Wednesday December 9 Ag News

Applications Being Taken for New Nebraska Corn Specialty License Plates

Nebraska is known as the Cornhusker State—and now corn will become even more prominent as it is featured on a new specialty license plate available to the public.

The license plate, developed by the Nebraska Corn Growers Association (NeCGA) features a large golden ear of corn against a ready-to-harvest field and bright blue Nebraska sky.

“You don’t have to be a member of NeCGA to purchase one of these attractive license plates,” said Larry Mussack of Decatur, president of the Nebraska Corn Growers Association. “Anyone who grows corn, does business with corn farmers, grew up on a corn farm, or simply wants to show their support for Nebraska’s corn industry can apply.  Corn is Nebraska’s number one commodity, so we expect to see a lot of these plates on vehicles all across the state.”

Cost for the Nebraska Corn specialty license plate is $70, which is in addition to the standard fees for licensing one’s vehicle in Nebraska.  This additional fee is due with the initial application and is subject to annual renewal.   Credit cards will be charged an additional five percent processing fee.

The Nebraska Corn license plates can be used on a wide range of vehicles and equipment including passenger vehicles, pickups, farm trucks, semi-trailers, motorcycles, trailers and mobile homes.

Customized “vanity” plate messages are not available, and the plates will not carry a county designation.   The Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles will assign plate numbers as applications are submitted.

There is no limit to the number of Nebraska Corn specialty plates one can order.

NeCGA must gather a minimum of 500 applications with payment before the plates will be manufactured through the Nebraska Department of Motor Vehicles.

For an application form or to mail your completed application form with payment, contact NeCGA at 1111 Lincoln Mall, Suite 308, Lincoln, NE 68508.  You can also call 402.438.6459 or email mwrich@necga.org.



Valmont Board Declares Quarterly Dividend

The Board of Directors of Valmont Industries, Inc. has declared a quarterly dividend of 37.5 cents per share payable on January 15, 2016 to shareholders of record on December 28, 2015. The dividend indicates an annual rate of $1.50 per share.

Valmont is a global leader, designing and manufacturing engineered products that support global infrastructure development and agricultural productivity. Its products for infrastructure serve highway, transportation, wireless communication, electric transmission, and industrial construction and energy markets. Its mechanized irrigation equipment for large scale agriculture improves farm productivity while conserving fresh water resources.

In addition, Valmont provides coatings services that protect against corrosion and improve the service lives of steel and other metal products.




Plymouth County farmers, Ben and Janelle Johnson, receive Iowa Farm Bureau Young Farmer Achievement Award

Plymouth County farmers Ben and Janelle Johnson were presented Iowa Farm Bureau Federation’s (IFBF) 2015 Young Farmer Achievement Award on Dec. 2 at the organization’s 97th annual meeting in Des Moines.

The annual contest honors young farmers who show outstanding management ability in their farming operations and involvement in Farm Bureau and community activities. Ben and Anna Bader of Black Hawk County finished runner-up, and Chris and Jill Ten Napel of Sioux County received third place.

The Johnsons are fifth generation farmers near Ireton and grow corn and soybeans and have a hog operation.  While attending college, it became clear to Ben that his passion was back home continuing the legacy of his family’s farm.  Ben proudly reflects that the farmland he walks across every day is the same soil walked on by his great-great grandparents, and the couple live in the house built by Ben’s great-grandfather. 

The Johnsons have long been committed to conservation, which Ben attributes to his grandfather who is dedicated to protecting soil health and reducing soil disturbance.  “On our farm, we try to do as many conservation practices as we can,” Johnson said.  “We have riparian buffers, use no till and minimum till on our corn acres, and maintain grassed waterways and terraces to reduce runoff into local streams and waterways.”

Ben and Janelle both serve on IFBF’s State Young Farmer Advisory Committee and are active volunteers with the Plymouth County Farm Bureau.  Ben has served eight years on the county board and has served as the young farmer representative on the IFBF state resolutions committee.  Ben and Janelle have each served as the county membership chair and volunteer each summer at Farm Bureau Park during the Iowa State Fair to engage with consumers and answer questions about farming today.  

For their award, Ben and Janelle received their choice of the use of a John Deere tractor/loader combo (5-7R Series) for one year or 300-hour lease, or a TX Gator.  In addition, the Johnsons will receive expense-paid trips to the 2016 American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Annual Convention in Orlando, and the 2016 GROWMARK annual meeting in Chicago in August.

