Tuesday September 13 Ag News

Foley Announces York County as Nebraska’s Newest Livestock Friendly County

Today, Lt. Governor Mike Foley announced that York County has become the newest county in Nebraska to be designated as a Livestock Friendly County (LFC) through a program administered by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA).

“York County has all the tools necessary to grow the existing $112 million in market value of livestock they currently enjoy,” said Lt. Governor Foley.  “They have the natural resources, work force and feed supply necessary have supported livestock expansion.  Their decision to become Livestock Friendly will help grow livestock development for years to come.”

Created in 2003 by the Nebraska Legislature, the LFC program is designed to recognize counties in the state that support the expansion of the livestock industry.  In 2014, livestock receipts in the state comprised over half of the $24 billion of Nebraska’s total on-farm receipts.  The LFC designation gives counties an extra promotional tool to encourage expansion of current livestock operations and attract new businesses that spur local economies.

“This is good timing on the part of York County following the recent release of a study conducted by the University of Nebraska,” said NDA Director Greg Ibach.  “Results of the study provide a good indication that the livestock friendly designation provides an impetus for livestock development, which of course helps boost economies in our rural areas.”

With the addition of York County, there are now 38 counties designated as Livestock Friendly through the state program. 

Counties wishing to apply for the LFC designation must hold a public hearing and the county board must pass a resolution to apply for the designation.  Then a completed application must be submitted to NDA.  Local producers or groups can encourage county officials to apply.

Additional information about the Livestock Friendly County program is available on the NDA website at www.nda.nebraska.gov or by calling 800-422-6692.



AOL Founder, Steve Case, to Keynote the Farmers Business Network Signature Farmer2Farmer Conference in Omaha, December 12-14, 2016

Farmers Business Network (FBNSM), the independent farmer-to-farmer network, announced today that internet pioneer and AOL Founder & Chairman, Steve Case, will keynote their 2nd annual Farmer2Farmer Conference to take place December 12-14, 2016 at the Hilton Omaha. Farmer2Farmer will bring together over 1,000 FBN members, farmers, and industry leaders from around the country. 

Farmer2Farmer 2016 will focus on “American Entrepreneurs” and feature dozens of America’s most innovative producers and experts from the world of technology and entrepreneurship.  The event’s opening night will feature a special session with iconic Nebraska coach, Dr. Tom Osborne.

“We’re incredibly excited to bring Farmer2Farmer to Omaha and convene America’s most innovative farmers and entrepreneurial thinkers.  Farmers are the original entrepreneurs and the backbone of the rural economy and our food system.  We couldn’t be more excited to bring the best of farming and technology luminaries like Steve Case together,” said FBN Co-Founder & VP of Products, Charles Baron.

Additional speakers and the full Farmer2Farmer agenda will be announced in the coming months.  The announcement comes following the tremendous success of the first Farmer2Farmer Conference, held last December in Davenport, IA, which was attended by over 600 guests from 20 states. As a network of America’s best farmers, Farmer2Farmer was created to give FBN members a way to connect in person and share wisdoms in an unbiased, unfiltered way.

Farmer2Farmer 2015 centered on “Bringing Moneyball to Farming,” and featured Paul DePodesta, who was the inspiration for the film “Moneyball”, baseball analytics legend, Bill James, US Army Maj. General Jim Huggins, as well as dozens of industry-leading farmers.

“Farmer2Farmer 2016 continues the tradition of bringing the best of farming and global technology together.” says Baron, “Farmer2Farmer creates a way to learn from each other - for premier growers from around the USA meet one another. The conversation was incredibly interesting, provocative, and nonstop.”

About Farmer2Farmer 2016: American Entrepreneurs
Farmer2Farmer is where the future of farming finds its voice.  Join leaders from technology, sports, and America's most pioneering farmers for sessions on entrepreneurial farm business strategies, putting farm data science to work, 2017 marketing strategies, FBN Network Trends, the newest FBN products, training and much more!

Tickets to Farmer2Farmer are complementary for current FBN members, though registration is required. Non-member farmers can get the early bird price of $100 if they register by October 1st, and ag professionals can lock in their early bird tickets at $250.  Ticket costs will be credited towards FBN membership.

