Thursday June 15 Ag News

Rural Mainstreet Stuck at Growth Neutral
Bank CEOs Expect Another 3 Percent Decline in Farmland Prices

After dropping below growth neutral for 20 straight months, the Creighton University Rural Mainstreet Index remained above the 50.0 threshold for May and June according to the latest monthly survey of bank CEOs in rural areas of a 10-state region dependent on agriculture and/or energy.  

Overall: The index, which ranges between 0 and 100, dipped to 50.0 from 50.1 in May. Prior to May, the last time the overall index was at or above growth neutral was August 2015.

“Stabilizing and slightly improving farm commodity prices helped push the overall index at or above growth neutral for the last two months,” said Ernie Goss, Jack A. MacAllister Chair in Regional Economics at Creighton University's Heider College of Business. “Though grain prices remain below breakeven for most farmers, recent improvements in cattle and hog prices have boosted the overall index for Rural Mainstreet Economy to growth neutral.”

Farming and ranching: The farmland and ranchland-price index for June rose to 40.0, its highest level since September of last year, and up from May’s 36.4. This is the 43rd straight month the index has languished below growth neutral 50.0.

This month, and in August 2016, bank CEOs were asked to project the change in farmland prices for the next year. On average, bankers this month projected a 3.1 percent decline in agriculture over the next 12 months. This is a significant improvement from August when bankers expected a decline of 7 percent for the next 12 months. 

The June farm equipment-sales index fell to 26.2 from 26.8 in May. This marks the 46th consecutive month the reading has fallen below growth neutral 50.0.

Below are the state reports:
Nebraska: The Nebraska RMI for June climbed to 51.4 from May’s 50.5. The state’s farmland-price index rose to 40.9 from 36.7 in May. Nebraska’s new-hiring index expanded to 67.4 from 66.4 in May. As reported by one Nebraska bank CEO, “Dryness and heat are starting to have an effect on crops in Northeast Nebraska.”

Iowa: The June RMI for Iowa climbed to 50.5 from 49.4 in May. Iowa’s farmland-price index for June rose to 40.5 from 34.9 in May. Iowa’s new-hiring index for June jumped to 64.3 from May’s 60.8. James Brown, CEO James Brown, CEO of Hardin County Savings Bank in Eldora, indicated, “Cattle profits are definitely a bright spot at the moment. Just not very many cattle feeders anymore.”

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

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



 Husker Ag Recognized for Ethanol Direct Marketing

Since 2012, Husker Ag in Plainview, Nebraska, has contributed more than $250,000 to Nebraska’s fuel infrastructure by funding higher-blend ethanol pumps at stations across the state.

“The goal is not just to produce ethanol, but to give every Nebraskan the opportunity to use it,” said Seth Harder, Husker Ag general manager. “We truly believe that ethanol is the best option for our state, farmers, consumers and our nation going forward.”

In 2011, Harder recommended that Husker Ag be proactive as a company, and work to move higher than 10 percent ethanol in fuel. The board of directors agreed.

This enthusiastic effort to offer Nebraskans more choice at the pump resulted in 11 stations across northeastern Nebraska and Yankton, South Dakota, with pumps that could dispense a range between E15 and E85 fuel, including E20 and E30. E15 (15 percent ethanol and 85 percent gasoline) is approved for use in all vehicles 2001 or newer, while flex fuel vehicles can run on any blend of fuel up to E85 (85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline).

“Recently, we funded new pumps in Yankton, South Dakota, and Pilger, Nebraska,” Harder said. “We are currently evaluating a few locations in northeast Nebraska, and will continue to look for prospects in the area. Generally, we choose non-branded parties that want to differentiate their product line to compete with chains.”

In addition to Yankton and Pilger, Husker Ag contributed funds for flex fuel pumps in Creighton, Crofton, Hartington, Norfolk, Osmond, Pierce (2), Plainview and Valentine.

“Speedee Mart in Norfolk stands out as a major success,” Harder said. “The volume sold for the size of that town is exceptional. Installing flex fuel pumps benefits both the business and the customer. For the station, it gives them an in-demand product that might not be available elsewhere. For the consumer, it gives them another option that costs less and is better for the environment.”

Husker Ag’s endeavor to expand ethanol’s availability does not end with funding new pumps. Frequently, the company provides discounted ethanol for fuel promotions across the state.

