Wednesday August 24 Ag News

Simplified SPCC Plan Assists Ag Producers in Fuel Spill Mitigation

Fuel is a central component to any agriculture operation, and delivery and storage of that fuel requires important safety measures be in place.

The Nebraska Ethanol Board recently partnered with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s College of Engineering’s Partners in Pollution Prevention program to develop a Spill Prevention, Control and Countermeasures (SPCC) plan for agriculture producers who maintain their own fuel storage.

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), fuels are hazardous materials, and as such, handling or storing them improperly can pose a risk to health and the environment. It is vitally important that measures are taken to prevent even a small amount of fuel spilling and affecting the environment.

“The main benefit of the project is bringing agriculture producers in compliance with EPA regulations, so if a spill were to occur, the producer can mitigate any environmental damage and also reduce costly fines and associated cleanup,” said Todd Sneller, Nebraska Ethanol Board administrator. “If agriculture producers are not in compliance with EPA regulations, they run the risk of halting fuel deliveries to their operation.”

To assist producers in becoming compliant with the regulations, multiple tools and documents were developed to simply the process. Producers can find the information at the Nebraska Ethanol Board website: http://ethanol.nebraska.gov/wordpress/resources/spill-prevention-control-countermeasures/. 



JAPANESE TRADE ORGANIZATION LEADER TO SPEAK AT UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA

    Hiroyuki Ishige, chairman and CEO of the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), will speak at the University of Nebraska on Sept. 13 as a guest of the developing Clayton K. Yeutter Institute of International Trade and Finance. Ishige will address the progress made toward Asia-Pacific economic integration and the role of the United States and Japan.

    The keynote address will be at 3 p.m. at the Nebraska Innovation Campus Conference Center, 2021 Transformation Drive.

    Ishige has been chairman and CEO of JETRO since October 2011. JETRO is a government-related organization that works to promote trade and investments between Japan and the rest of the world. The organization assists overseas companies entering Japan, supports exports for Japanese goods and services, and contributes to the enhancement of global economic partnership through policy studies and research.

    Ishige's address will focus on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), a trade agreement among 12 Pacific Rim countries, including Japan, which was signed in February after seven years of negotiations. The partnership is significant because it introduces a 21st century trade framework, which places an emphasis on labor, the environment and climate change. The new partnerships established by the TPP will result in stronger supply chains that make it easier for small and medium-sized markets to compete. This has led to increased interest in the TPP from non-member countries.

    "The state of Nebraska is a very important trading partner for Japan, and an important aspect to mutually beneficial trade is the Trans-Pacific Partnership," said Ichiro Sone, chief executive director of JETRO Chicago. "Ishige will provide those in attendance (at the Yeutter Symposium) with an analysis of the impact it will have in the Asia-Pacific economies and the important roles of the United States and Japan."

    JETRO is fostering the growth of TPP by creating a taskforce for the partnership's utilization and holding seminars for companies. The organization has also established a consortium called "Japan as a New Exporting Power."

    Overseas trade markets are critical to the growth of Nebraska. Japan is one of Nebraska's largest trade partners in Asia, importing about 20 percent of the state's beef and 50 percent of its pork.

    "The university is honored to host Chairman Ishige, a true leader in the global marketplace, as a Yeutter Symposium speaker," said University of Nebraska Chancellor Ronnie Green. "Inviting Ishige to share a keynote address supports our vision to prepare our graduates to have a comprehensive understanding of international trade and global finance."

    In 2015, the University of Nebraska began a private fundraising initiative to establish the Clayton K. Yeutter Institute of International Trade and Finance. The institute builds on the university's strengths to expand the international component of its teaching and research programs. To date, more than $8 million has been raised.

    Ishige's address will be followed by a hors d'oeuvres reception and networking opportunity. Admission to the event is free and the public is invited to attend.



Seven Iowa Youth receive Iowa Beef Heifer Awards

Seven Iowa youth from four Iowa counties were recognized for their achievements with their purebred breeding heifer projects at the 2016 Iowa State Fair.

The Iowa Beef Heifer Award is designed to honor outstanding youth and future leaders of the beef industry. This program evaluates leadership and involvement in breed organizations and community activities as well as responsibilities and growth within their project.

All 4-H, FFA and junior association members who own and exhibit a market beef or breeding heifer at the Iowa State Fair are eligible to enter. Applicants may participate in one of the following breed divisions: Angus, Charolais, Chianina, Gelbvieh, Hereford, Limousin, Maine-Anjou, Red Angus, Salers, Shorthorn or Simmental.

