Monday February 22 Ag News

Nebraska Farm Bureau Says “Right to Farm” Protections Must Be Done Right

The Legislature should be cautious and a careful examination is needed before moving forward with a proposed constitutional amendment that would put “Right to Farm” protections in the Nebraska Constitution, said Steve Nelson, Nebraska Farm Bureau president, Feb.22.

“No one is more concerned than we are about ensuring our farm and ranch members continue to have the ability to use new practices and employ new technologies in their operations. After considerable input and a great deal of examination by our Board, we have concluded it’s critical we give more thoughtful consideration to any measure that would modify the state constitution as it relates to agriculture,” said Nelson. “We have an obligation to fully explore the pros and cons of these types of initiatives, including how they will impact our members not just today, but well into the future.”

The Legislature’s Agriculture Committee will hear testimony on Legislative Resolution 378CA, Tues., Feb. 23. The measure seeks to protect farming practices in the state constitution. Nebraska Farm Bureau will testify in a neutral position and encourage the Committee to consider placing “right to farm” protections in state statute as opposed to a ballot measure to amend the state constitution.

“Agriculture is vital to our state. It’s important that we make sure we handle this issue the right way and that means having a thorough discussion about what we’re trying to achieve and the best way to go about doing that,” said Nelson. “We already have “Right to Farm” laws in place as it relates to nuisance issues in agriculture. At this point in time, we think exploring legislative actions to similarly protect farming practices is a good place to continue “Right to Farm” discussions.

“We’re confident Nebraskans know the vast majority of farmers and ranchers are good people who care for their livestock and for their land. This is about working to find the best course of action and we need to look carefully at the options available to us,” said Nelson.



Saunders County Livestock Meeting is Feb 23

The Saunders County Livestock Association would like to invite you to their monthly meeting, to be held on Tuesday February 23 at the 4-H building, Saunders County Fairgrounds in Wahoo.  Social hour starts at 6pm, the meal will be at 7pm, and the business meeting will follow.  Speakers and sponsors for the meal include Brian Reid from Reid's Farmacy LLC, John Liston of Agnition, and David Veldhamp of Veldkamp Drainage.

Now is the time to get dues in for the year!  If you have not yet for the year, you can bring it along to Tuesday's meeting.  Also, scholarships are available to graduating seniors who are children, grandchildren, or great-grandchildren of Saunders Co Lvst members.  Call 402-624-8030 to get more information and obtain an application.  



Producers' Help Needed to Identify Current Soybean Practices
Patricio Grassini, UNL Assistant Professor and Cropping Systems Specialist

A new statewide project being conducted by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln needs producer feedback to identify yield-limiting factors affecting Nebraska soybean production.  The eventual pay-off for participating producers? Insights into how they can ramp up their bushels per acre. 

I and my colleagues at the UNL Department of Agronomy and Horticulture and Nebraska Extension are collecting producer baseline data on current soybean management practices in Nebraska’s irrigated and rainfed production systems.   The project goal is to identify key factors that preclude Nebraska soybean producers from achieving the full soybean yield potential for  each of their farms. The term used for the difference between what yield is possible on your farm each year and actual yield is called a “yield gap.”

Our thanks go to the Nebraska Soybean Board and the North Central Soybean Research Program (NCSRP) for funding this project.

Soybean Farmer Input Needed
We are asking Nebraska soybean producers to provide us with yield and other agronomic data specific to their soybean fields. With this data, we can conduct an in‐depth analysis of what on‐farm factors may be causing a yield gap on Nebraska soybean farms. We intend to provide annual reports to all crop producers informing you of what factors we may have identified that, based on our analysis of the data collected from Nebraska farms, are likely limiting you from achieving soybean yields closer to your yield potential!

We have put together a two-page survey on soybean yield and management that we would like you to fill out. Specifically, we are requesting yield and other data specific to four 2015 fields of soybean (first page of the survey) and four 2014 fields of soybeans (second page of the survey) that you grew on your farm. Both dryland and irrigated fields are acceptable.

We recognize that you may best remember the yields and related agronomic data for the 2015 season. However, we would very much appreciate additional data for four 2014 soybean fields on your farm. If you cannot recall or do not have data for any given cell in the columns shown on the Survey Form, leave them blank.

