Weekend Ag News Wrap - Nov 13

Time Extended to RSVP for A-FAN Annual Meeting

There's still time for you to RSVP for the AFAN Annual Meeting on Nov. 21, 2016. In addition to hearing about our accomplishments over the past year, Dr. Alison Van Eenennaam will join us as the featured speaker.

Dr. Van Eenennaam is a Cooperative Extension Specialist in the field of Animal Genomics and Biotechnology in the Department of Animal Science at University of California, Davis.
Dr. Van Eenennaam was the recipient of the 2014 Council for Agricultural Science and Technology (CAST) Borlaug Communication Award, and the 2016 Beef Improvement Association (BIF) Continuing Service Award. She will be joining us at the AFAN meeting for a presentation:  "Effective Communication about Agriculture, what works and what does not."

Don't miss out on this event!  RSVP to Lori Anderson by Nov. 17.



SAMPLE HAY CORRECTLY
Bruce Anderson, NE Extension Forage Specialist

               Forage tests can tell you the nutrient concentration in your hay.  But only if the sample you collect accurately resembles your hay.

              Nutrient concentration varies considerably in all forages.  That is why I recommend hay testing be a regular part of your livestock operation.

               There is one catch, however.  For hay tests to be effective, your sample must accurately represent your hay.  Reaching into a bale and pulling out a hunk of hay will not give you a good sample.  Nor will gathering a single flake of hay.

               The only effective method to sample long hay is by using a core sampler.  If you don’t have one, you can buy one from many ag supply catalogues and forage testing labs.  Also, some local extension offices have hay probes available for loan.

               Once you have a hay probe, the first thing you need to do is organize your hay bales into groups that all came from the same field and cutting.  Then use the hay probe to collect one core each from 15 to 20 of the bales.  Collect your sample from the center of the twine end of the bales.  Then combine all the core samples from this group into one larger sample to send to the lab.

               If there is decayed or moldy material that you will discard or your animals will not eat, do not include it in your sample.  That way you will have a sample that is similar to the actual diet of your livestock.  However, if you plan to sell the hay, then you need to include this less desirable material in your sample to accurately represent all the hay to be sold.

               Follow these sampling techniques and you will get accurate nutrient analyses of your hay and be able to use it more effectively.



Ricketts Announces Contract to Sell Preferred Popcorn in China

Today, Governor Pete Ricketts and the Nebraska Department of Economic Development (DED), helped Preferred Popcorn LLC of Chapman announce a contract with their long-time Chinese partner, Zhong Liang Tian Run (ZLTR) Trading Inc.  This contract keeps ZLTR on track to purchase millions of pounds of bulk popcorn from Nebraska-based Preferred Popcorn and for China to remain one of the largest markets among the 70 countries where Preferred has customers.  The contract was signed by Preferred CEO Norm Krug and ZLTR CEO Mr. Xiaodong Pan during a signing ceremony.

“Preferred Popcorn is a great example of a Nebraska agribusiness successfully supplying and marketing one of our state’s high-quality commodities in China,” said Governor Ricketts.  “To grow Nebraska, we must continue to look for new opportunities to expand existing markets and find new ones.  Congratulations to Norm Krug and his team on their continued success.”

Following the signing ceremony, Preferred Popcorn CEO Norm Krug said he thinks the trade mission is an opportunity to demonstrate to a critical overseas market that Nebraska is open for business, especially when it comes to supplying the huge market with high quality grain.  He is also thankful for Governor Ricketts’ strong leadership in encouraging global trade that enables Nebraska farmers and agribusiness leaders to sell their products to the world.

“Governor Ricketts is doing his part to help Nebraska agriculture by hosting this strategic trade mission to China,” said Preferred CEO Krug.  “China is a huge market for Nebraska dent corn, soybeans, popcorn, wheat, distiller’s grains and agricultural products.  The whole world wants their business, but this trade mission lets China know that Nebraska is ready and open for business.  We want to be the first in line to supply this huge market with high quality grain.  We must be an aggressive marketer of ag products and Governor Ricketts is once again providing strong leadership to give Nebraska farmers and agribusiness an opportunity to sell the product of their toil.”

