Thursday March 9 Ag News

Sasse Convenes Nebraska Meeting with U.S. Trade Representative Nominee

U.S. Senator Ben Sasse released the following statement after convening a meeting with Robert Lighthizer, nominee to lead the U.S. Trade Representative office. Sasse and Lighthizer were joined by leaders from Nebraska agriculture, including Nebraska Farm Bureau President Steve Nelson, Nebraska Cattlemen President Troy Stowater, Nebraska Pork Producers President Russ Vering, Nebraska Wheat Growers President Randon Peters, Nebraska Corn Growers President Dan Wesely, and U.S. Soybean Export Council Chairman Jim Miller.

“Free trade is a clear-cut win for Nebraska,” said Sasse. “I’m glad that some of Nebraska’s agriculture leaders brought their perspectives directly to U.S. Trade Representative nominee Lighthizer. Nebraska feeds the world and, to continue on that mission, we need to build trade networks around the globe."

“Senator Sasse and members of the Farm Bureau are going to keep talking about the future of trade,” said Nelson. “Free trade creates networks and opportunities for Nebraskans, especially those of us that farm, and it needs to be a top priority. Nebraska Farm Bureau looks forward to continuing these conversations with Senator Sasse and nominee Lighthizer.”

“Nebraska Cattlemen greatly appreciates Senator Sasse’s leadership on promoting trade for agriculture,” said Stowater. “It is a virtual certainty that U.S. red meat production will be at new all-time annual records in both 2017 and 2018, and we have an immediate need to emphasize export opportunities with our global trading partners. We look forward to working with USTR nominee Robert Lighthizer in promoting U.S. beef exports and removing barriers to trade."

“On behalf of Nebraska’s pork producers, I am very appreciative of Senator Sasse’s leadership in arranging this meeting with United States Trade Representatives nominee, Robert Lighthizer,” said Vering. “Nebraska’s progress in expanding its pork industry for the next generation will rely heavily on foreign markets and sound free trade agreements.”

"Access to foreign markets is important for wheat growers as half of the wheat in our state is exported,” said Peters. “On behalf of the Nebraska Wheat Growers Association, I’d like to thank Senator Sasse for his continued efforts to highlight the importance of international trade and support our state’s farmers."

“Nebraska is known for its corn,” said Wesely. “That being said, we still have work to do when it comes to promoting our products and educating our leaders about the benefits of free trade. Senator Sasse, by leading these conversations, is an advocate Nebraskans should be proud of.”

“We want to thank Senator Sasse for bringing Nebraskans to the table today,” said Miller. “With sixty to seventy percent of Nebraska soybeans being exported, our farmers know the importance of free trade. Our nation, through our trade representatives, needs to ensure that the agriculture industry is given every opportunity to succeed.”

Attendees:
Steve Nelson, of Axtel (Kearney County)
Troy Stowater, of Wayne (Wayne County)
Russ Vering, of Scribner (Dodge County)
Randon Peters, of McCook (Red Willow County)
Dan Wesely, of Morse Bluff (Saunders County)
Jim Miller, of Belden (Cedar County)



 PROJECT AIMS TO DEVELOP AGRICULTURE, NATURAL RESOURCE PROFESSIONALS

A new project at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln aims to prepare students to address the challenges of food production and the environment through hands-on learning experience and peer interaction. 

Funded by a $281,475 grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture's National Institute of Food and Agriculture, the project will bring 24 students from across the country to Nebraska to conduct summer experiential internships related to their career interests and goals. Throughout the 10-week internships, the students will hold weekly think-tank sessions where they will share experiences, findings and challenges with their peers.

"Student internships tend to focus on tasks, but we want students to be systems thinkers so they can recognize how those tasks connect to a major challenge," said Martha Mamo, Weaver Professor of Agronomy and Horticulture and lead investigator on the project. "Peer learning is powerful. We'll bring a cohort of students together with different interests, so they have the opportunity to recognize that they're all actually addressing the same challenge."

