Monday February 8 Ag News

LENRD Amended Groundwater Mgt Area Rules & Regs become effective February 22

The Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD) Board of Directors recently amended their Groundwater Management Area Rules & Regulations which become effective February 22.

The amendments have modified the rules to require flow meters on all irrigation wells across the district.  Brian Bruckner, LENRD Water Resources Manager, said, “Each irrigation well within the LENRD is required to be equipped with a properly installed and functioning flow meter by January 1, 2018.”

There are currently five flow meters on the approved list:  McCrometer Propeller Flow Meters (All Models);  McCrometer McMag 3000 Magmeter;  Senninger Flo-Wise Ag Rotor Sensor System;  Seametrics AG2000 Series Magmeter;  and the Growsmart by Lindsay IM3000 Magnetic Flow Meter.

The LENRD is developing a policy for flow meter installation and maintenance inspections, and will require any person wishing to install and/or maintain the flow meters to become certified by the LENRD as a Flow Meter Installer or Maintenance Technician.  The Flow Meter Installation and Maintenance Certification Program will require technicians to report all installation and maintenance activities to the LENRD.

Curt Becker, LENRD Water Resources Specialist, said, “Local dealers are currently being trained to install the meters.  If individual producers are interested in becoming certified installers, please contact the LENRD and we will schedule the training for you.”

The effective date of the Order of Designation and Amended Rule & Regulations is Monday, February 22.  For more information, contact Curt Becker at the LENRD office in Norfolk at 402-371-7313 or visit our website at LENRD.org.



Report Reveals Rises in Groundwater Levels after Multiple Years of Decline

The 2015 Nebraska Statewide Groundwater-Level Monitoring Report reveals that much of the state is beginning to recover from the 2012-2013 drought.

From the spring of 2014 to the spring of 2015, water levels began to rise following significant declines resulting from extended period of drought from early 2012 through the summer of 2013.

Above normal precipitation for much of Nebraska combined with better water use practices accounted for the rises in water levels. The average water level increase from spring 2014 to spring 2015 was 0.53 feet. Although these one-year rises are good, many parts of the state remain below 2012 levels. Eastern Nebraska saw some of the largest rises in groundwater levels, with some wells recording rises of ten to fifteen feet. Rises in these areas are the result of above average precipitation and reduced need for irrigation pumping. Other notable areas of groundwater level rises of one to more than 10 feet occurred in the central Panhandle, Perkins, Custer and Dawson counties, in addition to localized areas throughout the state.

These maps represent conditions as of late March and Early April 2015, and do not take into account some of the record setting precipitation events that occurred in eastern Nebraska in spring and summer 2015. It is expected that in spring 2016 we will see water levels rise throughout much of Nebraska as we did in spring 2015, particularly in eastern Nebraska where flooding was common.

Groundwater-level monitoring began in Nebraska in 1930. The annual reports and maps have been produced by the Conservation and Survey Division in the School of Natural Resources at UNL since the 1950s.

Statewide groundwater-level monitoring reports depict the change in water levels from spring to spring at different time scales. The reports study the rates of drawdown and recharges measured in regional wells, and give a general depiction of the current state of groundwater levels on a yearly basis. The reports also compare historical trends of regional water levels. Data collection is a joint effort of the United States Geological Survey, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation, Nebraska Natural Resources Districts, and Central Nebraska Public Power and Irrigation District.

The 2015 Nebraska Statewide Groundwater-Level Monitoring Report is available for purchase from the Nebraska Maps and More Store on the first floor of Hardin Hall at 33rd and Holdrege streets in Lincoln for $5. It also can be purchased online at marketplace.unl.edu/nemaps and amazon.com. To place an order by phone, call (402) 472-3471. Maps and other groundwater information can be found at go.unl.edu/groundwater.   



When should colostrum replacement products be used for newborn calves?
Larry Howard, NE Extension Educator, Cuming County

We all recognize that it is crucial that newborn calves get off to a good start and one of the most important things that needs to happen at birth is the adequate consumption of high-quality colostrum by the newborn calf. Ideally, we like to see vigorous calves stand and nurse within two hours of birth and repeatedly nurse by the time it’s 12 hours old. However, there are situations that could impact the quality and quantity of colostrum available to newborn calves. In these situations, colostrum replacement products may need to be considered. Such situations include:

DIFFICULT CALVING
Calves that experience difficult births often are slow to stand and nurse. Research has shown that calves born with no assistance stood and nursed within 40 minutes after birth and had a higher immunoglobulin concentration at 24 hours while calves that required assistance took more than an hour to stand and had a significantly lower immunoglobulin concentration.

