Wednesday January 27 Ag News

Ricketts Announces the 28th Annual Governor’s Ag Conference

Today, Governor Pete Ricketts announced the schedule for the 28th Annual Governor’s Ag Conference, which serves as a key event for Nebraska’s agriculture community.  The conference is scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday, March 2-3, 2016 at the Holiday Inn and Convention Center in Kearney.

“This conference brings together leaders in Nebraska agriculture to address challenges facing agriculture and to identify new opportunities for continued growth of our state’s top industry,” said Governor Ricketts. “It’s also a great chance for Nebraska’s farmers, ranchers, agriculture leaders and key agri-business managers to provide input to my administration as we work together to keep Nebraska’s ag industry growing.”

This year’s Nebraska Governor’s Ag Conference will focus on subjects designed to spark conversation about key themes on the future of rural Nebraska.  The nationally-recognized speakers will focus on topics such as: biotechnology opportunities for Nebraska, positioning the state for advantages in a shifting global trade market, understanding consumers’ demand for transparency in the food production process, and discussion of the term “sustainability” and its implications for agriculture.

“I strongly encourage anyone with a career connected to the agriculture industry to attend this conference,” said Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) Director Greg Ibach.  “It is an opportunity to stay on the cutting edge of information in our industry and also to network with colleagues, share ideas and concerns, and prepare for the future with sound advice and policy knowledge.”

The conference starts Wednesday, March 2, 2016 at 3:30pm with welcomes and remarks from Governor Ricketts and Director Ibach followed by Scott Aughenbaugh with the Center for Strategic International Studies.  Aughenbaugh’s world-view analysis of key issues like population growth, technology trends and economics will help to generate dialogue about Nebraska’s role in a global economy.

The annual “Celebrate Nebraska Agriculture” reception begins at 6:00pm on March 2nd and features motivational speaker and author Gus Gustafson.  A Nebraska native, Gustafson has inspired thousands, telling how he overcame a tragic accident that took one of his arms when he was very young.

The conference resumes on Thursday, March 3, 2016 featuring the following:
·      A panel discussion on “Nebraska’s Place in Biotechnology’s Next Frontier.”  The panel features top experts from Merck Animal Health, Evonik Industries and Bio Nebraska.
·      Cameron Bruett, with meat company JBS USA, defines “sustainability” and discusses what the term means from the farm gate all the way through the food chain.
·      Charlie Arnot, with the Center of Food Integrity, will present the results of the Center’s recent nationwide study on consumers demand for transparency when it comes to the food they buy.
·      Jerry Gulke, Illinois farmer and founder of ag marketing and strategies firm, The Gulke Group, will provide analysis of national and international issues affecting agricultural trade and the impact on agriculture in the United States and specifically Nebraska.

Anyone interested in agriculture issues is invited to attend.  A $100 registration fee covers participation at activities on both Wednesday and Thursday.  Registration and additional information is available online at www.nda.nebraska.gov, or by calling NDA toll-free at (800) 831-0550.



GROWERS TO SHARE ON-FARM RESEARCH RESULTS

Farm operators and agronomists across the state are invited to attend Nebraska On-Farm Research Network update events in February. Producers will obtain valuable crop production-related information from on-farm research projects conducted by Nebraska farmers in partnership with University of Nebraska-Lincoln faculty.

The network is a statewide, on-farm research program that addresses critical farmer production, profitability and natural resources questions. Growers take an active role in the on-farm research project sponsored by Nebraska Extension in partnership with the Nebraska Corn Growers Association, the Nebraska Corn Board and the Nebraska Soybean Board.

The programs will provide an opportunity to hear growers who conducted on-farm research share their results from the 2015 growing season. Field length replicated treatment comparisons were completed in growers' fields, using their equipment.

Research projects to be discussed will include: variable rate seeding, planting populations, Maize-N nitrogen rate decision tool for sidedress nitrogen, starter fertilizer, fungicide applications, row spacing, cover crops, foliar micronutrients and seed treatments (including new treatment for Sudden Death Syndrome). Project SENSE (Sensors for Efficient Nitrogen Use and Stewardship of the Environment) will also be discussed. This is a special three-year initiative that focuses on using crop canopy sensors to direct variable-rate, in-season nitrogen application to improve the efficiency of nitrogen fertilization in corn.

Certified Crop Advisor credits may be available.

Locations and times are: 
> Feb. 8: West Central Research and Extension Center, 402 W. State Farm Road, North Platte.
> Feb. 9: Hall County Extension office, College Park campus, 3180 W. Highway 34, Grand Island.
> Feb. 11: Lifelong Learning Center, Northeast Community College campus, 801 E. Benjamin Ave., Norfolk.
> Feb. 12: UNL Agricultural Research and Development Center, 1071 County Road G, Ithaca.

Registration is at 8:30 a.m. and the program is from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at Grand Island, Norfolk and Ithaca. Registration is at 11:30 a.m. and the program is from noon to 4:30 p.m. at North Platte. Lunch will be served at all locations.

There is no fee to attend. Pre-registration is requested for meal planning purposes. Call 402-624-8000 or email onfarm@unl.edu to register for any of the sites. To learn more about the research network and how to participate, visit http://cropwatch.unl.edu/farmresearch.



