Wednesday May 17 Ag News

USE GRAZING TO CONTROL PASTURE WEEDS
Bruce Anderson, NE Extension Forage Specialist

               Pasture weeds are a problem for many of us.  It’s a challenge to control or prevent them in the first place.  The right grazing practices, though, can help reduce this problem.

               If you have weedy pastures, first ask yourself – Why?   Nearly always the existing forage stand was not thick or vigorous enough to out-compete invading weeds.  So the first step in pasture weed control must be to manage pastures so they can be competitive.  That may include fertilizer, extra seeding, and especially well-managed grazing.

               Once weeds become a problem, though, control strategies must be used.  One technique is to heavily stock a pasture, maybe with a ten-fold higher concentration of animals per acre than usual, for a very short time.  Only do this if your good grass is healthy.

               Use temporary cross fences to create small enough areas to achieve these high animal concentrations.  If this is done while weeds like crabgrass, foxtail, lambsquarter, and field bindweed are still young, many of them will be eaten readily.  Animals even eat cheatgrass, downy brome, and sandbur when plants are young.  Once they form seed stalks, though, cattle almost totally reject them.  Be sure to remove animals while desired grasses still have a few leaves remaining so they regrow quickly and compete with any recovering or new weeds.

               Some established weeds, especially perennials, aren’t controlled easily with grazing.  Clipping or spraying these weeds when their root reserves are low and to prevent seed production will reduce their pressure.  But remember, they will return quickly unless follow-up grazing management keeps your pasture healthy, vigorous, and competitive.

               Pasture weeds are troublesome, but proper grazing helps control them.



Seven UNL students to represent Nebraska Corn through annual internship programs

In early-May, seven students studying at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln began summer internship experiences offered by the Nebraska Corn Board and Nebraska Corn Growers Association. These internships vary in scope and location, but are designed to provide students with an overview of Nebraska’s corn industry through real-world professional examples and experiences.

“Nebraska Corn is always encouraged by the next generation of ag professionals,” said Kelly Brunkhorst, executive director of the Nebraska Corn Board. “Through seven different internship experiences, we’re able to help students see how vast our state’s corn industry can be. Interns may be familiar with the production side, but we’re able to take that knowledge a step further and introduce them to other important topics such as policy, promotion and international trade.”

Five of the seven internships are located outside of Nebraska and last throughout the summer. These five internships are with cooperating partners of the Nebraska Corn Board.

The National Corn Growers Association (NCGA) is hosting two of the interns. Jacy Spencer is majoring in agricultural economics and is interning with the NCGA office in Washington D.C. Renae Sieck is with the NCGA office in St. Louis, Missouri. Sieck is majoring in agricultural education.

“Much of our college education is theory and discussion without true application,” said Spencer. “Internships represent a critical area of growth that can set many students apart from their peers. They also help students to discover where their true passions lie.”

Michaela Clowser is interning with the U.S. Meat Export Federation (USMEF) in Denver, Colorado. Clowser is double majoring in agricultural economics and animal science at UNL.

“This internship provides me with once-in-a-lifetime experiences that will push personal boundaries and create professional connections and develop new perspectives,” said Clowser. “Working for USMEF will challenge me to learn more about global marketing and the barriers that come with international trade.”

Two students are interning with the U.S. Grains Council. David Schuler is working at the international headquarters in Washington D.C., and Stephen Enke is gaining international experience in the Mexico City office. Schuler is studying animal science and Enke is majoring in business administration.

“After graduation, I plan to attend law school and study international trade and policy,” said Enke. “Gaining an inside perspective on our trade relations with Mexico and how these relations impact both farmers back home and consumers in Mexico is important. It’s an opportunity to understand the lives of those I hope to help when creating policies that will shape our nation.”

Two of the internships are year-long experiences and are located in Lincoln, Nebraska. Catherine Jones is an agricultural and environmental sciences communications major and is interning with the Nebraska Corn Board. Brooke Tempel is majoring in agricultural education and works with the Nebraska Corn Growers Association. Both internships assist with the coordination of communications and promotional efforts with their respective organization.