About Farmers Business Network
FBN is an independent and trusted farmer-to-farmer network, built by and for farmers. FBN connects farmers to share farm data and gain powerful insights and make the best agronomic and financial decisions. FBN members receive comprehensive analytics on seed performance, agronomic practices, input prices, and yield benchmarking based on over 55 million acre-events of real world data from the FBN community of farms. FBN Procurement Services works directly with input manufacturers to deliver members substantially reduced input prices—saving farmers thousands on inputs amidst a tough farm economy. The FBN mission of democratizing farm information has earned the support of world-class technology investors GV (formerly Google Ventures), DBL Partners, and Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers LLP.



Website Highlights New FDA Policies that Usher in Updated Standards for Antibiotics Used in Food Animals

Today, a number of agriculture groups—including the Animal Health Institute, National Pork Producers Council, National Cattlemen's Beef Association and the Animal Agriculture Alliance—launched a new educational website, www.togetherABX.com, providing information about how the Food and Drug Administration's new policy will change the way antibiotics are used to keep food animals healthy.

What is the New FDA Guidance?

The new policy, which goes into effect January 1, 2017, will stop the use of antibiotics similar to those used in humans for animal growth purposes. The policy also requires the supervision of a veterinary medical doctor when antibiotics that are used to treat people are also used to fight disease in animals.

"This policy ensures that the antibiotics classes we need as humans are only administered to food animals when medically necessary to fight disease," said Alexander S. Mathews, President and CEO of the Animal Health Institute (AHI). "Most importantly, the policy protects animal health and well-being while providing consumers with the safest food possible."

Human and animal health experts agree that antibiotic resistance is a public health concern, which is why animal production practices include judicious use guidelines to ensure that antibiotics can be used to keep food animals healthy, while minimizing the chance of resistant bacteria impacting human health. Farmers, veterinarians and the companies that make medicines for animals have collaborated with the FDA to implement guidelines that maximize animal health and well-being, while providing consumers with the safest food possible.

"A licensed veterinarian on a farm is to animals what a physician is to humans," said Dr. Richard Carnevale, vice president of regulatory, scientific and international affairs at the Animal Health Institute. "Veterinarians provide a critical service by keeping farm animals healthy, thereby safeguarding human health.  As a veterinarian, I hope the togetherABX effort will result in greater public understand of the role of veterinarians."

The new website also will contain information about how farmers and veterinary medical doctors manage the use of antibiotics on farms and ranches.

Visit the site at www.togetherABX.com.



Gov. Ricketts, Midwestern Governors Call on EPA to End E15 Barrier

Today, Governor Pete Ricketts joined a bipartisan coalition of seven Midwestern Governors calling on the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to roll back a “significant regulatory obstacle” to expanded use of E15 and mid-level ethanol blends.  

“As governors of ethanol-producing states, we share common goals of eliminating unnecessary regulatory barriers, strengthening the free market, and expanding consumer choice by increasing access to E15 and higher ethanol blends,” wrote the Governors in a letter to the EPA.  “We write to ask you to remove a significant regulatory obstacle that is preventing large-scale availability and use of E15 and mid-level ethanol blends.”

Governor Ricketts serves as the Vice Chair of the Governors’ Biofuels Coalition (GBC), and earlier this year testified against proposed changes to the Renewable Fuel Standard on behalf of the State of Nebraska and GBC members.



ACE applauds governors for urging EPA to remove RVP limit on E15 

The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) today thanked seven governors for sending a bipartisan letter to EPA asking that the Agency “remove a significant regularly obstacle that is preventing large-scale availability and use of E15 and mid-level ethanol blends.” 

ACE helped encourage governors to sign onto the letter.   Governors Terry Branstad (R-Iowa), Sam Brownback (R-Kansas), Mark Dayton (D-Minnesota), Jay Nixon (D-Missouri), Pete Ricketts (R-Nebraska), Jack Dalrymple (R-North Dakota), and Dennis Daugaard (R-South Dakota) sent the letter to EPA Administrator Gina McCarthy today asking her to “correct the unfair Reid vapor pressure (RVP) treatment of E15.”