You may have already received a copy of the survey from your local Extension Educator or Natural Resource District (NRD) office. If not, here is your opportunity to contribute to the project! It is available in both a Word® version or a PDF version. We would greatly appreciate it if you could fill out they survey and e-mail the completed file (as an attachment) to me (pgrassini2@unl.edu) before March 31. Alternatively, you can print the survey, fill it out, and mail it to: Dr. Patricio Grassini, Dept. of Agronomy & Horticulture, 387 Plant Sciences Hall, University of Nebraska-Lincoln, NE 68583‐0915.

 We look forward to receiving your data. Keep in mind that all data submissions will be kept strictly confidential. In this project, our objective is to work for you, our Nebraska soybean producers. Our goal is to use the data you supply to help you get soybean yields on your farm that will be closer to the potential yields for those fields, once you know what production system factors are holding back your current soybean yields



NACEB Outstanding Business Award and Outstanding Youth Award

The Nebraska Association of County Extension Boards (NACEB) held its Annual meeting on February 8th 2016 at the Nebraska Club in Lincoln Nebraska.  Each year, NACEB recognizes one Nebraska Youth Volunteer and one Business that has gone above and beyond in support of Nebraska Extension’s Mission.  This year NACEB recognized Butler County Extension Youth Volunteer Craig Hruska and Butler County Extension Business Volunteer Bar S Veterinary Clinic to receive this year’s awards at our annual meeting.  These outstanding volunteers were selected from nominations received from all counties across the state of Nebraska.  Congratulations Craig and Bar S Veterinary Clinic and thanks for all you do for Nebraska Extension.

(from the awards application) 
Dr. Randy Schawang/Bar S Veterinary Clinic has been a strong supporter of Butler County Extension 4-H and other area youth programs since his arrival in Butler County in 1990. This has lead to individual success of youth as well as overall extension youth programming success in the areas of livestock, livestock judging and even weed identification.

Dr. Schawant has actively done this by providing beef for annual 4-H livestock judging contests (often multiple classes each year), supporting youth at the county fair by serving as examining veterinarian, and further supports local livestock youth by providing monetary support. He opens his facility to allow 4-H beef weigh-day every year.

The Butler County 4-H Council has noted his diligence in helping 4-H and other youth to succeed, and has twice honored Dr. Schawang and Bar S Veterinary Clinic as the outstanding business in supporting Butler County 4-H, the only business/businessman to be twice recognized in the past 20 years.

His support for youth goes beyond local 4-H and FFA members. He has mentored and allowed all-summer long job shadowing for a number of UNL pre-vet students over the years, which allowed them to determine if veterinary science was indeed a potential career for them.

(from award application)
In his role as student worker the past two summers and partial falls, Craig Hruska was responsible for data collection from approximately 25 field experiments on corn, soybeans, green beans, wheat and smooth brome. He has also responsible for small plot harvest from many of the smooth brome experiments. He also helped with application of materials in several experiments. Much of this was not easy work, but Craig never complained.

His keen observation skills resulted in the discovery that gibberellic acid application at specific growth stages can result in branching at unifoliate nodes, which has the potential to greatly increase soybean yields.

As the result of his efforts and involvement, there will about 20 research reports that have been/will be made available to Nebraska producers in the near future, with many of these reports also expected to be submitted to scientific journals. Craig was also a co-author on a research poster selected for inclusion at the 2nd World Congress on Biostimulants in Agriculture held in 2015 at Florence, Italy.



SEARCH BEGINS FOR NEXT HEAD OF UNL ANIMAL SCIENCE DEPARTMENT

    A committee appointed by Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources Harlan Vice Chancellor Ronnie Green has begun the search process to recruit and select candidates for a new head of the Animal Science Department at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. The committee will be led by Deb Hamernik, associate dean of the Agricultural Research Division; and Galen Erickson, professor of ruminant nutrition in animal science.

    The current head of the Animal Science Department, Larry Berger, has indicated his intent to retire effective June 30. Berger has spent more than six years in the position.

    "We must have a visionary and effective leader in this role to guide our overall efforts in teaching, research and extension in the department in the coming years and to continue to grow our international prominence in the animal sciences," Green said.

    The search committee will conduct a vigorous national and international search to identify highly qualified candidates. Public interviews are expected to begin in May.

    In addition to Hamernik and Erickson, members of the search committee are: Samodha Fernando, assistant professor, animal science; Jana Harding, doctoral student, animal science; Tommi Jones, research lab manager, animal science; Maci Lienemann, undergraduate student, animal science; Lisa Karr-Lillienthal, associate professor, animal science; John Pollak, director, U.S. Meat Animal Research Center; Tom Rathje, industry stakeholder, chief technology officer, DNA Genetics; Matt Spangler, associate professor, animal science; Craig Uden, industry stakeholder, president-elect, National Cattleman's Beef Association; Jennifer Wood, associate professor, animal science.

