Wednesday August 23 Ag News

FEED HAY TO LET PASTURE GROW
Bruce Anderson, NE Extension Forage Specialist

               Hay is for winter and pasture is for summer – right?  Well, maybe  we should rethink this schedule to increase overall production.

               Many of us received welcome rain here in August and pastures are growing again.  That means we can continue grazing and can hold our hay until later.  Or does it?

               Let’s think about this for a moment.  Does pasture grow during winter?  Of course not, so if we want more pasture growth we need to encourage it during the growing season.  What will happen, though, if we graze pastures short now during summer and fall?  Obviously – growth slows down and produces less than if we let it grow without grazing.

               To let it grow and accumulate without grazing, you probably need to feed hay.  But if you feed hay now, won’t you have less of it available for winter?  Maybe – but you shouldn’t need as much hay for winter because all that extra pasture growth that accumulated while you fed hay can be grazed this fall and winter when you normally feed hay.

               In fact, if you allow pastures to grow as much as possible from now until it freezes, you may feed less total hay before next spring than if you follow your standard practice of grazing now and saving hay for winter.

               So, if you expect to feed hay eventually before next spring, it might be smarter to feed some of it now rather than later so your pastures can produce extra forage while they still can.  This same practice might also be used on pastures that recently received heavy hail damage.

               Sometimes doing things backwards from our normal practices can maximize production.  Feeding hay now and grazing this winter might be one of them.



Retailers discuss ethanol opportunity at ACE conference

The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) hosted its 30th annual conference in Omaha last week, and for the fourth year in a row, the retailer panel was one of the highlights of the event. Charlie Bosselman, owner of Nebraska-based Bosselman Enterprises and Pump & Pantry c-stores, and Bob O’Connor, owner of JETZ Convenience Centers in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, shared experience-based insight on how the ethanol industry can help retailers add E15 and higher blends.

ACE senior vice president Ron Lamberty moderated the discussion addressing how to drive more ethanol gallons at retail. “We can come up with all kinds of programs that we think will move more ethanol, but we make the most progress when retailers tell us what they’ve learned and what they need from us,” Lamberty said. “ACE ‘deputizes’ early adopters like Bosselman and O’Connor to help us spread the word to other fuel marketers about these topics. Retailers trust the opinions of other retailers, so these people like Charlie and Bob are critical to ethanol’s growth.”
“I think ethanol has a great story,” O’Connor said. “You get more power, more performance, it’s local, and it’s cheaper. We’re all in the business to make money, and ethanol gave us an initial profit center.”

Bosselman echoed O’Connor in addressing why they got involved. “The simplest reason was to make money,” Bosselman said. “There are a lot of benefits that come with that—our ability to market the fuel, tell a story to our customers—especially since we are in rural communities—about us and ethanol and the products that they grow on their farm and how it’s all intertwined together.”

Echoing a theme from last year’s conference retailer panel, both retailers mentioned customer confusion over what E15 was and whether they could use it. O’Connor said his sales increased dramatically when he began marketing E15 as “Unleaded-88,” reflecting its octane value. Pump & Pantry started selling E15 under the name “Clean-88,” and is evaluating the effectiveness of the name.  “At the end of the day, the consumer just wants to buy gas,” O’Connor said. “Whether we call it clean-88 or unleaded-88, customers should know what we’re going to call it, so there’s no confusion in the marketplace.”

Bosselman and O’Connor shared how E15 and E85 sales are contributing to their bottom line. Bosselman said sales are up this year compared to last. “So far, this year, we’re up 22 percent with E85, and our E15 sales are up 222 percent,” Bosselman said. “We understand the markets are a function of price, but as we’ve become more involved, it’s become more important for us to understand the ethanol business and be a partner in it.”

O’Connor expressed some pointers the ethanol industry can work on to help retailers adopt higher ethanol blends, including Reid vapor pressure (RVP) reform, availability of RIN-less ethanol, and helping promote financial incentives and resources. “I think at the end of the day, you have the right product at the right price at the right time, and we will prevail,” O’Connor said.



