Friday August 18 Ag News

Fifth Grade Students from Northeast Nebraska to Gather at Ag Festival

More than 300 fifth graders will be attending the event that includes hands-on interactive learning about Nebraska’s number one industry, agriculture.

Fifth graders from across Northeast Nebraska will attend the Growing Potential Ag Festival held at the park in Jackson, Neb. Learning stations set up throughout the park will engage students on every aspect of agriculture, including harvest, planting, processing, and soil. There will be live animals and real machinery in the park for the kids to see up close.

Location:  North John and Mechanic Streets in Jackson, Neb.
When:  Thursday, August 24, 2017 - 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.

This event is organized and presented by the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation and the Northeast Corn Growers Association. Sponsors and volunteers include American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE), Siouxland Ethanol, Pender Implement Company, CHS, Dekalb, Producers Hybrids, Croplan, Stine, DynaGrow, Pioneer, Sietec, Mycogen, Allegiant, Channel, Dixon County Farm Bureau, Keiser Ag and Irrigation, and FFA Chapters from Pender and Wisner.



CORRECT TIMING MAKES THE BEST SILAGE
Bruce Anderson, NE Extension Forage Specialist

               Will you chop corn silage this year?  Do it right and time your harvest correctly.

               High-quality corn silage often is an economical substitute for some of the grain in finishing and in dairy rations.  And corn silage can be an important winter feed for cow-calf producers.  All too often, though, we fail to harvest silage to get its best feed value.

               Harvest timing is critical for success.  Timing needs to be based on moisture content of the silage.  Silage chopped too early and wetter than seventy percent moisture can run or seep and it often produces a sour, less palatable fermentation.  We often get this wet silage when we rush to salvage wind or hail damaged corn.  Live green stalks, leaves, and husks almost always are more than eighty percent moisture, so be patient and wait until these tissues start to dry before chopping.

               Normal corn, though, is often chopped for silage too dry, below sixty percent moisture.  Then it's difficult to pack the silage adequately to force out air.  The silage heats, energy and protein digestibility declines, and spoilage increases.  If your silage is warm or steams during winter, it probably was too dry when chopped.

               Many corn hybrids are at the ideal 60 to 70 percent moisture after corn kernels dent and reach the one-half milkline.  This guide isn’t perfect for all hybrids, though, so check your own fields independently.

               Corn kernels in silage between black layer and half milkline are more digestible.  Drier, more mature corn grain tends to pass through the animal more often without digesting unless processed.  Also, older leaves and stalks are less digestible.

               So chop your silage at the proper moisture level this year.  The outcome will be better feed and better profits.



NEBRASKA STATE FAIR TO FEATURE 4-H PRESENTATIONS, COOKING DEMOS, PEP RALLY

Visitors to the 148th Nebraska State Fair Aug. 25 to Sept. 4 in Grand Island will celebrate the people, products and talent of the state. The fair is a chance for thousands of youth who participate in Nebraska 4-H – sponsored by Nebraska Extension – to share what they have learned and worked on throughout the year. 

"At the fair, we celebrate the success of thousands of youth who have learned and grown through 4-H," said Kathleen Lodl, associate dean of Nebraska Extension and 4-H program administrator. "It's also an opportunity for youth to discover areas they'd like to learn more about and meet other 4-H members with similar interests from across the state."

Nebraska 4-H members will give a variety of presentations focused on agriculture Aug. 26 at Raising Nebraska. Past presentations have included topics such as popcorn and pig ear notching.

This year, Chef Peter Dale will provide cooking demonstrations alongside 4-H youth Sept. 2 and 3. Dale, named "The People's Best New Chef Southeast" by Food and Wine magazine in 2012, has opened several restaurants including Empire State South, a southern farm-to-table restaurant in Atlanta.

A new display at Raising Nebraska this year is "The Amazing Egg," an interactive experience in which visitors can discover the intricate structure of an egg, get an extreme close-up look at the surface of a shell and manipulate a virtual yolk. Visitors will learn how often a chicken lays an egg, how many eggs a chicken lays in a year and why some eggs are brown and others are white.

Visitors can download the 4-H at Nebraska State Fair app to keep track of events, results and exhibit maps. The app can also be used to play the Seek and Scan game, which allows visitors to scan symbols on signs next to static exhibits to display videos.  

Beyond 4-H activities, fair visitors can sample many Nebraska foods at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's Food Processing Center display in the 4-H-FFA Building.

Several food companies will offer samples and information. Visitors can try salsa, pickles, soups, lemonade, seasoning blends, jellies, barbecue sauces, popcorn, sunflower seeds, marinades and more.