“This internship will challenge me to step out of my comfort zone,” said Tempel. “Not having the opportunity to grow up on a farm myself and see firsthand how producers operate will give me the opportunity to learn from our state’s producers and see the impact they make on our society.”

Each intern will document their learning experiences through blog and social media posts. To keep up with the students throughout the summer, visit nebraskacorn.org or follow the Nebraska Corn Board on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.



USDA SEEKS FEEDBACK FROM GROWERS ABOUT 2017 CROPS, STOCKS, INVENTORIES, VALUES

During the next several weeks, U.S. Department of Agriculture’s National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) will conduct two major mid-year surveys, the June Agricultural Survey and the June Area Survey. The agency will survey over 5,000 operators across Iowa to determine crop production and supply levels in 2017. Additionally, approximately 200 operators will be surveyed to evaluate coverage for the upcoming 2017 Census of Agriculture.

“Due to the widespread and significant impact of its results, the June Agricultural Survey, also known as the Crops/Stocks Survey, and the June Area Survey are two of the most important and well-known surveys NASS conducts,” explained Greg Thessen, director of the NASS Upper Midwest Regional Field Office in Des Moines, Iowa. “When growers respond to these surveys, they provide essential information that helps us determine the prospective production and supply of major commodities in the United States for the 2017 crop year. Everyone who relies on agriculture for their livelihoods is interested in the results.”

NASS gathers the data for the June Agricultural Survey online, by mail, phone and in-person interviews. For the June Area Survey, agency representatives visit randomly selected tracts of land and interview the operators of any farm or ranch on that land. Growers provide information on crop acreage – including biotech crops—as well as grain stocks, livestock inventory, cash rents, land values, and value of sales.

NASS will compile and analyze the survey information and publish the results in a series of USDA reports, including the annual Acreage report and quarterly Grain Stocks report, both to be released June 30, 2017. Survey data contribute to NASS’s monthly and annual Crop Production reports, as well as the annual Small Grains Summary and USDA’s monthly World Agricultural Supply and Demand Estimates.

“NASS safeguards the privacy of all responses and publishes only state- and national-level data, ensuring that no individual operation or producer can be identified,” stated Thessen. “We recognize this is a hectic time for farmers and ranchers, but the information they provide helps U.S. agriculture by leveling the playing field and minimizing risk. I urge them to respond to these surveys and thank them for their cooperation,” said Thessen.

All reports are available on the NASS website: www.nass.usda.gov/Publications.



Field Days to Demonstrate Manure Distribution and Calibration

Uniform liquid manure distribution across the application tool-bar is important for proper use of nutrients. Uniform distribution of manure across the tool-bar swath ensures minimal variability among application points. Uneven manure application, especially under low application rates, can potentially lead to uneven response in crop growth.

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach has scheduled four field days to help manure applicators better understand manure distribution, calibration and the value of manure. Flow meter calibration check is important to achieve accurate application rates in the field. Understanding the value of manure can help producers to utilize nutrients appropriately, leading to better manure management for their livestock operations.

“We want to remind producers to check their manure application equipment to make the most out of the distribution manifold (see photo) as the cost to supplement nutrients with commercial fertilizers can be expensive,” said Kapil Arora, agricultural engineering specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach.

Speakers for the Manure Distribution and Calibration field days include Dan Andersen, assistant professor and agricultural engineering specialist with ISU Extension and Outreach and coordinator of the Iowa Manure Management Action Group (IMMAG) and Arora, Greg Brenneman, Kris Kohl and Shawn Shouse, agricultural engineering specialists. ISU Extension and Outreach field agronomists Mark Johnson, Michael Witt, Joel DeJong, Paul Kassel, Meghan Anderson and Rebecca Vittetoe will also be present at the field days.

The program for each field day will begin at 11:30 a.m. with registration followed by a free lunch at noon. Presentations and demonstrations will begin at 1 p.m. and will cover manifold distribution, flow-meter verification and value of manure as fertilizer. Information on manifold distribution collected through research funded partly by the National Pork Board will also be shared.
2017 Manure Distribution and Calibration field days schedule

June 2 – Puck Custom Enterprises, 1110 100th Street, Manning, Iowa 51455
Contact: Shawn Shouse, agricultural engineering specialist, 712-769-2650 or sshouse@iastate.edu.

