Tuesday December 8 Ag News

NFBF Selects Malinda Villwok as the 2015 Young Farmers and Ranchers Achievement Award Winner

Malinda Villwok was honored as the 2015 Nebraska Farm Bureau Young Farmers and Ranchers Achievement Award recipient during the 2015 Nebraska Farm Bureau Annual Meeting on Tues., Dec. 8. Malinda and her husband, Greg, farm near Randolph, Neb., in Wayne County.

Villwok keeps family as her top priority, balancing a busy schedule with farm and ranch life and agriculture leadership. She and her husband, Greg have two children: 14-year old Addison, 12- year old Cadein.

Malinda was not raised on a farm, but she spent summers on her grandparent’s dairy farm which left a positive impression on her. “I loved going to my grandparent’s farm and I have always wanted to raise my family here,” she said. “We are so grateful to my grandfather for his vision of us following in his footsteps to continue to grow the family farm. We started with a small cow herd and some hay ground and over the course of a few years, a livestock operation took shape along with crops and land purchases. I hope we can pass along the family farming tradition on to our children in the future.”

The Villwoks raise irrigated and dry-land corn, soybeans and alfalfa, along with a cow/calf to finish operation. They utilize minimum and no-till practices to combat soil erosion and help organic matter. They have installed water probes to conserve water on their fields. They feed their own grain and hay to their cattle. They designed their feedlot with location, room for expansion and manure management in mind.

“We have established operational goals that focus on sustaining the future of the family farm for the next generation. This is how we evaluate the operation when making management decisions on a daily or yearly basis. Another big factor is doing an annual balance and cash flow statement. Focusing on the earned net worth changes and comparing them to the profitability of the farm year-to-year,” Villwok said.

The Villwoks have an expansion plan for their farm and ranch that spans over the next 20 years. It was developed in 2013 and since then they have achieved and exceeded all goals set forth on all levels of growth.

“We have plans to develop a wind farm on our ground and have signed a lease with NextEra. Now we are part of the Wind Powered Electrical Power Generation and Transmitting project. The STVN Family Limited Partnership was established in 2012 for our families farm ground. We plan to continue to grow our percentage of the partnership over the next several years.  Being the sole operators of the farm, we understand how the family limited partnership will insure future generations have a place in the family farming legacy my grandparents started over 50 years ago.    We are excited about what the future holds for us in agriculture,” she said.

The Villwok’s own Villwok Trucking LLC, which they created in 2013, hauling farm equipment, materials, cattle, grain and hay. They are distributors of Archer oil and lubricants and sell premium grade grease, oil aerosols, fuel additives and cleaners to farms and ranchers across the state. The Villwoks recently purchased grazing land in Blaine County where they run additional cattle. All of these enterprises help them to become as self-reliant as possible with the farming operation.

Malinda Villwok is active on the local Wayne County Farm Bureau board as well as active in her church. As a Wayne County Farm Bureau member, Malinda has been a person keeping records, ag promotions member, secretary, has served on the local and state Young Farmers and Ranchers committee and has been a Farm Bureau member for 11 years.

The Farm Bureau Achievement Award is designed to recognize young farmers and ranchers who have excelled in their farming or ranching operations and expanded their leadership skills. Contestants are evaluated on a combination of their operation's growth and financial progress as well as leadership within Farm Bureau. Farm Bureau members ages 18 to 35 years are eligible to apply for the award.

Villwok will receive an iPad, $500 and an all-expense paid trip to represent Nebraska Farm Bureau at the national competition during the American Farm Bureau Federation's Annual Meeting this January in Orlando, Florida.



Jefferson County Couple Take Home Excellence in Agriculture Award

Dustin and Amanda Fairley of Fairbury, were selected as the winners of Nebraska Farm Bureau’s 2015 Young Farmers and Ranchers Excellence in Agriculture award. The award was given at the Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation’s 98th Annual Convention held Dec. 7-8 in LaVista, Neb.

