Monday March 27 Ag News

Status of Herbicide-Resistant Weeds in Nebraska 
Amit Jhala - NE Extension Weed Management Specialist

There are 480 unique cases of herbicide-resistant weed biotypes globally in 252 weed species (147 dicots and 105 monocots). Weeds have evolved resistance to 23 of 26 known herbicide sites of action and to 161 herbicides (http://weedscience.org/). Control of herbicide-resistant weeds is one of the greatest challenges for crop producers in Nebraska. Repeated and intensive use of herbicide(s) with the same site of action can rapidly select for weed shifts and the evolution of herbicide-resistant weeds, especially without integrating other weed control options.

Six weed species — common ragweed, common waterhemp, marestail, kochia, giant ragweed, and Palmer amaranth — have been confirmed resistant to glyphosate in Nebraska. Management of glyphosate-resistant weeds is challenging because no-till corn and soybean growers are primarily depending on glyphosate for post-emergence weed control.

Four weed species have also evolved resistance to multiple herbicides. For example, common waterhemp and Palmer amaranth have evolved resistance to atrazine and HPPD inhibitors (Calliso, Laudis, Armezon/Impact), which made weed control in seed corn and popcorn more challenging in Nebraska. Additionally, marestail and common waterhemp have evolved resistance to glyphosate and acetolactate synthase (ALS) inhibiting herbicides. Kochia resistance to glyphosate and ALS inhibitors is now widespread in western Nebraska.

Preserving the efficacy of herbicides and herbicide resistance technology depends on awareness of the increasing resistance of weeds to herbicides and coordinated action to address the problem at the farm level and beyond.



Nebraska Farmers Union Board of Directors Call for a Ban on Brazilian Food Imports

At their spring meeting, the Nebraska Farmers Union (NeFU) Board of Directors issued a renewed call for the reinstatement of Country of Origin labeling following the breaking news over extensive corruption involving the Brazilian meat-packing giant, JBS and BRF, the largest poultry packager in the world.  The Board also called for the imposition of a ban on importation of product from Brazil pending the results of further investigation by Brazilian authorities. 

Press reports said Brazilian authorities recently conducted extensive undercover investigations in packing plants in Brazil controlled by the two entities, which uncovered the bribery of health inspectors in which payments were made to avoid health inspections; the addition of cardboard and potatoes to some of the products produced; and the use of a cancer-causing acid on some products so that they could acquire the Brazilian stamp of approval despite being rotten or of questionable origin.

NeFU President John Hansen said “In light of this food safety scandal, Chile, Mexico, Canada, Egypt, China, Hong Kong, Japan, Switzerland and the European Union have all banned the importation of Brazilian product, resulting in a dramatic decline in exports from the South American nation.  Those countries took decisive actions to protect their nation’s food safety and food consumers.  The Trump Administration should act decisively and do likewise.”

The United States has not imposed a ban, despite unrest among consumer groups and farmers and ranchers across the nation.  Sonny Perdue stated in his confirmation hearing that he would oppose instituting a ban because this could result in retaliatory actions by the Brazilians.  But clearly, public health issues should have priority over any other considerations, including trade considerations.

In addition to food safety risks, the NeFU Board was also concerned about the potential risk of reintroducing Hoof and Mouth disease into the United States.  Hoof and Mouth Disease was eradicated in the United States in the l920s, but remains endemic in South American herds.  Recently the United States relaxed impositions on the importation of fresh and frozen meat from regional states in Brazil which are free of Hoof and Mouth, but the corruption uncovered by Brazilian authorities in the investigation of JBS should cause USDA to reconsider the risks and the potential horrific costs to the American livestock industry should Hoof and Mouth Disease reappear in the United States. 

Nebraska Farmers Union is also urging our Congressional Delegation to support Montana Senator Jon Tester's bill which would immediately impose a 120 day moratorium on the importation of Brazilian into the United States. 