Second place finishers, Ben and Anna Bader, farm near Jesup growing corn and soybeans and raising hogs.  Ben has been an active leader in Farm Bureau as a county board member and county young farmer chair. The Baders are committed to running a sustainable farm that they can pass along to the next generation.

For placing second, the Baders received a Parts on Site Bin (valued at $3,000) and a $500 Fast Stop gift certificate from GROWMARK.

Third-place finishers Chris and Jill Ten Napel farm near Ireton and in addition to growing soybeans and having a hog nursery, the Ten Napels also own a trucking business hauling livestock and grain.  Both Chris and Jill have been active members of the Sioux County Farm Bureau and Chris has served on the county board for the past two years.  

For their third-place finish, the Ten Napels received a John Deere branded safe, a $1,000 Grainger gift certificate and an iPod unit courtesy of Farm Bureau Financial Services (FBFS).




Cass County farmer's commitment to sharing agriculture's story earns Stacie Euken the Excellence in Ag Award

The passion Stacie Euken has for agriculture is clear from her countless leadership positions with various organizations and dedicated work to help tell the story of Iowa agriculture.  Euken’s commitment to youth interested in agriculture and contributions to the local community has earned this agricultural leader the 2015 Bob Joslin Excellence in Agriculture Award from the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF).

Euken received the award at the 97th IFBF annual meeting in Des Moines on Dec. 2.  The award honors a young farmer who demonstrates outstanding leadership qualities in Farm Bureau, agriculture, and his/her community.  Euken and her husband Eric own and operate a diversified farm operation near Wiota, consisting of corn, soybeans, alfalfa, a cow/calf herd, beef feedlot, and a small farrow-to-finish niche swine operation.   

“I encourage all the attendees here today to be more than just members, but to be a leader,” Euken said during her award acceptance speech.  Euken has been an active leader in Iowa agriculture for many years, first joining the Cass County Farm Bureau board of directors in 2008.  While serving on the county board, Euken has twice been elected membership chair, served as vice president, and is currently in her third year as the county president. 

Euken’s passion is sharing the story of Iowa agriculture with as many people as possible, and that includes helping others share that message.  Euken was instrumental in helping organize a Teachers Academy through the Iowa Ag Literacy Foundation to provide farm tours to teachers and share ways to incorporate agriculture education into their classrooms.  Additionally, Euken volunteers for the Cass County 4-H, Atlantic FFA Alumni Chapter, Iowa Pork Producers Association, and is a member of the Iowa Corn Growers Association, Iowa Soybean Association, and Iowa Cattlemen’s Association.

As the Joslin Award winner, Euken receives a $1,500 Home and Workshop certificate from John Deere, the award sponsor, a 90-day no-principle and no-interest (NPNI) John Deere Financial Certificate up to $5,000, a $750 FAST STOP gift card from GROWMARK, and expense-paid trips to the 2016 American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) Annual Convention in Orlando, and the 2016 GROWMARK annual meeting in Chicago in August.

The Excellence in Ag Award is given in memory of Bob Joslin, who served as IFBF president from January 1986 to December 1987 and was known for his support and encouragement of young farmers.



Online Farm Law Education Series Registration Open

Farm Commons announced that registration is open for its Winter Farm Law Education Series. It has eight free live and online tutorials coming up this year, plus its brand new roundtable follow-up sessions, geared to help farmers take targeted action towards building a stronger farm business. In addition, it has dozens of recorded tutorials and print resources on many farm law subjects- available any time.

The first tutorial, Introduction to Sustainable Farm Law, is happening next week, Dec. 15, so head over to the website today to learn more and register. If people can't attend the event they are interested in, they should register anyway. A link to the recording will be sent to registered people following the tutorial.