The Iowa Cattlemen's Association coordinates the application process and breed representatives along with an outside judge serving as the selection committee. They review all applications and conduct personal interviews with each of the applicants at the fair.

Winners of each breed division receive a certificate for the purchase of a registered female sponsored by the Iowa State Fair and Beef Breed Associations. Show halters are presented to runner-ups and are sponsored by Kent Feeds, Inc. of Muscatine, Iowa.

2016 Iowa Beef Heifer Award Winners

Charolais
Kerrigan Glawe, daughter of Rodney & Sandra Glawe of Farmersburg

Gelbvieh
Ashley Kurt, daughter of Jason & Lisa Kurt of Cascade

Maine Anjou
Jodi Opperman, daughter of Jim & Darci Opperman of Manning

Shorthorn
Andrea Glawe, daughter of Rodney & Sandra Glawe of Farmersburg

Simmental
First Runner Up award goes to: Kolbey Bailey, daughter of Larry & Kelsey Bailey of Creston
The Simmental heifer award goes to: Keegan Bailey, daughter of Larry & Kelsey Bailey of Creston



Iowa Soybean drainage experts discuss solutions at international symposium

Innovative solutions to agricultural drainage challenges and opportunities will take center stage at the International Drainage Symposium in Minneapolis, Sept. 6-9.

 Adding local examples and data analysis to the conference program, Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) Senior Environmental Scientist Chris Hay will present findings from the ISA water monitoring program at the event. Additionally, Keegan Kult, ISA environmental scientist, will highlight Iowa bioreactor research and recommendations.

“The work being done in Iowa and across the Midwest is cutting-edge,” said Hay, who is chair of the symposium program committee. “We look forward to hosting a discussion on how these solutions can be implemented and adopted to address current and future agricultural drainage challenges.”

The symposium will focus on drainage issues and solutions in the Midwest and worldwide and will draw drainage experts from 11 countries.

Two days of sessions will highlight drainage research, practice design, implementation and policy. The conference’s final day will feature field tours, which offer the opportunity to see unique bioreactors, alternative drainage ditches and public private partnerships. Symposium registration is open at https://cceevents.umn.edu/international-drainage-symposium.

The 2016 event marks the 50th anniversary of the symposium and will focus on opportunities for agricultural production on the world's poorly drained soils and landscapes. The challenge of increasing agricultural production in a changing climate, with ever-greater attention to water quality and quantity concerns, will require technical, economic and social perspectives. The symposium will provide an opportunity for drainage research, industry and practitioner communities to interact, share experiences and address emerging concerns.



New specialty steak cut, the Bonanza Cut, unveiled by meat science professor

Like a diamond in the rough, a small cut of beef that meat cutters throw in with ground meat is now being looked at as a high-end delicacy by researchers at the University of Nevada, Reno.

The small, quarter-moon-shaped slice of beef that has a taste and tenderness that outclasses any other cut except filet mignon made its debut this week for media, meat industry representatives and University officials in a private tasting.

Assistant professor of meat science Amilton de Mello, who has redeveloped the use for the piece of meat, talked about the science behind the cut, its ease of trimming and profitability for the meat processing industry, as well as the potential for restaurants to offer it as a premier menu item. The Bonanza Cut is juicy, extremely tender and very marbled. The petite slice of beef is ideal for grilling and practically melts in your mouth.

“Chefs and restaurants will love this cut, it can be portioned for many sizes of servings,” de Mello, from the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources, said. “And for meat producers, it offers a higher price point and more profits by taking this cut in a new direction.”

The meat science program hosted the private tasting of the Bonanza Cut. Kaimi Coonrad, executive chef of Reno’s premier catering company, The Cheese Board American Bistro and Catering Company, prepared and served the delicacy.

“It can be served in a variety of ways, grilling on a flat top, grill or even a cast iron skillet,” Coonrad said. “A light marinade will complement the innate flavor of the meat. The first bite gives a blast of flavor and then the pure flavor of the beef comes through.”

Coonrad, with 20 years of experience as a chef, trained at both the California Culinary Academy in San Francisco and the Culinary Institute of America at Greystone. He created two themes for the Bonanza Cut: Mediterranean and Southwest, with six recipes. One of the recipes, The Southwest Bonanza Cut, El Paso style, features a tangy southwest marinade for the cuts served with roasted corn and black bean salad with baked potato wedges and a jalapeno aioli garnish.

“It melts in your mouth, the marinade was nice and light, not overshadowing the flavor of the Bonanza Cut,” Stan Omaye, chair of the University’s Department of Agriculture, Nutrition and Veterinary Science, said at the tasting.

