Tuesday March 8 Ag News

Nebraska BQA and the Veterinary Feed Directive

Nebraska Extension and Beef Quality Assurance will be offering BQA Certification and Veterinary Feed Directive Informational Meetings for beef producers.
The dates and locations include:
 ·    Wednesday, March 30, 9:00-11:00 A.M., West Point, Cuming County Courthouse
 ·    Wednesday, March 30, 2:00-4:00 P.M., Wayne, Fire Hall

Rob Eirich, Nebraska Director of BQA and local Nebraska Extension Beef Educators will be presenting BQA Best Management Practices, Animal Health Stewardship and the new Veterinary Feed Directive.  Beef Cattle Producers are committed to producing a quality, wholesome and safe beef product for consumers.  These meetings will update producers on implementing BQA practices and help prepare them for the VFD Regulations beginning January 2017.

All producers are invited to attend these free meetings. The meetings will also be a Beef Quality Assurance (BQA) Certification for those producers needing certification or recertification. There is a $20 fee for those wanting to become BQA certified/recertified, which is good for a two year time period.  The meetings will have additional local support from private industry that will be mentioned during the meetings.

For more information contact Larry Howard, Nebraska Extension Educator in Cuming County at 402.372.6006 or LHOWARD1@unl.edu or Rob Eirich, Nebraska Director of Beef Quality Assurance at 308.632.1230 or reirich2@unl.edu.



Cuming County 4-H Beef Preview

The 41st annual Cuming County 4-H Beef Preview will be held Saturday, April 16 at the Cuming County Fairgrounds in West Point.  The show gives 4-H youth a chance to exhibit the progress of their beef projects.  The show is sponsored by the Cuming County Livestock Feeders Association and Nebraska Extension in Cuming County.

According to Extension Educator, Larry Howard, events at the preview show will include showmanship, breeding heifers, market heifers and market steers.  Breeding classes will include Angus, Charolais, Chianina, Gelbvieh, Hereford, Limousin, Maine Anjou, Shorthorn and Simmental.  There is also a class for commercial breeding heifers.

Aksel Wiseman from Lincoln NE will be the judge of the show.

All projects must weigh-in and check-in on Saturday from 7:30-8:30 a.m.  The show will begin at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 16.

The show is open to 4-H members from Cuming, Burt, Colfax, Dakota, Dodge, Stanton, Thurston, Washington, Wayne, Douglas and Sarpy counties.

For additional information, contact the Cuming County Extension office at 402-372-6006.



Ricketts Announces National Ag Week Fly Around

Today, Governor Pete Ricketts and Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) Director Greg Ibach announced the scheduled stops and activities they will be facilitating next week to celebrate National Ag Week in Nebraska.  The Governor and representatives from key agriculture groups will be visiting Hastings, McCook, Falls City, and Omaha during a fly around scheduled for Monday, March 14, 2016.  National Ag Week is celebrated from March 13-19, 2016.

“This is a great way to help our farmers, ranchers, and the entire agribusiness community highlight National Ag Week in Nebraska,” said Governor Ricketts.  “Agriculture is fundamental to our state.  It is the heart and soul of who we are.  I encourage all Nebraskans to take time next week to show our appreciation.”

In addition to Director Ibach, Gov. Ricketts will be joined by Nebraska State Senator Jerry Johnson, who is chair of the Ag Committee, Nebraska Farm Bureau President Steve Nelson, and Nebraska Cattlemen President Barb Cooksley.

Director Ibach said the stops that are scheduled will highlight the important connection between our farms and ranches and businesses on main streets across the state.

“Our rural and urban communities are tied through the important economic activity that begins on our farms and ranches,” said Director Ibach.  “The National Ag Week celebration is about livestock and crop production, but also about the technology, marketing, processing, and infrastructure that go with it.  Together, these drive our economy.”

Gov. Ricketts said the group will use the stops to briefly talk about property tax relief, the importance of protecting Nebraska agriculture, livestock and value-added agriculture development, international trade, trade policy such as the Trans Pacific Partnership, and agriculture education.  The Governor will also unveil the 2016 edition of the Nebraska Agriculture and You magazine.

Ibach said NDA has a series of activities planned for National Ag Week, including a social media campaign and elementary school classroom visits for agriculture education activities.