The Fairley’s own and operate Fairley Fine Ag LLC, a custom farming business, which specializes in fertilizing, harvesting, drilling wheat and they also grow certified wheat seed. The other crops raised on their farm include corn, soybeans and alfalfa. Amanda is an agriculture instructor at Southeast Community College in Beatrice. Both Dustin and Amanda also help out with his family’s 100 cow dairy farm. The Fairley’s are the fourth generation to live on the family farm in Jefferson County.

The Excellence in Agriculture Award is designed to recognize young farmers and ranchers for their contribution and involvement in Farm Bureau and agriculture. Candidates for the award are judged on their involvement in agriculture, leadership ability and involvement in other civic service and community organizations. Winners receive $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 Farm Bureau Urges Swift Action to Repeal COOL, Delay Tariff Implementation

In the face of more than $1 billion in retaliatory tariffs to be levied annually by Canada and Mexico against an array of U.S. products, including agricultural goods, the Nebraska Farm Bureau is urging Nebraska’s Congressional delegation and Congressional leadership to take immediate action to fully repeal the U.S. Country of Origin Labeling (COOL) program, said Nebraska Farm Bureau President Steve Nelson, Dec. 8.

“Farm Bureau supported the COOL program in the 2008 Farm Bill, and we continue to support efforts to implement COOL in a manner compatible with World Trade Organization (WTO) rules. However, it is clear that, with respect to beef, pork and poultry that will not be possible. Since Canada and Mexico are our second and third largest agricultural trading partners respectively, $1.01 billion in tariffs will be enormously costly to Nebraska’s farmers and ranchers,” said Nelson in a letter to Congressional leaders.

In addition to requesting Congress take immediate action, Nebraska Farm Bureau urged United States Trade Representative Michael Froman to work with his counterparts in both Canada and Mexico to delay implementation of the retaliatory tariffs.

“Delaying the tariff implementation would be a proactive step to give Congress the time it needs to act on COOL while helping avoid the damaging impacts of the tariffs on Nebraska farmers and ranchers,” said Nelson.



NORTHEY REQUESTS NOMINATIONS FOR RENEWABLE FUELS MARKETING AWARDS

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today encouraged Iowa fuel retailers and gas stations to submit nominations for the Secretary’s Renewable Fuels Marketing Awards, which recognize fuel retailers that have gone above and beyond in their efforts to sell renewable fuels.  Awards are presented for both the marketing of ethanol and biodiesel.

“Fuel retailers continue to take steps to make ethanol and biodiesel more available to Iowa customers and this award is an opportunity to recognize those who have shown leadership in promoting these renewable fuels and making them more available to customers,” Northey said.

Qualifying entities will be those that market the renewable fuels they have available through creative means including, but not limited to: hosting special events highlighting their renewable fuels, development of creative signage, initiation of new advertisements or marketing efforts, and efforts that dramatically increase renewable fuel availability.

Nominations forms can be found on the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship’s website at www.IowaAgriculture.gov.  Completed nominations can be submitted via email at Dustin.VandeHoef@iowaagriculture.gov or mail at Henry A. Wallace Building, Attn: Dustin Vande Hoef, 502 East 9th Street, Des Moines IA 50319.  Nominations must be submitted by Dec. 31, 2015.

This is the 9th year for the award.  Mark McKinley and Galen Barker from Fuel Time in St. Ansgar and Steve Neuendorf from Farmers Win Cooperative in Fredericksburg were the 2015 winners of the awards

Iowa leads the nation in the production of ethanol and biodiesel.  According to the Iowa Renewable Fuels Association, Iowa has 43 ethanol refineries capable of producing more than 3.0 billion gallons annually, including nearly 55 million gallons of annual cellulosic ethanol production capacity. In addition, Iowa has 12 biodiesel facilities with the capacity to produce nearly 315 million gallons annually.