“We pass our ethanol savings onto retail locations so they can offer a great price to the consumer,” Harder said. “We sell the discounted ethanol for specific promotion days or grand openings, which gives us a chance to interact with drivers.”

The Nebraska Ethanol Board (NEB) recently recognized Harder for his leadership at Husker Ag and the company’s success with fuel retailers. NEB Administrator Todd Sneller believes Husker Ag is a leader for the state’s ethanol industry.

“Nebraska looks to companies that go above and beyond to show what’s possible for the future of ethanol,” Sneller said. “Husker Ag continues to push forward with higher-blends that benefit our economy and environment.”

Harder will speak about his direct marketing experience at the American Coalition for Ethanol Conference in Omaha Aug. 15-17. He will present on how ethanol producers and fuel marketers improve the availability of competitively-priced ethanol through direct marketing.

“I encourage everyone in the industry to do what they can to help this industry succeed,” Harder added. “We all need to be involved to move past the mythical blend wall. The demand for ethanol is there, so we need to make sure we do everything we can to meet it.”



Nebraska Farm Bureau Says Stay the Course on NAFTA

Nebraska Farm Bureau (NEFB) President, Steve Nelson, urged the U.S. Trade Representative’s office to focus on maintaining the growth in agricultural trade with Canada and Mexico as the Trump administration begins the process of renegotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) later this year. Nebraska Farm Bureau submitted comments asking the Trump administration to remember that commodity by commodity, it’s hard to understate the value of NAFTA to Nebraska and Nebraska farm and ranch families.

“In 2016, Nebraska exported over $2.4 billion worth of products to Canada and Mexico with agricultural products making up $1.5 billion of that total. Mexico alone is Nebraska’s second largest trading partner with Nebraska farmers and ranchers exporting $1.3 billion worth of agricultural products which supports nearly 1,200 jobs,” Nebraska Farm Bureau President, Steve Nelson said June 15.

Nebraska is a very diverse state agriculturally and NEFB members produce an array of agricultural products. From sugar beets and dry edible beans in the Panhandle, cattle in the Sandhills, to corn, soybeans, wheat, hogs, and even fruit and vegetables; all help make Nebraska an important world leader in food, fiber, and fuel production.

“Most of the success that Nebraska farmers and ranchers have experienced trading on the world stage, has largely been due to the free trade agreements the United States has signed with numerous countries around the world. In 2015, exports to countries with free trade agreements (FTA) accounted for 53 percent of Nebraska exports (NAFTA; Korea; Australia; CAFTA; & Israel),” he said. “From 2005-15, exports from Nebraska to free trade agreement markets grew 104 percent, with growth in NAFTA trade far outpacing that with other FTA countries,” Nelson said.

While the agricultural sector has seen substantial benefit from NAFTA, there are some individual American commodities that have faced challenges such as tomatoes, other fruits and vegetables, and sugar with Mexico. There are also challenges for dairy, specialty and row crops, lumber, wine, and other with Canada.

“Despite the clear and numerous benefits, there are reasons to update and reform NAFTA from agriculture’s perspective. Some improvements include reducing redundant regulatory costs, expediting transit across borders, and hastening the resolution of disputes between members that would go a long way toward establishing more efficient trade between NAFTA partners,” Nelson said.

Another good example for a needed update would include the rules related to biotechnology, sanitary and phytosanitary measures, and geographic indicators. These areas are ripe for amendment to reflect the progress that has been made over the decades since NAFTA was first implemented.

“We also believe negotiations should address how U.S. agricultural exports to Canada would grow if tariff barriers to dairy, poultry, and eggs were reduced or eliminated. Many of these issues were addressed in the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP), the language of which could be used as the basis for the changes needed in some of these areas,” Nelson said.

Negotiations will begin no earlier than August 16 and the USTR will post a notice requesting public input on content for negotiations.



Wellman Calls on Congress to Address Ag Research in Farm Bill

In testimony before the Senate Agriculture Committee today, former American Soybean Association President and Nebraska farmer Steve Wellman called on Congress to renew American leadership in agricultural science, including full funding for the Agriculture and Food Research Initiative (AFRI), the flagship competitive grants program at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Wellman, who testified on behalf of the Supporters of Agricultural Research Foundation (SoAR), reiterated to the committee that sufficient federal investment is essential if the United States is to continue to be a global leader in agriculture, and noted that the ancestry of virtually every topic discussed in the Farm Bill can be traced to research.