SEVERE WEATHER CONDITIONS
Harsh winter weather conditions can cause cold stress. Calves that experience cold stress may be less likely to get up and nurse, cold-stressed cows also have reduced potential of providing high-quality colostrum.

THIN COWS
Nutrition plays a direct role in the production of colostrum. Undernourished cows may not have received enough energy, protein, minerals, and vitamins during the gestation period and, therefore, the ability to produce quality colostrum is reduced. As body condition decreases so does the amount and concentration of immunoglobulins in colostrum.

FIRST-CALF HEIFERS
Colostrum quality and quantity is usually lower in first-calf heifers. There is also a higher likelihood that first-calf heifers may lack good “mothering instinct” and will not allow the calf to immediately suckle – or may reject the calf altogether.

There are a number of colostrum replacement products commercially available. Care should be taken in selection of the product to ensure you are getting a replacement and not a supplement. Although similar, replacements have higher concentrations of immunoglobulins(Ig), specifically IgG, than supplements and are intended to serve as the sole source when fresh colostrum is not available. There are other nutrients such as sugars, fats, vitamins, and minerals in replacements, but there can be variability in the quality and digestibility of products based on the source of these nutrients and the method of processing. Be sure to carefully read and follow the manufacturer’s instructions since products may vary in how they are mixed and the number of recommended feedings. You should consult your veterinarian to help you make a more informed purchasing decision for the colostrum replacement product that is suited best for your operation. This decision is an important one because you only get one chance to start a calf off right.



NE Pork Producers to Hold Annual Meeting

The Nebraska Pork Producers Association (NPPA) will welcome Governor Pete Ricketts to their Annual Meeting to be held on Wednesday, February 17, 2016 at the Cornhusker Marriott, Lincoln. Governor Ricketts will be the guest speaker at a breakfast sponsored by NPPA’s Allied Members and SIP contributors.

Philip M. Seng, President and CEO of the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) will discuss foreign trade, product distribution and expectations for markets in 2016. USMEF operates worldwide, providing strategies and priorities in international programs, research, technical services, industry relations and global communications. Seng is a primary spokesman for USMEF and other exporting interests to government and private entities regarding international trade policy and foreign market development issues related to U.S. red meat products.

Dr. Ron Brodersen, owner of Whole Hog Genetics and partner with Suidae Health in Hartington will address producers about the importance of having a working relationship with their veterinarian and of cooperation between the National Pork Board and the American Association of Swine Veterinarians (AASV). New antibiotic use regulations taking effect January 1, 2017 will also be discussed. As AASV President, Brodersen oversees an organization of 1000 members of the very best veterinarians from the Midwest.

Election of new officers and board members will take place during the meeting of the Board of Directors of the Nebraska Pork Producers beginning at 8:45 a.m. Also on the agenda is recognition of the 2015 NPPA Mentors and Pork Leadership Participants, announcement of the 2015 Outstanding Pork Service recipients and introductions of the 2016 NPPA Mentors and Pork Leadership Participants.

There are no registration fees. Register at: nepork.org Email: dee@nepork.org or Call (888) 627-7675



NePPA Announces Participants in 2016 Pork Mentorship Program

The Nebraska Pork Producers Association is proud to welcome participants of the 2016 Pork Mentorship Program. This year, six students will participate in the program, which has worked to further develop youth leaders through individual and group based learning experiences since 1999.
Participants in the 2016 Pork Mentorship Program are:

Erica Lewis of West Point, a sophomore at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln studying Agribusiness; Food Science and Technology.

Michael Liermann of Wisner, a junior at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln studying Mechanized Systems Management.

Amanda Korus of Lindsay, a sophomore at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln studying Animal Science and Agribusiness.

McKenzie Beals of Friend, a junior at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln studying Animal Science/Pre-Veterinary Medicine.

Kate Likens of Swanton, a sophomore at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln studying Agriculture Education.

