Friday June 3 Ag News

Seedling Diseases Continue to Develop in Nebraska Corn
Tamra Jackson-Ziems, NE Extension Plant Pathologist

Prolonged wet conditions have promoted development of more seedling diseases in corn fields across Nebraska.  Seedling diseases have developed in the typical wet, heavy clay soils, but also in hilltops in sandy fields, so don’t ignore them when monitoring plant populations and stand establishment.  The frequency of plants with seedling diseases has varied widely from field to field, ranging from a very low percentage of affected plants to higher numbers.

Producers and crop consultants should watch for intermittent gaps between plants indicating missing or lost plants, as well as patches of dead or symptomatic plants. Diseased seedlings can show one or more symptoms:
-    Rotted seed prior to germination
-    Rotted or discolored seedlings after germination prior to emergence
-    Post-emergence seedling damping off
-    Root or hypocotyl decay
-    Plant discoloration and/or stunting



 No-till, Soil Health Field Days at 2 Sites in June

Improving soil health through continuous no-till cropping systems will be the focus of two field days this June, both conducted by No-Till on the Plains.  The events include field tours and presentations in the morning, lunch, and afternoon programs inside.

June 21 — Winside Whirlwind Expo
This field day begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Scott Heinemann farm 3 miles east and 3 miles south of Winside, 1/8 mile east of the intersection of 571 Ave and Road 849.

Morning presentations include a rainfall simulator demonstration, field tour, equipment setup tips, and discussion of soils and soil communities in a soil pit. Lunch will be at the Winside Auditorium, 424 Main St.  Afternoon presentations will feature producers and soil health experts, concluding with a question and answer session. Featured producers will include:
-    Keith Berns, owner at Green Cover Seed in Bladen, who will discuss the soil carbon economics in the soil;
-    Scott Heinemann, continuous no-till producer from Winside, will share tips for getting started with no-till and cover crops in northeast Nebraska; and
-    Dan Stelling will share his experience integrating livestock into the no-till system on his farms.

June 23 - Alliance Whirlwind Expo
The event begins at 8:30 a.m. at the Watson farms, 1561 CR 61, Alliance. Morning presentations include a rainfall simulator demonstration, field tour, equipment setup tips, and discussion of soils and soil communities in a soil pit. Lunch will be provided at the West Side Event Center, 2472 CR 62, Alliance. Afternoon presentations will feature producers and soil health experts, concluding with a question and answer session. Featured speakers will include:
-    Mark Watson, continuous no-till producer from Alliance, who will discuss using field peas in a rotation and no-till production under irrigation;
-    Michael Thompson, continuous no-till producer from Almena, Kan., who will present tips for using livestock to complement no-till and cover crops; and
-    Lance Gunderson and Ray Ward of Ward Labs in Kearney, who will present research on using soil biological testing for fertility.

Registration
Registration is $30 per person for non-members, $15 for members. You are considered a member of No-till on the Plains if you attended the January 2016 Winter Conference in Salina. Pre-register at notill.org by June 17. Limited space is available for walk-ins, with meals not guaranteed. For more information call (785) 210-4549.

These field days are funded through a grant from the Nebraska Environmental Trust with support from the United States Department of Agriculture’s Natural Resource Conservation Service and Nebraska Extension. Sponsorship is provided by Green Cover Seed, Arrow Seed and the Nebraska Environmental Trust.



RAISE CUTTING HEIGHT WHEN FIRST HARVEST IS DELAYED
Bruce Anderson, NE Extension Forage Specialist

               Rain has delayed many folks from cutting alfalfa.  If you haven’t taken first cutting yet, it might help if you slightly changed the way you cut this crop.

               Have you harvested your first cutting of alfalfa yet?  Even if it is not blooming heavily, you might be surprised to find that it already has started to grow your next cutting.

               Walk into your alfalfa field before cutting and look closely at the base or crown of the plants.  Do you see short, new shoots starting to grow?  If so, these new shoots are the new plants that your alfalfa hopes to turn into your second cutting.

               Look closely – how tall are these new shoots?  Are many of them a couple inches taller than your usual cutting height?  If you cut these new shoots off – along with the first growth – your alfalfa plants will have to start a whole new set of shoots for regrowth.  This could cause a delay in second cutting regrowth by as much as one week.