Students can choose from a wide variety of internship programs in the applied plant, soil and environmental sciences. One example involves working directly with crop-consulting agronomists during the growing season to perform field checks, identify and diagnose pest and crop growth problems, monitor soil moisture, schedule irrigation, assist with equipment calibration, and take plant and soil samples.

As part of the grant requirement, half of the participants must be from outside of the host institution. Each student will have a mentor throughout the internship, who will facilitate the think-tank sessions. The mentors will include faculty in the university's Department of Agronomy and Horticulture, private crop consultants and USDA Agricultural Research Service and Natural Resources Conservation Service representatives.

At the conclusion of their internships, the students must create a tangible outreach or extension component explaining what they learned. Mamo said the students will create a video, infographic or lesson plan to disseminate their discoveries.

“It doesn't always have to be a peer-reviewed publication," she said. "Tomorrow's scientists must be able to present science in a way that the public will understand."

The first group of seven students will begin their internships in June.

"It's a great opportunity to showcase the fantastic work we're doing at UNL, but bringing in individuals with diverse backgrounds and ideas will only add to the overall experience," Mamo said. 

Others working on the project include David Lambe, associate professor of practice in the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture; Donald Lee, professor in the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture; Gina Matkin, associate professor in the Department of Agricultural Leadership, Education and Communication; Leah Sandall, assistant professor of practice in the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture; Walter Schacht, Sunkist Fiesta Bowl Professor of Agronomy in the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture; and Carol Speth, educational assessment specialist in the Department of Agronomy and Horticulture.



Valmont Board Declares Quarterly Dividend

The Board of Directors of Valmont Industries, Inc. (NYSE: VMI) has declared a quarterly dividend of 37.5 cents per share payable on April 14, 2017 to shareholders of record on March 31, 2017. The dividend indicates an annual rate of $1.50 per share.

Valmont is a global leader, designing and manufacturing engineered products that support global infrastructure development and agricultural productivity.

Its products for infrastructure serve highway, transportation, wireless communication, electric transmission, and industrial construction and energy markets. Its mechanized irrigation equipment for large scale agriculture improves farm productivity while conserving fresh water resources.

In addition, Valmont provides coatings services that protect against corrosion and improve the service lives of steel and other metal products.



Four colleges and universities represented at IPPA Student Taste of Elegance

The Iowa Pork Producers Association held its annual Student Taste of Elegance competition on March 6 at the Des Moines Area Community College's Iowa Culinary Institute in Ankeny.

Eleven teams of students from Iowa Western Community College, Iowa State University, Scott Community College and the Iowa Culinary Institute each prepared an original pork tenderloin entrée for judging on taste, appearance and design.

The Red Hats from Iowa Western took first place honors with their "Pistachio Encrusted Pork Tenderloin." The students on the team were Katelynn Hunter-Mullin, Ann Snyder, Jennifer Christensen, Taylor Post and each student received $100 from IPPA. In addition, their culinary program at Iowa Western received a $750 check for scholarships or classroom supplies.

The DMACC Swine and Dine team placed second. The team prepared "Apple & Brown Sugar Pork Tenderloin with Bacon and Creamed Corn Succotash." IPPA awarded each student $50 and DMACC will receive a $500 check for scholarships or classroom supplies.

The third-place team was Jalapeno Business, also from DMACC. The team prepared "Un Sabor De Cuba." Each student received $25 from IPPA and their school will receive a $250 check for scholarships or classroom supplies.

"We were blown away," said Cristen Clark, a pork producer, award winning baker and food blogger who served as a judge for the competition. "The students came to compete and their hard work and creativity was apparent on every plate throughout the day! There was a lot of diversity amongst the entrees, so it was great to see them thinking outside the box with the versatility opportunities with pork!

The event is held to inspire innovative and exciting ways for culinary arts students to use pork in their menus, measure their progress and practice working as a team in the kitchen. A team of judges provided immediate feedback, critiques and professional advice for the student teams.