Open Data from USDA, Microsoft Cloud Technology Become Tools to Strengthen Food Supply Through "Innovation Challenge" Winners

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack and Microsoft officials today announced the winners of the USDA-Microsoft Innovation Challenge, in which contestants used USDA agriculture production open data to develop online tools that can help make the American food supply more resilient in the face of climate change.

"In yet another example of how public and private resources can be leveraged together to address significant global concerns, the winners of the USDA-Microsoft Innovation Challenge have used open government data to create an impressive array of innovative tools to help food producers and our communities prepare for the impacts of climate change and ensure our nation's ability to provide plentiful, affordable food," said Agriculture Secretary Vilsack. "For more than 100 years, USDA has compiled data on the farm economy, production, and the health of crops around the country, and it is exciting to see such modern, useful tools spring from these information sources."

The Challenge was created in support of the President's Climate Data Initiative, which aims to harness climate data in ways that will increase the resilience of America's food system. USDA provided contestants with more than 100 years of crop and climate data through Microsoft Azure, Microsoft's cloud computing platform.

"Combining the advantages of cloud computing resources with the government's desire to provide open access to public data is likely to transform scientific research and business innovation," said Dr. Daron G. Green, the Deputy Managing Director of Microsoft Research. "Microsoft's partnership with the USDA evidences how public-private partnership can stimulate new applications, explore novel scenarios and, in this case, work towards a more resilient and sustainable food production."

A total of $63,000 in cash and prizes were awarded, with winners selected from more than 346 registrants and 33 submissions from around the world.

The award recipients announced today, and their projects, are:

    Grand Prize, Open Source Application Award, and Best Visualization in Time or Space Award recipient: Farm Plenty, submitted by George Lee of San Francisco, Calif. This application allows farmers to analyze USDA data about crops grown within five kilometers of their farms to make informed decisions about their own crop choices.

    Second Prize and Open Source Application Award recipient: Green Pastures, submitted by Khyati Majmudar of Mumbai, India. This comprehensive dashboard interface allows a farmer to visualize production, economic, livestock, and commodity data from NASS, ERS, ARMS, and other sources at scales from national to local, including information on farmers' markets.

    Third Prize recipient: What's Local, submitted by Benjamin Wellington of Landscape Metrics LLC in Brooklyn, N.Y. This tool analyzes the resources that are required to produce agricultural outputs by using data from the Census of Agriculture in a way that allows urban population centers to connect with farmers in their area.

    Honorable Mention: Open Source Application Award, and Best Student-Made Award recipient: Farm Profit Calculator, submitted by Fernando Napier and Matt Pedersen of Lincoln, Neb. Farmers can use this mobile phone application to compare their input costs (fertilizer, seed, fuel, etc.) to regional averages, and find financial efficiencies where their costs are above the norm.

    Honorable Mention recipient: Croptrends, submitted by Chaiyawut Lertvichaivoravit and Ta Chiraphadhanakul of Thousand Eyes in San Francisco. This useful tool can be used for viewing spatial and temporal trends in crop production and yield by county for the entire United States by using NASS data.

    Popular Choice Award recipient: VAIS, submitted by Ken Moini of Thallo Tech in Nashville, Tenn. This tool uses NASS data for the entire United States to provide a unique approach to visualizing crowd-sourced pricing data.

    Large Organization Recognition Award recipient: Farmed, submitted by Bryan Tower of Applied Technical Systems in Silverdale, Wash. This tool allows farmers to view crop conditions in their area by using VegScape data from NASS combined with local weather data.

USDA is an active founding member of the Global Data Partnership through the memberships of both the U.S. Government Open Data and the Global Open Data for Agriculture and Nutrition (GODAN) initiatives. USDA is helping pave the way for coordinating global efforts to make agriculture and nutrition data open. USDA's Open Data Catalog is the authoritative source of publicly available USDA data.



Douglas, Lancaster County Farm Bureaus Receives National Honors for Innovative Programs

Douglas County Farm Bureau was recognized by the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) for innovative program ideas in this year’s County Activities of Excellence (CAE) Awards at AFBF’s 97th Annual Convention and IDEAg Trade Show, Jan. 8-13 in Orlando.

Douglas County Farm Bureau received the honor under the category of “Education and Promotion”. They were the lead force in creating an ag display entitled “Once Upon a Farm,” at the Omaha Children's Museum. A 10,000 square foot display creatively representing the “farm to fork” concept exposing both urban youth and consumers to all aspects of agriculture.

“The museum is located in the largest city in Nebraska, with most residents having limited exposure to rural experiences, farm animals and crop production. We wanted to give them an experience they wouldn’t forget,” Larry Hadan, Douglas County Farm Bureau president said.

Douglas County Farm Bureau provided sponsorship dollars and collaborative support for supplemental educational experiences during the exhibit including; daily ag lessons, farm tours, food samplings and much more.

“This was a natural fit for us. We want people to understand that their food comes from a farm, not a grocery store. The exhibit allowed us to start a conversation with parents and have real farmers talk about food,” Hadan said.

The museum staff offered Nebraska Farm Bureau members free admission on fours specific days into the museum. This brought value to Douglas County Farm Bureau memberships and was a great opportunity to put a public face to Nebraska agriculture.