June 23 – ISU Allee Memorial Demonstration Farm, 2030 640th Street, Newell, IA 50568
Contact: Kris Kohl, agricultural engineering specialist, 712-732-5006 or kkohl1@iastate.edu.

July 26 - Zoske’s Sales & Services Inc., 604 Greenfield Avenue, Iowa Falls, Iowa 50126
Contact: Kapil Arora, agricultural engineering specialist, 515-291-0174 or pbtiger@iastate.edu.

August 4 – Eldon C. Stutsman, Inc., 350 Oakcrest Hill Rd SE, Hills, Iowa 52235
Contact: Greg Brenneman, agricultural engineering specialist, 319-337-2145 or gregb@iastate.edu.

The program for each field day is the same and interested participants are requested to register online at http://www.aep.iastate.edu/manure/ to help with lunch arrangements and field day planning.



Multi-State Research Reveals Best IPM Against Soybean Aphid

About 89.5 million acres of soybeans will be planted across the United States in 2017 -- a record high, according to the USDA. Research published in the April 2017 issue of Pest Management Science indicates that many of these soybean growers will invest in neonicotinoid insecticide seed treatments. The two-year, multi-state study revealed that, even during periods of infestation by the key pest across the region, the soybean aphid, the neonicotinoid treatment produced the same yields as using no insecticide at all.

The study was a joint effort of Purdue University, Iowa State University, Kansas State University, North Dakota State University, the University of Minnesota, South Dakota State University, and the University of Wisconsin. The research was grower-funded, using soybean checkoff funds provided by the North Central Soybean Research Program (NCSRP).

The neonicotinoid insecticide thiamethoxam, which is applied as a coating to soybean seeds, provides a maximum of two weeks of protection against insect feeding. Aphids typically don't reach damaging numbers until much later in the season, said Christian Krupke, an entomology professor and extension specialist at Purdue University and one of the researchers and authors of the study. As a result, when soybean aphid populations reached threshold levels, from late July to August, the insecticide levels in tissues of neonicotinoid-treated soybean foliage were similar to plants grown from seeds without the insecticide.

Bruce Potter, Insect Pest Management (IPM) specialist for the University of Minnesota Extension, said one of the most important aspects of the study was providing soybean growers information about how to invest their funds.

Potter said soybean growers in northern regions, including Minnesota, don't have chronic and consistent economic infestations of early season insect pests. "Farmers wouldn't get an advantage from putting insecticide on soybean seeds," he said. The exception to this conclusion would be fields at a higher risk for infrequent pests like seed corn maggot and white grub or for seed production fields where bean leaf beetle and bean pod mottle virus occur.

The research study concluded soybean farmers in all the regions in the study should employ the IPM approach, combining scouting and foliage-applied insecticide where necessary. "In terms of long-term sustainability and the bottom line for your yearly balance sheet, the IPM approach is the most effective approach for pest management in the growing season," Krupke said.

A study examining neonicotinoid seed treatments of corn had a similar result. This study, published in the journal PLOS ONE in March 2017, was conducted by Krupke's doctoral student, Adam Alford. It revealed that concentrations of the insecticide most commonly applied to corn seeds, clothianidin, declined rapidly and approached zero in plant tissues within 20 days after planting. Less than 5 percent of what was applied to the seed was recovered from corn plants in the field.

Currently, at least one of two neonicotinoids, clothianidin or thiamethoxam, are routinely applied to more than 80 percent of the corn and over half of the soybeans grown in North America.

Previous studies, although smaller in size, had shown similar results with neonicotinoid seed treatments, which were introduced in the 1990s, said Kelley J. Tilmon, state extension specialist for the Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center and an associate professor of entomology at Ohio State University. She performed the research in South Dakota when she was on the faculty of South Dakota State University. The recent study was launched to provide more definitive scientific answers across a large geographic area, Tilmon said.