"This event is always a ton of fun," said IPPA Marketing and Programs Director Kelsey Sutter. "The students are excited to be there, they eagerly await their kitchen start time and their entrees never fail to impress! The future culinary scene is in good hands!"

The IPPA Student Taste of Elegance is open to any Iowa college that has a culinary arts program.



Kansas State University College of Veterinary Medicine appoints Brad White director of Beef Cattle Institute

The College of Veterinary Medicine at Kansas State University has appointed Brad White to director of the Beef Cattle Institute.

Founded in 2007, the Beef Cattle Institute is comprised of veterinarians, agricultural economists, nutritionists and other experts in beef production. The institute integrates multidisciplinary expertise from Kansas State University to deliver results for complex issues facing the beef industry.

Since October 2015, White has served as interim director of the institute. He has been on the faculty in the agricultural practices section of the college's clinical sciences department since 2005, and was elevated to the rank of professor in 2016. White earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from the University of Missouri in 1997 and a Master of Science from Mississippi State University in 2005. He worked for the Perry County Veterinary Hospital in Perryville, Missouri, from 1997 to 2003.

"We thank Dr. White for his excellent service as the interim director, and we have great confidence in his ability to guide the Beef Cattle Institute toward continued success," said Tammy Beckham, dean of the College of Veterinary Medicine. "During his time as interim director, Dr. White has assembled a multidisciplinary leadership team composed of faculty from the College of Veterinary Medicine and the College of Agriculture. He has worked with industry leaders to establish a vision for the future of the institute, and I have complete confidence he will continue to build partnerships and strengthen the relevance of the institute and its ability to serve the beef cattle industry of Kansas and the nation."

"The Beef Cattle Institute is a great environment to work as it brings together experts from multiple disciplines allowing us to provide holistic answers to pertinent industry questions," White said. "We work closely with our external advisory team comprised of industry leaders to maintain our focus on issues important to the beef industry. The overall goal of the institute is to make a positive impact by providing actionable information from our research and education programs to decision-makers throughout the beef value chain."

White has authored or co-authored 99 peer-reviewed manuscripts and 10 book chapters. As a principal investigator or co-investigator, he has obtained 25 grants in extramural research funding, totaling more than $3 million. White currently serves as president-elect for the Academy of Veterinary Consultants. He also is a member of the American Association of Bovine Practitioners, American Veterinary Medical Association, Kansas Veterinary Medical Association, Phi Zeta Veterinary Honor Society and the National Cattlemen's Beef Association.

The mission of the Beef Cattle Institute is utilizing collaborative multidisciplinary expertise to promote successful beef production through the discovery and delivery of actionable information and innovative decision support tools.



USDA Seeks Project Proposals to Protect and Restore Critical Wetlands

Acting Deputy Agriculture Secretary Michael Young today announced the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing up to $15 million in technical and financial assistance to help eligible conservation partners voluntarily protect, restore and enhance critical wetlands on agricultural lands. Restored wetlands improve water quality downstream and improve wildlife habitat, while also providing flood prevention and recreational benefits to communities.

Funding will be provided through the Wetland Reserve Enhancement Partnership (WREP​), part of the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program (ACEP), a Farm Bill conservation program. The partnership is administered by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), the leading federal agency for wetland conservation on private lands. Through WREP, states, local units of governments, non-governmental organizations and American Indian tribes collaborate with NRCS through cooperative and partnership agreements. These partners work with tribal and private landowners who voluntarily enroll eligible land into easements to protect, restore and enhance wetlands on their properties.

“These strong, locally led partnerships help improve water quality, prevent flooding, enhance wildlife habitat and provide landowners the financial resources needed to voluntarily conserve our lands,” Young said.

Easements enable landowners to adopt a variety of conservation practices that improve the function and condition of wetlands. The voluntary nature of NRCS' easement programs enables effective integration of wetland restoration on working landscapes, providing benefits to farmers and ranchers who enroll in the program, as well as benefits to the local and rural communities where the wetlands exist.

