Monday December 19 Ag News

WPPS awarded Community Forestry Grant through the Lower Elkhorn NRD

The Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD) recently awarded tree planting grants to 14 communities within the LENRD.  West Point Public Schools is one of the communities that received tree planting funds through the LENRD’s Community Forestry Grant.  The multi-year Windbreak and Tree Replacement Project received $4, 928.43 that will go towards removing two dead or diseased trees and purchasing and planting 43 trees.  Sandy Rasmus and Ray Maxwell applied for this grant and will be in charge of coordinating this project from start to finish.  A total of $33,199.50 was awarded to 14 communities within the LENRD for tree plantings that will take place in 2017.

The LENRD Community Forestry Grant is open to all communities within the LENRD and can be applied only to land that is owned by local government, county government, or public schools as long as the land is within the boundaries of the LENRD.  This grant became available because trees in several communities were being removed because of disease, environment, and old age.  With the threat of new insects and diseases coming into the Midwest, the LENRD put together a program to help all communities and lands owned by local or county government with this project.  In the past, this grant has been awarded to communities to use in their parks, at their schools, and even to help establish a new arboretum.  To find out more about community forestry or to update the contact person for your community tree board, contact LENRD at 402.371.7313.

“Nebraska is the ‘Tree Planter State’ after all,” states Pam Bergstrom, Forester for the LENRD.  “Planting trees, especially when you plant a diverse selection of trees, improves the towns aesthetic features and it has been proven that towns with a good ‘community forest’ are shown to have a positive appeal to guests, and the folks who call that community home will find they are not as stressed as their counterparts who occupy communities that lack a healthy community forest.  We are a state that really does like to see trees thriving in our community landscapes.”

The West Point Public Schools project has two objectives.  The first is planting new trees to serve as a windbreak, and the second objective is the replacement of dead or diseased trees.  Twelve 5-foot Blue Spruce, eleven 6-foot Douglas Fir and eleven 6-foot Norway Spruce will be added to the area east of the football/track complex which is used for baseball, softball, track field events, physical education classes and the community soccer programs.  Adding three additional species of trees to the windbreaks will add the diversity that is needed to maintain overall health of our community forest.  According to Information Coordinator Sandy Rasmus, “West Point Public Schools has been fortunate to participate in the LENRD Community Forestry Grant since October 2008.  We have purchased and planted 221 trees through this grant and another 43 trees will be planted in the spring as part of our Multi-year Windbreak Project.”



USDA SURVEYING CATTLE PRODUCERS

In January, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will survey more than 40,000 cattle operations nationwide to provide an up-to-date measure of U.S. cattle inventories. All cattle and calves in the United States as of January 1, 2016 totaled 92 million head, 3 percent above the total in 2015. With declining cattle prices and the lower feed costs, an updated look at cattle numbers across the nation will show how these events have affected rebuilding the herd.

“In January 2016, Iowa’s cattle inventory of 3.95 million head ranked 7th in the U.S. Of the total cattle inventory, 1.23 million were cattle and calves on feed which ranked Iowa 4th in the nation,” said Greg Thessen, Director of the NASS Upper Midwest Regional Office. “Obtaining the current count of cattle will serve as a critical decision-making tool for producers and the entire agriculture industry.”

During the first two weeks of January, Iowa producers will have the opportunity to report their beef and dairy cattle inventories, calf crop, death loss and the number of cattle on feed.

“This information helps producers make timely, informed marketing decisions and plan for herd expansion or reduction,” Thessen explained. “Additionally, the information producers provide helps promote exports, inform the public about the industry, and determine expected future slaughter volume.”

As is the case with all NASS surveys, information provided by respondents is confidential by law. NASS safeguards the privacy of all responses and publishes only state- and national-level data, ensuring that no individual producer or operation can be identified.

The January Cattle report will be released on January 31, 2017.



A FORAGE FOR EVERY SEASON
Bruce Anderson, NE Extension Forage Specialist

               Think back over the past couple of years.  Did you have ample pasture all season long, or were there times when more forage growth would have helped?

               If you have cows, horses, ewes, or other livestock that can graze year-around, one of your goals should be to graze for as many days during the year as possible.  But no matter where you are, no single pasture can meet that objective.

