Thursday August 24 Ag News

Fifth Graders Get Up-Close Look at Agriculture at New Ag Festival

More than 300 fifth graders from Northeast Nebraska gained firsthand experience on where their food, fiber, and fuel come from by attending the first ever Growing Potential Ag Festival in Jackson, Neb., on August 24.

The festival was put together by the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation and the Northeast Corn Growers Association, with more than 15 sponsors coming together to help put on the successful event. FFA Chapters from Pender and Wisner also volunteered at the event.

“With both of our organizations having an interest in agriculture and our next generation of leaders, we thought it would be a great idea to offer an event for local kids to learn about Nebraska’s number one industry,” said Courtney Schaardt, director of education outreach. “At the Foundation, we engage youth and share how important agriculture is to them and to the state of Nebraska.”

Students made their way around eight learning stations that covered different aspects of agriculture. At one station, the fifth graders discovered the process of planting and harvesting by getting an up-close look at a planter and combine with experts from Pender Implement Company showing students how the equipment works. Other activities included learning about the different parts of a corn plant, discovering potential careers in the ethanol industry, and seeing how farmers take care of the land through water management.

“It’s a very powerful thing and why we wanted to get students out here, because we knew that there would be so many different aspects of modern agricultural techniques our students could experience,” Nicholas Kleve, fifth-grade teacher from Lewis and Clark Elementary in South Sioux City, said. “It’s great to have my students see the behind the scenes of where their food comes from and how it gets to the grocery store. It just creates opportunities and curiosity that maybe they could have a career in agriculture.”

Information about the new one-day festival hit teachers’ mailboxes this spring, and available classroom spaces filled up within a day. Schools participated from towns across Northeast Nebraska including South Sioux City, Wisner, Ponca, Homer, Emerson, Laurel-Concord, and Hartington.

“We are so excited that these kids had such a great time today,” said Taylor Nelson, a member of the Northeast Corn Growers Association. “It was great to see all of these agriculture groups join together to teach their communities about all of the aspects of agriculture. We thank them for sharing their time and their resources,” he continued.

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, Lux Brothers Inc., and FFA Chapters from Pender and Wisner.



ACE staff, member plant help educate youth on biofuel

The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) staff and member plant, Siouxland Ethanol LLC, are partnering with the Northeast Nebraska Corn Growers (NNCGA) in their effort to create and increase opportunities for Nebraska corn growers through advocacy, education, partnerships, and leadership development by participating in an ag youth literacy festival and showcase plot today in Jackson, Nebraska.

NNCGA in partnership with the Nebraska Farm Bureau Foundation is working to put together its first Growing Potential Ag Festival for about 300 middle school aged students in its member counties. The festival is a day-long event where students rotate through nine stations, including corn products and processing, corn planting, corn harvest, renewable fuels and ethanol production, corn feed and livestock, GMO education, parts of the corn plant and pollination, crop protection, and agricultural UAV technology.

ACE director of member and industry relations, Liz Bunkers, and director of special projects and outreach, Chuck Beck, will join Pam Miller, Siouxland Ethanol’s board chair and director of investor and industry relations, at one of the stations to show students products of the ethanol production process and discuss how it works, as well as educate them on future career opportunities and the variety of ways to get involved in the renewable fuels industry.

“We’re involving organizations like the Farm Bureau, corn growers and others in the industry, who are experts in their respective fields, to show ways that a variety of groups can contribute to this effort,” said Taylor Nelson, with NNCGA and owner of Jackson Express. “We hope to provide the kids with an all-day, hands-on, fun, and engaging learning opportunity, and have the chance to really tell the story of production agriculture the way it should be told.”

 “From the farm to the gas station, there are a lot of people who have their hands in ethanol, and there are a variety of opportunities to get involved,” Bunkers said. “Even if a student isn’t necessarily interested in working directly on the farm or even in ethanol production, there is fuel research and testing, industry partners who work in advertising and marketing, and plenty of other careers in ethanol. We hope we can help create an initial awareness of these career paths, so students can keep it in mind as they explore careers in the future.”

 “We want to create a positive initial awareness for these students of what’s going on in their communities and agricultural economy that could lead to career exploration in the future,” Nelson added. “We see educating the public and educating those who are not involved in agriculture as critically important to start at an early age, so they can continue building on that in high school and on into college.”



Conservation Lightning Talks Strike at Nebraska State Fair

More than 97 percent of land in Nebraska is privately owned, much of that in use for agriculture, putting Nebraska farmers and ranchers on the front lines when it comes to environmental stewardship. That's one of the reasons the Alliance for the Future of Agriculture in Nebraska (AFAN) encourages everyone to turn out for the inaugural "Conservation in Agriculture Day" offerings August 31st at the Nebraska State Fair.

