Monday August 28 Ag News

Nebraska Extension Back to Basics Ag Land Management Seminar

The Ag Land Management Seminar: Back to the Basics, 101 will provide those who own farmland with useful information and education about that ownership. Learn management strategies for this asset by attending this seminar at the University of Nebraska Eastern Nebraska Research and Extension Center near Mead, NE (formerly the Ag Research and Development Center, 1071 County Road G, Ithaca, NE), on Thursday, Sept. 7 from 9:30 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

Topics include:
  - Am I keeping the farm, or selling it?
  - How do I manage a farm?
  - If leasing, what are key lease provisions?
  - What legal considerations do I have with this decision?
  - How do we manage family communications and expectations when other family is involved?
  - What does a soil test tell me?
  - I hear about organic or natural production, how does that vary from what my farmer is currently doing?
  - If corn and soybeans aren’t making money why don’t we raise other crops?
  - What should I expect for communications between the landlord and tenant?
  - What are key pasture leasing considerations?

“I am contacted monthly from citizens who have had their parents pass away, and now they are managing a farm for the first time in their lives,” said Allan Vyhnalek, Extension Educator and event speaker. “They may have even grown up there, but haven’t been around for 30 or 40 years, and need to understand that farming practices and management concepts have changed,” Vyhnalek continued.

The workshop is designed to provide primer education for those that haven’t been on the farm much, or on the farm much recently. It is also designed to be a refresher course for those that would like to have the latest information on land management and rental.

Pre-registration is requested by two days prior to the event. Registration fee is $20 per person or $30 per couple. The fee covers handouts, refreshments and lunch. Call 402-624-8030 to preregister.

The program is conducted by Allan Vyhnalek, Aaron Nygren, and Jim Jansen, Nebraska Extension Educators who provide farm land management and agronomy education in eastern Nebraska.

For more information or assistance, contact Allan Vyhnalek, Nebraska Extension Educator, Farm Succession, at 402-472-1771 or avyhnalek2@unl.edu.

Additional Public Info: http://extension.unl.edu/statewide/enrec/BackToBasics.pdf. 



NE Extension Seeks Info Into Your Dicamba Use and Suspected Injury in Soybeans 

Nebraska Extension educators and specialists have appreciated hearing from growers and agriculture professionals on suspected injury to soybean from dicamba use in soybean and corn as this helps them understand what problems exist and to formulate helpful suggestions in the future. They would like to gather more specific information to help identify what factors may have led to increased soybean injury this year. They are asking for your cooperation by taking an online survey here...  https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/VGXDBT9. 

Please feel free to include additional information about your experience with dicamba application or suspected injury this summer via email to dicamba@unl.edu.



White Mold More Common This Year in Soybean 
Loren Giesler - Extension Plant Pathologist

Once again we are seeing a lot of white mold in soybean. White mold or Sclerotinia Stem Rot is a disease that can be identified now, but management needs to have occurred previously, during bloom.

One of the main problems with white mold management is that the disease starts earlier in the season during flowering. The actual infection occurs on the senescing flower which the fungus uses as a food source. All infections in soybean typically start at a node. You can even tell when the infection occurred based on how high up the plant the stem lesions and fungal growth are. This year’s cool wet conditions during flowering were favorable for infection. More cool temperatures after infection were favorable for more growth of the fungus.

Symptoms at this point in soybean development will be individual or small pockets of dead or dying plants. Upon close inspection you will see a white cottony fungal growth on the stems which may also include dark black bodies (sclerotia) of the fungus on the stems. Stems of dead plants will be very light (bleached) in color and when dead stems are split, you will often see the sclerotia of the fungus inside.

The optimum temperature for growth of the fungus is 75°F. If temperatures move into the 90s, the disease will not spread much.

Some parameters to consider for your next soybean crop:
-    Row spacing: Narrow rows favor early canopy which creates an environment conducive for infection. In some areas more disease is being observed in narrow rows.
-    Fungicides: It’s too late now for rescue treatments. Fungicide applications need to be applied during flowering to have any effect on this disease.
-    Irrigation: Altering your irrigation at this time will add more stress to the crop as most fields are at peak water use. Any change in irrigation should have been done during flowering, if at all possible.