PLAN HERBICIDE USE FOR LATER FORAGE CROPS
Bruce Anderson, NE Extension Forage Specialist

               Got your herbicides selected for your corn, beans, and other crops?  Better double check if a cover crop, pasture, or hay planting is a possibility during the next year and a half.

               Many of our biggest success stories with forage and pasture crops recently have come from using annuals.  No matter when you could use something to graze, including winter, an annual plant could be found that would work well if managed properly.

               Many times a small grain like oats or rye fit our needs.  Other times it’s been a brassica like turnips and forage rape.  Once in a while we’ve used millets.

               But there have been frustrations.  One of the biggest frustrations has been herbicide limitations.  Many forages are affected by herbicide carryover, such as from atrazine.  Often we identify a cover crop or a forage to plant but the risk of failure is too high due to herbicides.  This problem isn’t limited to annual forages, either.  Perennial grasses and alfalfa also are sensitive to herbicide carryover.

               Legal replant and rotation restrictions also cause herbicide limitations.  With many herbicides it may be okay to plant a cover crop, but that cover crop cannot be used legally as a forage.

               So, is this important to you?  Do you want to fly rye or turnip seed into your standing corn later this year for extra fall pasture?  How about planting triticale this fall or oats next spring?  Or maybe irrigated pasture or alfalfa?

               These options may not be available if you use many common herbicides.  So keep you options open.  Rethink your herbicide plans.  Maybe you can control weeds and maintain the flexibility to plant any forage just by making a small change in the herbicides you use now.

               Then you, too, can build a success story from annual forages.



Nebraska Farm Bureau Celebrates Its Centennial; 100 Years of Representing Nebraska Farmers and Ranchers

Farmers, ranchers, and agricultural dignitaries from across the state will help honor the 100th anniversary of the Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation (NFBF) in a year-long celebration. A new centennial web page is launched and Governor Pete Ricketts issued a proclamation to recognize Nebraska Farm Bureau’s 100 years and its ability to unite thousands of Nebraska farm and ranch families under a common banner—doing together what they can’t do alone.

“100 years of engagement, 100 years of passion for Nebraska agriculture, and 100 years of representing Nebraska farmers and ranchers, the very people who grow our food, fuel, and fiber. It is not very often that an organization can say they have reached this milestone. I am very excited about our yearlong centennial celebration,” said Steve Nelson, NFBF president Feb. 14.

As part of honoring the past, renowned Nebraska sculptor Sondra L. Johnson, of Cambridge, will create a cast bronze bas-relief sculpture to mark the centennial. The sculpture, in the shape of the State of Nebraska, includes the many landscapes and crops found across the state. Looking to the future, the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation announced the Cornerstone Campaign. “Celebrating Our Past, Building Our Future” is the theme of the fundraising campaign to provide a financial foundation for its programs that promote an understanding of and appreciation for Nebraska agriculture.

“Through our new Foundation, we will equip the next generation of Nebraskans for careers, leadership positions, and consumer roles that intersect with agriculture,” said Nelson. “Foundation programs such as Agriculture in the Classroom, student scholarships, and leadership development are an investment in the continued success of agriculture and all of Nebraska.”

The cast bronze centennial sculpture and corresponding Cornerstone Campaign donor recognition wall will be installed at the Nebraska Farm Bureau state office in Lincoln. An unveiling is planned for March 30, 2017.

Throughout this centennial year, Nebraska Farm Bureau will hold other statewide events including events for members in Western Nebraska, to be held in Scottsbluff June 8, Northeast Nebraska in Norfolk Aug. 8, and a tailgate will be held prior to the Sept. 22, Nebraska Husker football game against Rutgers in Lincoln. You can find out more about the celebration at our website www.nefb.org/centennial.

“As part of our centennial, Nebraska Farm Bureau continues to look ahead to the next century of possibilities, especially for the next generation of farmers and ranchers. Helping them get excited about agriculture and Nebraska Farm Bureau is vital to strengthening the future of our organization and Nebraska agriculture,” Nelson said.



