Tuesday July 26 Ag News

LENRD - Cost-share on flow meters available until June 30, 2017
The Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD) received a grant from Nebraska’s Water Sustainability Fund (WSF) and has cost-share available for producers who have yet to install flow meters on their irrigation wells.  All irrigation wells in the LENRD will need a district approved flow meter installed by January 1, 2018.

To assist landowners with the expense of this requirement, the LENRD will provide financial support of $500 per flow meter.  It is important to note that landowners must first apply and be approved for reimbursement, prior to purchase and installation of the meter.  Application for the flow meter cost-share can be completed by visiting your local Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) office and filling out the appropriate application forms.  These requests are then forwarded to the LENRD for processing.

In addition, the LENRD will offer incentive payments of $250 per flow meter to producers who are approved for the Environmental Quality Incentive Program (EQIP) funding.  The EQIP program is administered by NRCS and offers a host of incentives for irrigation water management.

LENRD water resources manager, Brian Bruckner, said, “The deadline to have flow meters installed on all irrigation wells is January 1, 2018.  These incentives are available for producers who get signed up for the cost-share by June 30, 2017.  The maximum payment that a producer can receive is $5,000 per year for irrigation practices.”

Nebraska’s Natural Resources Commission approved nearly $11.5 million in projects through the WSF, with $900,000 being awarded to the LENRD for water and soil conservation.  The LENRD will provide a match of $600,000.  This will allow the district to have $1.5 million available for cost-share assistance on irrigation flow meters.



Corn Disease Update meetings offered at 4 locations by Nebraska Extension
Tamra Jackson-Ziems, NE Extension Plant Pathologist

I will be presenting “Corn Disease Update” meetings, hosted by Nebraska Extension and sponsored by the Nebraska Corn Board at the following locations/dates/times over the next 2 weeks:

·         Thursday July 28 Antelope County Fairgrounds, Neligh, NE  at 6:30 pm, with meal served, hosted by Amy Timmerman, Nebraska Extension Educator

·         Thursday Aug 4 Dawson County Fairgrounds, Lexington, NE at 1 pm, with refreshments, hosted by Sarah Schlund, Nebraska Extension Educator

·         Friday Aug 5 Stumpf Farm, Grant, NE at 1 pm, hosted by Strahinja Stepanovic, Nebraska Extension Educator

We welcome crop consultants, industry personnel, and growers to these meetings, as well as corn samples you’d like to bring and discuss.  Please RSVP to the host Nebraska Extension Educator for that location for our meal/refreshments head count.



Farm Drainage Field Day
A Farm Drainage Field Day will be held on Wednesday, August 10, 2016 9:00am - 2:00pm. You'll have an opportunity to see up close how a modern system drainage is installed and learn about the value of pattern tiling.

This Field Day, put on by Veldkamp Drainage, will feature:
-    Live equipment demonstrations
-    A lift station display
-    Plastics 101: an introduction to tile manufacturing

In the event of rain, the Field Day will be held August 11. The field is located on Highway 30 and County Road 17 west of Rogers, Nebraska.

Featured Speaker
"Understanding Wetland Compliance" - Michael P. Gutzmer, New Century Environmental LLC
Michael P. Gutzmer, PhD has a total of 40 years of environmental management-related experience. Before starting his own consulting business in 2007, Dr. Gutzmer was an Environment Regional Manager for the Electric Power Research Institute in the Great Plains region for 5 years. He was an Environmental Supervisor in Environmental Services at Nebraska Public Power District. Before that, Dr. Gutzmer worked for several state and federal environmental agencies including the Bureau of Land Management in Arizona, Iowa Conservation Commission, Texas Water Commission and the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality.

Dr. Gutzmer received a BS degree in agriculture and natural resources from the University of Nebraska in Lincoln and an MS degree in biology from Texas State University. He completed his PhD in environmental sciences at Lacrosse University. He is a Certified Fisheries Scientist, Professional Wetland Scientist, Certified Wildlife Biologist, Certified Senior Ecologist, and a Certified Environmental Professional and a Technical Service Provider for the National Resource Conservation Service.