“EPA’s refusal to allow E15, a fuel with fewer evaporative emissions than straight gasoline or E10, to be used from June 1 to September 15 in many parts of the country because of an outdated Reid vapor pressure (RVP) rule is the primary hurdle to more widespread use of the fuel,” said ACE Executive Vice President Brian Jennings.   “We applaud these seven governors for urging EPA to extend RVP relief to E15 and higher blends and we will continue to ask Congress to provide for a legislative remedy in the face of EPA inaction.”




United States Challenges Excessive Chinese Support for Rice, Wheat, and Corn

Today, the Obama Administration has launched a new trade enforcement action against the People's Republic of China at the World Trade Organization (WTO) concerning excessive government support provided for Chinese production of rice, wheat, and corn. United States Trade Representative Michael Froman and United States Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack were joined by bipartisan members of Congress in announcing the complaint which challenges China's use of "market price support" for three key crops (rice, wheat, and corn) in excess of China's commitments under WTO rules.

In 2015, China's "market price support" for these products is estimated to be nearly $100 billion in excess of the levels China committed to during its accession. China's excessive market price support for rice, wheat, and corn inflates Chinese prices above market levels, creating artificial government incentives for Chinese farmers to increase production. The United States is challenging China's government support on behalf of American rice, wheat, and corn farmers to help reduce distortions for rice, wheat, and corn, and help American farmers to compete on a more level playing field.

"These programs distort Chinese prices, undercut American farmers, and clearly break the limits China committed to when they joined the WTO. As this Administration has consistently and repeatedly shown, we will not stand by when our trading partners fail to follow the rules like everyone else," said Ambassador Froman. "We will aggressively pursue this challenge on behalf of American farmers and hold the Chinese government accountable to the standards of fair global trade."

"Through tariff cuts and the removal of other trade barriers, China has gone from a $2-billion-a-year market for U.S. agricultural products to a $20-billion-plus market," said Agriculture Secretary Vilsack. "But we could be doing much better, particularly if our grain exports could compete in China on a level playing field. Unfortunately, China's price supports have encouraged wheat, corn and rice production in China that has displaced imports. When China joined the WTO, it committed to limit this kind of trade-distorting support, which it has failed to do. This has resulted in significant losses to American producers. We see substantial opportunities to meet import demand for grains in China if China is willing to operate a WTO-consistent trade regime."

This trade enforcement action marks the 14th complaint brought by the Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) against China at the WTO since 2009. It demonstrates the Obama Administration's ongoing commitment to ensuring China abides by its WTO obligations, and to strictly enforcing the trade agreements that protect the interests of American farmers, workers, and businesses. The Administration has taken, and will continue to take, all steps necessary to ensure American farmers, workers, and businesses can compete and win on a level playing field in the global economy.

"Eliminating barriers to trade, and gaining access to new markets is critical for our producers. But, those efforts will go without reward if the existing trade rules are not enforced," said Senator Pat Roberts, Chairman of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. "U.S. producers know the importance of sticking to their commitments, and they have experienced first-hand the harm caused to the agriculture industry by countries that don't follow the rules."

"In today's global economy, we need to hold countries like China accountable for anti-competitive trade practices that hurt American farmers and businesses," said Senator Debbie Stabenow, Raking Member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. "I applaud U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman and Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack for working with the World Trade Organization to bring this case forward. We need to make sure that American farmers can compete on a level playing field and I will follow this case closely as we move forward."

"Today's enforcement actions highlight how we can use trade rules to America's advantage. Robust enforcement of our trade agreements, including WTO rules, ensures that our farmers, businesses, and workers are treated fairly," said House Ways and Means Chairman Kevin Brady. "As we move forward in Congress with other trade agreements, I will continue to work with USTR to ensure a level playing field for our workers and our products."

"Not only does China refuse to abide by the commitments it made in joining the WTO, it attempts to obscure its illegal actions by consistently failing to even report on the support it is providing to its farmers," said House Agriculture Committee Chairman K. Michael Conaway. "The actions of the Chinese government-and increasingly those of other advanced developing countries-are having a detrimental impact on America's farmers and ranchers. While enforcement action is long past due, I applaud the Administration for taking action on behalf of our nation's corn, rice, and wheat producers."

"America's farmers are ready and able to compete in a global marketplace but can't do so without a level playing field," said House Agriculture Committee Ranking Member Collin Peterson. "The United States has a responsibility to hold other countries accountable when they fail to honor their WTO commitments, resulting in lost opportunities for American farmers."

