Thursday February 18 Ag News

NEBRASKA FARM NUMBERS LOWER

Nebraska's number of farms and ranches declined during 2015, according to USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. The number of farms and ranches in the State, at 48,700, was down 400 farms from 2014. Numbers of farms and ranches in Nebraska with less than $100,000 in agricultural sales declined 500 farms from the year earlier while operations with more than $100,000 increased 100 farms from 2014.

Land in farms and ranches in Nebraska totaled 45.2 million acres, unchanged from 2014. The average size of operation, at 928 acres, was up 7 acres from the year earlier.



IOWA FARM NUMBERS ALSO LOWER

 The total number of farms in Iowa in 2015 was 87,500, down 500 farms compared to a year ago, according to the USDA’s National Agricultural Statistics Service. The largest decrease in number of farms came in the $1,000-$9,999 range with a decrease of 500 farms from 27,100 in 2014 to 26,600 in 2015.

Total land in farms in Iowa in 2015 was 30.5 million acres, unchanged since 2014, however, total land in farms in the $1,000-$9,999 range fell to 1.1 million acres, while total land in farms in the $250,000-$499,999 range rose to 5.1 million acres.

The average farm size in Iowa in 2015 was 349 acres, up two acres since last year. The average farm size in the $500,000-$999,999 sales class increased 9 acres from 870 in 2014 to 879 in 2014.



USDA 2015 Farms and Land in Farms Highlights

The number of farms in the United States for 2015 is estimated at 2.07 million, down 18 thousand farms from 2014. Total land in farms, at 912 million acres, decreased 1 million acres from 2014. The average farm size for 2015 is 441 acres, up 3 acres from the previous year.

Farm numbers and land in farms are differentiated by six economic sales classes. Farms and ranches are classified into these six sales classes by summing the sales of agricultural products and government program payments. Sales class breaks occur at $10,000, $100,000, $250,000, $500,000, and $1,000,000. Producers were asked during the 2015 mid-year surveys to report the value of sales based on production during the 2014 calendar year. Production or commodity price changes in 2014 resulted in the total value for most livestock and livestock products to increase while the value of most crops declined.

Point Farms are farms that did not have the required minimum $1,000 in sales for the year to qualify as a farm, but had sufficient crops and livestock to normally have sales of $1,000 or more. Point Farms are assigned a sales class based on the sum of the agricultural point (dollar) values assigned to the quantity of commodities produced, but not sold. The 2012 Census of Agriculture showed that 428,810 farms or 20.3 percent of the 2.11 million farms were Point Farms. These Point Farms operated 63.0 million acres or 6.9 percent of the 914.5 million acres of farmland.

Farm numbers decreased by 18 thousand farms during 2015. The number of farms in Sales Class $1,000 - $9,999 declined while all other sales classes increased slightly. Fifty percent of all farms had less than $10,000 in sales. Eighty percent of all farms had less than $100,000 in sales. Eight percent of all farms had sales of $500,000 or more. 

Changes in the number of farms by sales class are:
*    Sales Class $1,000 - $9,999 at 1.04 million farms, declined by 20 thousand farms.
*    Sales Class $10,000 - $99,999 at 623 thousand farms, increased by 4 hundred farms.
*    Sales Class $100,000 - $249,999 at 145 thousand farms, increased by 3 hundred farms.
*    Sales Class $250,000 - $499,999 at 98 thousand farms, increased by 8 hundred farms.
*    Sales Class $500,000 - $999,999 at 83 thousand farms, increased by 3 hundred farms.
*    Sales Class $1,000,000 or more at 83 thousand farms, increased by 3 hundred farms.

