minute rider. “Members of Congress have started to craft a meaningful biotech framework that would have value for all stakeholders interested in this issue. These deliberations should be allowed to continue so that consensus can be reached on a nationwide program.”

Johnson noted that any efforts to make changes to the RFS would also be harmful to the rural economy. “Pushing through such a provision on an appropriations bill that must be passed to fund the entire federal government is not an acceptable way of legislating policy changes to a program that has strengthened the heartland.”

Johnson also warned lawmakers against including riders that could re-open the farm bill, including conservation compliance and payment limit provisions.

 “Congress must avoid any language that jeopardizes the farm bill or seeks to amend other important laws on the books that benefit family agriculture.”



NFU Thanks the House for Passage of STB Reauthorization Bill

National Farmers Union (NFU) President Roger Johnson applauded the House of Representatives passage of S. 808, a bill that reforms and reauthorizes the Surface Transportation Board (STB). The measure would improve freight rail review processes, increase the efficiency of dispute resolution, and improve transparency and accountability.

“Freight rail is essential for family farmers across the country in both getting their crops to market and staying competitive in a global environment,” said Johnson. “Adoption of these reforms is an important step towards ensuring a more appropriate balance between the rail industry and their customers.”

The STB has not been reauthorized since it was created in 1995. The bill would make important reforms to more effectively handle freight rail challenges, such as giving the STB investigatory authority, creating a voluntary arbitration system, and requiring the STB to maintain a simplified and more efficient rate review mechanism when other review processes are too burdensome. The bill also calls on the rail industry to invest appropriate resources to maintain rail service levels to prevent the types of service breakdowns such as were experienced in 2013 and 2014.

“Train service delays over the past two years significantly impacted family farmers and rural communities,” said Johnson. “Freight rates have continued to increase while service had badly deteriorated for a significant portion of two harvest seasons. This dynamic has illustrated the need for serious reform. We are optimistic that the reforms included in this bi-partisan bill will be a positive step for family farmers that depend on freight rail for the movement of their crops,” he said. 



USGC Releases Its First Ever Sorghum Quality Report

The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) released its first-ever Early Harvest Sorghum Quality Report this week, showing that 92 percent of U.S. sorghum samples are rated at quality grade No. 2 or better. The Council is now in the process of presenting these results worldwide.

“We will take the results of this report to our sorghum customers around the world and highlight the condition of the U.S. crop,” said USGC Senior Director of Global Strategies Kurt Shultz. “With this report, we hope to give these buyers a better understanding of how the sorghum crop is marketed in the United States and how it flows to the export terminals.”

Total U.S. sorghum production for 2015 is estimated at 594 million bushels (15.0 million metric tons), with more than half of this production headed for overseas destinations, according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA's) World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates (WASDE) report released in December 2015.

“The sorghum quality report is essential to giving market information to international buyers about the condition and availability of U.S sorghum,” Shultz said. “The international grain trade is a market of opportunity, and the more transparency you have in a market related to price or quality, the better educated the buyer is and better able to make informed purchasing decisions.”

Though the harvest quality report is valuable information to customers, sorghum quality will be affected by further handling. In January 2016, the Council will publish a second report, the Sorghum Harvest and Export Cargo Quality Report, to assess the quality of U.S. sorghum during the final half of the 2015 sorghum harvest season and as it is assembled for export.

The two reports are intended to provide reliable, timely and transparent information on the quality of the U.S. crop as it moves through export channels and, over time, use consistent methodology to permit the assessment of trends.



Sorghum Checkoff Board Directors Sworn in, Officers Elected

Three Sorghum Checkoff board directors were sworn in during the Dec. 9, 2015, board meeting in Lubbock, Texas.

Returning to the board as an at-large member is David Freemark of St. Lawrence, South Dakota. New to the board are Craig Poore of Alton, Kansas and Jim Massey IV of Robstown, Texas. Boyd Funk of Garden City, Kansas, will be sworn in during the next Sorghum Checkoff board meeting.

The newly sworn in board members were appointed by the U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack in October and will serve three-year terms.

Outgoing board members include the last three individuals from the original Sorghum Checkoff board, comprising Bill Greving of Prairie View, Kansas, Bill Kubecka of Palacios, Texas, and Greg Shelor of Minneola, Kansas.

Sorghum Checkoff CEO Tim Lust said the industry is appreciative of the hard work and dedication of the outgoing board members

“These board directors were a vital part of the initial vision and founding strategy of the checkoff,” Lust said. “Through the outgoing board members’ wisdom and mentorship, we are excited for the future of sorghum, which the newly elected board members and leadership team will carry out.”

Newly elected to board leadership, David Fremark will serve as chairman, Dan Krienke of Perryton, Texas, as vice chairman, Adam Baldwin of McPherson, Kansas, as secretary and Verity Ulibarri of McAlister, New Mexico, as treasurer.