“Traditionally, we have thought of agriculture science in terms of improving yields, preventing soil erosion, and adapting crops to a variety of growing conditions. Today, agriculture stands to realize significant gains through interdisciplinary research across numerous scientific fields, including data science, nanotechnology, biotechnology, biologicals and genomics,” said Wellman. “To capitalize on these relatively modern fields of science we need to ensure we have a modern federal research enterprise.”

Wellman pointed to the current lack of sufficient funding for research initiatives including AFRI, despite authorizations to fund these programs in the nation’s farm legislation, and compared funding for agricultural research to other areas within the government. “The 2008 Farm Bill authorized AFRI at $700 million dollars annually, yet today funding has reached only the halfway point of that level,” he said. “As a percentage of total federal research investment, USDA has fallen to less than three percent of the annual federal investment. Put another way, research funding for other federal agencies is nearly $60 billion dollars. Research funding at the USDA Research mission area tops out at just over $2 billion, which is an amount that has remained virtually unchanged for decades.”

Wellman spoke of the specific application of agricultural research on his operation in Southeast Nebraska, where he raises soybeans, corn, alfalfa, winter wheat and a cow-calf herd. “With the data and analytics available for purchase today, I can manage my input costs more effectively and affordably. Farmers today can receive a field script prescribing which varieties to plant, at what time on which field and more precisely measure the right type of inputs to apply to fields to maximize yields. All made possible with science,” he said. “We can always use more science to improve growing season forecasts, produce hardier plants, and examine how to manage too much water or not enough.”

Wellman closed by underscoring that while the U.S. may neglect to adequately fund research, our competitors do not. “China, Brazil and, increasingly, Europe are investing at a double-digit pace. China now spends more on government agriculture research and development than the U.S. and funding rates for agriculture research grant proposals in many EU countries are nearing 40 percent,” he said.



In tight markets, meeting series helps producers maximize profitability

Most soybean farmers will quickly tell you that low grain prices equate to slim margins and a tight ag economy. Fortunately, most risk management professionals will also tell you that a structured and sound marketing approach can help Iowa farmers weather the tough times.

And they’re here to help.

The Iowa Soybean Association (ISA) is teaming up with Commodity Risk Management Group (CRMG) and AgWest Commodities to present “Planning for Profitability,” a producer-focused meeting series to outline strategies for minimizing risk and maximizing profit as farmers lay out their marketing plan.

"There has been no shortage of challenges in raising the 2017 crop,” said Mike North, founder and president of CRMG. “While this has been frustrating to say the least, markets remain the greater struggle. Producers are faced with limited working capital, strained cash flows, and very little hope in the current markets. While there has been much focus on price in recent years, there are several overlooked opportunities when marketing grain.”

Attendees to one of the nine meetings will explore current markets and prices, and receive tips on ways to capitalize on profitability opportunities through different scenarios. Meeting dates and locations are as follows:
    Wednesday, June 21 at IntelliFarms Iowa office (Marshalltown)
    Thursday, July 6 at Wells Blue Bunny (Le Mars)
    Friday, July 7 at Randy Toenjes farm (Monticello)
    Monday, July 10 at Iowa's Dairy Center (Calmar)
    Friday, July 14 at Rueter Red Power (Carroll)
    Monday, July 17 at Mediapolis City Hall (Mediapolis)
    Tuesday, July 18 at Latham Hi-Tech Seeds (Alexander)
    Wednesday, July 19 at CB&Q Freight House (Chariton)
    Thursday, July 20 at AgriVision Equipment (Red Oak)

“It is easy to market well during cycle upswings but when bottoms are being formed, it can be both challenging and dangerous,” said Steve Knuth, founder & CEO of AgWest Commodities. “A structured and well-defined approach to marketing has never been more important.

“Whether you’re looking for a time-tested, producer-proven marketing plan — or just need a few ideas to improve your current approach — we’ll be presenting valuable information that you can take away and immediately apply to your business model.”

