Tuesday December 20 Ag News

USDA OIG Releases Review of US-MARC
USDA Office of Inspector General

The Agricultural Research Service (ARS) is the Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) chief scientific in-house research agency.  The U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC), located in Clay Center, Nebraska, is an ARS research facility operated in collaboration with the University of Nebraska Lincoln.  On January 19, 2015, The New York Times published an article titled “U.S. Research Lab Lets Livestock Suffer in Quest for Profit.”  The article contained a number of statements regarding animal care and mortality levels at USMARC.

From The New York Times article, we selected 33 specific statements to evaluate in an attempt to determine the accuracy of the statements.  Of these 33 statements, we determined that only 7 were materially accurate—26 were inaccurate, lacked sufficient context, or were uncorroborated.  Overall, we did not note evidence indicating a systemic problem with animal welfare at USMARC.

Although we found the article did not always accurately present animal welfare at USMARC, we did find that ARS could improve its oversight of animal welfare at the facility and take steps to make its research more transparent to the public.  In general, the controls for overseeing animal welfare at USMARC lacked specificity, and the steps ARS took to perform inspections or handle complaints were not carefully documented.  ARS also did not make it a priority to establish, maintain, and monitor compliance with animal welfare-related policies and procedures.  As a result, ARS had reduced assurance that proper safeguards over animal welfare were in place at the facility.

USDA-OIG made four recommendations that were generally accepted by ARS.... They include...
  - Establish an ARS National Office oversight process through which a responsible official oversees the monitoring of Area Offices’ and research facilities’, including USMARC’s, compliance with ARS policies, procedures, and other applicable requirements.
  - Revise ARS policies and procedures related to animal welfare to more explicitly state the manner in which Area Offices and research facilities are to carry out their responsibilities, as prescribed within the directives, including the manner in which they are to document the performance of their responsibilities.
  - Establish a process through which ARS animal welfare-related policies and procedures are periodically reviewed and updated to ensure they reference and reflect the most current versions of applicable research practices and guidance regarding animal research and animal welfare.
  - Establish a detailed, formal animal welfare complaint process through which any individual at a research facility, including cooperator employees, may report animal welfare issues.  This process should include the thorough documentation of the details of the complaint, the steps taken to investigate it, and the ultimate resolution of the issue.  This process should provide anonymity to the complainant, if desired, and be monitored by an official at ARS’ National Office.

However there was one recommendation where the ARS did not completely agree with the OIG.  OIG recommended that ARS "Increase the transparency of USMARC by making USMARC’s approved research proposals, IACUC meeting minutes, and other relevant information publicly available on ARS’ website."  However, ARS responded by saying...

The safety of ARS personnel at USMARC and other facilities that employ animal research is paramount.  Since publication of the New York Times article in January 2015, USMARC employees have received multiple threats of physical harm from multiple sources.  ARS has decided that the benefits gained from the release of details, other than those already released (discussed in next paragraph), which meet industry standards, do not outweigh the associated risks from domestic terrorism.

Secondly, the objectives and approaches of all approved ARS research projects, both appropriated and cooperatively funded with extramural partners, are readily available on the ARS Web site.  Other relevant information is also available for each project through the ARS Web site, including, but not limited to, project objectives and other elements of project design, annual progress reports for the
current and previous year’s research, and journal publications resulting from the research.  This information provides much transparency already.  More information on specific experimental design is not included on the ARS Web site for any of our projects because of the competitive nature of agricultural research and the financial implications of premature release of information.  Inadvertent release of research protocols prior to filing a patent at the United States Patent and Trademark Office could jeopardize the ability of ARS and its university cooperators to obtain patent rights, and thus compromise licensing and commercialization of their work.  The cost of developing these technologies into products (cost of commercialization) is substantial and protection of intellectual property is key to encouraging industry cooperation in the commercialization process.  The Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) process is also available to members of the public.

