STUDY SHOWS BENEFITS OF 'LIVESTOCK FRIENDLY' DESIGNATION
More than a decade after Nebraska created its "livestock friendly" designation, participating counties have gained more cattle farms and lost fewer hog farms than those that lack the designation, a new study by agricultural economists at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln shows.
Regression analysis showed the livestock friendly designation had a stronger positive correlation to livestock expansion than almost all other factors measured, including the nearby presence of meatpacking plants.
The article, authored by Brian Mills, Azzeddine Azzam, Kate Brooks and David Aiken, is forthcoming in the Online Journal of Rural Research and Policy.
The Livestock Friendly County Program was adopted in 2003, in the wake of controversy over large hog confinement operations being established in central Nebraska in the late 1990s. Some opponents of the hog facilities unsuccessfully sought to give counties emergency powers to block the development of large livestock facilities.
By contrast, the livestock friendly program enables counties, on a voluntary basis, to seek a designation from the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, declaring them receptive to new livestock developments within their counties. The program appears to be unique in the nation, although agriculture department officials say they have received inquiries from at least one other state considering a similar strategy.
Greg Ibach, director of the Nebraska Department of Agriculture, said they're pleased the study confirms that the program works. The designation is used to market Nebraska sites to the livestock industry nationally and internationally.
"It signifies at the county level they're more open to projects and more open to growing their industry," Ibach said. "Livestock Friendly Counties have made a commitment to transparency and consistence to their producers."
Morrill County, in the Nebraska Panhandle, was the first county to obtain the designation, in 2005. Presently, 37 of Nebraska's 93 counties have achieved the designation, with several more under review.
The agricultural economists studied 21 counties that achieved the designation between 2002 and 2012, comparing the numbers of farms reported in 2002, 2007 and 2012 censuses.
In raw numbers, counties with the livestock friendly designation saw larger growth in cattle operations – a 12 percent increase in livestock friendly counties between 2007 and 2012, compared to an 8 percent increase in counties without the designation. More than three fourths of counties (16 of 21) with the livestock friendly designation saw a net increase in their cattle farm numbers.
Although most Nebraska counties saw a decline in the number of hog farms during the study period, the decline was significantly slower in counties designated as livestock friendly. From 2007 to 2012, there was a 15.6 percent decline in the number of hog farms in participating counties. For counties without the livestock friendly designation, the decline was 62 percent.
"It does seem to attract more farms," said Brian Mills, who studied the livestock friendly designation as his master's degree thesis. "For that, I think it's good. Where I'm from, the population's been going down and it's nice to have people come back and farm."
Mills grew up on a diversified farm near Ansley. He now is studying for a doctorate in agricultural economics at Oklahoma State University.
Co-author and thesis co-adviser Azzeddine Azzam, an agricultural economics professor, said the study's conclusions are more nuanced than the raw numbers show.
"It's not easy to tell what's going on just by the numbers," he said.
Other factors included population density; per capita income levels; cattle and hog prices; corn prices; the presence of a meatpacking plant in the county or a neighboring county; the presence of an ethanol plant in the county or a neighboring county; the concentration of livestock in the county, as measured by cattle per square mile and by percentage of the state's total cattle inventory; the county's geographic region of the state; and the number of years a county has been in the livestock friendly program.
The study did not review farm sizes or zoning regulations.
"After controlling for other factors, on average, farm numbers in counties with livestock friendly designation are higher than those counties without the designation," the study concludes.
Nebraska State Grange Convention 2016 in Columbus
The annual meeting of the Nebraska State Grange will be held at the Ramada Rivers Edge Inn on the South side of Columbus, Nebraska, just north of the bridge, September 9-10-11, 2016.
On Friday, Grangers will meet for lunch and then take a tour of the headquarters of the Behlen Manufacturing company or make something fun at Craft Village, followed by a stop at the Higgins Memorial. Convention registration will begin at 7:30 PM, followed by a preliminary look at incoming resolutions to be considered for National or State Grange policy, and ending the day with an evening Ice Cream Social.
The convention will begin Saturday, at 8:30 AM with a welcome from the city of Columbus. followed by the formal opening of the Grange meeting. The National Grange President, Betsy Huber will be introduced and will deliver her Annual Report, which will be followed by the State President's report from Kevin Cooklsey, of Weissert, Ne. Resolutions for changes-additions in Grange Policy, will be introduced.
The emcee for the noon luncheon will be State Steward, Joe Fryman of Blair, NE.
Betsy Huber, National Grange President, will be the speaker. She was the first women president of the Pennsylvania State Grange, and is the first woman to serve as president of the National Grange. Women have held offices in the Grange since it's beginning and four of the offices must be held by women. Women had the right to vote in the Grange long before they could vote anywhere else. Mrs. Huber has an impressive history of service to rural America. She served on boards including Department of Environmental Protection, Ag Advisory committee, the Pennsylvania Alliance for Livestock Care and Well-being, and the Pennsylvania State Council of Farm Organizations where she served as President for two years. She will also do a workshop in the afternoon.
Scholarships to students and Community Service Awards will be presented to local Granges for their projects to improve the area where they are.
The annual banquet will be at 6:30 PM. Kevin Cooksley, President, from Weissert, NE, will be the emcee. The speaker will be Johnnt Johnson, a local musician who grew up in the back of a music store and started playing stringed instruments at the age of five. He plays country music and popular numbers from the 50's and 60's.
The program will be followed by an auction of the baked goods chosen as winners by the judges of the Baking Contest. Other miscellaneous items will be auctioned also.
On Sunday morning there will be a memorial service for Grange members who have passed on this year and a brief worship service, planned by State Grange Chaplin, Ricki Wulf, of Blair. State Grange Lecturer, Darlene Janing of Geneva Ne, will have some entertainment following the service.
Emcee for the Sunday Brunch will be State Grange Overseer, Russell Tooker of David City.
Following the Sunday brunch, Phyllis Tooker, from Ralston, Family Activities Committee Chairman, will present awards for the Baking, and Needlework Contests and give her report on other projects, stuffed “Toys for Loving”, and lbs. of pop tabs collected for Ronald McDonald House etc, for the year.
The afternoon will be spent finishing up Resolution Committee Reports. The State Grange Session will adjourn when resolutions are finished. Following adjournment, the Executive Committee will meet to make plans for the next convention.
