Thursday September 22 Ag News

Record Commercial Red Meat and Pork Production for August

Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 4.43 billion pounds in August, up 14 percent from the 3.90 billion pounds produced in August 2015.

State                  Aug '16 prod        % of Aug '15
                       (million pounds)
Nebraska .........:     727.7                   116      
Iowa ................:     613.4                   113      
Kansas .............:     479.4                   116      

Beef production, at 2.26 billion pounds, was 17 percent above the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.75 million head, up 18 percent from August 2015. The average live weight was down 11 pounds from the previous year, at 1,352 pounds.

Veal production totaled 6.1 million pounds, 6 percent below August a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 40,900 head, up 19 percent from August 2015. The average live weight was down 63 pounds from last year, at 255 pounds.

Pork production totaled 2.15 billion pounds, up 10 percent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 10.39 million head, up 11 percent from August 2015. The average live weight was down 2 pounds from the previous year, at 276 pounds.

Lamb and mutton production, at 12.6 million pounds, was up 7 percent from August 2015. Sheep slaughter totaled 193,700 head, 11 percent above last year. The average live weight was 130 pounds, down 4 pounds from August a year ago.

January to August 2016 commercial red meat production was 32.7 billion pounds, up 3 percent from 2015. Accumulated beef production was up 6 percent from last year, veal was down 8 percent, pork was up 1 percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was down slightly.



Support Iowa Cattlemen's Foundation with "Cartridges for Cash"
Iowa cattle producers have a chance to support the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association through the Merck Animal Health “Cartridges for Cash” program, formerly known as “Wheels for Bucks.” The program now includes Revalor®-XS (trenbolone acetate and estradiol), in addition to Ralgro® (zeranol). The Iowa Cattlemen’s Foundation will receive $1 for every Revalor-XS cartridge and 50 cents for every Ralgro cartridge collected. Last year Merck Animal Health donated $9,000 to help the Iowa Cattlemen’s Foundation provide educational opportunities for Iowa youth.

“This will mark the 15th year that Merck Animal Health has partnered with the Iowa Cattlemen’s Foundation to help raise money for youth education funding, including college scholarships,” said Mary Greiman, Youth and Outreach Coordinator for the Iowa Cattlemen’s Foundation. “Of course none of this would be possible without the help and support from veterinarians and producers who use and collect the Revalor-XS and Ralgro cartridges.”

Iowa producers and veterinarians are encouraged to save their used Ralgro and Revalor-XS cartridges and bring them to the Iowa Cattle Industry Leadership Summit on December 10 or contact the Mary Greiman at the Iowa Cattlemen’s Foundation at 515-296-2266 to arrange pickup before that date. The individual and county collecting the most cartridges will be recognized during the annual meeting on December 10.

“Thanks to the continued support from producers and veterinarians, Merck Animal Health and the Iowa Cattlemen’s Foundation are able to enrich youth educational development and increase educational programs across the state,” said Joanne Tupper, Chairperson of the Iowa Cattlemen’s Foundation. “We’re proud to carry on this unique partnership and provide more opportunities for funds to be donated with the expansion of the Cartridges for Cash program.”

For more information on the Cartridges for Cash program and the Iowa Cattlemen’s Foundation, please visit www.iowacattlemensfoundation.org.



Electrocutions Can Happen in an Instant

During National Farm Safety and Health Week, Sept. 18-24, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach wants to remind everyone to look up and avoid contact with power lines to prevent farm injuries and deaths.

This is the time of year when oversized, tall equipment such as portable grain augers and combines are moved from place to place on the farmstead, or are transported on public roads. Any time this type of equipment is moved there is a risk of contact with overhead power lines.

“It is important to treat all power lines above or those that have fallen as energized,” said Charles Schwab, ISU Extension and Outreach safety specialist.

Use the following precautions to reduce the potential electrocution hazards on the farm:
-    Maintain at least 10 feet of clearance from any overhead lines.
-    Know where all overhead power lines are located and inform workers about their locations.
-    Plan routes between fields, to bins and elevators, and on public roads so that low-hanging power lines are avoided.
-    Lower all portable grain augers before moving, no matter how short the travel distance.
-    Be sure everyone on the farm knows what to do in an electrical emergency.

“If your combine or tractor connects with a power line, stay put, unless you’re in immediate danger from a fire or other hazard,” Schwab said. “If you must get off the equipment, then jump as far away from the machinery as possible and after landing, move further away by shuffling your feet.