"On top of challenging commodity prices, North Dakota farmers shouldn't have to deal with China breaching trade commitments and making it tougher for us to get market value for our crops," said Senator Heidi Heitkamp, member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. "When countries cheat on trade agreements and distort global markets, we need to hold them accountable, and that's what the U.S. Trade Representative and the Secretary of Agriculture are doing today. Addressing Chinese over-subsidization can help support the price of U.S. wheat and corn, and that's good news for North Dakota farmers."

"Today's announcement is welcome news to the producers of the Third District of Nebraska who are willing and very able to compete internationally so long as the playing field is level," said Congressman Adrian Smith, member of the House Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee and Chair of the Modern Agriculture Caucus. "America's engagement and leadership in the WTO and trade agreements ensures we can hold our trading partners to the highest standards."

Today's action continues the Obama Administration's strong record of enforcing the rights of the United States under our trade agreements. Since 2009, USTR has brought 23 enforcement actions (including this one) at the WTO. The United States has won every one of these disputes decided thus far. This reflects the Administration's commitment to trade enforcement and indicates the resolve that the United States would bring to enforce the high standards won in the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), ranging from market access for United States agriculture exports, labor and intellectual property rights, protection of the environment, and keeping the internet free and open.

Additional Background Information about the Complaint
According to USTR's analysis, China appears to provide agricultural domestic support to Indica rice (long grain), Japonica rice (short and medium grain), wheat, and corn in excess of its Aggregate Measurement of Support (AMS) commitments under the WTO Agreement on Agriculture (Agriculture Agreement). China maintains this support through "market price support" programs. Pursuant to the market price support programs, China announces on an annual basis the minimum prices at which the government will purchase Indica rice, Japonica rice, wheat, and corn in major producing provinces during the harvest season. Through this program, China has maintained domestic prices at levels above world market levels since 2012, influencing domestic production decisions and distorting the Chinese market.

China appears to have breached its WTO Agriculture Agreement commitment not to provide support in favor of domestic producers in excess of the commitment levels provided in its WTO Schedule. China committed through its WTO Schedule not to provide trade-distorting domestic support, except for domestic support at or below a de minimis level of 8.5 percent for each agricultural product. China, however, has provided domestic support for each product – Indica rice, Japonica rice, wheat, and corn – substantially above the 8.5 percent de minimis level. In fact, in 2015, the level of support provided through these programs in excess of China's commitment was nearly $100 billion.

Economic Impact of United States Rice, Wheat, and Corn Exports
America's rice, wheat, and corn industries are vitally important to our national economy. Together, exports from these industries average $20 billion per year. These exports contribute an additional estimated $70 billion to the United States economy every year, and support 200,000 American jobs.

The Obama Administration's Trade Enforcement Record
    Since President Obama was inaugurated in 2009, USTR has filed 23 enforcement complaints (including this one) at the World Trade Organization (WTO) – more than any other WTO Member. The United States has won every single one of those complaints that has been decided by the WTO so far.

    Obama Administration has brought 14 trade enforcement challenges against China, three against India, and several other complaints against a series of major economies including Indonesia, Argentina, the Philippines, and the European Union. To ensure the greatest economic benefits for American workers and exporters, the Obama Administration has used our trade enforcement actions to emphasize opening these large, strategic markets to which the United States exports a diverse array of products and services.

    The Obama Administration has also broken new ground on the enforcement of agricultural market access including cases against India's non-science-based measures on poultry and other products allegedly to protect against avian influenza (U.S. prevailed in 2015), Indonesia's import licensing regime on beef, poultry, and horticultural products (case pending), and China's unfair taxes on U.S. broiler chicken products (U.S. prevailed in 2014; compliance challenge pending).

    Enforcement extends far beyond formal disputes. The Obama Administration has opened markets for American workers, farmers, and businesses by taking tough stands to resolve unwarranted trade barriers with trading partners. For example, we have eliminated BSE-related restrictions in 16 countries since January 2015, gaining additional market access for U.S. beef in Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Egypt, Guatemala, Iraq, Lebanon, Macau, New Zealand, Peru, Philippines, Saint Lucia, Singapore, South Africa, Ukraine, and Vietnam. As a result, U.S. beef exports have recovered to pre-2003 levels. We also successfully engaged with the Philippines – including through the Special 301 process – to enhance protection of intellectual property rights. These and similar actions have helped expand exports and level the playing field for American goods and services.



