Wednesday June 1 Ag News

Effects of Shade and Feeding Zilpaterol Hydrochloride to Finishing Steers on Performance, Carcass Quality, Heat Stress, Mobility, and Body Temperature
Meredith Bremer, Beef Systems Extension Educator

Zilpaterol hydrochloride, or Zilmax, is a beta-agonist approved to be fed to finishing cattle the last 21 days of the feeding period. There is a 3 day withdrawal for this feed additive, so careful management is necessary for responsible use of this technology. Recently, some animal welfare concerns were associated with the feeding of Zilmax, so researchers wanted to determine if feeding Zilmax to finishing cattle impacted response to heat stress, mobility, and body temperature, performance, or carcass characteristics when fed in the open or in shaded pens.

Respiration rates or the number of breaths per minute and panting scores were recorded for all cattle throughout the feeding period. Mobility scores were also recorded before any of the animals were fed Zilmax, after the Zilmax feeding period was concluded, when the steers were unloaded off the truck at the plant, and then finally just before entering the restrainer prior to harvest.

PERFORMANCE DATA
Cattle fed Zilmax had live weights that we 9 lbs. greater than the control cattle. Dry matter intakes, average daily gains, and feed efficiencies did not differ between the two treatment groups.

CARCASS CHARACTERISTICS
Dressing percentage (65.4%vs. 63.7%) and longissimus muscle areas (14.7 vs. 13.7 in2) were significantly greater in the Zilmax-fed cattle compared to the control cattle. Yield grade scores were significantly lower in the Zilmax cattle (3.2) compared to the control cattle (3.5).

NON-PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS
Respiration rates (breaths/minute) were significantly higher in the Zilmax-fed cattle (100.8 vs. 92.3 breaths per minute) compared to the control group. Performance and carcass characteristics as well as respiration rates and panting scores did not differ between cattle housed in shaded or open pens.

MOBILITY SCORES
There were no significant differences between Zilmax-fed cattle and control cattle for mobility scores. There was however, an effect of time on mobility scores reported. As cattle were fed longer, mobility scores went down. Cattle were also slower exiting the chute the longer they were on feed.

BODY TEMPERATURES
Average and maximal body temperatures were actually highest in control cattle regardless if they were housed in open or shaded lots.

SUMMARY
The effect of shade had no significant effect on body temperature or performance for cattle fed Zilmax or in the control group. Zilmax-fed cattle had heavier carcasses, larger ribeyes, and decreased yield grades compared to the cattle not fed Zilmax. Zilmax-fed cattle did have increased respiration rates but no adverse effects on body temperature or mobility were reported. However, the mobility scores of cattle from all groups decreased the longer the cattle were on feed and after the animals were unloaded off of the truck at the harvest facility including the time period between unloading and reaching the restrainer prior to harvest.



Nebraska a Magnet for Bio-based Partnerships

When it comes to fostering the development and growth of biotechnology and bioscience companies, Nebraska is all in.

According to the Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED), bioscience companies employ more than 16,000 people in Nebraska, and this number continues to grow at a rate that outpaces the national average.

“Nebraska is well-suited to capitalize on the next wave of scientific breakthroughs in the biosciences,” said Phil Kozera, executive director of Bio Nebraska Life Sciences Association. “There are many opportunities for next-generation companies to evolve in Nebraska, which leads to job creation and strengthening the state’s global leadership in value-added agriculture.”

Nebraska is the nation’s second largest ethanol producer with 25 plants strategically located across the state. Ethanol and its co-products can serve as the foundation for many next-generation bioproducts from green chemicals to nutraceuticals and animal feed supplements.

“Ethanol plant locations have a steady and abundant supply of grain, oilseeds, biomass and livestock, on which many bio-based technologies depend,” said Todd Sneller, Nebraska Ethanol Board administrator. “Nebraska has all the raw materials necessary to create strategic partnerships with bio-based companies.”