This year, NRCS is encouraging partners to propose projects that focus on improving water quality as well as habitat on working landscapes in high-priority areas, ranging from the sagebrush of the West to the Chesapeake Bay. A number of at-risk species rely on wetlands, including the American black duck, bog turtle, wood turtle, spotted turtle, Blandings turtle and greater sage-grouse as well as a variety of mussel and fish species.

Proposals must be submitted to NRCS state offices by April 24, 2017.



NCGA Supports Ag Data Transparency Evaluator
   
The age of big data means big decisions for farmers as they decide who to trust with their information. An industry-wide effort to bring transparency to ag technology contracts is gaining momentum with the launch of a new website: agdatatransparent.com.

The Ag Data Transparency Evaluator is a tool designed to help farmers understand how their ag data is used when signing up with technology providers to use precision ag products.

Companies must answer a set of ten questions to determine compliance with certain core principles for ag data ownership, consent and privacy. Products are reviewed by a third-party administrator, based upon the answers to the questions for transparency, and then awarded use of the "Ag Data Transparent" seal if approved.

Since the Ag Data Transparency Evaluator effort was launched at Commodity Classic in 2016, the organization's webpage has been hosted at American Farm Bureau Federation's website. American Farm Bureau was instrumental in getting the Evaluator off the ground.

"After our first year of operation, the Evaluator tool has grown up," says Todd Janzen, administrator for the project.  "That means moving to our own, independent website, enabling technology companies to easily link and show their compliance with the Ag Data Core Principles.  The ultimate winner is the farmer who can easily find background to research precision ag products," Janzen explains.

The new website allows farmers to easily review how their ag tech provider answered the 10 questions. The site also publishes the Core Principles the industry established for ag data in November 2014.

 "Growers know the data we produce and collect on our farms comes with a huge value. So, it matters how and when that data may be used by third parties. The Ag Data Transparency Evaluator takes the guesswork out of understanding how companies may collect and use the data I produce as a farmer," says Britt Raybould, a farmer from St. Anthony, Idaho. "Instead of losing myself in the fine print of terms and conditions, I get straightforward answers to ten questions that help me make smarter decisions about the data partners I work with in my operation."

To date, several precision ag products have been evaluated and awarded the Ag Data Transparent Seal:  Onsite (AgIntegrated), Morning Farm Report (Agrible), FARMserver (Beck's Hybrids), Conservis, Farmobile, Granular, FS Advanced Information Services (GROWMARK), and MyAgData (Independent Data Management). More products are currently under evaluation.



ASA Establishes Policy Resolutions for 2017

Progressive policies for a strong farm safety net, increased funding for agricultural export programs, ambitious global trade negotiations, an aggressive support for biodiesel policies and robust funding for agricultural research and conservation programs will guide the American Soybean Association (ASA) in 2017. The 2017 Commodity Classic concluded this weekend in San Antonio with ASA’s voting delegates, representing its 26 state and regional ASA affiliates, gathered to decide policy priorities for the nation's soybean farmers in the coming year.

The nascent debate on the coming farm bill guided the majority of new resolutions this year. Many focused on strengthening the risk management programs in Title 1 of the legislation, as well as other key programs for soybean farmers in the areas of trade, biofuels, conservation and research.

In the Commodities Title, ASA committed to continuing to work closely with other agriculture organizations to enhance risk management tools and strengthen the farm safety net, which the association maintains is necessary to offset the significant reduction in farm prices and income incurred since 2013. ASA affirmed its support for renewing both the Agriculture Risk Coverage (ARC) and Price Loss Coverage (PLC) programs, as well as its long-standing policy to base payments under those programs on historical rather than planted acres. Delegates passed language in support of utilizing federal crop insurance yield data available through USDA’s Risk Management Agency as a more accurate basis for payments under Title I programs, and supported allowing producers a one-time choice to reallocate or update base acreage.