GREEN, PAULSEN NAMED NATIONAL 4-H LUMINARIES

University of Nebraska-Lincoln Chancellor Ronnie Green and Chief Communication and Marketing Officer Teresa Paulsen were named 4-H Luminaries by the National 4-H Council March 21 in Washington, D.C.

Luminaries are an exclusive group of accomplished and influential 4-H alumni who will help raise awareness of 4-H's life-changing impact and generate support for bringing 4-H to more youth. Green and Paulsen are part of the 40-member inaugural class. Other Luminaries include Grammy award-winning artist Jennifer Nettles, NBA star Kent Bazemore, Facebook executive Andrew Bosworth and MSNBC anchor Craig Melvin.

Chancellor Green was a 4-H member in Botetourt County in Virginia. Paulsen is an alum of Nebraska 4-H and is a National 4-H Council Trustee.

"I'm humbled to be part of this inaugural group of people who were influenced by 4-H, which today is the largest youth development organization in the U.S.," Green said. "Millions of people across the nation are testament that 4-H membership is a strong predictor of lifelong success and leadership."

Jennifer Sirangelo, president and CEO of the National 4-H Council, said: "Whether they are running Fortune 500 companies and performing to sold-out crowds or leading community programs and volunteering to empower local youth, 4-H alumni represent the epitome of true leadership. These remarkable alumni are committed to paying it forward and ensuring the next generation has the opportunity to benefit from the 4-H experience."

The prestigious group is part of the 25 million 4-H alumni across the nation.

In Nebraska, one in three age-eligible youth participates in 4-H, which is present in all 93 counties. These youth, ages 5-18, participate through camps, clubs, school enrichment and after-school programs. All 4-H programs place strong emphasis on life skills, such as problem solving, responsibility, citizenship and leadership. To learn more about Nebraska 4-H, visit http://4h.unl.edu.



Nebraska Farmers Union 2017 Spring District Meetings
District 7 Spring Meeting: Valentino’s, 1025 S. 13th St, Norfolk, NE 68701
Thursday, March 30, 2017, 6:00 pm buffet supper on own with meeting to follow.
· District 7 Director’s Report:  Martin Kleinschmit
· NFU Convention, state & national issues:  John Hansen
· Featured speaker:  Michael  J. Sieh, Superintendent from Stanton Community Schools will share information and perspective with us on property tax relief and
adequate funding for education.
Bring a friend, neighbor or family member.
For more info, call Art Tanderup (402) 278-0942 or (402) 887-1396.

District 3 Spring Meeting:  The Speakeasy Restaurant, 2993 S. Rd, Holdrege, NE 68949
Friday, March 31, 2017, 6:00 pm supper on your own with meeting to follow.
· District 3 Director’s Report:  David Mohlman
· NFU Convention, state & national issues:  John Hansen
· Featured speaker: A leader in the education community who will share information and perspective with us on property tax relief and adequate funding for education.
Bring a friend, neighbor or family member.  
For more information, call Darrell Buschkoetter (402) 469-3451

District 4 Spring Meeting:  Valentino’s, 701 Court Street, Beatrice.
Monday, April 3, 2017.  6:00 pm buffet supper on your own with meeting to follow.
· District 4 Director’s Report:  Vern Jantzen
· NFU Convention, state & national issues:  John Hansen
·Featured speaker: John Skretta, Superintendent for Norris School District will share information and perspective with us on property tax relief and adequate funding for education.
Bring a friend, neighbor or family member.
For more info call Karen Sysel (402) 946-6561 or (402) 381-8047.

District 6 Spring Meeting:  Office Bar and Grill Restaurant, 121 N Main St., Hooper, NE
Tuesday, April 6, 2017, 6:00 pm supper on your own with meeting to follow.
· District 6 Director’s Report:  Graham Christensen
· NFU Convention, state & national issues:  John Hansen
· Featured speaker will be a leader in the education community who will share information and perspective with us on property tax relief and adequate funding for education.
Bring a friend, neighbor or family member.
For more information, call Paul Poppe (402) 380-4508.