FEI, INC. CELEBRATES GRAND OPENING OF BRANCH LOCATION

The public is invited to the grand opening of FEI, Inc.’s branch location on August 24, 2017. FEI has opened its fourth warehouse location to better serve customers throughout the northern plain states.

“The opportunity was knocking at the door and we answered it,” said incoming president Christy Fliflet. “We are excited to better serve our customers throughout the northern plain states with the addition of the Hastings warehouse.”

FEI will commemorate its grand opening with a customer appreciation lunch starting at 11 a.m. at 9135 Osborne Drive West. Vendor demonstrations will follow at 1 p.m. A ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at 4:45 p.m. with the Hastings Chamber of Commerce. A business after hours/open house will run from 5:15 p.m. to 7 p.m.

The Hastings FEI warehouse is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. CST. More information on FEI, Inc. can be found at www.feiinc.com.



DILIGENT MANAGEMENT STILL KEY TO AVOID SPREAD OF PALMER AMARANTH IN IOWA FIELDS

State, federal and extension experts are encouraging Iowa farmers to stay vigilant in their efforts to control Palmer amaranth. Iowa lawmakers added this fast-growing weed to Iowa’s noxious weed list in July as a response to a significant increase in the presence of Palmer across Iowa in 2016.

“Now is time for farmers to get out and scout fields for Palmer amaranth, especially if they know it is in their area or have land that was planted with a native seed mix in recent years.  Palmer grows very quickly and produces a tremendous amount of seed, so our best chance to control this weed is to catch it and destroy it before it goes to seed,” said Iowa Secretary of Agriculture Bill Northey.

Palmer amaranth is an annual weed that when uncontrolled can significantly reduce crop yields and increase crop production costs. Also known as Palmer’s pigweed and carelessweed, Palmer can grow more than three inches per day and up to more than six feet tall.  Because one Palmer plant can produce up to 500,000 small viable seeds, which can remain dormant and germinate years later, it’s crucial the plants are controlled before seed development.

The first step in controlling Palmer is plant identification, according to Alan Lange, resource conservationist with the USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service in Des Moines.  In Iowa, the summer annual can first be identified in late June or early July. “Farmers and landowners should actively search for Palmer in crop fields, borders, ditches, conservation lands and hay feeding locations,” he said. “Farmers should also frequently monitor areas where control measures have been taken to determine if regrowth or new emergence of Palmer has occurred on the site and use follow-up treatments to control any surviving or new growth.”

To find online resources to help with Palmer Amaranth identification, go to: https://store.extension.iastate.edu/Product/Palmer-amaranthidentification.

The similarity between Palmer amaranth and waterhemp will allow Palmer to go unnoticed until it’s too late to eradicate from a field unless people are on always on high alert, according to Bob Hartzler, a weed science professor and Palmer amaranth expert from Iowa State University.

During the 2016 growing season, Palmer amaranth was found on some land seeded to native prairie that was enrolled in USDA programs, like the Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). There are specific measures that should be followed to control Palmer on CRP land.  Iowa’s noxious weed law specifically states that if Palmer is found on CRP areas, the CRP rules cannot be violated to control the weed.

Iowa NRCS Agronomy Technical Note 40: Eradicating Palmer Amaranth on Tallgrass Prairie Restorations, lists a detailed description of recommended and allowable Palmer Amaranth control measures on CRP. Here are some highlights:
-    First consider the use of spot treatments and methods that will establish and maintain as much of the seeded prairie plants as possible.
-    Palmer thrives in open spaces and areas of soil disturbance that lack plant competition; so avoid tillage for several years in locations where Palmer is present.
-    Broadcast herbicide applications are only available on CRP contract acres certified to have 100 or more Palmer amaranth plants present.
-    Avoid the spread of palmer amaranth seed by cleaning boots, shoes and pants with a stiff brush before leaving the site. Avoid driving a vehicle (truck, ATV or UTV) through fields infected with Palmer. Clean equipment such a tractors, mowers and vehicles of all soil, seeds and plant material before leaving the site.

Visit your local USDA Service Center if Palmer amaranth is found in prairie restorations that are supported by USDA conservation programs, such as CRP, the Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP), or the Conservation Stewardship Program (CSP). Field Office personnel will assist you with your conservation program questions and help plan your control option.