The percent of all farms by sales class are:
*    Sales Class $1,000 - $9,999: 50.1%
*    Sales Class $10,000 - $99,999: 30.1%
*    Sales Class $100,000 - $249,999: 7.0%
*    Sales Class $250,000 - $499,999: 4.7%
*    Sales Class $500,000 - $999,999: 4.0%
*    Sales Class $1,000,000 or more: 4.0%

Land in farms, at 912 million acres, was down 1 million acres from 2014. The biggest changes for 2015 are that producers with sales below $10,000 operated 2.92 million fewer acres and those in Sales Class $10,000-$99,999 operated 2.35 million fewer acres. Still, nearly 31 percent of all farmland was operated by farms with less than $100,000 in sales. Forty-one percent of all farmland was operated by farms with sales of $500,000 or more.

Farmland changes by sales class are:
*    Sales Class $1,000 - $9,999 at 87.9 million acres, declined by 2.92 million acres.
*    Sales Class $10,000 - $99,999 at 191.5 million acres, declined by 2.35 million acres.
*    Sales Class $100,000 - $249,999 at 130.8 million acres, increased by 1.85 million acres.
*    Sales Class $250,000 - $499,999 at 125.8 million acres, increased by 520 thousand acres.
*    Sales Class $500,000 - $999,999 at 156.4 million acres, increased by 330 thousand acres.
*    Sales Class $1,000,000 or more at 219.6 million acres, increased by 1.57 million acres.

Percent of all farmland by sales class are:
*    Sales Class $1,000 - $9,999: 9.6%
*    Sales Class $10,000 - $99,999: 21.0%
*    Sales Class $100,000 - $249,999: 14.3%
*    Sales Class $250,000 - $499,999: 13.8%
*    Sales Class $500,000 - $999,999: 17.1%
*    Sales Class $1,000,000 or more: 24.1%

The average farm size continued to increase in 2015 as the number of farms declined more than land in farms. The overall average size increased by 3 acres to 441 acres per farm. However, average farm sizes declined in all sales classes except $100,000-$249,000 and $1,000,000 or more.

Average farm size by sales class are:
*    Sales Class $1,000 - $9,999: 85 acres
*    Sales Class $10,000 - $99,999: 307 acres
*    Sales Class $100,000 - $249,999: 901 acres
*    Sales Class $250,000 - $499,999: 1,285 acres
*    Sales Class $500,000 - $999,999: 1,882 acres
*    Sales Class $1,000,000 or more: 2,662 acres 



Rural Mainstreet Economy Remains Very Weak:  More Than One-Third of Bankers Report Recession in Local Economy

While the Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index rose for February, it remains weak, according to the monthly survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region dependent on agriculture and/or energy.  

Overall: The Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI), which ranges between 0 and 100, increased to 37.0 from January’s 34.8. 

“This is the sixth straight month the overall index has moved below growth neutral. Recent declines are the result of lower agriculture and energy commodity prices and downturns in manufacturing. Since June of last year, prices for farm products have fallen by approximately 8 percent, and fuels by roughly 22 percent," said Ernie Goss, Jack A. MacAllister Chair in Regional Economics at Creighton University's Heider College of Business.

Only 8.7 percent of bank CEOs reported their local economy was expanding while approximately 36.9 percent indicated their local economy was in a recession.

Farming and ranching: The farmland and ranchland price index for February climbed to 29.8 from January’s 23.9. This is the 27th straight month the index has moved below growth neutral.

Bank CEOs reported an average annual cash rent for farmland, excluding pastureland, of $221.  This is down by approximately 15 percent from July 2015.

The February farm equipment-sales index climbed to 11.3 from January’s record low 7.0.  “The strong U.S. dollar and global economic weakness have pushed grain prices down by 11 percent and slaughter cattle prices are 22 percent lower over the past 12 months. These weaker prices have discouraged farmers from buying additional agriculture equipment and have negatively affected the agriculture equipment dealers and manufacturers in the region,” said Goss.

Iowa: The February RMI for Iowa advanced to 40.4 from January’s 38.2. Iowa’s farmland-price index for February increased to 45.9 from 36.0 in January. Iowa’s new-hiring index for February dipped to 54.5 from 55.1 in January.

Nebraska: The Nebraska RMI for February expanded to 37.0 from 35.0 in January. The state’s farmland-price index grew to 29.8 from January’s 19.8. Nebraska’s new-hiring index dipped to 48.6 from 49.2 in January.