               Fortunately, you can avoid this delay.  All you need to do is raise your cutting height just a couple inches so that you avoid clipping off most of these new, second growth shoots.  Your regrowth then will have a head start towards next cutting.  And since the stubble you leave behind has quite low feed value anyway, the yield you temporarily sacrifice is mostly just filler.

               Normally I suggest cutting alfalfa as short as possible because that maximizes yield and it doesn’t affect rate of regrowth.  But a late cutting that already has new shoots growing is different.

               Don’t blindly start cutting alfalfa when harvest is delayed.  First look for new shoots, then raise cutting height if needed.



2016 Auctioneer of the Year, Auctioneer and Ringman Champions, and New Officers and Directors

Regina Andrijeski, Old West Realty & Auction, Curtis, has been elected President of the 250-member Nebraska Auctioneers Association for 2016-2017. Old West Realty & Auction prides themselves in offering their clients the best in today's real estate and auction technology like computerized clerking, live internet bidding, multi-parcel auctions, online only auctions, outstanding web exposure and social media. Her election was announced at the 68th Annual Convention of the Association held at the Sandhills Convention Center, North Platte, Nebraska, May 27-29, 2016. Miles Marshall, Marshall Land Brokers & Auctioneers, Kearney, was elected President-Elect and Mark Beacom, Auction Solutions, Omaha, was elected Vice President. Russ Puchalla, Heartland Auction Co., Roca, Nebraska, was elected Secretary/Treasurer.

Newly elected Board Members include Dean Dallmann, Kort-Dallmann Auctions, Franklin; Roy Montgomery, Montgomery Auction & Realty, Guide Rock; and Scott Jarman, The Auction Mill, Cedar Bluffs, Nebraska.

The annual Nebraska Auctioneers Association Championship Auctioneer and Ringman Contest was held on Friday, May 27, 2016 kicking off the first evening of the 68th Annual Convention. Twenty contestants competed for the honor of 2016 Nebraska Champion. Adam Marshall, Adam Marshall Auctioneers, Elm Creek, Nebraska, was named Nebraska Auctioneer Champion for 2016 and Logan Peters of Pender, Nebraska, captured the 2016 Nebraska Ringman Champion title. Adam Marshall received a commemorative plaque, trophy belt buckle and $500 cash prize. Marshall was also awarded the entry fee to the 2017 International Auctioneers Championship and will represent Nebraska in the competition. Logan Peters received the Jon Moravec Memorial Ringman trophy.

The top ten from the competition consisted of Dan Helberg, Helberg & Nuss Auctions & Realty, Gering; Russ Puchalla, Heartland Auction Co., Roca; Kam Hartstack, Hartstack Auction Group, Clarinda, Iowa; Shayne Fili, Auction Solutions, Omaha; Mark Kliewer, Kliewer Auction Service, Kearney; and Scott Jarman, The Auction Mill, Cedar Bluffs; including Rookie of the Year, Austin Creamer, Creamer Heimes Janssen Auctioneers, Hartington; Runner-Up, Courtney Mensik, Jack Nitz & Associates, Cedar Bluffs; and Reserve Champion, Curtis Wetovick, C W Auctions, Fullerton. Rookie of the Year, Runner-Up and Reserve Champions all received commemorative plaques.

Also in conjunction with the Convention, Mike Nuss, Helberg & Nuss Auctions & Realty, Gering, Nebraska, was named Nebraska Auctioneer of the Year. Mike was awarded a commemorative plaque, Stetson hat and trophy belt buckle.

Awarded $1,000 college scholarships at the annual awards banquet from both the Association and the Auxiliary were Bryce Lammers, Fordyce, son of Lyle and Rhonda Lammers and Roger Janssen's grandson, Creamer Heimes Janssen LLC, Crofton; Janessa Schroeder, daughter of Troy and Leslie Schroeder and granddaughter of Randall and Barb Ruhter, Ruhter Auction & Realty Inc., Hastings; and Kathryn Scanlon, daughter of Mike and Arlis Scanlan and granddaughter of Marvin Caspers, Marvin Caspers Real Estate & Auctions, Auburn.



Corn Insect Workshop to Cover Pest Identification and Management

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach is offering a Corn Insect Workshop on Friday, July 29, at the Field Extension Education Laboratory near Boone, Iowa. The workshop is open to anyone who wants to learn more about corn insect pest management, and is of particular interest to crop consultants, agronomists and farmers.