As for the release of the IACUC reports, ARS intends to follow all relevant guidelines and requirements of the AWA, which does not specifically require public release of the minutes.  In not posting the IACUC reports on its Web site, ARS is also following the practices set by other major Federal science agencies including the Department of Defense, the National Institutes of Health, the Veterans Administration, and the Food and Drug Administration, who also do not make their IACUC reports publicly available.

For these three reasons, ARS respectfully declines to accept the recommendation.  

To read the entire document, including the background of the investigation and the methodology behind the recommendations, click this link.... https://www.usda.gov/oig/webdocs/02007-0001-31.pdf. 



Statement by Steve Nelson, President, Regarding OIG Audit of U.S. Meat Animal Research Center in Clay Center

"Following the release of an audit done by the Office of Inspector General (OIG) on protocols surrounding animal care at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC) in Clay Center, it is clear the protocols at USMARC are not as portrayed by The New York Times article which led to the USDA investigation of animal care at the USMARC facilities.”

“Far too often, animal rights extremists and their agents use unsubstantiated claims of abuse and neglect as a way to portray those involved with animal agriculture in a negative light. These tactics are meant to harm the reputation and perception of animal agriculture in hopes of dissuading individuals from consuming meat protein. It is critical that the record be set straight when such claims are falsely made, which is clearly the case at USMARC as evidenced by the findings of the OIG report.”



Rural Mainstreet Index Highest in Six Months

The Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index remained weak with a reading below growth neutral for the 16th straight month, according to the monthly survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region dependent on agriculture and/or energy.  

Overall: The index, which ranges between 0 and 100 rose to 42.9, its highest level since June of this year, and up from November’s 36.6.

“Weak farm commodity prices continue to slam Rural Mainstreet economies. Over the past 12 months, livestock commodity prices have tumbled by 19.0 percent and grain commodity prices have slumped by 11.5 percent. The economic fallout from this price weakness continues to push growth into negative territory for seven of  the 10 states in the region,” said Ernie Goss, Jack A. MacAllister Chair in Regional Economics at Creighton University's Heider College of Business.

States trending higher: Iowa, Nebraska, and South Dakota; States trending lower:  Colorado, Kansas, Illinois, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota and Wyoming.

Nebraska: The Nebraska RMI for December advanced to 51.4 from November’s 37.9. The state’s farmland-price index tumbled to 29.6 from November’s 45.5. Nebraska’s new-hiring index declined to a healthy 56.7 from 59.5 in November. Nebraska job growth over the last 12 months; Nebraska Rural Mainstreet, no change; Urban Nebraska, +0.4 percent.

Iowa: The December RMI for Iowa fell to 63.5, a regional high, from 72.1 in November, also a regional high. Iowa’s farmland-price index for December slumped to 49.3 from 56.6 in November.  Iowa’s new-hiring index for December slipped to a still strong 63.9 from November’s 66.2. Iowa job growth over the last 12 months; Iowa Rural Mainstreet, +1.4 percent; Urban Iowa, +0.9 percent.

Farming and ranching: The farmland and ranchland-price index for December fell to a frail 26.8 from November’s 30.8. This is the 37th straight month the index has languished below growth neutral 50.0.

The December farm equipment-sales index increased to 16.3 from 15.4 in November.

“Since July 2013, weakness in farm income and low agricultural commodity prices continue to restrain the sale of agricultural equipment across the region. This is having a significant and negative impact on both farm equipment dealers and agricultural equipment manufacturers across the region,” said Goss.

Each month, community bank presidents and CEOs in nonurban agriculturally and energy-dependent portions of a 10-state area are surveyed regarding current economic conditions in their communities and their projected economic outlooks six months down the road. Bankers from Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota and Wyoming are included. The survey is supported by a grant from Security State Bank in Ansley, Neb.