“One of our biggest goals was to create the largest ag-focused event and display for children in the community and state utilizing this partnership with the museum. We were able to provide agriculture related learning experiences to children and adults attending the exhibit. We live and farm around a city that is not agriculture focused, through this museum partnership we hoped to open the door for people to ask questions and get answers from real people behind the food plate,” Hadan said.

Lancaster County Farm Bureau was recognized by the American Farm Bureau Federation (AFBF) for innovative program ideas in this year’s County Activities of Excellence (CAE) Awards at AFBF’s 97th Annual Convention and IDEAg Trade Show, Jan. 8-13 in Orlando.

Lancaster County Farm Bureau was honored in the membership category for their work on Ag Night at Haymarket Park, sponsoring a membership appreciation night at a Lincoln Saltdogs baseball game.

“The goal was to increase membership and retention rates while developing strong relationships between members, agents and staff during a fun family event. There is always a need to increase renewals and retention rates for non-ag members within the county. We need to keep existing membership to keep Farm Bureau viable,” Rod Hollman, president of the Lancaster County Farm Bureau said.

Lancaster County Farm Bureau along with other County Farm Bureaus are dedicated to promoting and preserving agriculture awareness in Nebraska.



Outstanding farmer leaders recognized by Iowa Soybean Association

An up and coming high school star, long-time farmer-leader and passionate “ag-vocate” were honored at the annual Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) Awards Banquet in Des Moines.  The Jan. 26 ceremony celebrated the accomplishments of past, current and future leaders of the soybean industry.

Award recipients included:
    Rising Star — Vance Ohnemus, Milo
    New Leader — Brent Renner, Klemme
    Environmental Leader — Mike Bravard, Jefferson
    Friend of the Iowa Soybean Farmer — Darcy Maulsby, Yetter
    Legacy of Leadership — Roy Bardole, Rippey

The Rising Star Award, presented to Ohnemus by Farm Credit Services of America recognizes an ISA member’s son or daughter who’s active at the local, state and national level and preparing to continue ag studies in college. Ohnemus is a high school senior and member of his family farm near Milo, Iowa. He has been highly engaged in agriculture activities during his high school career through vocational ag courses and multiple leadership roles and honors in FFA. Ohnemus utilizes every opportunity to promote agriculture including volunteer work at the Iowa State Fair where he helps educate non-farmers on modern production practices and exhibiting show cattle across the Midwest. Ohnemus plans to attend Iowa State University to pursue a degree in agricultural business this fall. The award included a $1,000 stipend to assist with educational expenses.

Brent Renner was presented the New Leader Award with the help of DuPont Pioneer. It recognizes an ISA member’s outstanding involvement and commitment to promoting the soybean industry and agriculture. Renner has been farming for 16 years near Klemme. He and his wife, Nikki, have three young children and raise soybeans, corn, alfalfa and hogs. Life on the farm is busy, but the Iowa State University graduate finds time to serve fellow farmers as an ISA District Advisory Council member and policy delegate. In 2015, he was a candidate for the ISA Board and completed the ISA Experience. Renner has leadership experience with the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation and contributes to his community by serving as a youth group leader at his church.

The Environmental Stewardship Award, presented by Monsanto, was awarded to Mike Bravard for his commitment to conservation and championing water quality practices. A third-generation farmer from Jefferson, Bravard and his wife, Kathy, have four children who are all actively involved in the farming operation. They raise soybeans and corn as well as custom feed hogs. Committed to conservation, Bravard uses conservation tillage nitrogen stabilizers, plants cover crops as well as maintains terraces, riparian buffers and waterways. Additionally, he worked with ISA to install a bioreactor to improve nutrient management on his farm.

Cargill presented the Friend of the Iowa Soybean Farmer Award to Darcy Maulsby. A native of Calhoun County, Maulsby’s agricultural roots inspired a passion for sharing information about where food comes from and the values of family and dedication that consumers and farm families share. Upon graduation from Iowa State University, Maulsby became a recognized journalist for a variety of agricultural organizations, with works published in local, state, national and international ag publications. Maulsby continues to report on agricultural issues and rural life through her own marketing and communications company, Darcy Maulsby & Co.

The Legacy of Leadership Award, presented by Stine Seed Company, was awarded to Roy Bardole of Rippey. The fifth-generation farmer has dedicated many years as a leader for famers, the soybean industry and the environment. Bardole is a former ISA president, American Soybean Association leader and United Soybean Board member. Most recently, he served two years as a U.S. Soybean Export Council chairman, where he played a critical role in turning it into a world-class export organization. In many ways, Bardole was instrumental in the launch of the ISA’s Environmental Programs and Services due to his efforts in the early 1990s on nutrient management. Across the country and the globe, Bardole has consistently demonstrated his commitment to serving the needs of Iowa agriculture and farmers. During his time as president of the ISA, he played a critical role in pushing for more planting flexibility in the farm program and the result was a major expansion of soybean acres across the country. Also during his time as ISA president, the state and national soybean checkoffs were established.






PEDv Confirmed on Canadian Hog Farms

Three pig farms in the province of Ontario, Canada, have confirmed cases of porcine epidemic diarrhea virus. The most recent case was confirmed on January 21 at a finisher operation in Huron County.

A farrow-to-partial-finish farm was confirmed for PEDv on January 15 in Bruce County, and a third farrow-to-finish farm in Lambton County tested positive for the virus on December 2.