Iowa Pork Industry Center to Hold PQA Advisor Certification Session Sept. 11

Iowa Pork Industry Center at Iowa State University continues to work with industry professionals by offering Pork Quality Assurance Plus 3.0 advisor certification opportunities, including a newly scheduled session for Monday, Sept. 11. Chris Rademacher, ISU Extension and Outreach swine veterinarian, reminded potential applicants that attendance at this all-day session and passage of an exam at the end of the session is required for certification.

“Everyone who wants to attend must complete the two-page application form and be approved in order to attend this session,” he said. “Because the application deadline is just a short time from now, I encourage people to submit their application soon to ensure receipt in time for approval and payment.”

Rademacher is coordinating the session, which will be held at the Hansen Ag Student Learning Center on the Iowa State campus in Ames. There is a 15-person minimum with the application deadline of the earlier of Aug. 31 or when the 30-person maximum is reached. No walk-ins are allowed and no individual spot is guaranteed until the application is approved and specific payment is accepted by IPIC. The cost is $75 per person and includes all materials, refreshments and the noon meal.

The session begins with registration at 8:30 a.m. and instruction starting at 9 a.m.

Those who qualify and are interested in the program should download the application form from the IPIC website, then complete and submit it soon. The form is available as a fillable pdf document and as a Word document.

To be eligible to submit an application, individuals must meet the following qualifications:
-    Be a veterinarian, extension specialist or ag educator (defined as a person who spends full time in adult education or at least half time in production training) AND
-    Have a D.V.M. or B.S. in animal science (or equivalent) AND
-    Have two years of recent documentable swine production experience.

The Iowa Board of Veterinary Medicine has approved seven hours of CE credit for the session.



Cover Crop and Soil Health Field Day Sept. 13 near Orange City

Iowa Learning Farms, in partnership with West Branch of the Floyd River Watershed Project, will host a cover crop and soil health field day Wednesday, Sept.13, 5:30-7:30 p.m. The field day will be held at Jonathon and Crystal Kiel’s farm, rural Orange City. It is free, open to the public and includes a complimentary meal.

The Kiels have been farming west of Orange City for 10 years. They raise corn and soybeans, pasture graze cows and calve each year.  For the last five years, the Kiels have used cover crops on all of their 320 crop acres. Using a wide variety of cover crops, their main goals are to improve soil health and encourage nutrient cycling. Their recent adoption of no-till was also motivated by improved soil health, but also the cost reductions compared to conventional tillage. Kiel will discuss the transition to no-till and tips for adding cover crops to farm land.

Mark Licht, cropping specialist with Iowa State University Extension and Outreach, will lead a field day discussion on improving soil health with practices that reduce soil erosion. Iowa Learning Farms events coordinator Liz Juchems will share results from cover crop projects examining species selection, seeding techniques, water quality and soil health indicators like earthworms. West Branch of the Floyd River Watershed coordinator Colton Meyer will provide project updates and highlight opportunities to get involved.

The field day will be held at the Kiel Farm, 4449 Hickory Ave, Orange City. From Orange City, head west on IA-10/450th Street for four miles. Turn right to head north on Hickory Avenue for 0.6 miles. The farm will be on the west side of the road.

The workshop is free and open to the public, but reservations are suggested to ensure adequate space and food. RSVP to Sioux County NRCS office at 712-737-2253 Ext. 3 or email ilf@iastate.edu.



Feedlot Profitability Turns Negative
Josh Maples, Asst Prof., Dept of Agr Econ., Mississippi State University

Current and expected fed cattle prices have declined by approximately $10/cwt over the past five weeks. This decline has eroded the projected profitability for feedlots through the rest of 2017. According to K-State's Kansas Feedlot Net Return series, the projected net return for steers in Kansas feedyards was $136 per head for July closeouts. In fact, each month in 2017 has seen positive returns with some months in the late Spring showing more than $300 per head returns. The projections for the next nine months, however, are negative. August closeouts show projected losses of $31 per head while the projected loss for November is $169 per head.