Preferred Popcorn has imported bulk popcorn into Chinese theaters and ready-to-eat popcorn producers for over five years.  Over the last two years Preferred has seen exports to China double as a result of the strong partnership with ZLTR.  In the last two years, Preferred has sold millions of pounds of popcorn to China, which is one of 10 countries in Asia where Preferred has customers.  In fact, over 50 percent of Preferred’s total sales are exports and the company has seen consistent growth over the years.  Preferred has grown from only four employees in 1998 to over 80 employees today.  In 2016, Nebraska was the 2nd largest producer of popcorn in the United States.

ZLTR re-sells Preferred’s bulk popcorn in 50 pound bags to theater and ready to eat popcorn markets across China.  This partnership has given Preferred a strong market position in the imported bulk popcorn market as well as added value to the farm operations of Nebraska growers and resulted in an increase of trade-related jobs in Nebraska.

This summer ZLTR introduced their own ready to eat (RTE) popcorn product to the market through online and retail outlets in the Shanghai and Nanjing metro areas.  Earlier in the day, Krug and Mr. Pan led a tour of the ZLTR ready to eat popcorn processing plant outside of Shanghai.  Preferred is the exclusive bulk popcorn supplier for ZLTR’s three popcorn flavors: sweet, semi-sweet, and salty. All three products use a simple ingredient mix to appeal to health conscious consumers.



NASCAR to Surpass 10 Million Miles on Sunoco Green E15

NASCAR announced today that it will surpass 10 million competition miles on Sunoco Green E15, a biofuel blended with 15 percent American-made ethanol, by the end of the 2016 season. The achievement will be celebrated during the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series™ race at Phoenix International Raceway this weekend. The 10 million miles will have been accumulated across practice, qualifying and racing laps since the biofuel was adopted by the sport.

Six years ago, NASCAR entered into a groundbreaking partnership with Sunoco and American Ethanol, launching its long-term biofuels program to reduce emissions across its three national series. After an exhaustive analysis, Sunoco formulated Sunoco Green E15 to allow for a seamless transition, and the biofuel made its debut at Daytona International Speedway in 2011. All the ethanol for Green E15 is produced from American-grown corn at Sunoco’s ethanol manufacturing facility in Fulton, N.Y.

“As we approach 10 million miles on Sunoco Green E15 across our three national series, it’s evident that the renewable, higher ethanol blended fuel performs flawlessly against our rigorous racing conditions,” said Brent Dewar, NASCAR Chief Operating Officer. “This remarkable milestone is the result of an industry-wide commitment to demonstrate high performance racing with reduced emissions, while educating our fans about the benefits of sustainable and renewable American ethanol.”

Since transitioning to the biofuel, NASCAR has helped validate the fuel’s qualities in front of an audience of millions of NASCAR fans and is helping shift attitudes and behaviors around the use of ethanol. According to new research conducted in July, when compared to non-fans, NASCAR fans are more likely to support the use of ethanol blended gasoline to fuel NASCAR race cars, their own car, and cars on the road today to increase U.S. energy independence. Source: Custom Environment-Related Tracker commissioned by NASCAR and conducted by Toluna (July 2016).

“We are thrilled to reach this important milestone with NASCAR and to be a part of the effort to reduce the sport’s impact on the environment with Sunoco Green E15, while increasing horsepower and standing up to the most demanding conditions on the track,” said Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy. “Like their favorite NASCAR drivers, consumers are now utilizing a fuel with a blend of 15 percent ethanol. Americans have already driven over 500 million miles on E15. Today, nearly 400 stations across 28 states sell E15 and those numbers continue to climb. Consumer demand is on the rise because Americans are finding out that E15 is the right choice for their engines, their wallets and the environment.”