Pigs that are Resistant to Incurable Disease Developed at University of Missouri

Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS) virus was first detected in the U.S. in 1987. Pigs that contract the disease have extreme difficulty reproducing, don’t gain weight and have a high mortality rate. To date, no vaccine has been effective, and the disease costs North American farmers more than $660 million annually. Now, a team of researchers from the University of Missouri, Kansas State University, and Genus plc have bred pigs that are not harmed by the disease.

“Once inside the pigs, PRRS needs some help to spread; it gets that help from a protein called CD163,” said Randall Prather, distinguished professor of animal sciences in the College of Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources. “We were able to breed a litter of pigs that do not produce this protein, and as a result, the virus doesn’t spread. When we exposed the pigs to PRRS, they did not get sick and continued to gain weight normally.”

For years, scientists have been trying to determine how the virus infected pigs and how to stop it. Previously, researchers believed that the virus entered pigs by being inhaled into the lungs, where it attached to a protein known as sialoadhesin on the surface of white blood cells in the lungs. However, two years ago Prather’s group showed that elimination of sialoadhesin had no effect on susceptibility to PRRS. A second protein, called CD163, was thought to “uncoat” the virus and allow it to infect the pigs. In their current study, Prather’s team worked to stop the pigs from producing CD163.

“We edited the gene that makes the CD163 protein so the pigs could no longer produce it,” said Kristin Whitworth, co-author on the study and a research scientist in MU’s Division of Animal Sciences. “We then infected these pigs and control pigs; the pigs without CD163 never got sick. This discovery could have enormous implications for pig producers and the food industry throughout the world.”

While the pigs that didn’t produce CD163 didn’t get sick, scientists also observed no other changes in their development compared to pigs that produce the protein.

The early-stage results of this research are promising. The University of Missouri has signed an exclusive global licensing deal for potential future commercialization of virus resistant pigs with the Genus, plc. If the development stage is successful, the commercial partner will seek any necessary approvals and registration from governments before a wider market release.

“The demonstration of genetic resistance to the PRRS virus by gene editing is a potential game changer for the pork industry,” said Jonathan Lightner, Chief Scientific Officer and Head of R&D of Genus plc. “There are several critical challenges ahead as we develop and commercialize this technology; however, the promise is clear, and Genus is committed to developing its potential. Genus is dedicated to the responsible exploration of new innovations that benefit the well-being of animals, farmers, and ultimately consumers.”

“At the end of our study, we had been able to make pigs that are resistant to an incurable, untreatable disease,” said Kevin Wells, co-author of the study and assistant professor of animal sciences at MU. “This discovery could save the swine industry hundreds of millions of dollars every year. It also could have an impact on how we address other substantial diseases in other species.”

In addition to Whitworth and Wells, Prather’s research team included collaborators at Genus plc, and Kansas State University. The study, “Gene-edited pigs are protected from porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus,” is being published in Nature Biotechnology this month.



Statement by Bob Stallman, President, American Farm Bureau Federation,Regarding Development of PRRS-resistant hogs

"Today's announcement of a health-enhanced pig able to resist the PRRS virus is a critical scientific breakthrough in hog farmers' battles against the disease and is a real game changer for the pork industry. PRRS is an incurable viral disease that causes reproductive failure in sows, reduces growth of young pigs, and causes premature death in piglets; PRRS annually causes an estimated $664 million in lost productivity. Being able to fight this disease through advance genetic technologies will mean healthier animals, more efficient food production and more efficient risk management options for producers."



Merck Animal Health CreatingConnections™ Module Focuses on Feedlot Stockmanship

Stockmanship is critical to the health and well-being of cattle and ultimately, the success of an operation. This means producers must continually put an emphasis on enhancing these vital skills and reiterating their importance to everyone who works with the animals. Merck Animal Health is committed to supporting cattlemen in their efforts to make continuous improvements through its CreatingConnections™ Educational Series. The second module is now available at www.creatingconnections.info, and features leading cattle-handling experts who provide valuable insights on achieving excellent feedlot stockmanship.