Feedlot returns are volatile as they rely on both feeder and fed market prices, feed cost of gain, and a relatively long production lag. The K-State report provides historical and projected return information and was last released on August 14th. The K-State series reflects a cash market situation without price risk management strategies being implemented. Many feedlots do engage in some type of price risk management. However, few can fully offset price risks and most feedlots at least partially exposed to price risks at placement.

The positive feedlot returns seen during the first half of 2017 helped encourage feedlots to bid aggressively to replace boosted marketings. The shift toward negative returns means feedlot operators will have to make tough decisions about replenishing inventory with cattle that are projected to lose money. The historically large losses of 2015-16 are certainly still fresh on operators and lenders minds. In any case, it is likely that feedlots will be forced to continue to bid less aggressively on feeder cattle than during the past few months as they closely monitor the profitability of their operations.



United Soybean Board Announces Polly Ruhland as New CEO

After an intensive search by a farmer-led team, the United Soybean Board (USB) has named Polly Ruhland as the new chief executive officer (CEO) effective November 1, 2017.

“Polly exceeded all of the attributes for what we as a board were looking for in a new CEO to lead us into the future,” says John Motter, USB chair and soybean farmer from Jenera, Ohio.

“Polly brings a platform of experience and expertise that parallels the opportunities and challenges facing the soy industry – building demand in domestic and global markets, creating consensus throughout the commodity supply chain, solidifying partnerships with national and state organizations and being an industry catalyst. I am confident that under her leadership, the soy checkoff will accelerate our vision of advancing Innovation Beyond the Bushel,” he added.

Ruhland has provided executive management expertise to the agriculture community for many years. She brings an extensive background in agricultural non-profit management, strategic planning, communications and regulatory compliance to her position serving the directors of USB and the larger soybean community. She currently serves as CEO at Cattlemen’s Beef Promotion & Research Board. She graduated from Colorado State University with a Master’s Degree in Agriculture and University of Colorado with a Bachelor of Arts in English and Communications. She also did post-graduate work at the PhD level in agriculture and rural sociology with an emphasis on grower decision making in cooperative structures. She has served as the chairman of the Commodity CEO Roundtable, a group of CEOs in research, promotion, and marketing programs. She is an Eisenhower Fellow, a certified mediator, and holds a professional certificate in the Freedom of Information and Privacy Acts.

In accepting the position, Ruhland said, “USB’s innovation and agriculture industry leadership attracted me to this opportunity. I am looking forward to working alongside farmer leaders and organizational partners to take USB into a bright future.” 

USB remains focused on improving farmer profit opportunities through continuous improvement in meal, oil and sustainability by leveraging checkoff resources through strategic partnerships. 

John Becherer, current USB CEO, served USB for the last 23 years and positioned the checkoff for even greater successes in the future. John will work with USB to support the transition and the incoming CEO until his retirement at the end of the year.



19 Soybean Growers to Lead World Initiative for Soy in Human Health in 2017-18

American Soybean Association (ASA) President Ron Moore confirmed 19 fellow soybean growers from across the nation to lead the ASA’s World Initiative for Soy in Human Health (WISHH) Program Committee in 2017-18. The importance of their work in long-term market development was underscored on Aug. 10 when the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced U.S. farmers are expected to produce a record-high soybean crop this year at 4.38 billion bushels.

“WISHH strives for long-term market development and is always looking over the hill to the next market for U.S. soy,” Moore said, while announcing the WISHH committee. Officers are: Chairman Daryl Cates (IL); Vice Chair Levi Huffman (IN); Treasurer Stan Born (IL); and Secretary George Goblish (MN).

New WISHH Committee Members include: Matt Gast (ND), representing the North Dakota Soybean Council, and Gerry Hayden (KY) representing ASA. They will serve alongside soybean growers from 11 other states. Other new faces to the WISHH Committee include David Lueck (MO), United Soybean Board Director David Williams, a Michigan soybean grower, and U.S. Soybean Export Council (USSEC) Chief Operations Officer Ed Beaman; all of these individuals will serve as ex-officio members of the committee. Returning WISHH Committee Members include the officers as well as Tim Bardole (IA); Ryan Cahoon (NC); Thomas Kentner (IL); Jeff Lynn (IL); Kurt Maurath (KS); Steve Reinhard (OH); Dawn Scheier (SD); Roberta Simpson-Dolbeare (IL); Jim Wilson (MI); and Bill Wykes (IL), representing ASA.