 "Nebraska's is the only state fair presenting this kind of conservation program," said Kristen Hassebrook, executive director of AFAN. "Nebraska farmers and ranchers go to great lengths to protect the environment, while raising safe and nutritious food. We are excited that consumers will have an opportunity to engage on this topic at the state fair and speak one-on-one with conservation experts."

Sponsored by Sand County Foundation, which presents the annual Nebraska Leopold Conservation Award (NE LCA), the educational sessions comprise three rounds of "lightning talks." Leading voices in their fields will give five-minute presentations to provide fair-goers the opportunity to hear about the importance that farmers and ranchers in Nebraska place on conservation.

"Over the past 11 years, we have been looking for a way to expand our education and outreach efforts," said Craig Utter, Nebraska coordinator for the Leopold Conservation Award for the Sand County Foundation. The Leopold Award, he said, "is more than an awards program. It's a platform from which to tell the great stories on conservation on private lands across Nebraska."

The lightning talks begin at 9 a.m., in the Raising Nebraska Building. The format will include three rounds of five speakers, each presenting about one of the five conservation topics - water, soil, wildlife, partnership and stewardship - as follows:

9:00 a.m.
1. WATER: Jacob Fritton, The Nature Conservancy
2. SOIL: Aaron Hird, Soil Health Specialist, NE Natural Resources Conservation Service
3. WILDLIFE: Laurel Badura, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service
4. PARTNERSHIP: Andy Bishop, Rainwater Joint Venture
5. STEWARDSHIP: Homer Buell, rancher

9:30 a.m.
First five speakers available to discuss topics one-on-one in the Conversation Pit.
    
10:00 a.m.
6. WATER: Katie Pekarek, University of Nebraska Extension
7. SOIL: Patrick Peterson, Plum Thicket Farms
8. WILDLIFE: Andy Houser, Pheasants Forever
9. PARTNERSHIP: David Sands, Nebraska Land TRust
10 STEWARDSHIP: Kalkowski family, ranchers

10:30 a.m.
Speakers 1-5 available to discuss topics one-on-one in Conversation Pit
    
11:00 a.m.
Speakers 1-5 present again
Speakers 6-10 available in Conversation Pit area for one-on-one discussions.



Cargill to Invest $18 Million in Nebraska Facility
A multi-million dollar project to upgrade the Cargill grain facility in Gibbon, Neb., is underway. Once complete, growers will have access to an additional 2 million bushels of upright grain storage space and an increased unload capacity of 65,000 bushels per hour.

"The Gibbon area features high production, mostly irrigated farm ground that historically produced consistently high yields. We're excited to expand our capabilities and improve service to growers in the area," said Jim Reiff, Northwest commercial leader for Cargill's Agricultural Supply Chain in North America. "In addition, the facility is on the Union Pacific mainline rail, connecting our growers to export markets in the U.S. Gulf, Pacific Northwest, and Mexico, and helping to meet the needs of key end user customers in California."

The facility, located at 46750-70th Rd, Gibbon, Neb., has eight full-time employees who handle corn, soybeans and wheat. The improvements, which will be complete by early 2019, are being done in phases, with no shutdowns planned throughout construction.

"These improvements are in line with our growth strategy and ensure we can continue to provide a competitive offering to Cargill customers," said Dave Baudler, grain managing director for Cargill's Agricultural Supply Chain in North America. "The upgrades in Gibbon will have a positive impact on both long and local supply chains. It will continue to enhance the service we can provide to key strategic customers and reinforces our goal of being a trusted partner for American farmers and a leader in U.S. grain and oilseeds."

The Gibbon, Neb. location is one of 16 facilities Cargill operates across the state of Nebraska, where it has over 3,800 employees.



Red Meat Production Up 3 Percent from Last Year

Commercial red meat production for the United States totaled 3.99 billion pounds in July, up 3 percent from the 3.87 billion pounds produced in July 2016.

Beef production, at 2.11 billion pounds, was 4 percent above the previous year. Cattle slaughter totaled 2.61 million head, up 6 percent from July 2016. The average live weight was down 12 pounds from the previous year, at 1,333 pounds.

Veal production totaled 5.7 million pounds, 1 percent above July a year ago. Calf slaughter totaled 39,000 head, up 3 percent from July 2016. The average live weight was down 7 pounds from last year, at 250 pounds.

Pork production totaled 1.86 billion pounds, up 2 percent from the previous year. Hog slaughter totaled 9.02 million head, up 3 percent from July 2016. The average live weight was down 1 pound from the previous year, at 277 pounds.