               Warm-season range grasses provide good summer grazing in some areas, but more green grass would be nice in early spring and for late fall grazing.  For livestock producers in many other places, though, smooth bromegrass, wheatgrass, needlegrass, orchardgrass, fescue, and other cool-season grasses grow well in spring and fall but mid-summer pasture often is limiting.

               To overcome these seasonal pasture shortages, you need to have several different types of pasture available.  For example, warm-season grasses like the bluestems, indiangrass, blue grama, and switchgrass provide excellent summer pasture.  Match them up with other, but separate, pastures or meadows that contain cool-season grasses for spring and fall grazing and you will have a good, long grazing season.

               To extend grazing even further, plant winter wheat, rye, or triticale next fall to get pasture as early as late March.  And oats planted in late July or August can be grazed through November, while turnips often provide pasture into December or even January.  Don’t forget that alfalfa and corn also can be grazed effectively throughout much of the year, giving you even more options for timely pasture.

               Start looking at your pasture gaps.  Maybe next year you can extend your grazing season with new and varied pastures.



Local Precision Planting Dealership wins Sales Growth Award

Crossroads GPS was recognized recently at a Precision Planting National Sales Meeting for Top Sales Growth performance during 2016.  “Winning this award means that Crossroads GPS is not just a Premier Dealer, but is among the top 10% of our 400 dealers in the United States,” says Justin Kauffman, North American Sales Lead for Precision Planting.

“Growing a technology-enabled equipment business in this Ag economy is not easy,” says Kauffman, but “dealers like Crossroads GPS are the reason why Precision Planting leads the industry and is growing in a down market.”

Precision Planting is the industry leader in precision agriculture technology solutions and develops products that improve the planting process. Precision Planting is known for its unique and innovative approach to addressing agronomic issues facing growers and for providing practical solutions for improving yields. The company is represented in the continental United States by a network of over 400 dealerships, and provides technologies to agricultural equipment manufacturers around the world.



WinField United Reveals Which Nebraska Crops Are Going Hungry

Farmers in Nebraska found NutriSolutions® 360 tissue sampling from WinField® United a valuable tool for evaluating plant health on their farms this year. Timely sampling and analysis allows adjustments to fertility programs in-season, which helps lead to healthier crops and higher yield potential. Tissue sampling is just one component of the NutriSolutions 360® management program from WinField United, which also includes soil testing, predictive analysis, and product recommendations and expertise.

Nebraska Farmers Saw Nutrient Deficiency Trends in 2016
Nearly 2,000 corn samples from across Nebraska were collected for analysis in 2016, with common nutrient deficiency trends showing up across the state. More than 73 percent of analyzed samples showed nitrogen deficiency, while approximately 69 percent of samples were deficient in sulfur and/or zinc. A majority of the samples were also low in magnesium, potassium and/or manganese.

Plant nutrient deficiencies can change throughout the season, depending on growth stage and environmental conditions. Analysis of five years of tissue sampling results suggest that corn farmers should be aware of the following common deficiencies in Nebraska by growth stage:
 ·    V5–V8: Zinc and boron
 ·    V9–V13: Nitrogen, potassium, sulfur and zinc
 ·    V14–VT: Nitrogen, potassium, sulfur and magnesium

Tissue Sampling Can Help Optimize Yield Potential
While these numbers show trends across the state, it’s important to note that plant health is dynamic and a result of changing environmental conditions and management practices. Soil type, soil pH, crop rotations and planting populations are several factors that can impact nutrient availability to plants. It’s important to match fertility to yield goals; as planting populations are increased, fertility should be matched.

NutriSolutions® 360 tissue sampling can provide valuable specific and timely insights so farmers can meet individual field yield goals. Work with your local WinField United agronomist to evaluate crop health and develop fertility programs specific for your acres.



K- State faculty reach out to cattle vets and producers on implementation of new VFD

While shoppers may be counting down the days till Christmas, veterinarians and cattle producers are preparing for the first day of January when new federal rules go into effect on the use of antibiotics in feed.

A group of faculty members from the Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine has been spending the past year reaching out to provide information about the Veterinary Feed Directive being issued by the Food and Drug Administration.

"We have had the opportunity to be present at state veterinary continuing education meetings as well as meetings with producers and feed manufacturers and distributors," said Michael Apley, professor of production medicine and clinical pharmacology. "These sessions have helped us all get to the same page on the rules and how we can work together to make the transition as smooth as possible. It isn't very often that I don't come home with another question to submit to the FDA for clarification."