Yellow striped armyworm by Erin Hodgson“Caterpillars are becoming a more prominent insect pest in corn and soybean,” said Erin Hodgson, associate professor and extension entomologist with ISU Extension and Outreach. “The goal of the workshop is to learn more about the scouting and management of caterpillars, such as black cutworm, armyworms and European corn borer.” 

Hodgson has observed an interest of farmers backing off of Bt traits because of the cost of seed. As a result, corn is no longer protected from common caterpillars and a few farmers noted European corn borer injury for the first time in 20 years.

“Many haven’t had to deal with caterpillars because the Bt traits have been so effective,” said Hodgson. “Farmers are looking to reduce costs, and for some, that means cutting down on Bt traits. This is leading to an increase in crop injury from caterpillars, with some capable of reducing significant yield. European corn borer damage results in poor ear development, broken stalks and dropped ears. One larva can cause a 5 percent yield loss.”

The workshop, held at Iowa State University’s Field Extension Education Laboratory, will touch on these issues, along with other early season pests. The course will be a combination of inside presentations and outside demonstrations, led by collaborating entomologist Marlin Rice and Hodgson. Hodgson and Rice will assess root injury, split stalks and look at ear quality with the group.

The event qualifies for 5.0 pest management continuing education credits for Iowa Certified Crop Advisors. The registration fee includes breakfast, lunch and snacks. It also will include a packet of crop insect resources, such as handouts, publications and scouting cards.

The Field Extension Education Laboratory is located at 1928 240th St. Registration check-in opens at 8:30 a.m. The program starts at 9 a.m. and adjourns at 3:30 p.m. Pre-registration is required and must be completed before midnight, July 25. Registration is $150. Additional workshop information and online registration with credit card is available at www.aep.iastate.edu/feel/insect.

For assistance with registration, receipts, cancellation or questions on registration status, contact ANR Program Services at 515-294-6429 or anr@iastate.edu.



Ramirez Joins ISU Extension and Outreach as Dairy Specialist

Hugo Ramirez has joined the Iowa State University Extension and Outreach staff as a dairy specialist. Ramirez will also serve as an assistant professor of animal science at Iowa State University. He is based in Ames and assists producers across the state.

Ramirez comes to Iowa State after two years as a research scientist and assistant professor in Texas. He worked as an assistant professor and director of the Southwest Regional Dairy Center at Tarleton State University and research scientist with Texas A&M AgriLife.

“I am eager and excited to work with the Iowa State dairy team,” Ramirez said. “Having the opportunity to prepare future dairy professionals is a privilege and I look forward to it.”

Ramirez plans to develop a forward-thinking, research-based extension program that is producer focused in the areas of herd management, forage quality and preservation and nutrient utilization.

After graduating from the University of Chapingo with a degree in Animal Science, Ramirez managed a state-of-the-art dairy farm in central Mexico that was equipped with a methane digester that fueled electric generators to supply energy to the farm. He also worked in herd management in the Torreon area of northern Mexico.

Ramirez completed his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Animal Science at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. While at Nebraska he conducted research in dairy nutrition including the evaluation of corn silage hybrids and ethanol co-products for dairy cows.



Study Finds Red Meat Exports Deliver Excellent Returns for U.S. Corn Producers

The U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) commissioned a study aimed at quantifying the value delivered to U.S. corn producers through exports of beef, pork and lamb. The independent study was conducted by World Perspectives, a leading agricultural consulting firm. Key findings were unveiled at the USMEF Board of Directors Meeting and Product Showcase, held May 25-27 in St. Louis.

“USMEF receives outstanding support from the feedgrain and oilseed industries, because producers from these sectors understand the importance of a healthy U.S. livestock industry to their bottom line,” said Philip Seng, USMEF President and CEO. “But it is important that we provide specific data on the return these producers receive from their investment in red meat exports, and this study includes exactly that type of information.”