Diagnosis and Plant Disease Information
As with any disease, correct diagnosis is critical to proper management. If you are uncertain of the cause of damage in your field, I encourage you to have it identified at the University of Nebraska Plant and Pest Diagnostic Clinic.



Ricketts Announces Hall County as Newest Nebraska Livestock Friendly County

On Sunday, Governor Pete Ricketts designated Hall County as the newest county in Nebraska to be named a Livestock Friendly County (LFC). With the addition of Hall County, 42 of Nebraska’s 93 counties are now designated as livestock friendly.

“Agriculture and livestock are a major part of Hall County’s landscape,” said Governor Ricketts. “I’m pleased to be able to announce Hall County’s livestock-friendly status, as Grand Island and Hall County have always been extremely supportive of agriculture and the Nebraska State Fair. To keep growing Nebraska, we need to continue making Nebraska as livestock friendly as possible.”

The Livestock Friendly County program was created by the Nebraska Legislature in 2003 to recognize counties that support the livestock industry and new livestock developments. The Livestock Friendly County program is administered by the Nebraska Department of Agriculture (NDA).

“With feedlots, JBS beef processing, hog finishing, Case New Holland ag equipment manufacturing, Global Industries grain storage and handling, McCain Foods and other highly respected agricultural companies, Grand Island and Hall County support livestock and agriculture throughout the state and throughout the world,” said NDA Director Greg Ibach. “By requesting and receiving the state’s LFC designation, Hall County is saying that it can support growth and development in the livestock industry and turn it into more economic activity and job opportunities.”

A county wishing to apply for the LFC designation must hold a public hearing, and the county board must pass a resolution to apply for the designation. Additional information about the Livestock Friendly County program is available on NDA’s website at nda.nebraska.gov or by calling 800-422-6692.



IA DEPT OF AG RECOGNIZES STUDENT ARTWORK FOR “FROM THE FARM TO YOU” CALENDAR

Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey recognized thirteen students from Iowa at the State Fair for providing the artwork that appears in the “From the Farm to You” calendar.  The calendar was distributed to fairgoers by the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship and emphasizes the connection between the production of Iowa’s farmers and the products used by people every day

“Iowa’s rich soil and vast landscape has made Iowa one of the most productive areas for food and livestock production in the world,” Northey said.  “These students are helping showcase Iowa agriculture and breakdown the idea that food comes from grocery stores, not from farms.  It is great to be able to recognize them at the State Fair for their hard work and creativity.”

Northey presented the students with a certificate during the State Fair recognizing their selection.  The winners of the contest are listed below.  Photos from the presentation can be found at https://www.flickr.com/photos/iowaagriculture/albums/72157687852816266. Also, an electronic version of the calendar can be seen at http://www.iowaagriculture.gov/press/pdfs/2017/FarmToYouCalendar2017.pdf. 

Students can submit drawings to be considered for inclusion in the calendar next year.  Pictures should be drawn using only black lines on plain white paper, 8 ½ by 11 inches.  The pictures should not be colored.  They can be submitted to the Iowa Department of Agriculture and Land Stewardship, Calendar Kids, 502 E. 9th St., Des Moines, IA 50319.



Cattle on Feed Lower Than Pre-Reports
Katelyn McCullock, Economist, American Farm Bureau Federation

On August 1st there were 10.6 million head of cattle on feed, up 4% from the previous year.  Cattle placed onto feed saw a noticeable slowing up only 3% from 2016, and the first month without double digit placements since February. Although last February was a leap year leading to one additional calendar day, and resulting in a 1% decline in cattle placed when comparing last year to this year's Cattle on Feed numbers. Every other month in 2017 placements have been between 11%-16% above a year ago.