The move to Sunoco Green E15 coincided with the incorporation of more technology into NASCAR race cars. In 2012, the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series transitioned from carbureted engines to electronic fuel injection using an electronic control unit (ECU) – the first computer technology used in a NASCAR race car. In addition, the series moved from analog gauges to a digital dashboard this season.

“As a lifelong fan and a proud team owner, I am certain that the switch to an ethanol blend has been a great move by NASCAR,” said Richard Childress, Chairman and CEO of RCR. “We’re proud of our connection to the ethanol industry and all of the good that it’s doing for our country, and could not be more pleased to celebrate passing 10 million miles with the industry.”

During the pace car laps at the start of the race on Sunday at Phoenix International Raceway, NASCAR fans at the start/finish line will be asked to participate in a coordinated American Ethanol green flag wave to help commemorate the 10 million-mile achievement.



GAO REPORTS ON WEST COAST SHIPPING PORTS

The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) this week released a report in response to the 2014-2015 labor slowdown and port disruptions at West Coast shipping facilities. The report noted that infrastructural and operational changes such as terminals with cranes capable of handling larger ships have been undertaken by all West Coast ports but advised addressing volume-processing issues. Because of backed up shipping during the labor slowdown, 13 of 21 industry groups saw revenues decline or costs increase. Those groups continue to see some member companies making alternative shipping plans to avoid port congestion.

The report also noted that the U. S. Department of Transportation (DOT) is increasing its inclusivity of ports and multi-modal activities, however, the GAO is concerned with the informational gaps important to aspects of supply chains. With the DOT’s development of a freight strategy in its infancy, the GAO report recommends it identify the supply chain information and sources it seeks, how it plans to utilize the data and recognize gaps. The West Coast ports play a crucial role in transporting meat commodities, so streamlining the infrastructure and operational process is vital to the continued success of the U.S. pork industry and commodities in general.



NOAA: La Nina Has Definitely Arrived

After a recent incredibly strong El Nino episode, it looks like the tides--or at least the Pacific Ocean sea surface temperatures--have shifted. Conditions have aligned (in some cases barely, but enough) to the point that "La Nina has officially arrived," according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's (NOAA) ENSO blog.

And though these aren't strong La Nina conditions, they will affect the winter weather forecast for the United States. Basically, they increase the chances that winter will be drier and warmer in the southern US, but the north of the country is likely to be colder, wetter, and therefore, snowier than normal.

These predictions are at least fairly similar to those of rough-looking winter forecast that Accuweather sent to Business Insider, predicting mild temperatures in the South and particularly cold temperatures in the upper Midwest, along with wet and stormy conditions in the Northeast (though the La Nina predictions are still uncertain for the Northeast).

La Nina is basically the opposite of El Nino, meaning that instead of warm conditions in a particular part of the equatorial Pacific, the water is cooler than average. Since surface temperatures are more than half a degree cooler than average, there's strong atmospheric circulation in the tropics of the Pacific, and forecasters think it will stay cooler for several overlapping three month periods (July to September and August to October both count), we've officially hit the La Nina point.



RIGHT TO FARM BILL REJECTED

Oklahoma voters Tuesday rejected Ballot Question 777 that would have established constitutional farming and ranching rights. Placed on the ballot by the Oklahoma Legislature, the measure would have allowed courts to rule on any state and local laws regulating agricultural activities passed after Dec. 31, 2014. The question would have allowed farmers to defend themselves against unjust laws, making the state more attractive to farmers and allowing the free market to decide best farming practices.

Oklahoma Farm Bureau President Tom Buchanen stated, “Although we are disappointed in today’s vote, we will not waiver in our commitment to ensuring our family farmers and ranchers can continue to operate without fear from outside interest groups and provide consumers with choice when they go to the grocery store.”

The rule was blocked by opponents claiming it lacked public health and environmental protections.