In addition, Nebraska has a number of economic development incentive programs in place for companies. One comprehensive package, Nebraska Advantage, offers significant tax incentives for companies that relocate or expand their businesses in the state, noted DED Director Courtney Dentlinger.

“In order to foster the development and growth of these enterprises, we actively collaborate between government, education, business and agriculture to reduce red tape,” she said. “This strong partnership between the public and private sectors is a major factor in attracting companies to locate in Nebraska.”

Dozens of bio companies have already located in Nebraska, including: NatureWorks (corn-based plastics), Novozymes (enzyme technology), Purac (lactic acid), Laurel BioComposite (bioresins from distillers grains), Pharmgate (animal pharmaceuticals) and many more.



GRAZING MANAGEMENT CRITICAL NOW
Bruce Anderson, NE Extension Forage Specialist

               Most pastures are looking pretty good.  But how they are grazed now will affect how well your pastures do the rest of the summer.

               When pastures look good and cattle are doing well we usually pay little attention to them.  But don't take good pasture for granted; in a couple months it could look a lot different.

               Now is the time to pay special attention to your rotational grazing.  In particular, whenever possible, leave more growth behind than usual when you move to new pasture.

               When moisture is available, like now, your grasses will regrow after grazing.  Regrowth starts more rapidly when extra leaves remain behind after grazing.  These leaves help plants harvest more sunlight energy to hasten regrowth, so your pasture will be ready to graze again much sooner and with more forage than if it had been grazed very short.  After all, grass grows grass.

               Another valuable reason to leave extra growth behind is the increased competition this provides to weeds.  June and early July is the time many weeds like ragweed really start growing rapidly.  The extra grass you leave behind and the faster regrowth of your grass will help reduce this weed invasion.

               A final reason to leave extra growth behind is to improve animal nutrition.  As you leave behind the stemmy, less desirable feed and move animals more frequently into fresh, high quality pasture, rates of gain increase, cows get bred more rapidly, and overall performance improves.

               Sure, your pastures look good now.  To keep them looking good and your cattle performing well: avoid overgrazing, encourage rapid regrowth, maintain competitive residues, and rotate often onto fresh, productive pasture.



National Pork Board Names William Even as Chief Executive Officer

William J. Even, an agriculture-industry leader with substantial  senior management experience in crop and livestock production, will join the National Pork Board as its new Chief Executive Officer on June 6, 2016. Currently based in South Dakota, Even is Global Industry Relations Lead with DuPont Pioneer.

“As a fourth-generation farmer, I have deep, personal knowledge of the challenges facing today’s pork producers and I am impressed with and completely support the Pork Checkoff’s strategic plan that guides and directs its programs,” said Even. “I look forward to working on behalf of America’s more than 60,000 pig farmers to build consumer trust, drive sustainable production and grow consumer demand for pork.”

Before joining the National Pork Board, Even managed DuPont Pioneer’s global industry relations strategy. In that role, he built collaborative stakeholder relationships in the areas of seed, biotechnology, biofuels and farm policy. Prior to that position, he served as DuPont Pioneer’s Commercial Unit Lead for South Dakota, North Dakota and northwest Minnesota where he was responsible for leading seed sales, operational marketing, agronomy, training, demand planning, precision agriculture and policy needs in the region.

From 2007 to 2010, immediately prior to joining DuPont Pioneer, Even served as South Dakota’s Secretary of Agriculture. During his tenure, he managed six department divisions including Agriculture Regulatory Services, Agriculture Development, State Fair, Wildland Fire, Resource Conservation and Forestry, and Agricultural Policy. He also served as Deputy Secretary of Tourism and State Development, Director of the Governor’s Office of Economic Development, State Energy Policy Director, and policy advisor for South Dakota Governor Mike Rounds.

“Bill’s stellar career in public service has been devoted to defining ag policy and implementing the often difficult changes needed to continuously improve,” said Derrick Sleezer, National Pork Board president and a pig farmer from Cherokee, Iowa. “His ability to build trusted relationships is critical to the U.S. pork industry. I feel confident in his experience and discipline needed to build and lead teams to meet the growing demand for protein in the U.S. and abroad.”