Other faculty members in the college and at the Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory have also accumulated considerable mileage by reaching out: Dan Thomson, Jones professor of production medicine and epidemiology; Brian Lubbers, director of clinical microbiology; and Gregg Hanzlicek, director of production animal field investigations. Each has made presentations and spoke at regional meetings in Kansas, New York, Georgia, New Mexico, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Iowa and Oklahoma.

Lubbers said veterinarians have a key role in the regulation change.

"The revisions to the Veterinary Feed Directive that go into effect January 2017 are the most significant changes to drug use regulations the veterinary profession has experienced for more than 20 years," he said. "Veterinarians will now have to authorize all use of in-feed antibiotics in food animals."

Veterinary practitioners have also sought out these faculty members and invited them to speak in their local communities. Recently, Hanzlicek spoke in Stockton, along with the local veterinarian and K-State alumnus Craig Iwanski, who owns Central Veterinary Services with his wife, Jessica Iwanski. Both graduated from the College of Veterinary Medicine in 1996.

"Our meeting was well attended, and the information Dr. Hanzlicek provided will only enhance the understanding of the Veterinary Feed Directive rules," Craig Iwanski said. "We appreciate his willingness to present at our meetings as an authority on this subject."

Thomson said that once the new rules are implemented, the roles of faculty and practicing veterinarians may be reversed.

"The practitioners who will actually be doing it will be teaching us in academia on how it works in the real world," he said.

Apley agrees.

"The upside of these meetings is the contact we have with the veterinarians and producers," Apley said. "These interactions ground us and help us better understand what we need to do to serve producers and veterinarians in Kansas and in the United States. Around July, I had a naïve view that by Jan. 1, we would all be ready to go. It's clear now that there are so many nuances about putting the Veterinary Feed Directive in place and how we apply it, that it will take a couple of years to work through the details of the multiple situations in which medically important antibiotics are used in the feed."

In addition the personal visits and meetings, the Beef Cattle Institute at Kansas State University has recently collaborated with the Kansas Department of Agriculture and K-State Research and Extension to develop a new website, VFDInfo.org, which houses educational modules specific to producers, feed mill operators, veterinarians and distributors.



K-State Vet Lab Awarded Quintet of Swine Research Grants

It's said that "good things come in threes," but for veterinary diagnostic researchers at Kansas State University, that number is five.

The "good things" in this case are a set of five research grants obtained through the Swine Health Information Center, Ames, Iowa, for developing tests to reliably diagnose a very specific set of swine-related pathogens.

"We in the College of Veterinary Medicine and Kansas State Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory have unique expertise leading in these areas," said Jianfa Bai, clinical associate professor and director of molecular research and development for the diagnostic laboratory. "We have already done background research in these areas: Seneca Valley virus, porcine circovirus type three, parainfluenza, pestivirus and swine influenza viruses. The Swine Health Information Center has a mission to try to protect livestock that takes place through emerging pathogen surveillance and diagnostics, and we are able to support that mission with the work we do on a regular basis."

Ying Fang, a professor of molecular virology, said that Kansas State University's location and its connections and partnerships with the incoming National Bio and Agro-defense Facility, the university's Biosecurity Research Institute, U.S. Department of Agriculture's Agricultural Research Services and Arthropod-Borne Animal Disease Research Unit, Kansas Department of Agriculture and the Kansas City Animal Health Corridor were important factors in leveraging the grants, which total $292,667.

"The Swine Health Information Center needs us as diagnosticians and researchers to interconnect and communicate in real time -- to understand and track emerging diseases," Fang said. "This is a perfect example of translational research applied for benefit of clients and livestock industries."

Gary Anderson, director of the Diagnostic Laboratory, added, "We, as a diagnostic lab, value research. We are able to blend research with service, such as when field veterinarians provide livestock tissue and clinical samples for analysis. It's also important that we are able to be leaders in sharing technology -- validated tests -- among other diagnostic laboratories, so that we are all better able to respond to emerging diseases if and when they occur."

Bai said that the Swine Health Information Center has an association with the National Pork Board, but that the center's own emphasis is on finding ways to quickly to respond to emerging threats to swine health. The five pathogens named in the research grants are part of the center's top 25 pathogens of concern.