Janet J. Knodel, extension entomologist and associate professor at North Dakota State University, said the results were similar in North Dakota. "As part of our research, we saw the soybean aphids coming into the field in late July and early August in North Dakota," she said. "By then, the residual of the insecticide seed treatment is gone."

Farmers can consult with their local university Extension services for additional information on specific pest management strategies in their state. They also can obtain information by downloading the Purdue Extension publication "The Effectiveness of Neonicotinoid Seed Treatments in Soybean" at http://bit.ly/2pZ8IBi.



Fertilizer Prices Continue to Hold Steady

Retail fertilizer prices continued to hold steady the second week of May 2017, according to fertilizer retailers surveyed by DTN.

Of the eight major fertilizers, five were slightly lower in price compared to a month earlier. These were DAP, urea, 10-34-0, UAN28 and UAN32. DAP had an average price of $437 per ton, urea $351/ton, 10-34-0 $437/ton, UAN28 $247/ton and UAN32 $280/ton.

The remaining three fertilizers were slightly higher in price from last month. MAP had an average price of $466/ton, potash $340/ton and anhydrous $508/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.38/lb.N, anhydrous $0.31/lb.N, UAN28 $0.44/lb.N and UAN32 $0.44/lb.N.

Retail fertilizers are lower compared to a year earlier. Half of the eight major fertilizers are still double digits lower.

10-34-0 is 22% lower from a year ago, anhydrous is 14% less expensive, UAN32 is 13% lower and UAN28 is 10% less expensive. Urea is 9% lower, DAP is 8% less expensive and both potash and MAP are 7% lower compared to year earlier.



Ethanol Stocks, Blending Demand Up

The U.S. Energy Information Administration issued a report midmorning Wednesday showing across-the-board increases for domestic ethanol inventories, plant production and blending demand during the week-ended May 12.

The EIA's Weekly Petroleum Status Report showed ethanol inventories surged by roughly 300,000 barrels (bbl), or 1.3%, to about 23.4 million bbl while 2.3 million bbl, or 10.9%, higher year-on-year. Total fuel ethanol stocks are moving closer to the record high of 23.7 million bbl reached at the end of March.

Domestic plant production increased for the second straight week, up 21,000 barrels per day (bpd), or 2.1%, to a 1.027 million bpd seven-week high last week, while up 80,000 bpd, or 8.3%, higher year-on-year. For the four weeks ended last week, fuel ethanol production averaged 1.001 million bpd, up 61,000 bpd or 6.5%.

Net refiner and blender inputs, a gauge for ethanol demand, jumped 23,000 bpd, or 2.5%, to 951,000 bpd, the highest since the week-ended June 24, 2016, when it was also recorded at 951,000 bpd. Blending demand surged 33,000 bpd, or 3.6%, year-on-year. For the four-week period ended May 12, blending demand was up 26,000 bpd, or 2.9%.



NAWG Applauds House Ag Committee for Holding Hearing on the State of the Rural Economy

Today, the House Committee on Agriculture held a Full Committee hearing on the “State of the Rural Economy.” USDA Secretary Sonny Perdue shared his perspective on the on the current state of the agricultural economy and how to make USDA programs work better for America’s farmers and ranchers.

NAWG President David Schemm made the following statement:

“Wheat farmers and all of agriculture are suffering some of the toughest economic conditions we’ve had to deal with since the 1980s. Wheat prices have been on the decline for the past couple of years and are expected to remain low for the foreseeable future.

“Between a rapidly declining market and years of sustained low prices, farmers are having a difficultly getting by, particularly young and beginning farmers who weren’t able to build up reserves during the high price years. Funding in the 2018 Farm Bill must be increased to address the significant reductions in farm prices and income incurred since 2013.

“These factors, along with significant competition in our export markets, have led to a decrease in production of wheat crops planted. Overall wheat crops planted for 2017 is estimated at 46.1 million acres, representing the lowest total planted area for the United States since 1919.

“NAWG applauds the House Committee on Agriculture for holding this hearing to examine some of the toughest issues being faced by growers in rural America.

“NAWG also thanks Secretary Purdue for stressing the importance of crop insurance in his remarks."