Each month, community bank presidents and CEOs in nonurban agriculturally and energy-dependent portions of a 10-state area are surveyed regarding current economic conditions in their communities and their projected economic outlooks six months down the road. Bankers from Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming are included. The survey is supported by a grant from Security State Bank in Ansley, Neb.

This survey represents an early snapshot of the economy of rural agriculturally and energy-dependent portions of the nation. The Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) is a unique index covering 10 regional states, focusing on approximately 200 rural communities with an average population of 1,300. It gives the most current real-time analysis of the rural economy. Goss and Bill McQuillan, former chairman of the Independent Community Banks of America, created the monthly economic survey in 2005.



Dawn Klabenes Crowned Nebraska Dairy Princess

Dawn Klabenes, a 17-year-old from Chambers, Nebraska, was crowned the Nebraska Dairy Princess during the banquet at the annual Nebraska State Dairy Convention in Columbus tonight.

Dawn, daughter of Steve and Kerri Klabenes, will spend the year serving as a goodwill ambassador for Nebraska's dairy farmers. Throughout her year-long reign she will make public appearances to help people understand the dedication of dairy farm families to their cows, their land and the milk they produce.

Dawn is a student at Chambers Public School, and will graduate in May, 2016.  She is the third generation to live and work on her family’s dairy farm.

Marta Pulfer, 16, of Wayne, was named runner-up. She is the daughter of Kent and Jodi Pulfer and is a student at Wayne Senior High School.

Both the Nebraska Dairy Princess and runner-up will receive scholarships from Midwest Dairy Association.



REGISTRATION OPEN FOR NEBRASKA WINERY AND GRAPE GROWERS EVENT

    Registration is open for the 19th annual Nebraska Winery and Grape Growers Forum and Trade Show. The event will be March 3-5 at the Omaha Marriott, 10220 Regency Circle.

    State and national industry experts will be on hand to share advice on everything from growing grapes to marketing the wine they produce.

    Scheduled speakers include Tim Martinson of Cornell University, who will speak on viticulture; Michael Jones of Scott Labs, who will speak about sparkling wine, fortified wine and cider; and Dan McCole of Michigan State University, who will speak about branding for Midwest wines.

    In addition, Nebraska grape growers Scott Dvorak, Stefan Kegley and Gary Thompson, along with Wayne Peterson of Midwest Grower Supply, will provide practical perspectives on vineyard management and mechanization. Further insights into marketing and promotion will be presented by Maddie Hagger and Katrine Limseth of the Minnow Project.

    For more information and to register, visit http://viticulture.unl.edu.

    The event is presented by the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Viticulture Program, with assistance from the Nebraska Winery and Grape Growers Association.



IOWA 2015 CORN COUNTY ESTIMATES RELEASED

 Iowa’s West Central District was the largest corn producing district in 2015 with 383 million bushels according to estimates released by the USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service. The Northwest District was just 282,000 bushels behind the West Central District.

Kossuth County was the largest corn producing county with 62.2 million bushels produced. Pottawattamie, Sioux, Woodbury, and Crawford rounded out the top five. The only other counties that produced more than 40 million bushels were Webster and Plymouth.

Four of the five highest yielding counties were in Iowa’s Northwest District. Cherokee led all counties with a county-wide average of 209.6 bushels per acre. Pocahontas, O’Brien, Sac, and Osceola Counties rounded out the top five with yields all over 204 bushels. Twenty-two of the 99 counties surpassed the 200 bushel mark in 2015.

IOWA 2015 SOYBEAN COUNTY ESTIMATES
In 2015, fifty-three Iowa counties set record high soybean yields and 53 counties had record high production. Three counties produced over 10 million bushels, led by Kossuth County, with 13.5 million bushels. Plymouth (11.6 million) and Pottawattamie (11.3 million) also topped the 10 million bushel threshold. Sioux (9.8 million) and Woodbury (9.6 million) rounded out the top 5.