"Nebraska food companies provide samples to remind their customers about the products and also introduce their products to potential customers," said Jill Gifford, manager of the Food Processing Center's National Food Entrepreneur Program. "This exhibit is a must-see destination for many visitors."

Companies scheduled to participate include: Preferred Popcorn, Chapman; Hiland Dairy and Prairie River Honey Farm, Grand Island; Kiehl and Stroh, Hastings; Balabans, Henderson; Hills Sunflower Seeds and Valhalla Bee Farm, Lincoln; Holen One Farms, Loomis; Mellor Seasoning, Omaha; Country Rhoads Jelly, Superior; and Double K Popcorn, Valentine.

Fans of the popular lawn-and-garden TV series "Backyard Farmer" are invited to attend a live taping Aug. 30 in the Raising Nebraska Building. A special question-and-answer session with the panelists is 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., followed by the live taping at 4 p.m. The episode will air at 7 p.m. Aug. 31 on NET.

Red Out Day is Sept. 3. Fairgoers are encouraged to wear red and come to the Family Fun Zone Stage at 4 p.m. for a Husker pep rally. Fans can cheer along with Husker cheerleaders and have the opportunity to win prizes. To follow the event on Twitter, use "#UNLREDOUT."

For more information on the Nebraska State Fair, including schedules, visit http://4h.unl.edu or http://statefair.org.



Farmers are Using Additional Methods to Access the Internet

In 2017, USDA-NASS added two additional methods that farmers could select for accessing the Internet. Fiber-optic and mobile Internet service for a cell phone or other device are the two access methods added to the Farm Computer Usage and Ownership report. Fiber-optic was used by 8 percent of the farms, and mobile Internet service was used by 17 percent. However, DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) connection continues to be the most common method of accessing the Internet, with 29 percent of the farms in the United States using it, down from 30 percent in 2015. A satellite connection, at 21 percent, remained steady from 2015. Other reported methods of accessing the Internet include cable modem service, dialup service, and other or don't know. Cable modem service is at 15 percent, up 3 percentage points from 2015. Dialup service is at 2 percent, down 1 percentage point from 2015. Other or unknown is at 8 percent, up 3 percentage points from 2015.

Nationally, 73 percent of farms have computer access. Of those farmers having computer access, 72 percent, up 1 percent from 2015, own or lease a computer. Computer access by national sales class is 71 percent for sales class $1,000--$9,999; 70 percent for sales class $10,000--$99,999; 76 percent for sales class $100,000--$249,999; and 85 percent for sales class $250,000 or more. 

Computer usage for farm business at 47 percent nationally, is up 4 percentage points from 2015. This compares with usage by the four geographic regions: West (49 percent), North Central (50 percent), Northeast (48 percent), and the South (42 percent). Comparing computer usage by crop and livestock farms nationally, 52 percent of the crop producers use the computer for farm business, compared to 42 percent of the livestock producers. A new questions in 2017, reported 39 percent of producers nationally use a tablet or smart phone for farm business. 

NEBRASKA COMPUTER AND INTERNET USE ON FARMS
According to the USDA's National Agricultural Statistics Service, 78 percent of Nebraska farms had access to computers in 2017. This compares to the national average of 73 percent. 75 percent of farms in Nebraska had internet access, unchanged from the last time this data was collected in 2015.

IOWA FARM COMPUTER USE
Seventy-four percent of Iowa farms own or lease a computer, 2 percentage points higher than the U.S. percentage, according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service Farm Computer Use report. Seventy-six percent of Iowa farms report having access to a computer, unchanged from 2015. Farms using computers for their farm business increased to 55 percent, up 2 percentage points from 2015 and still well above the national percentage, which rose to 47 percent.

Seventy-four percent of Iowa farms have Internet access, unchanged from 2015. DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) connection is now the most common method of accessing the Internet, with 26 percent of farms in Iowa with access to the Internet utilizing DSL. In 2017, dialup service declined to 3 percent, down from 5 percent in 2015. The proportion of Iowa farms using satellite service decreased to 18 percent and cable modem service increased to 8 percent.



July Milk Production in the United States up 1.8 Percent

Milk production in the United States during July totaled 18.2 billion pounds, up 1.8 percent from July 2016.  Production per cow in the United States averaged 1,940 pounds for July, 20 pounds above July 2016. The number of milk cows on farms in the United States was 9.40 million head, 74,000 head more than July 2016, but 1,000 head less than June 2017.