2015/16 Education Series full line up includes:
-- Dec. 15, Introduction to Sustainable Farm Law

-- Dec. 22, Insurance for the Farm: Policies and Principles to Efficiently Manage Risk

-- Jan. 7, Insurance and Risk Management Roundtable: Evaluate and Share Money-Wise Solutions and Strategies

-- Jan. 5, The What, Why and How of Choosing and Organizing a Business Entity for the Farm

-- Jan. 14, LLC and General Partnership Roundtable: Explore Ways to Make Your Organizing Documents Uphold Your Farm's Aspirations

-- Jan. 19, Building a Legally Sound Intern and Volunteer Program for Farm Work

-- Jan. 28, Interns and Volunteers Roundtable: Explore and Share Opportunities for Creating a Vibrant and Legal Internship Program

-- Feb. 2, Food Safety Liability and Regulations: FSMA and Beyond

-- Feb. 17, Food Safety Roundtable: Join Forces to Strategize Best Ways to Comply with FSMA and Reduce Food Safety Liability Risks

-- Feb. 9, Sales 1: Availability, Invoicing and Dispute Resolution with Food Buyers

-- Feb. 18, Sales I Roundtable: Examine and Practice the Inside Art of Negotiating Sales Agreements

-- Feb. 23, Sales 2: Contracts for Planning Ahead of Production

-- March 3, Sales II Roundtable: Cultivate and Brainstorm Techniques and Tactics to Create Success in Production Services

-- State-specific employment law tutorials for Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Iowa, Ohio and Michigan are available. An Employment Roundtable, Share and Gain Confidence and Insight In Hiring and Retaining Competent Employees, will be held in these states. People should check out the website for dates for their states.

For more information, contact Rachel Armstrong, executive director and attorney at Farm Commons through its website at www.farmcommons.org.



American Soybean Association Unveils Policy and Trade-Focused Strategic Plan

The board of directors of the American Soybean Association (ASA) approved a comprehensive strategic plan that will strengthen the organization’s efforts on policy and trade. The plan, approved by the ASA board at its annual winter meetings in St. Louis this week, will guide the association’s activity to the year 2021.

“We are a proud organization with a long history of driving profitability for our farmer members, and this plan will help ensure that we progress in that role over the next five years,” said ASA President Wade Cowan, a farmer from Brownfield, Texas. “In 2020, ASA will celebrate 100 years of championing the issues of soybean farmers, and there is no better way to honor that legacy than by making the strategic changes necessary to ensure our organization is strong and agile for years to come.”

The strategic plan will make the following changes with the end goal of focusing the ASA mission more centrally on policy and trade benefiting soybean farmers:

-    ASA will add additional policy personnel and resources to the association by shifting resources previously and currently devoted to membership recruitment, partnering with states to invest in ASA’s leadership development programs, and restructuring board representation formulas.

-    ASA will respond to state affiliate requests to provide total flexibility to states to structure and conduct membership how they believe will be most effective in their states by replacing national membership dues with tiered state affiliate investment levels in the national organization.

-    The plan will restructure the ASA Board of Directors and its committees so that the Board spends its time focused on policy and trade issues of importance to soybean farmers.

-    ASA will also revise board meeting formats to accomplish the above objectives.

-    Finally, ASA will establish, in partnership with states, a Soy Regulatory Issues Coalition to provide analysis and actionable information on the growing list of environmental and regulatory issues we must confront at state and national levels.

“These changes will strengthen ASA’s advocacy work, and we’ll continue those other focus areas of ASA that allow us to be effective for soybean farmers,” said Cowan. “We’ll continue world-class leadership development programs to train leaders and develop spokespersons to engage influencers, state affiliate partnering and collaboration, communications efforts, corporate partnering to leverage the support of industry, Commodity Classic, and ASA leadership in international marketing and trade issues through USSEC and WISHH.”

The plan is the product of nearly two years of discussions by an ASA task force comprised of farmer leaders and state and national soybean staff, led by former association president Steve Wellman, a farmer from Syracuse, Neb.

“This plan was something that we needed to get right. It wasn’t quick, and it wasn’t easy, but we believe the end product is a roadmap for advancing our success on behalf of the nation’s soybean farmers,” Wellman said. “We have world-class ideas here at ASA, with farmer-leaders and staff that are motivated and enlightened to bring those ideas to reality. Our strategic plan will help ensure that the nuts and bolts of our association are structured in such a way that enables our strengths to shine through.”



Bangladesh Soy Market Reaches Key Milestone

Having achieved U.S. soybean farmer strategic goals for market growth, the American Soybean Association’s World Initiative for Soy in Human Health (WISHH) transitioned its Bangladesh country programs to the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC).

“Demand for U.S. soy protein has taken off in this South Asian country that is the eighth most populous country in the world,” said WISHH Program Committee Chairman Lucas Heinen, a Kansas soybean grower. “Soybean growers planned for such success when they created WISHH as a trailblazer for trade through long-term demand building in developing countries.” 