The highest yields were recorded in the three northern districts. Soybeans averaged 60.5 bushels per acre in the Northwest District, the only district to top the 60 bushel barrier. The three southern districts recorded the lowest yields. The South Central District, at 49.6 bushels per acre, was the only district that averaged below 50 bushels per acre. Statewide, 11 counties averaged over 60 bushels per acre, led by Sioux County at 64.1 bushels per acre. Cherokee (62.7), O’Brien (62.6), Lyon (61.1), and Scott (61.1) Counties rounded out the top 5. Yields of less than 50 bushels per acre were recorded in 12 counties. Clark County, at 41.3 bushels per acre, had the lowest yield in the State.



Nominations Open for Iowa Conservation Farmer of Year

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey Tuesday encouraged Iowans to nominate deserving farmers for the 2016 Iowa Conservation Farmer of the Year Award. The award is given out each year to one statewide winner who is making outstanding contributions towards soil conservation and water quality. The award is sponsored by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation.

"The award recognizes a farmer who has gone above and beyond in their conservation efforts. It is important that we recognize the continuous voluntary improvements made by all Iowa farmers and help raise awareness about the efforts by farmers to conserve our valuable soil and protect water quality," Northey said.

The statewide winner again this year will have free use of a John Deere 6D series utility tractor or its equivalent for up to 12 months (or up to 200 hours). The Van Wall Group and John Deere are providing the use of the tractor to the state winner.

To nominate a deserving farmer, the nominator needs to write a brief letter (100 words or less) and submit it to their local Soil and Water Conservation District (SWCD) office. Nominations must be submitted by June 5. Upon receipt of the nomination letter, the District will then help complete the full application.

The local SWCD will select one nomination to advance for consideration for the Conservation Districts of Iowa (CDI) Regional Conservation Award.

"Conservation of our land and water is something that all Iowans believe in, and through the Conservation Farmer of the Year award, more Iowans can learn about the continuous conservation progress being made by so many farmers today," said IFBF President Craig Hill.

The nine regional award winners will then be considered for the statewide Conservation Farmer of the Year award. Representatives from the Department, ISU Extension and Outreach, CDI, State Soil Conservation Committee, USDA NRCS and the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation serve on the award selection committee.

Farmers, farm managers, Certified Crop Advisors (CCAs), agribusiness and financial professionals, ag organizations, and other interested Iowans are encouraged to nominate deserving farmers.

The local SWCD office will have all the nomination details. A SWCD directory is available on the Department's website at www.IowaAgriculture.gov under "Hot Topics."

The winner will be honored Aug. 30 at the Conservation Districts of Iowa Annual meeting in Altoona.



Soy Checkoff Builds Demand for High Oleic Soybean Oil

High oleic soybeans are premium varieties that contain a more functional oil for end-use customers. The oil will allow U.S. soybean farmers to regain lost food-oil demand and expand into new markets. As part of its strategy to build demand for high oleic soybean oil, the soy checkoff educates the food industry on its nutritional and functionality benefits.

The checkoff recently partnered with two restaurants to test the oil in their kitchens, and after seeing the benefits firsthand, the chefs came away with a new appreciation – and preference – for it.

The chefs at Firebirds Wood Fired Grill, a chain with more than 35 restaurants; and The Inn at Virginia Tech, a conference and events facility, both saw improved fry life, less residual oil and better-tasting products when using high oleic soybean oil.

“From the minute you put the high oleic soybean oil in the fryer to the last time you use it, it produces food with a consistent rich color,” says Steve Sturm, corporate executive chef for Firebirds Wood Fired Grill.

The results of the case studies were overwhelmingly positive, and The Inn at Virginia Tech has committed to moving forward with high oleic soybean oil.

“These case studies verify the research that has been done on high oleic soybean oil and show its acceptance and success in the food industry,” says Jimmy Sneed, Mississippi farmer and Oil Target Area coordinator for the soy checkoff. “The chefs saw how the innovative technology offers solutions to trans fats and other issues.”