2016 NeFU Fall District Meeting Schedule
NeFU District 4 Fall Meeting
Thursday, September 15, 2016
Valentino’s Restaurant
701 Court St, Beatrice, NE 68310
6:00 pm Supper with Meeting to follow
NeFU District 2 Fall Meeting
Monday, September 19, 2016
Wolbach Community Center
Main Street, Wolbach NE 68882
6:30 pm Potluck Supper with Meeting to follow
NeFU District 7 Fall Meeting
Tuesday, September 20, 2016
Valentino’s Restaurant
1025 South 13th Street, Norfolk, NE 68701
6:00 Supper with Meeting to follow
NeFU District 3 Fall Meeting
Wednesday, September 21, 2016
Bernardo's Steak House
1109 S Baltimore Avenue, Hastings, NE 68901
6:30 pm Supper with Meeting to follow
NeFU District 5 Fall Meeting
Thursday, September 22, 2016
Lee’s Chicken Restaurant
1940 W Van Dorn St
Lincoln, NE 68522
6:00 pm Supper with Meeting to follow
NeFU District 6 Fall Meeting
Monday, September 26, 2016
Wooden Windmill Restaurant
1155 S Broad St
Fremont, NE 68025
6:00 pm Supper with Meeting to follow
NeFU District 1 Fall Meeting
Tuesday, September 27, 2016
Bluffs Business Center
1517 Broadway, Scottsbluff, NE 69361
6:30 pm Light Supper provided with Meeting to follow
PLANNING THAT LAST CUTTING OF ALFALFA
Bruce Anderson, NE Extension Forage Specialist
As we start September, it's time to decide when to take your last cutting of alfalfa.
The date you take your last harvest of alfalfa affects its winter survival and next spring's vigor. Alfalfa needs about six weeks of uninterrupted growth in the fall to become fully winterized. This winterterizing generally begins about three weeks before the average date of first frost. Your last harvest can occur anytime before winterizing begins or after the winterizing period is over with little worry about affecting stand life. But, harvest during winterizing can be risky.
How risky is it to harvest alfalfa during winterizing? Well, that depends on how much total stress your alfalfa experienced this year. The most important factor is the number of cuts you took this year. Fields cut 4 or 5 times are more susceptible to winter injury than fields cut 3 times or less. Also, young stands of winterhardy, disease resistant varieties are less stressed and can be harvested during winterizing with less risk than older stands of varieties that may be only moderately winter hardy.
Also consider your need for extra alfalfa or its cash crop value. Dairy hay still is priced high, so cutting dairy hay from this final harvest may be worth the risk of lowering next year’s yield. Stock cow and grinding hay, though, is quite plentiful and is dropping in value this year. When this hay is plentiful and reasonably priced, it may be better to purchase extra hay rather than risk another cutting. Remember, you can cut or graze after winterizing with less risk.
Harvesting alfalfa during its winterizing period is risky, but by reducing total stress, you control how risky it is.
Personal Experiences Showcase Beef Industry to Key Audiences
Our communications world today is dominated by computers, i-phones, tablets and other forms of impersonal contact. Checkoff-funded farm-to-fork tours conducted by state beef councils, however, have shown that more face-to-face forms of interaction are a valuable tool in shifting perceptions about the beef industry.
State beef council managers who have been active in farm-to-fork tours over the past decade are unanimously enthusiastic about the ability of the tours to improve knowledge of and move attitudes about the industry. Ashley Hughes, executive director of the Florida Beef Council, says direct engagement through person-to-person contact is a great way to shift perceptions.
“It’s the chance to give influencers first-hand experience in beef production, and allow them to network with producers themselves,” she says. “They’ve never seen this science-based information in person, or experienced the process. They have no idea, for example, that there is so much involved with the care of animals, or in the production of beef.”
“Tour participants get to shake the hand of a producer, to talk to their family, to walk through their fields and their ranch,” says Jackie Madill, director of consumer information for the Washington State Beef Commission. “By conducting these tours, we’re helping to put a face on the industry itself. That experience is invaluable.”
“It’s a lot easier to change someone’s mind when they’re right there on the farm,” according to Angie Horkan, director of marketing for the Wisconsin Beef Council. “It’s just a more effective way of sharing information.
“Tour participants realize that producers are just like them,” adds Horkan. “They have families, concerns and are committed to what they do.”
The producer’s operation is often multi-generational, and this too connotes a positive message. “We can talk about stewardship and taking care of the land and animals, and making maximum utilization of the feed,” Horkan says. “They understand the very human, common sense, practical approaches taken by these producers.”
“This is one of the best returns on investment in the checkoff,” according to FBC’s Hughes. “We’re shifting opinions about our industry, and producing incredible results. Attitudes have significantly changed.”
Adam Wegner, director of marketing for the Nebraska Beef Council, agrees. “The time commitment is priceless, because when attendees go on these tours they become advocates for the industry. They can help tell the positive story for us,” he says. “It pays off for years and years down the road.”
Not for Everyone
Because they’re so effective, any consumer would benefit from these checkoff-funded farm-to-fork tours. But most of the time, they aren’t for everyone.
“We often say we would love to take every single beef-eating Washington consumer on one of these tours, but that’s obviously impossible,” says WSBC’s Madill. “Because we don’t have an unlimited budget, we have very targeted audiences.”
Wegner says from the beginning the NBC has focused on influencer targets as participants in Nebraska tour events. “They have the best opportunities to share their experiences with other people,” he says. For most state councils these individuals include chefs, bloggers, retail meat managers, dietitians, culinary instructors and students.
Each tour group in Nebraska involves about 20-25 people, Wegner says. “We figure that’s the most efficient size of group,” he says, factoring in budgets and tour logistics. In the state of Washington they have found that 30-35 people is “the optimum number to take to have quality, one-on-one conversations,” says Madill.
According to Nikki Richardson, who helps coordinate national farm-to-fork tours on behalf of the Beef Checkoff Program, the number on a tour is not nearly as important as the content. “We stress quality over quantity,” she says. “If you don’t have the time to follow up and foster a relationship, then you’re taking too many people.
“We try to take the right people on these events – ones who will influence their followers,” says Richardson, who is director of reputation management at the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, a beef checkoff contractor. She says tours coordinated nationally are referred to as “production immersion experiences,” because they give participants full exposure to the working of the beef cycle.
“These on-the-ground events are the most effective way to show how beef is raised,” she says. “It’s much more impactful than a fact sheet, for example, a person may or may not read.”
Significant Perception Changes
Surveys conducted both pre- and post-tours support that view. For instance, a survey of participants in a beef checkoff-funded tour coordinated at the national level showed that 92 percent of participants before the tour were somewhat or very concerned about humane treatment of cattle, and 8 percent were somewhat or very concerned afterward. Eighty two percent were somewhat or very concerned about environmental impact pre-tour, and 25 percent afterward.
States, too, conduct these kinds of surveys to assess their impact, and have demonstrated similar results. In one tour in Wisconsin last May, two of 19 tour participants thought themselves knowledgeable or somewhat knowledgeable about cattle raising. After the tour, 14 of the participants knew cattle raising well or somewhat well.
Many people have gone on these kinds of tours in states over the past decade. But tour participation isn’t measured in attendance, and the program doesn’t stop when the tour bus finishes its route.
Maximizing Reach
According to Richardson, getting the right influencers to attend the tours is just the first step. “It’s not a one-and done,” she says. “If we do a good job, these people continue to use the beef industry as a resource. And they carry the impact much further than we could as third party advocates.”
Reach is extended through social media. “Participants share their own experiences, pictures and quotes, and these spread all over the country very quickly,” says Hughes of the Florida Beef Council.