Kelsey Scheer of Saint Paul, a junior at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln studying Animal Science.

The 2016 Pork Mentorship Program is comprised of six members attending college at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, with academic majors that represent a cross section of interests and disciplines within the College of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources.

Each year, participants in the Pork Mentorship Program participate in activities that encourage personal growth, career readiness and develop leadership skills, while expanding their knowledge of the pork industry. Participants are also active in projects that encourage giving back to their community. Each of the participants will receive a $500 scholarship upon the successful completion of requirements throughout the year-long program.



NePPA Announces Participants in the 2016 Pork Leadership Program

The Nebraska Pork Producers Association is proud to welcome participants in the 2016 Pork Leadership Program. Participants in the 2016 Pork Leadership Program are:

Leslie McCuiston of Columbus is employed by The Maschhoffs as a senior production manager for breed-to-wean in Nebraska.

Amy Schmidt of Lincoln is employed by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln as an assistant professor and livestock bioenvironmental engineer.

Austin Zimmerman of Lincoln is employed by Automated Production as a new product design engineer.
Chris Ford of Neligh is employed by Farm Credit Services of America as a lead large producer credit analyst.

Gary Jarzynka of Lincoln is employed by Smithfield as a cut floor supervisor.

JD Gustafson of Omaha is an account executive for Holmes, Murphy and Associates, an employee owned, independent insurance broker.

The 2016 Pork Leadership Program is comprised of six talented professionals. Each participant shares unique experiences that shape their perspective based on their particular career path as well as their personal involvements and interests.

Participants in the Pork Leadership Program will participate in six meetings and activities over the course of a year, where they will learn about various aspects of the pork and agriculture industries.
Participants in the Pork Leadership Program will learn more about:
· Current and diverse pork production methods
· Current research efforts to improve pork production as it relates to overall pig health and well-being
· Current domestic issues and their impacts on the pork industry as it relates to economics and trade
· Current policy and regulations being developed on the local, state, and national levels

Participants in the Pork Leadership Program will:
· Interact with the general public and elected leaders and will serve as positive advocates for the pork industry
· Define their personal leadership style and know how to work with different leadership styles in a group
· Develop a working knowledge of the Nebraska Pork Producers Association and other key organizations that agriculture groups can work with to broaden perspectives and build coalitions

The Pork Leadership Program was created to build awareness, interest and involvement in the pork industry. Members will further develop their skills as leaders and will naturally emerge as the next wave of active and engaged members of committees and board members at the local, state and national levels.



Bull Buyer’s Guide
Gary Stauffer, NE Extension Educator Holt & Boyd Counties

Are you sifting through stacks of bull sale catalogs looking for your next bull? While bull selection can be a daunting task, your choice will impact your herd for years to come. Thus, taking some time to think about what you need from your next herd sire is important.  Here are some points to emphasize when it comes to bull selection.

Know your market. Understand what traits are value added-traits for your market. One of the best parts about the cattle industry is the different ways producers achieve their goals. While selling calves at weaning into the commodity market is the majority, some cattlemen are marketing in very creative ways. Local freezer beef, retained ownership, alliances, branded beef programs, video sales, or fitting the production environment to a consumer demanded practice are all ways farmers are adding value to their calves. Your bull selection should be based on traits that are profitable in your market.

Don’t sacrifice functional traits or adaptability to your production environment. It is really easy to get caught up in the data, but remember these critters need to be sound and function in the pasture. Good feet and legs, a strong libido, and docility are all imperative. Masculinity, big testicles, and a tight sheath are good phenotypic indicators of the right kind. Buying bulls that are raised in similar conditions to your ranch is preferred. You can buy someone else’s genetics, but you can’t buy their management.

Require a passed BSE (Breeding Soundness Exam) and farm herd health protocols. I also suggest a quarantine period for new purchases. A minimum of two weeks will allow time for potential pathogens to break without exposing your herd. Lots of times cattle coming from a sale have experienced elevated stress. It is important to keep them on good feed, in a clean pen, and allow the quarantine period to run its course.