EPA Eyes Chlorpyrifos Ban

The EPA on Thursday took a major step toward banning pesticides with chlorpyrifos, announcing its plan to revoke all food tolerances for the main ingredient in Dow AgroScience's Lorsban.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will be setting a 60-day public comment period on a proposal to revise its scientific assessment of the insecticide ingredient. Chlorpyrifos is an organophosphate insecticide used to combat pests such as soybean aphids, spider mites and corn rootworm.

EPA said in a news release Thursday it believes chlorpyrifos residues on food crops and in water are at unsafe levels.

"The revised analyses indicate that expected residues of chlorpyrifos on food crops exceed the safety standard under the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act," the agency said.

"In addition, the majority of estimated drinking water exposures from currently registered uses, including water exposures from non-food uses, continue to exceed safe levels even taking into account more refined drinking water exposures."

In a final order issued Aug. 12, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit in San Francisco ruled against a request by EPA for an extension of time before the agency takes action on its proposed ban on chlorpyrifos. EPA has been ordered to take action by March 31, 2017.



NPPC Taking Applications for 2017 Lois Britt Memorial Pork Industry Scholarship Program Details

The National Pork Producers Council (NPPC) is pleased to announce the 2017 Lois Britt Memorial Pork Industry Scholarship, which is sponsored by CME Group and the National Pork Industry Foundation and is managed and administered by the National Pork Producers Council.

Ten $2,500 scholarships are awarded to students annually who intend to pursue a career in the pork industry with hopes that they may emerge as pork industry leaders themselves someday. The scholarships are focused at undergraduate students in a two-year swine program or a four-year college of agriculture.

The scholarship program was introduced in 1990 by CME Group and NPPC to celebrate the 25th anniversary of CME Hog futures. The scholarship was renamed in 2006 to honor the passing of NPPC Board of Director Lois Britt. Britt, a lifetime supporter of agriculture, spent 34 years with the North Carolina Cooperative Extension Service, finishing out her career for 15 years with Murphy-Brown LLC doing Public and Government Relations. She was inducted into the NPPC Pork Industry Hall of Fame, the N.C. Pork Council Hall of Fame, and awarded the N.C. 4-H Lifetime Achievement Award as some of her many achievements.

If you would like more information, please contact Cally Fix at 515-645-9659 or fixc@nppc.org. All entries must be postmarked by JANUARY 6, 2017 to be accepted.



Trimble Ready Option for LEXION Combines Announced

CLAAS and Trimble announced the introduction of a Trimble Ready machine factory option for CLAAS LEXION combines. CLAAS assembles LEXION combines in their Omaha, Neb., factory for distribution throughout North America. In 2017, LEXION combines will have the option to be wired and ready for Trimble's Android-based TMX-2050 display as they roll off the assembly line. The Trimble Ready option includes the cabling, brackets and mounts for a fit and finish specific to the LEXION cab.

The announcement was made at Agri Trade Equipment Expo.

"We have been working closely with Trimble since 2011, providing the capability to deliver aftermarket solutions on the LEXION combine," said Brandon Olstad, platform manager for Efficient Agriculture Systems by CLAAS. "Offering the Trimble Ready solution from the factory is a logical progression toward streamlining the integration of Trimble products on CLAAS equipment. We are pleased to offer this convenience factor to our customers."

The Trimble Ready configuration on the LEXION combines interfaces with the CLAAS CAN Bus architecture to enable GNSS steering through the CLAAS guidance infrastructure. Yield mapping via the CLAAS Quantimeter system is also supported. Farmers can purchase the Autopilot automated steering system and TMX-2050 display from Trimble resellers for a quick and easy "plug-n-play" installation of Trimble technology on LEXION combines.

"Since CLAAS LEXION combines are now Trimble Ready, farmers can easily add the Autopilot system and TMX-2050 display to their combines to begin enjoying the many benefits of precision guidance technology," said Tim East, worldwide OEM sales manager for Trimble's Agriculture Division. "Through our close working relationship with CLAAS, we are able to ensure a seamless and lower cost installation for the farmer."

Growers who plan to incorporate Trimble technology into their 2017 LEXION combines can contact their LEXION Dealer to add the Trimble Ready option.