Lamb and mutton production, at 11.0 million pounds, was down 4 percent from July 2016. Sheep slaughter totaled 167,400 head, 2 percent below last year. The average live weight was 132 pounds, down 2 pounds from July a year ago.

By State  (million pounds - % July '16)
Nebraska ...........:        633.6            101      
Iowa ..................:        525.9            104      
Kansas ...............:        478.5            110      

January to July 2017 commercial red meat production was 29.3 billion pounds, up 4 percent from 2016. Accumulated beef production was up 5 percent from last year, veal was down 1 percent, pork was up 3 percent from last year, and lamb and mutton production was down 5 percent.



Dairy Webinar Series “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?” Offered in September

Dairy specialists with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach will host webinars on Sept. 19 and 26, entertaining and educating with a dairy version of “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?”

Both webinars will begin at noon and will include information on how to analyze a dairy for profits and the profitability of various dairy systems. The Sept. 19 webinar will focus on conventional and hybrid dairy systems while the Sept. 26 webinar will discuss organic and organic “grass-fed” dairy systems.

The webinars are sponsored by ISU Extension and Outreach and the North Central Risk Management Education Center. Participants may join the webinars by logging onto https://connect.extension.iastate.edu/isuedairy.

For more information contact ISU Extension and Outreach diary specialists Larry Tranel (tranel@iastate.edu or 563-583-6496) or Jenn Bentley (jbentley@iastate.edu, 563-382-2949).



Trump: Inevitable U.S. Will Withdraw from NAFTA

President Donald Trump, speaking on Tuesday night in Arizona near the Mexican border, said it looks inevitable the U.S. will pull out of the North American Free Trade Agreement. It's a now familiar threat -- but no less concerning given the U.S. just this week wrapped up the first round of negotiations with Mexico and Canada to revise the trade agreement by early next year.

Trump's comment that "we'll end up probably terminating NAFTA at some point" may add to a lurking fear that he won't have the patience to see the process through.

"The danger is that the president either with a very short fuse or his 'my way or the highway approach"' will torpedo the talks, Arturo Sarukhan, a former Mexican ambassador to the U.S., said on the sidelines of NAFTA talks in Washington. To be sure, it could be a scare tactic. Trump backed down from an earlier threat to scrap the pact after seeing a map of states with NAFTA-dependent economies that helped vote him in office.

According to Bloomberg, Mexico could have the most to lose if the pact unspools, as the country has been Trump's prime target. Its foreign minister, Luis Videgaray, said Wednesday that talks are continuing and if Trump really wanted to break up NAFTA he would have done so already. Canada expects "moments of heated rhetoric," during the discussions, its Foreign Ministry said.



Apply Now for the 2017-18 ASA DuPont Young Leader Program

The American Soybean Association (ASA), DuPont Pioneer and DuPont Crop Protection are seeking applicants for the 2017-18 ASA DuPont Young Leader Program (DYL).

For more than 30 years, the ASA DuPont Young Leader program has identified and developed grower leaders who have shaped the agricultural industry.

“The ASA DuPont Young Leader Program has had a tremendous impact on not only the soybean industry, but all of agriculture. Since the program’s inception in 1984, it has recognized the value gained from engaging and encouraging a diverse agricultural leadership which includes farmers – both men and women. Through participation in this state-of-the-art training program, growers are able to realize their leadership potential while creating meaningful relationships that lead to increased collaboration that influences the industry,” said ASA President Ron Moore, a farmer from Roseville, Ill. “We can’t thank DuPont Pioneer and DuPont Crop Protection enough for their longstanding support of the program.”

The ASA DuPont Young Leader program is a challenging and educational two-part training program. Phase I of the 2017-18 program will take place at the DuPont Pioneer headquarters in Johnston, Iowa, Nov. 28-30, 2017. The program continues Feb. 25-28, 2018 in Anaheim, Calif. in conjunction with the annual Commodity Classic Convention and Trade Show.

“The ASA DuPont Young Leader program opened my eyes to the diversity and complexity that is found within our agriculture today,” said Monica McCullough, 2017 DuPont Young Leader alumni. “The leadership development and personal connections that have occurred during this program have given me the skill set to authentically engage with others and to share our story about agriculture in a way that is welcoming to all. This is an industry were very few people shoulder the responsibility of feeding so many, with that being said, we all have a responsibility to engage in the ways in which our time and talents allow. The ASA DYL program has helped me on my journey of finding my role within agriculture.”