District 5 Spring Meeting:  Harry’s Restaurant, 308 W. 2nd Street, Valparaiso.
Thursday, April 13, 2017.  6:00 pm supper on your own with meeting to follow.
· District 5 Director’s Report:  Ben Gotschall
· NFU Convention, state & national issues:  John Hansen
· Featured speaker:  Mike Lucas, Superintendent of York Public Schools will share information and perspective with us on property tax relief and adequate funding for education.
Bring a friend, neighbor, or family member who needs to be a member.
For more information, call Zack Hamilton (402) 875-1433.



Lawrence Named Interim Vice President for Extension and Outreach

John Lawrence, associate dean in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and director of extension and outreach, has been named interim vice president for Iowa State University Extension and Outreach.

Lawrence will succeed Cathann Kress, who is leaving to become vice president of agricultural administration and dean of the College of Food, Agricultural, and Environmental Sciences at The Ohio State University. He will become the acting vice president on March 31, and assume the interim role April 29.

“John was raised on a crop and livestock farm in southwest Iowa, and has decades of experience serving Iowans,” notes Jonathan Wickert, Iowa State's senior vice president and provost.

“He’s also a great servant of Iowa State, and an excellent choice to serve as interim leader of extension and outreach,” Wickert said.

Lawrence joined Iowa State as a professor of economics in 1991, after serving as an extension livestock economist, assistant director of the Agriculture Experiment Station, and director of the Iowa Beef Center at Iowa State. He currently leads the Iowa Nutrient Research Center, which was established in 2013 to develop a science-based approach to reduce the amount of nutrients delivered to Iowa waterways and the Gulf of Mexico.

Wickert said a national search for a permanent vice president will be launched in the coming months, and expressed thanks to Kress for her many contributions to the university, and to the state of Iowa.



Prepare for Sometimes Contrary Spring Weather

No one wants to think about a disaster, but floods and tornadoes are two of Iowa's most common hazards.

Heavy rains, flooding, tornadoes, ice storms, blizzards and heavy snow -- hazardous storms have caused most of Iowa's 27 Presidential Disaster Declarations since 2000.

"Being prepared is the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from severe weather," says Adam Broughton with DNR's field services' emergency response. "March 27 to 31 is Severe Weather Awareness Week -- a good opportunity to check your supply kit and review your communications plan."

Broughton suggests putting together a supply kit with food and water for three days--enough time for emergency responders to reach you in extreme situations. Other essentials include batteries and solar-powered or hand-cranked chargers, a light source, medicine and prescription lists, doctors' numbers, insurance cards and pet supplies. It's good to have supply kits for home, work and on the road.

Having a communication plan ensures friends and family stay in touch. Take time to review it together, discussing where to meet during an emergency and who to notify. Update emergency contacts, including listing someone out-of-town as a central contact. In an emergency, use texts and short calls to avoid tying up phone lines needed by emergency responders.

Get organized by storing important documents in the Cloud or on a secure flash drive. Include insurance, identification and banking information. Place important print documents in a fire and waterproof safe.



U.S. Beef Industry to President Trump: Please Help Get U.S. Beef Back into China
 
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association today sent a coalition letter to President Donald Trump, urging him to raise the restoration of U.S. beef access to China when he meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping in April. Leaders from the U.S. Meat Export Federation and the North American Meat Institute also signed the letter.

American beef producers have been denied access to China – a $2.6 billion import market -- since 2003. Last fall China announced that it had lifted its ban on imports of U.S. beef, but attempts since then to negotiate the technical terms of access have been unsuccessful.

“We believe that access to the large and growing Chinese beef market is essential to the future health of the U.S. beef industry,” read the letter, which was signed by NCBA’s CEO, Kendal Frazier. “We understand that you have many important issues to discuss with President Xi, but we strongly encourage you to take this important opportunity to convey the urgent need for China to reopen its market to U.S. beef.”