Even holds a degree in agricultural production from Lake Area Technical Institute, a Bachelor of Science in agricultural business and minor in economics from South Dakota State University; and a Juris Doctorate from Drake University Law School, where he was an Opperman Scholar.

He and his family own and operate a fifth-generation diversified crop and livestock operation near Humboldt, South Dakota, where they raise corn, soybeans, wheat, alfalfa and cattle. The farm was homesteaded in 1883 by his great-grandfather and Even began farming in 1983. He and his wife, Janell, have three children and currently live in Humboldt, South Dakota, before relocating to the Des Moines area.

Even will begin on June 6, and his first week as CEO will include attending the National Pork Board’s June Board of Directors meeting and World Pork Expo.



Producers Are Encouraged to Attend Informative PORK Academy Seminars at WPX

The Pork Checkoff’s Producer Opportunity for Revenue and Knowledge (PORK) Academy sessions will again be part of the World Pork Expo, with seminars held Wednesday, June 8, and Thursday, June 9, at the Iowa State Fairgrounds in Des Moines, Iowa. The annual sessions are designed to educate pig farmers on the latest trends in pork production.

“PORK Academy is a one-stop-shop where producers can hear first about the latest pork industry news from the top leading experts,” said James Coates, chair of the Pork Checkoff’s Producer and State Services Committee and a pork producer from Franklin, Kentucky. “The sessions allow attendees to learn more about upcoming initiatives and how Pork Checkoff dollars are being allocated. When pig farmers leave these sessions, they will go home with more knowledge and new ways to advance their operation.”

2016 PORK Academy seminars will be held at the Varied Industries Building, Room C. Following are the topics and schedule.

WEDNESDAY- JUNE 8
Varied Industries Building – Room C

9:15 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.                                                                        
Changes on Antibiotic Usage
Dr. Sam Holst, Swine Vet Center
Richard Sellers, American Feed Industry Association
This session will provide an overview of regulatory changes for the responsible use of antibiotics for food animals and what it means on the farm.

10:15 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Cybersecurity Lane Arthur, John Deere
As technology within the agriculture industry evolves at a rapid pace, producers need to be aware of their cyber security. Producers are at risk when they collect, process and store confidential information on computers, then transmit that data across networks to other computers. This presentation will cover topics to inform producers about cyber security and how to protect themselves.

11:15 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.
Common Swine Industry Audit – Producer Perspectives and Resources
Emily Erickson, New Fashion Pork                                           
David Bently, Bently Farms
As packers have begun implementing on-farm audit programs for their suppliers, the National Pork Board has facilitated the development of the Common Swine Industry Audit to reduce the burden on producers and to build audit process clarification across the industry. This session will highlight progress of the Common Swine Industry Audit, provide an opportunity for producers to ask questions of their peers who have experienced a third-party audit and share resources available for producers to use in preparing for an audit.

1:30 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
Understanding the Biology of Seasonal Infertility to Develop Mitigation Strategies for Swine
Jason Ross – Iowa State University
Reduced productivity in the breeding herd following summer heat stress results in a 17 percent reduction in litters annually. However, producers have few tools to combat this problem. Research will be presented to detail the underlying biology related to the effects of heat stress on reproduction and may lead to mitigation strategies to reduce the impact on productivity.

2:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Changes on Antibiotic Usage
Dr. Sam Holst, Swine Vet Center
Richard Sellers, American Feed Industry Association
This session will provide an overview of regulatory changes for the responsible use of antibiotics for food animals and what it means on the farm.

THURSDAY- JUNE 9, 2016
Varied Industries Building – Room C

  9:15 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Changes on Antibiotic Usage
Dr. Sam Holst, Swine Vet Center
Richard Sellers, American Feed Industry Association
This session will provide an overview of regulatory changes for the responsible use of antibiotics for food animals and what it means on the farm.           

