Monday June 26 Ag News

Adult Emergence of Suspected Wheat Stem Maggot from Infested Corn Plants 
Robert Wright - NE Extension Entomologist

On June 13 we reported on an insect suspected to be wheat stem maggot infesting corn fields following wheat and rye cover crops. Twenty-five corn plants were sampled from these fields for dissection to isolate larvae or were transplanted into containers with cages to capture adult emergence.

On June 20, adults began emerging from these containers. They were from across the entire geographic region that was sampled. In most cases a single fly emerged from an infested plant with a few plants having two adult flies. These adult flies are approximately 1/5 inch long and show all the basic characteristics of a wheat stem maggot. We are currently working with Jim Kalisch, entomology extension associate, to confirm and ensure proper identification of this pest.

Reports of wheat stem maggot infesting corn are rare. However, in 2005 and 2015 wheat stem maggots were reported damaging corn and causing 5-10% stand loss in northeast Nebraska fields. Some university researchers indicate corn as a non-host for the wheat stem maggot. To better understand the interaction between this insect and corn we have placed a number of newly emerged adults (male and female) in cages with healthy corn plants to determine if they can complete their lifecycle (egg to adult) with corn as the only available host. Such information will be critical for determining the suitability of corn as a host for this pest.

Many producers and consultants may be wondering about the adults that are currently emerging from infested corn fields. As indicated earlier, little is known about the interaction between this pest and corn, but it is our opinion that these adults will leave these corn fields in search of a more suitable host. We would also expect that healthy corn plants in these fields have reached a developmental stage where infestations are unlikely to cause significant damage.



Cost-share deadline is June 30th for irrigation flow meters

Another flow meter has been added to the approved list by the Lower Elkhorn Natural Resources District (LENRD) Board of Directors.  At their June meeting, the board approved the inclusion of the McCrometer Duramag flow meter.  There are now 8 approved flow meters that producers can install on their irrigation systems prior to January 1, 2018.  The district is also offering cost-share of $500 per flow meter to producers who apply for the funding by this Friday, June 30th.  Contact your local NRCS office or the LENRD office to apply.

LENRD Assistant General Manager, Brian Bruckner, said, “These incentives are available for producers on a first-come, first-served basis.  There is enough grant money to cost-share on 3,000 meters.   Therefore, it’s very important that producers apply at their local NRCS office or the LENRD office by June 30th.”

LENRD Projects Manager, Curt Becker, said, “A list of the approved meters as well as a list of the LENRD Certified Flow Meter Installation Contractors can be found on the district’s website.  These contractors have already completed the required flow meter installation training.”  Becker added, “If you do not want to become certified to install your own meter, you must select a certified installer from the list.”  If you would like to be trained to install your own flow meter, please contact the LENRD.

In other action, the City of Pierce requested financial assistance for the construction of a test well to be used to evaluate site feasibility for the potential construction of a new Public Water Supply well.  The board voted to approve the request of $5,000 for the construction of the well through the LENRD’s Public Water Supply Test Well Cost-Share Program.  LENRD General Manager, Mike Sousek, said, “We’re always looking for ways to help our communities, especially in finding a safe drinking water supply.  This is a good program for the cities and towns across our district, and it also gives us an opportunity to utilize the test well for water quality monitoring purposes.”



WORMS AND BUGS CAUSING PROBLEMS FOR ALFALFA
Bruce Anderson, NE Extension Forage Specialist

               Worms and bugs are causing growth problems for alfalfa in all corners of our region.  Stay tuned as I describe what to look for in your fields and what to do about them.

               From alfalfa weevil larvae and adults to potato leafhoppers to army worms, cutworms, and alfalfa caterpillars to all sorts of aphids, somebody, somewhere has had enough of each of these insects feeding on their alfalfa to hurt new seedlings or regrowth.  If you’ve been lucky enough to avoid these problems thus far, don’t assume you are safe for this year.  Large numbers of butterflies and moths are flying around most fields, so another generation of many insects could occur anytime.

               I’d love to generalize and tell you exactly how many insects per square foot or sweep of a net is needed to economically justify a control treatment.  But each insect is different.  It can range from one spotted alfalfa aphid per seedling to 100 pea aphids on 20-inch alfalfa.  Or from one or two armyworms per square foot in new stands to at least 10 alfalfa caterpillars per sweep in established stands.