In 2016, American beef producers sold $6.3 billion worth of U.S. beef to customers around the world, with three of the industry's top foreign markets located in Asia.



XtendiMax with VaporGrip Technology - Now Approved for Tank-Mixes with Certain Glyphosate Products

Monsanto on Monday received approval for certain glyphosate tank-mixes with XtendiMax herbicide with VaporGrip® Technology.   They then listed the following products containing potassium salt formulations of glyphosate on www.xtendimaxapplicationrequirements.com as approved tank-mix products, including:
·         Roundup PowerMAX®Herbicide
·         Roundup PowerMAX® II Herbicide
·         Roundup WeatherMAX®Herbicide
·         Honcho® K6™ Herbicide
·         Abundit® Edge Herbicide

Monsanto is committed to offering growers the lowest dicamba volatility potential solutions we can offer them. Monsanto believes that tank mixes of dicamba with potassium salt formulations of glyphosate have lower volatility potential than tank mixes with IPA and DMA salts of glyphosate based on humidome testing via published ASTM methodology.  For this reason, Monsanto plans to include only glyphosate products containing potassium salt of glyphosate as approved tank mix products with XtendiMax with VaporGrip Technology to the website at this time.

Approved glyphosate products will be limited to a maximum use rate of 32 fl oz per acre for each application when tank-mixed with XtendiMax with VaporGrip Technology for in-crop use with Roundup Ready 2 Xtend® soybeans and cotton with XtendFlex® technology.  This maximum use rate for glyphosate is consistent with expert recommendations for effective weed management within Roundup Ready PLUS® Crop Management Solutions.  In addition, the listed glyphosate options will require the use of SPECIFIC approved drift reducing adjuvants (DRAs) when tank-mixed with XtendiMax with VaporGrip Technology.

In addition to the newly listed glyphosate products, we added two additional approved drift reducing adjuvants, AG16098 and CapsuleTM, providing additional DRA options along with the previously approved product Intact™.  Specific DRAs are required for certain products specified on the tank mix website.  Monsanto supports enabling flexibility for growers to tank mix the most appropriate combinations for the best weed management recommendations specific to each grower’s field.

As a reminder, only after tank-mix products and/or nozzles are listed on the established tank-mix website are they considered approved and lawful to use or recommend as stated on product labels. All approved tank-mix products and nozzles for XtendiMax with VaporGrip Technology are listed on: www.xtendimaxapplicationrequirements.com.



New Legislation an Investment in Agriculture’s Future

A pair of recently introduced bills gives a boost to young people in agriculture by allowing 4-H and FFA students to keep more of the modest income they earn. The students can turn around and put the money toward their education or future agricultural projects.                    

The Agriculture Students Encourage, Acknowledge, Reward, Nurture (EARN) Act (S. 671) and the Student Agriculture Protection Act (SAPA) (H.R. 1626) would create a tax exemption for the first $5,000 of income students 18 years of age or younger earn from projects completed through 4-H or FFA.

The Farm Bureau-supported measures were introduced by Sens. Jerry Moran (R-Kan.) and Joni Ernst (R-Iowa) and Rep. Michael McCaul (R-Texas).

“The long-term sustainability of agriculture depends on talented young people pursuing careers in farming and ranching and other agricultural production and food chain professions. Student agricultural projects increase awareness of and foster an interest in fields of study that will provide the next generation of farmers and ranchers, food scientists, agricultural engineers, agronomists, horticulturalists and soil scientists,” American Farm Bureau Federation President Zippy Duvall said in a letter to Moran, Ernst and McCaul.