WSBC’s Madill says the Washington program is starting to focus more on lifestyle, food and “mommy” bloggers. “Those on the tours can connect the dots, and share their story for us,” she says. “In one way, it’s creating an army of beef soldiers for us.
“Our goal isn’t just to change opinion,” she adds. “It’s to give these influencers an experience that would influence how they share their stories with those they reach. These tours provide an extremely effective method of doing that.”
Benefits to producer participants
Angie Horkan of the WBC says they choose a variety of operations and beef producers from all over the state to share the beef industry’s message. “It’s been very valuable to show producers that this is what their checkoff dollars are doing,” she says. “And the producers that get involved want to do it again. They’re proud of their operations.”
As NBC’s Wegner puts it, “They see it as a great way to tell their story.”
That isn’t always easy, says NCBA’s Richardson. “The tours often open up our industry to some tough conversations,” she says. “But (the questions) represent the reality we’re in. That’s beneficial. We need to hear what’s on their minds.”
According to FBC’s Hughes, producers chosen to participate are carefully selected in a range of specialties. They also reach out to the University of Florida to provide educators who are familiar with the industry. “We want to give (tour participants) not just one experience, but experiences in a wide range of industry segments,” she says.
Wegner says his organization looks for “ag leaders who are willing to spend the time with the groups and whose operations are easily accessible.” According to Wegner, it’s important that the visits not be too disruptive to regular ranch operations.
A Partnership
Farm-to-fork tours help build consumer trust in beef and beef production, which is one of four Core Strategies of the Beef Industry 2016-2020 Long Range Plan. Coordination between state beef council and the national beef checkoff teams provide cooperative momentum toward that goal.
For instance, checkoff-funded experts at the national level often assist state tour efforts in a number of ways. Beef checkoff-funded chef Dave Zino often will attend tours to deliver culinary instruction and insights, and Bridget Wasser, NCBA executive director of meat science and technology, sometimes shares information on meat cutting and cuts, for example.
State beef councils also get assistance from the national checkoff team in other ways, getting help in identifying appropriate tour participants, or providing spokesperson training for producers, developing materials and securing correct checkoff-funded information for delivery to appropriate audiences.
“We are really plugged into what’s going on nationally, and try to work together to make it all work,” says WSBC’s Madill. For tours conducted by the national checkoff-funded team, beef councils in states where the tours will be held give critical assistance and guidance. The Federation of State Beef Councils has also supported several state beef council-conducted tours financially.
Future of Program
“There will always be a place for in-person production experiences,” says NCBA’s Richardson. Nevertheless, the industry is building on these kinds of events to produce other types of communications programs, such as virtual experiences via video. “It can help us reach people who aren’t able to go on a tour,” Richardson says, “or who are in a geographical area of the country where one or another segment of the beef industry isn’t represented.
“There are only a couple of places we can go where we’re able to show the entire beef lifecycle,” she says. “And we always try to emphasize there is not a one-size-fits-all approach to raising cattle.”
Richardson says the checkoff is always trying to improve on ways of getting the right production images to the right people at the right time. Video shot in Nebraska and Texas in 2014 and 2015 is helping provide images that share a view of cattle production with consumers. Some of these images and additional information can be found on FactsAboutBeef.com.
Because of the value of face-to-face communications, however, the production immersion experiences will be at the very core of the program. “It’s an exercise in transparency,” says Richardson. “Those of us who work for state beef councils and the Beef Checkoff Program can do a lot to help gather the information, coordinate the events and manage the follow-up. But these first-hand visits and non-scripted conversations allow the producers themselves to be the story-tellers about how beef is raised.”
Dips in Farm Sector Profitability Expected Into 2016
USDA Economic Research Service
Farm sector profitability is forecast to decline for the third straight year. Net cash farm income for 2016 is forecast at $94.1 billion, down 13.3 percent from the 2015 estimate. Net farm income is forecast to be $71.5 billion in 2016, down 11.5 percent. If realized, 2016 net farm income would be the lowest since 2009.
Cash receipts are forecast to fall $25.7 billion (6.8 percent) in 2016, led by an $18.7-billion (9.8 percent) drop in animal/animal product receipts and a $7.1-billion (3.7 percent) decline in crop receipts. Nearly all major animal specialties—including dairy, meat animals, and poultry/eggs— are forecast to have lower receipts, as are feed crops and vegetables/melons, down $3.2 billion (5.5 percent) and $1.5 billion (7.5 percent), respectively. While overall cash receipts are declining, receipts for several commodities are expected to increase by at least 1 percent above 2015 estimates, including cotton, up $0.6 billion (12.5 percent). Direct government farm program payments are projected to rise $2.7 billion (24.8 percent) to $13.5 billion in 2016, in part due to the expected price environment.
For the second year in a row production expenses are down. Total production expenses are forecast down $10.1 billion (2.8 percent) over 2015, led by declines in farm-origin inputs (feed, livestock/poultry, seed) and fuel/oils.
Farm asset values are forecast to decline by 2.2 percent in 2016, and farm debt is forecast to decrease by 0.8 percent. Farm sector equity, the net measure of assets and debt, is forecast down by $61.2 billion (2.4 percent) in 2016. The decline in assets reflects a 1.5-percent drop in the value of farm real estate, as well as declines in animal/animal product inventories, financial assets, and machinery/vehicles. The decline in farm debt is driven by lower nonreal estate debt (down 4.6 percent), reflecting a change in farmers’ management decisions (such as reducing input expenditures) but also an increase in short-term commercial bank loan rates, which make debt more expensive.
Median Income of Farm Operator Households Expected Down Slightly in 2016
The median income of farm households increased steadily over 2010-14, reaching an estimated $81,637 in 2014. After dipping in 2015 to $76,538, median household income is forecast to fall slightly in 2016 to an expected $76,282. Median farm income earned by farm households is estimated to be -$765 in 2015 and forecast to be -$1,353 in 2016. Most farm households earn all of their income from off-farm sources—median off-farm income is forecast to increase 2.5 percent, from $67,500 in 2015 to $69,159 in 2016. (Because farm and off-farm income are not distributed identically for every farm, median total income will generally not equal the sum of median off-farm and median farm income.)
Vilsack on Farm Income Forecasts for 2015 and 2016
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack issued the following statement today on the Farm Income and Financial Forecasts for 2015 and 2016, released by USDA's Economic Research Service.
"Today's farm income forecast underscores the unique ability of American farmers and ranchers to plan ahead and make sharp business decisions in a challenging market, as net farm income for 2015 was revised up significantly to $80.7 billion-an increase of 43 percent since the February forecast. Falling production expenses, including the price of fuel and inputs, was the largest contributor to this latest rally by farmers. Just last week, farm exports for 2016 were revised up to one of the highest levels on record, demonstrating that U.S. farmers and ranchers continue to beat expectations. Overall, farm income over the last five-year period reflects the highest average five-year period on record. Although net farm income for 2016 is forecast to decline relative to 2015, the 2014 Farm Bill has provided for a comprehensive farm safety net that will ensure financial stability for America's farming families. Farm Bill program payments-including Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC), Price Loss Coverage (PLC), and the Margin Protection Program for Dairy (MPP)-are forecast to increase nearly 25 percent to $13.5 billion in 2016. For producers challenged by weather, disease and falling prices, we will continue to ensure the availability of a strong safety net to keep them farming or ranching.