Dual Force Technology
An innovative way of installing 2 lateral lines spaced 15' apart in 1 pass and you can see it in action!

When - Wednesday, August 10, 2016 from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM (CDT)
Where - 602 County Road 17, Schuyler, NE 68661

Veldkamp Drainage - Organizer of Farm Drainage Field Day
Veldkamp Drainage is a farm drainage specialist based in Columbus, Nebraska. Veldkamp installs modern pattern tiling systems to improve your bottom line. For more information contact David Veldkamp at 402-720-4530 or visit agdrainage.com.



New Video Tells Story of Farmers’ Commitment to Water Conservation

 Recent hot, dry weather has many Nebraska soybean farmers using irrigation to keep their crops on track during a critical stage of development for soybean plants. But it’s not as simple as turning on a faucet. A new video produced by the Nebraska Soybean Board (NSB) explains how one Nebraska farm family uses technology to conserve water, a priority for farmers throughout the state.

Ray and Kevin Kucera grow soybeans and corn on their farm near Cedar Bluffs, Nebraska. In the video, they share how they monitor soil moisture and time their irrigation using SoyWater, an online tool developed by the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL) with funding from the Nebraska Soybean Board. By applying the right amount of water at the right stage of development, the Kucera’s conserve a precious resource. “It really takes a lot of guess work out of our work,” said Ray Kucera.

UNL Extension Educator Chuck Burr specializes in helping farmers use water in a sustainable way. In the video he says Nebraska’s farmers are good stewards of natural resources, often using technology to manage water use. “Nebraska is leading the nation in the percentage of farmers that are monitoring soil moisture and making those irrigation scheduling decisions,” said Burr.

Farmers have always cared for the land and water they depend on to raise a crop. Today’s producer relies on research-based tools and technology to maintain soil and water quality and manage irrigation. Victor Bohuslavsky, NSB executive director, says it’s important to help people understand farmers’ commitment to conservation. “We’re hoping Nebraskans will take a few minutes to watch this video and learn why farmers across Nebraska are focused on sustainability for future generations,” said Bohuslavsky.



Farmer-Leaders Elected to Board of Directors for Iowa Corn

Iowa Corn announced today the results of the Board of Directors elections for the Iowa Corn Growers Association (ICGA) and Iowa Corn Promotion Board (ICPB).

Those elected as ICGA Directors will continue to bring grassroots policy issues forward and be the collective voice for 8,000 corn farmer-members, lobbying on agricultural issues at the state and federal level. They include:

*For those re-elected

District 1 – Dean Meyer, Lyon County *
District 3 – Mark Mueller, Bremer County
Direct 6 – Jim Greif, Linn County *

Since 1978, Iowa corn farmers have elected their peers to serve on the ICPB to oversee the investment of funds generated by the Iowa corn checkoff. ICPB Directors will continue to promote a thriving Iowa corn industry through research into new and value-added corn uses, domestic and foreign market development and providing education about corn and corn products. These individuals include:

District 2 – Tom Renner, Hancock County
District 5 – Roger Zylstra, Jasper County *
District 7 – Ralph Lents, Adair County
District 8 – Gary Petersohn, Ringgold County

Both organizations are charged with creating opportunities for long-term Iowa corn grower profitability. Elected Directors will begin to serve on September 1st, 2016.



Early Deadline Approaches for Applied Reproductive Strategies in Beef Cattle Workshop

The early registration and hotel reservation deadline for the 2016 Applied Reproductive Strategies in Beef Cattle Workshop to be held Sept. 7-8 in Des Moines is quickly approaching. After Aug. 8, professional and student registration fees will increase to $250 and $150 respectively, and the guaranteed room block with the Embassy Suites will no longer be honored.