               What we use for control also varies.  Simply cutting often works for many soft bodied insects.  Control using natural organisms like the Bt in Dipel and Thuricide will work for some insects.  And of course, insecticides.  But what to use will differ for each insect.

               So my take home message today is to look and identify.  Look for slow regrowth or weak seedlings and look for insects that might cause the problem.  Be sure to dig in the soil and dead litter to find insects hiding during the day.  Then identify exactly what the insect is, taking it to your county extension office if necessary.  Remember, many insects you find will be beneficial or unimportant.

               And finally, use appropriate treatments to protect your alfalfa.



Register Now for July Farm Finance and Ag Law Clinics 

Openings are available for one-on-one, confidential farm finance and ag law consultations being conducted across the state each month. An experienced ag law attorney and ag financial counselor will be available to address farm and ranch issues related to financial planning, estate and transition planning, farm loan programs, debtor/creditor law, water rights, and other relevant matters. The clinics offer an opportunity to seek an experienced outside opinion on issues affecting your farm or ranch.

Clinic Sites and Dates
    Norfolk — Wednesday, July 12
    Fairbury — Thursday, July 20
    Norfolk — Wedneday, July 26
    Valentine — Thursday, July 27

To sign up for a free clinic or to get more information, call Michelle at the Nebraska Farm Hotline at 1-800-464-0258.  The Nebraska Department of Agriculture and Legal Aid of Nebraska sponsor these clinics.



NCTA ranks in Top 30 trade schools

The two-year technical agriculture college at Curtis, Nebraska, has again gained national attention with a ranking by Forbes business magazine.

The Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture, which is part of the University of Nebraska system, was listed among 2017 Top 30 Two-Year Trade Schools.                                                                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
NCTA was ranked number 27 by Forbes in its first-time analysis and rating of two-year “trade schools” in the United States, said NCTA Dean Ron Rosati.

“Forbes used federal government data to do an analysis of two-year trade schools across the United States to compare how well they performed based on graduate earnings, college affordability and academic quality,” Rosati said.

“The colleges that made their list of ’the best in the US’ were primarily nursing colleges and engineering technology colleges. Only one agriculture college made this list – the Nebraska College of Technical Agriculture,” Rosati added.”

Carter Coudriet, the contributing writer who explained the selection methodology and the rankings in the digital magazine, wrote in the June 19 online edition that this was the first time the magazine looked at two-year schools which emphasize technical skills.

Dean Rosati announced the recognition Saturday to applause from the school’s Aggie Alumni Association 2017 Annual Banquet, which was held in Broken Bow.

“This assessment is the latest in a series of many documenting that NCTA provides access to outstanding academic programs in a cost-effective manner,” Rosati noted. “I appreciate the creativity and hard work from the college’s faculty and staff that results in this type of student success.”

NCTA offers associate of science or associate of applied science degrees and certificates in agricultural business management, agricultural education, agricultural equipment, agronomy, animal science, equine management, horticulture, irrigation technology, veterinary technology, and welding.



NEBRASKA FARM BUREAU AWARDS STUDENT PROJECTS GRANTS TO 4H AND FFA STUDENTS IN HITCHCOCK, CHASE, ANTELOPE, AND SALINE COUNTIES

Nebraska Farm Bureau Student Project Grants were awarded to four deserving student Farm Bureau members in Hitchcock, Chase, Antelope, and Saline Counties. Each student was awarded one thousand dollars to be used to either begin or expand their 4-H project or FFA Supervised Agricultural Experiences (SAE) project.

“Farm Bureau is excited to support student members in their real-world endeavors,” Steve Nelson, president of Nebraska Farm Bureau said June 26. “Through the Student Project Grants, Farm Bureau student members are able to create their own business or build career skills through an existing operation.”

The concepts learned and real-world challenges they face will help them with future work experiences as they learn valuable lessons from the outcomes. “We are eager to help students and advance their innovative ideas,” Audrey Schipporeit, director of generational engagement for Nebraska Farm Bureau said.

These grants are awarded to Nebraska Farm Bureau student members each year. If selected, the student must share how they have used the grant towards growing or starting their 4-H or SAE project. Winners were selected by a Farm Bureau committee.

Grant recipients are as follows:

·         Kassidy Kisker is a member of Hitchcock County Farm Bureau. As part of her SAE project, Kisker raises, breeds, shows, and sells Boer goats. She plans to use the money to expand her herd by raising and breeding her own goats. She also hopes to help younger 4-Her’s show at the county fair by renting or selling her goats.