As pointed out in last week's ICM feedlot returns have eroded rather sharply over the last couple of weeks, largely driven by a decline in fed steer prices.  The five market slaughter steer prices has fallen #34.92 per cwt since its peak in early May. However, feedlot returns were still holding strong for most of the summer. July showed feedlot returns fell significantly from June to July and are expected to turn negative in August. June to July feeder prices fell about $12 per hundredweight, and weekly prices continue to slide, making feedlot more cautious about bidding aggressively for cattle. Marketings remained strong in July were up 4 percent, but with the deterioration in feeding returns its clear feedlots are thinking twice about filling pens with negative returns projected. Across the board, pre-report estimates were slightly higher than actuals, and had some rather wide ranges.

Cattle on Feed weight breakdown reflected smaller placements.  Last month all three categories under 800 pounds showed increases in the neighborhood of 25% above a year ago.  Comparatively, in June cattle under 600 pounds and over 800 pounds were up 2% each.  700-799 pound cattle had the higher increase over a year ago, up 7%. Nebraska continued to show high placements in cattle under 600 pounds and 700-799 pound weight categories.  Texas noticeably had less placements, even with a year ago compared to the 18% jump seen in June.  Colorado also was even with last year, showing only a gain in the heavy weight category of over 800 pounds. Last month, Colorado placements were up 19% over a year ago.



EPA and the Army Seek Input in the Review of the Waters of the U.S. Rule

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Department of the Army (the agencies) will hold 11 sessions to give stakeholders an opportunity to provide recommendations on a revised definition of “waters of the United States.” The agencies will hold nine two-hour long teleconferences that will be tailored for specific sectors, plus one that will be open to the general public. The agencies will also hold one in-person session for small entities.

“EPA is committed to an open and transparent process for reviewing the definition of ‘waters of the United States,’” said EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt. “Receiving input from across the country will help us make informed decisions as we move through our two-step process that will return power to the states and to provide regulatory certainty to our nation’s farmers and businesses.” 

These sessions follow the February 28, 2017, Presidential Executive Order on "Restoring the Rule of Law, Federalism, and Economic Growth by Reviewing the 'Waters of the United States' Rule." The February Order states that it is in the national interest to ensure that the Nation's navigable waters are kept free from pollution, while at the same time promoting economic growth, minimizing regulatory uncertainty, and showing due regard for the roles of Congress and the States under the Constitution.

To meet these objectives, the agencies are following an expeditious, two-step rulemaking process. The recommendations gathered through these stakeholder sessions, in addition to the feedback the agencies are hearing through ongoing outreach to state, local and tribal governments, will help inform the step two rulemaking, which would revise the definition of “waters of the United States” under the Clean Water Act.

The stakeholder sessions will be held on a weekly basis beginning September 19 and will continue each Tuesday thereafter for ten weeks.  Each will run from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m. eastern time. Information on how to register for each of these meetings is available on the EPA website.  Registration for each webinar will close a week prior. Those wishing to provide verbal recommendations during the teleconference will be selected on a first-come, first-serve basis. Due to the expected volume of participants, individuals will be asked to limit their oral presentation to three minutes.

Stakeholder Sessions Schedule
    September 19, 2017 –  small entities (small businesses, small organizations and small governmental jurisdictions)
    September 26, 2017 – environment and public advocacy
    October 3, 2017 – conservation, e.g., hunters and anglers
    October 10, 2017 – construction and transportation
    October 17, 2017 – agriculture
    October 24, 2017 – industry
    October 31, 2017 – mining
    November 7, 2017 – scientific organizations and academia
    November 14, 2017 –  stormwater, wastewater management and drinking water agencies
    November 21, 2017 –  general public

The agencies are also planning an in-person meeting with small entities, which will be held on Monday, October 23, 2017, from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time at the U.S. EPA’s Headquarters.

The agencies will also be accepting written recommendations on the step two rulemaking effort through a non-regulatory docket (EPA-HQ-OW-2017-0480), which will be available when the notice is published in the Federal Register. The agencies ask that this information be submitted on or before November 28, 2017.

Additional information: www.epa.gov/wotus-rule. 