"The estimates today also showed that debt to asset and debt to equity ratios-two key indicators of the farm economy's health-continue to be near all-time lows. In addition to strong balance sheets, median household income for farming families remains near historic highs. In 2016, higher off-farm earnings are expected to help stabilize losses due to low commodity prices.
"The trend in strong household income reflects work of the Obama Administration since 2009 to make significant and targeted investments across the United States toward building a more robust system of production agriculture, expanding foreign markets for U.S. farm goods, bolstering local and regional food systems across the country, and creating a new bio-based economy in rural communities that today supports more than 4 million American jobs. At the same time, rural communities have been infused with billions of dollars to build schools, hospitals, and public safety headquarters, and businesses of all sizes have availed themselves of USDA's business loans and grants to spur growth that complements the agricultural economy. Other key investments made by USDA since 2009 include new or improved high-speed internet service to 6 million Americans in rural areas, along with investments in electricity, water and wastewater, and clean power, that will continue to strengthen rural communities for generations to come.
"Outside the United States, demand for American-grown food and agricultural products remains strong. Agricultural exports have surpassed $1 trillion since 2009, besting all previous records in terms of value and volume and acting as an engine for America's farm economy. USDA will continue to ensure American farming families have open markets and a level playing field by working to remove unfair barriers to trade and negotiating trade agreements, such as the Trans Pacific Partnership, that benefit all of agriculture."
Zoetis to Sponsor Postgraduate Research Fellowship at Iowa State University
A study at Iowa State University may give pork producers new insights on how to manage the Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome (PRRS). A postgraduate fellow, sponsored by Zoetis, will work with other university scholars to identify herd-specific best practices to prevent, control and/or eliminate PRRS virus (PRRSv).
Although pork researchers have learned much over the years about how this virus spreads and infects pigs, PRRS remains a troublesome disease. A 2013 study showed reproductive losses and decreased pig performance cost the industry $664 million per year.1
“We as an industry have a great opportunity to improve PRRS management,” said Jose Angulo, DVM, Managing Veterinarian and PRRS Specialist, U.S. Pork Technical Services, Zoetis. “This study will examine risk factors such as herd size, biosecurity, whole herd immunity and gilt flow to analyze current control and elimination PRRSv strategies and develop a more tailored approach to address PRRSv in breeding herds and reduce production impacts."
The student sponsored by Zoetis will work alongside Daniel Linhares, DVM, MBA, PhD, assistant professor, Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine, and Derald Holtkamp, DVM, MS, associate professor, Veterinary Diagnostic and Production Animal Medicine. Both Iowa State University professors have been actively involved in recent field-applied PRRSv research projects. The total value of the fellowship is $105,263.
“There is still great variability on the efficacy of PRRS control programs to reduce herd impact; part of that variability is due to variation of pig flow and system layout,” Dr. Linhares said. “We’re eager to partner with Zoetis so that we can help producers understand interactions between breeding herd characteristics and PRRSv management strategies.”
During the upcoming project, the researchers are targeting at least 135 breeding herds over a two-year period. Herds will be studied in groups based on similar herd characteristics and PRRSv management goals. Researchers hope to identify best PRRSv management practices to reduce economic and production impact.
The approach, also known as precision medicine, is common in human health studies that examine diseases from an epidemiological standpoint. Precision medicine considers the interaction between the host, environment, pathogen and other associated risk factors.
“It is difficult to have a one-size-fits-all management strategy for PRRSv because of the complexity in the virus as well as differences in herds,” Dr. Angulo said. “Each herd has its own unique set of challenges. Identifying successful virus control strategies for comparable herds puts the industry one step closer to eliminating PRRSv nationwide. Zoetis is proud to support young veterinary professionals as they help our industry achieve this goal.”
Beef and Pork's Role in Filling Supply Gap
Chris Hurt, Purdue University
Producers of beef and pork have generally been discouraged about recent low prices as cash prices have dropped sharply this year. Spring finished cattle price highs were near $138 per live hundredweight, but last week had fallen to $115, a $23 plunge.
The story is similar for hogs. After seeing yearly highs at $81 for a national lean price in the third week of June, prices have dropped $20, or 25 percent, in the past two months. Stepping back to take a longer view, finished cattle prices have been dropping since late 2014 when they reached record highs around $173. From $173 to $115 means, finished cattle prices have now dropped 34 percent. It is the same story for hogs, but with even bigger declines. The drop from the $130 record in 2014 to $61 today is a 53 percent reduction.
It is not hard to identify reasons for wild swings in prices over the past 10 years as these industries have been forced to adjust to large economic shocks. The severe multi-year drought in the Southern Plains was one of those shocks for the beef sector. The other was the period of surging feed prices starting in the fall of 2006 and continuing to mid-year 2013.
What is the supply gap? Drought in cattle country and high feed prices caused economic losses that forced supplies downward. As a result, the supply of meats (beef, pork, chicken, and turkey) dropped from 220 pounds per person in 2007 to just 201 pounds by 2014, creating a 19 pound supply gap. Low available supplies in 2014 brought record high prices for cattle, hogs, and chickens. Turkey prices moved even higher in 2015 because of additional lost production due to avian influenza.
The highest animal prices were in 2014 and 2015, at the same time feed prices began to moderate with the large 2013 and 2014 crops. High animal prices and lower feed prices meant record profitability. Record profitability was the signal producers needed to start expansion, and they will likely continue on that path for several more years. Thus, the meat industries are now in the process of filling the supply gap.
In fact, current USDA forecasts for 2017 are that U.S. per capita meat supplies will be back up to 216 pounds. That is a burst of 15 added pounds since the 2014 low of just 201 pounds and just four pounds short of the record consumption in 2007, which was based on the era of $2.00 per bushel corn.
Supply adjustments have been different for the pork and the beef sectors. Reduction in pork consumption per person was four pounds from 2007 to 2014. By 2017, pork will have recovered all of that reduction and be back up to 2007 per capita supplies. Pork will fill its supply gap. The pattern is much different for the beef sector that experienced more trauma and cannot increase production as quickly as poultry and pork. From 2007 to 2014 beef availability dropped by 11 pounds per capita and in 2017 is expected to still be about 10 pounds below 2007 levels. This means beef has only made a small step toward filling the supply gap.
There are some more important implications. First, the beef sector has been retaining females and this means that the size of the calf crops will be increasing over the next two years and per capita beef supplies will likely increase for two to three years. Second, the chicken industry has already filled its supply gap and more as 2017 per capita chicken supplies are expected to be six pounds more than supplies in 2007. Third, it is looking increasingly like the meat and poultry industries will totally fill the supply gap in the next three years with per capita meat and poultry supplies returning near the 2007 record of 220 pounds. However, beef is not likely to reach its 2007 levels, with chicken taking most of that market share.