Findings from the study include:
-    On a per-head basis, 800-pound calves fed to 1,360 pounds each consume 35 bushels of corn and 806 pounds of distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS).
-    Each 12-pound pig finished to 284 pounds consumes 11 bushels of corn, 37 pounds of DDGS and 136 pounds of soybean meal.
-    World Perspectives analyzed feed rations and U.S. livestock production practices to establish feed use and then used beef and pork export data to determine the amount of consumption attributable to red meat exports, finding that 2015 exports accounted for:
       + 355 million bushels (or 2.1 million acres) of corn
       + $1.3 billion in value to corn
       + 1.48 million tons of DDGS (169 million bushel equivalent)
       + $205.4 million in value to DDGS
       + 11.7 million tons (or 3.1 million acres) of combined corn and DDGS fed

“When you look at 2015, it was not a great year for U.S. meat exports, and yet beef and pork exports from the U.S. still brought $1.3 billion to the corn sector,” explained Dave Juday, World Perspectives senior analyst. “Looking back at last year, if there were no red meat exports at all and that corn was added to carryover stocks, instead of a season average annual price of $3.60 per bushel, the price would have been about $3.15 per bushel without the contribution from meat exports. That’s a loss of 45 cents per bushel, which would have amounted to about $6 billion to the corn industry last year.”

The livestock industry’s utilization of DDGS was also a key focus of the study because it plays such an important role in the viability of ethanol plants.

“As of two weeks ago, a gross margin for an ethanol mill would have been about 62 cents per gallon,” Juday said. “If you subtract out the value of DDGS, of which meat exports are a big component of the use, and the corn oil, of which livestock feed is also a big component of the use, that margin would have dropped to just 12 cents per gallon. About 5 cents of the per bushel gross revenue for an ethanol mill is tied directly to red meat exports.”

For a specific example of an international marketing activity that provided an excellent return to the corn industry, Juday cited USMEF’s chilled beef initiative in South Korea. He estimated that through value added to the beef chuck, the new exports to Korea resulting from this initiative accounted for 23 million bushels of corn utilization.

“That is just a small segment of the corn utilization represented by our exports to Korea, but it’s an example of how one single initiative can make a big difference in corn use,” he said.

Livestock producers’ breakeven feed costs are also a big factor in growing demand for corn. The study found that a hog producer’s breakeven feed cost was about $73 last year, but would drop to $25 without the ability to export pork. For fed steers, the breakeven feed cost was nearly $273, but it drops to a loss of $5.08 without exports.

Looking ahead, red meat exports’ positive impact on the corn sector looks even stronger. The study projects that indirect exports of corn through red meat exports will grow from 355.5 million bushels in 2015 to 482.4 million bushels in 2025 – an increase of nearly one-third. Indirect exports of DDGS would jump from 1.48 million tons in 2015 to 2.14 million tons in 2025 – a 44 percent increase.

“Over the next 10 years, the value of red meat exports to corn is estimated to be about $16.1 billion,” Juday said. “About 83 percent of U.S. corn is produced by the top 10 corn-growing states. So if you divide that $16.1 billion among the top 10 states, you can see the kind of impact that’s going to have on local economies.”



CHINESE PORK PRICES CONTINUE TO RISE; U.S. PORK INDUSTRY EAGER TO EASE PRESSURE

Pork prices in China continue to rise, up 14 percent since the start of the year and nearly 40 percent from a year ago. Data released Wednesday showed prices climbing this week as producers slowed slaughter to rebuild herds, following widespread culling in 2014 when prices were low. Pork supply also has been suppressed by environmental measures introduced in 2010 that forced many smaller pig farmers out of business. Several municipal governments, including Beijing, Dalian and Qingdao, have begun to release frozen pork reserves to ease the pressure on prices.

The National Pork Producers Council continues to work on behalf of U.S. pork producers to increase exports to China. In 2015, the largest barrier to access to the Chinese market was the delisting of a small number of U.S. plants that were approved to export to that country. NPPC worked closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service to get the plants relisted. (The majority of plants and cold storage facilities were relisted late last and early this year.)

U.S. pork exports to China also are limited because of that country’s ban on ractopamine. NPPC wants China to adhere to science-based regulations and the U.N. Codex Alimentarius Commission maximum residue levels for ractopamine.

In the interim, NPPC has supported the creation and use of two USDA programs to certify that U.S. pork products exported to China are ractopamine-free. Additionally, provisions of a bilateral agreement between China and the United States, don’t allow U.S. processed meat exports to the Asian nation. But China recently agreed to a proposed U.S. pilot program to accept processed meat. NPPC is hopeful that a successful pilot program will result in full access for U.S. processed pork products to China.



Informa Hikes Winter Wheat Estimate

Informa Economics said U.S. winter-wheat production this year will surpass a May forecast from the Department of Agriculture.

U.S. winter wheat output will total 1.448 billion bushels this year, up 21 million bushels from the USDA's May estimate, Informa said in a report on Friday.