Crop Insurers Respond to GAO Calls for Additional Budget Cuts
National Crop Insurance Services

The farm economy is struggling, with depressed prices and falling farm incomes reminiscent of the farm crisis in the 1980s. Back then, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) studied the best way to help farmers through tough times and noted, "crop insurance is a more equitable and efficient way to provide disaster assistance" than both taxpayer funded disaster payments and emergency loans.

GAO then recommended strengthening the country's crop insurance program, which Congress did. Now, crop insurance is a cornerstone of America's farm policy, farmers call it their top Farm Bill priority, and taxpayers are saving money because farmers and private-sector crop insurers help fund farm policy.

Given crop insurance's success and popularity, it is disheartening that GAO recently recommended weakening farmers' primary risk management tool. It's even more troubling that GAO would gloss over important facts about the returns crop insurance providers receive for delivering America's farm safety net. For example:

-    Insurance providers are not even achieving the returns targeted in the Standard Reinsurance Agreement with the USDA – GAO buried deep within its report the fact that actual returns have been 5 percentage points lower than USDA's target from 2011-2015.
    
-    GAO's data do not take insurers' full business expenses into account – essentially, they are confusing gross and net returns.
    
-    A 2017 study by economists from the University of Illinois and Cornell University noted that net returns for crop insurance providers were just 1.5% from 2011-2015.

Farmers all across the country are depending on crop insurance to help them weather the current economic crisis. And private-sector crop insurers are delivering that assistance in an efficient manner that has come in billions under budget.

Clearly the system is working and does not need to be weakened when it is needed most. Luckily, most lawmakers recognize crop insurance's value and are dedicated to keeping it affordable, widely available, and economically viable in the next Farm Bill.



CWT Assists with 487,222 Pounds of Cheese Export Sales

Cooperatives Working Together (CWT) has accepted seven requests for export assistance from a member cooperative that has a contract to sell 487.2 pounds (221 metric tons) of Cheddar cheese to customers in Asia, the Middle East and Oceania. The product has been contracted for delivery in the period from August through November 2017.

So far this year, CWT has assisted member cooperatives that have contracts to sell 47.5 million pounds of American-type cheeses and 3 million pounds of butter (82% milkfat) to 18 countries on five continents. The sales are the equivalent of 502.299 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.



U.S. and Mexican Dairy Industries Make United Call for NAFTA to Protect and Enhance Free Dairy Trade, While Rejecting Canadian and EU Trade-Distorting Practices

The U.S. and Mexican dairy industries released a unified list of priorities today that includes modernizing the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) to solidify their strong dairy market partnership, and addressing concerns about Canadian and European dairy policies.

A list of nine shared priorities was agreed upon Thursday at a second annual summit meeting here between leaders of the two nations’ dairy industries, collectively called the United States-Mexico Dairy Alliance. The written list of priorities was released today.

The U.S. dairy industry was represented by the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) and the National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF). Mexican dairy producer organizations included the Confederación Nacional de Organizaciones Ganaderas, Gremio de Productores Lechero de la República Mexicana, and the Asociación Nacional de Ganaderos Lecheros, along with Mexican processor organization Camara Nacional de Industriales de la Leche.

The summit occurred on the heels of the first round of NAFTA renegotiation talks. As NAFTA talks continue, the European Union (EU) is seeking, through direct negotiations with Mexico, to impose new barriers to dairy trade through the abuse of geographical indications. This is a significant concern to U.S. and Mexican cheesemakers because it would give the EU exclusive use of common cheese names like asiago, gorgonzola and feta.

Canada is also disrupting dairy trade in North America and beyond as its new Class 6/7 pricing scheme dumps artificially low-cost milk powder in global markets, displacing U.S. exports from the Canadian market.

“We want to strengthen our relationship as Mexico’s most trusted dairy trading partner so we can continue to work together for the benefit of dairy sectors on both sides of the border,” said USDEC President and CEO Tom Vilsack. “That goal is all the more essential given other nations’ efforts to pursue harmful and disruptive approaches to dairy trade with Mexico through practices that hurt Mexican and U.S. dairy farmers and workers in the process.”