Identify and understand Expected Progeny Differences (EPDs) and phenotypes that signify value added traits you are seeking. Calving ease (CE) is an important and valuable trait. Sometimes when talking to producers I hear them stressing CE and birth weight (BW). BW is an indicator trait for CE, but you don’t get paid for light birth weight calves. You get paid by not having to invest time and labor in pulling calves. So, avoid putting too much downward pressure on BW, especially if the bull will breed cows. Another mistake I see is purchasing low BW bulls for cows. This is not necessary. Many times you can purchase a bull with average or better calving ease for cows at a discount to “heifer bulls” with comparable growth. Smooth, flat shouldered bulls with decent CE EPDs are good value bulls for breeding mature cows.

If you sell your calves at weaning through the sale barn and keep your own replacements, traits of priority should be CE, heifer pregnancy, stay ability, and weaning weight. Selecting for more yearling weight, too much milk or too little milk, or carcass traits are much less important in this scenario. If you retain-ownership of your cattle through the feedlot and market to the packer, then yearling weight and carcass traits become more relevant to your bottom line. Your ultimate goal should be to produce the most profitable product, thus seek traits that add value without increasing cost of production over the value of the trait.

Utilize appropriate multiple trait selection indexes. Find the sweet spot/profitable window in milk, YW, and carcass EPDs. Avoid putting too much emphasis on one trait. Nearly all breeds now have dollar index values that help put economics to trait selectioin. These can be extremely effective tools is the index scenario matches your operation. Weaned Calf Value ($W) is a dollar value used by the Angus breed. It is an index that is designed for cattlemen that primarily seell calves at weaning. This index also assumes that replacement heifers are retained. EPDs for birth weight, weaning weight, milk, and mature cow size are focused on. Lower birth weights, heavier weaning weights, and lower mature cow size are desirable. Milk production is weighted both positively and negatively as it directly impacts calf weaning weights, but also increases cow maintenance requirements.

Don’t be fooled by index names. Beef Value (SB) is a terminal index. It is a great tool for cattlemen that are not keeping replacements. This index will increase profitability of cattle in the feedlot and on the grid. Unfortunately, I have heard $B referred to as a comprehensive EPD crossbreeding. Crossbred cows and maternal heterosis is a key to profitability on commercial cow/calf operations. Studies have shown net profit per cow is increased by $75/cow/year as a result of maternal heterosis.

By the right size, type, and demand quality. I would compare this to buying a car or truck. If you have little money for gas (feed), then don’t buy a gas (feed) guzzler. Buy a bull that fits your cow herd. Your cows will tell you the right size and milk production for your management. If they come up open… they are not the right size. Now, you also want a bull that is the right type. You don’t buy a fancy sports car for a work vehicle, do you? So why buy a fancy, sexy bull to produce working kind of cattle? To me there is a difference in fancy and quality. I suggest you demand quality. Select a product that will last and hold value. Look for signs that the breeder stands behind their product. That is a good sign of quality.

Seek value when buying a bull. The lowest priced bull is seldom the best valued. If you find a bull that has the traits you are looking for…buy him. Set a budget, but understand it is often hard to find everything you are looking for. Bulls with the traits you are seeking can add value to your cattle in a hurry. They can add far more value than a cow. The bull you buy this year will impact your herd for the next 5 years with his calves, but his daughters will impact your herd for the next 20 years. Make a good investment. Buy a bull that adds value to your calves and your cowherd.



Integrated Weed Management Workshop and On-Line Course

The "how-to's" and value of integrating multiple weed control methods will be the focus of a two-day workshop and an online graduate course being offered by the UNL Department of Agronomy this spring.

The two-day Integrated Weed Management workshop, open to the public, runs from noon to 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 1 and from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Wednesday, March 2 at the Nebraska East Campus Union in Lincoln. Cost for the workshop is $75 and does not include meals. UNL Weed Scientist Stevan Knezevic will be teaching the workshop and the on-line distance class.

Both offerings are designed to provide graduate students and agribusiness professionals with a working understanding of Integrated Weed Management (IWM) principles as a basis for understanding weed control issues in both conventional and organic cropping systems. IWM, which is based on a multidisciplinary approach to weed control, provides information on the need for and timing of weed control, the effective and environmentally sound use of herbicides, and alternatives to herbicide use, such as weed flaming.

The graduate course, AGRO/HORT 822, will be made available for academic or non-academic credit. Workshop attendance is recommended but not required for those taking the course as workshop sessions will be recorded and made available for class use.