Representatives from Domino’s and investor engagement firm to speak at 2017 Summit

Two expert speakers – Tim McIntyre of Domino’s Pizza and Kathryn Hembree Night of CamberView Partners – will give attendees at the 2017 Animal Agriculture Alliance Stakeholders Summit advice for handling activist investors and responding to shareholder resolutions. The 2017 Summit, themed “Connect to Protect Animal Ag” will be held May 3-4 in Kansas City, Mo. The panel, titled “Extremists in the Boardroom: Responding to Activist Investors” is sponsored by the National Pork Producers Council and will be moderated by Lyle Orwig of Charleston|Orwig.

Orwig will lead McIntyre, executive vice president, communication, investor relations and legislative affairs at Domino's Pizza, Inc., and Night, principal, CamberView Partners LLC., through a conversation on how activist groups are connecting with investment firms as well as using the shareholder resolution process to pressure consumer-facing brands into changing their policies for suppliers of milk, meat, poultry and eggs.

“We continue to see activist groups attempting to influence the policies of brands by purchasing shares themselves or reaching out to investment firms,” said Kay Johnson Smith, Alliance president and CEO. “It is essential for animal agriculture to understand this tactic and learn how we can help our restaurant, retail, foodservice and branded company partners respond to these pressures and make informed decisions. I personally cannot wait for this lively discussion and know it will be a highlight of the Summit.”

McIntyre has been with Domino’s for 31 years, serving many communications roles over the years before being appointed to his current position in March 2016. He is a graduate of Eastern Michigan University and serves on its College of Business Marketing Advisory Board. He is a board member of Food Gatherers, an Ann Arbor based organization which exists to alleviate hunger and eliminate its causes in the community. Founded in 1960, Domino’s Pizza is the recognized world leader in pizza delivery, ranking among the world’s top public restaurant brands with a global enterprise of more than 12,500 stores in over 80 international markets.

Night joined CamberView - which provides independent, investor-focused advice to help public company management teams and boards build strong, productive relationships with institutional investors – in 2014. Previously, Night was an associate in the Mergers and Acquisitions Group at Goldman Sachs in New York. While in the M&A Group, she helped deliver advice to companies in connection with shareholder activism, proxy fights, contested mergers, cross-border transactions, special committee situations, and complex corporate governance issues. Night graduated with honors from the University of Missouri-Kansas City with a B.A. in chemistry and philosophy.

Orwig is the founding partner and chairman of Charleston|Orwig, a communications agency with a special focus on reputation management, corporate social responsibility and sustainable development. From his youth on a family farm in east-central Illinois through his rise to state office in FFA and graduation from the University of Illinois’ College of Agriculture and, ultimately, the founding of Charleston|Orwig, Lyle Orwig has maintained his focus on and passion for agriculture, marketing communications, reputation management and corporate social responsibility programs. He leads the agency’s crisis communications work and continues to be intimately involved in working with clients.

Be sure to check the Alliance website for the most up-to-date Summit information. You can also follow the hashtag #AAA17 and #ActionPlease2017 for periodic updates about the event. For general questions about the Summit please contact summit@animalagalliance.org or call (703) 562-5160.



Discovery opens ‘new field of research’ into SCN resistance

Five years ago, a team of scientists led by Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Khalid Meksem discovered which gene was key to soybean cyst nematode (SCN) resistance in soybeans. Now they are learning which genes work as partners to combat the pest.

Soybeans are a major element in the Midwest economy. In Illinois, for example, soybeans alone are worth nearly $6 billion a year in direct sales, not counting money and employment in soybean processing and other post-harvest jobs. The soybean cyst nematode, a microscopic roundworm that feeds on soybean roots, can be a big problem for more than just the farmer.

“This year alone, the soybean cyst nematode cost the soybean industry $1.2 billion in damage,” Meksem, professor of plant genetics and genomics, said. “Nematicides are harmful to the environment and expensive for the farmer to control the disease. The best way to manage the disease is to use the soybean’s disease resistant genes and plant resistant soybean lines in infected soils.”

