Wednesday Aug 10 Ag News

RFI NEWS RELEASE: Rural Futures Institute to Host Rural Regional Forums

The University of Nebraska's Rural Futures Institute is teaming up with communities to host a series of regional forums this fall aimed at showcasing local success stories, creating crucial conversations about the future and sharing outcomes of RFI-funded projects that are serving the people of the state.

Registration is now open for the forums and can be found at ruralfutures.nebraska.edu/events. The forums will take place on Thursday, Sept. 22, at the Nielsen Center in West Point; Tuesday, Sept. 27 at the Sandhills Convention Center in North Platte; and Wednesday, Sept. 28 at the Chadron State College Student Center in Chadron.

A leadership team from each region is guiding RFI staff in shaping the agenda for each specific forum. "The Rural Futures Institute is uniquely positioned to work with communities to develop real, futuristic solutions tackling some of rural America's most daunting challenges. Our goal is to help communities create their desired futures by connecting the dots between research, community and talent," said Chuck Schroeder, executive director of the Rural Futures Institute.

The day-long forums begin at 9:00 a.m. and conclude at 3:30 p.m. Registration is $25, which covers all activities, tours and lunch. The forums are open to the public, and attendees are encouraged to come prepared to discuss ideas and goals for their community or region and identify ways the Rural Futures Institute can partner or facilitate to achieve those goals.

"The Rural Futures Institute is uniquely positioned to work with communities as well as with University faculty and students to develop futuristic solutions that tackle some of rural America's most daunting challenges. Our goal is to help communities create their desired futures by connecting the dots between research, community and talent," said Chuck Schroeder, executive director of the Rural Futures Institute. "If we're to be successful, we need to continually communicate with our most important stakeholders -citizens whose energy, creativity and leadership is vital to the future of rural.

These regional forums are a way to continue our dialogue about how we can work together to ensure a strong future for all citizens," said Schroeder.

The regional forums will focus on growing economies, energized leadership and vibrant communities. At each forum, attendees will have the opportunity to hear from regional leaders about what they are doing to enhance business growth, engage young adults, expand educational opportunities, and increase the quality of life for all generations.

To get involved, plan to attend one of the 2016 Rural Regional Forums.  For more information visit, ruralfutures.nebraska.edu/events or contact the Rural Futures Institute at ruralfutures@nebraska.edu or (402) 472-2940. For the latest information follow Rural Futures on Twitter at twitter.com/rural_futures or Facebook at facebook.com/ruralfutures.




 Nebraska firm will conduct Wetland Mitigation Bank Site Study for ADI
Wetland mitigation banking is relatively new to Nebraska agriculture. New Century Environmental LLC (NCE) of Columbus, Nebraska was awarded the contract to perform site selection for the development of an eastern and central Nebraska wetland mitigation bank. Ag Drainage Inc. (ADI) of Golden, Illinois and Veldkamp Drainage of Columbus, Nebraska will be funding the effort to help support landowners with wetland compliance challenges in Nebraska.

This wetland mitigation bank is the first of its kind and would provide Nebraska farmers the opportunity to buy wetland acreage credits. Thereby streamlining the process for agricultural development and subsurface drainage on their properties without having to construct and execute a mitigation of existing wetlands.

“We’re excited to help the farmers of Nebraska as they work to feed the world. The study we’re conducting is being driven by our customers’ needs,” said Aaron Kassing, VP of Marketing for ADI. “Our intention is to work with farmers, landowners and other environmental advocates to improve Nebraska agriculture and its environment.”

ADI and Veldkamp Drainage provide agricultural watertable management systems that improve yields and help better utilize applied nutrients.

Wetland mitigation banking is a market-based approach that involves restoring, creating or enhancing wetlands in one place to compensate for impacts to wetlands at another location. This is a common practice to compensate for wetland impacts from development, but can also be used to offset impacts from agriculture. A mitigation bank established under this program will be used to help agricultural producers who need to mitigate wetland losses to maintain eligibility for USDA programs.

Nebraska wetlands consist of 85% palustrine (depressional), 13% lacustrine (open water) and 2% riverine (flowing water) and the mitigation bank will be designed to compensate for losses to those types of wetlands which are common in crop fields. To develop an offset for impacts to these natural resources will help in achieving environmental goals more efficiently and at a lower cost, while simultaneously addressing complex challenges such as climate change, water shortages, contamination of pesticides, landscape degradation, habitat destruction and biodiversity loss.