Information and Registration
For more detailed information on the workshop topics and how to register see http://agronomy.unl.edu/integrated-weed-management-workshop. A total of 12 CEUs have been approved for the workshop, seven for the first day and five for the second, all in integrated pest management.

For more detailed information on the graduate class and how to register see http://agrohortonline.unl.edu/agro-hort822-int-weedmngt. 

Certified Crop Advisors (CCAs) taking this course for academic credit may earn six Continuing Education Units (CEUs) in Pest Management.

AGRO/HORT 822 is regularly offered in the spring of even-numbered years.



Agri/Eco-Tourism Workshop Registration Open
Registration is now open for the 2016 Nebraska Agri/Eco-Tourism Workshop, presented by the Nebraska Tourism Commission.  The workshop will be held in Grand Island, February 22-24, 2016.  Join us to learn creative ways to “Share Your Story” and get the right tools to grow your business.

This three-day event will provide community leaders, landowners, farmers and ranchers, entrepreneurs, small business owners and service providers with information on how to establish, finance, market and grow businesses based on agri/eco-tourism and small business partnerships.  Participants will come away with fresh marketing ideas, greater financial opportunity and numerous new contacts.

“Visitors to our state adore experiencing the land first-hand.  This workshop gives small businesses, outfitters and landowners the opportunity to learn how to use your resources, talents and ideas to develop new product, increase your operational income and create new opportunities,” said Kathy McKillip, Nebraska Tourism Commission Executive Director.  “This is a great chance for people to learn skills to successfully connect the land to the visitor, providing a down to earth Nebraska experience.”

The workshop will kick off with educational Business 2 Business tours on Monday.  The Business to Business (B2B) Tours provide attendees the opportunity to go behind the scenes to see how businesses really make things work.  Tours will begin at the Nebraska Mushroom Farm and then the Crane Trust Nature and Visitor Center where the guest speaker will be John Wayne, owner of Wayne Cyclery in Grand Island.

Tuesday’s sessions and events will be held at the Raising Nebraska Building on the State Fairgrounds.  There, all types of breakout sessions will take place, giving attendees a chance to learn from a variety of professionals, like Steve Maly of Maly Marketing, Russ Roca and Laura Crawford with Path Less Pedaled, social media expert/journalist Rebecca McCormick and many more.

Tuesday night, the Taste and Feel of Nebraska event will give attendees the opportunity to network while sampling local products.  The workshop will wrap-up Wednesday, with sessions being held at the Grand Island Theatre in downtown Grand Island.

To get more information and a full schedule go to http://visitnebraska.com/media/industry. Online registration is now open or you can print off the brochure/registration form and send in a check to Nebraska Tourism Commission, c/o Bryce Arens, 301 Centennial Mall South, PO Box 98907, Lincoln, NE   68509.

A block of rooms have been reserved at the Midtown Holiday Inn in Grand Island until January 31, 2016.  Call 308-384-1330 and ask for the Nebraska Agri/Eco-Tourism Block to secure your special room rate of $87.95 plus tax.



Nebraska Legislature Votes For Chickenization of Nebraska Hog Production

Nebraska Farmers Union (NeFU) said that Legislature’s 34-14 support for LB176 on final reading was consistent with the history of most corporate farming issues in the Nebraska Legislature over the last 50 years.  “As usual, the view of a majority of the folks back home and the citizens who weighed in on this issue was trumped by the power of corporate money and the lobby”, said NeFU President John Hansen. “This was a basic fight about the future.  Our state will not be well served by the chickenization of pork production.” 

NeFU President John Hansen said “The majority of food consumers consistently prefer to buy food for their families from other families that farm rather than from corporate farms.  Direct marketing and the Local Foods movement continues to grow.  Yet, the Legislature voted to help Chinese government owned Smithfield Foods, Inc. take over hog production in Nebraska by allowing them to directly own the hogs.  That vertically integrated packer controlled system of one-sided take-it or leave-it contracts with no cash markets or competition is similar to the poultry system that has victimized broiler producers across the nation.  It is a sad day for family farm agriculture.”