State Milk Regulators Ask FDA for Assistance on Assuring Proper Use of Dairy Product Terminology

State milk regulators today requested that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) work with them to enforce the proper use of milk and milk product labeling terms, especially those meant to distinguish between real dairy products and plant-based imitators – a development the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) hailed as “the strongest statement yet that the abuse of dairy terms has gone too far.”

“It’s time for FDA to work with state agencies in defending standards of identity for dairy products,” said Beth Briczinski, NMPF’s vice president of dairy foods and nutrition.

The pushback by state officials against FDA’s history of inaction on labeling enforcement came Wednesday at the biennial meeting of the National Conference on Interstate Milk Shipments (NCIMS) in Grand Rapids this week. The NCIMS is a national cooperative regulatory program that includes state milk regulatory agencies, dairy companies and FDA. The states collaborate with federal regulators and industry groups to ensure the safety and integrity of dairy products regulated under the Grade “A” program, including fluid milk, yogurt and other dairy products.

During today’s NCIMS session, state milk safety regulators voted unanimously in favor of a resolution intended to clarify the responsibilities of FDA and state programs in ensuring the proper use of standardized dairy product names.

“The state agencies, through their vote today, acknowledged that more effort is needed from FDA to clarify the role of State Milk Regulatory Programs in assuring the proper use of the standardized names of milk and milk products,” said Briczinski. “FDA needs to stop picking and choosing which regulations it wants to enforce.”

For example, FDA’s standards of identity specify that milk is the product of cows and other dairy animals, and that yogurt is the product obtained exclusively from the culturing of dairy ingredients.  Absent any regulatory consistency about how these label terms are applied, “consumers are bound to be confused and misled by the growing variance in the nutritional and compositional content of imitation foods made from nuts, seeds and grains, but purporting to be dairy products,” Briczinski said.

By approving this resolution, “the NCIMS delegates are acknowledging that states need federal assistance in the regulation of all products utilizing standardized dairy terms. This will ultimately benefit consumers, who face an increasingly bewildering assortment of imitation dairy products,” Briczinski said.

A renewed emphasis by FDA on the regulation of dairy terms would bring the United States into closer alignment with how the issue is handled in other countries, Briczinski noted. Canada, the United Kingdom and the European Union “do not allow plant-based imitators to call themselves milk on their packages. We have the same regulation on the books in the United States, but there has been no effort to enforce that policy. Today’s decision will hopefully create a new approach to the issue.”




NCGA Encourages Pollinator Friendly Practices

With another growing season underway across corn country, the National Corn Growers Association encourages farmers to complete a mental check list and assess your farming operation and any potential impact for pollinators like honey bees.

If you are using treated seed, remember to consider the following five basic steps for stewardship of treated seed during planting season:

Follow Directions: Follow directions on treated seed container labels for handling, storage, planting and disposal practices.

Eliminate Flowering Weeds: Eliminate flowering plants and weeds in and around the field prior to planting.

Minimize Dust: Use advanced seed flow lubricants that minimize dust.

Bee Aware: Be aware of honey bees and hives located near the field, and communicate with beekeepers prior to planting when possible.

Clean and Remove: Completely clean and remove all treated seed left in containers and equipment used to handle harvested grain and dispose of it properly. Keep all treated seed out of the commodity grain channels.

Likewise, as you plan summer spraying of insecticides, consider best management practices on your farm. This is especially critical if you have bee hives on your farm or on neighboring land. It's all about awareness and communication.

Always refer to the pesticide label for application requirements. It is also advisable to identify any risks of pesticides to be used and discuss the best timing and management practices with any nearby beekeepers. You can find more information related to seed treatments at seed-treatment-guide.com and bee friendly practices at honeybeehealthcoalition.org. 

NCGA also encourages growers with marginal land not in production to also consider habitat development projects like those being offered by Pheasants Forever. Pheasants Forever has partnered with Project Apis m. and Browning's Honey to offer landowners a new conservation program, the Honey Bee and Monarch Butterfly Partnership, designed specifically to create native wildflower and grassland plots that positively influence upland bird, bee and butterfly populations.

The Honey Bee and Monarch Butterfly Partnership is forged out of a desire to create diverse, high-quality habitat for pollinators.