The Inn at Virginia Tech also sees an important advantage in using a domestically produced product.

“As a land-grant university, we appreciate that high oleic soybeans are produced right here in U.S. fields,” says Max Kiebach, director of food and beverage at The Inn at Virginia Tech.

In order for more restaurants to make the switch to high oleic soybean oil, they need to see that farmers can grow an abundant supply of these premium soybeans. High oleic varieties will be available in Nebraska for the first time in 2016, and farmers are looking forward to the opportunity.

“The genetics in these soybeans will allow them to yield as well as other varieties we’re already growing,” says Gregg Fujan, soy checkoff farmer-leader and Weston, Nebraska, farmer. “Farmers who have been planting high oleic varieties in the eastern Corn Belt have seen consistent yields similar to elite genetics they currently plant.”

To learn more about high oleic soybeans, visit SoyInnovation.com.



Lawsuit Filed over New Gulf Rule, as Anticipated

The Center for Food Safety, commercial fishing and conservation groups have filed a lawsuit against National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) against the new Gulf of Mexico Fisheries Rule, which creates a permitting process for offshore aquaculture in the Gulf. American Soybean Association (ASA) has strongly supported the finalization of the rule.

The final regulation comes 10 years in the making and would allow up to 20 aquaculture facilitates to yield over 60 million pounds of fish a year, within the Gulf of Mexico. In the lawsuit, the groups list concerns including the farmed fish escaping the aquaculture facilities and changing the wild fish populations, spreading disease and polluting the environment with excess feed, waste and chemicals.

“Offshore industrial aquaculture will cause irreparable harm to the Gulf ecosystems and coastal communities,” said George Kimbrell, senior attorney for the group, which is pursuing the suit with 11 other organizations, including the Gulf Fishermen’s Association, Gulf of Mexico Reef Fish Shareholders’ Alliance, Clearwater Marine Association, Florida Wildlife Federation and Food and Water Watch.

According to the United Nations, even though the U.S. has the largest sea area, more than 90 percent of the United States seafood is imported; leaving a $14 billion deficit. The world is now eating more farmed fish than wild catches, according to the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization in Rome.



El Nino Weakens Slightly

(AP) -- Meteorologists see signs that the super El Nino is weakening ever so slightly, but they caution months will pass before people in the Americas will feel it.

The World Meteorological Organization said Thursday that El Nino has passed its peak based on specific temperature, wind, and atmospheric pressure conditions.

That's technically true, but Michelle L'Heureux, lead El Nino forecaster for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Climate Prediction Center, said there's a few months lag time before the changes affect the Americas.

El Nino is the occasional but natural warming of the central tropical Pacific which, along with changes in the atmosphere, alters weather patterns worldwide. It often brings more rain to California and parts of the U.S. West and South, warms temperatures globally a bit, and causes droughts elsewhere in the world.

In December and January, El Nino measurements showed it tied 1997-1998 for the strongest since records started being kept in 1950.

"It's still strong, but it has reached a peak value and it's starting its decline," said University of Oklahoma meteorology professor Jason Furtado. "It's still there; it's not like we don't have El Nino anymore. We can still expect (El Nino) like conditions in March and April and even into May, as well."

Mike Halpert, deputy director of the climate prediction center, said this El Nino hasn't brought drought-struck California as much moisture as previous strong El Ninos, but there are still two months to go to get significant rainfall.

With El Nino still kicking, NOAA forecast a spring that's wetter than normal throughout the South, much of the West and part of the East. Only the Great Lakes region and Pacific Northwest are forecast to be dry. It also predicts warmer than usual weather along the entire West Coast and most of the country north of Colorado, Missouri and Tennessee, with only Texas, parts of Oklahoma and New Mexico cooler than normal.

The International Research Institute at Columbia University forecast that once this El Nino fades, there's a 50 percent chance it will be followed directly by El Nino's flip side, a La Nina. La Nina often means droughts in parts of the Great Plains and Southwest with more rain in the Northwest. La Ninas often mean warmer winters in the Southeast and cooler winters in the Northwest.