A critical factor in a continued increase in per capita meat supplies will be moderate feed prices. The potential record 2016 corn and soybean crops suggest that corn, soybean meal, and forage prices over the next 12 months will be some of the lowest of the past decade. This is likely to stimulate somewhat more meat production for 2017 than the USDA forecasts used here.
Why are animal prices moving lower? The big picture answer is that the animal industries are rebuilding per capita supplies because of lower feed prices and restocking brood cows in the Southern Plains. It seems increasingly likely that the meat industry will totally fill the supply gap that was created from 2007 to 2014.
The meat industries are expected to continue to increase supplies until animal product prices drop to levels that approach breakeven levels.
Researchers taking mobile applications to the field to improve food security and economic welfare
Global populations are booming, food demand is skyrocketing and climate change is threatening food security — meanwhile, access to mobile technology is becoming commonplace. The ground is fertile to harness the power of this global mobile network to create and implement tools to accelerate the development of food crops that can withstand the coming challenges of the 21st century.
Researchers with expertise in breeding, genetics and computer science at Kansas State University, Cornell University, Texas A&M University, the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture and the International Institute for Maize and Wheat Improvement have partnered to meet that challenge head on.
With $1.5 million in funding from the National Science Foundation Basic Research to Enable Agriculture Development, or BREAD, Program, the team will work to develop mobile phone and tablet applications that enable breeders and scientists around the world to accelerate development of improved plant varieties. The BREAD Program is a partnership between the NSF and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation designed to take ideas that are at the forefront of research and put them into a context that can help smallholder farmers in the developing world.
Through this BREAD project, the team plans to develop new mobile apps to collect phenotypic plant data, such as disease resistance, plant height or seed size in the field, much more efficiently and at a much lower cost than is currently possible.
"This is the next step for us. After seeing the rapid uptake of Field Book, an app for collecting field research notes, it confirmed for us the incredible potential mobile applications have in the world of agriculture, and in particular for plant breeding," said Jesse Poland, assistant professor of plant pathology at Kansas State University and principle investigator on the project. "For plant breeders and scientists, the collection of phenotypic data is a huge bottleneck because the usual approach of pencil and paper is laborious and time prohibitive; this part of research has basically been the same for the last 100 years. New tools that can assist breeders to rapidly measure these plant traits would help lead to better varieties for farmers."
Poland said that we take a lot of things for granted in the U.S. — things like the availability of internet and electricity.
"Currently, 2 billion people live in poverty worldwide, most in developing countries, relying on subsistence agriculture. Interestingly, this population is also the fastest-growing market for smart device adoption," Poland said.
The team is focusing on developing mobile technology, applications and systems that would work under this paradigm: where a group needs to be functioning every day during the field season, the budget is very limited, and power and internet access might not be available.
"The value of developing apps for consumer smartphones and tablets is that the cost to implement them into breeding programs is so low, making them accessible to researchers and scientists in the developing world," said Trevor Rife, graduate research assistant in plant pathology at Kansas State University who has led development of Field Book.
According to Rife, breeders are accustomed to spending thousands of dollars on software and hardware, whereas the research team will be making its tools freely available. Once the global network of breeders and farmers is established and due to the nature of mobile applications, the apps can be re-released over time with new features, and completely new apps can be designed and deployed to the entire breeding community with ease.
"Rapidly producing new climate-resilient, high-yielding and nutritious plant varieties is critical to improving food security, income and economic welfare," Poland said. "To do this, we need to equip breeders with the tools to tackle this big task on a global scale. It is exciting to have this BREAD project to focus on that objective."
Agrium, Potash in Merger Talks
Canadian fertilizer giants Agrium Inc. and Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan Inc. said they were in preliminary talks about a possible merger of equals as the industry contends with slumping earnings amid persistently low prices for crop nutrients.
However, the companies also said no decision had been made, and there is no assurance the discussions would result in any potential deal, which would create a company with a total market value of more than $28 billion.
Bloomberg News earlier on Tuesday reported that the fertilizer makers were in advanced merger talks, with a deal announcement possible as soon as next week.
A merger would help Saskatchewan-based Potash, the world's largest fertilizer producer by capacity, insulate its earnings against volatile moves in crop nutrient prices by giving it access to Agrium's steadier retail business that sells fertilizer, seeds and other products to farmers.
For the first six months of this year, Agrium's retail business generated sales of $8.1 billion, down 3.6% from the year-ago period. By comparison, the sales at its smaller wholesale fertilizer operation fell 25% to $1.5 billion over the same period.
For Calgary-based Agrium, a deal would greatly expand its product of potash and other fertilizer ingredients, representing a bet that demand and prices for these products have bottomed and are poised for a rebound.
Potash "deliveries in the second half of 2016 are expected to be supported by...the normal seasonal upturn in demand and the recent supply agreements with China and India," two of the world's biggest markets for the crop nutrient, Agrium said earlier this month in its earnings release.
In New York, Potash stock rose 11% to $17.84, giving it a market capitalization of about $15 billion, according to FactSet. Agrium has gained 6% to $94.84 for a total value of about $13 billion.
Talk of a potential deal lifted the stocks of other fertilizer producers. Mosaic Co. shares jumped 8% to $30.19, while CF Industries Holdings Inc. added 4% to $25.99.
Potash was subject to a hostile takeover bid from BHP Billiton Ltd. in 2010, but the Anglo-Australian mining giant abandoned the offer that same year amid Canadian government opposition over the possible loss of what it deemed to be a strategically important company.
The latest merger talks come after an earlier failed attempt by Potash to diversify its operations into salt production. The company tried to acquire K+S AG, a move that would have helped to consolidate the fertilizer sector but dropped its hostile $8.8 billion bid in October 2015 after the German-based rival balked at the offer as too low.
The talks between Potash and Agrium differ because they are friendly. It also is unlikely Canadian regulators would oppose such a tie-up because both companies are Canadian-based, posing no risk to the loss of jobs and tax revenue to a foreign jurisdiction.
Autonomous Solutions, Inc. and CNH Industrial unveil concept autonomous tractors
Autonomous Solutions, Inc. (ASI) and CNH Industrial have announced the unveiling of concept autonomous tractors. ASI is CNH Industrial’s technology provider responsible for developing autonomous vehicle technology for a concept cabless Case IH Magnum and a concept New Holland T8, based on a current production tractor.
The tractors, unveiled today at the Farm Progress Show in Boone, Iowa, include the ability for autonomous seeding, planting and tillage , for broad acre and row crop farming. Advanced path planning technology will allow farmers to manage their fields efficiently and oversee the overall operation of several vehicles at once. The vehicles are also capable of obstacle detection which will enhance safety in the agriculture industry.
“ASI is the industry-leading developer of autonomous solutions in the off-road vehicle segment and the natural choice to be one of CNH Industrial’s key technology providers. CNH Industrial has had a long and successful relationship with ASI and we will continue to work together in developing advanced autonomous solutions for the future benefit of our global customers” stated Richard Tobin, CEO of CNH Industrial.