Jim Mulhern, president and CEO of NMPF, said, “We are very pleased that our friends in Mexico have joined us in expressing opposition to the abusive attempts of the European Union to confiscate common food names, as well as the trade distorting practices of Canada, at a time when we are working to facilitate new opportunities throughout North America. This meeting provided an opportunity to explore how we can deepen those efforts.”

Last year, representatives from the two nations’ dairy sectors held a two-day summit in Denver, Colo., that created a United States-Mexico Dairy Alliance. This year in Guadalajara, the focus was on expanding areas of collaboration while preserving current trade. The NAFTA renegotiation talks emerged as an important topic because the agreement is the foundation of the industries’ mutually beneficial free-trade relationship.

Enacted in 1992, NAFTA removed barriers to trade, and has led to more than a six-fold increase in U.S. dairy exports to Mexico, to $1.2 billion in 2016. Round one of NAFTA modernization talks ended Aug. 20 in Washington, with a second round scheduled Sept. 1-5 in Mexico City, and a third round in Canada in late September.

Vilsack and Mulhern noted that, in contrast to Mexico’s open trade approach, Canada has retained sky-high dairy tariffs and implemented policies that hinder free trade between North American neighbors. Canada’s new Class 6/7 pricing policy has drawn strong concerns of both the United States and Mexico, and was a significant point of discussion at the meeting here.

Mulhern noted that the new Canadian pricing scheme “intentionally undercuts U.S. dairy protein exports to other world markets, and at the same time, hurts dairy farmers in the U.S., Mexico and around the world by artificially lowering world market prices.”

The U.S.-Mexico Dairy Alliance members agreed to continue to maintain an open communications channel between the industry organizations as they analyze and seek mutually beneficial solutions to problems affecting the dairy industries of both countries.

Vilsack said the meeting “illustrates how our industries are committed to seeing our relationship continue to flourish and to jointly rejecting unjustified barriers to dairy trade.”



FFA Thanks John Deere for Long-Standing Relationship and Partnership

This week, National FFA CEO Mark Poeschl and National FFA Foundation President Molly Ball visited John Deere to thank them for their long-standing support of agricultural education and FFA, helping to achieve the FFA vision of growing leaders, building communities and strengthening agriculture.

A platinum sponsor, John Deere is the longest running corporate sponsor of the National FFA Organization with 74 years of support. Their sponsorship of career development events, leadership programs, state officer programs, National FFA Officer programs, the Agriscience Fair and exhibit at the annual National FFA Convention & Expo, and scholarships helps FFA prepare students for careers in agriculture, and to be leaders and advocates for the industry.

Five years ago, John Deere and its dealers partnered with FFA to create a scholarship program to encourage young people to pursue careers in the ag industry. In 2017, the John Deere scholarship program awarded 139 college scholarships to FFA members, valued at more than $278,000. Scholarships were awarded to 86 females and 53 males. Top majors included agricultural business management, animal science, agricultural education, agronomy and crop science, pre-vet/vet medicine, agricultural engineering, engineering, agricultural sciences, agricultural economics and agricultural communications.

“We are so thankful for John Deere and their dealers’ generous support of our mission and helping us grow our leaders and prepare them for career success,” said Molly Ball, National FFA Foundation president. “The scholarship program is just one way that Deere is ensuring a bright future for our FFA members as we diversify the pipeline of young people pursuing careers in agriculture.”

”We are proud to support the National FFA Foundation, with its strong legacy of developing youth into tomorrow’s agriculture industry leaders; men and women who will be challenged to feed and clothe a growing global population,” said Amy Allen, manager of corporate sponsorships at John Deere.



Syngenta partners with Premier Crop Systems to turn data into knowledge

Syngenta and Premier Crop Systems, LLC, announce a commercial partnership to bring growers customized, variable-cost-per-bushel analysis maps – the first of this kind.

“We’re providing growers research at the speed of farming,” said Aaron Deardorff, head of digital agriculture solutions at Syngenta. “Providing valuable tools to help growers turn data into knowledge is a priority for Syngenta and Premier.”