Online registration and a link to print a form for mailing are on the conference website at http://www.aep.iastate.edu/arsbc/. Telephone registration is not accepted, and registration is not complete without payment.

Host site organizer Iowa State University cow-calf specialist Patrick Gunn said the workshop is a must-attend event for cow-calf producers, bovine veterinarians, industry representatives, students and extension personnel.

“Don’t miss out on the opportunity to hone your reproductive management skills at this two-day event highlighting the latest information on reproductive technologies in beef cattle,” Gunn said. “Up to 15 continuing education units for veterinarians in Iowa and adjoining states as well as professional animal scientists have been approved for this year’s meeting.”

Those interested in receiving CEUs should see the workshop website or contact their professional association.

Twenty scientists and veterinarians from 13 states will cover the latest research and best management practices related to topics including handling hormones and frozen genetics, nutrition, sexed semen, embryo transfer, in vitro fertilization, reproductive health, genetics, fetal programming and pregnancy detection.

The event is provided through a cooperative effort by Iowa State, Iowa Beef Center and the Beef Reproduction Task Force. The task force is a multi-state extension activity in cooperation with the North Central Agricultural and Natural Resources Program Leaders Committee and the Cooperative State Research, Education and Extension Service. Key goals of the task force include promoting widespread adoption of reproductive technologies among cow-calf producers and educating the beef industry on management considerations to increase the likelihood of successful breeding of animals through artificial insemination.



High Oleic Soybean Oil Passes the Test at Purdue University

As part of a recent test of high oleic soybean oil in a Purdue University dining hall, chefs witnessed the oil’s excellent stability and other positive performance attributes in a product without trans fat. Today, the university is just the latest example of a customer evaluating whether to switch over to using the oil in day-to-day operations.

More customers using high oleic would mean extra demand for high oleic soybean oil and extra profit potential for all U.S. soybean farmers. To seal the deal, however, these customers need to see a larger supply of available oil.

“We’re excited to see this oil perform as we thought it would; now it’s up to us as farmers to show that we can grow enough,” soy checkoff farmer-leader Mike Beard says of Purdue’s trial. Beard grows high oleic soybeans on his farm in Frankfort, Indiana. “We’ve got some top-notch restaurants that want to use it, but switching oils is a major investment. It’s understandable that they’d wait until the supply is stable.”

In 2016, farmers across 11 states planted approximately 450,000 acres of high oleic soybeans, building supply for potential customers. New delivery locations and opportunities for contracts could become available next year, allowing more farmers to benefit from the premiums associated with high oleic varieties.

Increasing high oleic soybean acreage to meet demand will be crucial in capitalizing on the opportunity the oil brings. To maximize market share and soybean farmer profitability, the soybean industry has set a goal of 18 million acres of high oleic soybeans planted by 2023. Meeting that goal could mean as much as an additional $1.7 billion in farmer revenue each year.

Purdue’s trial, a checkoff-funded study conducted by the university’s Food Science Department, found positive results for high oleic’s lifespan, absorption properties and flavor profile, compared with the preservative-fortified canola oil the dining hall used previously.

“High oleic oil is phenomenal in its performance,” says Purdue’s executive sous chef Jack Kennedy. “Comparatively speaking, we find that it lasts longer than the other oils.”



CNBC’s Ron Insana Discusses Current Trade Environment At USGC Summer Meeting

The U.S. economy is in good shape despite rhetoric to the contrary, and agriculture helps significantly by adding surpluses to the U.S. trade balance, CNBC and MSNBC contributor Rob Insana told the audience at the the U.S. Grains Council's (USGC's) 56th Annual Board of Delegates Meeting this week.

Insana’s presentation focused on the global economy and the impact of trade on current U.S. policy and politics. His presentation as a keynote speaker stressed the importance of a positive trade environment and continued exports, noting the benefits of the pending Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) trade agreement. 