    The Animal Science Department implements resident instruction, extension and research programs in breeding and genetics, meat science, non-ruminant and ruminant nutrition, physiology, animal well-being, production and management. Species represented in these programs include beef cattle, dairy cattle, horses, poultry, swine, companion animals and laboratory animals. Students who graduate in animal science go into animal production, veterinary medicine, sales and marketing, research and many other career fields.



March Clinics Offer Free Financial & Legal Counseling

Openings are available for one-on-one, confidential Farm Finance Clinics being conducted across the state each month. An experienced ag law attorney and ag financial counselor will be available to address farm and ranch issues related to financial planning, estate and transition planning, farm loan programs, debtor/creditor law, water rights, and other relevant matters. They offer an opportunity to seek an experienced outside opinion on issues affecting your farm or ranch.

March Clinic Sites and Dates
    Grand Island — Thursday, March 3
    Norfolk — Thursday, March 10
    North Platte — Thursday, March 10
    Valentine — Friday, March 11
    Lexington —Thursday, March 17
    Fairbury — Tuesday, March 22
    Norfolk — Thursday, March 24

The Nebraska Department of Agriculture and Legal Aid of Nebraska sponsor these clinics.  To sign up for a clinic or to get more information, call Michelle at the Nebraska Farm Hotline at 1-800-464-0258.



Northey Highlights the Importance of Tax Coupling

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey issued the following statement on the importance of tax coupling and encouraging the Iowa Senate to take up House File 2092.  A summary issue from the Center for Agricultural Law and Taxation at Iowa State University can be found at https://www.calt.iastate.edu/article/iowa-coupling-unlikely-tax-software-trying-keep.

“I encourage the Iowa Senate to take up and pass House File 2092 as soon as possible to avoid an enormous tax increase on thousands of Iowans. I have talked to farmers all across the state that are facing huge, unexpected tax bills if Iowa doesn’t couple with federal tax law. These farmers understandably feel punished for making a significant investment in their farm with the expectation that Iowa would match federal law as they have the last several years.  Due to the uncertainty facing taxpayers and tax preparers, I also encourage the Iowa Department of Revenue to extend the farm filing date from March 1 to April 30.”



Beef Checkoff Partners to Launch New Beef Items

Krystal®, one of the country’s first hamburger chains established in the South, is re-inventing tradition with a brand new menu of Country-Fried items, available for a limited time. The core of the line is the Country-Fried Steak Krystal, an item that came about as a result of a partnership with the beef checkoff.  The Country-Fried Steak Krystal and other menu items are set to debut today -- Monday, Feb. 22, 2016.

“Once we came up with the Country-Fried Steak Krystal, the ideas just kept coming,” said Alice Crowder, vice president of marketing for Krystal®. “The deep Southern heritage and history of the Krystal® brand lends itself perfectly to hearty, country-fried tastes, and so we’ve developed a whole menu around the concept.”

Available at participating locations through April 24 (or while supplies last) the Country-Fried menu provides an innovative twist on Krystal® classics. The Country-Fried Steak Krystal® is a tender all-beef steak coated in a special blend of country spices, cooked to a delicious golden brown, topped with country gravy and served on a soft steamy Krystal® bun. The Krystal® Chik patty is topped with country gravy to create the Country Chik. During breakfast hours, the option of a biscuit will be available instead of a bun. For side orders, guests will be able to choose country fries, crispy fries topped with country gravy, and crumbled bacon.

All the featured items, especially the Country-Fried Steak offerings, are generating a lot of excitement. The checkoff’s Beef Innovations Group worked side-by-side with Krystal® to develop this new signature taste. “Krystal® and the checkoff have an established relationship of culinary creativity and cooperation,” said Steve Wald, executive director of innovation and culinary initiatives for the beef checkoff. “From idea generation, through product and package design, to launch, the Country-Fried Steak Krystal and Country-Fried Steak Biscuit were both the result of a truly collaborative journey.”



It's National FFA Week in America

More than half a million FFA members will celebrate the role agriculture plays in our lives this week while sharing their message of agriculture and agricultural education throughout the country. During National FFA Week, a host of activities are planned to raise awareness about the role the National FFA Organization plays in the development of agriculture's future leaders and the importance of agricultural education.