IOWA
Milk production in Iowa during July 2017 totaled 434 million pounds, up 2 percent from the previous July according to the latest USDA, National Agricultural Statistics Service – Milk Production report. The average number of milk cows during July, at 217,000 head, was the same as last month and 3,000 more than last year. Monthly production per cow averaged 2,000 pounds, up 15 pounds from last July.




New executive director named for Iowa Farm Animal Care Initiative

Mike Telford has been named the Executive Director of Iowa Farm Animal Care (IFAC), a unique coalition that includes veterinarians, animal behavior scientists and farmers committed to addressing Iowans’ questions regarding farm animal care.

Telford is taking the helm from Denny Harding, who helped launch IFAC four years ago.  Harding says although just a handful of calls have come in since the inception of the program, each one is important, because IFAC is unique as an early intervention and education tool. “IFAC fills an important role as an entity that ensures the compassionate care of farm animals, and answers the questions consumers have about Iowa livestock farming.  The expertise we have at IFAC, from both the veterinary, animal rescue, industry and statewide law enforcement is unique, not just to Iowa, but to the nation,” says Harding.

Telford has an extensive agricultural background. He began his career as a farm broadcaster for WHO radio and television before becoming the Chief Executive Officer for the Iowa Pork Producers Association and the Iowa Pork Producers Council, where he managed staff in the areas of promotion, policy, research and consumer information at the state and national level for the pork industry. He has also served as the Chief Executive Officer and Director of External Affairs for the Iowa State University Agricultural Foundation, managing investments related to farms, grants and scholarship programs.

Through its On Site Evaluation Team of experts, IFAC addresses concerns regarding farm animal care by tapping the combined strength and expertise of Iowa State University Colleges of Veterinary Medicine and Ag and Life Sciences, as well as the Iowa State Veterinarian’s Office at the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship in response to questions consumers have about farm animal care.

As Executive Director of IFAC, Telford will help fulfill the initiative’s vision that ensures “every farm animal in Iowa receives responsible, humane care.” He will also oversee the advisory committee which includes Dr. David Schmitt, State of Iowa veterinarian; Iowa Secretary of Ag Bill Northey; Tom Colvin, executive director of the Animal Rescue League; and Doug Gwinn, Johnson County sheriff.

 Iowans with questions can visit the new mobile friendly website at www.iowafarmanimalcare.org or call 1-800-252-057.  "Livestock farmers understand how important it is for consumers to know more about how their food is grown and animals are raised. The Iowa Farm Animal Coalition provides a place where Iowans can go for information on the latest standards of care and learn more about how responsible livestock farmers care for their animals,” said Telford. “We encourage anyone who has a question or a concern about farm animals to contact us.”

The free resource, sponsored by the Iowa Farm Bureau Federation (IFBF) and Iowa Pork Producers Association (IPPA), is also available to farmers who may need assistance in livestock care.



2017 U.S. Soy Global Trade Exchange Highlighted by Purchase Agreement Signing for More Than $1.5 Billion of U.S. Soy

Soy buyers from more than 55 countries gathered in Omaha, Nebraska, this week to attend the annual U.S. Soy Global Trade Exchange event. A trade delegation from China, representing more than 10 companies, opened the event by signing contracts worth more than $1.5 billion of U.S. Soy.

China remains the No. 1 customer of U.S. Soy, buying more than one of every four rows of soybeans growing in U.S. farm fields. In a separate transaction, more than $5 billion of contracts were signed just last month by another Chinese trade delegation in Des Moines, Iowa.

Chinese demand for U.S. soybean meal is growing alongside its growing economy. As China’s population grows and becomes wealthier, it’s consuming more protein-rich meat. The sustainability, exceptional composition and consistent reliable supply of U.S. Soy – components of the U.S. Soy Advantage – make it a preferred feedstock for swine, poultry and aquaculture alike.

“These purchase agreements are indicative of the strong relationship between the United States and China and the strength of the trade industry in general” says Xiaoping Zhang, USSEC Country Director – China. “For 35 years, the U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) has helped foster a dialog between the U.S., as suppliers of soy and soy products, and China, as end users. U.S. soybean farmers are really listening to Chinese demands and delivering attributes like sustainability and reliability.”

USSEC made sure that the Chinese trade delegation saw these attributes for themselves in U.S. farm fields.

“The Chinese trade delegation did a lot more than sign purchase agreements on this visit to the U.S.,” says Jim Miller, USSEC chairman of the board. “As our guests, they also toured U.S. soybean farms. This experience afforded buyers the rare opportunity to meet their suppliers firsthand and see sustainable practices up close.”