Ontario Pork reported earlier this month that environmental testing had shown increased detections of PEDv at federal and provincial processing plants.



Cattle Industry Kicks off Annual Meeting and NCBA Trade Show in San Diego
 
More than 6,000 cattlemen and women from across the country are gathered in San Diego, Calif., this week for the 2016 Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show. The convention, which will run through Jan. 29, is the largest annual gathering of the beef industry.

“The convention and trade show is a great opportunity for cattle industry members to come together to network, create policy for the industry, and to have some fun,” said National Cattlemen’s Beef Association President Philip Ellis. “We will reflect on the many successes of the past year and discuss what lies ahead for 2016. If you’re in the cattle business, then you need to be in San Diego.”

Cattlemen’s College kicked off yesterday, featuring sessions focused on profit-building, policy briefings and education. Hailed as the premier educational resource for cattlemen and women, Cattlemen’s College had an impressive lineup for its 23rd year. The convention officially kicked off this afternoon with the Opening General Session featuring Robert Irvine, celebrity chef who put on a theatrical demonstration.

On Friday, Navy SEAL Rob O’Neill will share what he has learned during his more than 400 combat missions across four theaters of war. Through his moving and emotional stories drawn from lessons learned during some of the country’s most headline-stealing conflicts, O’Neill will show how the military’s best-of-the-best approach to strategic planning succeeds when mission failure is not an option.

In addition to the excellent keynote speakers, Cattlemen’s College, a record-breaking Trade Show and industry trend discussions, convention-goers will have the opportunity to attend committee meetings and take part in the grassroots policy development.

“NCBA is grounded in the grassroots policy process,” said Ellis. “It’s important for cattlemen and women to be involved and stay engaged. This week, we have the opportunity to set policy which will direct our policy initiatives in the following year.”



Producer Education at Cattlemen’s College Opens Cattle Industry Convention
 
Two days of robust producer education set the tone for the 2016 Cattle Industry Convention Jan. 26-27.  Cattlemen’s College, sponsored by Zoetis Animal Health, is known as one of the most thorough and beneficial educational events in the country designed specifically for cattlemen and women. Celebrating its 23rd year, the event had a remarkable crowd with more than 900 attendees.

“This educational program provides an impressive diversity of topics to beef producers,” said Josh White, NCBA executive director of producer education. “We have producers speaking to producers about real life ranch issues, industry partners presenting consumer expectations and academic leaders providing the latest findings in cattle research. The best of the best in the cattle industry are selected to speak at Cattlemen’s College to help producers propel the beef industry forward.”

A ‘Whole Herd Makeover’ discussion kicked off the event Tuesday night, highlighting perspectives about what the U.S. cowherd should look like in the future. Five industry experts, Tom Field, Ph.D., David Daley, Ph.D., Patsy Houghton, Ph.D., Tom Brink and Don Schiefelbein, shared their perspectives about what the cattle herd should look like in the next five years. These influential speakers commented on genetics, land prices, health protocols and beef marketing.

Cattlemen’s College started back up Wednesday morning with a keynote address from Robert Fraley, Ph.D., executive vice president with Monsanto, who is a respected leader in agriculture biotechnology. Fraley spoke frankly about how the agriculture industry will use technology to feed more than 9.5 billion people by 2050, with two times the food demand by that time.'

“We will have to produce more and waste less to get there,” said Fraley. “I absolutely believe that we have the tools and technology to do that.”

This year represents the 20th anniversary of the introduction of GMOs, which were first used in agriculture in 1996.There are about 30 countries growing 450 million acres of GMO food; there have been more than 4 billion acres of GMO crops over the last 20 years, according to Fraley.

Fraley said there remains skepticism among some consumers about the use of science in agriculture. “There is clearly a gap between what science can do and what consumers are comfortable with,” he said.

Throughout the day attendees chose from a total of 18 classes within the topics of Healthy Cattle - Healthy Ranch, Advances in Cattle Nutrition, Industry Hot Topics, Your Business - Our Industry, Evolving Beef Production, and Creating the Future. The range of informative, hands-on workshops were created for cattle operations of every size and sector. Cattlemen and women of all age groups were in attendance, but young beef producers especially made a strong showing.

“We had more than 140 collegiate students pre-register to attend Cattlemen’s College this year,” said White. “As we think about the future of our industry it is encouraging to see young people keen to learn and get involved. Students absorb a lot of high-quality education over several days, as well as make important connections in the industry.”

Audio presentations from the 2016 Cattlemen’s College will be available online following the Cattle Industry Convention and NCBA Trade Show. Cattlemen and women who were unable to attend the event in San Diego can take advantage of this online option at: http://www.beefusa.org/



Two Important Beef Checkoff Reports Released

The 2015 Cattlemen’s Beef Board (CBB) Annual Report and 2015 Beef Checkoff Evaluation Report were released today from the 2016 Cattle Industry Convention in San Diego.

The CBB Annual Report now is available at http://2015annualreport.beefboard.org/, and the 2015 Evaluation of Beef Checkoff Programs from the checkoff’s Joint Evaluation Advisory Committee is available at http://2015evaluationreport.beefboard.org. Both reports are delivered in electronic form only, though the publishing program used allows for transformation to a pdf document for easy self-printing.