For companies in the energy, rail delivery, agriculture, mining, timber, real estate, land management, and other resource-based sectors, eco-asset management offers significant opportunities for increasing revenues, reducing compliance costs, improving environmental quality, protecting public health, and demonstrating corporate citizenship as well as eliminating liabilities and managing risks.

ADI and Veldkamp are family owned and operated businesses that have provided water table management and farm drainage systems for over 30 years. For more information on ADI and the company’s drainage philosophy, visit www.agdrainage.com.

New Century Environmental LLC was formed in 2007 in Columbus Nebraska specializes in environmental compliance, assessment and permitting for agriculture, industry, utilities and a wide diversity of clients such as Indian tribes, and other diverse property ownership. Gutzmer’s firm utilizes environmental professionals from many disciplines who are experts in their scientific field and play a strategic role in challenging projects regarding environmental issues throughout the Great Plains and the rest of the country.



Ricketts Announces Taiwanese Intent to Purchase Over $400 million in Nebraska Ag Commodities

Today, Governor Pete Ricketts and Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA) Director Greg Ibach announced Taiwanese trade officials will be signing letters of intent with Nebraska to purchase more than $405 million in corn, soybeans, wheat, beef, pork, and distiller’s grains.

“Taiwan has historically been a very important trade partner with our state,” said Governor Ricketts.  “Signing these letters builds on an existing trade relationship for the coming years.  It also can provide us with the opportunity to build new relationships and foster additional export sales in Taiwan.”

In past years, Taiwan officials have signed several other similar agreements that have resulted in millions of dollars of purchases of Nebraska agricultural products.

“As one of the top corn, soybeans, and wheat producing states in the country, it is vital for Nebraska to continue to increase international demand for our products,” said NDA Director Ibach.  “Being able to export products such as beef, pork, and distiller’s grains is a great example of how we can bring our farmers and ranchers added value to the products they produce.”

Ibach will be leading a Nebraska trade team to Taiwan, August 14-19, 2016 where the letters of intent will be officially signed.  One letter outlines intent to purchase the following approximate amount of Nebraska commodities over the next two years: 
·       20.2 million bushels to 23.9 million bushels of hard red winter wheat valued at $115 million to $135 million
·       19.7 million bushels to 23.6 million bushels of corn valued at $100 million to $120 million
·       77.2 million bushels to 86.7 million bushels of soybeans valued at $101 million to $113 million
·       77,000 tons of distiller’s grains valued at $14 million

This first letter will be signed by representatives of the Taiwan Feed Industry Association; The Taiwan Vegetable Oil Manufacturers’ Association; the Taiwan Flour Mills Association; Ibach on behalf of the state; and Nebraska Farm Bureau President Steve Nelson on behalf of the commodity boards.

A second letter of intent outlines intent to purchase the following approximate amount of Nebraska commodities over the next two years:
·       1,100 tons to 2,200 tons of pork and pork products valued at $2.3 million to $4.6 million
·       2,100 tons to 2,550 tons of beef and beef products valued at $15.2 million to $18.6 million

This second letter will be signed by representatives of the Taiwan Frozen Meat Packers Association, Importers and Exporters Association of Taipei, Ibach, and Nelson.

While signed by industry officials and a Nebraska government leader, the agreements pledge the purchase of crops through negotiations between importers and private suppliers.

“The signing of these agreements with our Taiwanese partners is of critical importance,” said Nebraska Farm Bureau President Nelson.  “The international market place is vital to growing demand for the commodities produced on our farms and ranches, especially in the current environment of depressed prices for almost all of the products we produce.  These agreements are a step in the right direction to help boost profitability for Nebraska’s farm and ranch families.”

Joining Ibach and Nelson as members of the Nebraska trade team to Taiwan are Von Johnson, board member, Nebraska Wheat Board; Richard Shrunk, board member, Nebraska Beef Council; and Stan Garbacz, NDA Trade Representative.

While in Taiwan, the delegation will participate in promotional events and meet with government officials and users of Nebraska exports.  The group plans to discuss opportunities to grow the Taiwanese market and gain greater market access.