“No matter which style you prepare this, you don’t want to marinate this cut for long, only 30 minutes,” Coonrad said. “The meat is tasty all on its own, and these recipes make it great for either lunches or dinners. It’s easy to portion and will have a good price point for restaurants.”

Consumers won’t find the Bonanza Cut in the meat department or restaurants yet. It will be up to the meat producers, such as JBS who funded de Mello’s research, to make the cut available.

The quest for a new cut of meat the industry will love
De Mello started developing this new cut in 2014 while working for the beef industry. With support from JBS, a world leader in processing of beef products, he conducted research on the cut at the University beginning in 2015 and found it compared extremely well against other cuts of beef.

The objective of the experiment was to evaluate tenderness and cooking yields of the m. infraspinatus caudal tip (the very far end of the flat iron steak) and verify the opportunity of exploring this cut as an added-value product. Research found that the Bonanza Cut has superior marbling and higher fat content compared to other meat cuts, including the flat iron steak.

“Meat processors will like this specialty cut for a number of reasons, one because it’s very easy to trim,” de Mello said. “When you separate the chuck and the ribs, the Flat Iron steak goes one way – with the Chuck – and the relatively small end stays with the rib side; this is the Bonanza Cut.

“The industry will also like it because instead of selling it for $1 a pound as lower quality meat, they can showcase it for what it is, a premium cut worth more like $5 a pound.”

The small cut yields two pieces per beef carcass that combined weigh about a half of a pound. By angling the cut when breaking the ribs, meat cutters will gain more volume for the Bonanza Cut.

“This small volume makes this cut even more special based on its high quality and low availability,” de Mello said. “Due to its eating characteristics and unique texture, The Bonanza Cut is a new alternative to replace traditional beef cuts in many different recipes.”

Also at the Bonanza Cut unveiling and tasting was Chris Calkins, Professor of Animal Science at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, who developed the Flat Iron Steak.

"The Bonanza cut is rich and succulent – a tender, savory piece of beef that should prove popular with consumers,” he said. “In an industry with a small profit margin, any opportunity to increase value is appreciated. Upgrading this meat from a ground beef/trim price to steak-quality price should return more dollars to the industry. I anticipate a positive reception for the Bonanza Cut, especially from countries that recognize U.S. beef for its quality and flavor."

The meat science program at the University was invigorated with the hiring of de Mello in December 2015 and the opening of his new meat research lab. In addition to his research, he teaches about the meat industry, food safety and quality systems and advanced meat science in the University’s Department of Agriculture, Nutrition, and Veterinary Sciences.

"We are creating a very broad meat science program,” he said. “We have meat-quality projects and experiments involving animal welfare and food safety. We offer students research and teaching experiences by using our main meat lab and three collaborating ones here on campus. Students can go to our Nevada Agriculture Experiment Station in the morning, follow animal harvest activities in our USDA-inspected meat processing plant, learn about animal welfare practices and spend the afternoon in the lab developing research.”

The University’s experiment station houses the meat processing plant, feedlot facilities, cattle working areas and 650 acres of irrigated pasture, all just 15 minutes from the main campus in downtown Reno.

“Amilton brings an abundance of energy and expertise to the program,” Bill Payne, dean of the College of Agriculture, Biotechnology and Natural Resources, said. “He’s one of 12 new faculty in the College who will allow us to better connect with and support agricultural producers in ways that have not been possible for many years.”



DYK Beef Industry Information Shorts....

Did you know ... it’s now easier than ever for Masters of Beef Advocacy (MBA) grads to have conversations about beef while they travel, thanks to a new MBA Mobile Conversation Guide? The newly released guide offers the most up-to-date talking points and messages at MBA grads’ fingertips and makes it easy for them to have on-the-fly conversations about beef production, nutrition and sustainability with inquiring consumers. The mobile conversation guide is available to MBA 2.0 graduates only, as it uses messages from the MBA 2.0 lessons and addresses common myths and hot issues that the beef community encounters on a daily basis. The guide is easy to navigate and, once downloaded, does not require internet access to operate. Get started on your MBA 2.0 right away by emailing mba@beef.org.

Did you know ... even though beef is one of the least wasted foods in the United States, cutting it in half would improve the beef industry’s sustainability by 10 percent? With consumer conversation on the topic high, the checkoff developed a campaign to reach a variety of audiences with the message “Fight against food waste,” as it launched a 30-Day Food Waste Challenge on Aug. 1. Modeled after the checkoff’s highly successful Protein Challenge, the new campaign allows consumers to sign up for and receive automated email reminders that give them tips for reducing food waste. The challenge incorporates recipe collections to re-invent leftovers, a Waste Less Monthly calendar, infographics, kitchen inventory sheets and a weekly meal-planning guide. Find out more on BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com.