Included in the Annual Report is an overview of revenues and expenditures for fiscal 2015, as well as summaries of results from each Beef Board budget category, including promotion, research, consumer information, industry information, foreign marketing, and producer communications.

The goal of the publication is to demonstrate to beef producers and importers who pay into the checkoff not only how their dollars are being invested, but also the results of those investments. (In addition to the direct link above, all CBB annual reports since the start of the national checkoff program are available through www.MyBeefCheckoff.com, under the "Resources" tab.)

“Fiscal year 2015 brought us a combination of the best and the worst of times in the cattle industry,” 2015 CBB Chairman Jimmy Maxey notes in his letter to checkoff investors. “The good news? We maintained substantial gains in beef demand throughout the fiscal year, thanks in great part, to our Beef Checkoff Program. While we certainly can’t control the marketplace, maintaining strong demand through the roughest times gives us the best possible outcome given the marketplace fluctuations. Beef checkoff efforts are largely designed to address building long-term demand in domestic and foreign markets rather than short-term market volatility.”

Included in the Evaluation Report is a review of the effectiveness every tactic in every national program approved for completion in fiscal 2015. The evaluation process has evolved over the years and is intended to provide a comprehensive overview of how effective programs have been at achieving measurable objectives stated in the Authorization Requests approved by the Beef Promotion Operating Committee. All programs are developed to support the Beef Industry Long Range Plan.

This year’s evaluation includes a one-page summary of all programs showing the status of dollars spent, progress against program objectives (e.g., Not Achieved, Achieved, Exceeded), and specific program feedback from Qualified State Beef Councils (QSBCs). Each individual program summary includes an overview of performance against each program tactic; contractor remarks for all objectives; a brief evaluation summary on program evolution and highlights; and a graphic representation of state beef council feedback on programs that states adapted for local use during the fiscal year.

“Overall, in fiscal 2015, 85 percent of all program tactical objectives were achieved or exceeded,” said CBB Member and Evaluation Committee Chairman Chuck Coffey. “Only 9 percent of objectives were not achieved, and 6 percent are still in progress. It’s important to note, too, that state beef council directors were pleased with 2015 national checkoff programs, with the overall rating from states hitting 8.1 on a scale of one to 10. All of the information derived from this process is important in our planning efforts for next year, as we want to invest our checkoff dollars in the most effective and efficient manners possible toward building consumer demand for beef.”



Producers Continue to Support the Checkoff

Three out of four producers (76 percent) continue to approve of the Beef Checkoff Program and the more they know about the program, the more supportive they are. Results of the January 2016 producer attitude study show support at the same level as a year ago, despite much more pessimism about what lies ahead for the live cattle market.

The random survey of 1,200 beef and dairy producers nationwide was conducted by the independent firm Aspen Media & Market Research in late December 2015 and early January 2016. The survey found an overwhelming majority of beef and dairy producers continue to say their beef checkoff has value for them in many ways:
-    84 percent of producers say the beef checkoff has helped to contribute to a positive trend in beef demand.
-    73 percent of producers say the beef checkoff contributes to the profitability of their operations.
-    76 percent say the checkoff represents their interests.
-    67 percent of producers believe the checkoff is well-managed.

"With limited budgets, we’ve had to move more and more of our producer communications into digital media over the past couple of years," says Investor Relations Working Group (IRWG) Co-Chair Jo Stanko. "This survey found younger producers better informed and more supportive of checkoff programs than the older producers surveyed. This may the first indication that the digital strategy is paying off, since younger producers also are more likely to go online for information about their industries and they seem to be getting to know their checkoff while there," the Steamboat Springs, Colo., producer adds.

The key priority of the working group is to ‘develop strategies that communicate checkoff-funded program results, educate, and build relationships with checkoff investors to gain a better understanding of the Beef Checkoff Program,’ notes IRWG co-chair Kristin Larson, a producer from Sidney, Mont.

“While we know it’s our responsibility to make checkoff information available to all who pay into the program, we will always struggle with finding the right level of funding to do the job,” says Larson. “This latest survey illustrates conflicting realities when it comes to the checkoff. On the one hand, only 67 percent of producers consider themselves ‘informed’ about the checkoff, yet 84 percent now say the checkoff ‘has contributed to a positive trend in consumer demand.’ We know ‘better informed’ leads to greater support. So, for now, we’re hanging in there.”



BQA Free Certification Period Announced

During the 2016 Annual Cattle Industry Convention, Boehringer Ingelheim Vetmedica, Inc. (BIVI), announced a Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) free-certification period — from now through April 15. Beef and dairy producers can take advantage of free BQA certification online courtesy of BIVI and the BQA program, which is funded by the beef checkoff. Register today and complete your certification at your own convenience.

And, as an added bonus, anyone who becomes certified during this period is eligible to win a pair of Roper boots, courtesy of BIVI.

BIVI will pick up the $25-$50 online training fee for every person completing BQA training through April 15. That includes anyone who works with cattle – whether it is beef or dairy. Visit www.bqa.org to take advantage of the open certification period.

The BQA program is important to the cattle industry because it is a producers’ consumer-friendly story to tell, helping them talk about using BQA Best Management Practices for producing a safe and high quality beef product. And for dairy producers, this offering also is beneficial as a tool to promote safe animal-handling practices and because a large percentage of dairy calves, as well as market cows, make their way into the food chain.