 Nebraska Beef Council Announces New Directors

The Nebraska Beef Council Board of Directors approved the following results of the 2016  Board of Directors Elections:

District 1- Ivan Rush, a cow-calf producer from Scottsbluff, NE.  District 1 includes the counties of Sioux, Dawes, Box Butte, Sheridan, Scotts Bluff, Banner, Kimball, Morrill, Garden, Cheyenne, and Deuel.  This will be Rush’s first four-year term on the board.

District 3- Doug Temme, a dairy operator from Wayne, NE.  District 3 includes the counties of Cedar, Dixon, Dakota, Pierce, Wayne, Thruston, Madison, Stanton, Cuming and Burt.  This will be Temme’s first four-year term on the board.

District 5- George Cooksley, a cow/calf producer from Anselmo, NE.   District 5, includes the counties of Custer, Garfield, Valley, Greeley, Sherman, Buffalo, Hall and Howard.  This will be Cooksley’s first four-year term on the board. 

District 7- William “Buck” Wehrbein, a feedyard operator form Waterloo, NE.  District 7 includes the counties of  Nance, Merrick, Hamilton, York, Polk, Platte, Colfax, Butler, Dodge, Saunders, Washington, Douglas, Cass and Sarpy.  This will be Wehrbein’s second four-year term on the board.

District 9- Jeff Rudolph, a feedyard operator from Gothenburg, NE.  District 9 includes the counties of Dawson, Frontier, Gosper, Phelps, Kearney, Red Willow, Furnas, Harlan and Franklin. This will be Rudolph’s first four-year term on the board.

The new board members will take office on January 2, 2017. 



 Nebraska Farmers Union Brings 10 Members to Washington to Represent Family Farmers and Ranchers

Nebraska Farmers Union (NeFU) President John Hansen announced today that ten NeFU members will participate in the fall National Farmers Union Fly-In scheduled for September 11-14.  Hansen said this year is particularly important because this is the third year in a row of below cost of production ag commodity prices.

Hansen said “Production agriculture is facing a major financial crisis as grain prices continue to sink, grain inventories build, exports are flat, and ag production costs stay at or near historic all time high levels.   We are in year three of a grain price collapse that looks to either continue or get worse.  The meat sector is not much better.  We think the best way for our elected officials to understand the size and scope of the financial hardship farmers and ranchers are facing is to talk directly with the farmers and ranchers themselves.  That is why this Fly-In will be an important one for families that farm and ranch.  We are extremely pleased that we have 10 Nebraskans willing to share their stories with our elected officials.”

The top four issues for the NFU Fly-In will include:

·         The financial crisis in agriculture, short term financial assistance ideas and the need for a much better Farm Bill.

·         The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) and why especially now with sinking commodity prices why domestic consumption and utilization is so critical.

·         The Trans Pacific Partnership and other trade issues that continue to over promise and under deliver while continuing to drive up the U.S. balance of trade deficit.

·         The massive consolidation in the ag supply sector and ag processing sector, the continued vertical integration of food production, growing market consolidation, shrinking competition, and a completely inadequate response by Congress and our federal anti-trust agencies.    

Hansen said “It is up to those of us who care about family farm and ranch agriculture to sound the alarm bells because the financial situation facing agriculture has not received proper attention from the press or elected officials.  The current price levels of ag commodity prices are far below the costs of production.  Something needs to be done.  Congress needs to respond.  All farmers are hurting financially, especially young and beginning farmers.

Hansen said each of Nebraska Farmers Union’s seven districts that cover the state of Nebraska are sending at least one representative to this Fly-In.  “It is our responsibility to help family farmers and ranchers tell their stories, especially in this time of financial crisis.



ISA showcases production research, biodiesel at Farm Progress Show Aug. 30-Sept. 1

Soybean yield results obtained from on-farm trials and environmental practices that improve soil fertility and nutrient management will be showcased by the Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) during the Farm Progress Show Aug. 30-Sept. 1 near Boone.

ISA research specialists will be onsite (tent No. 754) to meet and discuss specific replicated strip trial and project results and identify ways to apply the information on individual farms.

“Sixteen years of research compiled by our On-Farm Network® and Environmental Programs and Services teams is ready to go to work to improve the competitiveness of every Iowa soybean farmer,” said ISA Sr. Research Director Ed Anderson. “We’re excited about sharing the latest information about industry products and practices and how they can be integrated with environmental and conservation work.

“Aligning production and environmental performance goes a long way toward helping farmers be more competitive, profitable and sustainable,” he added. “The Farm Progress Show is the ideal venue to bring this information to farmers as they consider new management approaches to implement this fall and next year.”