Commodity Classic “Jazzed” to Welcome Agriculture Secretary

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack will make his seventh visit to Commodity Classic, the nation’s largest farmer-led, farmer-focused convention and trade show. Secretary Vilsack will deliver a keynote address to several thousand farmers and ag allies during the event’s General Session, to be held Friday, March 4, in New Orleans, Louisiana.

“Secretary Vilsack continues to be a strong voice for farmers and ranchers, and we are jazzed to welcome him back to Commodity Classic,” said National Corn Growers Association President Chip Bowling. “Secretary Vilsack brings a thoughtful perspective on the top policy issues affecting the ag industry. We are especially eager to hear from him about the new Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement and how that will impact farmers, ranchers, and the rural economy.”

“Commodity Classic is a wonderful opportunity for Secretary Vilsack to get his message out directly to thousands of farmers, but also to hear from them directly during the convention and trade show,” said American Soybean Association President Richard Wilkins. “We are grateful for his leadership and advocacy, and the audience always looks forward to his insights.”

Secretary Vilsack was appointed by President Barack Obama as the 30th Secretary of the U.S. Department of Agriculture and took office in January 2009. He is the fourth-longest serving Secretary of Agriculture in U.S. history. Previously, Vilsack served two terms as governor of Iowa.



USDA Expands Insurance Options for Farmers Transitioning to Certified Organic Agriculture

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today announced a new step to support farmers transitioning to certified organic production, by expanding a crop insurance option to allow producers to purchase insurance coverage that better reflects their product's actual value. The expanded coverage is part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA) continued commitment to provide farmers with resources and tools to meet the growing demand for certified organic products. The Secretary made the announcement at the White House during remarks to participants at the USDA Market Summit.

"Consumer demand for organic products continues to increase and the industry has experienced remarkable growth, representing more than $39 billion in U.S. retail sales," said Vilsack. "This growth creates opportunities for farmers and businesses across the country. Expanding the safety net for farmers wanting to enter the organic market ensures they have the tools and resources they need to meet this growing demand while protecting their operation."

The organic sector is growing, and certified organic products often return higher profits for farmers. It can take producers three years, however, to transition from conventional to certified organic production. Previously, producers of transitional crops were only able to insure them at the same price as a conventional producer. But today's announcement enables producers to insure transitional crops to their contract price (within approved limits).

Producers transitioning to certified organic production can now use the Contract Price Addendum to cover their crops at a higher price than traditional crops. The Contract Price Addendum allows farmers transitioning to organic production to insure certain crops at their contract price rather than the published U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Risk Management Agency (RMA) price election.

RMA has also expanded organic premium price elections to 57 crops, up from four in 2011, providing organic producers the option to protect their 2016 crops closer to the market value. Barley, rice and wheat are among the crops for which organic price elections have been added. New additions for 2017 will include grapefruit, lemons and oranges.

For example, under the Contract Price Addendum, a producer in Nebraska can use a contract price for millet up to a maximum of $7.34 per bushel (for transitional) or $8.44 (for certified organic production), as opposed to using the existing RMA price elections of $3.67 (for transitional) or $4.22 (for certified organic production). A Contract Price Addendum fact sheet is available online at http://go.usa.gov/cyFGR.

Since 2009, USDA has strengthened programs that support organic producers as they grow, thrive and respond to increasing consumer demand for organic products. Last year, USDA reported that U.S. certified and exempt organic farms sold a total of $5.5 billion in organic products in 2014, up 72 percent since 2008. The U.S. retail market for organic products is valued at more than $39 billion, and in 2014 there were 19,474 certified USDA organic operations in the United States, representing nearly a 250 percent increase since 2002. Worldwide, in 2014 there were nearly 28,000 certified organic operations in more than 120 different countries. More information about USDA's support under this Administration for organic producers and businesses can be found at www.usda.gov/results.

Crop insurance is sold and delivered solely through private crop insurance agents. Contact a local crop insurance agent for more information about the program. A list of crop insurance agents is available at all USDA Service Centers or online at www.rma.usda.gov/tools/agent.html.