Soybean grower couples and individuals are encouraged to apply for the program, which focuses on leadership and communication, the latest agricultural information and the development of a strong peer network. ASA, its 26 state affiliates, including the Grain Farmers of Ontario and DuPont, will work together to identify the top producers to represent their state as part of this program.

“America’s farmers provide the strongest voice for, not only agriculture, but also for rural America. We are proud to support the young leader program, which is developing the next generation of grower leaders and advocates for U.S. agriculture,” said Randy Wanke, sr. manager industry relations, DuPont Pioneer.

Applications are being accepted online now. Interested applicants should click here www.soygrowers.com for additional program information and to apply.



Reaching Consumers With Beefy Messages

Did You Know ... This July, the beef checkoff hosted a “Be Your Own Butcher” Facebook Live event from the “Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.” Culinary Center? The event featured a hands-on cutting demo by in-house meat scientist Bridget Wasser. Bridget educated the “Beef. It’s What’s For Dinner.” Facebook community on how to save at the meat case by purchasing a whole tenderloin and cutting strips, steaks, kabobs and medallions at home. This event reached nearly 140,000 consumers on the Facebook platform, with more than 38,000 views and 1,300 engagements (likes, comments, shares) – the highest performing Facebook Live event to date. 

Did You Know ... Consumers across the U.S. are showing a definite interest in beef, as evidenced by their enthusiasm for delicious and nutritious checkoff-funded recipes? In fact, since the beginning of the fiscal year (October 2016), BeefItsWhatsForDinner.com has circulated more than 1.4 million recipes and counting, a marked increase over the website’s recipe dissemination goal (1.15 million recipes). Some of the more recently popular recipes – such as the Basil Beef Asian Pasta Stir-Fry, Steak Kabobs & Wild Rice with Mushrooms, and the Hearty Steak and Bean Chili – all offer consumers the instruction they need to confidently create the perfect meal for their friends and family.

To learn more about your checkoff investment, visit MyBeefCheckoff.com.



Time is Running Out to Enter Cattle for WDE 2017

Owners of North America’s finest dairy cattle are encouraged to enter their lineup for the 2017 World Dairy Expo® Dairy Cattle Show by August 31 at 11:59 p.m. (CDT). Entry fees increase on September 1, as late online entries continue to be accepted through September 10; after that, paper entries will continue to be honored until the day of the show for an additional fee.

All animals must have an official USDA AIN or Canadian CCIA RFID number listed on their entry form at the time of submission. Animals lacking this number – or with a pending identification number – will not be accepted. More information regarding identification requirements, along with entry forms, schedule of events, rules and other updates are available online at www.worlddairyexpo.com and included in the Premium Book – mailed to recent dairy cattle exhibitors on July 1.

Questions related to cattle entries and the WDE Dairy Cattle Show may be directed to Laurie Breuch, Dairy Cattle Show Coordinator, at lbreuch@wdexpo.com or Ann Marie Magnochi, Dairy Cattle Show Manager, at amagnochi@wdexpo.com, or by calling the Expo office at 608-224-6455.



Famous Dave's Founder to be Inducted into BBQ HoF

Famous Dave's of America, Inc. announced that the American Royal Association has named the "Famous Dave" Anderson, to the 2017 class of inductees to the Barbecue Hall of Fame. The formal induction ceremony will take place during the 2017 Barbecue Hall of Fame at the American Royal at the Kansas Speedway over Labor Day weekend.

Each year, three individuals are awarded the prestigious honor and are recognized by the Barbecue Hall of Fame for their significant contributions to the barbecue community and demonstration of achievement in barbecue excellence. "Famous Dave" Anderson will be honored along with Jeff Stehney and Melissa Cookston at the ceremony.

Mike Lister, Chief Executive and Operating Officer, commented, "This honor certainly comes as no surprise having worked with Dave for the past twenty years. He has brought great barbecue to millions and is an incredible mentor and visionary in our community. Dave is a barbecue ambassador who truly lives and breathes the values he preaches every day."

Founder Dave Anderson said, "People consistently ask how I got involved in barbecue, and I always answer that I was born into barbecue. My dad, a Choctaw Indian from Isabel, Oklahoma, loved his Southern Home Cooking and his Real Pit Barbecue done the 'Old School Way' of smoke and meat, smoldered over live burning embers. I've never thought of what I do as a business, but a way of life. Barbecue has been my life's passion and there's nothing more that I love than making people happy with the foods I grew up with and that is what makes me happy in life! Being told that my peers had nominated me to be inducted into the Barbecue Hall of Fame at the American Royal is humbling, amazing, and incredible for a kid that grew up with nothing more than a dream and a willingness to work hard... proving nothing is impossible!"