Did you know ... in a recent Feedyard Foodie blog post, Federation director and MBA alum Anne Burkholder draws similarities between being responsible for livestock while building a good moral compass and incorporates sustainability and animal-care tenets? In addition, her blog post “Raising Food Builds Character” addresses parenting, motherhood, and life lessons, all of which resonate with older millennial parents. Continue helping the checkoff share her stories.

To learn more about your beef checkoff investment, visit MyBeefCheckoff.com.



Fertilizers See Steep Price Declines

Retail fertilizer prices tracked by DTN for the third week of August 2016 show price declines accelerating in recent weeks. All eight major fertilizers headed lower compared to a month earlier and all but one fertilizer has seen significant price drops.

UAN28 is now 11% lower compared to the month previous; the liquid nitrogen fertilizer averaged $238 per ton. Potash, urea and UAN32 were all down 7%, with potash averaging $333/ton, urea $337/ton and UAN32 $285/ton.

Anhydrous is 6% less expensive compared to last month, and both MAP and 10-34-0 were down 5%. Anhydrous averaged $516/ton while MAP was at $471/ton and 10-34-0 was at $513/ton.

The only fertilizer without a significant move lower was DAP. The phosphorus fertilizer averaged $452/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, urea averaged $0.37/lb.N, anhydrous $0.31/lb.N, UAN28 $0.43/lb.N and UAN32 $0.45/lb.N.

DTN's survey of retail fertilizers show all are double-digits lower compared to a year earlier.

10-34-0 is now down 16%, UAN32 is 18% less expensive and both DAP and MAP are 20% lower. Both anhydrous and UAN28 are 23% less expensive, urea is 25% lower and potash is now 30% less expensive. After months of floating around 25% lower, this marks the first time potash has pushed 30% lower compared to a year prior.



USDA Extends MPP Sign-up Deadline to Mid-December

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack announced that the deadline to enroll for coverage in the Dairy Margin Protection Program for 2017 has been extended until December 16. The original sign-up was due at the end of September.

"By supporting a strong farm safety net, expanding credit options and growing domestic and foreign markets, USDA is committed to helping America's dairy operations remain successful," said Vilsack.

The voluntary program, established by the 2014 farm bill, provides financial assistance to participating farmers when the margin falls below the coverage level selected by the farmer.

The USDA says the MPP gives participating dairy producers the flexibility to select coverage levels best suited for their operation each year. Participating farmers will remain in the program through 2018 and pay a $100 administrative fee each year.

Margin Protection Program payments are based on an operation's historical production. To complete enrollment, producers must make coverage elections during the enrollment period that provides basic catastrophic protection that covers 90 percent of milk production at a $4 margin coverage level. For additional premiums, operations can protect 25 to 90 percent of production history with margin coverage levels from $4.50 to $8, in 50 cent increments. Once enrolled, dairy operations are required to participate through 2018 by making coverage elections each year.

Vilsack made the announcement in conjunction with the USDA's decision to purchase $20 million of surplus cheese in an attempt to boost milk prices for dairy producers.



Fighting Pink Eye in Cattle

While the summer months are winding down, pink eye can still be a concern for cattle producers. A.J. Tarpoff, K-State Research and Extension beef veterinarian, has tips to help minimize the effects of this disease in cattle.

Weaned calves may lose up to 10 percent of their body weight as a result of the disease, according to Victoria Agriculture (Australia), The disease may lead to blindness and possibly even death due to starvation, thirst, and accidents due to loss of sight.

Pink eye is caused by several factors working together, Tarpoff said. The main cause is the ever-changing bacteria, moraxella bovis. Many subtypes of that bacteria can be found even within one infected animal, which contributes to difficulty in treating it.

Other factors include, UV light, which irritates the eye, tall foliage such as grass or weeds which can scratch the eye, and dust which acts as a direct irritant.

"Flies work to cause pink eye in two different ways," Tarpoff said. "First, they can irritate the eyes directly by flying around and irritating the cornea. Secondly, flies directly feed on the secretions from the eye. Once they feed off of those secretions, they pick up the bacteria and take it over to another animal and infect that animal, too."

Tarpoff suggests producers think of early detection as if they themselves were poked in the eye and had the associated side effects. An infected animal will often show the same symptoms: discomfort, tears, straining to open the eye, and possibly the eye staying shut.