NeFU distributed a letter to the Legislature from Mike Weaver, President of the Contract Poultry Growers Association of the Virginias detailing the deplorable financial condition of most poultry growers who have not received an increase in their base pay for nearly 20 years despite the 300% plus increase in their operating costs.  In material provided by NeFU, according to the 2015 Successful Farming “Top 25 U.S. Pork Powerhouses” data, Smithfield already owns 894,000 sows in the U.S., and a total of 1,135,000 sows worldwide.  Smithfield is also the nation’s largest pork processor.  “I am at a loss why a Nebraska State Senator would feel it is their job to help a Chinese government owned hog processor intent on taking over U.S. hog production take over Nebraska hog production at the expense of hog markets and family farmers.” 

“Just when our nation’s livestock markets are crying out for more effective anti-trust enforcement to expand competition, and market access and limit punitive retaliation against producers and non-competitive marketing practices, the Legislature votes to partially gut Nebraska’s “Competitive Livestock Markets Act” that has been the most effective state competition act in the nation.  Instead of bringing water to a fire that is burning down domestic livestock markets and rural communities, 34 Nebraska State Senators poured gasoline on a fire that will eventually chickenize hog production in our state.  We should never intentionally make a bad situation worse,” Hansen said.

NeFU praised State Senators Bloomfield, Bolz, Brasch, Chambers, Cook, Crawford, Davis, Groene, Haar, Hansen, Howard, McCoy, Morfeld, Schnoor, and Sullivan for standing with family farm agriculture and opposing LB176.  “They did the right thing for the right reasons.  They did an outstanding job of standing up for family farm agriculture.  We are also proud of the many farm, rural, environmental, labor, religious, and social justice organizations that helped us with this historic battle.  A friend in need is a friend indeed, and NeFU had many good organizational friends who helped spread the word to their members and help us.”

In conclusion Hansen praised his Nebraska Farmers Union members.  “Our members are smart, well-informed, and constructively engaged in the process.  They did their job as citizens are supposed to do.  Our members continue to be the heart and soul of rural communities and our organization.  They set our policy that supports family farm agriculture, and healthy functioning agricultural markets and the opportunities they provide, and then help get it implemented.  We came up short this time, but there will be a next time. 



U.S. Pork Exports Solid in December; Beef Exports Trend Lower

U.S. pork exports posted a strong finish in 2015 as December volume was the largest since April and the third-largest of the year, according to data released by USDA and compiled by the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF). Beef exports were below year-ago levels in December and posted the first full-year value decline since 2009.

December exports of U.S. pork were up 3 percent from a year ago to 188,410 metric tons (mt). Export value was $468.9 million, down 13 percent from a year ago but the highest since May. For the full calendar year, pork exports were down 2 percent from a year ago in volume (2.13 million mt) and 16 percent lower in value ($5.58 billion). Pork muscle cut exports increased 3 percent in volume (1.7 million mt) while falling 15 percent in value ($4.77 billion), but pork variety meat exports declined significantly in both volume (434,661 mt, down 17 percent) and value ($808.4 million, down 22 percent). However, as USMEF has previously noted, year-over-year comparisons, especially for pork variety meat, may not be entirely accurate due to issues with 2014 data for Japan.*

Pork exports accounted for 24 percent of total 2015 production and 21 percent for muscle cuts only – down from 26.5 percent and 22 percent, respectively, in 2014. Export value per head slaughtered averaged $48.31, down 23 percent from 2014.

December U.S. beef exports totaled 94,586 mt, down 6 percent from a year ago and slightly lower than in November, while export value fell 21 percent to $507.3 million. In 2015, beef exports were down 11 percent from a year ago in volume to 1.07 million mt. Export value was $6.3 billion, 12 percent below the 2014 record of $7.14 billion.

Beef exports accounted for 13 percent of total 2015 production and 10 percent for muscle cuts only – each down one percentage point from a year ago. Export value per head of fed slaughter averaged $277.87, down 7 percent from the previous year’s record but still up 13 percent from 2013.

“There is no question that 2015 was a challenging year for red meat exports, with several economic headwinds taking a toll,” said Philip Seng, USMEF president and CEO. “But with production increasing in the year ahead in both the beef and pork industries, we cannot afford to dwell on these circumstances or back away from our commitment to the international markets. We must continue to find innovative ways to differentiate U.S. products, win back market share and regain momentum for exports in 2016. That means aggressive pursuit of new customers and new opportunities, in both emerging and established markets.”