Production of hard-red winter wheat, grown in the southern Great Plains and used to make bread, will total 882 million bushels, up 19 million from USDA's May projection, Informa said. Soft-red winter wheat production will total 353 million bushels, which is four million less than the government's latest forecast, and white winter wheat output will come in at 214 million bushels, about six million above the USDA's May outlook, the firm said.

"Rainfall during May was near normal to slightly below normal across much of the Corn Belt and Hard Red Wheat Belt with parts of Nebraska, Kansas and southern Missouri receiving above-normal rains," according to the private forecaster.

In a separate report released Friday, Informa trimmed its forecast for corn and soybean production in Brazil for the 2015-16 season. The firm said soybean output in Brazil, one of the world's biggest exporters, will total 98.5 million metric tons, which is 1.6 million tons lower than its May forecast.

Brazil's corn crop is pegged at 78.9 million metric tons, which is 2.1 million below Informa's month-ago projection.

Informa also forecast soybean production in Argentina will total 55.0 million metric tons, the same as its May estimate.



April Ethanol Exports Up From Year Ago

U.S. exports of goods and services totaled $182.8 billion in April, up $2.6 billion from March, while imports increased $4.5 billion to $220.2 billion, the U.S. Census Bureau reported early Friday. USDA later provided more details for exports of ethanol, distillers grains and biodiesel.

USDA said that U.S. exports of ethanol totaled 95.5 million gallons in April, up 28% from a year ago. China was the top customer, accounting for 36% of April's sales while India and Canada rounded out the top three. In the first four months of 2016, U.S. ethanol exports were up 10% from a year ago.

USDA said that U.S. exports of distillers grains totaled 883,572 metric tons in April, down 5% from a year ago. Mexico and Turkey were the top two customers, taking 33% of April's sales. China was a big buyer in 2015, but was third on the list in April with its total imports of U.S. distillers grains now down 56% in 2016 from a year ago. In the first four months of 2016, U.S. exports of distillers grains were down 2% from a year ago.

USDA said that U.S. exports of biodiesel totaled 34,606 metric tons in April, up 2% from a year ago. Canada was the dominant buyer in April, taking 90% of the month's exports. In the first four months of 2016, U.S. biodiesel exports were up 21% from a year ago.



Biofuel Boosters Rally Support for Higher EPA Blending Levels in 2017

The nation’s leading biofuel advocates are rallying supporters to urge the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to increase its proposed 2017 targets under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS). With the start of the EPA’s public comment period this week and the announcement of a public hearing on June 9, supporters have a limited time to call on the EPA to make more ethanol and other biofuels available to consumers in next year’s fuel mix.

"America can't achieve its climate, health or economic ambitions without renewable fuels. Among the most powerful tools we've got in achieving those ambitions is the Renewable Fuel Standard - as long as it's allowed to work,” said Adam Monroe, America Regional President, Novozymes North America. “We urge anyone who's benefited from the renewable fuel industry to speak out - and urge the Administration to listen to those voices and maximize renewable fuel production."

“Consumers who care about having affordable options and a choice at the gas pump can get in on the action by contacting the EPA and asking their lawmakers to support a strong RFS,” said Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy. “Policymakers need to be reminded that ethanol producers, retailers and the current auto fleet are fully capable of accepting the statutory volumes as called for by Congress, providing consumers with a true choice and savings at the pump. As EPA noted in their own proposed rule, ‘To date we have seen no compelling evidence that the nationwide average ethanol concentration in gasoline cannot exceed 10 percent.’ It’s vital that we fight for the statutory biofuel targets for America’s 2017 fuel mix.”

“The proposed targets fall short of the statutory levels set by Congress,” said Bob Dinneen, President and CEO of the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA). “Consumers know that having only one choice at the pump – fossil fuels – is a vestige of outdated thinking and poor policy decisions. We must aim higher to protect the economic, environmental and energy security benefits of America’s most successful clean energy program.”

Supporters are urged to testify at the EPA field hearing in Kansas City or submit comments to the EPA by July 11, when regulators start writing a final rule.



Alltech acquires Ranch-Way Feeds in Colorado

Alltech, through Hubbard Feeds, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ridley USA Inc., has acquired Ranch-Way Feeds, a leading animal nutrition company that has done business in the Western United States for more than 60 years.