“We are excited by Bangladesh’s potential. There is real opportunity in this market for U.S. soy as poultry and fish consumption continue to rise,” said U.S. Soybean Export Council Chairman Laura Foell, an Iowa soybean farmer. 

Bangladesh is home to more than 168 million people and has a rapidly growing middle-class economy. The country has purchased more than $500 million of U.S. soy in the last five years with those purchases accelerating in the last couple years. 

The U.S. Soy Family has been conducting programs in Bangladesh since 1999 with WISHH taking the lead since 2010.  Through their checkoff programs, state soybean organizations supported WISHH’s work in Bangladesh, which has included a variety of educational programs with food companies and their trade associations. U.S. Department of Agriculture Foreign Agricultural Service programs also played a key role in introducing the benefits of soy protein to the South Asian market.

USDA funding aided WISHH in forging key relationships with organizations like the Bangladesh Auto Biscuit and Bread Manufacturer’s Association that signed a February 2015 agreement to conduct soy flour baking trials under a USDA Quality Samples Program. USSEC will now build on WISHH’s work in Bangladesh, and will work in both the feed and food sectors.

Pakistan, the sixth most populous country in the world, is the next market that WISHH will transition to USSEC. Planning and coordination discussions have begun for a 2017 transfer.

WISHH is a trade-development program, headquartered at the American Soybean Association, in St. Louis. Since U.S. soybean farmers founded WISHH in 2000, it has worked in 24 countries to develop long-term markets for U.S. soybean farmers while fueling economic growth and value chain development. For more information, visit www.wishh.org.



USDA Ups Corn Ending Stocks by 25 MB
Katie Micik, DTN Markets Editor

USDA bumped up its forecast for corn use for ethanol production by 25 million bushels while cutting exports by 50 mb, resulting in a 25 mb increase to 2015-16 ending stocks.  The new ending stocks figure, at 1.785 billion bushels, was within the range of pre-report expectations.

USDA made no changes to the U.S. soybean and wheat balance sheets in the World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates report that it released at 11 a.m. CST. USDA did not release any updated crop production forecasts for corn, soybeans or wheat. Those will be included in January's annual crop production report.

Globally, USDA increased its forecast for wheat ending stocks to 229.9 million metric tons, which was 0.9 mmt above the range of pre-report estimates.

CORN
USDA said its adjustment to the ethanol figure was based on stronger-than-expected ethanol production during November, reflecting in the weekly data from the Energy Information Administration. Its change to exports reflects the slow pace of sales and shipments as well as higher projected exports from Brazil and Canada.

USDA's adjustment to U.S. ending stocks for 2015-16 lifted the ending stocks-to-use ratio to 13.1% from 12.9% last month. The range of national average farm prices was left unchanged at $3.35 per bushel to $3.95.

Globally, USDA made a very minor adjustment to ending stocks by rolling it back to 211.85 mmt. It didn't change its forecast for Brazil or Argentina production, leaving them at 81.5 mmt and 25.6 mmt respectively.

The global stocks-to-use ratio was unchanged at 21.8%.

SOYBEANS
USDA made no changes to the U.S. supply and demand picture, leaving ending stocks at 465 mb. Farm gate average prices were left unchanged, ranging from $8.15 per bushel to $9.65. The ending stocks-to-use ratio remained at 12.4%.

There was also a very minor reduction in global 2015-16 soybean ending stocks from last month, down 0.3 mmt to 82.6 mmt. USDA left new-crop production unchanged for Brazil and Argentina, at 100 mmt and 57 mmt respectively, but made one old-crop change, lifting Argentina's 2014-15 production by 0.6 mmt to 61.4 mmt.

Global stocks-to-use dropped slightly to 26.4%.

WHEAT
USDA left the wheat balance sheet unchanged, with ending stocks at 911 mb and ending stocks-to-use at 45.1%. The range of national average farm gate prices remained at $4.80 to $5.20 per bushel.

Globally, wheat ending stocks came in at 229.9 mmt, above the range of pre-report expectation. USDA stated that it mostly reflects higher production.

USDA increased Canada's forecasted production to 27.6 mmt, up 1.6 mmt from last month. It also lifted European Union production by 0.4 mmt to 157.7 mmt. Global stocks-to-use rose to 32.1%.