This survey represents an early snapshot of the economy of rural agriculturally and energy-dependent portions of the nation. The Rural Mainstreet Index (RMI) is a unique index covering 10 regional states, focusing on approximately 200 rural communities with an average population of 1,300. It gives the most current real-time analysis of the rural economy. Goss and Bill McQuillan, former chairman of the Independent Community Banks of America, created the monthly economic survey in 2005.



Producers Invited to Talk Strategy at IA Winter Meeting Series

Cow-calf producers who want to learn more about improving returns from their enterprise are invited to attend any in a series of strategy-focused workshops in early 2017 hosted by the Iowa Beef Center and Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Iowa State cow-calf specialist Patrick Gunn is organizing the workshops and will share information about feeding, including grazing harvest residue, cover crops and alternative feeds.

"I'll also talk about controlling feed waste, formulating balanced rations and winter supplementation," Gunn said. "In addition, extension beef program specialists will present other cost-controlling management schemes specific to their areas."

Some of the information to be shared involves research that investigated factors affecting feeder calf price and how changes in marketing timing may affect revenue. He and extension beef program specialists from each area also will talk about other long-term strategies that improve revenue such as changes in the breeding program and how to shorten the calving season, Gunn said.

"Annual cow costs are projected to be more than $800, and up to 45 percent higher than in 2010 before drought conditions impacted the U.S.," he said. "Because winter feed costs are one of the largest expenses, reducing feed cost while maintaining cow productivity is key for producers to achieve good returns."

Workshops will be held:
- Jan. 3. Fairfield, Jefferson Co Fairgrounds. 6-9p.m. Preregister by Dec. 27. Patrick Wall, 515-450-7665
- Jan. 5. Winterset, Jackson Bldg, Madison Co Fairgrounds. 12-3p.m. Preregister by Dec. 29. Joe Sellers, 641-203-1270
- Jan. 5. Atlantic, Cass Co Comm Center. 6-9p.m. Preregister by Dec. 29. Chris Clark, 712-250-0070
- Jan. 18. Hampton, Hampton Country Club. 12-3p.m. Preregister by Jan. 11. Russ Euken, 641-923-2856
- Jan. 30. Independence, Heartland Acres. 6-9p.m. Preregister by Jan. 23. Denise Schwab, 319-472-4739
- Feb. 22. Ames, Hansen Ag Student Learning Center, ISU campus. 6-9p.m. Preregister by Feb. 15.

Preregister by the date listed and pay $20 per person at the door. Walk-in registration is $25 with no meal guarantee. Preregister either by calling IBC at 515-294-2333 or emailing beefcenter@iastate.edu. Or contact the beef program specialist listed by that individual session.



INITIAL WATER QUALITY DEMONSTRATION PROJECTS RECEIVE 2nd ROUND OF FUNDING TO SCALE UP EFFORTS IN IOWA

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey today announced that eight watershed-based demonstration projects funded in 2013, and set to end this year, will receive a 2nd round of funding. The locally-led projects will build upon previous demonstration objectives and continue working towards accelerated implementation of practices that improve water quality.

“Extending to these initial projects will allow us to continue to expand the reach of the Iowa Water Quality Initiative and continue to learn more about the best ways to get water-quality-focused practices on the land.  These projects create a great opportunity for farmers to see practices up close and better understand how they might work on their own farm,” Northey said.

These projects will receive a total of $4.09 million in additional funding through the Iowa Water Quality Initiative over the next three years.

These funds will allow the projects to focus on scaling up implementation of conservation practices identified in the Iowa Nutrient Reduction Strategy and continue to build additional assessment, monitoring and evaluation methods.  Also, $250,000 of the funds have been targeted for implementation of select priority nutrient reduction conservation practices including wetlands, saturated buffers and bioreactors.

“We know that it will take time to accomplish all that is needed for significant improvements within a watershed. These projects are hitting their stride in terms of engaging farmers, getting practices on the ground and coordinating with partners and stakeholders.  I’m excited to continue to learn from these projects as we work to scale-up and expand water quality efforts across the state,” Northey said.