The weeklong tradition, which began in 1948, was designated by the National FFA Board of Directors in recognition of Washington's legacy as an agriculturalist and farmer. FFA was founded by a group of young farmers back in 1928. Its mission is to prepare future generations for the challenges of feeding a growing population. Founding members of the organization taught generations that agriculture is more than planting and harvesting--it involves science, business and more.

Today, FFA continues to help the next generation rise up to meet new agricultural challenges by helping members develop their own unique talents and explore their interests in a broad range of career pathways. Members progress to enjoy careers as biologists, chemists, veterinarians, engineers and entrepreneurs.

FFA Week is also a time for alumni and sponsors to advocate for agricultural education and FFA. On Tuesday, Feb. 23, the National FFA Foundation will celebrate "Give FFA Day," a daylong campaign that will encourage the public to support the various needs impacting FFA members. Every gift will count toward achieving the FFA mission. Visit FFA.org/giveFFAday to donate.



Brazil Soy Harvest 23% Done

With no more than sparse showers registered across Brazil's principal soy-producing regions, harvest efforts moved forward smartly last week, according to AgRural, a local farm consultancy.  Fieldwork progressed seven percentage points to 23% as of Friday (Feb. 19), surpassing the five-year average of 20% collected at this point of the season.

Harvesting was particularly quick in the states of Parana, Mato Grosso do Sul and Sao Paulo

In Parana, the No. 2 soy-producing state, harvest progressed 13 points to 43% complete, up from 27% at the same point last year.  In general, yields have been excellent in this western area of the state, although dry weather in January has reduced long-cycle bean yields by 5% to 10%, said AgRural. In Campo Gerais, northern Parana, yields of 49 to 58 bushels per acre have been recorded.

Harvesting really leapt forward in Mato Grosso do Sul, where 38% of the crop is now harvested, up from 24% at the same point last year.  Showers across Mato Grosso, the No. 1 soy-producing state, didn't really affect harvesting, which progressed 9 points to reach 33% complete, just behind last year when fieldwork was 34% finished.

Yields are varying wildly in the north of the state, which was one of the areas most affected by a dry October and November. Figures of between 40 bpa and 55 bpa are being posted in Sinop, said AgRural. In Rondonopolis, in the south of the state, average yields of 49 bpa are being registered.

In Rio Grande do Sul, the southernmost state, harvest has just begun and is 1% complete. Early bean yields are a disappointing 36 bpa to 40 bpa in Ijui, in the northwest of the state, after a dry January.



Grain Bin Safety in the Spotlight

With Grain Bin Safety Week taking place this week, and many bins still full from the fall, the National Corn Growers Association reminds farmers of the importance of proper grain bin safety procedures - and is pleased to offer a video highlighting the importance of proper safety procedures.

To view the video, click here... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EaZlS-GZoIA&feature=youtu.be. 

While supplies last, a free DVD of the video can be requested by sending an email with your name and mailing address to corninfo@ncga.com. The video was co-produced with the National Grain and Feed Foundation, the research and education arm of the National Grain and Feed Association.

First released in 2011, this video remains relevant and illustrates the significant threat bin entrapment can pose.  Shot on location in several states, it provides a wide range of information, from prevention tips and background data on grain bin accidents.  The project also involved interviews with professionals in the fields of grain bin safety research and rescue to provide as much information to viewers as possible.



Safety training for youth working in agriculture: tractor and farm machinery certification offered

Each state is responsible for providing the approved safety training that allows minors under age 16 to be legally employed to operate a tractor or other specified farm machinery, according to the U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL). Now is the time to prepare youth for agricultural jobs that will begin this spring and summer.

The National Safe Tractor and Machinery Operation Program (NSTMOP), housed at Penn State University, trains and certifies instructors in 30 states to provide this required tractor and farm machinery safety training to youth.

In addition to the NSTMOP resource, Gearing Up for Safety, which is housed at Purdue University, provides another resource for this important training. The Gearing Up for Safety program includes an online curriculum, as well as a Program Leaders Guide (CD-ROM), and provides instructors with tools for organizing and conducting an agricultural safety training program that meets the USDOL requirements and addresses the most frequent causes of injuries and fatalities to youth in agriculture.

Since 1969, the USDOL has declared certain agricultural tasks to be hazardous to youth younger than 16, including operating tractors and other farm machinery. Over the past few decades, the Hazardous Occupations Order for Agriculture (AgHO) has established the age for employment in agriculture as 16 years of age, or 14 years of age with training and certification from an approved tractor and farm machinery safety training program. Individuals 16 years of age and older can be employed in agriculture without this certification, but this training is also beneficial to this at-risk age group. The order also identifies hazardous operations and farm tasks.