 Smith Supports Effort to Challenge Chinese Price Distortion on Agriculture Products

Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) joined U.S. Trade Representative Michael Froman, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack, and a bipartisan delegation of congressional leaders today to show his support for a new trade enforcement action against China at the World Trade Organization (WTO) as a result of its excessive government support for Chinese production of rice, wheat, and corn.

China is currently subsidizing domestic production of these three crops far more than its WTO commitments allow.  In 2015, Chinese subsidies exceeded the agreed upon levels by nearly $100 billion.  These violations have distorted prices in the Chinese market and put U.S. agriculture producers at a disadvantage.

Smith’s remarks:
This is a very welcome announcement, and it is an important first step to bring much-needed relief to my constituents in the Third District of Nebraska.

China represents a large and growing market for agriculture exports, and American producers – the most effective and innovative producers in the world – are well-positioned to meet Chinese demand.

Unfortunately, China continues to adopt protectionist policies which not only close their markets to U.S. producers but also suppress the prices of commodities on the world market.

All too often, I hear our response should be to turn inward, build our own barriers to trade, and avoid negotiating future trade agreements.

Nothing could be more wrong.

It is through our membership in the WTO and trade agreements that we are able to encourage our trading partners to adopt free market policies.

This is especially true in the agriculture sector, where unscientific regulations are routinely used as non-tariff trade barriers.

China is guilty of this as well but is certainly not the only offender.

American biotech products are routinely delayed around the world, not out of food safety concerns but to protect foreign producers from competition.

Fortunately, pending trade agreements offer an opportunity for the U.S. to ensure the rules for international trade in agriculture are based on sound science, not protectionism.

With 96 percent of the world’s consumers living outside our country, trade agreements create opportunity for U.S. agriculture, and so long as the U.S. maintains a leadership role, I am confident American producers will continue to meet the demands of an ever-growing population around the world.  Thank you very much.

Smith has continually pressed for fair treatment for U.S. agriculture products in China’s marketplace.  In September 2015, Smith sent a letter to President Obama signed by 105 bipartisan Members of Congress urging him to make biotech approvals a priority issue with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Smith is the founder and co-chairman of the Modern Agriculture Caucus and a member of the Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee.



USGC Statement on USTR and USDA Announcement on WTO Action

A statement from U.S. Grains Council (USGC) President and CEO Tom Sleight:

"The U.S. Grains Council believes in free and open trade and the importance of both strong trade policy and market development. These are the guiding principles of our relationship with China, a complex and important trading partner for U.S. agriculture.

"We also believe the WTO provides structure and accountability for global trade. Consultations and negotiations are integral parts of the WTO process, and we welcome USTR's and USDA's move on this critical issue.

"We are hopeful that this step and our ongoing work in China can continue to support a long-term, stable and mutually-beneficial trading relationship."



USTR and USDA Announce China WTO Investigation

Statement by Chip Bowling, President of the National Corn Growers Association:

“The National Corn Growers Association is committed to the development and maintenance of fair and open global trade practices and policies as part of our efforts to feed and fuel a growing world. We believe in both strong trade policy and market development.

As a facilitator and arbitrator of global trade, the World Trade Organization provides structure and accountability to the process.  We welcome USTR’s and USDA’s trade enforcement action, and will closely monitor these developments.

China is an important trading partner for U.S. agriculture, and we continue to support a trading relationship between our two nations that is long-term, stable, and mutually beneficial.”



Wheat Growers Welcome Trade Enforcement Action on Chinese Market Support Programs

The National Association of Wheat Growers (NAWG) and U.S. Wheat Associates (USW) welcome the Obama Administration’s new trade enforcement action against China at the World Trade Organization (WTO). The significant investigative effort by the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) followed five years of work by USW, NAWG and other industry partners to demonstrate how China’s domestic support policies hurt U.S. farmers.