PROJECT AIMS TO BOOST GLOBAL WHEAT YIELDS

A University of Nebraska-Lincoln research team has earned a three-year grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to develop higher-yielding lines of hybrid wheat that can meet rising demand for the staple food crop.

Nebraska's Stephen Baenziger, professor of agronomy and horticulture and Nebraska Wheat Growers presidential chair, will lead the project in conjunction with colleagues from Texas A&M University, Kansas State University and the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center. Awarded by the USDA's National Institute of Food and Agriculture, the grant represents part of a U.S. contribution to the International Wheat Yield Partnership.

"With the expected increasing demand for agricultural products – especially staple grains like wheat – and knowing the current wheat yield trajectory will not meet the future demand, we feel it is critical to try new approaches," Baenziger said.

Though wheat yields are currently rising at a rate of 0.9 percent per year, projections show that feeding the growing global population will require annual yield increases of 1.7 percent. The International Wheat Yield Partnership is a voluntary consortium of international public funders, research organizations and private-industry partners aiming to increase the genetic yield potential of wheat by up to 50 percent in the next 20 years.

Researchers believe that hybrid wheat, which is more climate-resilient than inbred wheat, can contribute to this goal. Because wheat is self-pollinated, one of the project's major objectives is to transform wheat into a cross-pollinated crop. Wheat breeding programs at Nebraska and Texas A&M will be screened for floral and plant traits that more efficiently produce hybrid seed. Researchers will also create and test hybrids to establish, confirm and characterize genetic lines that boast greater yields or climate resilience than the parent lines bred to create them. The project will further explore methods of creating hybrid seed on a commercial scale.

In the long term, the project will attempt to develop a transparent, accessible public foundation for hybrid wheat research. It is expected that the private sector will be the main provider of hybrid seed to growers in the United States.

Baenziger said geography represents one of the primary reasons Nebraska has a particular interest in hybrid wheat.

"The High Plains is an ideal place to produce hybrid wheat seed because of its irrigation and its early morning wind, which supports cross-pollination," he said.

Nebraska's wheat breeding program has been internationally known for decades. In 1963, a team at Nebraska made a major discovery of a restorer gene that enabled the development of hybrid wheat. At that time, it was considered the missing link in efforts to produce such wheat. Public and private research efforts continued through the 1970s and 1980s before declining. Baenziger said he believes current circumstances have created a great opportunity to revisit the development of hybrid wheat.

"With new genetic and chemical tools available today, and funding from NIFA-USDA, we think the time is right to try to attempt to create a viable hybrid wheat market again," he said.

Others Nebraska researchers involved with the project are Vikas Belamkar, research assistant professor, and graduate students Nicholas Garst and Amanda Easterly. The team also includes plant breeders and researchers Amir Ibrahim and Jackie Rudd from Texas A&M; Jesse Poland from Kansas State; and Bhoja Basnet from the International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center.

Baenziger said the project has links to hybrid wheat efforts at Saaten-Union Recherche in France; the Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research in Germany, led by Jochen Reif; and the University of Hohenheim in Germany, led by Friedrich Longin.



Iowa State Dairy Association Schedules Jan. 4 Annual Meeting

The Iowa State Dairy Association (ISDA) will hold its 2017 Annual Meeting Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2017 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Hilton Garden Inn, 7213 Nordic Avenue, Cedar Falls, Iowa. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m.

All ISDA members are invited to attend, along with anyone interested in dairy who wishes to explore opportunities for becoming a member.
                                                                                                                 
The keynote speaker is Sam Miller, BMO Harris Bank, addressing how the dairy industry made a turnaround in Wisconsin and how the lessons learned there could apply to Iowa. Legislators will be on hand to discuss the upcoming session and take questions from the audience.

The day includes ISDA’s business session, including officer reports and activity updates. Changes to ISDA policy will be discussed and voted on by the 2017 ISDA voting delegates. Current ISDA policy can be viewed on the ISDA website at www.iowadairy.org.

Lunch is included, and there is no cost to attend. However, those planning to participate should RSVP to Sue Ann Claudon by Dec. 29, 2016, by calling (515) 330-7906 or emailing sueannc@iowadairy.org.

In the event of winter weather, please log on to the ISDA website to check on the status of the meeting.