In the Trade Title, delegates formally approved ASA's position that advocates for doubling funding for the Foreign Market Development (FMD) program and Market Access Program (MAP) to $69 million and $400 million, respectively. Other resolutions highlighted the importance of global trade to soybean farmers. Delegates voted to include strong language on pursuing bilateral or multilateral trade agreements with nations in the Pacific Rim, as well as Canada and Mexico amid uncertainty surrounding the future of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA).

In the Conservation Title, ASA will support increasing the acreage cap for the Conservation Reserve Program to aid in implementation of the program. Delegates also approved language supporting Monarch Butterfly Conservation Plans to improve the long-term viability of the species, as well as a resolution supporting efforts by USDA’s Natural Resources Conservation Service to prevent the spread of weeds while maintaining refuge areas for monarch butterflies during migration.

The ASA delegates also reaffirmed the association's strong support for keeping the nutrition and farm components of the farm bill together, as well as for agricultural research and for energy title programs that help to expand the biodiesel and biobased products industries.

Considering the potential for a large-scale tax reform package from Congress in the coming year, delegates supported several tax-related resolutions, including renewal of the biodiesel tax credit and a restructuring of the credit to promote domestic production. Other major tax concerns included full and immediate expensing of capital investments, maintaining farmer access to cash-based accounting, repeal of the estate tax, and maintaining the Section 1031 provision for like-kind exchanges. Delegates also included language supporting the establishment of tax-deferred savings accounts for farmers.

ASA delegates added new resolutions defending the growing soymilk market and advocating the expansion of high-speed broadband connectivity to rural areas. ASA also went on the record supporting the need for plant breeding innovations (PBI) and opposing undue regulatory burdens that discourage scientific innovations in gene editing technology, and codified the association's position supporting thorough evaluation of mergers and consolidation within the seed technology and crop protection sectors.

A copy of the ASA policy resolutions handbook is available by contacting the ASA Washington office at 202-969-7040.



ASA Honors Joe Jobe with Special Meritorious Service Award

The American Soybean Association (ASA) recognized Joe Jobe, from Jefferson City, Mo., with its Special Meritorious Service Award at its annual awards banquet during the 2017 Commodity Classic in San Antonio, Texas.

The Special Meritorious Service Award honors individuals who served the soybean industry above and beyond the ordinary.

Jobe, president of Rock House Advisors, is a recognized leader in the areas of energy, agriculture and environment. For nearly 20 years he's worked in these areas, helping to shape and advance the industries.

Much of his work was with the National Biodiesel Board (NBB), including 17 years as the organization’s Chief Executive Officer. During his time there, Jobe grew NBB into a world-class organization that helped build the biodiesel industry into a continuously growing and competitive market.

Jobe has testified multiple times before Congress and given speeches in 10 countries. He’s appeared on national television and radio programs and been interviewed by major newspapers across the country, including the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, New York Times and Washington Post.

"Joe’s commitment and dedication helped build and grow a biodiesel industry that has benefited U.S. soybean farmers and many other agricultural stakeholders," said ASA President Ron Moore, a soybean farmer from Roseville, Ill.

"I'm so honored and grateful to my friends in the soybean industry," Jobe said. "ASA has always been a tremendous partner to the biodiesel industry and to me, and a highly effective advocate on behalf of the soybean farmers they serve. As a farm boy myself, I'm proud to have worked in an area that benefits farmers. And I'm grateful that I have the opportunity to continue to work in an area where agriculture, energy and sustainability intersect. None of the successes that ASA is honoring me for would have happened without the hard work and commitment of ASA and America's soybean farmers. Thank you."



Duff Testifies Before Congress on Behalf of Sorghum Industry for Strong Energy Title

National Sorghum Producers testified today before the U.S. House Agriculture Committee's Subcommittee on Commodity Exchanges, Energy, and Credit on the Next Farm Bill: Rural Development & Energy Programs. John Duff, NSP strategic business director, appeared before the congressional committee representing the views of NSP's farmer and ethanol members expressing support for a strong energy title.