The public is invited to the first three events, although RSVPs are requested for the McCook stop by calling the McCook Chamber of Commerce at 308-345-3200.  The stops include the following locations:
·       Hastings – Prairie Loft Center, 9 a.m.
·       McCook – Red Willow County Fairgrounds Community Building, 11:30 a.m. RSVP required.
·       Falls City – Richardson County Courthouse, District Courtroom, 3 p.m., Livestock Friendly County designation
·       Omaha – Omaha Agribusiness Club Annual Banquet, 6:30 p.m.; Governor to give keynote address; ticketed event.

Nebraskans with questions about the fly around are welcome to contact the Governor’s Office at 402-471-2244 or pete.ricketts@nebraska.gov.



Nebraska Cattlemen Hire Jessica Herrmann as Director of Legal and Regulatory Affairs

Nebraska Cattlemen is pleased to announce the selection of Jessica Herrmann as Director of Legal and Regulatory Affairs. Herrmann graduated from the University Of Nebraska College Of Law in 2008 obtaining her Juris Doctor. Previously she worked as the Director of Legislative Outreach & Research for the Platte Institute for Economic Research in Omaha, Nebraska.

“I'm very excited to bring my federal experience working on agriculture, environment, and natural resource regulation and policy back to my home state and to Nebraska Cattlemen,” said Herrmann.

“Jessica was selected from a talented pool of applicants.  Jessica brings strong experience focused on agricultural and environmental issues at the federal level from having worked for Senator Mike Crapo of Idaho, member of the Environment & Public Works, Banking, Budget, Finance, and Indian Affairs committees.” confirms Executive Vice President, Pete McClymont

Herrmann obtains over 10 years of experience in state and federal public policy and advocacy and is also a member of the Nebraska State Bar Association. After spending 6 years in DC working on Capitol Hill she recently moved back to Nebraska and currently resides in Omaha with her husband.



Modifying Different Components of Distillers Grains and the Impact on Feedlot Performance Summarized by Meredith Bremer, Nebraska Extension Beef Systems Educator

The composition of distillers grain fed to feedlot cattle today may differ from what has been fed in the past. This change is due to technology advancements in ethanol production and the increased value of certain ethanol byproducts such as corn oil. A change in the composition of distillers grains could affect the percent inclusion in the feedlot diet and the resulting cattle performance.

Also, an increasing interest in corn residues and the treatment of corn residues with calcium oxide due to high corn prices in recent history has led Pellet Technology USA (Gretna, NE) to develop a pellet that is comprised of distillers grain and calcium oxide treated corn stover to replace corn in finishing beef cattle diets. It has been found that pelleted corn residue and distillers grains can replace up to 20% of corn in a diet that contains 40% modified distillers grains plus solubles without hurting cattle performance

Researchers from UNL wanted to answer two questions in the following summarized study. First, they wanted to determine if replacing dry distillers grains plus solubles (DDGS) with isolated corn bran plus solubles results in similar feedlot cattle performance. They also wanted determine if replacing isolated bran from the distillers grain industry with calcium oxide treated corn stover results in similar cattle performance.

DDGS-BASED DIET vs. ISOLATED CORN BRAN AND SOLUBLES
Replacing DDGS with isolated corn bran plus soubles does not result in similar feedlot cattle performance. Final body weight (1442 vs. 1373 lbs.), dry matter intake (28.4 vs. 27.4 lbs.), and average daily gains (4.17 vs. 3.72 lbs.) were higher in steers fed DDGS compared to corn bran plus solubles. Hot carcass weights (909 vs. 865 lbs.) and 12th rib fat measurements (0.63 vs. 0.60 in.) were also greater in the DDGS fed cattle.

ISOLATED CORN BRAN PLUS SOLUBLES vs. CALCIUM OXIDE TREATED CORN STOVER
No differences in final body weights or average daily gains were reported between steers in these two treatments. However, feeding calcium oxide treated corn stover resulted in increased intakes and thus these steers were 5.9% less efficient than steers fed isolated corn bran plus solubles. No differences in hot carcass weights, longissimus muscle areas, or marbling scores existed between treatments, but steers fed treated corn stover did not have as much fat cover over the 12th rib compared to the steers fed isolated corn bran (0.54 vs. 0.60 in.).

PELLETED TREATED CORN STOVER vs. UNPELLETED TREATED CORN STOVER
No significant treatment differences existed for final body weight, average daily gain, feed efficiency, or carcass characteristics when comparing steers fed the pelleted treated corn stover treatment versus the unpelleted treated corn stover treatment. However, steers fed the pelleted treatment had a reduced dry matter intake compared to steers fed the unpelleted treatment.