     “In this video, our focus is on building the animal’s confidence and trust so that the cattle are willing to work naturally for the stockman,” says Paulo Loureiro, D.V.M., Merck Animal Health. “Cattle don’t understand words, but they understand your posture, attitude and behavior. So, using proper distance, angle and speed when approaching cattle in the feedlot are keys to getting them to move how and where you want. The end goal is to benefit the animal, but also make our customers’ jobs more rewarding.”

     In this module, Dr. Loureiro is joined by Tom Noffsinger, D.V.M., and Kip Lukasiewicz, D.V.M., both with Production Animal Consultation (PAC), who are well known and respected for their expertise in low-stress cattle handling. Dan Thomson, D.V.M., Kansas State University, facilitates the discussion throughout the videos and shares his own perspectives.

     Broken up into seven video lessons, the experts explain cattle behavior and natural instincts, as well as provide step-by-step guidance on how to build the animal’s trust and reduce anxiety. The end goal is to get cattle to voluntarily move in a calm, orderly manner so that the stockman can easily accomplish such tasks as observing an individual animal’s gait and health or moving an entire pen of cattle on to the processing chute.

     “Feedlot stockmanship is completely a team effort. The animal’s first experience with a handler will influence subsequent experiences,” says Dr. Noffsinger. “So each person, from acclimation to processing to the pen riders to the hospital crew, needs to know how to read and approach cattle. Whether cattle are flowing or not all comes down to the skills of the handlers.”

     The CreatingConnections Education Series is an example of Merck Animal Health’s commitment to its customers improving animal well-being and overall herd health through ongoing education. The modules were developed in partnership with PAC and BCI.

 For more information about the CreatingConnections Educational Series and other available resource materials, go to www.creatingconnections.info.



Ethanol Output Seen Rising

The Energy Information Administration in its latest Short-term Energy Outlook forecast a 10,000 barrel per day (bpd) increase in ethanol production this year and for 2016.

Ethanol production, which averaged 934,000 bpd in 2014, is forecast to average about 960,000 bpd in both 2015 and 2016. This compares with estimates of 950,000 bpd last month.

The agency said ethanol consumption, which averaged 877,000 bpd in 2014, is forecast to average 905,000 bpd this year, 5,000 bpd higher than the prior estimate. In 2016, EIA estimates ethanol consumption to average 918,000 bpd, about 20,000 bpd higher than last month's STEO.

"This level of consumption results in the ethanol share of the total gasoline pool averaging 9.9% in 2015 and 10.0% in 2016. EIA does not expect significant increases in E15 of E85 consumption over the forecast period."

On Nov. 30, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency finalized a rule setting Renewable Fuel Standard volumes for 2014 through 2016, which EIA used to develop the current STEO forecast.

EIA expects the largest effect of the proposed RFS targets would be for biodiesel consumption, which helps to meet the RFS targets for use of biomass-based diesel, advanced biofuel and total renewable fuel. Biodiesel production averaged 83,000 bpd in 2014 and is forecast to average 87,000 bpd this year and 107,000 bpd in 2016. The estimate for this year and next are 4,000 bpd and 9,000 bpd higher than last month's STEO, respectively.

Net imports of biomass-based diesel are also expected to increase from 15,000 bpd in 2014 to 28,000 bpd this year and 47,000 bpd in 2016, 2,000 bpd higher and 12,000 bpd higher than the November forecast, respectively.



Fertilizer Prices Shift Lower Again

Average retail fertilizer prices continued their slow move lower the first week of December 2015, according to fertilizer retailers tracked by DTN.

Seven of the eight major fertilizers were lower compared to a month earlier, but none were down significantly. DAP has an average price of $541 per ton, MAP $559/ton, potash $421/ton, urea $400/ton, 10-34-0 $578/ton, anhydrous $627/ton and UAN28 $286/ton.