ASI has nearly two decades of autonomous technology development experience. As a smaller and more agile technology developer, ASI is able to partner with large global companies to help them disrupt their market with multi-vehicle autonomy faster and more economically than they could in any other way.
“Our relationship with CNH Industrial is vital in facilitating the near term disruption of how farming is done. We’re thrilled to be working with the leaders in Ag innovation to make this exciting future of driverless tractors a reality,” says Mel Torrie, ASI founder and CEO. “CNH Industrial’s selection of ASI as a long term, strategic robotic development provider validates the capability and flexibility of our robotics platform in reducing the risk and costs for equipment manufacturers to bring advanced capabilities to their respective industries.”
ASI and CNH Industrial have joined forces to create a development model and architecture framework that is flexible and dynamic, able to quickly adapt and adopt new technologies and standards as fast as they become available. This concept tractor results from the integration of ASI’s autonomous hardware and software with CNH Industrial’s advanced platform.
ASI also leverages this autonomous technology with other large global companies such as FCA US, Ford, Toyota, Rio Tinto, Anglo American, Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman, Dematic, and a large global security company and others to be announced in coming weeks.
NEW REPORT SAYS AGRICULTURE CAN HELP COMBAT CLIMATE CHANGE
Agriculture can play a significant role in helping to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions according to a recent scientific report. As part of Monsanto Company’s commitment to make its own operations carbon neutral by 2021, the company commissioned third-party expert ICF International to examine the potential for reducing GHG emissions through agriculture in the United States. The resulting report titled, “Charting a Path to Carbon Neutral Agriculture: Mitigation Potential for Crop Based Strategies,” shows that widespread adoption of recommended practices could potentially result in more than 100 million metric tons of carbon dioxide-equivalent emissions reductions in the United States alone. That’s equal to the carbon absorption potential of more than 2.5 billion tree seedlings grown for 10 years.
“This report shows promising results and helps confirm the significant impact farmers can make when they adopt and maintain the practices noted in the report,” said Michael Lohuis, Ph.D., Lead Scientist for Environmental Strategy for Agriculture, Monsanto. “The carbon-smart practices mentioned, coupled with innovations like biotechnology and advanced breeding, are vital tools that can help farmers adapt to and mitigate climate change. At Monsanto, we are committed to encouraging the use of innovative farming techniques and carbon smart practices that will help reduce emissions.”
This report comes after Monsanto made its commitment to be carbon neutral by 2021. That commitment included the sharing of data and modeling results with the broader agriculture community in hopes of encouraging the adoption of best practices and reinforcing the role carbon neutral cropping systems can play in reducing GHG emissions.
The report focused on near-term strategies, including:
Cover crops. The report found that the greatest near-term potential for reducing GHG emissions through agriculture comes from the planting of cover crops, grown between primary crop seasons. Cover crops, which are currently grown on only about 3-5 percent of U.S. crop acreage, can prevent soil erosion and help to absorb and keep carbon stored in the soil.
Conservation tillage. The second largest potential comes from reducing or eliminating soil tillage, which enables farmers to save money and resources while limiting the amount of carbon released from the soil into the atmosphere. This practice also helps preserve soil structure and soil organisms, which improves soil health.
Precision nutrient management. Precision agriculture and nitrification inhibitors can be effective in reducing GHG emissions. Precision agriculture helps determine the appropriate amount of fertilizer and pesticide to use on the field, and where they need to be applied. By using GPS guidance and variable rate technology when applying the inputs, farmers optimize nutrient and fuel use while improving profitability. By adding inhibitors, farmers utilize fertilizer more efficiently, reducing emissions and achieving the same yield.
Long-term strategies also can help reduce carbon emissions, but will require more research and time to scale-up. These strategies include:
Ethanol production from corn stover. Corn stover (the stalks, leaves and cobs left in the field after corn harvest) represents a sizeable renewable source of biomass to augment ethanol production. This material could help reduce emissions from fossil fuels while sustainably managing excess crop residues in the field.
Utilize crop material left in the field after harvest. There also is a possibility that available excess corn stover could be burned alongside coal in coal-fired power plants, which would reduce the amount of fossil fuel used through the use of this renewable source of energy. Available corn stover also could be processed into plant-based charcoal (biochar) that could be incorporated into the soil to increase soil health and store carbon in the soil not in the atmosphere.
“Agriculture has the potential to play a critical role in addressing climate change,” said Debbie Reed, Executive Director with the Coalition for Agricultural Greenhouse Gases. “This report adds another critical set of data points to help quantify and demonstrate how the agriculture community can take actionable steps, both in the near-term and long-term that will have a substantial and positive impact on our planet.”
SIX NEW DEKALB® DISEASE SHIELD™ CORN PRODUCTS TO BE LAUNCHED FOR 2017 GROWING SEASON
Farmers face the risk of major yield loss from corn diseases in any given season, but they will have a new defense in 2017 with the debut of DEKALB® Disease Shield™ corn products. Six new DEKALB Disease Shield products are being introduced that provide industry-leading protection against today’s top corn diseases, along with exclusive genetics to maximize yield opportunity.
Developed through the brand’s advanced breeding program, DEKALB Disease Shield corn provides a broad spectrum of enhanced protection against today’s most common, yield-robbing corn diseases, including anthracnose stalk rot, gray leaf spot, Goss’s wilt, northern corn leaf blight and, in limited geographies, southern rust.
DEKALB Disease Shield products span the 109 to 120 relative maturities for 2017 and will continue to expand in the coming years. “They not only offer great, season long disease tolerance, but also strong agronomics and elite genetics to help deliver the consistent yield performance farmers expect from the DEKALB brand,” said Jared Webb, DEKALB product manager.
The 2017 DEKALB Disease shield products available in the Corn Growing Area include:
DKC59-50RIB brand blend – a 109 RM product with VT Double PRO® RIB Complete® Corn Blend
DKC64-34RIB brand blend – a 114 RM product with SmartStax® RIB Complete® Corn Blend
DKC64-35RIB brand blend – a 114 RM product with VT Double PRO RIB Complete Corn Blend
DKC66-74RIB brand blend – a 116 RM product with SmartStax RIB Complete Corn Blend
DKC66-75RIB brand blend – a 116 RM product with VT Double PRO RIB Complete Corn Blend
DKC70-27RIB brand blend – a 120 RM product with VT Double PRO RIB Complete Corn Blend
The same corresponding genetics, except for DKC59-50RIB, will be available in the Cotton-Growing Area without RIB Complete® corn blend.
Trial plots show effective protection
Webb saidDEKALB Disease Shield showed very effective disease protection in on-farm and university trial plots during 2016 in areas that experienced significant disease pressure. “Overall, DEKALB Disease Shield plants were healthier and had excellent staygreen characteristics compared to competitor products, which had less green tissue due to disease lesions on the plants,” he said. “Farmers we have heard from are looking forward to planting this new corn technology because it helps reduce their risk. From season to season, they never know when a major disease will occur, and with DEKALB Disease Shield they know they are protected.”