Ranch-Way Feeds employs more than 50 people, producing over 50,000 tons of feed annually. The company markets its animal nutrition products and programs through an extensive dealer network in the Rocky Mountain region. The acquisition includes The Feed Bin, Ranch-Way Feeds’ retail store in Santa Fe, New Mexico.

Ranch-Way Feeds’ sales, marketing and technical teams will merge with Hubbard’s operations to create a strong on-farm support network for dealers and Western region livestock producers. This support includes the delivery of superior animal nutrition backed by scientific research and tailored feeding programs supported by the expertise and experience of the technical and sales teams. Because of its long history and trusted name recognition, Hubbard Feeds plans to continue to market and sell the Ranch-Way brand at this time.

“Hubbard Feeds and Ranch-Way Feeds represent a dynamic team of like-minded, science-driven and ag-passionate people,” said Kevin Levi, president of Ridley U.S. Feeds Operations. “We are confident that Western U.S. livestock producers will benefit from increased nutritional offerings, expanded sales and technical support, and access to cutting-edge technologies through the combined resources of Ranch-Way Feeds, Hubbard, Ridley and Alltech. This acquisition is driven by our shared motivation to strengthen our support of Western livestock producers.”

Terms of the purchase were not disclosed.



DFA ANNOUNCES MICHIGAN PLANT EXPANSION

Dairy Farmers of America, the largest milk marketing cooperative in the United States, announced plans today to expand its Cass City, Mich., facility. The plant, constructed in 2013, currently processes up to 3 million pounds of milk into cream, condensed whole milk and condensed skim milk.

“When we made the initial investment in the Cass City plant, we were already considering its expansion,” said Greg Wickham, DFA’s chief financial officer. “The time is right for this continued investment, as Michigan’s milk supply continues to grow, but the processing capacity within the region has not kept pace. The plant’s location makes it ideal to provide both domestic and global customers with safe, high-quality dairy ingredients.”

Cooperative leaders are continuing to finalize details of the expansion and are working closely with local and state agencies on appropriate incentives.

This expansion of the 33,000-square-foot plant is consistent with DFA’s strategic plan to create supply chain efficiencies and increase commercial investments to bring increased value to the Cooperative’s farmer-owners. In addition, the plant reflects DFA’s focus on sustainability and is designed to recover and re-use water in plant clean-up operations.

Earlier this week, DFA also announced that it, along with Foremost Farms USA and Michigan Milk Producers Association, was exploring joint ownership and operation of a major cheese processing plant in the state of Michigan.



MONSANTO NAMED AMONG GREENEST COMPANIES IN NEWSWEEK’S 2016 GREEN RANKINGS

Monsanto announced that it has placed No. 12 out of 500 of the largest U.S. publicly traded companies in the 2016 Newsweek Green Rankings, which is created in partnership with Corporate Knights and HIP Investor. This represents a dramatic jump from last year’s rankings when Monsanto placed 52nd.

Monsanto continues to lead the agriculture sector in the Newsweek Green Rankings. The company also improved significantly on the global rankings list, moving to 22nd place in 2016, up from 84th in 2015.

“We’re delighted by the acknowledgment of our sustainability efforts by the 2016 Newsweek Green Rankings,” said Hugh Grant, Monsanto Chairman and CEO. “Our people are focused on collaborating with others to feed a growing planet in a changing climate. Through efforts with farmers on carbon neutral crop production and our company’s intention to be carbon neutral by 2021, we hope to help create a food-secure world that protects the environment.”

In the past year, Monsanto advanced multiple important sustainability goals. The company increased irrigation efficiency in its seed production business and curbed the intensity of its operational greenhouse gas emissions in the crop protection business. Additionally, Monsanto became the first company to partner with the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation’s Monarch Butterfly Conservation Fund, making a multimillion-dollar commitment to support efforts to benefit monarch butterflies.

“In the current global business and political climate, no company can continue to ignore its environmental footprint and there's good news: Newsweek's 2016 Green Rankings show that the world's biggest companies are improving when it comes to energy productivity and in limiting greenhouse gas emissions,” said Elijah Wolfson, Senior Editor for Newsweek. “Our hope is that the rankings will propel leaders to start looking at their environmental impact not just in terms of carbon use, but comprehensively, and make the changes necessary to sustain both business growth and environmental viability.”

For more information about Monsanto’s sustainability initiatives, visit the 2015 Sustainability Report: http://www.monsanto.com/sustainability.