Meksem and his team made soybean history in 2012 when they discovered which gene – GmSHMT08 -- was crucial to SCN resistance. Now, in 2017, he, and scientists from SIU and the University of Missouri Columbia, are finding out more about how a major partner gene called GmSNAP resists the SCN. They had already learned that the gene codes an SCN-resistant protein. Now they are finding out more about how that happens, and how the two partners work together for optimum SCN resistance.

The most common SCN-resistant type soybeans grown in the United States derive their resistance either from a soybean line called PI 88788 or Peking. Meksem’s team found that resistance in the Peking-type soybean requires the two different genes (GmSNAP and GMSHMT) with a specific allele combination to trigger SCN resistance. An allele is an alternative form of a gene, one member of a pair, located in a specific position on a specific chromosome. Based on this different allele requirement, and differences in amino acids in resistant soybeans and susceptible soybeans, the researchers conclude that the Peking-type GmSNAP18 gene is performing a different role in SCN resistance than the PI 88788-type GmSNAP 18 gene.

“This opens up a whole new field of research,” Meksem said. “We should not be looking at one gene and one mechanism of that gene. We need to find more about their allele partners to understand how they sense the presence of the SCN, how do they recognize the threat, what is the trigger?

“To our best knowledge, this is the first report of a gene that evolved to possibly use two mechanisms to ensure the same function within the same species – in this case, resistance to a pathogen,” Meksem said. “The knowledge from this study can be readily used to improve nematode resistance in soybeans.”

Meanwhile, the nematode isn’t idly waiting in the field, picking only on plants with less disease-resistance. It is evolving and adapting and changing its own gene sequences to find ways to attack even those plants with strong gene-resistance. Consequently, even a consistently SCN-resistant variety of soybean can lose its resistance over time. That’s one reason it is important to understand how SCN disease-resistant genes function.

There is some urgency for this research, Meksem said. The possibility of the soybean cyst nematode building complete resistance to the PI 88788 line could be catastrophic. The answer, Meksem said, is genetic diversity in the soybean – using other disease-resistant genes and develop more sources of SCN resistant soybean lines -- which, to be successful, requires a better understanding of disease-resistant genes. Meksem’s research is a step in that direction.

In the meantime, he suggests adding a new element to current SCN management. Farmers already rotate crops to manage the SCN. In Illinois, that often means soybean rotating with corn, and sometimes with winter wheat as well. Meksem said adding another element to the crop rotation -- rotating the type of soybean resistant lines used – would make it harder for the SCN to develop immunity to the disease-resistance type deployed in the field, or at least will slow this process.  

The paper detailing the work and results of the research teams, “The GmSNAP18 is the Peking-type rhg1-a Gene for Resistance to Soybean Cyst Nematode,” appears online in “Nature” today (March 27). “Nature Communications” is widely considered the top scientific journal, especially as far as its impact on the international scientific community and on the public as well. Publication in “Nature Communication” is a career highlight for any scientist, Meksem said, noting that it is often a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence. This paper, though, is his second in the “Nature” journal family.



QuikTrip Joins Prime the Pump, Will Expand E15 Availability in Dallas-Fort Worth to 44 Stores

Today, QuikTrip, the Oklahoma based chain of convenience stores, has joined major retailers selling E15—a biofuel that contains 15 percent ethanol—by announcing it will sell the fuel at 44 of its locations in the Dallas-Fort Worth metro area in Texas.

QuikTrip joins, Family Express, Kum & Go, MAPCO, Minnoco, Murphy USA, Protec Fuels, RaceTrac, Sheetz, and Thorntons in offering their customers expanded fuel choices at the pump.  Approved for use in all vehicles 2001 and newer, E15 is a high-octane fuel that burns cleaner and cooler than traditional gasoline, giving consumers improved vehicle performance and savings of up to 10 cents per gallon, while contributing to a greener environment.