·         Logan Mendenhall is a member of Chase County Farm Bureau. Mendenhall will use the grant money to wire trailers and specifically build a wiring service cart and purchase a Miller 251 welder for his trailer wiring SAE project. Mendenhall began his business by wiring trailers for his father and has continued to pick up business around his hometown of Imperial.

·         Marie Meis is a member of Antelope County Farm Bureau. Meis has a website about her family farm where she explains what they grow and why it’s important. The SAE project has grown, and Meis has received first place in the FFA Agriculture Communications Proficiency awards. Meis will use the grant money to purchase a laptop and continue developing her family farm website.

·         Peter Spilker is a member of Saline County Farm Bureau. Spilker has a cow-calf herd that he started in the spring of 2014. As his herd expands he plans to use the grant money to buy capital cost items, such as corral panels and a squeeze chute for his animals.

Those interested in applying for the Student Project Grants must meet certain requirements. Applicants must hold a current Nebraska Farm Bureau student membership. Students must be ages 16-23 to participate. To join Nebraska Farm Bureau and learn more, visit www.nefb.org.



Perdue to Travel to China to Mark Return of U.S. Beef

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue will travel to China this week, joining with U.S. Ambassador to China Terry Branstad, to formally mark the return of U.S. beef to the Chinese market after a 13-year hiatus.  In events in Beijing and Shanghai on Friday, June 30, 2017 and Saturday, July 1, 2017, Perdue will meet with Chinese government officials to celebrate the return of American beef products to the enormous market after shipments were halted at the end of 2003.  On Friday in Beijing, Perdue and Branstad will ceremonially cut prime rib that originated in Nebraska and was shipped by the Greater Omaha Packing Company.

“I will be proud to be on hand for the official reintroduction of U.S. beef to China,” Perdue said.  “This is tremendous news for the American beef industry, the agriculture community, and the American economy in general.  We will once again have access to the enormous Chinese market, with a strong and growing middle class, which had been closed to our ranchers for a long, long time.  There’s no doubt in my mind that when the Chinese people taste our high-quality U.S. beef, they’ll want more of it.”

President Trump, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, Treasury Secretary Steven T. Mnuchin, officials with the U.S. Trade Representative, and Secretary Perdue announced the deal brokered to allow the return of U.S. beef to China on May 11, 2017 as part of the U.S.-China 100-Day Action Plan.  The first shipment of U.S. beef arrived in China on June 19, 2017.  China has emerged as a major beef buyer in recent years, with imports increasing from $275 million in 2012 to $2.5 billion in 2016.  The United States is the world’s largest beef producer and in 2016 was the world’s fourth-largest exporter, with global sales of more than $5.4 billion. 

Earlier this month, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced the final details of a protocol to allow American companies to begin shipping beef exports to China.  To date, producers and processors in Nebraska and Kansas are eligible to ship beef products to China, having followed requirements set forth in the USDA Export Verification Program and according to USDA’s Food Safety and Inspection Service export requirements.  USDA maintains a public list of companies that are eligible, and will continue to update it as more companies complete the export documentation requirements.

China has emerged as a major beef buyer in recent years, with imports increasing from $275 million in 2012 to $2.5 billion in 2016. The United States is the world’s largest beef producer and in 2016 was the world’s fourth-largest exporter, with global sales of more than $5.4 billion. 



Agricultural Youth Work Guidelines help kids do the job safely

A coalition of farm and ranch parents, and high-profile agricultural organizations, has released a set of Agricultural Youth Work Guidelines to assist parents and others in assigning appropriate tasks for youth who live or work on farms and ranches.

The National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety made the announcement on opening day of the International Society for Agricultural Safety and Health (ISASH) annual conference. The first 20 in a set of 50 guidelines were released.

Since 2001, there has been a steady decline in the number of non-fatal injuries to farm youth. Despite this, every 3 days in the United States, a youth dies in an agricultural incident. For youth younger than 16 working in agriculture, the number of fatal injuries is consistently higher than all other industries combined.

“Too many of these injuries and deaths are associated with children performing agricultural work that does not match their development level/abilities,” said Marsha Salzwedel, project leader and youth agricultural safety specialist at the National Children’s Center. “These voluntary guidelines help parents and supervisors determine if a youth is able to safely perform various farm tasks.”