“These are exciting times for sorghum, with a national yield record, expanded exports, among many other industry highlights,” Fremark said. “Going forward, our board will be looking to expand markets and increase grower productivity, while sticking to our mission of enhancing profitable opportunities for U.S. sorghum growers.”



USDA Announces Funding Available for Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Programs

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced the availability of $17.6 million in funding to support research and outreach activities that will help growers, producers, and processors find innovative ways to improve organic agriculture. The grants are being funded through the Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative (OREI), a program that is administered by USDA's National Institutes of Food and Agriculture (NIFA) and authorized by the 2014 Farm Bill.

"Over the past six years, USDA has strengthened programs that support organic producers as they grow, thrive and respond to increasing consumer demand for organic products," said Secretary Vilsack. "The projects funded through the Organic Agriculture Research and Extension Initiative will help identify innovative solutions to critical challenges facing organic agriculture, ultimately strengthening local markets, improving rural economies and expanding access to healthy food for Americans."

The purpose of the OREI program is to fund high-priority research, education, and extension projects that enhance the ability of producers and processors who have already adopted organic standards to grow and market high quality organic products. Priority concerns include biological, physical, and social sciences, including economics. Past projects include a project at Washington State University to document the ecological role of wild birds on vegetable farmers, providing owners with practical, science-based recommendations for wild-bird management, and a project a joint project between Pennsylvania State University, Delaware State University, and the University of Maryland-Eastern Shore to predict benefits and costs of cover crop mixtures in the context of regional climate, soil and management variability; empower organic farmers to use mixtures to meet their farm-specific goals; and to integrate this research into undergraduate organic education to further prepare the next generation of growers and researchers.

Funded projects will aid farmers and ranchers with whole farm planning by delivering practical research-based information and will improve the ability for growers to develop the Organic System Plan required for certification.

OREI has eight legislatively-defined goals:

    Facilitating the development and improvement of organic agriculture production, breeding, and processing methods
    Evaluating the potential economic benefits of organic agricultural production and methods to producers, processors and rural communities
    Exploring international trade opportunities for organically grown and processed agricultural commodities
    Determining desirable traits for organic commodities
    Identifying marketing and policy constraints on the expansion of organic agriculture.
    Conducting advanced on-farm research and development that emphasizes observation of, experimentation with, and innovation for working organic farms, including research relating to production, marketing, food safety, socioeconomic conditions, and farm business management
    Examining optimal conservation and environmental outcomes relating to organically produced agricultural products
    Developing new and improved seed varieties that are particularly suited for organic agriculture

Applications are due March 10, 2016. Please see the request for applications for specific program requirements.



New Seed Treatment Technology Accelerates Nutrient Uptake to Give Soybean, Corn and Wheat Crops a Head Start

Take Off ST® assures growers they have maximized their yield potential from the moment the seed hits the ground.

The plant-growth biological technology in Take Off ST is a discovery made by the Los Alamos National Laboratory in New Mexico. Verdesian then developed the technology and successfully made it into the practical and cost-effective seed treatment called Take Off ST.

“Take Off ST is a seed treatment than can be applied equally well to soybeans, corn and wheat to accelerate the crop plant’s natural ability to acquire nutrients and put them to work during seed germination and early plant growth. It improves nitrogen efficiency in corn, soybeans, wheat and other cereal crops,” said Ryan Bond, Ph.D., vice president of marketing at Verdesian. “Take Off ST allows more applied nitrogen to be taken up by the crop making for stronger and faster growth. Plus, improved nitrogen uptake and use by the crop leaves less nitrogen in the soil at risk of being lost to the environment and puts that nitrogen into harvestable bushels.”

Take Off ST provides row crop and small grain farmers a tailored approach to nutrient management that aids in crop growth rate, carbon dioxide fixation and photosynthesis – natural plant processes that encourage healthy development throughout the growing season. By getting crops off to a fast start, Take Off ST increases plant biomass. Crops that get off to a fast start have a better chance of remaining healthy and robust throughout the growing season resulting in improved yields. Faster germination and rapid early growth help plants to close the crop canopy earlier helping the crop achieve greater photosynthetic capacity and suppressing weed competition.

In tests on wheat treated with Take Off ST, nitrogen content increased 48 percent* compared to the untreated crop. The tests also measured the difference in carbon sequestered between the Take Off ST treated wheat and the untreated control. The treated wheat, in order to grow faster and larger, used 30 percent* more carbon than the untreated wheat. Further testing of Take Off ST use on crops produced examples of yield differences measured at 3.3 more bushels per acre* in wheat, 2.3 bushels* more soybeans and 7.1 bushels* more corn.

“Farmers are always being asked to produce more with less whether to control costs or protect the environment. Verdesian is confident Take Off ST will help farmers achieve better profitability and higher efficiency,” said Greg Thompson, chief operating officer at Verdesian. “Verdesian is dedicated to bringing farmers environmentally sustainable technology that helps them achieve a higher yield potential and a better bottom line.”