While in the U.S., members of the Chinese trade delegation joined more than 600 attendees from across the globe at the U.S. Soy Global Trade Exchange in Omaha, Nebraska. The relationships forged at this event helped lay the groundwork for 2018 purchase agreements to come.



ACE honors ethanol industry contributors with 2017 awards

The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) honored a select group of ethanol advocates for their contributions to the ethanol industry during its 30th annual conference this week in Omaha.

The most prestigious award, the Merle Anderson Award, named after the organization’s founder, is given to individuals who display unmatched support and dedication to ACE and the domestic ethanol industry. This year’s award winner was Doug Durante, executive director of the Clean Fuels Development Coalition. Todd Sneller of the Nebraska Ethanol Board presented Durante with this honor.

“Like Merle Anderson and the many distinguished award recipients recognized by his namesake award, Doug Durante has worked for many years as a tireless champion for ethanol and clean fuels,” Sneller said. “We’ve been fortunate to have the partnership of Durante and his contributions to the ethanol industry over the past 35 years.”

ACE also gives out the Grassroots Award, which is given to a devoted individual or organization that often perform “behind the scenes” to advance the cause of ethanol. Siouxland Ethanol LLC was presented with this year’s award by Liz Bunkers, ACE director of member and industry relations, for the plant’s efforts to go above and beyond to cultivate interest in higher ethanol blends in their community and throughout the country.

“The efforts of this group provide a shining example to others who seek to replicate their success,” Bunkers said. “They have hosted E15 and E30 fuel promotion events and they have worked hard to educate their neighbors about the clean air benefits of our high-octane, low-carbon fuel.”

ACE senior vice president Ron Lamberty presented Bosselman Enterprises LLC with the Paul Dana Marketing Vision award. The award is presented to an individual or company that has exhibited leadership in ethanol marketing.

“ACE members recognize Bosselman Enterprises for leadership in committing to offer consumers choice at the pump, including the sale of higher blends like E15 and E85,” Lamberty said.  “The steps taken to provide customers with both choice at the pump, and knowledge through the distribution of informational brochures, sets Bosselman apart as a leader among convenience store chains.”



FAVORABLE REPRIEVE IN FARM EMISSIONS REPORTING MANDATE

In response to a motion from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and a supporting brief by the National Pork Proudcers Council that highlighted previous challenges faced by pork producers when filing air emissions reports, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit this week agreed to delay until Nov. 14 onerous and unnecessary farm air emissions reporting requirements. The court left open the possibility of a further extension beyond this date. The motion was made on the grounds that approximately 63,000 farms affected by this reporting requirement would need time to prepare and so “regulatory and administrative approaches to address these reporting obligations” could be explored. NPPC welcomes the decision and continues to work with the EPA on regulatory approaches to limit the burden of reporting on producers.



Pork Checkoff Hosts Negotiated Hogs Educational Workshop

The National Pork Board is hosting the inaugural Negotiated Pigs Educational Workshop to be held at the FFA Enrichment Center, 1055 SW Prairie Trail Pkwy, Ankeny, Iowa, on September 7, 2017.  This workshop is inteneded for those producers who are interested in increasing their skills and confidence in negotiating pigs on the cash market.  This is an opportunity to understand why negotiated hogs are important to the industry, how to use information and resources available from USDA, understand the packers' perspective, and learn from those in the industry most actively engaged in this activity every day. 

When:  September 7, 2017 8:30 AM  -  5:00 PM
Where:  FFA Enrichment Center, Ankeny, Iowa 50023
More Info and Register:  www.pork.org.



U.S. Soybean Farmers See Demand-Building Investments

Demand drives profitability, and the checkoff aims to build soybean demand in both domestic and international markets. There are several areas of opportunity that offer an optimistic outlook for soybean demand. U.S. soybean farmers were able to see some of the domestic demand-building opportunities through the soy checkoff’s 2017 See for Yourself (SFY) program from Aug. 7-11.

“Being able to see firsthand some of the ways my soybeans are used was a unique experience,” said Nathan White, a Missouri soybean farmer and SFY participant. “The SFY program gave me an opportunity to meet some of my end users and witness all the different ways U.S. soy is being promoted right in my backyard.”

Participants kicked off the program with the opportunity to tour a biodiesel facility, Mid-America Biofuels. Through investments from the soy checkoff, U.S. soybean farmers helped establish the biodiesel industry. Using more than 5.5 billion pounds of U.S. soybean oil in 2015, the biodiesel industry is a significant customer for U.S. soybean farmers and accounts for more than a quarter of all soybean oil used domestically. Biodiesel is an important investment for farmer checkoff dollars because as the biodiesel industry advances, so do demand opportunities for U.S. soybean oil.