This enforcement action challenges the level of China’s trade-distorting market price support programs for wheat as well as for corn and rice. In describing its action, USTR said “the level of support provided through these programs in excess of China’s commitment was nearly $100 billion.”

These programs cost U.S. wheat farmers between $650 and $700 million annually in lost income by pre-empting export opportunity and suppressing global prices, according to a 2016 Iowa State University study sponsored by USW. That loss estimate is actually 19 percent more than the losses estimated by a similar 2015 study due to the effect of increasing global stocks and resulting market price decline.

“Wheat production subsidies in China and other advanced developing countries are the single biggest policy issue affecting our farm gate prices and global trade flows,” said USW President Alan Tracy. “In taking this step, USTR and USDA are demonstrating that trade enforcement can ensure that our many trade agreements and a pro-trade agenda really work for American farmers.”

“This enforcement action shows a welcome willingness to defend farmers against governments that blatantly disregard the rules of the road under their trade agreements,” said NAWG President Gordon Stoner, a wheat grower from Outlook, MT. “It comes at a critical time for farmers who have seen market prices collapse to unsustainable levels in recent years.”

A 2014 study by DTB Associates, also sponsored by USW, showed that China’s minimum procurement price of about $10 per bushel for wheat, in addition to other subsidies, violates China’s WTO commitments. That market price support is so high that the Chinese government has to purchase and store enormous stocks of domestic wheat. As a result, USDA estimates that by June 2017, China will hold 44 percent of the world’s wheat stocks, which will be at record levels and further depress market prices. This also hurts Chinese flour millers who are forced to purchase overpriced domestic wheat from these stocks and hurts their customers who pay more for the flour.

Noted Iowa State University agricultural economist Dr. Dermot Hayes conducted the 2015 and 2016 studies of domestic support effects. In reviewing the 2016 study results, which compared a base case including China’s current support to a new scenario in which the factors represented by China’s policies were removed, Dr. Hayes said farmers there would grow less wheat because domestic prices would fall and input costs would increase.

“In our comparison, that would benefit farmers in the United States and other wheat exporting countries as China would need to increase its imports to more than 9 million metric tons,” Dr. Hayes said. “The corresponding lift in wheat exports would increase U.S. farm income from wheat by 19 cents per bushel.”

“China may try to cloak its market price support as necessary to achieve self-sufficiency in wheat production, but this does not justify ignoring its trade commitments,” said Tracy. “Trade plays a vital role in food security, as no country can truly be self-sufficient in food production. The studies we have sponsored clearly show that eliminating its expensive market price support programs and letting the market work to meet their wheat needs would reduce the cost of food for Chinese consumers.”

“Trade agreements cannot meet their promise if other countries ignore the rules, no matter if the agreements are multilateral, bilateral or regional like the Trans-Pacific Partnership,” said Stoner. “That TPP has improved enforcement mechanisms is one more reason we strongly support its passage.  Our grower organizations fully support this new trade enforcement action with China, and we will continue to work with our government and industry partners to address other trade distorting issues.”

USW and NAWG have posted the Iowa State studies online at http://bit.ly/1XPLrLo and http://www.wheatworld.org/issues/trade/. For results of two DTB Associates studies measuring domestic support in advanced developing countries, visit www.dtbassociates.com/docs/DomesticSupportStudy11-2014.pdf and www.dtbassociates.com/docs/domesticsupportstudy.pdf. For a third party analysis of individual policy measures by country, visit http://www.oecd.org/tad/agricultural-policies/producerandconsumersupportestimatesdatabase.htm#country. 



Meetings in West Central Iowa Address Palmer Amaranth Infestation

Palmer amaranth has now been confirmed in more than 28 counties in Iowa, in both conventional farm operations and in native seed mixes for conservation purposes. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach Field Agronomist Mike Witt will be hosting four Palmer amaranth informational meetings in the next two weeks in the west central region of Iowa. The meetings will take place between Sept. 14 and Sept. 22, and will focus on identification, biology and management of Palmer amaranth in conservation plantings and row crop conditions.

“Palmer amaranth could cause significant yield losses in the future,” said Witt. “Identification and elimination of Palmer amaranth in conservation plantings early are some of the best steps in prevention.”