“Ethanol remains one of the foundations of the U.S. sorghum industry,” said Duff. “Ethanol producers annually grind about one-third of the domestic crop and support sorghum farmers with local demand. As America moves toward greater energy independence, we must remember what ethanol brings to the table for both farmers and U.S. consumers."

Duff's testimony emphasized the following points:
-    The state of renewable energy technology and markets have evolved significantly since the groundwork was laid by the 2002 and 2008 farm bills for the current energy title.
-    With the last decade of change some of the old programs should be combined or consolidated, making the farm bill more reflective of the current environment while still rewarding renewable energy producers who have taken risks and proven themselves to have staying power.
-    Sorghum has been a constant—with actual increased investment with recent Department of Energy commitments of over $70 million—and the crop and its producers and end-users stand ready to increase production with the right policies in place.



 NFU Concludes 115th Anniversary Convention with Adoption of Policy, Special Orders of Business

The National Farmers Union (NFU) 115th Anniversary Convention concluded today following the adoption of the organization’s policy book and special orders of business.  Nearly 500 family farmers and ranchers convened in San Diego both to engage in thoughtful policy deliberations, as well as to learn from agricultural experts and each another.

The adopted policy book and special orders of business will guide the organization’s government affairs priorities over the course of the next year, including the current farm crisis and upcoming deliberations on the 2018 Farm Bill.

“As a family farmer and rancher-led organization, our grassroots policy adoption process is the most important part of our annual convention,” said NFU President Roger Johnson. “This year, NFU delegates adopted strong language to address a variety of issues facing family agriculture and rural communities, including the depressed farm economy, corporate consolidation, and international trade.”

The convention featured two high-level panels on federal farm bill and conservation issues, as well as remarks from industry leaders from a variety of agricultural sectors.

“Our programming provides members with the opportunity to learn more about the issues facing their operations and communities, and it sets the stage for how the national organization should address those issues back in Washington,” said Johnson. “With deliberations beginning on the upcoming farm bill, this year’s panel discussions provided valuable insight, important context, and diverse viewpoints that will shape the debate.”

As a means of providing the organization a prescriptive set of priorities, 136 delegates from 33 states approved six special orders of business:
~ Family Farming and Crisis Relief
~ Family Farming and Farm Bills
~ Family Farming and Trade Policy
~ Family Farming and Leading the Way on Climate Change
~ Family Farming and Expanded Higher Ethanol Blend Utilization
~ Family Farming and Dairy Policy

Full text of the adopted policy manual will be available soon at www.nfu.org.



PNW Vessel Delays Begin to Improve
Steve Wirsching, US Wheat Assoc. Vice President and West Coast Office Director

This winter the Pacific Northwest (PNW) has seen snowstorms and record rainfall that reduced vessel loading and inbound rail service. A slowing of rail service for just a few weeks manifested itself into long vessel lineups and loading delays of up to three to four weeks. Normally there are 12 to 15 vessels in the Columbia River waiting to load. However, the Daily Grain Bulletin, published by the Portland Grain Exchange, reported 38 grain vessels waiting to load a few days ago. 

Almost every sort of natural disaster imaginable has interrupted rail service to the PNW. The Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) railroad applied additional resources to restore full service as soon as humanly possible. Last week there was a break in the weather, which allowed the rail service to partially recuperate. This marginal improvement raised train velocities and increased the number of unit-trains arriving in Portland daily.

Export elevators are also struggling with the weather because they cannot load when it is raining. Reports are that vessel loading efficiency is down 25 percent due to the heavy rainfall. Portland set a record in the month of February when over 10 inches of rain fell in 28 days, the most precipitation since 1996. When it rains this hard, exporters must close the hatches to protect the grain from excess moisture. Some facilities have special hatch covers where some grain can be blown through a small hole, but the loading speed is dramatically reduced. 

Further complicating the weather delays are the planned repairs of the Columbia Snake River System. The U.S. Army Corp of Engineers closed the river system on Dec. 12 for necessary long-term maintenance, putting additional pressure on the rail system, now the sole mode of transportation to move grain to market. An ice storm in the Columbia River gorge stopped construction for several days, delaying repairs with possible impact on the planned reopening date of March 20. The Army Corp of Engineers is doing everything in its power which includes working on the weekends and adding labor to complete the repairs on time, but there is only so much they can do when fighting mother nature.