All meetings take place from 11 a.m. – noon, followed by a free lunch. Attendees will receive a complimentary $10 Casey’s gift card and will be entered to win a Carhartt jacket in a grand prize drawing upon completion of the meeting series. More details and RSVP information available online at iasoybeans.com/calendar or by calling Heather Lilienthal at 515-334-1016.



Water Quality Meeting Investigates Next Wave of Sustainability Initiatives
   
Farmers' continuous commitment to adopting more sustainable agricultural practices is reaping significant benefits such as healthier soil and cleaner water. But, despite these successes, there is more work ahead to juggle the science and economic factors that must be blended and balanced as the speed of change increases.

Finding the best path and striking that balance is the central theme of a water quality and ag nutrient meeting being held in Bloomington, Illinois this week. The meeting brings together National Corn Growers Association staff and state corn staff representing Illinois, Colorado, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska and Ohio.

The nuts and bolts portion of the meeting covered topics such as: assessing current water quality initiatives; costs and benefits of current practices; educating key thought leaders and the public; and farm bill proposals.

One reoccurring theme was finding ways to keep farmers focused and motivated to continue making these positive changes in the current weak agricultural economy. Farmers are facing tough economic times with many corn farmers, specifically, facing corn prices below the cost of production for the last four growing seasons.

During the meeting, participants agreed upon the importance of: showcasing success stories of farmers pioneering new techniques; expanding and promoting outside cost sharing incentives; working with all available partners with common goals; and documenting the positive changes in detail for government regulatory bodies.

Suzy Friedman, the Environmental Defense Fund senior director of agricultural sustainability, reinforced the group's thinking that there is a growing list of tools available to help farmers achieve their goals but more data is needed. The good news is this too is changing in part because of emerging partnerships. EDF is having great success expanding their network which includes organizations like NCGA, Field to Market, Ag Retailers Association, the American Society of Agronomists and the Soil Health Partnership.



U.S. Pork Industry Expanding in Response to Rising Global Demand and Strong Profitability

Strong profitability and rising global demand create a strong incentive for U.S. pork processors to expand capacity. The impending increase in demand for hog supplies will create favorable terms for producers, while intensified competition among processors could lead to a short-term compression in packer margins, according to a new report from CoBank.

“U.S. pork packing capacity will increase eight to ten percent by mid-2019, when five processing facility construction projects are complete and fully operational,” said Trevor Amen, an economist with CoBank who specializes in animal protein. “Hog production is expected to increase two to four percent in both 2017 and 2018 to meet the demand for more supplies, with the bulk of the increased production coming from small to mid-size pork producers in the Midwest.”

Three new state-of-the-art pork processing facilities with the capacity to process more than 10,000 hogs per day are currently under construction. Two of the facilities are being built in Iowa and one in Michigan. Two smaller plants with daily capacities of less than 5,000 head are being renovated in Missouri and Minnesota.

“As each of the new projects comes online, hog supplies will adjust upward,” said Amen. “Transitional market conditions such as these typically come with increased price volatility over the short term, and bargaining leverage will shift in favor of producers as the expansion of hog supplies catches up with processing capacity.”

However, lean hog prices may soften until a new market equilibrium is established and an increase in exports fills the demand gap, added Amen.
 
Exports Will Play a Critical Role
The success of this substantial increase in processing capacity and hog production hinges largely on continued global demand for U.S. pork. While exports in 2017 are up 15 percent through April, total annual exports for the year are expected to increase five to eight percent, with an additional increase of three to six percent in 2018. Exports have been a boon to the industry, but the potential risk of export disruption carries severe consequences.

“Continued global demand for U.S. pork will be a critical factor as the market adjusts over the next two years,” said Amen. “Domestic consumer demand has been very strong and we expect that to continue. However, prospects for a further boost in domestic demand are limited. Therefore, export markets will have to absorb the production increases.” U.S. producer access to foreign markets will be critical to preventing a domestic supply glut as well as deterioration in margins for both producers and processors.
 
Processing Facility Upgrades to Continue
To remain competitive, processors must continuously upgrade or replace existing facilities to implement new technology, including automation and mechanisms that ensure compliance with stricter food safety standards.

“Historically, initial losses in new or expanded plants are inevitable and packer margins are typically narrower than pre-expansion” said Amen. “But margins improve and normalize following the transition period and processors are better positioned with efficiency gains and an improved ability to customize production.”