"The goal is never to touch the earth (ground) and the equipment at the same time and is why you jump off the equipment. Shuffle your feet because long striding steps can create enough electrical potential for a shock. Never go back and touch the equipment until power to the utility line is turned off and you have been given the clearance by the electrical company," Schwab said.



Researchers at Feedlots, Dairies Study Antibiotic Monitoring

The Food and Drug Administration has greenlighted a pilot project by veterinary researchers at Kansas State University to monitor antibiotic use in beef feedlots and dairies with a $1.5 million grant -- $300,000 per year for five years.

"Our long-term goal is to establish a functional and efficient antibiotic use monitoring system in beef and dairy production systems, which will support continued advancement of antibiotic stewardship in the United States," said Michael Apley, Frick professor of production medicine and clinical pharmacology in the College of Veterinary Medicine.

Apley is working with Brian Lubbers, director of the Clinical Microbiology Laboratory in the Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory, and Sandra Godden, a veterinary professor at the University of Minnesota.

"This funding opportunity was issued because of one of the biggest challenges facing our human and animal health care systems today -- that of antibiotic resistance," Apley said. "This challenge threatens to impair, or perhaps remove in many cases, the relatively recent ability to dramatically change the course of bacterial infectious disease."

The research team is collaborating with the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Center for Epidemiology and Animal Health, or USDA CEAH, on data-gathering design structures for industry representation. Data will be collected from 30 feedlots and 32 dairies in states such as California, Kansas, Texas, Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, Pennsylvania and Minnesota. Participation in the study is both voluntary and anonymous.

"We are fortunate to have the collaborative assistance of both the beef and dairy industries, and the USDA CEAH," Lubbers said. "With their help, we aim to create usable systems that can be adopted by agriculture to understand and continuously improve our antibiotic use practices."

Apley said that a primary goal of the research team is to provide detailed benchmarking data so that individual producers and veterinarians can evaluate their antibiotic uses in comparison to their peers.

"This process will open multiple opportunities to study how we can continue to advance antibiotic stewardship in food animal production systems, making our data the starting point for multiple other studies," Apley said. "Participation by producers is yet another indication that food animal producers take seriously the health of both the animals in their care and the consumers of the food products which they produce."



China’s Announcement an Important First Step Toward Resuming Beef Trade
Philip M. Seng, president and CEO, U.S. Meat Export Federation

China's Ministry of Agriculture and General Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine have announced that China’s ban on imports of U.S. beef has been lifted. While this is an important first step in the process of resuming beef exports to China, USMEF understands that China must still negotiate with USDA the conditions that will apply to U.S. beef exports entering this market. USMEF looks forward to learning more details about the remaining steps necessary for the market to officially open and for U.S. suppliers to begin shipping product.



Statement by Steve Nelson, President, Regarding China’s Announcement on Resumption of U.S. Beef Products

“The announcement of China’s intention to eliminate the long-standing ban on the import of some U.S. beef products is welcomed news to Nebraska farmers and ranchers. As the second largest purchaser of beef in the world, China reflects a tremendous opportunity for further market development for Nebraska beef products. Growth in China’s consumption of U.S. beef could mean better prices for Nebraska producers which ultimately helps boost economic opportunity for all Nebraskans here in the ‘Beef State’. While there is still much to be worked through, this is a step in the right direction in terms of our trade relations with China.”



China to resume exports of US beef

Iowa Cattlemen’s Association leaders are hopeful that an announcement from Chinese government officials will have a positive impact on Iowa’s cattle industry.

Following a 13-year ban on U.S. beef exports, China's Ministry of Agriculture announced that it has lifted its ban on U.S. beef following a recently concluded review of the U.S. supply system.

“This is good news for Iowa’s cattle producers, who are currently dealing with unprecedented market volatility. Our export markets are a great outlet for cuts of beef that are not traditionally popular in the US, so increasing exports is a great way to add value to Iowa cattle without raising beef prices significantly in the domestic market,” says Dr. Phil Reemtsma, DVM, president of the Iowa Cattlemen’s Association.

While this is an important first step towards securing a market for US beef in China, technical negotiations and formal approval of export certificates must still be completed.

Iowa cattlemen are also hopeful that the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP), a trade agreement involving 12 countries, will be approved by Congress yet this year. Sixty percent of all goods exported from Iowa go to countries included in TPP, accounting for $9 billion in Iowa goods and over 160,000 Iowa jobs.



China Announces it Will Lift Ban on U.S. Beef

Following a 13-year ban on U.S. beef exports to China, an announcement from the Chinese Government indicates they will begin accepting U.S. beef from animals under 30 months of age.