Josh Young, of Carlinville, Illinois, said his trial plot of DEKALB Disease Shield corn stood up well to this season’s disease pressure. “When we look at DEKALB Disease Shield, the performance, the disease resistance, we expect high yields,” he said. “They look like they’ve protected their ultimate potential without reduction from foliar disease pressure.”
Even in times of lighter disease pressure, farmers say the new corn technology can mean they can plant with more confidence. “Protecting my top end yield potential is important to our operation,” said Jeff Steinhoff, who planted a DEKALB Disease Shield trial plot on his farm in St. Charles, Missouri. “The concept of DEKALB Disease Shield offering broad spectrum disease protection through the season gives me peace of mind that my crop can reach its fullest potential and maximize my return on investment.”
Other benefits of this new corn line-up include better standability and improved harvestability. All six DEKALB Disease Shield products are available with Acceleron® Seed Applied Solutions with Enhanced Disease Control.
Syngenta introduces two new interactive tools featuring Vibrance® brand seed treatment fungicide
As part of the ongoing commitment to provide growers and retailers with the most current crop protection products and agronomic resources, Syngenta Seedcare recently launched two new online tools. The Vibrance® seed treatment fungicide Learning Module and the Vibrance Interactive Infographic were both developed to help educate and build awareness about the impact of soilborne pathogens on root health and crop productivity in corn, soybeans and wheat.
“As a leader in the seed treatment industry, we believe it’s important to provide growers and retailers with visually stimulating educational tools that explain the concept of root health and the products Syngenta offers to help maximize RootingPower from the very beginning of the season,” said David Piñon, communications lead, Syngenta. “Vibrance affords seed protection that stimulates quality root systems to deliver better emergence, stand establishment, nutrient uptake and stress tolerance, and we believe these two new tools convey this in compelling ways.”
The learning module walks participants through a series of sections, including an in-depth look at the importance of root health, disease protection and the benefits of Vibrance. Participants are eligible to receive one Integrated Pest Management CEU credit for completion.
The interactive infographic visually leads users through young corn, soybean and wheat crops to demonstrate the impact of Rhizoctonia, as well as the RootingPower benefits of Vibrance.
Syngenta offers Vibrance across multiple crops, and in combination with other leading seed treatments, to help ensure growers achieve maximum return on investment. In addition to corn, soybeans and wheat, Vibrance is also registered for use on canola, cotton, potatoes, pulse crops and sugarbeets.
Mycogen Seeds Launches New Farmer-focused Pricing
Mycogen Seeds is changing how it prices seed. Starting in the 2016-17 season, Mycogen Seeds will price seed based on the value it delivers. Value has many components: relative yield, traits, competitive prices, commodity prices and specific needs by geography.
“As growers increasingly look for efficiencies, we are dedicated to delivering value and helping customers capture profit,” says Damon Palmer, general manager of Mycogen Seeds. “Ultimately, it comes down to enabling our customers to meet their operational goals.”
To develop the new value-based approach, Mycogen Seeds worked with third-party and university experts to review millions of data points across multiple years, distilling it down to a granular level. The team reviewed field trials and yield results hybrid by hybrid, zone by zone, to determine the relative value between Mycogen® brand hybrids and the price of competitors.
“Hybrids often perform well in one zone but not in another due to different soils, weather and pest pressures,” Palmer adds. “Now, with our data-driven, value-based pricing approach, growers pay for the relative value they can expect from that specific seed, taking into account the unique variability of their area.”
Right seed — for the acre and grower
Mycogen Seeds agronomists, sales representatives and dealers work closely with Mycogen Seeds customers to build planting plans based on management zones and operational goals on their farms. The new pricing approach aligns to the philosophy of making seed purchase decisions for the best return and input efficiency.
“We work with our growers to help them push inputs, including seed and nutrients on top-end acres, and be more efficient with resources on mid- to low-end acres,” says Brook Mitchell, commercial agronomist for Mycogen Seeds. “Now, our seed prices align with the value our growers can expect so they can choose seed with their profit goals in mind. Some growers like to spend more to make more; we help our growers invest in the right places to drive higher margins. Essentially, invest where they get the best value.”
Palmer agrees. “We’re committed to helping our customers do better acre after acre — that means finding the best seed for each acre and providing solutions that meet growers’ operational goals. While every grower is looking to maximize yield it’s just as important to maximize profits.”
Mycogen Seeds is dedicated to helping each grower reach those profit goals. Growers are increasingly looking for ways to manage and be more efficient down to the individual acre in order to optimize ROI. The new price approach allows growers to choose their seed based on what works best for their farm and goals — what is of most value to them.
“Now, when we sit down with our growers, we can have a conversation about his business goals and what seed options work for his acres as well as his profit potential,” Mitchell adds. “It’s like when you go to buy a truck — if you just want something to get around, you might go with the standard package, but you like the option to add extra features. Growers now can make their purchase according to the value they put on those extras.”
To learn more, talk to your Mycogen Seeds dealer, sales representative or commercial agronomist. Visit Mycogen.com to see plot results and head-to-head comparisons of Mycogen brand hybrids, and see new products available for 2016-17.
On-target Herbicide Application Helps Make a Grower a Good Neighbor
They say good fences make good neighbors, but these days on-target herbicide applications also can help make growers good neighbors. When planting Enlist™ corn or Enlist soybeans, growers can use Enlist Duo® herbicide with confidence because it stays where it’s applied.
Many farmers growing Enlist corn and soybeans – and their neighbors – are getting an up-close look this year at how Enlist Duo herbicide limits drift and features near-zero volatility. They’re growing Enlist corn through a stewarded launch and Enlist soybeans through the Field Forward™ program in their own fields. They’re seeing no negative effects on nearby fields.
“I think it’s great that we’re getting more herbicide options,” says David Cox, who farms near Josh Turner in north-central Missouri. Turner is growing Enlist soybeans this year and has used Enlist Duo herbicide postemergence on the crop. “I’ve seen no ill effects on our fields from Josh’s application. We need this new technology that doesn’t drift and is effective on tough weeds.”
Turner says on-target application with Enlist Duo is a key benefit.
“With the volatility of Enlist Duo being so minimal, I’ll be able to spray near neighbors’ crops,” he says. “Nobody wants to damage their neighbor’s crops or affect the relationship. It’s a valuable asset to be able to control weeds throughout the field and not worry about drift issues.”
Impressed by crop tolerance
Cox has visited Turner’s field of Enlist soybeans and has seen the tolerance of Enlist™ soybeans to Enlist Duo® herbicide. “Growers around here are trying lots of herbicides to control resistant weeds, and I’ve seen some stuff that burned crops,” Cox says. “They were set back by the herbicide, although they eventually recovered. I didn’t see any herbicide damage whatsoever to Josh’s Enlist soybeans.”