The BQA training modules are customized to fit the specific needs of each segment of the cattle industry – cow-calf, stocker, feedyard and dairy operations. The program covers best management practices such as proper handling and administration of animal health products, reducing injection site blemishes, and low stress cattle-handling principles.

Beyond reinforcing industry best practices for cattle production, obtaining certification can be a useful tool in an ever-changing landscape where consumers want to be assured they are receiving a product raised in ways that align with BQA.



29 New Industrial Products Open New Markets for Soy

Last year, the soy checkoff partnered with researchers to develop 29 new soy-based products that replace petrochemicals and help manufacturers meet sustainability objectives. These products, and hundreds of others developed with checkoff support, add value to U.S. soy and expand its market potential. 

“At a time when prices are low, it’s more important than ever to increase demand for U.S. soy,” says checkoff farmer-leader Jim Domagalski, a soybean farmer from Columbus, Michigan. “Part of that is finding new ways to use it.”

Products developed with checkoff support in 2015 include an insulating foam that helps green building contractors earn LEED (Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design) certification, soy-based adhesives that replace formaldehyde  without compromising quality, lubricants and solvents that reduce reliance on petrochemicals, and rubber belting that farmers can use in their equipment.  

New uses have helped farmers increase demand for U.S. soy from 14 million bushels  in 2003 to more than 111 million bushels in 2013. This sales trajectory is expected to continue as a result of the soy checkoff’s ongoing commitment to support the discovery  of new soy technologies and share previous research findings that companies use to create more sustainable products.  

New soy-based products and ingredients introduced in 2015 as a result of checkoff support include:

PLASTICS
    Best Rest Eco Lux™ – a soy-foam mattress by Best Rest USA
    HeatLox XT™ – insulating foam for buildings by Demilec, Inc.
    U-Pack 5310™ – foam-in-place packaging foam by WFI Global
    UCore+™ – foam used to insulate plastic window frames by WFI Global

RUBBER
    WCCO Conveyor Belt – soy-and-rubber belting by WCCO Belting, Inc.

COATINGS/PRINTING INKS
    Natural Environmental Barrier® – a new coating by Green Eagle Technologies
    ProSoy 7460™ – a soy-protein-based pigment binder for water-based flexographic and gravure inks. by Applied Protein Systems

ADHESIVES
    SOYAD Adhesive™ – an adhesive used in the manufacture of hardwood plywood by Solenis
    Acous-Tec Adhesive™ – an adhesive used to manufacture acoustic panels by W. F. Taylor
    ProSoy 4410™ –  a soy-protein-based adhesive for paper substrates by Applied Protein Systems
    ProSoy 4315™ –  a soy-based additive that can replace phenol formaldehyde in wood adhesives by Applied Protein Systems

PAPER
    ProSoy 5452™ – a soy-protein-based binder and additive for paper and paperboard coatings by Applied Protein Systems
    ProSoy 5820™ – a lower cost soy-based binder and additive for paper and paperboard coatings Applied Protein Systems

SOLVENTS
    Elevance Clean™ 1000 – a solvent for industrial formulations by Elevance Renewable Services
    Elevance Clean™ 1200 – a solvent for industrial formulations by Elevance Renewable Services
    STEPOSOL SB-W® – a solvent for degreasing that also acts as a lubricating agent by STEPAN Company
    STEPOSOL SB-D® – a solvent for degreasing by STEPAN Company

LUBRICANTS
    Elevance Concert GC-350™ – a processing aid for lithium grease manufacture by Elevance Renewable Sciences
    Soy Lube SL 100™ – a soy-based lubricant by BioKleen
    BioLube SD™ – a soy-based lubricant by Synalloy and Manufacturers Chemicals LLC

OTHER INDUSTRIAL OPPORTUNITIES
    Me-Pro™ – a soy-based aquaculture feed by Prairie Aquatech
    Me-Pro Plus™ – an enhanced soy-based aquaculture feed by Prairie Aquatech
    PETROSTEP Q-50S® – a down-hole corrosion inhibitor for oil wells by STEPAN Company
    NatureWax® –  premium candle wax by Elevance Renewable Sciences
    Elevance Soft CG-100® – emollients for personal care products by Elevance Renewable Sciences
    Elevance Smooth CS-100® – a film-forming material for personal care products by Elevance Renewable Sciences
    Defoamer Soy™ – a defoaming agent by Synalloy and Manufacturers Chemicals LLC
    Defoamer Eco Care™ – a defoaming agent by Synalloy and Manufacturers Chemicals LLC
    American Soybean Wax™ – a candle-making staple by Swan Creek Candle Company



Mato Grosso Soy Yields Mixed

Reports of low early harvest soybean yields continue to filter in from Mato Grosso, Brazil's top soy-producing state.  As of Friday, the Mato Grosso soybean crop was 3.7% harvested, down from 7.5% at the same point last year, said IMEA.

Soybean yields of 9 to 27 bushels per acre have been common across northern Mato Grosso in the first couple of weeks of the harvest.

"Some early planted beans suffered very badly from the dry weather," said Laercio Lenz, president of the farm society in Sorriso, Brazil's biggest soy district in the center-north of the state.