One guaranteed sign is increased tearing, he said. Often dirt will get attached to the tear stains. This is especially visible in light colored cattle.

There is no set time period from once the disease is evident until it is a threat to the health of the eye.



Grain Buyers From Middle East, North Africa To Join Export Exchange 2016 Trade Teams

The U.S. Grains Council (USGC) is pleased to announce companies from the Middle East and North Africa with representatives planning to join trade teams traveling to Export Exchange 2016.

Export Exchange is a forum for education and trade of U.S. feed grains that will host nearly 200 international buyers and end-users from more than 33 countries organized into 19 USGC trade teams. The biennial conference, scheduled for Oct 24 - 26 in Detroit, Michigan, is sponsored by USGC and the Renewable Fuels Association (RFA).

The Middle East and North Africa are two regions with rapidly expanding markets and interests in corn and distiller’s dried grains with solubles (DDGS), a co-product of ethanol production. Countries with representation at Export Exchange 2016 will include Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Tunisia, Jordan, the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, Morocco and Turkey.

“This premier event brings together key feed grain importers from around the world in one forum to meet with members of the U.S. grains industry right as the 2016 grain harvest is coming to a close,” said Lyndsey Erb, USGC director of industry relations.

“We are excited to host our global customers at the Export Exchange conference, including those on the five trade teams with buyers from the Middle East and North Africa.”

Representatives from the following companies in these regions are scheduled to be in attendance:
    AJWA Group for Food Industries Holding
    Akel Grains and Feed Co.
    Al Estesharia for Poultry & Feed Co.
    Alfa Group
    ALF SAHEL
    Al-Khumasia Co. for Feed
    Al-Marai
    Al Rouda Feed & Grain Co.
    Al Watania Poultry Co.
    ARASCO
    Big Mills of the South
    Cairo Poultry
    Cairo Three A
    Camli Feed Co.
    CASAGRAINS
    Fakieh Poultry Farm
    Feedco Co.
    GRADERCO
    Hammoudeh Grain
    Matli Feed Co. / Bursa
    MEDIGRAIN
    NADEC
    Oman Flour Mills Co.
    Ozturk Feed Co.
    Poulina Group Holding
    Skretting Egypt
    Tiryaki Agro Gıda San. ve Tic. A.Ş.

The Council’s ongoing work in the Middle East and North Africa reflects a burgeoning interest in corn and its co-products. Programs in the regions are focused on market development and demand building for feed grains, specifically for dairy and poultry, and targeted marketing for corn, DDGS and sorghum.

Export Exchange allows attendees to do business and form relationships with buyers in person and in one location. These two factors make the event a highly successful contributor to feed grain sales, with 2014 Export Exchange participants reporting sales of more than $900 million during the conference.



DuPont Pioneer Soil Fertility Study Shows Phosphorus and Potassium Deficiencies across Corn Belt

A new DuPont Pioneer study conducted across 12 Corn Belt states demonstrates that growers may be leaving profit potential in the field each season if they don’t carefully manage phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) levels. The research confirms P and K deficiencies can make a real difference in both yield potential and grain quality and that developing a fertility management plan is essential.
   
“Growers often think first of nitrogen management when they consider soil fertility decisions because of its important influence on corn production,” said Andy Heggenstaller, DuPont Pioneer agronomy research manager. “However, deficiencies in P and K can inhibit yields over the long term in both corn and soybeans, limiting profit potential over time.”

Comprised of more than 22,000 soil samples, the study demonstrated that P and K were deficient in a significant number of tested fields. These negative balances may be further exacerbated by the higher nutrient requirements of today’s more productive hybrids and varieties.

Many states have modified recommendations for P and K fertility in recent years, and growers need to make sure their programs are keeping pace. Potassium, which is vital for water regulation and enzyme activation, also promotes stalk strength and late-season standability. Phosphorus deficiency can cause issues with early root and shoot growth and can reduce tolerance to drought, disease and temperature stresses.

“There are many things growers can do to ensure that their crops are getting enough P and K each season,” Heggenstaller said. “We encourage growers to make sure they conduct soil testing at the right frequency and use the most current soil fertility standards. We also ask growers to consider using a service like Encirca℠ Fertility service to help ensure precise, efficient fertility management to support maximum productivity.”

The study was conducted as part of the Pioneer® GrowingPoint® agronomy program, which provides valuable management insights for growers on production practices to help growers improve yields. Pioneer has developed individualized P and K reports for states and regions, as well as aggregate results for the Corn Belt.