Premier, an early developer of digital agriculture tools, currently provides data-driven agronomic recommendations for millions of acres of farmland. Its newest product, Enhanced Learning Blocks, enables the automation of large-scale, on- farm, replicated trials. By integrating products like this with the Syngenta AgriEdge Excelsior® program, Syngenta and Premier are giving growers needed tools to make data-driven decisions.

“The software integration provides growers an opportunity to understand how their cost of production varies within each of their fields,” said Mark Stelford, general manager at Premier Crop Systems. “As growers face tight margins, these insights will help optimize inputs and maximize yield, and improve return on investment.”

AgriEdge Excelsior from Syngenta is a whole-farm management program that helps growers increase and sustain their return on investment. It delivers trusted on-farm service, innovative products and the exclusive Land.db® software.

Land.db gives growers access to financial data, while Premier offers field-level productivity data. In combination, growers can review their within-field cost per bushel on blocks as small as 60 feet, and analyze up to 15 years of historical yield data. Field-relative yield maps will help growers identify opportunities to leverage their equipment’s variable-rate capabilities.

“Growers are looking for ways to get more out of everything they track,” said Stelford. “Growers are able to enter information into Land.db and get within-field cost of production information on precise maps through this integration. Premier’s capabilities also provide growers and their advisors with insights to build on their local agronomic knowledge and recommendations, using variable-rate technology.”

The maps demonstrate profitability per field from a cost-per-bushel perspective. Growers will also have access to specific farm prescriptions and the ability to run their own localized, on-farm trials, provided by Premier through their retailers.

“Syngenta is committed to helping growers feed the world,” Deardorff said. “We began using digital agriculture solutions to support that commitment more than 15 years ago, when the AgriEdge Excelsior program was started. Our broadened offers and integrations, like this collaboration with Premier Crop Systems, demonstrate that we are a partner to growers and a leader in the digital agriculture space.”

Currently, this integration is available to corn, soybean and wheat growers in the Midwest, with plans to expand in geography and crops. Growers interested in this offer should contact their retailer or local AgriEdge® Specialist.



New DuPont™ EverpreX™ Herbicide Gives Soybean Growers a Valuable Tool for Resistance Management

Soybean growers have a new option for giving crops a strong start to canopy development even when resistant weeds threaten yield and early season productivity. DuPont Crop Protection has introduced DuPont™ EverpreX™ herbicide, which provides extended residual control of ALS-, PPO- and/or glyphosate resistant weeds, including waterhemp, Palmer amaranth and other pigweed species.

“In the battle against resistant weeds, EverpreX™ is a valuable solution to help safeguard yield potential by minimizing competition for nutrients, moisture and sunlight,” said James Hay, business director, North America, DuPont Crop Protection. “EverpreX™ is a critical component of effective resistance management strategies, which overlay contact plus residual herbicides to provide season-long control, prevent weed escapes and stop the spread of resistant biotypes.”

EverpreX™ (pronounced ever-PRE-ex) demonstrates excellent weed control when tank-mixed with glyphosate herbicides, such as DuPont™ Abundit® Edge. When tank-mixed with other pre- or postemergence herbicides, EverpreX™ provides residual control of Palmer amaranth, waterhemp, lambsquarters, nightshade, foxtails and other small-seeded grasses and broadleaf weeds. Studies have demonstrated that tank mixtures including S-metolachlor deliver more complete, consistent control of many ALS-, PPO- and glyphosate-resistant grass and broadleaf weeds.

Compatible and easily mixed with many other soybean herbicides, EverpreX™ contains S-metolachlor for residual control via inhibition of shoot- and root-tissue growth soon after weed germination. It has a wide application window with the flexibility to be applied 45 days prior to planting and up to 90 days before harvest. It can be used as an early preplant, preplant incorporated, pre-emergence or postemergence herbicide that provides recropping adaptability when rotating from soybeans to other crops.

This is the latest advancement from DuPont Crop Protection, which has been recognized with 21 Agrow Awards, including the Best R&D Pipeline Award in 2013 and 2014. For more on how EverpreX™ can help manage herbicide resistance and protect yield potential, visit everprex.dupont.com.