10:15 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Three Essential Steps to avoid Health, Safety and Environmental Disasters
Karen Hoare, National Pork Board
This session will highlight concerns on health, safety or environmental events and will introduce National Pork Board tools and initiatives to prevent injuries and environmental problems.

11:15 p.m. – 12:00 p.m.          
What Would the Grill Say? – Checkoff Consumer Campaign
Ceci Snyder, National Pork Board
Come hear from The Grill and his neighbor friend, Gloria, as Snyder shares the summer Pork Checkoff consumer campaign, What Would The Grill Say?  She will share up-to-date results and measures of consumer response.

1:30 p.m. – 2:15 p.m.
U.S. Exports and International Trade
Becca Nepple, National Pork Board
Dermot Hayes – Iowa State University
Learn about U.S. pork export markets and get insight into world economics and the growing opportunity for global trade.

2:30 p.m. – 3:15 p.m.
Changes on Antibiotic Usage
Dr. Sam Holst, Swine Vet Center
Richard Sellers, American Feed Industry Association
This session will provide an overview of regulatory changes for the responsible use of antibiotics for food animals and what it means on the farm.

For more information about Pork Checkoff-sponsored events and activities at World Pork Expo, call the Pork Checkoff Service Center at (800) 456-7675. For information about other World Pork Expo activities, visit www.worldpork.org.




IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE AND LAND STEWARDSHIP TO RESUME INSPECTION OF STATE INSPECTED EGG HANDLERS ON JUNE 1

    The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship today announced it will resume inspections of state inspected egg handlers on June 1, 2016.  The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has also announced that they will resume inspection of federally licensed egg handling facilities starting on June 1.

    All Department inspectors have received additional training on appropriate biosecurity on visiting livestock and poultry farms and will continue to follow rigorous biosecurity protocols as part of the inspections to help ensure animal health.

    The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship inspects egg handlers that package eggs from licensed facilities that house fewer than 3000 birds. Larger houses, with 3000 birds and up, and their packaging facilities are FDA licensed and are subject to their inspections.

    The FDA temporarily suspended inspection of federal licensed facilities last spring during the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza outbreak in Iowa and 20 other states.  The Department followed the lead of FDA and also suspended inspections last spring out of an abundance of caution to ensure that Department employees would not serve as a potential source of disease spread.



USDA April Grain Crushings and Co-Products Production Report

Total corn consumed for alcohol and other uses was 445 million bushels in April 2016. Total corn consumption was down 8 percent from March 2016 and down 4 percent from April 2015. April 2016 usage included 90.2 percent for alcohol and 9.8 percent for other purposes. Corn for beverage alcohol totaled 2.69 million bushels, down 1 percent from March 2016 and down 18 percent from April 2015. Corn for fuel alcohol, at 392 million bushels, was down 9 percent from March 2016 and down 4 percent from April 2015. Corn consumed in April 2016 for dry milling fuel production and wet milling fuel production was 89.2 percent and 10.8 percent respectively.

Dry mill co-product production of distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) was 1.70 million tons during April 2016, down 11 percent from March 2016 but up 2 percent from April 2015. Distillers wet grains (DWG) 65 percent or more moisture was 1.26 million tons in April 2016, down 4 percent from March 2016 and down 5 percent from April 2015.

Wet mill corn gluten feed production was 306 thousand tons during April 2016, down 11 percent from March 2016 and down 2 percent from April 2015. Wet corn gluten feed 40 to 60 percent moisture was 301 thousand tons in April 2016, up 4 percent from March 2016 but down 4 percent from April 2015.



USDA Fats and Oils: Oilseed Crushings, Production, Consumption and Stocks April Report

Soybeans crushed for crude oil was 4.75 million tons (158 million bushels) in April 2016, compared to 4.99 million tons (166 million bushels) in March 2016 and 4.64 million tons (155 million bushels) in February 2016. Crude oil produced was 1.84 billion pounds down 5 percent from March 2016 but up 2 percent from February 2016. Soybean once refined oil production at 1.35 billion pounds during April 2016 decreased 4 percent from March 2016 but increased 4 percent from February 2016.