The current standard for training is the USDOL certificate of training for tractor driving. To attain the certification, the minor will complete four hours of orientation to on-farm hazards and general safety, in addition to a 10-hour tractor safety course. With an additional 10-hour machinery safety course, the minor will receive a certificate of training for tractor and machinery operation.

Since its implementation in 1969, several tractor and machinery programs were developed; however, these programs deteriorated with a loss of interest and implementation over the years. Little is known about the extent to which tractor and machinery safety certification programs reach young tractor and machinery operators.

Multiple variations exist in the type of teaching materials, the number of hours, the forms of instruction, the testing procedures, and the skills assessment in these programs. The need for current and better quality training materials was cited by both certification program instructors and coordinators, which led to development of NSTMOP in 2001 by Penn State University, Ohio State University and the National Safety Council, with funding from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA).

The best place to start looking for courses near you is to contact your local Agricultural Extension office or Agricultural Education program. You can also contact NSTMOP or Gearing Up for Safety.



Ethanol Industry Leaders Gather in Orlando

Today, Growth Energy, the leading trade organization representing ethanol producers and supporters, kicked off its seventh annual Executive Leadership Conference at the JW Marriott Grande Lakes in Orlando, Florida. The organization’s leadership opened the conference with addresses to the membership, and the first panel of the day focused on “The E15 Revolution,” where retailers discussed growth in consumer demand of higher ethanol blends such as E15.

In discussing the changing marketplace, Mike Lorenz, Executive Vice President of Petroleum Supply at Sheetz commented that initial sales have exceeded expectations, even before kicking off a marketing campaign around E15. "The consumers are finding it on their own, and sales are increasing."

Jim Pirolli, Vice President of Fuels at Kum-N-Go, said cost is the biggest selling point for E15. "A big difference on the street is just having that lower price on the price sign," he said. They are seeing strong sales in all of their markets. "When it comes to consumer choice, they're going to go with a higher performance, better value product."

The message from the panel of leading fuel retailers was clear – E15 is the fuel of the future and that its widespread commercial adoption is simply a matter of time and education.

Jeff Broin, co-chair of Growth Energy’s Board of Directors, delivered a “Chairman’s Report” that outlined the current state of the renewable fuels industry and how this year is all about going full throttle for the industry. Broin noted that the industry had a record year producing a product that represents a growing share of the gasoline market and said, “This is a long-term game, and we will not give up. Our industry is poised to succeed, because we are doing the right thing for our nation and generations to come. We will continue to go full throttle to produce a biofuel that reduces toxic air emissions while improving performance for future vehicles.”

Following Jeff Broin’s speech, Tom Buis, Co-Chair and CEO of Growth Energy, delivered his annual “CEO Report.” In his address, Buis told attendees, “last year was an interesting year, we increased exports, had another great corn crop and defeated every single attempt to repeal or reform the RFS.”

Buis also praised how the industry stepped up and helped change the course of this administration’s rulemaking regarding the RVOs, noting “while it’s not perfect and it has flaws, it was far better than the original, and the blend wall was finally cracked this year.” Furthermore, Buis outlined how defending the Renewable Fuel Standard and expanding market access to E15 will continue to be among the industry’s top priorities in 2016.

Additionally, Buis highlighted the importance of doing what is best for our industry, noting that “we need to grab the bull by the horns and discuss all the good work that this industry does, including the environmental benefits, reducing our dependence on foreign oil and all the good jobs we create across the nation, while helping bring choice to American consumers.”

Buis added that by engaging with retailers, we have been successful in bringing E15 and higher blends to the marketplace. Buis said, “Our work showed that we were not going to let others define us, we must share our story on how we are tomorrow’s fuel,” noting that “fossil fuels will go the way of the steamboat, horse and buggy and the blimp.” Buis then added, “Anytime we are compared to the oil industry, we win.”

Buis closed by saying, “I think as an industry, there is no industry that is better. With our knowledge, passion and engagement, we’re going to win this fight, but it’s going to take effort. Effort equals results. We will not sit back, we will roll up our sleeves and we will win.” Buis then quoted Robert Kennedy who said, “Some people see things the way they are and ask why, we dream things that never were and ask why not!”

Following both speeches and the panel on E15, the message from the first day of Growth Energy’s conference was that the demand for E15 is here, and the ethanol industry represents the future, one in which our industry will work to improve our environment by continuing to deliver a clean, high-performance enhancement to motor fuel.