The four meeting dates and locations include:
    Sept. 14, 7 p.m.: ISU Extension and Outreach Guthrie County Office, 212 State St., Guthrie Center
    Sept. 19, 9:30 a.m.: ISU Extension and Outreach Shelby County Office, 906 6th St., Harlan
    Sept. 20, 7:30 p.m.: Denison High School Library, 819 N 16th St, Denison
    Sept. 22, 7 p.m.: ISU Extension and Outreach Audubon County Office, 608 Market St., Audubon

The informational meetings will be approximately one hour long and handouts about Palmer amaranth identification will be provided. At the meetings, the public will have the opportunity to learn about current Palmer amaranth issues, and learn about developing management plans to reduce the likelihood of the weed spreading into crop fields.

“The misconception is that this problem is isolated and not within a farmer’s specific county," said Witt. “The fact is, the infestation of Palmer amaranth is statewide and more county identifications are likely to occur in the future.”

For more information about the upcoming Palmer amaranth meetings in west central Iowa, contact Mike Witt at 641-430-2600, witt@iastate.edu.



NCGA Urges Farmers to Practice Safe Harvest this Fall
   
The National Corn Growers Association is partnering with the National Grain and Feed Association to remind farmers of the importance of proper grain bin safety procedures this harvest. Jim Seibert, NGFA's manager of training, safety and regulatory affairs, notes about 70% of grain entrapment happens on the nation's farms.

The NGFA is pleased to introduce a new series - "Safety Tips" - that will be published periodically as part of the Association's continued commitment to safety in the workplace. These documents are designed to provide more information on certain types of hazards and suggested ways to protect employees through safety best practices. You will find lots of in-depth safety information on the NGFA site.

With farmers across the country hitting the fields in their combines, NCGA offers both a list of safety reminders and a video on the important topic of grain bin safety.

Road Safety
    Reduce vehicle width as much as possible and ensure adequate warning lighting.
    Use "Slow Moving Vehicle" signs on all slow moving equipment.

Equipment Safety
    Be incredibly careful when approaching harvesting equipment.  Approach from the front and gain eye contact with the operator before approaching.
    Ensure the harvesting equipment is fully stopped and disengaged before climbing onto a vehicle.
    Do not place yourself near any unguarded or otherwise running machinery.
    Avoid pinch points between equipment - such as tractors with grain wagons. Visibility can be limited and serious injury can occur.
    Watch for trucks backing up or pulling away.  Steer clear and maintain eye contact with the driver if you approach a truck or tractor.

Entanglement Hazard
    Entanglement hazards can happen very quickly
    Do not ever try to unplug any equipment without disengaging power and removing energy from the equipment.
    Never pull or try to remove plugged plants from an operating machine.
    Always keep shields in place to avoid snags and entanglement when working around equipment.

Fall Hazard
    Be careful climbing on and off equipment.
    Be alert and extremely careful when working in wet or slippery conditions.
    Keep all walkways and platforms open and free of tools, dust, debris or other obstacles.  Clean all walkways and platforms before use.
    Wear clothing that is well fitting and not baggy or loose.  Also wear proper non-slip, closed toe shoes.
    Use grab bars when mounting or dismounting machinery. Face machinery when dismounting and never jump from equipment.
    Never dismount from a moving vehicle.

Fire Prevention
    Carry a fire extinguisher with you in your vehicle (A-B-C, 5 or 10 pound).
    Remove dust and buildup from equipment.  Check bearings regularly to prevent overheating and chance of fire.

Grain Wagon Safety
    Be careful to monitor grain wagon weight to never exceed maximum weight limits.  As weight increases, grain wagons can be more difficult to control.
    Load grain wagons evenly to distribute weight to prevent weaving or instability across the grain wagon.
    Inspect grain wagon tires and replace any worn or cracked tires.

In addition to these tips, NCGA is again offering a video highlighting the importance of proper safety procedures and reviewing helpful guidelines.  First released in 2011, this video remains relevant and illustrates the significant threat bin entrapment can pose.



Tractor Sales Rose Last Month, Combines Down

The Association of Equipment Manufacturer's monthly "Flash Report" shows that the sale of all tractors in the U.S. in August 2016, were down 9% compared to the same month last year.

For the eight months in 2016, a total of 145,038 tractors were sold which compares to 142,516 sold thru August 2015 representing a 2% increase year to date, reports Agri Marketing magazine.