The grain trade is working its way out of this backlog and all expectations are that by April the Columbia River will be back to normal. Currently vessels entering the river are waiting two to three weeks to load. Loading delays and higher basis levels will potentially crowd out spot market demand limiting sales for the next year. However, most wheat buyers heeded the advice of USW early last year, when told to purchase wheat ahead of the river closure. Wheat sales and shipments are ahead of last year’s pace, a clear indication that buyers responded to USW’s recommendations. Grain (wheat, corn and soybean) exports are as much as 21 percent higher this year, the best year in the last 10 on a calendar year basis. 

With a healthy dose of perseverance, the grain trade, railroads, barge lines, growers and overseas buyers will work through these logistical challenges and overcome the delays. Traditional U.S. folk lore says March weather “comes in like a lion and out like a lamb.” There are hundreds of people here in the PNW, and among many of our customers, we are waiting anxiously for the lamb to arrive!



Tyson Farm Bird Flu Found Less Menacing Than Chinese Case

The U.S. Department of Agriculture confirmed that the bird flu virus detected at one of Tyson Foods Inc.'s TSN farm poses lesser threat to humans in comparison with the virus that was responsible for the deaths of 112 people in China. Further, the U.S authorities stated that although the virus shares the same name as its Chinese counterpart - H7N9, it is genetically different from it.

Outbreaks of bird flu have been reported in poultry farms and wild flocks across Europe, Africa and Asia in the past six months. As per disease experts, although the virus involved poses low risks to human health, the simultaneous presence of it in so many parts of the world, has aggravated the risk of viruses mixing and mutating, reports Yahoo News.

In the first week of Mar 2017, the U.S authorities detected the first case of avian flu in a Tennessee farm, following which thousands of chickens were eliminated at the particular site and 30 other farms within a six-mile radius were quarantined. Known as Highly-pathogenic H7 avian influenza, or HPAI, the USDA’s Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service reported 73,500 birds have been infected by the virus.

Bird flu is highly contagious in nature and infects the entire flock very quickly. The bird flu spreads from birds to humans through the air, or when people come in physical contact with an infected bird or surface.

Asian countries like South Korea, Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong have limited their imports of U.S poultry after the first case of bird flu was detected



State of the Fertilizer Industry Report Issued

The Fertilizer Institute's 2016 State of the Fertilizer Industry report tracks industry performance on key environmental, economic, and social indicators, such as safety, energy and environment, and jobs.

"The future of the fertilizer industry depends on our ability to provide good and services that help growers feed the world, improve lives, and protect the environment, or in short, sustainable growth," said Chris Jahn, TFI President. "The data in this report showcases the significant steps the industry is taking to make positive contributions and ensure its viability in the future."

Report says the safety of the industy's employees, first responders, and local communities is a high priority. In 2015, it dedicated in excess of 2,600 hours to training emergency responders. When compared to similar industries, the fertilizer industry experienced fewer than one-half the safety incidents of peers in the chemical manufacturing and merchant wholesaler industries.

In 2015, the industry invested $5.1 billion in capital infrastructure projects. These investments create jobs, increase worker and community safety, and help conserve land, energy, land, water, and air resources.

By employing certified crop advisors, the industry is guiding farmers to make sustainable choices and use 4R Nutrient Stewardship with their fertilizer use. In 2015, the industry employed 1,127 certified crop advisors, the report noted.

And the sector generates more than $154 billion in economic benefit and provides 89,000 direct jobs and 406,000 indirect jobs for a total of 495,000 U.S. jobs.

The report was done in cooperation with many of the key players in the fertilizer industry from all segments of the supply chain from manufacturing to retail. This report accounts for 93 percent of total fertilizer production capacity in the United States and represents industry wholesale and retail sectors.