SUMMARY
The results of this study (2016 Nebraska Beef Cattle Report, pg. 128-131) suggest that replacing bran isolated from the distillers grain with calcium oxide treated corn stover increases intakes and will also decreasing feed efficiency and 12th rib fat thickness. When the treated corn stover was pelleted and compared to the unpelleted form, intakes were decreased though feed efficiency and carcass characteristics were unaffected. Feeding DDGS increased final body weights, average daily gains, dry matter intakes, hot carcass weights, and 12th rib fat thickness measurements compared to corn based diets.



Nebraska Soybean Board Research Advisory Committee Meeting and March Board of Directors Meeting

The Nebraska Soybean Board will meet March 22 and 23, 2016, at the Country Inn & Suites, 5353 N. 27th, Lincoln, NE. The Research Advisory Committee meeting will begin March 22, at 8:30 a.m. and end at 11:30 a.m. The Board of Directors regular business meeting will come to order at 12:30 p.m. On Wednesday, March 23rd the meeting resumes at 7:00 a.m. and adjourns at 2:30 p.m.

The Board business items will include: the selection of FY17 research projects and program updates. A complete agenda for the public meeting is available for inspection on the Nebraska Soybean Board website at www.nebraskasoybeans.org. 



NE Corn Board to Meet

The Nebraska Corn Board will hold its next meeting on Monday, April 4 at UNL East Campus to hear updates on proposed research projects and Tuesday, April 5 at Embassy Suites, 1040 P Street, Lincoln, Nebraska.

The Board will address regular board business on Tuesday and is open to the public, providing the opportunity for public comment. A copy of the agenda is available by writing the Nebraska Corn Board, PO Box 95107, Lincoln, NE 68509, emailing ncb.info@nebraska.gov or calling either 402/471-2676 or 800-NECORN1.



Checkoff Research Helps Open Motor Oil Market to High Oleic Soy

The sustainability of U.S. soybeans has led to a new market opportunity for the very farmers who grow them.

Renewable chemical manufacturer Biosynthetic Technologies recently leveraged U.S. soybean farmer dollars into government funding it will use to build a facility to make motor oil out of high oleic soybean oil.

With a $100 million loan pledge recently secured from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Biosynthetic Technologies plans to break ground on its first manufacturing facility, which will be capable of producing 20 million gallons of biosynthetic base oil each year. This opportunity could be just a start as the company could later add multiple facilities in North America and around the globe. The soy-based motor oil could be available for purchase in as little as three years.

“It’s gratifying to see soy used in industrial applications, and to see checkoff-funded research leveraged into a significant commitment from the USDA,” says Lewis Bainbridge, South Dakota soybean farmer and soy checkoff farmer-leader. “From the application process to research, it’s been exciting to see a checkoff investment help validate a good product and get it closer it to the marketplace.”

Based on projections, within five years U.S. soybean farmers could see up to 1 billion pounds of high oleic soybean oil being utilized annually for industrial uses.

High oleic soybeans produce oil that is more stable at higher temperatures, making it well suited to certain industrial applications with exposure to high heat. American Petroleum Institute (API) certification verifies the biosynthetic motor oil passed the rigorous standards required for motor oil use, clearing the way for use by motor oil manufacturers. Checkoff funding helped Biosynthetic Technologies achieve API certification.

“The paths to approval, and to our new manufacturing plant, were enabled in large part to support from the soy checkoff,” says Greg Blake, Biosynthetic Technologies senior vice president of public and government relations. “This is a huge win for consumers and U.S. agriculture alike.”

According to Blake, users can count on the soy-based, renewable biosynthetic motor oil to perform on par with petroleum motor oils and for a comparable cost. The lubricant also meets Environmental Protection Agency stipulations for biodegradability, aquatic toxicity and buildup. These attributes will help it gain demand among end users, with whom sustainability continues to become more important.



United States and Canadian Cattle Inventory Up 3 Percent

All cattle and calves in the United States and Canada combined totaled 104 million head on January 1, 2016, up 3 percent from the 101 million head on January 1, 2015. All cows and heifers that have calved, at 44.4 million head, were up 2 percent from a year ago.

All cattle and calves in the United States as of January 1, 2016, totaled 92.0 million head, 3 percent above the 89.1 million head on January 1, 2015. All cows and heifers that have calved, at 39.6 million head, were up 3 percent from a year ago.

All cattle and calves in Canada as of January 1, 2016, totaled 12.0 million head, up slightly from the 11.9 million on January 1, 2015. All cows and heifers that have calved, at 4.79 million, were up slightly from a year ago.