Rain was uncommonly patchy and inconsistent across the region in October, November and December.

However, not all Mato Grosso farms suffered equally. Early harvested crops in the south of the state have yielded good results and early harvest losses in the north have not been uniform.

While there are many farmers disappointed with yields, there are also a significant number harvesting well, with yields over 55 bpa, Lenz noted.  Overall, it's difficult to interpret this year's crop.



New Best Practices Aim to Increase Productivity for Lamb Producers
  
Lamb producers were introduced to the industry's first set of Productivity Best Practices at the 2016 Sheep Industry Convention January 27-30.

Lambs sold per ewe is the biggest influence on profitability, and implementing the new Best Practices to Increase Your Lamb Crop gives sheep producers more control over price volatility, according to the panel of sheep producers and production experts who developed the best practices.

"The long-term vision is to increase demand and profitability for the entire U.S. lamb industry," says Wes Patton, a California sheep producer who chairs the American Lamb Board. "As demand is increased over time, we want more American Lamb on more consumers' plates. That involves improving consistency and quality, while increasing productivity and reducing costs of production. By using best practices, the U.S. lamb industry can implement change that leads to increased demand and profitability."

The American Lamb Board, which administers the lamb checkoff, supported the efforts to develop the lamb crop best practices in collaboration with other industry groups, including the American Sheep Industry Association's "Let's Grow" program.

To make best practice information as accessible as possible, it is part of the new U.S. Lamb Resource Center website (www.LambResourceCenter.com). Funded by the national lamb checkoff program to support the efforts of the entire industry, the Lamb Resource Center pulls together important information from major sheep organizations into one central location. Topics on the site include the lamb checkoff, industry and market news, marketing, Productivity Best Practices, and other production resources.

Best practices are a cornerstone of many industries - from computer manufacturing to education - and guide processes to achieve a desired result. For the lamb industry, Productivity Best Practices identify ways to produce more with comparable resources, which is a critical component of profitability.

"Because they are based on both time-tested practical experience and research, the Best Practices to Increase Your Lamb Crop are reliable, worthwhile actions for U.S. sheep producers. Best practices help you find ways to be more efficient and allow you to take more control of your flock's productivity - actions you can take now to protect against price volatility," says Reid Redden, Ph.D., who chaired the team charged with developing the best practices.

Redden emphasizes even though sheep production practices in the U.S. vary, there are lamb crop best practices that will benefit every flock. Most sheep producers will be able to identify at least three of the 12 best practices that will help them gain efficiency and improve profitability.

For example, the lamb crop best practice topics include optimizing nutrition, selecting prolific genetics, culling underperforming ewes, pregnancy testing, disease prevention and reducing lamb loss. Another best practice involves breeding ewe lambs at the age of seven to nine months so they lamb at or near their first birthday. Research shows ewes that give birth to their first lamb before they are yearlings tend to be more productive throughout their lifetime compared to those that first lamb as yearlings. Yet, Redden points out, in this case, the specific practice requires management considerations that may not be an option for every flock.

"Our team recognizes that some of the lamb crop best practices mean challenging the status quo. Yet, that is what is required to take action so the U.S. lamb industry can be more competitive," Redden says.

Key indicators have also been developed to help identify which lamb crop best practices will be most beneficial for various production styles. For example, a range flock should have no more than seven to 10 percent of dry ewes, whereas a farm flock should have no more than five to seven percent.

"Best practices are an important way to implement the changes identified in the U.S. Lamb Industry Roadmap. These best practices will help increase demand while driving profitability for all industry segments," concluded Patton.



DuPont Reports Lower Sales in 2015

DuPont announced fourth-quarter sales were $5.3 billion, down 9 percent versus prior year due to negative impacts from currency (8 percent) and volume (1 percent). Full-year sales were $25.1 billion, down 12 percent versus prior year due to negative impacts from currency (7 percent), portfolio (2 percent) and volume (3 percent).

For its agriculture division, the company reported an operating loss of $54 million resulting in $188 million lower operating earnings as increases in local price and cost reductions and continued productivity improvements were more than offset by a $139 million negative currency impact and about a $30 million negative impact from the continued shutdown of the LaPorte manufacturing facility. Prior year results benefited from a timing impact from performance-based compensation adjustments and $36 million in gains from portfolio actions.

On Dec. 11, 2015, DuPont and The Dow Chemical Company announced that their boards of directors unanimously approved a definitive agreement under which the companies will combine in an all-stock merger of equals. The combined company will be named DowDuPont. The merger is expected to close in the second half of 2016, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals, and approval by both Dow and DuPont shareholders.



Save the dates for World Pork Expo 2016, June 8-10

It’s not too early to plan to attend the 2016 World Pork Expo on June 8-10, held at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa. Brought to you by the National Pork Producers Council (NPPC), World Pork Expo features the world’s largest pork-specific trade show, educational seminars, swine shows and sales, and an opportunity to interact with a wide range of pork professionals.

“World Pork Expo’s extensive trade show makes it easy to shop and compare new products and technologies for use on the farm,” says Ron Prestage, D.V.M., NPPC president and South Carolina pork producer. “It’s also an exceptional place to experience educational seminars about what’s happening in Washington, D.C., herd-health strategies, the market outlook and export prospects. The bottom line: anyone who does not attend Expo will have to play serious catch up to remain informed about issues and new developments affecting their businesses.”