Moore thanked retiring WISHH Committee Members Art Wosick (ND) and E.L. Reed (MO) as well as USSEC ex-officio member Marypat Corbett.

“WISHH’s Program Committee’s leadership is important to U.S. soybean growers as well as the many companies and customers in developing countries that seek to use U.S. soy in livestock feeds and human foods,” Moore said. “Cooperative efforts between WISHH and these emerging economies increase opportunities for trade.”

Cates added that WISHH leverages U.S. soybean farmer checkoff dollars 6 to 1.

“And that’s just the beginning,” he said. “WISHH further multiplies Qualified State Soybean Board dollars through international private-sector partner investments. The right formula for trade grows markets for U.S. soy farmers, and at the same time, improves lives for people abroad. WISHH works with international companies and organizations that purchase U.S. soy. These buyers invest thousands of their own dollars to research and promote soy-based foods and feeds made with U.S. soy in emerging markets.”



USGC, Growth Energy, RFA Statement On Brazil Decision To Impose U.S. Ethanol Import Tariff

Brazilian Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply Blairo Maggi tweeted this afternoon that CAMEX, Brazil’s Chamber of Foreign Trade, has approved a recommendation to impose a 20 percent tariff on U.S. ethanol imports after a 600 million liter tariff rate quota. Local media are reporting this TRQ would be in place for the following two years, stymying access to a large and growing market for U.S. ethanol exports.

The following is a joint statement on this action from U.S. Grains Council (USGC) President and CEO Tom Sleight, Renewable Fuels Association (RFA) President and CEO Bob Dinneen and Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor:

“We are disappointed and discouraged to see the ruling out of Brazil today imposing a tariff on U.S. ethanol. Given the tremendous volume of information we provided to Brazil that demonstrated how misguided a tariff would be, it seemed politics prevailed today and Brazilian consumers lost. Imposing tariffs on U.S. ethanol imports will hurt Brazilian consumers by driving up their costs at the pump. Additionally, this action goes against Brazil’s longstanding view that ethanol tariffs are inappropriate and will effectively close off an open and bilateral trading relationship that benefits all sides. We strongly urge this recommendation to be reversed as soon as possible and will work to that end through all available pathways.”



Farmers Union to Power the Transition to a Homegrown, Renewable Energy Future for the U.S.

The transition to a homegrown, renewable energy future for America is underway. Biofuels, higher blends of ethanol in gasoline, and advanced, bio-based technologies are reaping tremendous benefits for our environment and providing much-needed economic stability to America’s farming and rural communities. The U.S. must implement federal-level policies that encourage expanded markets for these energy sources and remove regulatory barriers that inhibit their growth.

To that end, National Farmers Union (NFU), in conjunction with state Farmers Union divisions, today began an initiative to advance federal policies that support homegrown and home-produced renewable energy sources. NFU hired veteran energy, environment and agriculture policy specialist Anne Steckel to lead the effort.

“American family farmers and ranchers are facing a rapidly changing climate, a severely depressed farm economy, and deteriorating rural infrastructure and services,” said NFU President Roger Johnson. “Expansion of homegrown, renewable energy production provides solutions to each of these issues and significant benefits for American consumers and the environment. Today, National Farmers Union expands upon its long history of advancing these new technologies.”

The Farmers Union initiative will promote legislative and regulatory solutions for expanding markets for higher blends of ethanol, like E30, and advanced biofuels.

“Federal-level policies like the Renewable Fuel Standard have reaped tremendous gains for the farming and rural communities that grow and produce renewable, bio-based fuels,” said Steckel. “NFU will continue its avid support of the RFS and pursue innovative policy solutions that expand renewable energy demand, development and infrastructure.”

The effort follows a special order of business that was passed by delegates to the NFU 115th Anniversary Convention in March.

“The modern biofuels industry has brought billions of dollars of capital investment, millions of dollars of new tax base, and many thousands of new good paying jobs with benefits to struggling rural communities,” said Steckel. “We need to be expanding our use of the renewable energy fuels that clean up our air, bolster rural economies, and save American consumers money at the pump,” she added.