Longer term pressure could persist for older plants as aging technology inhibits efficiency gains. Eventually, the cycle of replacing older infrastructure will reach its next phase and new investments take the place of retired capacity.

A brief video synopsis of the report, “New Processing Capacity Shakes Up the Hog Industry” is available on the CoBank YouTube Channel.



Perdue Hosts Inaugural Rural Prosperity Task Force Meeting

U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today hosted the inaugural meeting of the Interagency Task Force on Agriculture and Rural Prosperity. Joined by Secretary of Housing and Urban Development Ben Carson, Secretary of Energy Rick Perry, Director of the White House Office of Management and Budget Mick Mulvaney, U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission Ajit Pai, and other government officials, the group discussed their joint vision to develop a streamlined method of interagency cooperation to achieve a broad range of goals. The Task Force is working to improve quality of life for people living in rural areas, develop a reliable workforce, spur innovation and technology development, and roll back regulations to allow communities to grow and thrive. By directly engaging stakeholders to develop an action plan for legislative reforms and regulatory relief, the Task Force is expected to accomplish a great deal for rural Americans. Following the meeting, Secretary Perdue issued this statement:

“What we began here today is to lay a fertile seed bed in rural America, where good things can grow. Rural America has been struggling under burdensome regulations, but the leaders we gathered today are willing to work together to turn that around. By establishing this task force, President Trump showed his commitment to prioritizing the prosperity of the farmers and ranchers of America's heartland, as well as all citizens living in rural communities across this great country. Guided by the President at the helm, and with Secretaries Carson and Perry, Director Mulvaney, Trade Representative Lighthizer, and so many others, we are telling rural America that we’re here, we’re listening, and we’re going to help provide you with the resources, tools, and support to build robust, sustainable communities for generations to come,” Secretary Perdue said.



Agreement Creates Increased Access to Chinese Market for U.S. Dairy Exporters

The United States and China signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) Thursday that will increase access to China for more than 200 U.S. dairy exporters in the short-term and paves the way for additional U.S. entrants in the future. The action creates new, sizeable opportunities for dairy farmers and processors, and the milk, cheese, infant formula and ingredients they produce.

After more than two years of extensive effort by the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC), in close cooperation with the National Milk Producers Federation’s policy staff, the U.S. and Chinese governments have reached an accord on dairy trade assurances that will allow more exports from the United States. The dairy organizations worked closely with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Certification and Accreditation Administration of the People’s Republic of China (CNCA) to implement a workable registration process allowing for trade to continue and even expand in the future.

The MOU formally outlines a process in which third-party certification bodies, on FDA’s behalf, will audit U.S. dairy facilities to make sure they comply with Chinese food safety requirements. There was never a question of U.S. product safety. It was more a question of compliance with regulations between two countries with rigid regulatory systems.

“This deal marks a significant opportunity for the U.S. dairy industry,” said Tom Vilsack, president and CEO of USDEC. “China is already the world’s largest dairy importer, even though per capita consumption remains far below that of the United States, Europe and even its Asian neighbors like Japan and South Korea. The potential to increase exports there is tremendous.”

“This is a great example of successful teamwork, both between NMPF and USDEC, as well as between our two dairy organizations and the U.S. government. The opportunity to increase our sales to China will improve the economic situation for U.S. dairy farmers and support tens of thousands of jobs in the industry that extend beyond the farm,” said Jim Mulhern, president and CEO of the National Milk Producers Federation, which collaborates with USDEC on a variety of trade issues.

The journey to formulate the memorandum of understanding was arduous. It involved more than 20 face-to-face meetings with CNCA and countless phone calls and emails with the FDA and USDA’s Foreign Agricultural Service and Agricultural Marketing Service. USDEC market access and trade policy staff coordinated two systems audits of U.S. facilities by Chinese inspectors. Those audits demonstrated the strength and effectiveness of U.S. production standards and FDA regulatory oversight.

“We built relationships and learned how to work closely together to get results,” said USDEC Chief Operating Officer Matt McKnight. “The two governments did what they should do in a partnership: find a solution that suits both their needs. Sometimes that is not a quick fix. Creating a system that stands the test of time requires time.”

The United States shipped $384 million worth of dairy products to China in 2016, making it the industry’s No. 3 single-country export market, behind Mexico and Canada. With Chinese demand for imported milk and other dairy products increasing, the potential for job-creating U.S. exports has been high. But market access has been a challenge.