Last year, 23,085 attendees from 48 countries participated in this three-day exposition, including more than 1,100 international guests. Looking ahead, NPPC organizers expect a similar showing in 2016.

World Pork Expo’s global flavor is further evident in the trade show with more than 310,000 square feet of commercial exhibits from hundreds of companies throughout the world. Expo’s trade show hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Wednesday, June 8, and Thursday, June 9. On Friday, June 10, the trade show is open from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

An ever-popular feature at Expo is the free educational programming on Wednesday and Thursday. Pork producers and their employees can learn about new auditing programs, business strategies, animal well-being research, herd management and much more. Both the business seminars and PORK Academy include question-and-answer opportunities with the expert presenters.

Live hogs will be on display in the swine barn throughout Expo week, with the World Pork Expo Junior National kicking off on Monday, June 6. Hosted by the by the National Junior Swine Association (NJSA) and Team Purebred, the Junior National offers a Skillathon, judging contests and certification programs. In 2015, 975 youth from 29 states took part in the educational programs, competitions and hog shows. In all, 2,200 hogs were shown, marking a 38 percent increase from the previous year.

Open shows will take place on Friday, June 10, with breeding stock sales following on Saturday morning, June 11.

The opportunity for pork professionals to interact and exchange ideas has become an increasingly valuable part of World Pork Expo, and MusicFest offers just the setting. On Thursday afternoon, attendees can meander along the Grand Concourse, listen to live music, and enjoy grilled pork and refreshments.

A visit to Expo would not be complete without a stop at the Big Grill. Each day of Expo from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., attendees can enjoy a free pork lunch. Last year, the Big Grill served up 10,000 pork lunches during Expo.

“A benefit of attending Expo that can be hard to measure is the opportunity for pork producers to visit and share ideas, as well as having an opportunity talk to NPPC board members and staff one-on-one,” Prestage says. “Anyone with a vested interest in pork production would find that attending Expo is time well-spent.”

For details about event schedules and the latest information on room availability at official World Pork Expo hotels, visit worldpork.org. From Feb. 1 through June 2, attendees can register online at the discounted rate of $10 per adult (ages 12 and up), which covers all three days of Expo. On-site registration will be $20 per adult, with a special rate of $10 for people arriving on Friday.

Other ways to stay up-to-date include connecting with World Pork Expo on Facebook, following Expo on Twitter (@NPPCWPX, #WPX16), and downloading the free mobile app by searching for “World Pork” in the Apple App Store, Google Play Store or BlackBerry App World.

If you are shopping for new products and services, are interested in the latest production and management information, or want to compare notes with fellow pork producers, make plans today to attend the 2016 World Pork Expo, June 8-10.

World Pork Expo, the world's largest pork-specific trade show, is brought to you by NPPC. On behalf of its members, NPPC develops and defends export markets, fights for reasonable legislation and regulation, and informs and educates legislators. For more information, visit nppc.org.



BECK AG BUILDS, ACQUIRES ADAYANA AGRIBUSINESS GROUP

Beck Ag, www.beckag.com, a leader of experience-sharing and market influence in the Ag industry, announces the acquisition of agriculture assets of Adayana Agribusiness Group, to expand the company's solution portfolio and diversify its customer base.

Founded in 1979, Adayana ABG is a highly respected institution in the global agriculture industry, with a focus on strategy and management consulting, and learning solutions delivery.

Adayana ABG COO J.T. Metzger: "We are excited to join the company with some of the strongest relationships with Ag Professionals in the industry. We see great opportunities for the combined company to add value for our clients."

The purchase strengthens Beck Ag's ability to strategically support clients. It diversifies the customer base and broadens capabilities as the company helps clients achieve measurable results by changing behaviors in the marketplace and ultimately accelerating the buying cycle.

For nearly 20 years, Beck Ag has built the industry's leading experience-sharing and market influence organization. Over the past three years, the company has made significant investments in:
     • Market Instruction - Facilitated experiential learning solutions
     • Market Intelligence - Through Ag IQ™ Customer Data solutions
     • AgInsight® - Market Research solutions

Beck Ag President and CEO, Stephanie Liska: "This acquisition enhances our ability to bring more comprehensive solutions to our clients, to measurably impact their business results."

The purchase adds depth in strategic consulting and learning management solutions, as well as bringing dozens of seasoned professionals to Beck Ag's already strong bench of Ag experts.

Adayana Agribusiness Group brings expertise in:

     • Strategy and Management Consulting - Helping Ag businesses define, clarify and implement through measurable objectives, building relationships with customers, channel partners, employees and stakeholders.

     • Learning Solutions and Delivery - Helping organizations learn through customized programs that blend instructor-led training, e-learning and mobile learning. This acquisition significantly raises the bar for Beck Ag in this area, bringing people with decades of experience in this space.

Beck Ag Founder, John Finegan: "The additional capabilities brought by the acquisition give us more depth in meeting the dynamic needs of the industry globally. Our combined clients include leading companies and trade organizations in the equipment, crop protection, fertilizer, seed, finance, animal health, Ag tech/precision technologies and energy sectors of agribusiness. We're excited to make an even bigger difference in the future of agriculture."