Greg Landes, another neighbor of Turner’s, says the use of Enlist Duo nearby never really concerned him. “I’ve listened to the presentations, and I understand the drift risk with Enlist Duo is not a big deal,” Landes says. “It’s caused no damage in my fields to my knowledge.”
“Reduced off-target movement means less liability, less issues with your neighbors,” Turner says. “If you sprayed pesticides in the past, you’ve probably had an issue with drift or with odor. This product could really help you maintain your relationships with your neighbors.”
Steve Kliewer of Cimarron, Kansas, is growing Enlist corn for a second year. He reports neighbors have been supportive of his use of the Enlist weed control system.
“There were no problems,” Kliewer says. “I think everyone in the industry is wide open to new technology. We’re all in this together. If we can help gather information on something that will help all of us, that’s awesome.”
Kliewer’s neighbor, Kent Kopper, saw no problems in his field, which was next to the Enlist field. “I haven’t heard of any damage to nearby crops from Enlist Duo,” Kopper says.
How it stays on target
Enlist Duo® herbicide combines glyphosate with new 2,4-D choline. Enlist Duo features Colex-D® technology, which provides several important benefits:
- Near-zero volatility
- Minimized potential for physical drift
- Low odor
- Improved handling characteristics
An important factor in grower acceptance of this landmark formulation is the fact that it stays on target.
“Growers are carefully considering their herbicide choices,” says John Chase, Enlist™ commercial leader for Dow AgroSciences. “They need a registered herbicide that provides a viable, real-world solution to meet their weed control needs. Enlist corn and soybean growers are seeing that Enlist Duo offers improved weed control while significantly limiting the risk of off-target movement.”
The federal label for Enlist Duo herbicide includes no buffer zone requirement for neighboring soybean fields without the Enlist trait and only a 30-foot downwind buffer for sensitive areas. Because of the performance they’re seeing, many growers who are experiencing the Enlist system this year are hoping to expand acres soon.
In fact, some of their neighbors also are interested in trying the Enlist weed control system in their fields. Cox and Landes are anticipating planting Enlist™ soybeans when commercially available.
“We’ll try it,” Cox says. “I always try to stay on top of new technology. We need different modes of action to continue controlling problem weeds.”
Need for herbicide stability
With dicamba drift issues causing substantial concern this year, weed management technologies are under increased scrutiny. Growers need to use practices and products that mitigate drift potential. Enlist Duo minimizes physical drift and offers near-zero volatility to limit worries about off-target movement. A herbicide that stays where it’s sprayed helps growers maintain good relationships with their neighbors.
DuPont Pioneer Kicks Off “Unlock Your Yield” Tour Powered by Pioneer® Brand Qrome™ Products
DuPont Pioneer began its “Unlock Your Yield Tour” today to showcase the technology of Pioneer® brand Qrome™ products. The tour vehicle – a stainless steel Timpte® Super Hopper grain trailer – will travel to more than 100 industry and field demonstration events.
Growers and customers can visit a tour stop to see first-hand how the proprietary technology of Qrome products unlocks corn yield potential across a broad range of industry-leading genetic platforms. Qrome products also offer an innovative stack of multiple insect protection traits, including two modes of action to control corn rootworm.
At the end of the Unlock Your Yield Tour, Pioneer will donate the custom built Qrome products trailer to the National FFA Organization for auction, with all proceeds supporting its mission to make a positive difference in the lives of students.
“Qrome products represent the next generation of Pioneer’s industry-leading corn lineup,” said Steve Reno, DuPont Pioneer vice president, business director — U.S. & Canada. “By donating the trailer to FFA to auction, Pioneer also supports an organization focused on developing the next generation of talented, innovative leaders in and beyond the agriculture industry.”
“Just as DuPont Pioneer unlocks yield potential in crops, we unlock leadership potential in youth,” said Maggie Stith, senior regional director, National FFA Foundation. “DuPont is a long-term supporter of FFA, and we are very pleased with the additional resources to fund programs that will help build our bright young leaders.”
A highlight of the tour circuit will include a stop at the National FFA Convention & Expo, Oct. 19-22, in Indianapolis. There, FFA members will learn about Qrome products and see the trailer that will be auctioned off live by Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers during the 2017 Farm Progress Show in Decatur, Illinois.
Pending completion of field testing and applicable regulatory reviews, Pioneer anticipates launching Qrome products in 2017.
Impressive Performance Documented in First Season for Corn Herbicide
New Resicore® corn herbicide is showing growers and ag retailers across the Midwest long-awaited results for weed control.
The 2016 season marks the first time Resicore has been available for corn growers to use in their fields. The herbicide provides extended residual control and multiple modes of action. Growers and retailers using Resicore are reporting contained weed pressure several weeks after application.
Northern Illinois ag retailer Randy Pauli recommended Resicore, and the results, he says, were impressive chiefly on waterhemp. Waterhemp has a history of breaking through herbicide applications early in the season. Resicore prevented waterhemp from creeping back into the fields with residual control lasting for six weeks.
“I wanted a product that would be very strong to keep our populations low — knowing that we have heavy weed infestations on these farms,” says Pauli, referring specifically to a recent rise of herbicide-resistant waterhemp. “[Resicore] is a state-of-the-art chemistry that actually gives us the longest residual against waterhemp, and that’s a prime example in this field.”
Pauli tank-mixed Resicore with atrazine to boost the treatment to four modes of action, which controlled waterhemp, as well as species such as giant ragweed and marestail.
“The products that we have mainly been using the last couple of years were not doing a good job of holding down waterhemp,” Pauli says. “Waterhemp is resistant to so many chemistry modes that we need a new product such as Resicore that will work on waterhemp preemergence before the weed ever gets started.”
Clean rows at canopy closure key to crop success
The residual control Resicore provides kept fields clean through the crop’s canopy closure, Pauli says. Once the crop reaches canopy, sunlight is prevented from reaching the soil, which subsequently reduces the chance for weeds to emerge the rest of the season.
Corn and soybean grower Steve Plambeck from Kenesaw, Nebraska, custom-applied Resicore at the end of April. Due to resistance issues and tough weeds like waterhemp and Palmer amaranth, Plambeck said, he was in need of a product with multiple modes of action that is effective on these broadleaf species. Resicore not only worked but also kept his fields clean until the corn reached canopy.
“I kept watching the fields, and you always expect a few escapes, and this was really staying clean,” Plambeck says. “It’s really impressive and it’s great to not have to go back and rescue anything.”
Resicore is a novel, easy to use formulation of three leading active ingredients with three non-glyphosate and non-atrazine modes of action to control more than 70 broadleaf weeds and grasses, says Lyndsie Kaehler, corn herbicides product manager, Dow AgroSciences.
“Resicore was designed to give growers the power over weeds they need for resounding yield potential at harvest,” Kaehler says. “Resicore has performed very well in the first season by providing extended residual control of many troublesome weed species.”
Welcome to the KTIC Agriculture Information blog!!! Check back here for the latest in ag news and information, from local events to international happenings and government reports that affect your operation. Please email with suggestions! -Chad Moyer, Farm Director, KTIC Radio
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