United States and Canadian Hog Inventory Up 1 Percent

United States and Canadian inventory of all hogs and pigs for December 2015 was 81.6 million head. This was up 1 percent from December 2014, and up 5 percent from December 2013. The breeding inventory, at 7.24 million head, was up 1 percent from a year ago and up 4 percent from 2013. Market hog inventory, at 74.3 million head, was up 1 percent from last year and up 5 percent from 2013. The semi-annual pig crop, at 75.4 million head, was up 1 percent from 2014 and up 5 percent from 2013. Sows farrowing during this period totaled 7.11 million head, down 2 percent from last year but up 3 percent from 2013.

United States inventory of all hogs and pigs on December 1, 2015 was 68.3 million head. This was up 1 percent from December 1, 2014 and up slightly from September 1, 2015. The breeding inventory, at 6.00 million head, was up 1 percent from last year and up slightly from the previous quarter. Market hog inventory, at 62.3 million head, was up 1 percent from last year, and up slightly from last quarter. The pig crop, at 30.3 million head, was down 1 percent from 2014 but up 7 percent from 2013. Sows farrowing during this period totaled 2.88 million head, down 4 percent from 2014 but up 3 percent from 2013. 

Canadian inventory of all hogs and pigs on January 1, 2016 was 13.3 million head. This was up 1 percent from January 1, 2015 and up 2 percent from January 1, 2014. The breeding inventory, at 1.24 million head, was up 2 percent from last year and up 2 percent from 2014. Market hog inventory, at 12.0 million head, was up 1 percent from last year and up 2 percent from 2014. The semi-annual pig crop, at 14.5 million head, was up 6 percent from 2015 and up 7 percent from 2014. Sows farrowing during this period totaled 1.29 million head, up 4 percent from last year and up 4 percent from 2014.



United States and Canadian Sheep Inventory Up Slightly
All sheep and lambs in the United States and Canada combined totaled 6.15 million head on January 1, 2016, up slightly from the 6.12 million on January 1, 2015. Breeding sheep, at 4.60 million head, were up slightly from a year ago and market sheep and lambs, at 1.55 million head, were up slightly from last year.

All sheep and lambs in the United States as of January 1, 2016, totaled 5.32 million head, 1 percent above the 5.28 million head on January 1, 2015. Breeding sheep, at 3.97 million head, were up 1 percent from a year ago, while market sheep and lambs, at 1.36 million head, were up 1 percent from last year.

All sheep and lambs in Canada as of January 1, 2016, totaled 829 thousand head, down 2 percent from last year's number of 844 thousand. Breeding sheep, at 634 thousand head, were down 1 percent from last year. Market sheep and lambs, at 195 thousand head, were down 3 percent from a year ago.



EIA Boosts Ethanol Production Outlook

In its latest Short-term Energy Outlook released Tuesday, March 8, the Energy Information Administration revised slightly higher its forecast for ethanol production for this year while maintaining its previous outlook for demand.

EIA said ethanol production averaged an estimated 966,000 barrels per day (bpd) in 2015, 1,000 bpd higher than the prior month outlook, and is forecast "to average slightly more than that level in both 2016 and 2017."

The agency repeated that ethanol consumption in 2015 averaged 910,000 bpd, while reiterating its forecast for demand to average more than 920,000 bpd in both 2016 and 2017.

"This level of consumption results in the ethanol share of the total gasoline pool averaging 10% in both 2016 and 2017. EIA does not expect significant increases in E15 or E85 consumption over the forecast period," states the outlook.



NCGA Yield Contest Offers Tips from Top Growers
   
The National Corn Growers Association released a video last week offering tips from perennial high-yield entrants of the National Corn Yield Contest during a breakfast at Commodity Classic in New Orleans honoring the state winners of the 2015 contest. The new video, which accompanies the traditional online NCYC Guide, offers farmers across the country a chance to apply the tips learned through the contest to their own operations to improve their yields and their bottom line.

To view the video, click here... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYqmy-amEs4. 

"The contest not only affords an opportunity for farmers to test their skill against their peers, it also provides NCGA with a significant amount of information about cutting-edge production practices that all farmers might find useful," said NCGA Production and Stewardship Chair Brent Hostetler. "NCGA has always looked for new and innovative ways to use this data, sharing the lessons learned with corn farmers. The video provides a quick, simple way for interested farmers to discover new ideas that might work for them."

The National Corn Yield Contest is now in its 51st year and remains NCGA's most popular program for members. Participation in the contest remained strong in 2015 with 7,729 entries received.