A Steering Committee was formed to help guide the project. Participating organizations included farm and ranch parents, American Farm Bureau Federation, National FFA, 4-H, the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Safety and Health Council of America, Canadian Agricultural Safety Association, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, Penn State University, Utah State University, Progressive Agriculture Foundation, COUNTRY Financial, New York Center for Agricultural Medicine and Health, Midwest Organic and Sustainable Education Service, Cullars Farm, Wisconsin Young Farmer and Agriculturalists, and others.

“All incidents are tragic, but ones involving a youth are especially tragic,” said Eric Vanasdale, senior loss control representative, COUNTRY Financial. “I participated in this steering committee because I wanted to make sure clear and easy to use safety materials are available for all farmers and farm workers. I am proud of the materials this group created and look forward to helping create safer working environments on our farms.”

Built upon the 1999 North American Guidelines for Children's Agricultural Tasks (NAGCAT), the updated and interactive Agricultural Youth Work Guidelines are based on the latest scientific research, including child growth and development, agricultural practices, child injury prevention and agricultural safety. The 1999 NAGCAT announcement came at this same conference, held in Ocean City, Md., when ISASH was known as National Institute for Farm Safety.

“These guidelines aren’t just a piece of paper anymore,” said Salzwedel. “The new guidelines can be found on cultivatesafety.org/work in an interactive format, as well as in read-only and print versions. Skin tones can be modified to make them culturally appropriate and equipment colors can be changed to make them more appealing to equipment manufacturers. Information on the benefits of farm work, supervision and child development is also available on the website.”

Support for Agricultural Youth Work Guidelines came from CHS Foundation, National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health, and generous donors to the National Children’s Center for Rural and Agricultural Health and Safety.



CWT Assists with 1.7 Million Pounds of Cheese Export Sales

Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) has accepted 10 requests for export assistance from Bongards Creamery, Dairy Farmers of America and Northwest Dairy Association (Darigold) that have contracts to sell 1.695 million pounds (769 metric tons) of Cheddar cheese to customers in Asia, Central America, the Middle East and Oceania. The product has been contracted for delivery in the period from June through September 2017.

So far, this year, CWT has assisted member cooperatives who have contracts to sell 39.953 million pounds of American-type cheeses, and 3.013 million pounds of butter (82% milkfat) to 17 countries on five continents. The sales are the equivalent of 436.553 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.



New Leaders Program Launches Fourth Year with Great Success
   
The 2017 class of the National Corn Growers Association - DuPont New Leaders Program, now entering its fourth year of helping farming couples and individuals become better communicators, leaders and advocates for agriculture, held its first session last week in Johnston, Iowa.

"We're pleased to see this important program continue for a fourth year with DuPont's generous support," said Pam Johnson, NCGA past president and a corn grower from Iowa. "NCGA has always believed that farmers themselves are the best leaders and spokespersons for agriculture, and this program is designed in particular for men and women just getting started in visible roles in the ag industry."

Johnson, who was present for the first New Leaders Program class, again represented NCGA. This first step in NCGA's leadership ladder involved workshops with interactive sessions designed to increase confidence in public speaking and greater understanding of the legislative process, including work in social media advocacy and state-level association engagement. Also during this first session, participants heard from Pioneer leadership on a vast array of scientific advances, including the use of CRISPR Cas technology in agriculture.

This year, 31 participants representing 12 states are involved in the program. Participating this year are:  Alec and Rachel Amundson, Iowa; Joseph Barlow III, Va.; Lamont Bridgeforth, Ala.; Nathan Brinkmann, Ill.; John Bruning Jr., Md.; Daniel Carpenter, Mo.; Tyler Everett, Ind.; Wesley Graham, Miss.;  Hagan and Beckah Hunt, Texas; Tyler and Terra James, Texas; Shane King, Md.; Justin and Christy Koehler, Neb.; Tim and Mia Kozojed, N.D.; Kate Lambert, Mo.; Mark Reif, Mich.; Michael and Jessica Strasburger, Ind.; Brett and Krista Swanson, Ill.; Chet and Maria Vander Velde, Iowa; Ty and Sarah Whittington, Ohio; and Joshlin and Addie Yoder, Mo.

The New Leaders Program is implemented in three phases, with two plenary sessions: in Iowa last week and at Commodity Classic in Anaheim, California in February of 2018. Between these sessions, participants will take part in regularly scheduled policy and issue-specific webinars. They are also asked to take part in communications or other programs at the state and national level.