“This is great news for U.S. beef producers,” said Kent Bacus, director of international trade for the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association. “While these initial reports are positive, we must continue technical negotiations and undergo the process of formally approving export certificates. China is already the world’s second largest buyer of beef, and with a growing middle class, the export opportunities for U.S. cattlemen and women are tremendous.”

The next step is for United States Department of Agriculture officials to work with China’s Administration of Quality Supervision, Inspection and Quarantine to approve the certificates and protocols for exports.

“Our cattle producers are the best in the world at producing high quality beef,” said Bacus. “To continue to grow demand for our product, our industry relies on fair trade based on sound science. This latest announcement by China is welcome news and further highlights the benefits of trade in the Pacific, opportunities that will only be expanded by passage of the Trans Pacific Partnership.”




Shippers Urging Action to Avoid Disruptions from Hanjin Shipping Bankruptcy

The American Soybean Assocation (ASA) and several ag organizations sent a letter to U.S. Department of Commerce Secretary Penny Pritzker urging engagement with the South Korean government to bring a swift resolution to the Hanjin Shipping Company bankruptcy situation this week.

The letter expresses concern and anxiety among shippers, as to when Hanjin ships will be allowed to enter ports, if their goods will be seized by Hanjin’s creditors once they are docked and the status of critical cargo that remains at overseas ports.

ASA and our soybean industry partners are monitoring the situation for impacts to soybean shipments. Other agricultural groups signing onto the letter include American Farm Bureau Federation, National Grain & Feed Association, National Pork Producers Council and National Cattlemen’s Beef Association.

On Friday, Sept. 2, Hanjin Shipping, Korea’s largest container carrier, filed for recognition of its Korean insolvency proceeding in the United States under Chapter 15 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. The Chapter 15 proceeding could extend the effect of the Korean filing and result in a stay from U.S. bankruptcy courts from creditors seizing Hanjin assets in the U.S.

While the company’s assets slightly exceed its liabilities, the court noted Hanjin Shipping has incurred a net-loss each term during the past three years. The company experienced a net loss of 463 billion won in the first half of this year, and losses of about 22 billion won in 2015, 463 billion won in 2014 and 712 billion won in 2013.The order noted the shipping industry has deteriorated since the 2008 global financial crisis because of a contracting global economy, lack of demand, reduced cargo volume, excessive supply of ships and drop in freight charges.

On Sept. 16, the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) refused to work Hanjin containers at East Coast/Gulf Coast ports because Hanjin is in arrears on the container royalty payments.  The situation was resolved and Hanjin is working on a solution for the container royalty money that was owed prior to the bankruptcy.  For current containers, there is a process at each port that shippers can pay for the royalty on the container they are trying to pick up.



NAWG Welcomes Dialogue on Benefits of Voluntary Conservation

Today, the House Subcommittee on Conservation and Forestry is holding a public hearing regarding voluntary conservation practices in the rehabilitation of the Chesapeake Bay. Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Chief Jason Weller and Pennsylvania Department of Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding will be testifying.

The National Assoc of Wheat Growers is pleased to see action being taken in discussing the positive effects of voluntary conservation practices on the environment, particularly with recent successes of efforts to improve the health of the Chesapeake Bay. Independent reports have shown positive trends in water quality, habitat, and ecosystems in the Chesapeake Bay, due to a focused conservation effort by the NRCS along with voluntary investment and participation from farmers.

“It is critical that we are taking the steps now to protect our nation’s water sources, including the Chesapeake Bay,” says NAWG President Gordon Stoner, a grower from Outlook, Montana. “Adopting modern conservation practices in my own operation reduces my environmental impact without sacrificing my yields, my profitability, and my productivity. It is vital that growers and NRCS continue to invest in these practices to improve water quality in watersheds around the country.”

The benefits of voluntary conservation practices are many and varied.  Producers work to address the specific resources needs on their own operations because they know that a one-size-fits-all approach does not work for wheat growers, or for agriculture production as a whole. Farmers are actively participating in practices intended to improve water quality around the country. In the Bay watershed alone, The NRCS has invested over $890 million in federal conservation funding, while farmers and forest landowners voluntarily contribute financial and management resources, increasing the investment by about $400 million. With state and local governments providing substantial assistance, these conservation practices have been successfully implemented in the Bay area, with positive results in reducing erosion, managing nutrients, and restoring populations of Bay wildlife.