Pork exports to Mexico set fourth consecutive record; rebound to China continues
Pork exports to Mexico set a new monthly record in December at 67,980 mt, pushing 2015 volume to 718,819 mt – up 6 percent from 2014 and setting a new record for the fourth consecutive year. Export value was down 19 percent to $1.27 billion, reflecting lower U.S. prices, but demand for U.S. pork held up extremely well in Mexico considering the peso was down an average of 16 percent versus the U.S. dollar in 2015.

With several U.S. pork plants recently regaining eligibility for China, December exports to the China/Hong Kong region posted the largest volume in nearly two years at 33,691 mt (up 27 percent year-over-year). In 2015, exports to China/Hong Kong edged 1 percent higher in volume (339,056 mt) and were down 10 percent in value ($700.4 million). China/Hong Kong’s imports from all suppliers set a new record of 1.937 million mt in 2015, up 8 percent. While the U.S. industry capitalized on this trend late in the year, the European Union was the primary beneficiary, capturing about 70 percent market share.

Exports to leading value market Japan struggled in 2015, declining 13 percent year-over-year in volume (406,186 mt) and 18 percent in value ($1.59 billion, the lowest since 2009). A recent decline in Japan’s frozen inventories indicates opportunities for import growth in 2016. But the U.S. continues to face increasing competition in Japan, especially from European suppliers.

Other 2015 highlights for U.S. pork (with comparisons to 2014) included:
-    Exports to South Korea increased 24 percent in volume (167,524 mt) and 6 percent in value ($470.2 million). Korea’s imports from all suppliers expanded in 2015 as domestic pork production recovered slowly from porcine epidemic diarrhea virus and suffered new outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease.
-    After slumping in the first half of the year, exports to Australia rebounded to 57,763 mt (up 15 percent), while value slipped by 5 percent to $171.9 million.
-    Exports to the Caribbean increased 13 percent in volume (41,143 mt) and fell 3 percent in value ($100.8 million). This performance was led by record-large exports to the Dominican Republic, which surged 38 percent in volume (23,265 mt) and 13 percent in value ($53.1 million).
-    Taiwan showed renewed demand for U.S. pork in 2015, with exports increasing 29 percent in volume (20,278 mt) and 4 percent in value ($39.9 million).

Korea, Taiwan, Caribbean main bright spots for 2015 beef exports
Fueled by strong demand for chilled U.S. beef in its retail and foodservice sectors, beef exports to South Korea increased 7 percent year-over-year in volume (126,093 mt) while slipping 4 percent in value ($810.4 million). Korea’s imports of chilled U.S. beef were up about 40 percent in 2015, with U.S. market share reaching 31 percent.

Beef exports to Taiwan increased 4 percent year-over-year in volume to 35,286 mt and set a new value record of $318.5 million (up 8 percent). U.S. chilled beef market share in Taiwan is more than 60 percent, the highest of any Asian destination.

Exports to the Caribbean increased 1 percent year-over-year in volume (23,208 mt) and 7 percent in value ($165.7 million) in 2015. Similar to pork, the value increase was driven in large part by strong demand in the Dominican Republic ($58.7 million, up 6 percent), but double-digit increases were also achieved in the Bahamas ($24.6 million, up 11 percent) and Jamaica ($16.5 million, up 10 percent).

While Japan remained the leading value market for U.S. beef in 2015, exports declined 15 percent year-over-year in volume (204,927 mt) and 19 percent in value ($1.28 billion, the lowest since 2012). Japan imported less beef from all suppliers in 2015, but the U.S. lost market share to Australia, due in part to the 10 percentage point tariff advantage enjoyed by Australian beef under its economic partnership agreement with Japan.

While the weak peso affected demand for U.S. beef in Mexico, exports still topped the $1 billion mark for the second consecutive year ($1.09 billion, down 6 percent). Mexico reclaimed its position as the leading destination for beef variety meat exports, which increased 8 percent in volume (110,085 mt) and 9 percent in value ($290.3 million). This helped offset a decline in variety meat exports to Egypt, which fell 15 percent in volume (103,276 mt) but still achieved a 3 percent increase in value ($148.6 million).