Canola seeds crushed for crude oil was 137 thousand tons in April 2016, compared to 150 thousand tons in March 2016 and 138 thousand tons in February 2016. Canola crude oil produced was 120 million pounds down 3 percent from March 2016 but up 5 percent from February 2016. Canola once refined oil production at 116 million pounds during April 2016 was down 6 percent from March 2016 and down slightly from February 2016. Cottonseeds crushed for crude oil was 132 thousand tons in April 2016, compared to 143 thousand tons in March 2016 and 126 thousand tons in February 2016. Cottonseed crude oil produced was 39.2 million pounds, down 13 percent from March 2016 but up 2 percent from February 2016. Cottonseed once refined oil production at 42.2 million pounds during April 2016 was down 20 percent from March 2016 and down 3 percent from February 2016.

Edible tallow production was 76.1 million pounds during April 2016, up 22 percent from March 2016 but down 2 percent from February 2016. Inedible tallow production was 288 million pounds during April 2016, up slightly from March 2016 and up 2 percent from February 2016. Technical tallow production was 84.6 million pounds during April 2016, down 9 percent from March 2016 and down 28 percent from February 2016. Choice white grease production at 111 million pounds during April 2016 decreased 1 percent from March 2016 and decreased 1 percent from February 2016.



A Mix of Bearish and Bullish News
Stephen R. Koontz, Dept of Ag Econ, Colorado State University

Summer is upon us and all my thinking and talk of potentially strengthening spring cattle markets appears for naught.  For most of the rest of the year, the market will face the seasonal increases in supplies and it will take much more than greening of grass to improve prices.  There will have to be significant better news.

What do the market fundamentals say?  The details are a bit of a mixed bag.  The Choice-Select spread rallied sharply higher last week to $16/cwt.  This premium/discount is as large as it has been in the last two years.  And that rally could bode well for June.  Further, the prior week showed some sharp increases in primal prices.  Loins, ribeyes, tenderloins, and rounds all were higher based on last week's news.  Chucks were flat and hamburger components continue to be so soft compared to some other major carcass components.  Steer slaughter and total cattle slaughter continue to run strong.  Steer slaughter is ahead of five year averages and total cattle slaughter is ahead of last year.  Clearly, this is not a repeat of a year ago when feedlot marketing's were being delayed.

The most recent Cattle on Feed report communicated that cattle on feed more than 120 days continued the downward direction started in April.  The inventories of these longer fed cattle remain below last year and below the five year average.  From May through October of 2015 was where these inventories built significantly and weighed heavily on fed cattle prices.  These inventories are worth watching closely over the summer into the fall.  Live animal weights for slaughter cattle have also not yet started the seasonal increase and are only slightly above a year ago.  Weights increased sharply last year and added to the market ready inventory problem.  How cattle are being marketed by feedlots will need to be watched closely over the next two months.

Retail beef margins have been very strong all year.  Retailers have made very good money on beef this year and packer margins were extraordinary in April.  Yes, that is old news, but prices in May have not changed this margin much.  International trade of beef remains reasonable.  In contrast to last year, the value of the U.S. dollar in no longer dramatically strengthening , in fact is has declined.  So, beef trade flows are showing some improvements from a U.S. perspective.

What does the technical say?  Live cattle futures, specifically the June contract, pressured support that was established back in December of last year.  The market traded lower than $115 in late April but was not able to solidly close at lower prices.  That was a buy signal.  The June contract rallied in early May, stopped short of $125, and then weakened.  The market traded strong through last week but only within the day - starting low and closing at higher prices.  August feeder cattle have a similar pattern but were able to break support in April and move lower.  Subsequent rallies have been softer.  The current corn market will not let feeder cattle strengthen - without substantial improvements in live cattle.  It has been a while since soybeans were the dog and corn was the tail but that appears to be the case to me.  Wet weather in South America created harvest concerns and a $2.00 rally in beans that corn could not ignore during planting.  Crop Progress suggests both crops are largely in and up so we'll see how the market digests further news.  The USDA WASDE has not backed South American production estimates.  But this feed market can only drive the feeder cattle market.