“We are pleased to have QuikTrip join our retailer family and look forward to expanding access to clean-burning, homegrown E15 with them,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “QuikTrip is clearly committed to providing exceptional value for its customers at the pump. E15 is a high-performance fuel that has higher octane and burns cooler, providing better engine performance, and saving consumers money. Thanks to QuikTrip, drivers in the Dallas-Fort-Worth area will now be able to make the smart choice for E15.”



ACE 2017 DC fly-in promotes RVP relief, RFS support

The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) and over 70 of its grassroots members lobbied Members of Congress last week in Washington, D.C., during the organization’s ninth annual fly-in. The two-day event brought together retailers, ethanol producers, investors, corn growers, service and product providers, and more to participate in over 120 meetings on Capitol Hill.

This year’s fly-in was focused on encouraging co-sponsorship of bipartisan legislation recently introduced in the House and Senate (S. 517, H.R. 1311) to extend Reid vapor pressure (RVP) relief to E15 to allow its use year-round, as well as expressing that the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) works; it’s an America first energy policy and supports a strong rural economy. “People who have been on multiple ACE fly-ins reported that there is more awareness on Capitol Hill about ethanol and the RFS,” said Brian Jennings, ACE Executive Vice President.

A handful of retailers, including representation from Jetz Convenience Centers, Cresco Fast Stop, Midway Service, Good and Quick, Sheetz, and Propel Fuels, provided lawmakers with real-life examples of the importance of the RFS and RVP regulatory relief. Attendees met with both ethanol supporters and opponents, inside and outside of the corn belt.

“We’re encouraged by our meetings because there seemed to be growing support for RVP legislation, even with Members of Congress from outside the corn belt,” Jennings said. “When you explain to them that retailers aren’t allowed to sell E15 in the summer months, even though E15 has lower evaporative emissions than gas and E10, they see this as a problem that needs to be fixed, whether Congress takes that step or EPA decides they can do it on their own.”

This year’s fly-in agenda included a visit from Eric Branstad, Senior White House Advisor to the Department of Commerce. He addressed the crowd at the Wednesday evening reception. “At the end of the day, you have the White House and the President’s support because you’ve earned it,” Branstad said. “I want to make sure Washington D.C. is educated on ethanol and it’s so important that you share that message.”

Adam Gustafson with Boyden Gray & Associates was another guest speaker, who provided insight on the Urban Air Initiative’s regulatory strategy for higher octane fuels.



CWT Assists with 2.4 Million Pounds of Cheese and Butter Export Sales

Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) has accepted 21 requests for export assistance from member cooperatives that have contracts to sell 2.381 million pounds (1,088 metric tons) of Cheddar and Monterey Jack cheeses plus 52,360 pounds (23.75 metric tons) of butter to customers in Asia and Oceania. The product has been contracted for delivery in the period from March through June 2017.

So far this year, CWT has assisted member cooperatives who have contracts to sell 21.483 million pounds of American-type cheeses and 1.427 million pounds of butter (82% milkfat) to 12 countries on four continents. The sales are the equivalent of 207.252 million pounds of milk on a milkfat basis.

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 affects all U.S. dairy farmers by strengthening and maintaining the value of dairy products that directly impact their milk price.



President Signs Resolution to Repeal BLM Planning 2.0

President Trump today signed a congressional resolution directing the Bureau of Land Management to repeal their Planning 2.0 Rule. Wyoming rancher and NCBA and PLC member Joel Bousman was in attendance at the White House for the signing. Ethan Lane, executive director of PLC and NCBA federal lands, applauded the action and called it a significant victory for western ranchers.

“BLM’s Planning 2.0 Rule would have caused a wholesale shift in management focus at BLM by prioritizing ‘social and environmental change’ over ensuring the multiple use of public lands,” said Lane. “When you couple the wholesale shift away from multiple-use with the elimination of stakeholder and local input, the rule was unworkable for western communities. We applaud the action by President Trump and look forward to working with the new Administration to bring together a streamlined planning process that works for livestock ranchers and the western communities that depend on the use of BLM lands.”