"TPP helps assess the global economic climate," Insana said. "More jobs have been lost to technology than trade; trade has not hollowed out the middle class.

With continued uncertainty surrounding TPP's approval, Insana told delegates they needed to share information about how trade benefits them with their fellow farmers as well as policymakers.

"We now have the ability to export a variety of products. It's vitally important that we continue to do that," he said. "If we can get the world growing at an average of 3 percent, that could have a huge impact on the global economy and trade overall."

Insana's presentation also stressed the importance of agriculture in light of the world's increasing life expectancy.

"Living for 150 years is no longer a far off reality," he said, citing the need for biotechnology to food security and the importance of agriculture in the worldwide economy. Mentorship opportunities, he said, present a unique opportunity to engage current business leaders and millennial entrepreneurs in the future of agriculture and trade. 

Insana closed by reiterating the need to get out the facts about the value of trade to the U.S. economy.

“Feelings have replaced facts these days,” he said, addressing concerns about topics ranging from currency manipulation to economic threats abroad. "In order to create a more positive impression of trade, we need to continue to present facts in a way that creates a positive feeling."

The USGC summer meeting is an opportunity for farmers, agribusiness representatives and other
 stakeholders in the U.S. grain trade to gather and discuss critical issues and the organization's programs to develop grain markets.



Farm Safety For Just Kids Disbands

The board of directors of Farm Safety For Just Kids announced the organization will be dissolved at the end of 2016. Education, research and outreach on critical farm safety issues will continue through the Progressive Agriculture Foundation, an organization with a similar mission.

Farm Safety For Just Kids' library of educational materials and other assets will be donated to the Birmingham, Alabama-based PAF. Management of the 2016 Outreach program will be transferred to PAF. FS4JK will no longer accept monetary donations from individuals or organizations.

"We are proud of the work we have done to promote farm safety for the youngest members of farm families," says Farm Safety For Just Kids Founder and President Marilyn Adams. "We believe this move will further the mission of keeping farms safe for youth. That was the goal 30 years ago, and that remains the goal today. We feel the organization has accomplished what we set out to do almost 30 years ago: To support farm safety education in the U.S. and around the world. I believe that this move will further the mission we all have worked hard to accomplish."

As part of the transition, FS4JK will donate $5,000 to both the National 4-H Council and National FFA Organization to recognize their advocacy work for youth safety in agriculture.

The balance of the organization's assets will be noted to the Progressive Agriculture Foundation.



NMPF Introduces FARM Environmental Stewardship Component to Help Measure Progress Made by Dairy Farms in Sustainability Practices

The Farmers Assuring Responsible Management (FARM) Program, administered by the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF), is assuming management of the Farm Smart Program, previously managed by Dairy Management, Inc. Farm Smart, an environmental stewardship module for farmers to measure improvements they make in the area of sustainability, will become the voluntary Environmental Stewardship component of the FARM Program, NMPF announced today.

The FARM Environmental Stewardship module integrates the methodology and science of Farm Smart, a carbon footprint assessment tool created by the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy. Farm Smart has been field-tested in several full supply chain pilots, and is familiar to the dairy cooperative, processor and retailer communities, but is still relatively new at the farm level. The Farm Smart science-based models are being fully integrated into FARM Environmental Stewardship, but will be updated in the future through a partnership between NMPF and the Innovation Center.

As dairy companies are increasingly asked for information about their environmental practices, the FARM Environmental Stewardship program will allow for the collection and dissemination of information on energy use and greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). The assessment will also help dairy producers identify potential efficiency gains and cost savings, offering them the ability to track progress in a secure, confidential platform.

“FARM Environmental Stewardship is a natural addition to the existing FARM Program pillars, FARM Animal Care and FARM Antibiotic Residue Avoidance, because it will help dairy farmers communicate another positive story with consumers,” said Jim Mulhern, President and CEO of NMPF. “FARM Environmental Stewardship will now begin down the important path of gaining insight, support and engagement at the cooperative and producer level.”