CoBank Reports Slight Bump in Net Income in '16

CoBank, a cooperative bank serving agribusinesses, rural infrastructure providers and Farm Credit associations throughout the United States, announced financial results for the full year and fourth quarter of 2016. Net income for the year rose 1 percent to $945.7 million, reflecting increased net interest income offset by a greater provision for loan losses as well as higher Farm Credit insurance fund premiums and other operating expenses.

CoBank's average loan volume increased 10 percent in 2016, to $91.6 billion, driven by higher levels of borrowing from affiliated Farm Credit associations, grain cooperatives, food and agribusiness companies, rural electric cooperatives and communications service providers.

For the fourth quarter of 2016, net income was $227.3 million compared to $236.3 million in the same period of 2015.

Earnings declined primarily due to a $15 million provision for loan losses taken during the fourth quarter of 2016, which more than offset the positive impacts of higher net interest income.

Net interest income for the quarter increased 3 percent to $345.0 million as a result of higher average loan volume.

Average loan volume increased 7 percent during the period, to $93.2 billion.



Maximize Soybean Yield with the Right Maturity Group

The end goal of any soybean field is to harvest the highest possible yield. Maximizing yield potential starts with the variety decision – and is greatly influenced by the maturity group chosen.

“If you want to maximize yield, you need to plant the right maturity group,” says Bayer U.S. Soybean Technology Manager William Johnson, Ph.D.

Johnson recommends growers have a plan outlining when they want to plant and harvest their soybeans. Growers also need to know their area’s best time for pod development and factor that into their maturity group selection. Later maturing varieties have a longer vegetative period than early maturing varieties. As a result, reproductive development occurs later in the growing season with later maturity groups, which can affect the timing of inputs.

Growers need a contingency plan to switch to a different maturity group if Mother Nature delays planting time, notes Johnson. Purdue University suggests growers should consider changing maturity groups if they have not planted their soybeans by mid-June or later. The university also recommends growers not plant a full-season variety after June 30.

Many growers, particularly in the South, opt to plant early maturity group to avoid potential drought conditions and troublesome insects, weeds or diseases often associated with a late maturity group variety. “In Arkansas, we have seen that an indeterminate late group IV may have better yield than a group V,” Johnson indicates.

He says this approach to select an early maturity group also would work well across much of the Corn Belt. If a grower chooses an early maturity group, Johnson recommends using a seed treatment. “It’s critical to have a good seed treatment like ILeVO or Poncho/VOTiVO to avoid diseases like SDS or soybean cyst nematode.”

Johnson advises growers to diversify maturity groups and variety types. “You need to diversify your soybean portfolio with different maturities,” he says. Planting the same maturities and varieties on the same fields could lead to an environment susceptible to weed- or disease-resistance issues. Plus, multiple maturities allow growers to operate their farm business more efficiently, giving them time to spread out their field activities.

According to Johnson, other factors to consider when choosing a maturity group and soybean variety include:
 ·    Production system – Factor in crop rotation, soil types and profiles, row width, planting populations and tillage practices. Maturity group performance can vary depending on production practices.
 ·    Weed management – Select a maturity group that gives you the flexibility to rotate seed trait packages and herbicide sites of action.
 ·    Disease management – Track disease issues on a field-by-field basis, then select a maturity group with specific disease-tolerant varieties.
 ·    Available resources – Consult with universities, retailers, crop consultants or a member of the Bayer Agronomic Service Team on the best maturity group(s) for your operation.

Johnson also encourages growers to plant test plots of various maturity groups before they decide to plant a new maturity group on a wider scale.

“Credenz soybeans from Bayer use smart genetics to provide tailored varieties across several maturity groups to fit any field conditions,” Johnson notes. “Each of the Credenz maturity groups has an excellent disease package for healthier plants and high-performing yields.”

Credenz also gives growers their choice of either LibertyLink or glyphosate-tolerant traits for their maturity groups. In addition, growers can select from best-in-class SeedGrowth seed treatments for early season protection from pathogens and diseases.