Unfortunately, the things to watch for are the same things as I wrote about over a month ago.  Live cattle contract prices currently sit just above support planes.  Beef featuring is needed at retail and aggressive marketings to clean up the showlists.  And then their remains the lingering concern about the economy and its impact on demand.



Fertilizer Prices Remain Steady

As has been the case in recent weeks, fertilizer prices continue to move very little, according to retailers tracked by DTN for the fourth week of May 2016. Retail fertilizer prices have been unwavering for seven consecutive weeks now.

Seven fertilizers inched lower compared to last month, the survey found. None were down an amount of any consequence. DAP averaged $476/ton, MAP $501/ton, potash $365/ton, urea $381/ton, 10-34-0 $560/ton, anhydrous $587/ton and UAN32 $321/ton.

The remaining fertilizer was slightly higher compared to the month earlier but again the move was fairly small. UAN28 averaged $274/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, urea averaged $0.41/lb.N, anhydrous $0.36/lb.N, UAN28 $0.49/lb.N and UAN32 $0.50/lb.N.

Although retail fertilizer prices have stagnated in recent months, fertilizers remain lower compared to a year earlier. All fertilizers are now double digits lower.

UAN32 and 10-34-0 are both 14% lower while MAP is 16% less expensive. DAP, urea, anhydrous and UAN28 are all 17% lower from a year ago. In addition, potash is 26% less expensive.



USDA Announces Commodity Credit Corporation Lending Rates for June 2016

The U.S. Department of Agriculture's Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) today announced interest rates for June 2016. The CCC borrowing rate-based charge for June is 0.625 percent, unchanged from 0.625 percent in May.

The interest rate for crop year commodity loans less than one year disbursed during June is 1.625 percent, unchanged from 1.625 percent in May.

Interest rates for Farm Storage Facility Loans approved for June are as follows, 1.000 percent with three-year loan terms, up from 0.875 percent in May; 1.250 percent with five-year loan terms, unchanged from 1.250 percent in May; 1.625 percent with seven-year loan terms, unchanged from 1.625 percent in May; 1.875 percent with 10-year loan terms, up from 1.750 percent in May and; 1.875 percent with 12-year loan terms, unchanged from 1.875 percent in May.



NFU Farm Safety Videos Aim to Reduce Farm Accidents Through Education, Awareness

As farmers busily work on the farm this time of year, National Farmers Union (NFU) hopes to raise awareness about farm safety issues and best practices through a series of 10 educational videos.

The videos, available at www.NFU.org/farmsafety, educate farm and ranch families, agriculture workers, consumers who visit a farm, and members of the public about hazards and proper safety procedures to avoid farm-related accidents or casualties.

“Understanding the dangers on and around the farm and how to avoid them can make a life-saving difference when operating heavy machinery or working around livestock,” said NFU President Roger Johnson. “Through this program, NFU hopes to build mass awareness and contribute to reducing the number of annual farm-related accidents.”

Nearly 500 farm work-related deaths occur annually, according to a 2013 U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics study, and machinery accidents account for approximately a quarter of them. Four of the NFU videos focus on topics related to farm equipment.

Other video topics include safety measures for livestock handling, grain hauling and storage, chemical use and keeping kids safe on the farm. An unfortunate number of farm accidents involve children under the age of 20 – four-in-five of which are not labor related, Johnson explained.

“It is important for everyone to stay aware and be safe,” he said. “Especially in rural communities where cars share the roads with farm machinery and families and friends visit local farms.”



Operation Peanut Butter Game Promotes Math, Social Science Skills

The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture and the National Peanut Board, along with state peanut producer and industry organizations, have launched a new My American Farm game geared for students in grades 3-5. Playing the Operation Peanut Butter game online allows students to follow peanuts from the field to the peanut butter on their sandwiches.