In addition to the state funds, these eight projects will access approximately $6 million in matching funds to support water quality improvement efforts as well as other in-kind contributions.

These eight projects will continue to build upon existing partnerships as well as expand efforts to include new partnerships developed during the first three years. So far, 53 partners from agriculture organizations, institutions of higher education, private industry, the local, state and federal government, and others, are working together on these projects.

“Thanks to the involvement and investment that have been made by farmers, landowners and partners these projects have been successful to this point and are very well positioned to significantly expand the number of water quality focused practices on the ground in these areas,” Northey said

The projects receiving extensions are the Benton/Tama Nutrient Reduction Demonstration Project, Boone River Watershed Nutrient Management Initiative, Central Turkey River Nutrient Reduction Demonstration Project, Demonstration of Targeted Nutrient Reduction Systems for Clayton County, Miller Creek Water Quality Improvement Project, Van Zante Creek Water Quality Improvement Project, West Branch of the Floyd River Water Quality Initiative, and West Fork Crooked Creek Water Quality and Soil Health Initiative.  More details about each of the projects can be found at www.cleanwateriowa.org/demonstration-projects.aspx.

The Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship has been successful in securing additional federal resources for these projects through the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Regional Conservation Partnership Project (RCPP).  These funds pair well with Iowa Water Quality Initiative and partner investments to do more than what they can accomplish alone.



IPIC Offers PQA Plus 3.0 Advisor Certification Session in February 2017

Iowa Pork Industry Center at Iowa State University continues to work with industry professionals in offering Pork Quality Assurance Plus 3.0 advisor certification opportunities, including a newly scheduled session for Tuesday, Feb. 7. Iowa State University Extension and Outreach swine veterinarian Chris Rademacher reminded potential applicants that attendance at an all-day session and passage of an exam at the end of the session is required.

“Everyone who wants to attend needs to complete the two-page application form and be approved in order to attend this session,” he said. “Although the application deadline is several weeks from now, I encourage people to submit their application soon to ensure receipt in time for approval and payment.”

Rademacher is coordinating the session, which will be held at the Hansen Ag Student Learning Center on the Iowa State campus in Ames. There is a 15-person minimum with the application deadline of Jan. 23 or whenever the 30-person maximum is reached. No walk-ins are allowed and no individual spot is guaranteed until the application is approved and specific payment is accepted by IPIC. The cost is $75 per person and includes refreshments and the noon meal. Registration begins at 8:30 a.m. with the session starting at 9 a.m.

Also, the Iowa Board of Veterinary Medicine has approved seven hours of CE credit for the session.

The form is available as a fillable pdf document and as a word document through a link on the IPIC website. People can choose the format that best suits their needs.

Those who qualify and are interested in the program should download the application form from the IPIC website, then complete and submit it soon.



November Milk Production in the United States up 2.4 Percent

Milk production in the United States during November totaled 17.1 billion pounds, up 2.4 percent from November 2015.  Production per cow in the United States averaged 1,829 pounds for November, 39 pounds above November 2015.  The number of milk cows on farms in the United States was 9.34 million head, 17,000 head more than November 2015, and 4,000 head more than October 2016.

Milk production in Iowa during November 2016 totaled 404 million pounds, up 4 percent from the previous November according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Milk Production report. The average number of milk cows during November, at 212,000 head, was the same as last month, but 2,000 more than last year. Monthly production per cow averaged 1,905 pounds, up 55 pounds from last November.



CWT Assists with 1.6 Million Pounds of Cheese and Butter Export Sales

Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) has accepted 10 requests for export assistance from Dairy Farmers of America, Maryland & Virginia Milk Producers Cooperative Association, Inc., Northwest Dairy Association (Darigold), Tillamook County Creamery Association and United Dairymen of Arizona. These member cooperatives have contracts to sell 228,178 pounds (104 metric tons) of Cheddar cheese, and 1.323 million pounds (600 metric tons) of butter to customers in Asia, Central America, the Middle East, and North Africa. The product has been contracted for delivery in the period from December 2016 through March 2017.