Leaders in the biofuels and renewable fuels industry lent their support to the initiative, noting NFU’s long history advocating for clean, homegrown fuels.

“We are excited to see NFU elevating its advocacy for higher ethanol blends and promoting advanced cellulosic biofuel technologies,” said Growth Energy CEO Emily Skor. “Encouraging legislative and regulatory pathways that increase the availability of high-octane fuels helps American farmers as well as automakers and consumers seeking better performing biofuel choices. These kinds of forward-thinking, clean energy options are made possible by the Renewable Fuel Standard – our nation’s most successful energy policy.”

“Expanding market access for ethanol will help rural communities prosper and enable American drivers to benefit from homegrown, low-cost, high-performance choices at the pump,” said Brian Jennings, executive vice president of the American Coalition for Ethanol. “The American Coalition for Ethanol (ACE) welcomes the continued leadership of NFU as we all work to clear a pathway for widespread use of high-octane fuels in the future.”

"The National Farmers Union has long been an ardent and effective advocate for farmers and value-added agriculture,” said RFA President and CEO Bob Dinneen. “I am quite pleased that NFU is poised to expand its advocacy to focus more directly on the U.S. ethanol industry, both through higher level blends and increased advanced biofuels production. Ethanol is the cleanest, lowest cost, highest octane source of fuel on the planet and we want to ensure greater market access for higher level blends. Consumers win when there’s a choice at the pump and we welcome the National Farmers Union’s efforts to ensure greater market competition.”



UAN28, UAN32 Lead Fertilizer Prices Lower

Retail fertilizer prices continued their downward trend the third week of August 2017, according to fertilizer retailers surveyed by DTN. All eight of the major fertilizers had lower prices compared to a month earlier.

Only two fertilizers had a significant price drop compared to a month earlier. UAN28 is down 6% compared to the previous month, while UAN32 was down 5%. UAN28 has an average price of $216/ton and UAN32 was at $251/ton.

The remaining six fertilizers had lower prices compared to last month, but none of the declines were significant. DAP had an average price of $434/ton, MAP $460/ton, potash $338/ton, urea $305/ton, 10-34-0 $419/ton and anhydrous $419/ton.

On a price per pound of nitrogen basis, the average urea price was at $0.33/lb.N, anhydrous $0.26/lb.N, UAN28 $0.39/lb.N and UAN32 $0.39/lb.N.

All retail fertilizers are lower compared to a year earlier. Three of the eight major fertilizers are double digits lower.

Anhydrous is now 19% lower from a year ago while 10-34-0 is 18% less expensive and UAN32 is 12% lower. Both urea and UAN28 are 9% less expensive, DAP is 4% lower, MAP is 3% less expensive while potash is 2% lower.



USDA Seeks Public Input on Updates to Animal Welfare Act Licensing Requirements

Marking the 51st anniversary of the Animal Welfare Act (AWA) this week, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Sonny Perdue today asked for input from the public to help determine potential updates to the law’s licensing requirements.  The Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), is tasked with upholding and enforcing the AWA.  The AWA was signed into law by President Lyndon Johnson on August 24, 1966.

“As a trained veterinarian, humane standards of care for animals are close to my heart and central to my love and concern for our four-legged friends,” Perdue said.  “Administering the AWA is a key USDA mission, and we are always looking for ways to improve.  We welcome comments from the public as APHIS considers changes to the licensing requirements to help us fulfill this important responsibility.”

Each year, USDA issues nearly 6,000 licenses to people who breed, sell, or exhibit animals for commercial purposes.  The department is responsible for ensuring that these licensees comply with the AWA’s humane standards of care, which enables the American public to confidently purchase pets and view animals on public display.

The full list of potential changes will be published in the August 24, 2017 Federal Register and be available after publication at the Regulations.gov website.  Comments will be accepted through October 23, 2017, either online at Regulations.gov after August 24, 2017 or in writing at: Docket No. APHIS-2017-0062, Regulatory Analysis and Development, PPD, APHIS, Station 3A-03.8, 4700 River Road Unit 118, Riverdale, MD 20737-1238.