"While playing Operation Peanut Butter, students will have the chance to not only learn about the production of peanut butter, but also the value that peanut butter has as an ideal food to feed the hungry because of its protein content and long shelf life," said Julie Tesch, executive director of the Foundation. "Along with the game, we've also created a lesson plan that will allow students to dive deeper into the role peanuts play in the nitrogen cycle," she added.

In addition to science, math and social science skills, students will also have the opportunity to enhance their English Language Arts skills by reading about peanuts while playing the game.

"We are proud to debut this educational online resource as an enjoyable way for children to learn where their food comes from. Discovering how peanuts are grown, harvested and processed connects us all to the nutritious and delicious qualities of peanuts and peanut butter," said Cathy Johnson, marketing and communications associate at the National Peanut Board.

The Operation Peanut Butter game, lesson plan and activity sheet, along with other agricultural-based learning resources, are available at www.myamericanfarm.org.

The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture was founded in 1967 and works to educate the public about the importance of agriculture and reconnect them with the people who grow their food through educational outreach and learning resources.

The National Peanut Board was founded in 2001 and is funded by America's 7,000 peanut farming families. The board funds production research, stimulates new uses for U.S.-grown peanuts and drives demand for the commodity.

The My American Farm educational resource is a special project of the American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture. The site and resources are made possible through the generous support of title sponsor, DuPont Pioneer. To take advantage of the free My American Farm resources, games and activities, visit http://myamericanfarm.org.



Forward-thinking Topics Showcased in World Dairy Expo Seminars

For the past five decades, World Dairy Expo has brought world-class seminars to the place where the dairy industry meets – in Madison, Wis. This year, eight seminars feature cutting-edge topics including dairy product demand, workforce trends, manure processing, pregnancy rates, water quality and nutrition, genomic testing, low milk prices and the veterinary feed directive.

Members of the American Registry of Professional Animal Scientists (ARPAS) and the American Association of State Veterinary Boards – RACE Program* (RACE) can earn continuing education credits for attending. Additionally, all seminars will be available for viewing at worlddairyexpo.com after they are presented.

Seminars will be showcased Tuesday through Saturday, October 4-8, in the Mendota 2 meeting room, located in the Exhibition Hall. Badgerland Financial, Channel, CRV USA, Dairy Management Inc., DeKalb, Feed Supervisor Software, Richie Industries, Inc. and Quality Liquid Feeds, Inc. are sponsors of this year's seminars, which include the following:

TUESDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1:00 p.m.
“How the Dairy Checkoff is Driving Demand for You”
Tom Gallagher, CEO, Dairy Management Inc.
Sponsored by: Dairy Management Inc.

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 11:00 a.m.
“Agricultural Workforce Trends and their Implications for Dairy Managers”
Thomas Maloney, Senior Extension Associate, Cornell University
Sponsored by: DeKalb

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 5, 1:00 p.m.
“Phosphorus Trade-offs in No Till: And a Possible Solution”
Dr. Clinton Church, Research Chemist, USDA - ARS
Sponsored by: Badgerland Financial

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 11:00 a.m.
“Achieving High Pregnancy Rates in High Producing Dairy Herds”
Dr. Paul Fricke, Professor, University of Wisconsin-Madison
Sponsored By: Feed Supervisor Software

THURSDAY, OCTOBER 6, 1:00 p.m.
“Drinking Water Nutrition and Quality: Could it be a Constraint in Your Herd?”
Dr. David Beede, Professor, Michigan State University
Sponsored by: Ritchie Industries, Inc.

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 11:00 a.m.
“Making Money with Genomic Testing on the Dairy Farm”
Dr. Albert De Vries, Associate Professor, University of Florida
Sponsored by: CRV USA

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1:00 p.m.
“Surviving Low Milk Prices”
Dr. Robert Parsons, Professor, University of Vermont
Sponsored by: Channel

SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 11:00 a.m.
“VFD: Challenges for the Feed Industry and Producer”
Richard Sellers, Senior Vice President, Public Policy & Education, American Feed Industry Association
Sponsored by: Quality Liquid Feeds, Inc.