Earlier this month, USDA released a Chesapeake Bay Progress Report highlighting the investments in voluntary conservation by the federal government, states and individual farmers. Maryland wheat growers Eric Spates (a NAWG board member) and Jason Scott (chairman of U.S. Wheat Associates) joined USDA Secretary Tom Vilsack and NRCS Chief Jason Weller and several other farmer leaders for a conversation about agriculture, voluntary conservation and the Bay at the release of the Progress Report. USDA’s Conservation Effects Assessment Project found that adoption of conservation practices is on the rise, with ninety-nine percent of agricultural acres in the Bay having at least one conservation practice installed. These practices, such as buffer strips, cover crops, reduced tillage and nutrient management efforts are having positive impacts on the health of the Bay.

NAWG encourages Congress to continue support for investment in voluntary conservation practices, as it allows farmers to flexibly participate in conservation without unnecessary restrictions and regulatory burdens, while also actively improving the environment in tangible and positive ways.



 Congress Steps in to Address Continued Abuse of Antiquities Act

 The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association and the Public Lands Council applaud Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and Chairman Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) for taking substantive action on the continued abuse of the Antiquities Act of 1906. These common sense bills from Sen. Murkowski and Sen. Flake (R-Ariz.) are critical to addressing the deficiencies in the existing law.

“The Antiquities Act of 1906 is simply too broad and gives too much power to the Administration,” said Ethan Lane, executive director of the PLC and NCBA federal lands. “This Administration continues to brag about President Obama’s record-setting abuse of the Act, locking up hundreds of millions of acres with the stroke of a pen. We are glad Congress is finally stepping in to provide balance and refine that authority.”

While the President has already used the Act to lock off hundreds of millions of acres of land and water, still more designations are expected by the end of this year.



NFU VP of International Relations Represents World’s Farmers in UN Meeting on Antimicrobial Resistance 

National Farmers Union (NFU) General Counsel and Vice President of International Relations Dave Velde represented the world’s farmers yesterday before a high-level meeting of the United Nations (U.N.) to discuss global antibiotic resistance. The meeting concluded with the 193 member countries of the U.N. adopting a declaration to fight antibiotic resistance and reduce the use of the drugs in agriculture and human medicine.

Velde, representing the World Farmers’ Organization (WFO), presented with world health and economic leaders on a panel titled “Addressing the multisectoral implications and implementation challenges of antimicrobial resistance in a comprehensive manner.”

“In the worldwide discussion on tackling antibiotic resistance, we need to promote cooperation among the different stakeholders to agree on a common approach and a clear understanding of the issue, while ensuring that producers are not disproportionately burdened in our solution to the problem,” said Velde, who was elected to the WFO board of directors earlier this year.

In many countries, there is no direct threat to consumers as clear food safety standards have been developed that prohibit the presence of antimicrobial residues in food products, Velde explained to the U.N. member nations. “Each country needs to develop national strategies for reducing antimicrobial use and resistance.”

“We must engage all stakeholders in this conversation towards constructive problem solving. The best way to engage the farm sector is to provide incentives for establishing public-private-producer partnerships to address the antimicrobial resistance issue,” he added.

NFU represented the only farmer organization on a panel involving the Prime Minister of Norway, the Minister of Health of Argentina, the Secretary of the Department of Health of the Philippines, President of the World Bank, and President and CEO of Consumer Reports.

“NFU is honored to be part of the collaborative solution, representing the world’s farmers and ranchers in this significant discussion. We will work to promote the need for pro-active, science-based solutions to address and reduce antibiotic resistance in humans and livestock,” said NFU President Roger Johnson.

The declaration to fight antimicrobial resistance marked only the fourth time in the U.N.’s 71-year history that it called on world leaders to address a health issue, commensurate with HIV/AIDS, chronic diseases such as obesity and diabetes, and Ebola.



DuPont Pioneer Scientists Demonstrating Future Potential of New Insect Control Traits in Agriculture

DuPont Pioneer researchers have discovered a protein from a non-Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) bacterium source that exhibits promise as an alternative means for controlling corn rootworm in North America and Europe.  Science Magazine published the finding this week.
   
“This research represents a breakthrough for addressing a major challenge in agriculture,” said Neal Gutterson, vice president, Research & Development, DuPont Pioneer. “We have discovered a non-Bt protein that demonstrates insecticidal control of western corn rootworm with a new and different mode of action than Bt proteins currently used in transgenic products. This protein could be a critical component for managing corn rootworm in future corn seed product offerings. The work also suggests that bacteria other than Bt are alternative sources of insecticidal proteins for insect control trait development.”