So far this year, CWT has assisted member cooperatives who have contracts to sell 51.628 million pounds of American-type cheeses, 11.076 million pounds of butter (82% milkfat) and 21.316 million pounds of whole milk powder to 23 countries on five continents. The sales are the equivalent of 881.346 million pounds of milk on a milkfat basis. Totals and milk equivalent have been adjusted for cancellations.

Assisting CWT members through the Export Assistance program, in the long-term, helps member cooperatives gain and maintain market share, thus expanding the demand for U.S. dairy products and the U.S. farm milk that produces them. This, in turn, positively impacts all U.S. dairy farmers by strengthening and maintaining the value of dairy products that directly impact their milk price.



Deadline Approaching to Register for Annual No-Till Event

The registration window remains open for the nation’s premier soil health event, but not for long. The 21st annual No-till on the Plains Winter Conference is set for Tuesday, January 24, through Wednesday, January 25, 2017 at the Bicentennial Center in Salina, Kan. The deadline to register for this global event has been extended to January 2, 2017.

The event, themed “Securing Our Future with Soil Health,” features 37 nationally and internationally recognized soil health experts. The schedule includes 55 breakout sessions, a special question and answer session with speakers, networking reception and the popular trade show featuring no-till services and equipment.

Registration is available now at notill.org. The Winter Conference registration price is $275 before January 2, 2017 then goes up to $300 per person. Conference walk-ins are welcome but discounts are phased out closer to the event date. Registration rates are also available in packages for those who want to attend two or more events. Only a few of the first- time attendees from Oklahoma $50 discounts remain. Nebraska attendees will also receive a discount, thanks to a SARE grant. Producers can receive a $50 discount and free transportation on a van. More information is available from the Saline county extension office, 401-821-2151. All growers should register now while the spots are still available.

“The Winter Conference has become the most popular event in the country addressing soil health,” Ryan Speer, president, No-till on the Plains, says. “When a grower considers the future of their operation and how to remain in business during a challenging ag economy, they should consider that attendees to our Winter Conference tell us they derive an extra $1 to 5 more per acre with the knowledge they gain at the conference. This more than pays for the registration fee to attend No-till on the Plains Winter Conference.’

The speaker lineup features Ray Weil, professor, University of Maryland; Ademir Calegari, researcher, Agronomic Institute of Parana, Brazil; Allen Williams, president, LMC and founder, Grass Fed Beef, LLC; Odette Menard, regional advisor, Soil Conservation, Canada; Steve Tucker, no-till producer, Venango, Neb.; Jimmy Emmons, no-till producer, Leedey, Okla.; Greg Judy, grazing specialist, Rucker, Mo.; Michael Thompson, no-till producer, Almena, Kan.; Rick Bieber, no-till producer, Trail City, S.D. and Blake Vince, no-till producer, Ontario, Canada. A complete list of speakers is posted at notill.org.

New this year is a one-day Beginning No-till Producers Workshop preceding the Winter Conference on Monday, Jan. 23. The advanced Agriculture’s Innovative Minds (AIM) Symposium returns this year on Thursday, Jan. 26, with the theme of “Building Resistance, Resiliency and Recovery into Your Agriculture Operation.” Certified Crop Advisor Credits will also be available for conference attendees.

The Winter Conference is presented by Farmers Edge, Diamond Sponsor. Conference Sponsors are Green Cover Seed and Arrow Seed/SoilBuilder. Gold Sponsors include Eco Ag Solutions, Agro-Liquid Fertilizers Paicines Ranch and Needham Ag Technologies. The Beginner’s Workshop is presented by Arrow Seed/SoilBuilder. The AIM Symposium is presented by Green Cover Seed.