For more than half of a century, NCGA's National Corn Yield Contest has provided corn growers the opportunity to compete with their colleagues to grow the most corn per acre, helping feed and fuel the world. This has given participants not only the recognition they deserved, but the opportunity to learn from their peers.



Fertilizer Prices Mixed

Some retail fertilizer prices are continuing to slip lower, but others have reversed course the first week of March, according to fertilizer retailers surveyed by DTN. This falls in line with reports of higher wholesale prices in recent weeks and signs the trend is spreading to the retail fertilizer market.

For the first time in many months, some fertilizers showed higher prices in DTN's weekly survey. Three fertilizers had higher prices, but none of these were up any significant amount.

Urea averaged $374 per ton, 10-34-0 $566/ton and UAN32 $309/ton.

The remaining five fertilizers dipped lower, but again the move was slight. DAP averaged $476/ton, MAP $492/ton, potash $373/ton, anhydrous $537/ton and UAN28 $260/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was $0.41/lb.N, anhydrous $0.33/lb.N, UAN28 $0.47/lb.N and UAN32 $0.48/lb.N.

Despite the recent price shuffle, all fertilizers remain double digits lower compared to a year ago. The smallest change is with 10-34-0, now down 10%.

DAP is now 16% lower, UAN32 17% less expensive and MAP 18% lower from a year earlier. In addition, both urea and UAN28 are 21% less expensive while both potash and anhydrous are 24% lower compared to a year earlier.



U.S. Ag Coalition Hopes to Open Trade Lines With Cuba

Agriculture leaders representing America's grain farmers and ag equipment manufacturers expressed their passion for overcoming obstacles to restore agricultural trade with Cuba during a U.S. Agriculture Coalition for Cuba (USACC) event at Commodity Classic. Ron Suppes, a wheat farmer from Dighton, Kan., and past chairman of U.S. Wheat Associates, spoke on behalf of Kansas wheat farmers at the event.

"Trade between Cuba and the U.S. is a win-win situation primarily because of the close proximity to one another," said Suppes. "Fifty years is a long time. It is time to drop the embargo."

USACC members also spoke about the need to lift barriers with Cuba that will allow more U.S. commodities and other agricultural products to be imported by Cuba.

Supporters say Cuba is a logical market for U.S. food and agriculture exports with 11 million consuming citizens only 90 miles off the coast of the United States.

Normalizing trade relations between the United States and Cuba will enhance Cuban citizens' access to affordable food while providing the U.S. farm and business community with new market access opportunities.



Ethanol Trade Groups Commend Administration for Swift Action on China AD/CVD Case

Last week, in response to the People’s Republic of China’s issuance of the preliminary sampling results and related issues pursuant to the antidumping and countervailing duty cases against the U.S. distiller’s dried grains (DDG) industry, Growth Energy and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) sent a letter to President Obama urging his administration to take swift action to “mount an aggressive defense of our access to the Chinese livestock feed market.”

In less than a week, the office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) as well as the Department of Commerce contacted the appropriate Chinese officials, expressing their concern over the process and sampling methodology utilized in selecting U.S. companies for participation in the antidumping and countervailing duty cases.

Following the decisive response by the administration, Growth Energy and RFA praised the administration for action to defend the U.S. DDG industry.

Tom Buis, co-chair of Growth Energy noted, “I would like to commend President Obama and his administration for taking immediate action to protect the U.S distiller’s grains industry. The simple fact is that there is no reason the People’s Republic of China should file a case like this – it is counterproductive, disrupts trade and produces uncertainty throughout the domestic ethanol industry. Growth Energy and its members are grateful for the position this administration has taken to ensure that unnecessary trade restrictions such as this anti-dumping and countervailing duty case are resolved as quickly as possible.”

“I congratulate and appreciate the administration for getting involved in this crucial issue,” said RFA President and CEO Bob Dinneen. “I am glad both the United States Trade Representative and the Department of Commerce are recognizing the urgent need to address our concerns. I look forward to a quick resolution of these cases and returning to fair trade of the U.S. distillers dried grains industry.”



NMPF Board Endorses Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement

The National Milk Producers Federation voted Tuesday to support the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement, an historic pact between 12 countries containing features that will help America’s dairy farmers in the future.  The organization is now urging Congress to pass the agreement this year, even as it also registered concerns with another major trade pact being negotiated with Europe.

In addition to adopting a resolution of support for TPP, the NMPF board expressed its opposition today to moving forward with the U.S.-EU Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) in light of Europe’s continued refusal to remove barriers to U.S. dairy exports.