Two-wheel drive smaller tractors (under 40 HP) in August were up 21% from last year, while 40 & under 100 HP were down .7%. Sales of 2-wheel drive 100+ HP were down 27%, while 4-wheel drive tractors were down 48%.

For the eight months, two-wheel drive smaller tractors (under 40 HP) are up 11% over last year, while 40 & under 100 HP are down 5%. Sales of 2-wheel drive 100+ HP are down 24%, while 4-wheel drive tractors are down 34%.

Combine sales were down 23% for the month. Sales of combines for the first eight months totaled 2,600, a decrease of 22% over the same period in 2015.



Brazilian 2016-17 Soybean Area Seen Rising 2.6%

Positive margins will prompt Brazilian soybean farmers to raise planting area by 2.6% in the 2016-17 season to 83.5 million acres, Celeres, a local farm consultancy, predicted Tuesday.

Area would grow further were it not for the difficulty that famers are encountering in accessing credit, the consultancy said in a report.

The credit crunch is particularly pronounced in areas that suffered losses last season, such as the northeastern states of Bahia, Piaui and Maranhao.

Based on 15-year average yield curves, Celeres forecast soybean production will rise 5% to 102.8 million metric tons (mmt) next season.

The estimate is in line with industry forecasts amid a consensus that the La Nina weather phenomenon will not have a significant impact on the crop. Traditionally, La Nina has a positive impact on yields the top-producing state of Mato Grosso and the rest of the Center-West, as well as the northeast, while increasing weather instability in Parana, the No. 2 soy state, and Rio Grande do Sul, the No. 3 state.

The compulsory fallow period ends in Mato Grosso and other key regions on Thursday and farmers can start planting soybeans.

However, after getting burnt by drought last year, farmers will likely be less willing to plant before significant springs rains moisten the soils. With heavy showers forecast for the second half of September, planting will likely pick up pace in the southern state of Parana over the next few weeks. In contrast, major showers are only forecast for Mato Grosso in mid-October, and planting will likely get off to a slow start there.

Celeres highlighted that robust domestic and international demand will create keen competition for Brazilian beans next year. It predicts next season's soybean exports will rise 3.7% to 56 mmt.



CME's New Wheat Future Starts Trading

CME Group says 411 contracts of its new EU wheat futures changed hands Monday, the first day of trading. The contract was introduced to compete with Euronext's benchmark European wheat futures contract. Open interest stands at 180 contracts. Although the launch was quiet, it went better than some other recently introduced agricultural commodities contracts, including CME's own Black Sea wheat future, which was traded just once the day of its launch in 2012 and never attracted enough volume to be viable. One trader said the narrow bid-ask spreads in the first day's trading suggest there's reason to hope that the new offering may fare better.



Symposium addresses the science of the rhizosphere

The rhizosphere is the area within soil influenced by root systems and soil microbes. And, it’s where most of the nutrients for plants get cycled from the soil for plant growth – and plant-produced secretions go back to the soil for storage and use by microbes.

“The Rhizosphere” symposium planned at the Resilience Emerging from Scarcity and Abundance ASA, CSSA, SSSA International Annual Meeting in Phoenix, AZ, will address this important topic. The symposium will be held Tuesday, November 8, 2016 at 1:30PM. The meeting is sponsored by the American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and the Soil Science Society of America.

“Producing more food with less impact on ecosystem services such as the biogeochemical cycles of nutrients is a major challenge ahead of us,” says Phillippe Hinsinger, CIRAD, France. “Some solutions to design sustainable intensification of agroecosystems pertain to understanding of rhizosphere ecology and biogeochemistry, as the root-soil interface is a major hotspot of biological activities in soils.” This provides exciting perspectives for breeding crops and trees that most efficiently acquire and cycle nutrients for improving the nutrient use efficiency of the agroecosystems of tomorrow.

According to Tarah Sullivan, Washington State University, “the specific metabolic activities and signaling that takes place within the microbiome and between the microbes and their host plants is a rapidly growing focus area of scientific understanding.” Her research seeks to bridge the gap in knowledge about the functional role of microorganisms associated with the roots of plant species, with specific focus on metal chelating abilities of members of the plant and soil microbiome.