Visit notill.org or call 785-307-0433 for registration information. Pre-registration online at notill.org is encouraged.



Syngenta and DuPont Publish Joint Herbicide Patent
Syngenta and DuPont Crop Protection announced Monday the publication of a joint patent, focused on the development of a new herbicide chemistry class. Collaboration on the project started in 2015 and has resulted in the joint patent entitled "Substituted cyclic amides and their use as herbicides." The new herbicide has entered into the pre-development stage and is expected to be launched in 2023.

"We are very pleased that our collaboration with Syngenta has extended into a joint research project for a new herbicide chemistry class," said Timothy P. Glenn, president, DuPont Crop Protection. "Partnerships for the advancement of crop science and development of crop protection solutions help growers realize the potential in their fields."

Jon Parr, president for Crop Protection at Syngenta, said "We are excited to be working again with DuPont on this herbicide research and development project. Success in this field will bring much needed new technology to farmers in the increasingly challenging area of weed management, including resistance."



Engenia herbicide from BASF now registered by EPA

BASF today announced the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) registration of Engenia™ herbicide. Engenia herbicide controls more than 200 broadleaf weeds, including glyphosate-resistant weeds, in dicamba-tolerant soybeans and cotton. The product provides an additional, effective site of action and will be available for use in the 2017 growing season.

Growers across the Midwest and southern U.S. have been eagerly awaiting approval of this new dicamba-tolerant chemistry as seen by the support of the vast majority who provided feedback during the EPA commentary period. Before reaching its decision, the EPA considered nearly 22,000 comments submitted by growers, researchers, academic experts and other key stakeholders.

Engenia herbicide provides an additional, effective site of action and has several benefits when compared to other dicamba formulations, including:
-    An advanced formulation, with a 70 percent reduction in volatility when compared to DGA dicamba.
-    The lowest use rate of all dicamba products on the market.
-    Added flexibility with the option for direct injection, which reduces the number of tank cleanouts and refills.

“Soybean and cotton growers now have a new tool at their disposal to manage glyphosate-resistant weeds,” said Neil Bentley, Director of Marketing, U.S. Crop, BASF. “Engenia herbicide is our most flexible and advanced dicamba for dicamba-tolerant crops. It's a product that will help growers better manage weeds to get the most out of every acre.”

To date, glyphosate-resistant weeds have been identified on more than two-thirds of U.S. farm acres, totaling more than 61 million affected acres. According to the International Survey of Herbicide Resistant Weeds, there are currently 16 species of glyphosate-resistant weeds spread across 38 states, and research shows additional weed species are developing resistance to multiple sites of action.

“Glyphosate-resistant weeds are a serious and growing issue across the country,” said Chad Asmus, Technical Marketing Manager, BASF. “Engenia herbicide is part of a complete weed management program that starts with a residual herbicide and utilizes multiple, effective sites of action to control even the toughest weeds.”

BASF studies of Engenia herbicide indicate superior weed control and crop tolerance, and show that the product will:
-    Be more effective than 2,4-D for residual control of key broadleaf weeds, including waterhemp, common lambsquarters and Palmer amaranth.
-    Provide effective post-emergence control of many broadleaf weeds, including smartweed, kochia and cocklebur, as well as superior control of perennial weed Canada thistle compared to 2,4-D.
-    Deliver more than 95 percent control of both grasses and problematic broadleaf weeds when combined with a BASF residual herbicide.

“The benefits of Engenia herbicide continue beyond weed control,” said Nathan Borgmeyer, Senior Marketing Manager, BASF. “Engenia herbicide is compatible with direct injection technology, adding flexibility to applications and simplifying sprayer cleanout.”

Engenia herbicide is the newest innovation in the BASF herbicide portfolio. The technology behind Engenia herbicide contributes to the continued development of dicamba for effective, on-target applications and is the result of more than 50 years of BASF dicamba technical expertise.