Lamb exports end tough year on high note
December exports of U.S. lamb were the largest since June at 1,057 mt, up 44 percent year-over-year, while value posted a modest increase to $1.79 million. For the full year, lamb exports declined 9 percent in volume (9,442 mt) and 30 percent in value ($19 million) as lower exports to Mexico offset gains in Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia and Costa Rica.



Participation Needed to Keep CHS Producer-governed
    
Kansas Farmers Union would like to remind you that if you are a producer member of a co-op doing business with CHS and you want to keep the CHS board producer-governed, you NEED to complete the survey that CHS has presented to the membership.

At the CHS 2015 annual meeting, the Articles and Bylaws vote was postponed indefinitely as presented. One factor for the postponement was the membership was not given adequate time to provide input on the issues.

The proposed amendments to the CHS' Articles and Bylaws recommended for approval by the CHS Board of Directors were:

-    Modify the CHS membership definition to remove the requirement that cooperative members be producer-only cooperatives. Today, cooperatives doing business with CHS may have non-producer members, and some may have non-producers serving on the cooperative's board. These arrangements are not consistent with the current producer-only membership requirement.

-    Give the Board of Directors the flexibility to approve non-member patronage arrangements by permitting the Board to establish policies for these arrangements rather than having to include the rules for those arrangements in the Bylaws.

-    Remove obsolete references to the former Cenex, Inc.; Cenex Supply and Marketing Division, and the Company's Defined Business Unit/Member program.

Now is our time to provide the board and leadership the input that we asked for. Follow this link to complete the survey:   https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/3ZBSLYT. 

We feel there are solutions to the governance and patronage issues other than giving the Board of Directors complete freedom to approve non-producer membership and patronage.

For example, one solution is to establish a clear and concise membership agreement. A signed agreement will hold co-ops accountable in how local co-ops are governed and their membership status with CHS. CHS leadership needs to hear that FARMER ONLY GOVERNANCE IS NON-NEGOTIABLE as the co-op continues to grow.

As Coop members, we have an opportunity to influence the direction of the co-op that we helped build.

The survey closes on Monday, Feb. 15, 2016. Please contact your cooperative leadership and express your concerns, regarding this issue.



CWT Assists with 4.2 Million Pounds of Cheese and Whole Milk Powder Export Sales

Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) has accepted 5 requests for export assistance from Dairy Farmers of America, Michigan Milk Producers and Northwest Dairy Association (Darigold) who have contracts to sell 101,413 pounds (46 metric tons) of Cheddar and Gouda cheese and 4.133 million pounds (1,875 metric tons) of whole milk powder to customers in Asia, Central and South America. The product has been contracted for delivery in the period from February through July 2016.

So far this year, CWT has assisted member cooperatives who have contracts to sell 4.389 million pounds of cheese, 2.866 million pounds of butter and 5.392 million pounds of whole milk powder to eleven countries on five continents. The sales are the equivalent of 144.365 million pounds of milk on a milkfat basis.

Assisting CWT members through the Export Assistance program, in the long-term, helps member cooperatives gain and maintain market share, thus expanding the demand for U.S. dairy products and the U.S. farm milk that produces them. This, in turn, positively impacts all U.S. dairy farmers by strengthening and maintaining the value of dairy products that directly impact their milk price.



Enter American Farm Bureau's #iAdvocate Photo Contest!

Farmers and ranchers are invited to share their stories about advocating for agriculture with the American Farm Bureau Federation as part of the organization's just-launched #iAdvocate campaign. Ten lucky contest winners will each receive a $100 Farm Bureau Bank gift card.

To enter, message a photo of yourself advocating for agriculture to the Farm Bureau Promotion & Education Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/FarmBureauPandE. Photo entries should include an #iAdvocate white board or sign with a brief explanation of what you're doing.

Submissions will be uploaded to the "2016 #iAdvocate Campaign" album on the Farm Bureau Promotion & Education Facebook page. Once you have been notified that your photo has been posted, ask others to "Like" and "Share" it on Facebook. Contest winners will be determined based on the highest number of "Likes" received for pictures within the album.

"Advocating for agriculture is one of our key areas of focus," said Chris Hoffman, a Pennsylvania hog and poultry farmer and chair of AFBF's national Promotion & Education Committee. "We look forward to seeing creative #iAdvocate photo submissions from around the country."

The contest is open through March 25.

For full contest rules and details, visit https://www.facebook.com/FarmBureauPandE.