On August 18, 2017, APHIS unveiled a refined public search tool that provides access to AWA compliance records. The public search tool is a component of the Animal Care Information System and will allow APHIS to make animal welfare information publicly available and ensure compliance with all applicable laws.



Judge Blocks North Dakota Law in Question Over Farm Equipment

A federal judge has blocked a North Dakota law designed to protect farm equipment dealers.  The law permits implement dealers to sell generic rather than name-brand replacement parts.

Four major manufacturers of farm implements filed a lawsuit that claims the law is unconstitutional.  The judge's order directs Attorney General Wayne Stenehjem not to enforce the measure until the issue can be resolved.

The complaint was filed by Agco, CNH, Deere & Co. and Kubota.



Performance Food Group and DuPont Pioneer Announce the National Roll-Out of New Pioneer® Brand Plenish®^ High Oleic Soybean Oil-Based Premium Fry Oil for Restaurants

Performance Food Group Company (PFG) (NYSE: PFGC) and DuPont Pioneer today announced PFG is introducing a new high-performance soybean oil that is helping expand the market for U.S. soybean growers. The primary ingredient in the new oil, Pioneer® brand Plenish®^ high oleic soybean oil, has been shown to maintain its quality longer in fryers and has an oil profile similar to that of olive oil without impacting taste.

Brilliance High Performance Soybean Clear Fry Oil 35-pound containers from PFG will carry the Plenish high oleic oil brand name and logo to help identify the improved oil.

“We selected Plenish high oleic soybean oil to be the primary component in our Brilliance Premium Oils brand because it offers superior stability under high temperatures, which improves fry life and reduces polymer buildup on cooking equipment,” said Scott Barnewolt, vice president of Procurement for Performance Foodservice. “In addition to providing our customers with a high-performance cooking oil with a healthier oil profile, we are pleased to help build a new market for U.S. soybean farmers with this exciting product innovation. We look forward to developing additional applications for Plenish high oleic soybean oil in other PFG products.”

Plenish high oleic soybean oil is 20 percent lower in saturated fats than commodity soybean oil, contains approximately 75 percent heart-healthy monounsaturated fat and has zero transfats per serving. The unique oil profile of Plenish high oleic soybean oil has a fry life 2-3 times longer than commodity soybean oil and allows the product to be used in high-temperature applications where commodity soybean oil is not an option.

“The marketing collaboration between PFG and Pioneer will enable much greater distribution of Plenish high oleic soybean oil to the nation’s restaurants,” said Russ Sanders, Food & Industry Markets director, DuPont Pioneer. “We’re especially excited that the thousands of farmers in 13 states who grow Plenish high oleic soybeans could encounter their products in restaurants in major population centers and their local communities.”

Plenish high oleic soybeans were developed by Pioneer to bring food companies and consumers a cooking oil with improved stability with a healthier oil profile, and to provide new markets for soybean farmers. They are grown under contract by U.S. soybean growers for a premium. End-user and processor demand has been expanding annually for the new soybeans as they have realized the value-added benefits Plenish high oleic soybeans bring.

Demand for U.S. soybean oil in the food industry has decreased over 30 percent since 2002 when the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) announced a mandate to label trans fats. At that time about 50 percent of U.S. soybean oil was partially hydrogenated to make it a more stable but created trans fats. Since then, restaurants and food services have switched to alternative oil products to replace partially hydrogenated soybean oil. In 2018 the U.S. FDA intends to eliminate the GRAS (Generally Regarded As Safe) status of trans fats, thereby eliminating the use of partially hydrogenated soybean oil in food products. The very high stability of Plenish high oleic soybean oil does not require hydrogenation while delivering enhanced functionality and a healthier oil profile.



John Deere Calling Back Some Laid Off Workers

Farm equipment sales are projected to increase about 10 percent for fiscal 2017 and be up about 24 percent for the fourth quarter compared with the same period of 2016. That's good news John Deere's Waterloo workforce.  Company spokesman Ken Golden says whittling down the number of workers on layoff.  About 35 Waterloo employees were called back last week, he said, and 75 since June.  He estimated about 250 workers are still on layoff. Nearly 1,000 Deere Waterloo workers had been idled in a pair of layoffs in late 2014 and early 2015.