This fall and winter, the FARM Program will hold webinars, release training materials and provide farm resources to assist farmers and companies that want to begin utilizing the assessments. The module will be previewed at the FARM Evaluator Conference this November in Nashville, Tenn., held in conjunction with the NMPF Joint Annual Meeting. An online tutorial will also be made available later this year to cooperatives and producers looking to learn more.

Administration of FARM Environmental Stewardship will be managed by Ryan Bennett, NMPF’s Senior Director for Industry and Environmental Affairs, with overall FARM Program oversight by Emily Meredith, Chief of Staff. More information can be found on the FARM Program website... http://www.nationaldairyfarm.com/environment.



CWT Assists with 972,000 Pounds of Cheese and Whole Milk Powder Export Sales

Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) has accepted three requests for export assistance from Dairy Farms of America and Northwest Dairy Association (Darigold), who have contracts to sell 90,390 pounds (41 metric tons) of Cheddar and Gouda cheese, and 881,849 pounds (400 metric tons) of whole milk powder to customers in Asia. The product has been contracted for delivery in the period from August through October 2016.

So far this year, CWT has assisted member cooperatives who have contracts to sell 29.916 million pounds of American-type cheeses, 6.949 million pounds of butter (82% milkfat) and 22.860 million pounds of whole milk powder to 21 countries on five continents. The sales are the equivalent of 599.359 million pounds of milk on a milkfat basis.

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



New Vive Crop Protection Products Debut on Acres in Six Midwestern States

After being introduced to the market in March, two products that feature a new nanotech delivery system for fungicide and insecticide have performed well in field observations.

The technology, called Allosperse™, uses polymer nanoparticle shuttles to control how and when crop protection products are delivered to the plant after being applied. This is new technology for agriculture that is comparable to how some pharmaceuticals are delivered to precise targets within the human body.

Farmers in Minnesota, Nebraska, South Dakota, North Dakota, Iowa and Illinois applied the two new products, AZteroid™ and Bifender™, to corn and soybean acres this spring. In addition, trials were conducted in potato and sugarbeet plots.

It’s still too early to assess yield results, said Dr. Darren Anderson, chief communications officer for Vive Crop Protection, but producer feedback and field observations have been excellent. “AZteroid is the first fungicide built for compatibility with liquid fertilizer, and producers were pleased with their new-found ability to apply starter fertilizer and fungicide in-furrow in a single pass.”

In field observations, corn and soybean plants grown with a combination of starter fertilizer and AZteroid applied in-furrow were larger with significantly more root mass when compared with plants that only received starter fertilizer.

This combination of AZteroid and fertilizer was applied as one uniform mixture, thanks to the Allosperse technology. Crop protection products typically fail to mix thoroughly with liquid fertilizer. However, with Allosperse this problem is no longer an issue. As a result, multiple products can be conveniently applied in a single pass across the field.

“One producer relayed a story of mixing AZteroid with starter fertilizer in the tank, only to be delayed for four days because of rain,” Dr. Anderson explained. “When he was finally able to get in the field, there was only a small amount of residue in the check balls and even that came right off once he got moving.”

Producers said the products worked well when mixed directly in the fertilizer tank as well as when applied through a Dosatron. There were no problems even with a high-zinc starter fertilizer, and the products exhibited excellent mixing properties with glyphosate and Capture® LFR®.

AZteroid contains azoxystrobin and provides broad-spectrum control for a variety of seed and seedling diseases. Bifender contains bifenthrin and provides broad-spectrum control of many serious insect pests dwelling at or below the soil surface.

Bifender has the same excellent fertilizer compatibility as AZteroid and can be tank-mixed with AZteroid by growers who want to simultaneously control seedling disease and soil-borne insect pests. Bifender is particularly useful applied to seed that has not received a seed treatment, but both Bifender and AZteroid can also be used to provide extra protection to treated seed.