Corn Prices Remain Low on Relatively Static Demand Estimates

With corn production estimates stable at 13.6 billion bushels in the 2015/16 season, farmers can still expect an average price of only $3.65 per bushel according U.S. Department of Agriculture reports released today. While all production data remained stable, demand estimates were revised to reflect newer information showing increases in the ethanol sector and decreased exports.

"We produce an abundant crop in a sustainable manner and, rightfully, are proud of doing so," said National Corn Growers Association President Chip Bowling, a farmer from Maryland.  "It is time that our regulators and representatives in Washington, as well as their constituents back home, hear the truth. Corn provides an affordable, clean way to fuel and feed our nation. At NCGA, we will continue to tirelessly work to both have this message heard and build the demand needed to sustain our rural economies."

Yield projections continue to show a national average of 169.3 bushels per acre, which, if achieved, would be the second highest on record. With all production estimates unchanged since the November report, the ending stocks estimate was revised 25 million bushels higher due to revised demand estimates.

Weekly data from the Energy Information Administration showed stronger-than-expected ethanol production in November. USDA report raised projected ethanol demand by 25 million bushels on this data. Should the forecasts for 2015 and 2016 gasoline consumption in the December Short-term Energy Outlook hold true, it is possible ethanol demand figures could rise in the future despite EPA reductions to the Renewable Volume Obligations under the RFS made at the close of last month.

Increases in ethanol demand estimates were more than offset as export demand was revised down this month by 50 million bushels. This revision reflects both an increase in projected corn exports from Brazil and Canada as well as sluggish sales and shipments of U.S. corn.

Despite overall lower estimated demand, the 2015/16 season-average corn price received by farmers is projected to remain in the $3.35 to $3.95 per bushel range.



Dunkin' Donuts to Source 100 Percent Cage-Free Eggs

Dunkin' Donuts announced a commitment to source 100 percent cage-free eggs for eggs used in its U.S. menu by 2025. Earlier this year, the company announced its intent to source 10 percent of the eggs for U.S. breakfast sandwiches from cage-free sources by December 31, 2016.

"We have a responsibility to ensure the humane treatment of animals, an issue we know is also important to both our franchisee community and our loyal guests," said Christine Riley Miller, Senior Director of Corporate Social Responsibility for Dunkin' Brands.

Additionally, the company has pledged to map its international supply chain to determine the feasibility of transitioning to 100 percent cage-free eggs on a global basis.



Syngenta bulk delivery program keeps orders on target, on time

As growers and retailers gear up for 2016, Syngenta is carefully inspecting its delivery systems to make sure its products will be available where and when customers need them.

“We analyze every step of the supply chain from point A to point Z with all our products, so that we will have the right amount of inventory on hand to meet growers’ needs,” said Stephanie Neese, national bulk equipment specialist at Syngenta.

A significant reason why Syngenta can meet inventory crunches is that so many of its corn and soybean crop protection products are available in bulk. That’s important as more retailers consolidate, farms expand and spraying equipment gets larger.

Syngenta also credits its success in this area with effective communications throughout the supply chain, starting with growers and retailers and extending to Syngenta sales representatives, distributors, key account managers and a variety of other Syngenta specialists. A part of this communications process is discussing and monitoring sales and weather forecasts, which can help provide adequate in-season delivery volumes across the country. In addition, Syngenta tracks the capacity constraints of carriers, from trucks to trains, which can significantly impact the time a delivery takes to reach its destination.

A recent success story involved Acuron® corn herbicide, the latest weed management solution from Syngenta. It received regulatory approval in April, just a few weeks before its application window ended.

“We knew the approval of Acuron would likely come right in the heart of battle for our customers,” said Neese.

Syngenta was able to deliver bulk supplies of the herbicide on time to retailers, including Brandon Koch, a sales agronomist with All Points Cooperative in Cozad, Nebraska. He took orders for about 500 gallons of Acuron within two hours of receiving news of state registration. He then sold another 1,000 gallons the next week.

The process also proved itself when the demand for Halex® GT herbicide ramped up this spring. The Syngenta bulk program enabled growers to receive their supply of the product on demand and on time.

Looking ahead to 2016, Syngenta is ready to meet the challenges the new season may bring. “We’re asking the ‘what if’ questions now so we can work toward making sure our customers get their bulk deliveries when they are going full-speed ahead next year,” Neese said. “We’re always looking ahead to what’s next.”