The sales closing date is the last day to buy a new policy or change an existing policy's coverage level. Producers can find sales closing dates for the crops in their states by referring to RMA's regional office state directory. Current policyholders also have until the sales closing date to make any changes to their existing contracts.

A list of commodities eligible for the Contract Price addendum is available online at www.rma.usda.gov/news/currentissues/organics/cpa_eligibility.html.



Vilsack on New Biobased Laundry Detergent

Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today issued the following statement on news that Proctor & Gamble’s Tide detergent will soon release Tide PurClean, a recently “certified biobased” product through USDA’s BioPreferred Program:

“Biobased products pump $369 billion into the U.S. economy each year and support 4 million jobs, directly and indirectly, in rural and small towns across the United States. At the same time, biobased products help us reduce our consumption of petroleum by focusing instead on renewable resources. Everything from plastics and packaging, to cross-laminated timber for residential and commercial building, to textiles, are part of today’s biobased economy, benefitting farmers, ranchers, producers and working families in America’s rural communities. I applaud Proctor & Gamble for integrating renewable materials into Tide detergent, a classic, everyday American product that now carries the USDA Certified Biobased label. American families want to invest their hard-earned dollars in products that are good for them, the environment and our economy, and that's why USDA's BioPreferred program has continued to grow by leaps and bounds, with a catalog of more than 2,500 biobased products today. The USDA Certified Biobased label and USDA’s BioPreferred program help consumers make informed decisions about their purchases, giving them assurances that their product was made using renewable materials, such as plants or forestry materials. Proctor & Gamble’s commitment to these standards is encouraging for the growing biobased sector, and we anticipate greater interest in the BioPreferred program as a result.”

To learn more about USDA’s BioPreferred Program and what it means to be certified biobased, read our fact sheet or visit www.biopreferred.gov.



 Syngenta cautions Great Plains corn growers against overreliance on 2015 results for 2016 plans

After favorable weather helped produce above average corn yields in Nebraska, Kansas, and Colorado in 2015, favorable early season moisture is providing optimism for good performance again in 2016. Regional Syngenta agronomists caution growers to prepare for unpredictable conditions next season by utilizing genetic diversity.

“The hybrids that thrived in 2015’s weather might not be the same ones that thrive in 2016,” said Blake Mumm, product development agronomist at Syngenta. “As we all know, Mother Nature always has something unexpected up her sleeve, so it’s a good idea to be prepared for anything.”

Syngenta offers a broad portfolio of Golden Harvest® Corn hybrids tailored to different environments, soil types and growing conditions. Some key hybrids for area growers to consider for 2016 include:

    G07F23-3111 brand: With moderate plant stature and excellent stalk strength for late-season standability, G07F23-3111 brand has the Agrisure Viptera® trait, making for high-quality grain.

    G13N18-3111 brand: G13N18-3111 brand has solid performance in variable soil types, as well as rapid drydown to ease harvesting. A report from Kenesaw, Nebraska, found G13N18-3111 brand yielding as high as 230 bu/A with noticeably less insect damage and higher-quality grain as a result of Agrisure Viptera, the best above-ground trait in the industry.

    G14R38-3000GT brand: Excellent for continuous corn acres, G14R38-3000GT brand has superb root strength and proven stalk strength, as well as strong emergence and excellent seedling vigor. “Getting into the combine and seeing 285 bushels per acre (bu/A) on the yield monitor can really make you happy,” said Dan Kristensen, a grower and Syngenta Seed Advisor™ in Minden, Nebraska.

“With Golden Harvest Corn, we aim to help growers achieve high yields by placing hybrids matched to their fields,” said Tim O’Brien, Ph.D., Golden Harvest Corn product manager at Syngenta. “By using a unique pool of corn genetics – and adding breakthrough traits and technologies – the diverse Syngenta portfolio of hybrids provides growers options to unleash the potential of each field and finish with strong yields year in and year out.”