In May 2014, the Chinese government implemented Decree 145, a new food safety regulation spanning multiple food categories. The decree mandated that a nation must register and certify dairy facilities that want to ship to China and meet Chinese food safety standards.

Attesting to another country’s food safety standards presented FDA with a challenge.

FDA and USDA worked with the Chinese government to mitigate damage to the U.S. dairy industry. CNCA and FDA needed to find a solution. Until that happened, no new U.S. dairy plants could be added to China’s list, effectively putting companies in a state of limbo, until today’s agreement. The MOU provides the needed long-term solution.

Before U.S. companies can begin shipping, their plant must officially be listed as registered on the CNCA website. That is expected to happen soon.

“We have learned a great deal through this long and difficult process and want to work with everyone involved to streamline it in the future,” said Jaime Castaneda, USDEC senior vice president, trade policy. “We would like to thank CNCA, FDA and USDA and all the parties who worked tirelessly on behalf of U.S. exporters to secure a path forward to register facilities interested in exporting to China.”



Registration Open For July USGC Board Of Delegates Meeting
Registration is open for the U.S. Grains Council (USGC) 57th Annual Board of Delegates meeting, scheduled for Vancouver, Washington, from July 31 to Aug. 2.

“Our program at this meeting will help you learn about the critical issues impacting our ability to increase export markets and respond to growing demand for U.S. coarse grains and co-products,” said Chip Councell, USGC chairman and farmer from Maryland, in a letter inviting delegates to the meeting.

“We will take a deep dive into several current hot topics – ethanol exports, China’s growing influence on the markets and growing opportunities in existing markets like Mexico and future markets in Frontier Asia. We will also go back to basics and review some of the fundamental arguments for trade.”

The Council’s Advisory Teams (A-teams) will also meet to review USGC’s progress toward the implementation of the 2017 Unified Export Strategy (UES). During a business meeting at the conference, USGC delegates will adopt next year’s budget and elect new officers and board members.

More information on the agenda, tours, hotel reservations and registration is available at www.grains.org/Vancouver.



Chinese Import Approval of Enlist™ Corn Trait Makes Way for New Wave of Mycogen® Brand Corn Hybrids

Mycogen Seeds is excited to deliver for the 2018 growing season a new wave of high-yielding corn and silage hybrids with the Enlist™ corn trait. These new Mycogen® brand hybrids are tolerant to Enlist Duo® herbicide, which can be an integral part of an effective weed control program.

The Ministry of Agriculture of the People’s Republic of China approved the import of grain produced from corn containing the Enlist trait. This approval opens the door to a key export market for U.S. farmers.

“The launch of the Enlist corn trait provides U.S. farmers access to new high-yielding Mycogen brand corn genetics that provides them real value on their farms,” says Damon Palmer, Mycogen Seeds general manager. “That means higher yield potential and the ability for farmers to protect their investment with a more effective and cost-efficient weed control system. We are excited to be the first national seed company to deliver these options to farmers for 2018 planting.”

To help manage hard-to-control and herbicide-resistant weeds, the Enlist trait gives corn hybrids tolerance to Enlist Duo herbicide — a combination of new 2,4-D choline and glyphosate — as well as FOP herbicides. Enlist Duo, registered for use in 34 states, features Colex-D® technology, which provides near-zero volatility, minimized potential for physical drift, low odor and improved handling characteristics.

New hybrids with the latest trait technology
Mycogen is excited to announce its new lineup of corn and silage hybrids later this summer. The portfolio will include hybrids with the Enlist corn trait stacked with PowerCore® or SmartStax® trait technology for industry-leading insect protection.

“We strive to always help farmers find new opportunities to be better acre after acre,” Palmer says. “Our Mycogen brand hybrids feature strong agronomic characteristics that now will be coupled with the Enlist corn trait to enable exceptional weed control and herbicide application flexibility to enhance our existing cutting-edge corn portfolio.”

Farmers understand the value of planting elite genetics and protecting those genetics with superior weed and insect control.

“Mycogen isn’t a follower like other seed companies,” says Brian Birkel, a Nebraska farmer. “Dow AgroSciences and Mycogen, to me, are innovators. That’s probably the biggest reason we plant Mycogen on my farm.”