“Taken in its entirety, the TPP agreement is positive for the U.S. dairy industry,” said Jim Mulhern, president and CEO of NMPF.  “Although it achieves less than we wanted in terms of throwing open new markets in Japan and Canada, I am particularly pleased that we did not concede to a huge surge in new imports.” NMPF’s position reflects a detailed assessment of the entire package conducted by the staffs of both NMPF and the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC).

The TPP agreement also contains important provisions designed “to knock down other trade barriers, such as food safety disputes, and to challenge the growing number of restrictions limiting trade of foods with commonly-used names such as parmesan,” Mulhern said.

Despite its endorsement, in order to make sure that U.S. dairy farmers and exporters receive the full benefit of the package, NMPF said U.S. government agencies must take concrete steps to ensure the diligent enforcement of the agreement’s provisions with America’s trading partners. The NMPF resolution also urged the U.S. to establish proper enforcement measures regarding access granted to the domestic market, and monitor compliance with those measures after the TPP is implemented.

The board also formally registered its view that given the lack of significant export inroads in the agreement, the TPP market access package should not be used as a template for future U.S. trade agreements.

NMPF’s board weighed several factors in making its decision to support the TPP agreement.  Among these were:
·         The net effect on the U.S. dairy industry of all TPP market access concessions is expected to be neutral to slightly positive, with the most notable U.S. export gains coming in Canada and Japan, along with somewhat smaller increases in new imports.
·         There is the potential for the agreement to expand over time to include additional participants in Asia, particularly nations that currently – or will soon – have trade agreements with major dairy competitors. It is imperative that the U.S. remain a key player in the region as its works to expand future U.S. exports.
·         In the areas of sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) provisions, the TPP features groundbreaking new commitments that should help keep in check the possibility for participating countries to erode existing and future market access for U.S. dairy exporters through unjustified regulatory determinations.
·         The TPP contains new Geographical Indications (GI) provisions establishing a more equitable international model on registering GIs for food. The text does not directly block the EU from inappropriately restricting the use of common food names important to global trade, but it does significantly strengthen the ability for the U.S. to combat barriers when they arise, thereby helping preserve market access opportunities for U.S. companies.

At the same time it voted to support the TPP, the NMPF board also went on record to oppose any further advancement of the U.S.-EU Transatlantic Trade and Investment Partnership (TTIP) negotiations that does not include fully addressing U.S. dairy export concerns related to SPS, TBT and common name issues.

Mulhern indicated that at the present time, “the negotiations have not demonstrated concrete progress towards addressing food safety challenges and other non-tariff trade barriers. In addition, we remain extremely concerned” about the EU’s efforts to claw back common food names for its members.  The failure to resolve these issues in the TTIP “would exacerbate the existing U.S. dairy trade deficit with the EU of over $1 billion,” Mulhern said.



ASGROW BRAND ROUNDUP READY 2 XTEND SOYBEANS DEBUT ON FARM

A major advancement in soybean trait technology was introduced as Brian Mayer of Cutler, Illinois received his first delivery of new Asgrow® brand Roundup Ready 2 Xtend™ soybeans. Soybean farmers throughout the country will start receiving their orders this month.

Built on higher-yielding Genuity® Roundup Ready 2 Yield® technology, farmers who plant Asgrow Roundup Ready 2 Xtend can count on the same strong yield potential. In addition, these new soybean products provide resistance packages against nematodes and Phytophthora root rot.

The Asgrow brand is offering the largest selection of Roundup Ready 2 Xtend soybean products for planting in 2016, with 25 products spanning all eight maturity groups.

Mayer plans to plant AG42X6 brand this spring. “I have been planting Asgrow beans for about 20 years, and they have performed very well on our farm,” said Mayer. “I’m planting Asgrow brand Roundup Ready 2 Xtend soybeans this year to get the latest genetics they have and the best yield possible from our ground.”

“Today represents an exciting milestone for the Asgrow brand and farmers,” said Dipal Chaudhari, Asgrow brand manager. “This new technology provides the leading genetics and yield performance farmers have come to expect from the Asgrow brand.”     

These new Asgrow Roundup Ready 2 Xtend soybeans will have elite genetics that offer superior performance to farmers.  To help more farmers experience the benefits of these products in 2016, there will be an introductory discount of $5 per unit.

Once the use of over-the top dicamba is approved, the Asgrow Roundup Ready® Xtend Crop System will offer growers a vital tool for managing tough-to-control and glyphosate-resistant weeds.