An extremely destructive corn pest, corn rootworm larvae and adults can cause significant economic loss for growers. The current biotech approach for insect control sources proteins from Bt soil bacteria. Field-evolved insect resistance to certain Bt proteins has been observed in some geographies.

Another Pioneer study related to non-Bt insect control, recently published in Scientific Reports, shows how RNA interference (RNAi) can be applied to control corn rootworm feeding damage.

RNAi is a biologically occurring process that happens in the cells of plants, animals and people. By employing the RNAi process, a plant can protect itself by carrying instructions that precisely target specific proteins in pests.

“Growers need a next generation of solutions to help protect their crops. Our researchers are developing innovative, new modes for insect control to help meet future demands. Non-Bt proteins and RNA-based products highlight our efforts to identify alternative methods for effective control of insect feeding damage in agriculture,” Gutterson said.



Syngenta opens new North America Seedcare Institute in Stanton, Minnesota

Syngenta unveiled its new Seedcare Institute in Stanton, Minnesota, during a grand opening celebration today. More than 150 industry leaders, government officials, Syngenta customers and employees toured the 38,000-square-foot, free-standing facility on Syngenta’s Stanton campus. Syngenta’s Seedcare Institute features the most sophisticated laboratories in the agricultural industry and is one of the premier seed treatment research facilities in the world.

Five-times larger than the former Seedcare Institute, formally established at Stanton in in 2000, the new structure houses:
·       Research and development (R&D) labs
·       Labs for application, plantability, dust-off and quality assurance
·       Climate-controlled application and planter testing labs
·       Large-scale commercial application and performance area to simulate real-life experiences for customers
·       Modern customer classroom facilities
·       Seed warehouse
·       Office and meeting space

“The Syngenta Seedcare Institute in Stanton is a state-of-the-art research and training facility, offering enriched seed treatment education, better collaboration opportunities with customers, advanced training and personal application support,” said Vern Hawkins, president, Syngenta Crop Protection, LLC, and region director, North America.

Syngenta invests more than $1.36 billion in R&D globally or $3.7 million every day.

“Syngenta’s $20 million investment in seed treatment R&D at Stanton reinforces our commitment to helping farmers grow more, while using fewer resources and protecting the environment — today and tomorrow,” Hawkins said.

Seed treatment is a valuable and effective tool for farmers. With seed treatment, a chemical or biological substance, typically a fungicide, insecticide or nematicide, is applied in small and precise amounts to the outside of the seed prior to planting. Seed treatment helps protect the seed and seedling against early-season insect pests and diseases that reside in the soil. And it helps the plant get off to a healthy start and develop a strong root system—the foundation of a strong, productive plant.

Syngenta’s Seedcare Institute in Stanton tailors seed-treatment recipes for individual customers, then scales up the recipes from the lab to commercial-size treaters. Syngenta can simulate various climate conditions at time of treatment and adjust recipes for different crops and seed treating equipment.

The new Seedcare Institute will allow Syngenta to meet the increasing demand by farmers and seed companies to protect high-value seeds and seed traits. Seed treatment in North America accounts for more than 30 percent of the global market.

“As the seed treatment industry continues to evolve, we strive to consistently offer more sophisticated products and best-in-class service to our customers to better serve them,” said Ravi Ramachandran, Ph.D., head of Syngenta’s Seedcare Institute for North America. “This facility can provide the intensive training needed by our seed company customers, ag retailers, applicators and farmers to fully realize the value of our seed applied technologies, best-management practices and stewardship.”

In 2015, the Seedcare Institute in Stanton trained 1,170 customers– 368 percent more customers trained than the 250 trained in 2013. This is a measure of Syngenta’s commitment to customer education and stewardship, outlined in The Good Growth Plan, the company’s global strategy to sustainably feed a growing population.

Syngenta’s Stanton campus provides an ideal spot for The Seedcare Institute in North America. It houses Syngenta’s main corn-breeding research station, is close to the majority of U.S. corn and soybean acres as well as many Syngenta customers, and is convenient to the Minneapolis Airport.

The new Seedcare Institute in Stanton could potentially add up to 10 jobs.

For more than 36 years, Syngenta has been a leader in seed treatment technology. This heritage dates back to 1979 with the introduction of Concep® seed safener, the first product of its kind for sorghum.

Syngenta currently operates 12 Seedcare Institutes globally. Together they serve as centers of excellence in product application, quality management, training, seed science and product marketing support for its customers.