One fertilizer was unchanged in price from a month previous. UAN32 had an average price of $332 per ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.43/lb.N, anhydrous $0.38/lb.N, UAN28 $0.51/lb.N and UAN32 $0.52/lb.N.

With retail fertilizer moving lower in recent months, only one fertilizer is now higher compared to a year earlier. 10-34-0 is 2% higher from last year.

The remaining seven nutrients are now lower compared to retail prices from a year ago. Both DAP and MAP are now 6% lower, UAN32 is 10% lower and both anhydrous and UAN28 are 12% less expensive. Potash is 13% lower while urea is 18% less expensive than the previous year.



Ag Groups Call on USDA to Renew Effort to Enforce “Buy American” Provision in Federal School Lunch Program

Fifty agricultural trade associations, farmer co-ops and agribusinesses yesterday urged Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack to strengthen enforcement of the “Buy American” provision for participants in the National School Lunch Program and the School Breakfast Program. The call came after a recent investigative report in the Sacramento Bee found that the Sacramento City Unified School District had spent tens of thousands of taxpayer dollars on imported Chinese canned fruit.

“Our organizations are deeply concerned that the Buy America Act requirements of the National School Lunch Act are not being adequately monitored and enforced,” the groups wrote to the Secretary. “Our concerns were amplified with the Sacramento City Unified School District’s recent acknowledgement that they have been purchasing canned peaches, pears and applesauce from China. Since there is currently no transparency regarding school purchases of imported products, we must assume there are other districts throughout the country purchasing imported food products.”

Secretary Vilsack and the Department should focus on ways in which the Buy American provision can be better enforced. Suggestions included more closely monitoring procurement specifications and contractor performance.

A copy of the letter that includes a list of signing organizations can be found at http://ncfc.org/letter/enforcement-of-buy-american-provision/. 



RFA Urges Lower Summer Gasoline RVP

The Renewable Fuels Association sent a letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Tuesday urging the agency to require oil refiners to reduce the emissions volatility in gasoline during the summer months to allow for higher blends of ethanol to be added into gasoline.

"Many gasoline retailers have rejected E15 because EPA's current gasoline volatility regulations make it nearly impossible for them to sell E15 to EPA-approved conventional automobiles year-round," said Bob Dinneen, RFA president and CEO. "Most gas stations are unwilling to dedicate storage tanks and dispensing equipment to a fuel that they can only sell for part of the year."

The release of carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides and volatile organic compounds from gasoline into the atmosphere is measured by a Reid vapor pressure rating. The higher the ambient temperature, the greater amount of these emissions are released. As a result, the EPA requires gasoline to meet the most stringent RVP requirements during the summer months. Ethanol increases the RVP in gasoline.

Long ago, EPA granted a 1.0-psi waiver for E10, allowing for year-round use of the transportation fuel.

"The 1-psi RVP waiver -- originally provided to expand the production and use of fuel ethanol -- is now having the perverse effect of discouraging greater ethanol use in today's gasoline market, and it is obstructing the successful implementation of important fuel and carbon reduction policies enacted since then, including the Renewable Fuel Standard," the national ethanol trade organization said in their letter.

A lower required RVP in gasoline blendstocks would allow for higher blends of ethanol, eliminate the need for the 1-psi waiver, and clear the way for ethanol concentration blends in gasoline above 10% and 15% to 20% and 25%, said RFA.

The trade association said lowering the RVP in gasoline by 1.0 psi during the summer months would cost $0.006 gallon in refining costs.

"This action would improve air quality, remove arcane barriers to innovation and consumer choice in the retail fuel marketplace, simplify engineering of emissions control systems, and help facilitate compliance with Renewable Fuel Standard requirements. In addition, removing the waiver would not noticeably affect refining costs," RFA said in their letter.