Recognized as the meeting place for the global dairy industry, World Dairy Expo attracts more than 70,000 attendees from over 90 countries to Madison, Wisconsin, each year. The annual event will take place Oct. 4-8, 2016, with the theme of “Celebrate 50!” to commemorate its golden anniversary. Visit worlddairyexpo.com.



NFU, NDFU Defend RFS in Joint Letter to Rep. Cramer

In response to a recent statement by Representative Kevin Cramer (R-ND) suggesting that the Renewable Fuels Standard (RFS) should be allowed to expire in 2022, the National Farmers Union (NFU) and the North Dakota Farmers Union (NDFU) sent a letter today, emphasizing the potential impact of an expired RFS on rural economies, specifically those in the Representative’s home state of North Dakota.

The letter encourages Rep. Cramer to consider biofuels’ critical contribution to U.S. energy independence, national security, and the nation’s rural economies. The ethanol industry “adds more than $300 million annually to North Dakota’s economy and $42.4 billion to the U.S. Gross Domestic Product,” the groups explain.

Unfortunately, in recent years the RFS has been unable to perform to the full potential envisioned by Congress due to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) setting volume obligations well below the statutory levels set by Congress in 2007.

“In light of these setbacks, volume obligations beyond 2022 are even more important, since ethanol refiners will need to make up for lost time to overcome the unfair and monopolistic chokehold on consumer transportation fuels,” the organizations write in the letter.

Given the downturned farm economy, the organizations were especially troubled by Rep. Cramer’s advice to presumptive Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump. Allowing the RFS to expire fails to align with Mr. Trump’s previous acknowledgement of the benefits of fair access to markets for ethanol.

“From the farm to the gas pump, the RFS has created opportunities for farmers, local economies and consumers across the country. Unfortunately, undercutting volume obligations has created an unbalanced market, favoring branded oil companies over the American farmer and the rural consumer,” said NFU President Roger Johnson. “I encourage Representative Cramer to support family farmers and rural communities and reconsider his position on allowing the RFS to expire.”



Arcadia Biosciences and DuPont Pioneer Achieve Milestone in the Development of High-Value Specialty Oil

Arcadia Biosciences, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKDA) and DuPont Pioneer (NYSE: DD) today announced the successful field-trial validation of safflower plants that produce high levels of arachidonic acid (ARA) oil, a high-value, specialty nutritional oil for global consumer markets. The achievement of this key milestone represents a significant step in the collaboration between Arcadia and DuPont Pioneer to develop a new plant-based and cost-effective source of oil with high levels of ARA.

ARA is an omega-6 fatty acid that, along with certain omega-3 fatty acids, plays a critical role in neural and visual development of infants. It is one of the most abundant fatty acids in the brain, and neurological health is reliant upon sufficient levels of ARA. 

ARA is used as a functional ingredient in many infant nutrition products, and has been shown to provide developmental benefits similar to breastfeeding. Its use in nutritional products has been reviewed and supported by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Health Organization. High ARA safflower plants will offer an alternative and more efficient source for the ingredient that will improve manufacturing economics and encourage wider use of ARA.

“The newly developed safflower oil could ultimately provide a renewable and sustainable source of this nutritionally important fatty acid. Since sunlight provides all the energy needed to make ARA in safflower seed oil, this production technique also is very cost-effective when compared with current commercial methods,” said Tony Kinney, research director, DuPont Pioneer.

“The achievement of this milestone further demonstrates Arcadia’s expertise in developing high-value nutritional oils leveraging our omega-6 platform,” said Raj Ketkar, CEO of Arcadia. “The development of ARA safflower oil will expand Arcadia’s nutritional oil offerings and will build on our experience in the development, regulatory management, production and marketing of these high-value products.”

Arcadia’s ARA safflower oil is in the late stages of product development. Regulatory approval would be sought prior to commercialization.