A working model of a bioreactor will be displayed showing how the carbon based system processes nitrate in tile water. Cover crops, weather stations and in-field imagery also will be featured.

ISA members can enter to win a John Deere Gator sponsored in part by Van Wall Equipment, quadcopter, GPS unit, water monitoring services or biodiesel for use on the farm.

“Iowa is the nation’s top biodiesel producer and it is a powerful option for the Iowa farmers,” said Grant Kimberley, ISA market development director and executive director of the Iowa Biodiesel Board.

Kimberley, who also farms in central Iowa near Maxwell, said biodiesel production contributes more than 60 cents to the market price of a bushel of soybeans.

“We look forward to not only discussing the benefits of America's Advanced Biofuel with farmers, but also allowing four farmers to put it to use on their farm.”

Attendees also can enjoy fresh-popped popcorn made with high-oleic soybean oil and a cold bottle of water.

The ISA tent will be located on Seventh Street near Gate Six. Show hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 30 and Wednesday, Aug. 31, and 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Sept. 1.



Fertilizer Prices Still Mostly Lower

Average retail fertilizer prices continued to dip lower the first week of August 2016, with one exception, according to fertilizer retailers surveyed by DTN.

That one exception would be UAN32, which is slightly higher in price compared to a month earlier. The nitrogen fertilizer averaged $307 per ton.

The remaining seven major fertilizers' prices were lower in price compared to the previous month, but once again, none were down significantly. DAP averaged $459/ton, MAP $488/ton, potash $346/ton and urea at $349/ton. 10-34-0 was at $548/ton, anhydrous $552/ton and UAN28 $254/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.38/lb.N, anhydrous $0.34/lb.N, UAN28 $0.45/lb.N and UAN32 $0.48/lb.N.

Based on DTN surveys, retail fertilizer prices remain double-digits lower compared to a year earlier.

Both UAN32 and 10-34-0 are 13% lower, MAP is 17% less expensive and both DAP and anhydrous are 19% lower than August 2015. UAN28 is 20% lower, urea is 25% less expensive and potash is 28% less expensive compared to last year.



EPA Announces Selection of New Deputy Regional Administrator

EPA is pleased to announce the selection of Edward H. Chu as the new Deputy Regional Administrator for EPA Region 7 in Lenexa, Kan. EPA Region 7 encompasses Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Nebraska and nine tribal nations.

“Ed has a results-driven track record in environmental management,” said Region 7 Administrator Mark Hague. “He brings a diverse background to the Heartland, with leadership and expertise that will be valuable as we face great challenges and even greater opportunities.”

Ed has almost 30 years of experience in environmental and energy policy. He has served in critical senior roles within EPA and at the White House Council on Environmental Quality. Ed has held key leadership positions since arriving at the Environmental Protection Agency in 1995. Most recently, Ed was the Assistant Regional Administrator for the Pacific Northwest and Alaska Region (Region 10), serving four states and 271 federally recognized tribes. He also served as the Assistant Regional Administrator for the Southeast Region (Region 4), the most populous EPA region, serving eight states and six federally recognized tribes.

Prior to public service, Ed spent seven years as an energy and environment consultant. He received a Bachelor of Arts from Michigan State University and a Master of Public Policy from University of Michigan.



USDA Concurs with World Animal Health BSE Designations

The USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service is announcing concurrence with the World Organization for Animal Health's bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE) risk designations for 14 countries. The OIE recognizes these regions as being of negligible risk for BSE. APHIS reviewed the information supporting the OIE's risk designations for these regions and agrees with the OIE designations.

The 14 countries are: Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Estonia, India, Korea (Republic of), Hungary, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Portugal, Slovakia, and Switzerland.

The OIE recommendations regarding each of the above countries can be viewed online.

APHIS considers all countries of the world to fall into in one of three BSE risk categories: negligible risk, controlled risk, or undetermined risk. Any region that is not classified by APHIS as presenting either negligible risk or controlled risk for BSE is considered to present an undetermined risk.

Under the regulations, APHIS may classify a region for BSE in one of two ways. One way is for countries that have not received a risk classification from the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE) to request classification by APHIS. The other way is for APHIS to concur with the classification given to a country by the OIE.