NCGA Announces 2016 Yield Contest Winners

Improved seed varieties, advanced production techniques and innovative growing practices helped corn growers achieve ever-higher yields in the National Corn Growers Association 2016 National Corn Yield Contest. Additionally, a record five national entries surpassed the 400-plus bushel per acre mark.

The National Corn Yield Contest is now in its 52nd year and remains NCGA’s most popular program for members. Participation in the contest remained strong in 2016, with 7,972 entries received.

“The contest provides farmers more than just an opportunity for friendly competition; it generates data that impacts future production practices across the industry,” said Brent Hostetler, chair of NCGA’s Stewardship Action Team. “The techniques first developed by contest winners grow into far-reaching advances, helping farmers across the country excel in a variety of situations.  Our contest emphasizes innovation both from growers and technology providers, thus enabling us to meet the growing demand for food, feed, fuel and fiber.”

The 18 winners in six production categories had verified yields averaging more than 375 bushels per acre, compared to the projected national average of 175.3 bushels per acre in 2016. While there is no overall contest winner, yields from first, second and third place farmers over all production categories topped out at 521.3968.

 “So many corn farmers initially join the National Corn Growers Association for the chance to participate in the National Corn Yield Contest,” said Paul Taylor, chair of NCGA’s Engaging Members Committee. “Yet, as they become more familiar with the breadth of activities NCGA carries out on the behalf of farmers, these members become increasingly involved and supportive. Just as the contest promotes the on-farm techniques developed by many single growers to benefit all corn farmers, NCGA’s grassroots efforts join the single voices of members together to create positive change and real opportunities for our industry.”

For more than half of a century, NCGA’s National Corn Yield Contest has provided corn growers the opportunity to compete with their colleagues to grow the most corn per acre, helping feed and fuel the world. This has given participants not only the recognition they deserved, but the opportunity to learn from their peers.

Winners receive national recognition in publications such as the NCYC Corn Yield Guide, as well as cash trips or other awards from participating sponsoring seed, chemical and crop protection companies. In New Orleans, during the 2017 Commodity Classic, winners will be honored during the NCGA Awards Banquet and the NCYC State Winners Breakfast.

Please visit National Corn Growers Association website www.ncga.com for the complete list of National and State winners.



ASA Welcomes Renee Munasifi as New Regulatory Affairs Manager

American Soybean Association (ASA) CEO Steve Censky announced today that Renee Munasifi has joined ASA as Regulatory Affairs Manager, based in the ASA’s Washington, D.C. office.

“We are excited to welcome Renee to the ASA team,” said Censky. “Her previous experience working with Congress and at the USDA will play a major role in furthering soybean regulatory efforts.”

Prior to joining ASA, Renee spent 6 years serving as Senior Policy Advisor for Congresswoman Noem of South Dakota, a Member of the House Ways & Means Committee and Senior Deputy Whip, where she worked on agriculture, biotech, trade, energy, and other issues.

“Renee will fill a much needed position on our staff,” said John Gordley, director of ASA’s Washington office. “She brings with her a wealth of experience that will allow us to effectively communicate and achieve regulatory priorities as we head into the new administration and 115th Congress.”

ASA President and Illinois farmer Ron Moore added that Renee’s experience in the House, Senate and at USDA “shows her dedication to agriculture and America’s farmers.”

Renee graduated from North Dakota State University with degrees in International Relations and Spanish. She is from Aberdeen, South Dakota and currently resides in Falls Church, Virginia with her husband and daughter.



The Andersons Increases Cash Dividend

The Andersons, Inc. announced a first quarter 2017 cash dividend of 16 cents ($0.16) per share payable January 24, 2017, to shareholders of record on January 3, 2017. The cash dividend is increasing from 15.5 cents to 16 cents.

"The increase in the dividend reflects our long term confidence in the Company's ability to perform," says Jim Burmeister, VP Finance and Treasurer.

This is The Andersons' 81st consecutive quarterly cash dividend since listing on the Nasdaq on February 20, 1996 and represents the 15th consecutive year that the dividend has been increased. There are approximately 28.2 million common outstanding shares.



Mosaic Announces Quarterly Dividend

The Mosaic Company announced that its Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.275 per share on the Company's common stock. The dividend will be paid on March 16, 2017, to stockholders of record as of the close of business on March 2, 2017.

The declaration and payment of any future dividends is subject to approval by Mosaic's Board of Directors. There can be no assurance that the Company's Board of Directors will declare future dividends.