High oleic soybeans give the U.S. soy industry an opportunity to win back market share and increase demand from end users looking for an oil that performs under high-heat conditions. Participants were able to learn more about the checkoff’s work with other industry organizations while touring a DuPont Pioneer facility. High oleic soybeans add to farmer profit opportunities by offering premium prices without a significant change to their production practices. The soy checkoff will continue to invest and build demand for high oleic soybeans because it fills a need for the No. 1 oil market – food.

The development of new soy-based products diversifies demand. Creating more end uses for soybeans will continue to build demand for U.S. soy and maximize profit opportunities for farmers. Participants saw this firsthand at the John Deere® assembly plant. John Deere® uses soy-based, sheet-molding compound for their HarvestForm™ tractor and combine. The soy checkoff continues to partner with private companies to produce soy-based products and ingredients, increasing demand of U.S. soy in non-food uses.

“The checkoff works around the world on behalf of U.S. soybean farmers, but we also do a lot domestically,” said Jimmy Sneed, Mississippi soybean farmer and United Soybean Board’s Audit & Evaluation Committee chair. “This year’s program was an opportunity to have our participants see and understand the checkoff’s domestic footprint and all that happens right in their own backyards. I think the farmers not only saw activities demonstrating how the checkoff works to develop profit opportunities for all U.S. soybean farmers right now, but they also learned how the checkoff is looking to the future to stay in front of the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.”



PUBLIC COMMENT PERIOD ON WOTUS EXTENDED

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency this week extended until Sept. 27 its public comment period on plans to repeal the Waters of the U.S. regulation (WOTUS). Earlier this year, the Trump administration ordered a review of the WOTUS rule, which broadened the EPA’s regulatory authority over waterways to include, among other water bodies, upstream waters and intermittent and ephemeral streams such as those that farmers use for drainage and irrigation. It also expanded the EPA’s authority to include farm lands adjacent to such waters. Public comments can be filed here... https://www.regulations.gov/document?D=EPA-HQ-OW-2017-0203-0001. 



Agriculture Advances Ag Literacy with Teacher Resource Grants

The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture presented teacher resource grants to 50 educators to help celebrate the Foundation’s 50th anniversary. Teachers may use the $50 grants to purchase agricultural literacy materials from the Foundation’s online store for classroom use.

“Our aim in presenting these grants is to advance agricultural literacy by providing teachers with classroom materials to share with their students and fellow teachers,” said Julia Recko, director of education outreach at the Foundation. Educators employed by a school and working in grades K-12 were eligible to apply for the grants.

The American Farm Bureau Foundation for Agriculture is working to rebuild the bonds of trust between American consumers and the people who proudly grow their food, fiber and energy. Learn more at agfoundation.org.



 AGCO Opens Nominations for 12th Annual Operator of the Year

AGCO Corporation (NYSE: AGCO) today announced the opening of nominations for AGCO Application Equipment’s 12th Annual Operator of the Year. The award recognizes the value of the hard work professional applicators do caring for crops and customers across the country, as well as their involvement in their communities.

Professional applicators spend long hours in the field every season, using technologically advanced application machinery like a RoGator® or a TerraGator® to accurately and efficiently apply fertilizer and crop protection products on millions of crop acres, helping farmers achieve their best possible yield.

“One important aspect of the Operator of the Year program is that nominations are submitted by those who know the operator’s work best,” said Mark Mohr, tactical marketing manager with AGCO. “They fully understand the sacrifices, hard work and precision that goes into being a professional applicator. And, AGCO realizes the critical role they play in helping farmers provide food, fiber and fuel to the world.”

The Operator of the Year program is open to all ag retailers and custom applicators in the United States, regardless of the equipment brands used in their application fleets.** A panel of judges from AGCO will evaluate nominees based on their performance both in the field and in the community, including criteria such as skill, dedication and customer service, as well as community involvement.

“What makes these applicators critical is their application expertise, customer knowledge and philosophy of treating each field as if it were their own,” added Mohr.

Ag retailers can submit nominations for the 12th Annual Operator of the Year at www.applylikeapro.com/oty now through October 23, 2017.

The list of nominees will be narrowed to four finalists. Finalists will be guests of AGCO at the 2017 Agricultural Retailers Association (ARA) Conference & Expo, Nov. 28-30 at the Arizona Biltmore Hotel in Phoenix, Arizona. The 12th Annual Operator of the Year winner will be announced Nov. 29 at the conference and presented the grand prize, a new Harley-Davidson® motorcycle.