Cargill Reports $19M Loss

Cargill Inc. reported a $19 million loss for its most recent quarter, pressured by struggles in its core grain business.

Slowing global demand for agricultural commodities and muted market volatility contributed to weak prices and few profitable trading opportunities, Cargill said, weighing down improvements in its food ingredients and poultry businesses.

David MacLennan, Cargill's chief executive and chairman, said the agricultural company continues to seek better profits and "sustained growth" as it adds and subtracts business lines from its diverse portfolio, and retools others. "We have more work to do, but where we have already made changes we are seeing improved results," he said.

Cargill's fiscal fourth-quarter loss compared with a $230 million profit for the same quarter last year. When adjusting earnings for deals and other one-time events, Cargill earned $15 million in the quarter ended May 31, compared with a $51 million loss for the prior-year period.

Revenue for the quarter declined 5% to $27.1 billion.

Cargill is revamping its business in response to sliding commodity prices, a slumping farm economy and shifting consumer tastes, which have prompted the Minnesota-based company to alter the way it raises poultry and livestock. The largest U.S. private company by sales, which remains family owned, also is positioning for global demographic shifts, investing in the farmed fish business and processing plants capable of producing a wider range of meat products.

The 151-year-old company has also been trimming away some of its dozens of business lines, last year selling its U.S. pork operations and spinning out a hedge fund division.

Cargill's fiscal 2016 earnings totaled $2.38 billion, up 50% from the prior fiscal year. Adjusting for Cargill's sale of its U.S. pork business and other one-time events, Cargill said it earned $1.64 billion, 15% below its fiscal 2015 total.



New research examining link between antibiotic use in farm animals and antibiotic resistance in humans leads to more questions

As controversy continues concerning the use of antibiotics in food animals and the relationship to drug-resistant infections in humans, a team of interdisciplinary scientists at the Medical University of South Carolina and the Charleston VA Medical Center Research Service reviewed published literature for evidence of a relationship between antibiotic use in agricultural animals and drug-resistant foodborne Campylobacter infections in humans, commonly known as campylobacteriosis. According to the 2013 CDC Antibiotic Resistance Threats Report, two of the eighteen pathogens that are of concern in the United States may have a direct link to agriculture – one of them being Campylobacter.  Campylobacter can cause foodborne illness when food is not properly handled and cooked, regardless of whether it carries any specific antibiotic resistance.  It is of concern because some people infected with Campylobacter develop severe arthritis; while others may develop Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS), which is one of the leading causes of acute paralysis in the U.S. The study – conducted by veterinary and nutrition scientists and an infectious disease physician – reviewed 195 articles in the U.S., Canada and Denmark over the past five years and has been published in [volume 56, issue 13] of Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition. Animals included in the reviewed studies were chicken, turkeys, pigs, beef cattle, and dairy cows.

The overall prevalence of Campylobacter and drug resistance found in the systematic review aligns with recent National Antimicrobial Resistance Monitoring System (NARMS) reports. The research team found no conclusive evidence of a definitive link between use of antibiotics in food animals and emergence of drug-resistant Campylobacter. However, their findings did lead the team to important concerns about Campylobacter. For example, recent cases of Campylobacter infections have been linked directly to drinking raw milk or eating food products made from raw milk. It is important to note the USDA and FDA do not recommend consuming raw cow's milk.

Lead scientist M.A. McCrackin, D.V.M., Ph.D. remarked, "There is still much more research to be done. The agriculture and health care industries, along with the scientific community and government regulatory agencies, must work collaboratively with the human health community in order to ensure safe, humane, and affordable food sources to the public."

Richard A. Carnevale, V.M.D., Vice President for Regulatory, Scientific and International Affairs at the Animal Health Institute (AHI), who funded the study, refers to the medical and veterinary collaborative approach as an "integrated, 'one-health' approach."

"The agriculture community recognizes that there is more that can be done to protect the effectiveness of antibiotics, which is the goal of both the animal and human health communities. By the end of the year, the agriculture community will be in full compliance with the FDA mandates—Guidances 209 and 213—which eliminate the use of medically important antibiotics for growth promotion purposes and requires veterinary approval for all remaining uses in feed through the veterinary feed directive," said Dr. Carnevale.

Principal investigator on the study, Bernadette Marriott, Ph.D., stated, "Our research results underscore the need for both veterinarians and physicians to work together as we advance toward solutions to concerns about antibiotic resistance."