At these sessions, participants will gain knowledge of communications and leadership skills and many of the top issues confronting American corn growers. They also will have the opportunity to see our farmer leaders in action during agriculture's premier trade show.



All-American July 4th Cookout Down Slightly, Remains Under $6 Per Person

A cookout of Americans’ favorite foods for the Fourth of July, including hot dogs, cheeseburgers, pork spare ribs, potato salad, baked beans, lemonade and chocolate milk, will cost slightly less this year, coming in at less than $6 per person, says the American Farm Bureau Federation.

Farm Bureau’s informal survey reveals the average cost of a summer cookout for 10 people is $55.70, or $5.57 per person. The cost for the cookout is down slightly (less than 1 percent) from last year.

“As expected, higher production has pushed retail meat prices down,” said AFBF Director of Market Intelligence Dr. John Newton.

​Competition in the meat case is making grilling for July 4th even more affordable for consumers this year, Newton noted.

“Retail pork prices also declined in 2017, largely due to more pork on the market and ample supplies of other animal proteins available for domestic consumption. Lower beef prices are most likely putting downward pressure on pork prices,” he said.

AFBF’s summer cookout menu for 10 people consists of hot dogs and buns, cheeseburgers and buns, pork spare ribs, deli potato salad, baked beans, corn chips, lemonade, chocolate milk, ketchup, mustard and watermelon for dessert.

With regard to drivers behind the moderate decrease in dairy prices, Newton said, “We continue to see stability in dairy prices because of the improving export market. Chocolate milk will be a little more affordable this July 4th, in part because some retailers are promoting it as a sports recovery drink superior to other sports drinks and water.

He also noted the retail price of American cheese has declined due to very large inventories and a lot of competition in the cheese case.

Newton said retail dairy and meat prices included in the survey are consistent with recent trends and are expected to continue to be stable.

Commenting on watermelon prices, Newton said, “Although U.S. farmers continue to increase watermelon production, consumer demand has also increased, contributing to higher retail prices.”

A total of 97 Farm Bureau members in 25 states served as volunteer shoppers to check retail prices for summer cookout foods at their local grocery stores for this informal survey.

The summer cookout survey is part of the Farm Bureau marketbasket series, which also includes the popular annual Thanksgiving Dinner Cost Survey and two additional surveys of common food staples Americans use to prepare meals at home.

The year-to-year direction of the marketbasket survey tracks closely with the federal government’s Consumer Price Index report for food at home. As retail grocery prices have increased gradually over time, the share of the average food dollar that America’s farm and ranch families receive has dropped.

“Through the mid-1970s, farmers received about one-third of consumer retail food expenditures for food eaten at home and away from home, on average., That figure has decreased steadily and is now about 16 percent, according to the Agriculture Department’s revised Food Dollar Series,” Newton said.

Using the “food at home and away from home” percentage across-the-board, the farmer’s share of this $55.70 marketbasket would be $8.74.



Monsanto Statement on Arkansas Plant Board Decision on Dicamba

On Friday, the Arkansas State Plant Board recommended an action that will prevent farmers from having access to all of the available weed control options.  The recommendation made by the Plant Board to ban the use in Arkansas of the only remaining dicamba product previously approved for in-crop use with dicamba-tolerant crops blatantly ignores the interests of Arkansas farmers. The Plant Board’s decision was made without hearing directly from farmers about the impact of removing a valuable weed-management tool, without providing sufficient notice to the public and without allowing the opportunity for public input. The Plant Board did not allow farmers to describe how the Board’s mid-season action to abruptly remove a valuable weed management tool would affect their operations in connection with the approximately 1.5 million acres of dicamba-tolerant seed already planted throughout Arkansas.   Instead the Board based its decision on off-target movement claims that are still being investigated and have not been substantiated.

Based on a prior decision by the Plant Board, Monsanto has not sold any dicamba products within Arkansas. Experience in the other 33 states where farmers have access to and the ability to fully use dicamba herbicide technology would indicate that decisions to prevent the full usage of dicamba technology have not been beneficial to Arkansas farmers. Arkansas farmers should not be forced to continue to operate at a disadvantage to farmers in other states where bans like the Board’s current proposed action do not exist.

The Plant Board’s proposed ban now moves to the Governor’s office for consideration. We encourage all impacted farmers to reach out to Governor Hutchinson to share their concerns about the effects this decision will have on their operations. It is critical that the State hear from those most impacted by this proposed ban.